The Gate Thief

Mithermages, Book 2

By: Orson Scott Card

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki, Emily Rankin

In this sequel to The Lost Gate, best-selling author Orson Scott Card continues his fantastic tale of the mages of Westil, who live in exile on Earth.

Here on Earth, Danny North is still in high school, yet he holds in his heart and mind all the stolen outselves of 13 centuries of gatemages. The Families still want to kill him if they can’t control him - and they can’t control him; he is far too powerful.

On Westil, Wad is now nearly powerless - he lost everything to Danny in their struggle. Even if he can survive the revenge of his enemies, he must still somehow make peace with the Gatemage Daniel North, for when Danny took that power from Loki, he also took responsibility for the Great Gates. And when he comes face-to-face with the mages who call themselves Bel and Ishtoreth, he will understand just why Loki closed the gates all those centuries ago.

©2013 Orson Scott Card (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc

Critic reviews

"Card weaves another in a chain of satisfying, teenager-pleasing fantasies…. Card has a grand old time romping around in the fields of comparative religion while letting a feud worthy of the Hatfields and the McCoys unfold, with much tongue-in-cheek humor but a touch of gore, too." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Familiarity with The Lost Gate is useful, but not essential, as Card gives readers enough background to have at least a partial understanding of the world he’s created….Defined characters and a highly imaginative story. For the author’s fans, a must-read." (Booklist)

Still trying to slog through

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I'd give it a plot. This one seems to be sorely missing one, or at least it's moving so slow that it's difficult to find. (Reminds me of Loki being stuck in the tree, moving through the gate a fraction of an inch each day.)

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I'd make it tighter, more focused.

Did Stefan Rudnicki and Emily Rankin do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Eh--I don't care for Stefan Rudnicki's reading of this--he has a beautiful voice, but it's just not right for these characters. Emily Rankin does an okay job.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

Any additional comments?

I'm disappointed. Although I usually like Orson Scott Card's writing, I don't think I'll be buying these audiobooks anymore. Both this Gate Thief series and the Pathfinder series started off with an interesting premise and a pretty good story, but with both second books I had the same problem; they're just too slow. I'm not even sure I'll finish this one.

Average

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would, if my friend has nothing else to do.

Would you be willing to try another book from Orson Scott Card? Why or why not?

Yes, because he is very good. It's just that this book wasn't as good as "The lost gate". It's a total different rythm. It's like somebody else wrote it. I love the way he writes but the story was just too flat.

Which scene was your favorite?

When he is in a trance and remember what Wad learned in Egypt. I liked the twist, but he didn't delivered at the end.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes

Any additional comments?

For Orson, try to go the way you did in "the lost gate" especially the first part. It was VERY GOOD.

Loved the first book, this part got weird.

Orson Scott Cards writing is ALWAYS superb, even this novel was well written. But (and as Orson Scott Card discussed in the 'epilogue') he dove largely into explaining the science' part of this science-fiction novel. And he balanced it well, it's just that the bulk of it seemed to be very dogmatic at times exhibiting an inner-turmoil to walk right up to the line of blaspheme and then turn away--given the knowledge that Orson Scott Card is a member of Mormon Church-LDS. I know it is fiction, but it seemed SO DEVELOPED that at times it felt like I was reading one man's personal indoctrination manual for either Scientology 101 or post-Mormonism and done so from within the midst of drug-induced haze.

The other aspect was that some of the 'theology' seemed to parallel that which was referenced in the Ender's series--particularly 3rd and 4th books; sort of a re-gifting of an underlying ideal but simply a different setting and characters.

Personally, I always viewed the Mormon faith of the 1800's as simply a precursor for Scientology of the 1900's... this book eerily bridged that unintended gap. It was either that or it felt like the story should have been narrated by Cheech & Chong... like oh wow, man.
(maybe a little bit of both)

Narration was great as it was in the book before, again, the pacing and tempo between these two good narrators could be better blended to compliment as contrast.

And as in the first book, this book was only the second part to a three part novel.

Interesting World, Dumb Characters

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I want to know about the adult characters, and the world their from. What's the motivation of the bad guy, he has no purpose other than just being a jerk to the universe.

Any additional comments?

Card created a pretty unique world with and interesting take on all the world religions. The story and concept are what I liked the most. There are adult characters that are very intriguing who I think would make for much more interesting a story.

What I didn't care too much for were the young characters and their interactions which is 90% of the book. The main character, Danny North, is morally ambiguous from the start but not very interesting. His friends in high school spend most of their time as a sounding board for Danny to make his moral judgments. This results in an inordinate amount of time spent listening to high schoolers stand around discussing logic and philosophies far beyond them interspersed with fart and sex jokes.

The first book isn't that bad, but by the time you get to the third you find yourself wanting to hit fast forward through these interactions.

Great book

What can you say about a great book? other than its a great book. Mister Card has once again proven himself to be a great story teller

great stuff, too short !

As many of OSC's books, its too short (12hrs) we want more !
this book is very well written, although it is not an epic series, it's more casual.
all the threads tie in well together...AND YES I know he explained some things twice.
In general, it flows well.. could you really ask for more ?

the only things that make me stop listening to a book are :
-illogism of action, not on par with actions from a real human being
-the absence of an early hook or generalized boredom
that wasn't the case here.
Imo, your criticism is overplayed..you hold OSC in higher esteem than other authors and therefore, you are harsher with him than you normally would be.

now, as for teenage pregnancy,...hahaha wow that hit a cord.
I didn't see that as a problem while listening...but I can see why that would bother mothers. Honestly tho, think about it. I know a real 16yrs old couple DON'T think about babies, but with a godling ?? I think you underestimate the dictators that are our genes.

here's the basics of Human nature :
Men want women with solid hips to carry the baby and large breast to feed it.
(marilyn monroe)
Women want strong men to protect and provide
(james bond)
Power is the greatest aphrodisiac of all
(Bill clinton)

this is a fantasy book where godlings exist...how could these young women do anything but want their genes to join that deep and powerful pool.

Anyway this is a great book, although too short and I for one enjoyed it !

Great Fun

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book offers a unique world and system of magic. On top of that, the story is just plain addictive.

What did you like best about this story?

The strength of character and integrity of the main character, who is still just a boy, makes him a fantastic hero that you start rooting for right away.

Which character – as performed by Stefan Rudnicki and Emily Rankin – was your favorite?

Danny is by far the best character, though the gate thief is interesting because of his mixture of heroic and base qualities.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This book was hard to put down once I started it!

Card's Sequel is satisfying yet leaves you wanting

Okay, yeah, I pre-ordered this book last fall...and waited anxiously...

and I was NOT disappointed!

Orson has written another fantastic fantasy, a world filled with mages who were once so powerful they became the gods of mythology. But since the Gate Thief began stealing the great gates which allowed the mithermages to travel back and forth between worlds, their power has been fading.

A new Gate Mage has been born on earth and has defeated the Gate Thief only to discover a different, more powerful threat.

This book was exciting, full of tense precipices of decisions. Orson is a master storyteller, he is amazing at developing detailed three dimensional characters, worlds and, in the mithermages world, a system of magic and mages.

Another thing I love about Card is that he started his career as a playwright, and LOVES audiobooks. This come out in his stories. With the idea of never using unnecessary words and expecting his stories to be read aloud.

And Stefan Rudnicki is the man to read them. every time I pick up a book narrated by Stefan I cringe for the first minute or so. His voice is...unusual at first...but I quickly get caught up in it and for the rest of the book I am completely enveloped in a well narrated book. I've never heard Emily Rankin before this one but I must say she fit this story well.

I very much enjoyed The Lost Gate and was excited for this book and probably one of my favorite things about this one...I was captivated u[p until the satisfying conclusion...

BUT I was expertly set up already longing for the next book.

In short-

Read it, you'll love it.

Brilliant sequel to the lost gate but...

What made the experience of listening to The Gate Thief the most enjoyable?

Card develops the world further and weaves historical elements and interpersonal back stories which bring the story to life

What did you like best about this story?

two interwoven stories of the two worlds set to be reconnected

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

it was a great story - love it love it love it... BUT... the author leaves it hanging in the most diabolical place... seriously I was like: Arrrrrgh... and rushed to audible to buy the third part in the series... only to find that it's not published yet!
Three days later and I still cant get my head out of the story nor can I find relief due to the conclusion being un available...

Pretty annoyed with OSC right now.

Orson Scott Card wins again

There are very few books of OSC that I have not eagerly devoured, time and again, since Ender was first published. Some I had to grow into, some grew with me, like Enchantment. Always eagerly awaiting any new titles.