The Hand of Chaos (Death Gate Cycle #5)

9780553563696

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Tracy Hickman

Genre Fiction Books & Literature

Format Mass Market Paperback

Dimensions 6.70 (w) x 11.06 (h) x 1.07 (d)

Pages 512

Publisher Random House Publishing Group

Publication Date November 1993

ISBN 9780553563696

Book ISBN 10 0553563696

About Book

Chaos is everywhere as the Lord of the Nexus orders his servant Haplo and the human child known as Bane to further their master's work on Arianus, the realm of air. But their one time companion Alfred has been cast into the deadly Labyrinth. And somehow the assassin Hugh the Hand has been resurrected to complete his dark mission. More important, the evil force that Haplo and Alfred discovered on Arianus has escaped. As Haplo's doubts about his master grow deeper, he must decide whether to obey the Lord of the Nexus or betray the powerful Patryn...and endeavor to bring peace to the universe.

Reviews

Library Journal

The ancient Patryn-Sartan conflict over control of the four elemental realms enters a new phase as Patryn agent Haplo returns to the Realm of Sky, only to discover its invasion by serpentlike creatures whose evil ambitions threaten the destruction of all the realms. This fifth installment of a seven-volume fantasy epic bears the now-familiar Weis/Hickman trademarks: offbeat humor, complex villain/heroes, and an emphasis on moral responsibility. Despite a tendency toward wordiness, the authors have a knack for sustaining a good story. Purchase where the other series titles are in demand. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 12/92.

Roland Green

The first four volumes of the Death Gate cycle--notable feats of fantasy worldbuilding--recounted the reemergence of the enmity between the mages Sartan and Patryn. This fifth volume is the first of a climactic three in which that enmity is affected by the advent of common enemies. Haplo (of "Fire Sea", the third volume) returns to Arianus, the Realm of Sky, to discover himself at the key point in the conflict, facing not only formidable foes but divided loyalties. Weis and Hickman are certainly continuing their megasaga in a thoroughly readable fashion that will not disappoint their established readership, although their worldbuilding is still better than their pacing or characterization. Every collection patronized by Death Gate fans, however, will need the latest installment.

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