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'''''Gate of Ivrel''''' is a 1976 novel by American writer [[C. J. Cherryh]], her first published work. It is the first of four books composing [[the Morgaine Stories]], chronicling the deeds of Morgaine, a woman consumed by a mission of the utmost importance, and her chance-met companion, Nhi Vanye i Chya.
'''''Gate of Ivrel''''' is a 1976 novel by American writer [[C. J. Cherryh]], her first published work. It is the first of four books composing [[the Morgaine Stories]], chronicling the deeds of Morgaine, a woman consumed by a mission of the utmost importance, and her chance-met companion, Nhi Vanye i Chya.


Cherryh lists it on her website as a [[Fantasy literature|fantasy novel]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cherryh.com/www/univer.htm |title=The Universes of C.J. Cheryhh........... |website=www.cherryh.com}}</ref> and noted author [[Andre Norton]] agrees with her.<ref name=Norton>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=HFGJEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT7 |title=The Complete Morgaine |page=17 |publisher=Astra Publishing House |year=2015 |isbn=9780698410435}}</ref> Others, however, classify it as [[science fiction]]<ref name=Walton>{{cite web |url=https://www.tor.com/2010/03/17/grimmer-than-grim-cj-cherryh-lemgthe-chronicles-of-morgainelemg/ |title=Grimmer than grim: C.J. Cherryh, The Chronicles of Morgaine |last=Walton |first=Jo |author-link=Jo Walton |date=March 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.audible.ca/pd/Gate-of-Ivrel-Audiobook/B0725JT98L |title=Gate of Ivrel |publisher=[[Audible (service)|Audible]]}}</ref> or [[science fantasy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thriftbooks.com/enwiki/w/the-morgaine-saga-morgaine-saga-books-1-2-and-3_cj-cherryh/305075/#edition=1258956&idiq=4241505 |title=The Morgaine Saga: Gate of Ivrel, Well of Shiuan, Fires of Azeroth |publisher=[[ThriftBooks]] |quote=Sword-and-sorcery meets hard sci-fi in C.J. Cherryh 's epic story of a woman's mission across time and space to preserve the integrity of the universe.}}</ref>
Cherryh lists it on her website as a [[Fantasy literature|fantasy novel]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cherryh.com/www/univer.htm |title=The Universes of C.J. Cheryhh........... |website=www.cherryh.com}}</ref> and noted author [[Andre Norton]] agreed with her.<ref name=Norton>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HFGJEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT7 |title=The Complete Morgaine |page=17 |publisher=Astra Publishing House |year=2015 |isbn=9780698410435}}</ref> Others, however, classify it as [[science fiction]]<ref name=Walton>{{cite web |url=https://www.tor.com/2010/03/17/grimmer-than-grim-cj-cherryh-lemgthe-chronicles-of-morgainelemg/ |title=Grimmer than grim: C.J. Cherryh, The Chronicles of Morgaine |last=Walton |first=Jo |author-link=Jo Walton |date=March 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.audible.ca/pd/Gate-of-Ivrel-Audiobook/B0725JT98L |title=Gate of Ivrel |publisher=[[Audible (service)|Audible]]}}</ref> or [[science fantasy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thriftbooks.com/enwiki/w/the-morgaine-saga-morgaine-saga-books-1-2-and-3_cj-cherryh/305075/#edition=1258956&idiq=4241505 |title=The Morgaine Saga: Gate of Ivrel, Well of Shiuan, Fires of Azeroth |publisher=[[ThriftBooks]] |quote=Sword-and-sorcery meets hard sci-fi in C.J. Cherryh 's epic story of a woman's mission across time and space to preserve the integrity of the universe.}}</ref>


==Plot summary==
==Plot summary==
The non-technological land of Andur-Kursh is split into warring cantons, each with ambitious, competing clans. Vanye is a barely tolerated bastard fathered by a Nhi lord on a captive from an enemy clan, the Chya. One day, he kills one legitimate half-brother and maims the other with his sword after being baited, for which he is exiled.
The pre-technological land of Andur-Kursh is fought over by rival clans, among them the Nhi and the Chya. Vanye is the despised bastard son of a Nhi lord and a Chya captive. One day, he kills one legitimate half-brother and maims the other after being baited.


Hunted by his half-brothers' clan, Vanye enters Morgaine's vale, an eerie place shunned by all. He accidentally releases Morgaine, a beautiful woman trapped in a Gate long ago. Vanye recognizes her as a legend from the past. Weary, cold and hungry, he accepts food and shelter from her. Only then does he remember that she, alone of all women, has been given lord-right, which means she can (and does) claim a year of service for her hospitality.
Exiled for his crimes, Vanye inadvertently frees Morgaine, a beautiful woman whom he recognizes as a legend from the past. Morgaine had been trapped in stasis for a century in one of the many "Gates" (passageways through space and time) which dot the land. By age-old custom, she claims a year of service from him for his acceptance of her food and shelter.


She explains that the Gates that dot the land are passageways through both space and time. An alien species, the ''qujal'', had found the Gates and used their powers to establish an interstellar empire and enslave other races, among them humans. But one reckless fool had gone back in time, triggering a cataclysm that wrecked qujal civilization. The Union Science Bureau seeks to end that threat, sending 100 men and women on a one-way mission, traveling through the Gates to other worlds, closing each one behind them. The last five Union survivors reached this world a century before and recruited allies to attack Thiye, lord of the master Gate at Ivrel. But they were betrayed and nearly their entire army was swallowed up by the Gate. Only Morgaine and a few soldiers escaped. Pursued, she was forced to seek refuge in a lesser Gate, to wait in stasis until freed.
Morgaine explains that she is on a mission to close the Gates, as the misuse of their powers has destroyed entire civilizations in the past. The rest of her group were betrayed while attempting to attack this planet's master Gate at Ivrel, controlled by Thiye. Only Morgaine and a few soldiers escaped. Pursued, she fled into a lesser Gate.


Morgaine remains determined to close the Gate at Ivrel. She seeks aid from Clan Leth, a past ally, but its lord, Kasedre, is half mad. His chief counselor, Chya Liell, warns them to leave, killing a guard to give them no choice.
She seeks aid from Clan Leth, but its lord, Kasedre, is half mad. His chief counselor, Liell, warns them to leave, killing a guard to leave them no choice.


Morgaine and Vanye enter Chya lands and become uneasy guests of Chya Roh, Vanye's cousin. After questioning, they are let go, only to be attacked by Thiye's men. Morgaine draws her sword, Changeling, which can tap the power of the Gates to send its victims elsewhere. The two escape, but run into a Nhi band. She is set free, though without her sword, while Vanye is forced to remain behind by his half-brother Erij, now the lord of Nhi. Erij wants his brother to help him rule his land. When Vanye refuses, he draws Changeling, not knowing its powers. Vanye uses the ensuing mayhem to retrieve the dropped sword and rejoin Morgaine.
Morgaine and Vanye become uneasy guests of Roh, Vanye's cousin and lord of the Chya. After questioning, they are let go, only to be attacked by Thiye's men. Morgaine draws her sword, Changeling, which can tap the power of the Gates to send its victims to another place and time. The two escape, but run into Vanye's people. She is set free, though without her sword, while Vanye is forced to remain behind by his half-brother Erij, who wants Vanye to help him rule their land. When persuasion and threats alike prove useless, he draws Changeling, not knowing its powers. Vanye uses the ensuing mayhem to retrieve the dropped sword and rejoin Morgaine.


Roh had warned him not to trust Liell, whose body is rumored to have been taken over by another. Morgaine confirms this can be done using a Gate. Thiye has prolonged his life this way, and Morgaine suspects her century-old betrayer has too.
Roh warns him not to trust Liell, whose body is rumored to have been taken over by another. Morgaine confirms this can be done using a Gate. Thiye has extended his life this way, and Morgaine suspects her betrayer has also.


After another clash with Nhi warriors, Morgaine is personally escorted by Roh out of his domain. Liell and his men capture all three. He takes Vanye to a Gate to switch bodies. Vanye escapes, stealing a horse which is carrying Changeling, but is recaptured by Erij.
After another clash with Nhi warriors, Morgaine and Vanye are personally escorted by Roh out of his domain. Liell and his men capture all three. Liell takes Vanye to a Gate to switch bodies. Vanye escapes, stealing a horse which is carrying Changeling, but is recaptured by Erij.


Erij, emboldened by his possession of Changeling, is persuaded to attack Ivrel. After driving off Liell's men with the deadly sword, the pair breach Thiye's fortress. Vanye retakes Morgaine's sword in a surprise attack. Inside, they come upon the aged Thiye, but the old man is killed by Roh. Roh tells them that Morgaine is loose and that Liell is dead. He then flees.
Erij, emboldened by his possession of Changeling, attacks Ivrel. After driving off Liell's men with the sword, the pair breach Thiye's fortress. Vanye surprises Erij and retakes Morgaine's sword. Inside, they come upon the aged Thiye, but Roh kills him. Roh tells them that Morgaine is loose and that Liell is dead. He then flees.


Vanye finds Morgaine and gives her the sword. She tells Vanye that Liell has taken possession of Roh in his place. Roh/Liell has set the controls to soon shut down all the Gates in the world. He hopes to escape to another planet, leaving his enemies trapped here. Morgaine sets off in pursuit. Erij unexpectedly allows Vanye to follow. Together, Morgaine and Vanye pass through the Gate before it closes forever.
Vanye finds Morgaine and gives her the sword. She tells Vanye that Liell has taken possession of Roh's body in his place. Roh/Liell has set the controls to shut down all the Gates very soon. He hopes to escape to another planet, leaving his enemies trapped here. Morgaine sets off in pursuit. Erij allows Vanye to follow. Together, Morgaine and Vanye pass through the Gate before it closes forever.


==Characters==
==Characters==

Latest revision as of 20:18, 12 October 2022

Gate of Ivrel
First edition
AuthorC. J. Cherryh
Cover artistMichael Whelan
LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Morgaine Stories
GenreFantasy
PublisherDAW Books
Publication date
March 1976
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (paperback)
ISBN0-88677-257-5
Followed byWell of Shiuan (1978) 

Gate of Ivrel is a 1976 novel by American writer C. J. Cherryh, her first published work. It is the first of four books composing the Morgaine Stories, chronicling the deeds of Morgaine, a woman consumed by a mission of the utmost importance, and her chance-met companion, Nhi Vanye i Chya.

Cherryh lists it on her website as a fantasy novel,[1] and noted author Andre Norton agreed with her.[2] Others, however, classify it as science fiction[3][4] or science fantasy.[5]

Plot summary

[edit]

The pre-technological land of Andur-Kursh is fought over by rival clans, among them the Nhi and the Chya. Vanye is the despised bastard son of a Nhi lord and a Chya captive. One day, he kills one legitimate half-brother and maims the other after being baited.

Exiled for his crimes, Vanye inadvertently frees Morgaine, a beautiful woman whom he recognizes as a legend from the past. Morgaine had been trapped in stasis for a century in one of the many "Gates" (passageways through space and time) which dot the land. By age-old custom, she claims a year of service from him for his acceptance of her food and shelter.

Morgaine explains that she is on a mission to close the Gates, as the misuse of their powers has destroyed entire civilizations in the past. The rest of her group were betrayed while attempting to attack this planet's master Gate at Ivrel, controlled by Thiye. Only Morgaine and a few soldiers escaped. Pursued, she fled into a lesser Gate.

She seeks aid from Clan Leth, but its lord, Kasedre, is half mad. His chief counselor, Liell, warns them to leave, killing a guard to leave them no choice.

Morgaine and Vanye become uneasy guests of Roh, Vanye's cousin and lord of the Chya. After questioning, they are let go, only to be attacked by Thiye's men. Morgaine draws her sword, Changeling, which can tap the power of the Gates to send its victims to another place and time. The two escape, but run into Vanye's people. She is set free, though without her sword, while Vanye is forced to remain behind by his half-brother Erij, who wants Vanye to help him rule their land. When persuasion and threats alike prove useless, he draws Changeling, not knowing its powers. Vanye uses the ensuing mayhem to retrieve the dropped sword and rejoin Morgaine.

Roh warns him not to trust Liell, whose body is rumored to have been taken over by another. Morgaine confirms this can be done using a Gate. Thiye has extended his life this way, and Morgaine suspects her betrayer has also.

After another clash with Nhi warriors, Morgaine and Vanye are personally escorted by Roh out of his domain. Liell and his men capture all three. Liell takes Vanye to a Gate to switch bodies. Vanye escapes, stealing a horse which is carrying Changeling, but is recaptured by Erij.

Erij, emboldened by his possession of Changeling, attacks Ivrel. After driving off Liell's men with the sword, the pair breach Thiye's fortress. Vanye surprises Erij and retakes Morgaine's sword. Inside, they come upon the aged Thiye, but Roh kills him. Roh tells them that Morgaine is loose and that Liell is dead. He then flees.

Vanye finds Morgaine and gives her the sword. She tells Vanye that Liell has taken possession of Roh's body in his place. Roh/Liell has set the controls to shut down all the Gates very soon. He hopes to escape to another planet, leaving his enemies trapped here. Morgaine sets off in pursuit. Erij allows Vanye to follow. Together, Morgaine and Vanye pass through the Gate before it closes forever.

Characters

[edit]
  • Morgaine, a woman driven by an impossible mission
  • Nhi Vanye i Chya, an outcast warrior
  • Nhi Erij, Vanye's half-brother
  • Chya Liell, a counselor in Leth
  • Leth Kasedre, lord of Leth
  • Chya Roh, lord of Chya
  • Thiye Thiye's-son

Reviews

[edit]

Andre Norton praised the novel highly, writing that:

... never since reading The Lord of the Rings have I been caught up in any tale as I have been in Gate of Ivrel. I do not know the author, but her talent is one I must envy. She has drawn an entirely believable hero on an alien and enchanting world, working in bits of customs, beliefs, and history so cleverly that it now certainly exists-somewhere.[2]

Fellow fantasy and science fiction author Jo Walton found all four books in the series to be "too grim. They're good, but they're unrelievedly dark."[3]

Publication history

[edit]
  • Gate of Ivrel. DAW Books, 1976. ISBN 0-88677-257-5.
  • The Book of Morgaine (omnibus). Nelson Doubleday/Science Fiction Book Club, 1979.
Reissued as:

[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Universes of C.J. Cheryhh..." www.cherryh.com.
  2. ^ a b The Complete Morgaine. Astra Publishing House. 2015. p. 17. ISBN 9780698410435.
  3. ^ a b Walton, Jo (March 17, 2010). "Grimmer than grim: C.J. Cherryh, The Chronicles of Morgaine".
  4. ^ "Gate of Ivrel". Audible.
  5. ^ "The Morgaine Saga: Gate of Ivrel, Well of Shiuan, Fires of Azeroth". ThriftBooks. Sword-and-sorcery meets hard sci-fi in C.J. Cherryh 's epic story of a woman's mission across time and space to preserve the integrity of the universe.
  6. ^ C. J. Cherryh at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database

Further reading

[edit]
  • Brown, C. (June 30, 1976). "Review of Gate of Ivrel". Locus.
  • Budrys, Algis (June 1976). "Review of Gate of Ivrel". Fantasy & Science Fiction. 50 (6): 44–46.
  • del Rey, Lester (June 1976). "Review of Gate of Ivrel". Analog Science Fiction and Fact. 96 (6): 170.
  • "Review of Gate of Ivrel". Publishers Weekly. 209 (5): 104. February 2, 1976.
  • Glass, B. (August 1976). "Review of Gate of Ivrel". Delap's F & SF Review. 2 (8): 24–25.
  • Meacham, B.; King, T. (March 1976). "Review of Gate of Ivrel". Science Fiction Review Monthly. 13 (1): 15.
  • Wolansky, T. (September 1979). "Review of Gate of Ivrel". Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Review. 1 (8): 108.
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