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{{short description|1976 novel by C. J. Cherryh}}
{{Infobox Book | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Novels or Wikipedia:WikiProject_Books -->
{{Infobox book | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Novels or Wikipedia:WikiProject_Books -->
| name = Gate of Ivrel
| name = Gate of Ivrel
| title_orig =
| title_orig =
| translator =
| translator =
| image = [[Image:CherryhGateIvrelCover.jpg|200 px]]
| image = CherryhGateIvrelCover.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| image_caption = <small>''Gate of Ivrel'' re-issue with original cover artwork</small>
| caption = First edition
| author = [[C. J. Cherryh]]
| author = [[C. J. Cherryh]]
| illustrator =
| illustrator =
| cover_artist = [[Michael Whelan]]
| cover_artist = [[Michael Whelan]]
| country = [[United States]]
| country = United States
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language = English
| series = [[The Morgaine Stories]]
| series = [[The Morgaine Stories]]
| genre = [[Science fiction novel]]
| genre = [[Fantasy literature|Fantasy]]
| publisher = [[DAW Books]]
| publisher = [[DAW Books]]
| release_date = March 1976
| release_date = March 1976
| media_type = Print ([[Paperback]])
| media_type = Print (paperback)
| pages =
| pages =
| isbn = ISBN 0-88677-257-5
| isbn = 0-88677-257-5
| preceded_by = –
| preceded_by =
| followed_by = [[Well of Shiuan]]'' (1978) <!-- '' to prevent date being italicized -->
| followed_by = [[Well of Shiuan]] {{noitalic|(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 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>
⚫
'''''Gate of Ivrel''''' is a 1976 [[science fantasy]] novel written by [[C. J. Cherryh]] and was her first published work. It is the first of four books comprising [[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.

It is tenuously set in her [[Union-Alliance universe]], but has little in common with other works in that milieu.


==Plot summary==
==Plot summary==
In a land called Andur-Kursh on a world not so unlike medieval earth. Clans fight for supremacy and a warriors honor hangs on the loyalty he gives his dai-uyo. Vanye, the bastard son of Clan Nhi is the result of a night's amusement with a clan Chya captive.
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.
Unloved by his legitimate half-brothers, they provoke him into an unjust duel. In self-defence, he kills the eldest and maims the other. Unable to perform the appropriate penance for his crime (an honor suicide), he is exiled by his grieving father. Made an Ilin, clanless and without honor or titles (much like a Japanese ronin).


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.
Hunted by his former (clan Nhi) and half-brother's mother clan (clan Myya). He is forced into an area called Morgaine's vale, a cursed land where a legendary white-haired female warlord dissapeared 100 years ago. By chance, he releases this beautiful and charismatic woman of distinctive appearance from a strange stasis. Cold and hungry and without much strength left, Morgaine offers him food and shelter. However, she alone of all women in Andru-Kursh has lord-rights. He finds himself honor-bound to her service as an Ilin for a ful year for having accepted her hospitality. Vanye is haunted by the prospect of losing his soul in his religious beliefs by breaking an honorable contract or by serving one who is damned by his people and possibly non-human.


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 is determined to complete the mission she and four of her companions had set out on a century before: to close the master Gate at Ivrel and slay her former foe: Thiye. Throughout their travels, Vanye comes to understand that the Gates are passageways to other-where and when. With crude understanding of technology, Vanye perceives Morgaine as a whitch with magical powers of healing and strange arcane weapons (which are in actually some kind type of gun/phaser and modern medical supplies).


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.
Having been stuck in stasis for 100 years, but only perceiving herself as being gone for mere hours. Morgain seeks Clan Leth, her former allies. Much has changed in the land of Andur-Kursh since her departure and she seeks her former allies in Clan Leth. Much has changed and the clan is under a new half-mad inbreed lord, Kasedre. His chief counselor, Chya Liell however is not completely what he seems and privately pressures Vanye into deserting Morgaine. They escape from the crazed clan's hospitality and travel into the neighboring land of Chya (Vanye's mother clan). There they meet the clan leader Chya Roh, Vanye's cousin. After some rest Vanye is offered clanship after his services towards Morgain is done. They are also warned that Liell might not be human, but in fact a Qjal body-snatcher. Using the gates to transfer his thoughts and will into a human host. Set on their way towards Ivrel, they are attacked by Thiye's men. Morgaine draws Changeling, her named sword. This sword is much more than it seems and has the power to tap into the power of gates. A nul-point exists at the tip of it which sends anything it touches into nothingness. Runes carved into it's blade may teach the wield of the making and unmaking of the gates of the Qjal.


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.
Escaping the lackeys of Ivrel, they unfortunatly run into Vanye's old tribe and consequently meet the new leader of clan Nhi, the half-brother he maimed, Erij. Vanye bargains for shelter and protection for Morgaine, she is set free without her sword and Erij draws Changeling, not knowing of it's powers. Vanye takes advantage of the confusion this creates, retrieves the sword and rejoins Morgain.
After another clash with Nhi warriors, Morgaine is personally escorted by Roh out of his domain. Fearing her intentions, he knocks out a too-trusting Vanye when Morgaine is asleep and ties them both up, but his timing could not have been worse. Liell and his men easily capture all three. He takes Vanye to a Gate, intent on switching bodies. The unease of Liell's men in the unnerving presence of the Gate allows Vanye to escape. By chance, the horse he steals is carrying Changeling. But Vanye's luck still runs bad; he is caught again, this time by his brother 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 and for a variety of reasons, allows himself to be persuaded to go to Ivrel. After driving off Liell's men with the deadly sword, they reach Thiye's fortress. They wait for night before Erij uses Changeling to force their way in. Vanye then takes his brother by surprise and retakes Morgaine's sword. In mortal danger, Erij has no choice, but to guard his back. Inside, they come upon the aged Thiye, but before they can react, the old man is killed by Roh. Roh informs them that Morgaine is loose in the fortress and that Liell is dead. He warns them to flee while they still can, then follows his own advice.


⚫
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 surrenders the sword to her, much to Erij's dismay. She confirms Vanye's suspicion; Roh's body now houses Liell's mind. Fearing Morgaine, Roh/Liell had sabotaged the Gate controls so that he could escape to another world, leaving his enemies trapped here. But Morgaine believes that he left too much of a safety margin before the Gates on this world close forever and that she can follow him. She departs in all haste. Erij surprisingly bids his brother to go after her and Vanye gratefully complies. Together, Morgaine and Vanye pass through the Gate.


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 in ''Gate of Ivrel''==

⚫
*Morgaine, a woman burdened and driven by an impossible mission
==Characters==
⚫
*Nhi Vanye i Chya, an outcast warrior who inadvertently becomes bound up in Morgaine's quest
⚫
*Morgaine, a woman driven by an impossible mission
⚫
*Nhi Vanye i Chya, an outcast warrior
*Nhi Erij, Vanye's half-brother
*Nhi Erij, Vanye's half-brother
*Chya Liell, a counselor in Leth
*Chya Liell, a counselor in Leth
*Leth Kasedre, petulant, weak-minded lord of Leth
*Leth Kasedre, lord of Leth
*Chya Roh, lord of Chya, Vanye's cousin
*Chya Roh, lord of Chya
*Thiye Thiye's-son, master of the Gate at Ivrel
*Thiye Thiye's-son

==Reviews==
[[Andre Norton]] praised the novel highly, writing that:
<blockquote>
... 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.<ref name=Norton/>
</blockquote>

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."<ref name=Walton/>

==Publication history==
⚫
* ''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:
:* ''The Chronicles of Morgaine''. [[Methuen Publishing]], 1985 and 1987. {{ISBN|0-413-56290-5}}.
:* ''The Chronicles of Morgaine''. Mandarin, 1989 and 1990 {{ISBN|0-7493-0007-8}}.
* ''The Complete Morgaine'' (omnibus). DAW Books, 2015 {{ISBN|978-0-7564-1123-7}}.
<ref>{{Isfdb name|id=16|name=C. J. Cherryh}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
⚫
*C. J. Cherryh. ''Gate of Ivrel''. DAW Books 1976. ISBN 0-88677-257-5.

==Further reading==
*{{cite journal |first=C. |last=Brown |title=Review of ''Gate of Ivrel'' |journal=[[Locus (magazine)|Locus]] |date=June 30, 1976}}
*{{cite journal |first=Algis |last=Budrys |author-link=Algis Budrys |title=Review of ''Gate of Ivrel'' |journal=[[Fantasy & Science Fiction]] |volume=50| issue=6 |date=June 1976 |pages=44–46}}
*{{cite journal |first=Lester |last=del Rey |author-link=Lester del Rey |title=Review of ''Gate of Ivrel'' |journal=[[Analog Science Fiction and Fact]] |volume=96| issue=6 |date=June 1976 |page=170}}
*{{cite journal |title=Review of ''Gate of Ivrel'' |journal=[[Publishers Weekly]] |volume=209 |issue=5 |date=February 2, 1976 |page=104}}
*{{cite journal |first=B. |last=Glass |title=Review of ''Gate of Ivrel'' |journal=Delap's F & SF Review |volume=2 |issue=8 |date=August 1976 |pages=24–25}}
*{{cite journal |first1=B. |last1=Meacham |first2=T. |last2=King |title=Review of ''Gate of Ivrel'' |journal=Science Fiction Review Monthly |volume=13 |issue=1 |date=March 1976 |page=15}}
*{{cite journal |first=T. |last=Wolansky |title=Review of ''Gate of Ivrel'' |journal=Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Review |volume=1 |issue=8 |date=September 1979 |page=108}}


{{C. J. Cherryh}}
{{C. J. Cherryh}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Gate Of Ivrel}}
⚫
[[Category:1976 novels]]
[[Category:Science fiction novels by C. J. Cherryh]]
[[Category:American fantasy novels]]
[[Category:1976 American novels]]
[[Category:1976 fantasy novels]]
[[Category:Fantasy novels by C. J. Cherryh]]
[[Category:Novels set in the future]]
[[Category:Books with cover art by Michael Whelan]]
[[Category:DAW Books books]]
[[Category:Debut fantasy novels]]
⚫
[[Category:1976 debut novels]]

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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