The Demons at Rainbow Bridge (Quintara Marathon) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jack L. Chalker (Author)

Book Description

Series: Quintara Marathon | Publication Date: July 1, 1998

Three empires existed in uneasy proximity in the known galaxy. They all have one thing in common--demons. In a region of space called Rainbow Bridge, an Exchange scouting expedition has found a mysterious structure with its mechanisms still functioning after unknown aeons. Within are bodies of two gigantic, horned creatures, perfectly preserved--or are they alive?.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the start of another splendid adventure series, Chalker ( The Changewinds Saga ) posits a galaxy ruled by three multi-specied empires: the Exchange, based on (very) free enterprise; the Mizlaplan, where religious perfection is sought; and the feudal Mycohl. Humans are represented in all three. An Exchange vessel mapping a distant frontier finds demons--a common image in the folklore of all known races--in suspended animation and sends an emergency warning. Each empire dispatches a team to investigate. Three sections of the book, told from the perspectives of each of the cultures, describe team members and how they were created. The three vessels converge on the planet where the warnings originated to find the first expedition destroyed and demons gone. The end of the first volume leaves the Exchange team trapped in the demons' edifice, apparently a multi-dimensional tesseractok , about to follow the other two teams into unknown worlds. Chalker's humans and aliens, and their political credos, are extremely well drawn, the shifting points of view gaining sympathy for all three sides. The only villains so far are the demons.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Eminently entertaining ... explodes into action from page one". -- Houston Post

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Baen (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671878875
• ISBN-13: 978-0671878870
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #946,406 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction, March 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Demons at Rainbow Bridge (Quintara Marathon) (Mass Market Paperback)

Though this book introduces some facinating characters from various species of space-faring races (something Chalker is excellent at as shown in his Well World series) the more than 300 pages is only a prelude setting the stage for the other two books in the series. As an introduction it is good but can not by any means stand on its own as a novel. If the publisher will not do a full 900 page book to contain the whole story the cover should warn the reader that this is only an overture in no uncertain terms. This is not to diminish Chalker but only the publishing mentality.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent Action and plenty to chew on- but ultimately shallow, July 31, 2001

By 

H. Bramlet (Pasadena, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Demons at Rainbow Bridge (Quintara Marathon) (Mass Market Paperback)

As the characters spiral their way down through the depths of hell and toward the ultimate destiny of a fragmented humanity, so we as readers spiral through revelation and enjoyable action sequences in an exciting mix of horror, sci-fi, and myth. It tells the tale of three teams from rival empires. Their quest is one of discovery- to uncover the secrets of a race of Demons. Their only clues along this journey are the myths and beliefs of their own cultures that must have experienced the Demons first hand thousands of years in the past. The twist of this story is it's challenge of religious beliefs by the standards of science fiction. While Chalker strips away shrouds of biblical dogma, he quickly replaces it with sci-fi rationale. While this does have the effect of revealing the wizard as an old man behind a curtain, it validates the underpinnings of religion by giving substance to human myths. Whether you are deeply religious, anti-religious or just plain neutral on the subject like me, I think you'll enjoy the author's attempt to create a fantasy world where the tensions between science and theology can be bridged with rational observation. As we grow up in a society whose cultural beliefs are constantly challenged by the rigor of science, this book gives us a chance to look back to Sunday School and ask, "What if science could validate and explain all that bible mumbo-jumbo?" Such questions are answered with the help of characters representing three distinct viewpoints- Theological fanatics (The Mizlaplan Team), Capitalist businessmen (Exchange), and amoral opportunists (Mychol). Each viewpoint is further enhanced by each team-member who give the extreme, moderate, and even doubter's mindsets to each philosophy. This spectrum of viewpoints gives the reader a whole set of opinions to take with the plotline.

Unfortunately, this book cannot survive on ideas alone. His Empires, though intriguing, are one dimensional and thus unbelievable. ...P>All that having been said, the series is a quick read sure to entertain you. If you go into it expecting depth, you'll be disappointed. But if you expect something to keep you turning pages while waiting for your flight to dock, it is right up your alley.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Definite 10!, March 25, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Quintara Marathon 1: The Demons at Rainbow Bridge (The Quintara Marathon, Book I) (Paperback)

This book is one of fantasy's best kept secrets. I've read literally hundreds of science fiction / fantasy books in the last ten years, and I wouldn't hesitate to include The Demons at Rainbow Bridge as one of the most enjoyable and rewarding reads available. The story is exciting and original, and the unconventional characters are truly, truly entertaining... You can't go wrong with this one!