In the Empire of Shadow: Book Two of The Three Worlds Trilogy (The Three Worlds Trilogy Book, Book 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lawrence Watt-Evans (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1995 | Series: The Three Worlds Trilogy Book, Book 2

SORCERY, SCIENCE, AND SHADOWS

Pel Brown knew nothing about parallel universes, let alone travel between them. Then he stepped through a portal that appeared in his basement--and his life turned upside down.

That first inexplicable doorway took him into a magic world called Faerie, ruled by the evil and mysterious Shadow. Another portal provided escape to a world of science and spaceships--and ruthless space pirates plundering the Galactic Empire.

Imperial forces rescued Pel. They would even send him home--but only after he returned to Faerie and destroyed Shadow. And so, with wizards, spacemen, and swordsmen as his unlikely allies, Pel set out to beard the enemy in its stronghold.

But real life is what happens while you're making other plans--as Pel learned when he uncovered his malign foe's true nature...

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The second book in Watt-Evans' projected trilogy, Three Worlds, begins where Out of This World left off. Pel Brown, an average, middle-class guy from Maryland, is newly freed from space pirates. After he crosses paths with visitors from two parallel universes--a magical realm, Faery, tyrannized by the evil Shadow, and a galactic empire straight out of corny 1950s sf--he finds himself and a motley crew of fellow earthlings drafted into fighting the Shadow for the freedom of both realms. Thereafter, returning to Faery with imperial forces and wizards fighting and dying at his side, Pel starts to realize that the only way he'll get home is by facing the Shadow in person, and no one really knows who, or perhaps what, the never-seen Shadow really is. Watt-Evans blends just the right touch of whimsy into his well-told action adventure to balance its improbable premise. Genre fans tired of swords and sorcery may find this fantasy delightfully different and entertaining. Carl Hays --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

SORCERY, SCIENCE, AND SHADOWS

Pel Brown knew nothing about parallel universes, let alone travel between them. Then he stepped through a portal that appeared in his basement--and his life turned upside down.

That first inexplicable doorway took him into a magic world called Faerie, ruled by the evil and mysterious Shadow. Another portal provided escape to a world of science and spaceships--and ruthless space pirates plundering the Galactic Empire.

Imperial forces rescued Pel. They would even send him home--but only after he returned to Faerie and destroyed Shadow. And so, with wizards, spacemen, and swordsmen as his unlikely allies, Pel set out to beard the enemy in its stronghold.

But real life is what happens while you're making other plans--as Pel learned when he uncovered his malign foe's true nature...

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Del Rey (August 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 034539786X
• ISBN-13: 978-0345397867
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,504,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've been writing fantasy for thirty years... no, my fantasy's been published for thirty years. I've been writing it since I was eight. It's what I always wanted to do for a living, and I've been very fortunate in that I've been able to manage that. I try to write fantasy with an element of common sense to it -- not so much mythic archetypes as sensible people.

Other than my job, my life's pretty ordinary -- a nice house in a quiet neighborhood, a wife, two grown kids, and an overweight cat.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!, September 17, 2005

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Empire of Shadow (Three World Trilogy, No. 2) (Paperback)

In this sequel to Out of This World, Pellinore Brown returns from the universe of the Galactic Empire to the world of Faerie, which is his only possible way back to Earth. But, when his group comes under attack by the forces of Shadow, Pel quickly realizes that the only way he will get home is over the Shadow's dead body. And so, with his mixed bag of wizards and swordsmen, spacemen and mutants, and homesick earthlings, he is off to Shadow's stronghold. But, what he finds there will surprise him...and some surprises are nasty indeed!

I must start out by saying that I am a big fan of Lawrence Watt-Evans, and am enthralled by his Three Worlds series. I have enjoyed the way that the author constructed his three universes, and then wove them together. Like the first book, this one lulls you into thinking it's a fun little children's story, but before you know it the author turns up the heat and the story becomes quite serious indeed. If you are put off by stories that include death and dismemberment, then you will dislike this book.

But, as for me, I loved this book! I absolutely love the setting, I found the story to be engaging, and the characters enjoyable. I can't wait to get the next book in the series, and see how it all turns out. This is a great book, by a great author, and I recommend them both to you!