The Gates of Noon [Paperback]

Michael Scott Rohan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1994

Determined to ship life-saving technology to a beleaguered island nation, Stephen Fisher ventures through the Spiral--a sphere of legends and monsters--only to find that dread forces await his coming. Reprint. AB. K. PW.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This rich, original sequel to Chase the Morning weaves exciting Far East locales and mythology into a stirring fantasy. Years before the tale begins, Stephen Fisher had ventured into the Spiral, a magical world where myths are reality. Now an international shipping agent, he is baffled by the inexplicable setbacks suffered during his company's efforts to transport vital water-purification equipment to the island of Bali. When Fisher has a bizarre supernatural encounter in a Bangkok alley, he realizes that his experiences with the Spiral are not yet over. Awesome forces have arrayed themselves against him, and to get the needed shipment to Bali he embarks on a perilous voyage within the Spiral, aided by a motley band of pirates and a mysterious sorcerer. Those unfamiliar with the first book may find some of the story's threads a little difficult to pick up, but this engaging tale successfully combines colorful characters, spirited swashbuckling, atmospheric settings and thoughtful political debate. A welcome change from standard sword-and-sorcery quests.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Sequel to Chase the Morning (not seen): a strange, hectic fantasy with an exotic Far East setting and more weird beasties than you can shake a stick at. Corporate fixer Steve Fisher has won a contract to supply computers and know-how to help redevelop the collapsing water-based economy of the Indonesian island of Bali; he is also a mighty warrior in a magic universe composed of a stable Core and a highly magical Spiral. Now, two powerful entities are lining up to prevent him from delivering the cargo: the ancient, silver-tongued tiger- god, Barong, and the seductive death-goddess Rangdu. On Steve's side are an odd old Dutchman, Ape (he turns out to be Hunaman, the monkey god), and skeptical blond Eurasian Jacquie, an ex whom Steve treated poorly in the past. A furious, well-orchestrated, often eye-popping series of battles and scenarios commences, during which Steve makes the transition between avaricious corporate dolt and thoughtful, ecologically correct maturity--and wins back the lovely Jacquie, too, of course. Finally, Ape will intervene to offer the new, improved Steve the opportunity to determine the fate of the island and its culture. Hard-working and different, with tons of local color, bustle, and noise: sometimes humidly suffocating, equally often dazzling. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Avon Books (Mm) (May 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380717182
• ISBN-13: 978-0380717187
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,587,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars It's a sequel. Literally!, February 5, 2010

By 

Wes Prang - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gates of Noon (Paperback)

This effort, "Gates of Noon", is almost everything "Chase the Morning" was. In fact, replace a few names, reheat for a few minutes, and you have the same book.

In both books, Steve Fisher is a Shipping Expert. He's a hollow, empty man who traded everything worthwhile to succeed in the business world. Then he stumbles across a gateway to the past, called the Spiral.

Something important of his gets taken by denizens of the Spiral. Steve chases after them with help from others dwelling in the Spiral. Big sea battle, even bigger land battle, Steve wins, claims the lady fair, and on to a new and better life.

It was an excellent read the first time around. Reading the same plot again with different names inserted is just plain tedious. Michael Scott Rohan needs an infusion of imagination.

4.0 out of 5 stars A good yarn - makes me wonder what's around that next corner, October 22, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gates of Noon (Paperback)

Michael Scott Rohan has created a beguiling world of mystery and subterfuge. As Stephen Fisher tries desperately to transport an irrigation system to the island of Bali, he comes up against some formidable and fascinating characters.

With a little help from his friends, including his shapely ex, a maori warrior and a sorceror called Ape, he battles the forces of evil to complete his mission.

The storyline rocks along and the characters are powerful and imaginative. The religious and mystical themes are well managed to give the story depth.

The only real failing I found was the author's errors in dealing with his maori character. He calls white men pakahes, instead of pakehas. His cloak is from the Tanaraki, instead of Taranaki and he calls women vahines instead of wahines. Little errors, but enough to grate on those who know (ie: the 4m or so people who are NZ residents or ex-pats.).

Good value for money and well worth a read.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rohan rights his listing ship and comes up a winner, November 10, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Syracuse, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gates of Noon (Paperback)

In the beginning of this book we learn that main character Stephen Fisher didn't settle down with the damsel in distress he rescued in his last adventure and live happily ever after. In fact he's become more obsessed with his career and has moved up the coporate ladder. This however has left him feeling empty and even more hollow than ever. Once again this leaves him open to the dangers of evil that plagued him in his first adventure. I realize this is an important foundation element for this story but in my opinion this also where Mr. Rohan almost sinks his own ship. In the fisrt third of this book there are so many examples, descriptions, etc, of how empty and hollow Stephen Fisher is you just want to shout "All right already, I get the point, get on with it already!" It got to the point where I was getting depressed reading about this poor hollow man and just about promised to myself that I'd make sure I never became very successful financially for fear that I may end up like this empty shell of a man. Luckily as the adventure began to heat up appearantly Mr. Fisher became too busy to think about how depressing his life was and the book became a lot more fun to read . Yes there is plenty of high seas adventure, fights (with humans and other mythic creatures), chases, romance and even a cameo from two of the characters from the last book. What more could you want from any sequel? Once again Mr. Rohan's writing style makes it real easy to slide into the world he's created which teeters between the hard reality of the modern world and that of the magical "spiral". In the end I was able to forgive the author for the rough start of this story and really ended up enjoying it. This book was kind of like a wild ship ride on an old sailing ship itself. In the beginning you're out to sea on a ship which has sprung a leak and you start to list. You finally get the hole patched when you're blown into a storm and all hell breaks loose. In the end you break free of the storm and are left slightly battered and bruised on a beutiful tropical island with wonderful soft breezes and you feel all is right with the world.