Customer Reviews

The Key of the Keplian

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4 star:		(2)
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Key of the Keplian (1995) is the first fantasy novel in the Secrets of the Witch World series. Eleeri is the only surviving member of Far Traveler's family. This great-granddaughter has a talent with horses and has learned everything he has tried to teach her about weapons, warfare and the history of her people. She would make a fine Nemunuh -- Comanche -- warrior.

Now Far-Traveler is dying. On his last day, the social worker comes once again to try to steal Eleeri away from her home. Her uncle is eagerly waiting to get his hands on her. While everything is ready for her escape, Eleeri is not willing to leave as long as Far Traveler is still alive. The old man steps outside, sings his death song, asks the gods to help her, and collapses in death.

Eleeri carries Far Traveler back to his pallet and arranges his body. Then she takes up her pack and leaves. She lays false trails and evades the helicopter, but the dogs are always on her trail. Finally, she breaks from cover and runs through the gate.

In this novel, Eleeri finds herself elsewhere on a grassy plain. She travels toward the mountains in the distance and then walks along the foothills to the south and then east. She finds scattered ruins and bodily remains that suggest some sort of warfare or banditry over a period of time. Then she hears the sound of battle and finds one man beset by three.

Cynan had already downed one bandit before Eleeri enters the battle, but has taken wounds of his own. Cynan is no stranger to battle, but the bandits are mounted. Then Eleeri enters the battle with her bow and slays both bandits.

Eleeri stays at Cynan's Hold for several seasons, learning the language and history of this new world. It has been some time since the shaking of the mountains by the Witches of Estcarp. Cynan has returned from his family refuge in Estcarp to die at home in Karsten, only to find himself faced with one last task.

Cynan teaches Eleeri swordcraft, but she already knows how to use bow and knife. He also teaches her reading, the local sign language and many other things about her new home. He takes her to his family shrine to Gunnora and the goddess welcomes Eleeri and grants her protection from the Dark. When all is prepared, Cynan sends her north and west into Escore.

In this story, Eleeri gains greater powers than her initial affinity for horses. She is now able to bond with her horses. As she travels toward Escore, she encounters a band of men about to kill a newborn foal and its mother.

Eleeri strongly objects to such killing, despite their tale of the horses being Keplians. She demonstrates the innocence of the foal with a talisman of Gunnora, but the men still object. Then Eleeri trades two of her horses for the two Keplians and convinces the mare to let her carry the wounded foal.

Eleeri is surprised to find the mare answering her in mind speech. Only then does she begin to understand that the mare is not a horse, but something greater. The mare is surprised to find Eleeri willing to touch her mind without terror.

Eleeri and the foal ride out of the village on her saddle pony, with the mare close behind. As they travel, Eleeri and the mare discuss the men left behind and decide that at least one will pursue them. The leader lost face when the mare followed her and he will want revenge. He also will covet the other horse and its equipment and supplies.

This story shows Eleeri gradually gaining the trust of the Keplian mare. It's hard to distrust someone who loves your colt as much as Eleeri does. The young colt returns the love and grows into a fine young stallion. Unlike other Keplian males, Hylan is kind and gentle unless provoked into a fight. Then his size and intelligence overwhelm his opponents.

Eleeri and the mare Tharna consider the differences between Hylan and other stallions and began to wonder about the effects of nurture on young Keplians. They begin to acquire pregnant mares and orphan foals. One violent colt teaches them caution, but their herd begins to grow.

This is a classic tale of the Witch World, even adding a touch of the Amerindian theme. Nonetheless, it lacks some of the fire and fury of the older works. Some of this probably comes from over familiarity with the series, but some also comes from the collaboration itself. The co-author is just not as great a storyteller. Yet this is still a good addition to the series.

Recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of Amerindian ways, women warriors, and a bit of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

I was disappointed in the book. If I were Andre Norton, I would not want my name associated with it. I had high hopes when I purchased it -- I love stories about horses and I loved the early Witch World novels. Although the book was "readable" and somewhat interesting, the style was VERY amateurish -- not at all written in Andre Norton's style. It was entirely predictable -- nothing to draw one feverishly to the end. While reading a well-written book, the words will tend to disappear and one finds oneself immersed in the story. Sadly, the words never quite disappeared while reading this story.

This was the first book I read of Andre Norton a few years ago. Since then I have been an great fan of Andre Norton and her Witch World series. In fact, I have even written a Witch World movie screenplay which I hope will someday get produced. All because of this book, the Key of the Keplian. It strangely makes you want to travel to some foreign land and hunt, and when the book ends, you wish there where more, which is exactly how novels should be. I highly recommend to both young and old readers of all tastes and flavours.

Personally I found some of Nortons books a little dry, okay but still a little dry....But when you pair Norton w/ Lyn McConchie....a whole different story, talk about good, this was great, also try Ciara''s Song. You'll love this book!

I just got done reading this book. I was captured by the adventures waiting just on the next page. It was so good I couldn't bare to put it down. If you love fantasy, magical, and adventure books, this is a must for you! Eleeri, (the main character) travels into a witch world to escape her fate from the world she originated in. There she finds a friend who teaches her the ways of life in this magical new world. Then venture forth, she must, to a calling in the "east" area. What lies ahead is an adventure only author Andre Norton can describe. Untamable and Dark are the Keplians; or are they? To any creature in this world a Keplian means death. But Eleeri has a mind of her own. Determined to befriend these magnificent beasts, turn this world into the Light, destroy all Darkness, and be accepted as a daughter to the Light are just a few of the...oops, I can't tell you wether she does accomplishes them or not. To find out you'll have to read the book!

I've loved Andre Norton's premise of finding a new life in another world via a gate ever since I read Witch World, the first and one of my favorite Witch World books. Eleeri is a great heroine; and her escape from a misguided social worker begins a great adventure, even as it recalls the time when helpless children were removed from their homes to be educated... And because she doesn't know how dangerous Keplians are, she rescues a mare and her foal, and then...

I loved it. Although I was disappointed in the following book. I love the pairing of Lyn McConchie and Andre Norton, while Andre Norton alone I find a tad bit dry,.....of course I've only started two, and maybe if I delve a little further I'll get excited,.....maybe.

I started collecting the Andre norton books about a year ago. The first book i bought was Ciara's Song, also by Lyn McConchie too. I fell in love with that book about 4 pages in, this one to a little while longer to love. This book told of a lot more of the Whitch world creatures, not just the people. I thought the discriptions in the book were wonderful. I felt like i was the one trying to find my way in the Dark Tower. i would recomend this book to anyone atarting the witch world series. I have yet to read The Mage Stone, but i am sure it will be just as good. This book even caught the attention of my friends, and usually Jr. High students don't like books that are fantasies. The bottom line is, I believe that Andre norton fans would not be disappointed by this book, or any other of the witch world books.

this book is alittle slow to start but very worth the wait. strong plot and good adventure.

Having read this book at least four times already,I still love it. Full of fast pace action lead by a strong (in mind and body), yet feminine, heorine, Anne McCaffrey and Lyn McConchie has created a masterpiece in my eyes.