Watchtower [Hardcover]

Elizabeth A Lynn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1979

"A marvelous blend of fantasy...and realism in the characters and the social interactions."--Marion Zimmer Bradley

Elizabeth A. Lynn won the World Fantasy Award for Watchtower, volume one in a breathtaking trilogy that would establish her as one of speculative fiction's most exciting voices. Now, Ace brings this classic back to fans and first-time readers alike--in a beautifully repackaged trade edition.

Tornor Keep is the legendary tower that guards the winter end of a summer land. But when Tornor is overrun by raiders, a young prince is the tower's last hope in an enchanting story of a time far removed from ours and of a land alive with warriors, lovers, war, and honor.

* Winner of the World Fantasy Award
* Beautifully repackaged in its first trade edition

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A marvelous blend of fantasy... and realism in the characters and the social interactions." MARION ZIMMER BRADLEY "Astonishing." THEDORE STURGEON "A fine ear for the right word and a fine eye for action." VONDA MCINTYRE "An unusual, powerful and beautiful book." JOHN VARLEY "A book of depth and vigor and surprises." ROBERT SILVERBERG "Her women have dignity and strength." MARGE PIERCY "An adventure story for humanists and feminists." JOANNA RUSS --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

Elizabeth A. Lynn won two World Fantasy Awards in one year--for her novel Watchtower, and for the short story, "The Woman Who Loved the Moon." She is also the author of The Dancers of Arun, The Northern Girl, A Different Light, The Sardonyx Net, and the short fiction collection, The Woman Who Loved the Moon. She lives in San Francisco, teaches martial arts, and is at work on a sequel to Dragon's Winter. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 251 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Pub. Corp. : distributed by Putnam; 1ST edition (1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399122729
• ISBN-13: 978-0399122729
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,566,114 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Tornor!, January 2, 2006

By 

History Nut - See all my reviews

This review is from: Watchtower (Chronicles of Tornor) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have been reading and rereading the Tornor Chronicles for many years now - about once a year for twenty years or so. They are a wonderful, some times sad, some times uplifting, and a very human read. They are not densely worded, nor are they fluffy and lifeless. Just right, from my point of view; though now that I'm older, I would have liked them to be longer. After reading Lynn's other works, I realized that the Tornor Chronicles are early works, brilliant though they are, and as you read thru the trilogy, you will see Lynn's voice get stronger, and more confident. I can't get enough, and I want to know about some of the other story lines that arc thru the whole series: just how was the red clan formed, and how does Raven Bato fit into it? What about the Anhard wars, and how were the keeps built and why? How did Soren's mother come to Kendra on the Delta? Come on Ms. Lynn! There are more books to write in this wonderful world of yours!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More than meets the eye..., May 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Watchtower (Chronicles of Tornor) (Mass Market Paperback)

I picked up this book in the bookstore while waiting to meet afriend. I was immediately engaged in the story -- it beginsdramatically -- but did not expect to find the book so unusually thought-provoking. Lynn's plot contains a number of the standard fantasy elements: a prince in exile, a loyal retainer, an enemy usurper, and an idyllic valley. But there is much more to this tale than first meets the eye. The author has woven her story with many subtle issues and unusual themes. The book is not particularly fast-moving, but then, one does not wish it to be. The slower pace gives the reader time to absorb the complex personalities of the characters and to explore the familiar but strange imaginary landscape. I look forward to reading the second two books of the trilogy and recommend this book to any reader interested in well crafted fantasy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich, Quiet Beginning of Trilogy, April 9, 2006

By 

Anne M. Hunter "Anne Hunter" (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Watchtower (Chronicles of Tornor) (Mass Market Paperback)

The first book of one of my favorite trilogies, it ranks with LeGuin's "Earthsea" works. I like my fantasy subtle, not full of
stock "beings", and set in interesting cultures, and this fills
those requirements entirely. If you're looking for action and
adventure, rather than exploration, look elsewhere. I only wish
Ms. Lynn had fulfilled the early promise of this work, rather than
publishing sporadically and parsimoniously. I especially like the
way that the society described in the trilogy evolves during the course of the three books.