Count Hamnet Thyssen is a minor noble of the drowsy old Raumsdalian Empire. Its capital city, Nidaros, began as a mammoth hunters’ camp at t...
read full description
reviews
Jun 03, 2011
Rachel
rated it: 
The big idea underlying this book is excellent - the giant glacier that dominates the north has retreated just far enough to create an opening to the previously inaccessible (and practically unimaginable) world beyond. I've read a number of fantasy novels with expanding glaciers dominating the horizon, but never encountered the reverse before; so kudos to Turtledove for identifying a genre cliche and turning it intelligently on its head.
My main complaint is that I found Gudrid, who was cle More...
My main complaint is that I found Gudrid, who was cle More...
Jan 02, 2012
Linda
rated it: 
This is my first Harry Turtledove book and I was disappointed.
The potential was there for a good book but there was too much conversation, too much focus on sex, too many fixations on characters making puns, too many typos and spacing issues (I read the electronic version so I don't know if these typos and spacing issues were a problem with the other editions, but they were definitely distracting in the ebook version).
I think Mr. Turtledove is probably a talented writer, but More...
The potential was there for a good book but there was too much conversation, too much focus on sex, too many fixations on characters making puns, too many typos and spacing issues (I read the electronic version so I don't know if these typos and spacing issues were a problem with the other editions, but they were definitely distracting in the ebook version).
I think Mr. Turtledove is probably a talented writer, but More...
Nov 29, 2009
Ben
rated it:
I have to admit that I'm not a Harry Turtledove connoisseur. I read a couple of his books when I was younger and have somehow retained romantic memories of how great a writer he was. This has motivated me to go back and read his oeuvre. I started with this series more by coincidence than anything: I noticed The Breath of God on my library's New Books shelf and took out both it and this book. Unfortunately, Beyond the Gap didn't live up to my expectations, and now I'm wondering if my fond mem
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 14, 2007
John
rated it: 
When Turtledove is good, he is very good. I do not care for some of his grimmer retelling of the Civil War and World War II, but I enjoy his lighter fantasies such as this.
Although it involves an Ice Age, the cultures are not at a
prehistoric cultural level, but about the usual fantasy-medieval with a moderate amount of magic. In this world,
there is a giant glacier which has dominated the north of the known world for all of recorded history (though there are myths hinting that More...
Although it involves an Ice Age, the cultures are not at a
prehistoric cultural level, but about the usual fantasy-medieval with a moderate amount of magic. In this world,
there is a giant glacier which has dominated the north of the known world for all of recorded history (though there are myths hinting that More...
Nov 15, 2011
Lilly-Anne
rated it: 
This book's language reads like a middle grade YA fantasy but, the substance is more like a romance novel written by a male...a little too shallow for women to really enjoy. Not adult enough for an adult romance novel or even an adult fantasy but, too much sex for a middle grade YA fantasy.
Apr 09, 2009
Annie
rated it:
Start of a good series. Turtledove turns his alternate history expertise to the Bronze Age. The basic man takes a journey story, the conflict drives the characters and pushes the action along. It's a believable world with believable characters. We'll see how the rest of the series turns out.
Dec 06, 2008
Scott
rated it:
Pretty good standard fantasy story from Mr. Turtledove. The setting was a little different from the normal swords-and-sorcery, but otherwise it was fairly typical 'fellowship goes on an adventure' fare. The story does not come to any sort of conclusion...continued in the next book.
Aug 04, 2009
Tia
rated it:
First book I've read by Turtledove and I must say I enjoyed it. Will look for other books by him to read. Been a while since I read this but I do remember being pleased with it.
Jul 13, 2011
Robin
rated it:
A random choice that was surprisingly engrossing. Sometimes, you've just gotta read a bronze age alternate history, I guess. I am rather fond of mammoths...
Feb 27, 2009
Way too slow a start for a multi-book series, a fact not mentioned on the cover or blurb.
Jan 13, 2009
Michael
rated it:
another enjoyable read. There is a sequel - which is why the book ends a little abruptly.
Dec 03, 2010
Doug
rated it:
An adventure story to titillate fanboys and young men of all ages - as long as they are under 15.
Oct 01, 2009
David R.
rated it:
The premise is engaging: suppose that an iron-age civilization arose in North America during the waning years of the last great glaciation of ~10,000 years ago, and that this civilization comes into contact with the vanguard of the Asian cultures who are making their way across the Bering "bridge". After that, it is downhill all the way. The characters become tedious too quickly.
Jul 10, 2008
Christy
rated it:
Ya know, this book was just ok. I think it was geared more for a guy and I say this because the main character was so predictably male. The world was a mix between real life and fantasy. A lot of dialogue and not a lot of action, really. It ended as if there was a second book, but I did a search on Amazon and Audible and nothin'. So, don't bother with this one.
Nov 08, 2007
Servius Heiner
rated it:
This book really brings you into the lifestyle of artic living. The hardships and challenges are overwhelming.
It is a good story, complete with bad traits that you will find in any Turtledove book, a couple of flat characters, repetitive in his descriptions. But a really great book none the less, I look forward to reading the next book.
It is a good story, complete with bad traits that you will find in any Turtledove book, a couple of flat characters, repetitive in his descriptions. But a really great book none the less, I look forward to reading the next book.
Oct 21, 2008
Cornelia
rated it: 
This is alternative history, it’s kind of the ice age meets the Iron Age. I loved it. It’s the first in the series and I’m looking forward to the rest. Highly recommended.
May 28, 2007
Craig
rated it:
Excellent, alternative pre-history. Great blend of storytelling and the building of an ice-age world the same as ours, but different. More coming in this series.
May 14, 2009
Lori
rated it:
I'm not terribly impressed with this book so far. It's too shallow or maybe it's just the reader of the audio book....
Feb 12, 2012
Feb 06, 2012
Jan 21, 2012
Jan 18, 2012
Jan 18, 2012
Jan 09, 2012
