Ex-colonel Simon Tregarth was a hunted man--and the hunt was beginning to come to its inevitable deadly end. Tregarth was desperate, and his situ...
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reviews
Oct 31, 2011
Mike (the Paladin)
rated it: 
I don't know why the sight insists on a "1" after the title of this book as it was originally just "Witch World".... oh well.
I read this long ago and enjoyed it. It seems that for a while Andre Norton sort carried the banner for everyone who enjoyed popular (and it also might be called "teen") fantasy. She wrote many solo novels and then turned her hand to collaborations.
This is a "fun" read what I call brain candy and it's a start More...
I read this long ago and enjoyed it. It seems that for a while Andre Norton sort carried the banner for everyone who enjoyed popular (and it also might be called "teen") fantasy. She wrote many solo novels and then turned her hand to collaborations.
This is a "fun" read what I call brain candy and it's a start More...
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Aug 24, 2010
Mary
rated it: 
I am currently re reading the Witch World series again.
I finished it and can truely say it was like reading it for the 1st time. The story seemed a little familar but I must have forgotten alot of the detail.
Anyway I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the rest of the Witchworld books.
The ending left it open for lots of possibilities without being a cliffhanger. That is probably what Andre Norton was going for.
I would recommend this More...
I finished it and can truely say it was like reading it for the 1st time. The story seemed a little familar but I must have forgotten alot of the detail.
Anyway I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the rest of the Witchworld books.
The ending left it open for lots of possibilities without being a cliffhanger. That is probably what Andre Norton was going for.
I would recommend this More...
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Nov 01, 2011
Tracey
rated it: 
I can't believe I never read this before. I've collected a number of Andre Nortons over the years, but read surprisingly few of them – and I loved the ones I did read, which makes it weirder. Regardless, a friend here on GoodReads recommended them to me… Well, no, she guilted me into it. Well, no, actually we struck a bargain: for every Witch World book I read, she will watch an episode of Doctor Who. Really, the numbers almost work out …
Simon Tregarth is a man whose mysteries More...
Simon Tregarth is a man whose mysteries More...
Dec 23, 2010
Kat
rated it:
Simon Tregarth knows he’s about to die — he’s being hunted down by a professional assassin and he has a “feeling” that it’s going to happen tonight. But then the infamous Doctor Petronius interrupts Simon as he’s savoring his last meal and offers him an escape. Dr. Petronius’s services don’t come cheap, but this expense is a no-brainer (after all, you can’t take it with you). The only downside is that neither Simon nor Dr. Petronius knows where Simon is actually going, for he will sit on King Ar
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May 06, 2009
Erik
rated it: 
I hadn't much money when little and so had to rely on the Park Ridge Public Library for much of my reading matter. The Library had two sections. Upstairs was for adults. We could enter, but we were not allowed to check out their books. Downstairs, where the washrooms were, was for kids. For a short while, just after we moved to the suburb, I used the downstairs section.
My favorite genre being science fiction, I went through that section of the children's library thoroughly. The More...
My favorite genre being science fiction, I went through that section of the children's library thoroughly. The More...
Nov 14, 2010
Beq
rated it:
Its been ages since I read this book but it formed part of my early love of the Fantasy genre even though, when it was written, the Fantasy genre didn't exist separate from Science Fiction.
Having said that its still a book I can go back and re-read. I like Simon Tregarth and his quiet adaptation to a new world he's been driven into by being framed for a theft he didn't commit. He found/made a home for himself. At the time I read this book finding a place to 'fit' struck a deep chord w More...
Having said that its still a book I can go back and re-read. I like Simon Tregarth and his quiet adaptation to a new world he's been driven into by being framed for a theft he didn't commit. He found/made a home for himself. At the time I read this book finding a place to 'fit' struck a deep chord w More...
Aug 05, 2011
Jim
rated it:
I read this first around 45 years ago. As a teen I read it for the adventure. But I find it worth reading again. Andre Norton demonstrated her maturity as a writer with this book! Although a fantasy (with ancient science thrown in) it seems better researched and composed than many of her earlier books. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I sincerely believe that Andre Norton helped me find my moral center. As an outsider, I related to her characters and developed a simil More...
I sincerely believe that Andre Norton helped me find my moral center. As an outsider, I related to her characters and developed a simil More...
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Jun 22, 2009
Somewhere near the end of her life, there's some evidence that Norton became uneasy about the idea that there existed implacably hostile people who could (and should) be treated with complete ruthlessness. There's no certainty that she ever completely rejected the idea, but there's some evidence she questioned it. The fact that, in one of her earlier books, the malevolent aliens are Japanese, is an indication that she probably should have questioned it earlier.
In this book, it's le More...
In this book, it's le More...
Feb 15, 2011
Hokomoko
rated it:
Pure escapism of course. I wanted to read this as a 12 year old, especially #3 (3 against the witch world, where there's no East...)
I find it remarkable how much story and world development Norton packs into 222 pages! Of course the characters lack much depth and development compared to any dramatic fiction. At the same time, the tight writing has as much fantasy plot arc as you'll find in contemporary books 4 times the size. You find multiple nations in conflict with ambiguities every More...
I find it remarkable how much story and world development Norton packs into 222 pages! Of course the characters lack much depth and development compared to any dramatic fiction. At the same time, the tight writing has as much fantasy plot arc as you'll find in contemporary books 4 times the size. You find multiple nations in conflict with ambiguities every More...
Jul 29, 2008
Catsalive
rated it:
Very interesting to read this first book in the series. It gets straight to the point & the story is told quickly. I thought Simon a bit slow on the uptake regarding Briant's sex but other than that he's a great action hero.
back cover:
Ex-colonel Simon Tregarth was a hunted man - and the hunt was beginning to come to its inevitable deadly end. Tregarth was desperate, and his situation required a desperate solution. His only alternative, however, was wild beyond any imagining - sorc More...
back cover:
Ex-colonel Simon Tregarth was a hunted man - and the hunt was beginning to come to its inevitable deadly end. Tregarth was desperate, and his situation required a desperate solution. His only alternative, however, was wild beyond any imagining - sorc More...
Jul 04, 2011
Mintwitch
rated it: 
I read this years and years ago, when I was merely an egg, but decided to reread it today to distract myself from the 4th of July wretchedness. Andre Alice Norton is primarily known for creating the genre of Romantic SFF; Lois McMaster Bujold and Diana Gabaldon, among others, owe their allegiance to Norton.
The novel itself holds up better than I thought it would. Recommended for fans of Anne McCaffrey, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Vonda McIntyre, etc.
The novel itself holds up better than I thought it would. Recommended for fans of Anne McCaffrey, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Vonda McIntyre, etc.
Jan 04, 2012
Ala
rated it:
A fish out of water story where a man from our world is thrust into another and has to fend for himself.
Sadly, the main character is rather plain and somewhat annoying. And the story itself is a bit too straightforward fantasy for my taste. Not enough dark and gritty and humorous for me.
Had I come at this at an earlier age, or before having read all the fantasy that I have, this might have been a really good entry into the genre.
As it is, it was simply "o More...
Sadly, the main character is rather plain and somewhat annoying. And the story itself is a bit too straightforward fantasy for my taste. Not enough dark and gritty and humorous for me.
Had I come at this at an earlier age, or before having read all the fantasy that I have, this might have been a really good entry into the genre.
As it is, it was simply "o More...
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Feb 11, 2009
Eric
rated it:
I haven't quite finished this book yet, but for those of you interested in older sci-fi, Andre Norton is/was a pro. In the book Witch World, we travel to a strange new world with a character right out of the World War era. I don't know about you, but this kind of scenario totally suits me. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
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Mar 14, 2010
Nathy
rated it:
I remember reading this back in the late 80s.
Unfortunately, I'd already bought the first three books in this series before reading the first. And that's as far as I ever got. I did try a couple of times though.
I don't know why, but the interesting idea behind this adventure never grabbed me. I was never able to relate to the main character to start off with.
This is definitely a book I should reread now. Until then ...
Unfortunately, I'd already bought the first three books in this series before reading the first. And that's as far as I ever got. I did try a couple of times though.
I don't know why, but the interesting idea behind this adventure never grabbed me. I was never able to relate to the main character to start off with.
This is definitely a book I should reread now. Until then ...
Mar 01, 2010
Spencer
rated it:
This is one of those books I have read over and over again. One of my favorite imaginings as a young teen. Troubled Ex-colonel travels through magic gate into a different world which needs his specific talents to pull through.
As a young man I also approved of Jaelinthe's strength in the face of adversity.
As a young man I also approved of Jaelinthe's strength in the face of adversity.
Sep 28, 2010
Token Female Gamer
rated it:
I like this book, but found it rather difficult to read. The language is a bit antiquated which means a lot less speed reading for me. =)
Also there are leaps of time that aren't indicated, sometimes from paragraph to paragraph.
I think the book would have benefited from a bit of editing just for a bit more clarification and also to shore up the formatting a bit. I feel like just a few minor nips and tucks would really have made this book shine.
Never the less the story wa More...
Also there are leaps of time that aren't indicated, sometimes from paragraph to paragraph.
I think the book would have benefited from a bit of editing just for a bit more clarification and also to shore up the formatting a bit. I feel like just a few minor nips and tucks would really have made this book shine.
Never the less the story wa More...
Jul 24, 2011
julie
rated it:
This was one of the first fantasy books I ever read. Recently I tried to re-read it and was pretty disappointed. Yeah, so Andre Norton may not be the best writer, but she introduced me to a whole new genre of fiction and it really stuck. I think her books have heart.
Jan 30, 2012
Therese
rated it:
Matter of fact, dry storytelling that still maintains your interest and draws you into this world in ways other fantasy I have read has not. A book I have re-read more than once; one of my favorite books and a favorite series.
Sep 09, 2011
Ian
rated it:
Meh. Very definitely fantasy from the early 60's. Sort of a stepping stone between the pulp of the 40's and 50's, and the better stuff (in my opinion) to come like LeGuin onwards.
Jul 26, 2011
Tammy
rated it:
I kept having to remind myself when this was written because the dialogue was definitely more old-fashioned than books I have been reading lately.
Jan 22, 2009
Renamski
rated it:
An older book, 70's , maybe. I read this recently. Very different than what is out there today. I enjoyed. Very magical, mystical.
Sep 29, 2011
Jacqueline
rated it:
Love, love, love this. Even though my despised ex brother-in-law first gave me a copy of this book, I couldn't resist the lure that is the Witch World.
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Jan 10, 2009
Jeanne
rated it:
I love the Witch World. I think Andre Norton is very original. I always want more when I come to the end. A very quick read.
Sep 09, 2011
Nick
rated it:
One of the first SF&F writers I read and fell in love with. Witch World set the stage for a life long love of all thing SF&F...
Apr 14, 2009
Doris
rated it:
I first read this book 30 years ago, and it spurred my imagination. It is an excellent book!
Nov 11, 2010
Jacque
rated it:
It's been awhile since I've read this but I would like to have it for my own llibrary.
Jun 15, 2009
Suzanne
rated it:
I loved the Witch World series and have re-read the books several times.
