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The Chronicles of Mavin Manyshaped #2
The Flight of Mavin Manyshaped
There were seven cities in the Chasm. built to cling to the great cliff wall, woven into the massive roots of the flattrees! Once there had been eight cities - but the eighth had disappeared one night, fallen into the chaem's mysterious depths. No one hadever ventured to the bottom of the chasm. No one had dared, in spite of tales of the lost city's treasure. Until the bird-woman Mavin came like a messenger of heaven to lead the people of the chasm on a fabolous, dangerous quest.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
7 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Sheri S. Tepper
74 books1,081 followersSheri Stewart Tepper was a prolific American author of science fiction, horror and mystery novels; she was particularly known as a feminist science fiction writer, often with an ecofeminist slant.
Born near Littleton, Colorado, for most of her career (1962-1986) she worked for Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood, where she eventually became Executive Director. She has two children and is married to Gene Tepper. She operated a guest ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
She wrote under several pseudonyms, including A.J. Orde, E.E. Horlak, and B.J. Oliphant. Her early work was published under the name Sheri S. Eberhart.
Born near Littleton, Colorado, for most of her career (1962-1986) she worked for Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood, where she eventually became Executive Director. She has two children and is married to Gene Tepper. She operated a guest ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
She wrote under several pseudonyms, including A.J. Orde, E.E. Horlak, and B.J. Oliphant. Her early work was published under the name Sheri S. Eberhart.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 13, 2011
A story that has left elements stuck like flypaper in my head for many, many years. On re-read, I find it just as compelling--perhaps my only complaint is that the ending is a little under-written, as if the publisher was trying to keep her within a certain page length. Knowing Tepper and the books she has put out since, I wouldn't be at all surprised. Which is too bad, really, because when you read this book, you will be wanting more, more, more.
Unusual in the Mavin series, it's largely from the perspective of Beedie Bridger ("Sausage-Girl" to Mavin), and her adventures with Mavin evolving into a rite of passage for Beedie. Mavin has come to the Rift exploring, searching for her long-lost sister Handbright. Beadle is a member of a community living within a giant chasm, and it's another one of the small populations inside the Game-world, a fascinating sub-culture coping with environmental extremes. (Incidentally, whoever writes the back cover synopsis to this series ought to be sent back to sixth grade for book report practice). It's also a clever device that keeps Mavin from problem-solving in strictly shape-shifter ways, as she doesn't want to give away her identity to anyone more than Beedie. It allows a fascinating twist to the narrative as well, as Beedie is clearly the product of a loving family in a somewhat insulated society, and both Mavin and the reader have many moments where they are two or three jumps ahead of innocent Beedie.
In order to free Handbright from the politically disastrous situation she is in, Mavin and Beedie undertake a quest to climb to the bottom of the chasm and investigate what has been eating the tree roots that form the physical structure of the rift-dwellers' community. With them come Roges, a member of the provider Maintainer caste, and Mercald, the Birder-priest who has gotten Handbright into the messy situation. The journey gives Mavin a chance to reflect on her problem-solving skills in the past, and the chance to learn more of what Mavin has been doing since The Song of Mavin Manyshaped is welcome.
Tepper's favorite themes worm their way in here, including the lecherous male figures and the underhanded power struggle between factions, but I don't feel it was overbearing. Including Mercald as a representative of religion on the journey gives Tepper an opportunity to gently muse on implications of religion and belief. Perhaps a little incongruous but fascinating was when the group encounters the Thinker, clearly Tepper thumbing her nose at philosophers who intellectual problem-solve without experimentation.
The multiple threads of the plot are woven well, but the solution to the mystery is almost anti-climactic--until they encounter a complicated and somewhat horrific second mystery.
Kudos for the creepiest flypaper ever.
Unusual in the Mavin series, it's largely from the perspective of Beedie Bridger ("Sausage-Girl" to Mavin), and her adventures with Mavin evolving into a rite of passage for Beedie. Mavin has come to the Rift exploring, searching for her long-lost sister Handbright. Beadle is a member of a community living within a giant chasm, and it's another one of the small populations inside the Game-world, a fascinating sub-culture coping with environmental extremes. (Incidentally, whoever writes the back cover synopsis to this series ought to be sent back to sixth grade for book report practice). It's also a clever device that keeps Mavin from problem-solving in strictly shape-shifter ways, as she doesn't want to give away her identity to anyone more than Beedie. It allows a fascinating twist to the narrative as well, as Beedie is clearly the product of a loving family in a somewhat insulated society, and both Mavin and the reader have many moments where they are two or three jumps ahead of innocent Beedie.
In order to free Handbright from the politically disastrous situation she is in, Mavin and Beedie undertake a quest to climb to the bottom of the chasm and investigate what has been eating the tree roots that form the physical structure of the rift-dwellers' community. With them come Roges, a member of the provider Maintainer caste, and Mercald, the Birder-priest who has gotten Handbright into the messy situation. The journey gives Mavin a chance to reflect on her problem-solving skills in the past, and the chance to learn more of what Mavin has been doing since The Song of Mavin Manyshaped is welcome.
Tepper's favorite themes worm their way in here, including the lecherous male figures and the underhanded power struggle between factions, but I don't feel it was overbearing. Including Mercald as a representative of religion on the journey gives Tepper an opportunity to gently muse on implications of religion and belief. Perhaps a little incongruous but fascinating was when the group encounters the Thinker, clearly Tepper thumbing her nose at philosophers who intellectual problem-solve without experimentation.
The multiple threads of the plot are woven well, but the solution to the mystery is almost anti-climactic--until they encounter a complicated and somewhat horrific second mystery.
Kudos for the creepiest flypaper ever.
September 7, 2017
Wow, this story goes to all kinds of unexpected places! Lyrical and deeply imaginative, vividly-envisioned, and reveals many sides to Mavin. Her foresight, cleverness, resourcefulness, warmth, kindness, sense of justice and righteous anger.
It is 15 years since the last book, and Mavin in her journey to seek her sister, is now across the sea to a land where Games do not exist. She comes upon cities built upon bridges, made of vines that stretched across a deep and vast chasm into the ground.
The story is told mainly from Beenie's perspective, a young Bridger girl who Mavin saved from dastardly murder.
With everything resolved, Mavin sets forth to her final book, to honor her promise to the Wizard Himaggery so long ago.
Highly recommended, if you can find it. This series is a gem.
It is 15 years since the last book, and Mavin in her journey to seek her sister, is now across the sea to a land where Games do not exist. She comes upon cities built upon bridges, made of vines that stretched across a deep and vast chasm into the ground.
The story is told mainly from Beenie's perspective, a young Bridger girl who Mavin saved from dastardly murder.
With everything resolved, Mavin sets forth to her final book, to honor her promise to the Wizard Himaggery so long ago.
Highly recommended, if you can find it. This series is a gem.
January 31, 2022
Fifteen years after Song (book 1) Mavin has followed her sister across the sea. She meets the people who live on giant vines on the walls of the chasm. Beedie, a bridger, is the first resident she sees, in trouble probably due to something the Banders did. Nothing that can be proven, that's their MO. Mavin learns the birders have captured Handbright. They're the religious leaders and judges. They've been treating Handbright well. Mavin doesn't need to seek revenge on them. The Banders are kind of evil, but there are also problems that the root system is dying. Mavin makes a deal with the elders to lead a party down to fix the problem with the roots, while they take care of Handbright until she is in condition to leave the chasm.
This was fun. Mavin didn't want to unnecessarily show her abilities and was great at making plans. I liked the nicknames she gave Beedie, etc. I liked the characters, the plot worked, a bit of humor, 4.6 stars
May 19, 2019
It took me reading book two of this trilogy to figure out what it is I like about it so much: The Flight of Mavin Manyshaped reads an awful lot like a book by Jack Vance. This is not to say that Sheri S Tepper is some slavish imitator-she isn't. But the same sense of wonder and sly humor that pervades the very best of Vance's work is here. I enjoyed this book more than the first one. Mavin is seasoned now-she is an experienced adventuress who has grown considerably in the fifteen years that have passed between the first and second novels. Also she still doesn't take crap off anybody-yay! On to book three!
January 24, 2024
Far away from the lands of the Great Game is the Giant Chasm, where seven cities exist on great bridges made out of the giant roots of the plants that grow in the world above.
Beedie Bridger just wants to be a good Bridger. She is smart and conscientious, and when an unlikely accident nearly kills her, an accident a lot like the one that killed her parents, things don't look good. Fortunately for Beedie, the unexpected Mavin Manyshaped happens to be nearby, looking for her long-long sister.
Mavin and Beedie are soon off on adventures to the bottom of the Chasm, to see what forces are threatening the bridge cities. They find enemies both human and otherwise, but if you have to go into danger, you could not ask for a better ally than Mavin.
1/23/2024
The Mavin books are outstanding.
Beedie Bridger just wants to be a good Bridger. She is smart and conscientious, and when an unlikely accident nearly kills her, an accident a lot like the one that killed her parents, things don't look good. Fortunately for Beedie, the unexpected Mavin Manyshaped happens to be nearby, looking for her long-long sister.
Mavin and Beedie are soon off on adventures to the bottom of the Chasm, to see what forces are threatening the bridge cities. They find enemies both human and otherwise, but if you have to go into danger, you could not ask for a better ally than Mavin.
1/23/2024
The Mavin books are outstanding.
October 23, 2010
Have I said enough about this series? This is my favorite of them - the city and people of the bridge is imagination and originality at its finest. She was brilliant.
Read
February 2, 2021(Review written 1996 )
In The Flight of Mavin Manyshaped, Mavin is in search of her sister Handbright, who took the form of a great white bird near the beginning of Song of MM and flew away from Danderbat keep. She comes to the land of the Chasm, where an interesting community has evolved, living on bridges and platforms. The arrival of Mavin's sister has been taken by these people to be a sign from the Boundless, and Mavin must cope with some rather unexpected events.
Tepper has created in this book an interesting caste-ridden society, with its own power plays and intrigues, and managed to weave it into the world of the True Game rather well. I think she's solved a dilemma that is probably quite common to writers, "What do you do with a new idea when you've got readers clamoring for the same old world and characters?". SST just files off the square corners to fit the new world into a round hole in the old one, and lets it be "discovered" by a familiar face. It works, too.
Near the top of this society she's created are the hereditary Bridgers, those whose skills open up new territory for the people of the Chasm. Over hundreds of years, they've created seven cities there, from the broken bridge at the top to the lost bridge near the bottom. There are three Bridger families in the chasm, and one of them is willing to go to any lengths to be the most powerful, including murder.
When Mavin's sister becomes pregnant by the priest of the Birder caste who has been set to care for her, the resulting disruption allows the nasty Bander family to take advantage of the unrest to make a power play. Also, at this time, there have been several incursions from some slimy beasties from way down in the bottom of the chasm, so Mavin and her allies set off for the bottom to: a. evade the Banders. b. destroy the beasties. c. defuse the religious controversy generated by Handbright's pregnancy.
Their journey to the bottom, and the interesting things they find along the way, make this one an even better read than Song, I think. The tale is told for a while from some other points of view than Mavin's, and Tepper does a pretty good job of creating a new and weird society, warts and all. Again, a nice light fantasy novel providing a good evening's read.
In The Flight of Mavin Manyshaped, Mavin is in search of her sister Handbright, who took the form of a great white bird near the beginning of Song of MM and flew away from Danderbat keep. She comes to the land of the Chasm, where an interesting community has evolved, living on bridges and platforms. The arrival of Mavin's sister has been taken by these people to be a sign from the Boundless, and Mavin must cope with some rather unexpected events.
Tepper has created in this book an interesting caste-ridden society, with its own power plays and intrigues, and managed to weave it into the world of the True Game rather well. I think she's solved a dilemma that is probably quite common to writers, "What do you do with a new idea when you've got readers clamoring for the same old world and characters?". SST just files off the square corners to fit the new world into a round hole in the old one, and lets it be "discovered" by a familiar face. It works, too.
Near the top of this society she's created are the hereditary Bridgers, those whose skills open up new territory for the people of the Chasm. Over hundreds of years, they've created seven cities there, from the broken bridge at the top to the lost bridge near the bottom. There are three Bridger families in the chasm, and one of them is willing to go to any lengths to be the most powerful, including murder.
When Mavin's sister becomes pregnant by the priest of the Birder caste who has been set to care for her, the resulting disruption allows the nasty Bander family to take advantage of the unrest to make a power play. Also, at this time, there have been several incursions from some slimy beasties from way down in the bottom of the chasm, so Mavin and her allies set off for the bottom to: a. evade the Banders. b. destroy the beasties. c. defuse the religious controversy generated by Handbright's pregnancy.
Their journey to the bottom, and the interesting things they find along the way, make this one an even better read than Song, I think. The tale is told for a while from some other points of view than Mavin's, and Tepper does a pretty good job of creating a new and weird society, warts and all. Again, a nice light fantasy novel providing a good evening's read.
April 24, 2021
View this adventure of Mavin Manyshaped through the eyes of Beedie Bridger who Mavin calls "Sausage-Girl" throughout the novel. Mavin has come here searching for her long lost sister, Handbright, who vanished when she flew from their shape shifter home. It is fifteen years since the two left. Mavin has continued searching, now flying across the sea to where there are no games.
The giant chasm she finds is filled with roots in which numerous cities have been built on bridges perched on vines linking it all together. Numerous stairs connect the cities of a layered society. Here, at last, she finds her sister involved with a complex political situation and a power struggle between the society’s factions.
With Beedie’s help, Mavin seeks to free her sister. She is a member of one of the communities.
Mavin, however, reveals her shape shifter talent to no one else. In their efforts to free Handbright, Mavin and Beedie decide to go to the chasm bottom to determine what or who is eating tree roots supporting the cities. They are accompanied by Roges of the Maintainer caste, and Mercald, a Birder-priest who has gotten Handbright pregnant. The group encounters the Thinker who mostly helps them along their trek.
Tepper’s lilting wonderfully flowing writing makes her fantasy so appealing to readers like me. So compelling so that you want to read ever more of it. The complexity of Mavin’s character adds dimension to the read. She is kind, resourceful, clever and problem solving is her forte. In short this is another fun fantasy from a highly talented author!
The giant chasm she finds is filled with roots in which numerous cities have been built on bridges perched on vines linking it all together. Numerous stairs connect the cities of a layered society. Here, at last, she finds her sister involved with a complex political situation and a power struggle between the society’s factions.
With Beedie’s help, Mavin seeks to free her sister. She is a member of one of the communities.
Mavin, however, reveals her shape shifter talent to no one else. In their efforts to free Handbright, Mavin and Beedie decide to go to the chasm bottom to determine what or who is eating tree roots supporting the cities. They are accompanied by Roges of the Maintainer caste, and Mercald, a Birder-priest who has gotten Handbright pregnant. The group encounters the Thinker who mostly helps them along their trek.
Tepper’s lilting wonderfully flowing writing makes her fantasy so appealing to readers like me. So compelling so that you want to read ever more of it. The complexity of Mavin’s character adds dimension to the read. She is kind, resourceful, clever and problem solving is her forte. In short this is another fun fantasy from a highly talented author!
April 22, 2023
I think I will echo another of my favorite reviewers, Carol, when I say the only thing holding this back was a little bit of a rushed ending.
Also maybe because I am a book addict. Or to quote the lyrics of Tom Lehrer
“ more more I am still not satisfied”
I think the rushed short length of this novel is most exemplified by the introduction of “ the Thinker” who just a little too conveniently popped out of literally another universe to offer several solutions that normally would have taken another 150 pages to get into the plot line.
Other than that, again another great part of the series with its Dickensian names and luxurious descriptive language.
Also maybe because I am a book addict. Or to quote the lyrics of Tom Lehrer
“ more more I am still not satisfied”
I think the rushed short length of this novel is most exemplified by the introduction of “ the Thinker” who just a little too conveniently popped out of literally another universe to offer several solutions that normally would have taken another 150 pages to get into the plot line.
Other than that, again another great part of the series with its Dickensian names and luxurious descriptive language.
July 18, 2020
The second book about Mavin Manyshaped sees her investigating a huge chasm where people live on bridges formed from giant living tree branches. Something has been damaging the roots of the trees, threatening all who live there. This is another enjoyable and imaginative entry in the True Game series, showing how Mavin is growing as a woman and in her power.
September 25, 2024
Tepper Project #6
Mavin Manyshaped #2
Book six in the Tepper project, and book #2 in the Mavin Manyshaped series was easy to read, and not taxing in any way but one that I don't think I will remember and really didn't float my boat.
Another series begins next.
Mavin Manyshaped #2
Book six in the Tepper project, and book #2 in the Mavin Manyshaped series was easy to read, and not taxing in any way but one that I don't think I will remember and really didn't float my boat.
Another series begins next.
March 16, 2018
sticky....
July 15, 2020
Read 20 odd years ago,found on bookshelf
July 18, 2020
The delightful ‘alien-ness’ of the world of the True Game continues...
April 10, 2022
While obviously not as good or deep as her later books this is great fun and set in a dense, complicated universe with fascinating characters.
November 19, 2024
Probably my favourite of the Mavin trilogy. I found the idea of the chasm and the cities on the roots fascinating and loved the story.
November 17, 2015
Quite a novel apart from the “True Game” series. The character of Mavin is its only point of contact. I loved the world of the bridge-dwellers and the character of Beede, the bridge builder, and the detail gone into as she goes about her job with skill and strength. Tepper’s strength is in her imagination and she creates some very cool creatures and plants to inhabit this alien landscape.
My only complaint is the treatment of Mavin’s sister, who never gets to speak. She is pregnant and catonic, gives birth and dies. I felt like the author just didn’t know what to do with her and it was tragic. That knocks my review down a star, actually.
My only complaint is the treatment of Mavin’s sister, who never gets to speak. She is pregnant and catonic, gives birth and dies. I felt like the author just didn’t know what to do with her and it was tragic. That knocks my review down a star, actually.
November 13, 2025
Very, very good. This is my favourite book of all the three trilogies, and the whole series is very good. Although it is within the timeline of the trilogy and series, it has a slightly different focus, and manages to generate a fantastic atmosphere. It puts you into a slightly different scenario to the other books, but weaves in the main story very well. The new characters it introduces are very good and so is the side story. You could even read this a one off book. I would definitely recommend this.
November 7, 2015
Wow. My favorite of the set so far. Maybe just because Tepper creates a completely new non-game world of chasm living and root weaving for Mavin to explore - which is totally impressive. This novel could stand alone from the other 4 I have read. Also, Mavin seems much more likeable in this installment - maybe it's maturity or just sisterly-love - but I felt this book really fleshed her character out for me.
July 3, 2021
I wish I had discovered this series sooner! The language is beautiful, and the world is so magical. I found that the character was deeply relatable and the themes relevant despite being published in the 80s. The story is so good, and I highly recommend.
May 1, 2009
This is a wonderful world of magic, love, changing shape. If you can get ahold of this series do so.
December 15, 2015
Really enjoyed the bridgers world, and the thinker!
March 31, 2011
vivid thoughtful adventure
February 5, 2016
An unusual, original world and very enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews