Serpent Mage

The Death Gate Cycle #4

by Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman

Millennia ago, powerful wizards sundered our world into four realms—sky, stone, fire, and sea—and then vanished. Their descendants in the magical arts desperately sought to contact the other worlds for help as these realms began to deteriorate, but their frantic calls went unanswered. Now only those few who have survived the horrors of the Labyrinth and crossed the Death Gate even realize the existence of four separate worlds.

In Serpent Mage, Haplo the Patryn is sent out to further his exploration of the sundered realms, preparing the way for the arrival of the Lord of the Nexus. He journeys this time to Chelestra, the world of sea, where submerged islands encased in bubbles of air drift around an inner sun. It is a place where human, dwarf, and elf have learned to live in peace. They have long cooperated on their greatest venture: building the giant submersibles that will take them to safety when their sun burns out. But the sudden appearance of giant dragon-snakes who feed on fear threatens not only their peace, but their very survival.

As Haplo joins the struggle with the serpents, Alfred the Sartan finds his ancestors at last. Long hidden beneath Chelestra’s waters, they lie sleeping in their magical domain. Alfred wakens them only to realize that he has lived too long among the humans, elves, and dwarves. He can no longer accept the Sartan’s exalted place as demigods…

The resulting titanic conflict will involve mortal and immortal alike—humans and elves, Sartan and Patryn—and forces well beyond any of these. The winner will control not only Chelestra, but perhaps the Death Gate itself.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Dragons, Science Fiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Margaret Edith Weis is an American fantasy and science fiction author of dozens of novels and short stories. At TSR, Inc., she teamed with Tracy Hickman to create the Dragonlance role-playing game (RPG) world. She is founding CEO and owner of Sovereign Press, Inc and Margaret Weis Productions, licensing several popular television and movie franchises to make RPG series in addition to their own.
In 1999, Pyramid magazine named Weis one of The Millennium's Most Influential Persons, saying she and Hickman are "basically responsible for the entire gaming fiction genre". In 2002, she was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame in part for Dragonlance.

Reviews

[Tom Quinn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This should have been Book 2 of 4. They might have skipped the "four elements" gimmick and just told the story of the godlike Sartan locking the magic-using Patryns away in the Labyrinth for rehabilitation and then mysteriously disappearing for eons while their prison turned malicious... Because that idea is very cool, and the sections that focus there show promise, while the "water world experiencing slow element-centric decline into ruin" stuff is tired and sluggish and for some reason they try forcing a love interest, which just - no, thank you. By the time the threads of the preceding books begin to tie together it's too late - there's not enough momentum left to thrill anybody.

1.5 stars. Again, big interesting worldbuilding but it's anchored to tepid characters engaged in a lethargic and extremely repetitive plot. Nothing in this sparked the same excitement for me at age 35 as it did at 15.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, whenever I'm lucky enough to find a reasonably literate person who has read some fantasy novels, I'm always surprised by the fact that - as far as I can recall - none of them have read The Death Gate Cycle. Granted, I had some holdover nostalgia from the Dragonlance Chronicles for Weis and Hickman, and so I probably had more cause to read them than most, but, even solely on their own merits, these are really excellent books. They're filled with interesting and nuanced characters - Hugh the Hand is still one of my favorite characters ever - and the plotlines are expertly interwoven. The real mastery, though, is in the novels' 5 distinct - geographically, sociologically, politically, ethnically - worlds.

People who enjoyed Harry Potter or Tolkein should give these books a shot.

[Jim C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the fourth book of a series. I strongly advise reading the previous books first as this book builds on the story arc. In this one, Haplo ends up on a water planet where all powerful dragon snakes are threatening the occupants of this world. Meanwhile, Alfred also ends up on this world and discovers his own race living on this planet.

While I still think the previous book was my favorite of the series this is still a five star read. So far each book has been a self contained story that adds a nugget to the overall mystery. This changes with this book. There still is the self contained story but we find out huge missing pieces of the overall story arc and it looks like we are going to tackle that from now on. I did like the self contained story as we deal with people forced out of their homeland and becoming refugees. To what extent will these people go to survive? Within this story arc we also touched upon love and suicide and there is a lot of meat to the story. The new characters that are introduced are a delight and I enjoyed this part of the book a lot.

As for the characters that we have been following we find out more about them and their past. I do enjoy the contrast between Haplo and Alfred as they want to believe that they are on opposite sides but are coming to the realization that maybe they are not. I liked how this book painted each character as gray with their actions and not so black and white. I wavered between both characters and it is always a plus when characters make you think.

This was a strong character building book for our main characters that readers will enjoy. It is also a book that delves deeper into the whole story arc of this series and I look forward to reading about it. This is a strong series for the characters as well as a mystery that has the reader wondering how it will all conclude.

[Charlie George · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of the Death Gate Cycle septet. Dragon Wing (book 1) is epic, Elven Star is still 5 stars, and Fire Sea is really good (4 stars). However, Serpent Mage (book 4) was disappointing on the second read. Weis and Hickman pretty much phoned this one in. Nothing of any gravity happened until page 370 of 400. I don't know what possessed them to draw out the meanderings of the uninteresting mortal characters for so long with so little action.

We do learn a great deal about the Sundering, the means by which the 4 fascinating mortal realms were created. And some new demi-god characters are introduced, members of the Sartan council responsible for said Sundering of old Earth. One gets the impression they are setting the stage for the next three books, beyond the procedural introduction to each of the 4 realms in the first 4 books.

Also, we see more complex layers to my favorite character, the ostensible narrator Haplo. Previously cast in the role of hero, his evil impulse and designs guide much of the story, partly because he is deprived of his dog (clearly a metaphorical and physical manifestation of his soul, though they are canny enough never to come out and say so).

I hope this is the only dud in a great series, but being as I remember very little of books 5-7, I fear they may not be very ... well you know, memorable. But I'll let you know, one way or the other.

[Leonardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the third act in a play, Serpet Mage is the turning point in this ambitious seven-book fantasy epic. By the end of the book, the final touches of the world-building process are in place and the main characters have faced a deep personal crisis that challenges their whole view of the world and themselves. Of course, none of that would matter if the novel itself wasn't a gripping tale of friendship, losses, betrayals, heroic deeds, and the revelation of ancient dark secrets. The ages-old rivalry and the deep-rooted hate that binds Sartan and Patryn together is revealed as something far more complex than a one-dimensional battle between pristine Good and dastardly Evil. Both Alfred and Haplo are forced to confront painful truths about their own people and they both realize that their relationship with the mensch (humans, dwarves, and elves) can be far more complex than that of demi-gods and "lesser" races. However, perhaps the most remarkable achievement of this novel is the relationship between the mensch of Chelestra, as exemplified by the friendship between the dwarven and human princessess and the elven prince, whose antics and adventures are the true heart of Serpent Mage. There has been plenty of love and hate between many of the characters in previous books, but none of their relationship have felt as true and down-to-earth as the relationship between Grundle, Alake, and Devon. And of course, there's a dark threat to their friendship and the fate of their people and all the worlds. It's a threat that has been hinted in previous books, but the protagonists are finally on the verge of the final conflict and the threads from the previous books finally start to come together. Finally, a remarkable aspect of the book (at least for mainstream sword and sorcery novels in the 1990s), is the inclusion of an African-based civilization, which is mostly represented in a respectful and intelligente way, although it occasionally verges into an "African-themed park" territory (fortunately, without falling into the "white saviour" trap).

[Keziah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Serpent Mage managed to jump Weis and Hickman back on track after the slightly average performance of Fire Sea. Despite the lack of interaction between Alfred and Haplo, the development of both characters in this book really set the scene for an interesting conclusion coming up in a couple of books.

In Serpent Mage both Haplo and Alfred land in Chelestra, the land of sea. Haplo meets the mensch and the sinister dragon-serpents, whilst Alfred unwittingly awakens the original Sartan from the Sundering. Both become pawns in the battle between the Sartan and the Patryn, a battle in which it seems no one was the innocent.

I really enjoyed Haplo's story in this book, particularly his attitude to the mensch and his distress over the dog, whilst the hints of Alfred's true powers were leaked I steal feel that he really is being under utilised.

[Octarine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mon tome préféré de la série jusqu'ici, avec L'Aile du dragon.
Depuis le tome 1, je n'avais pas trop accroché avec les personnages, hormis Haplo, le chien et Alfred. J'ai enfin renoué avec eux. Globalement, j'ai aimé tous les nouveaux venus : Grundle, Devon, Alake, Sabia et leurs parents, et j'ai une large préférence pour Grundle et Devon. J’ai adoré suivre le petit groupe des héritiers, à la fois jeunes et téméraires, mais aussi très braves et responsables. Les menschs, dans ce tome 4, sont particulièrement attachants et touchants. Pour la première fois de la série, les menschs sont unis, vivent en harmonie, et planifient un avenir commun. Pas de guerre entre nains, elfes et humains dans un environnement que je trouve pourtant hostile, même si Chelestra ne l’est pas autant qu’Abarrach. Et tout cela, sans intervention extérieure !
Chelestra, le monde de l’eau, est très intéressant avec son soleil de mer qui se déplace, provoquant le dégel et le gel des lunes de mer, sur lesquelles vivent les menschs.
Côté intrigue, enfin, on en apprend plus, beaucoup plus, sur les mystérieux Sartans, et pas n'importe lesquels en plus. Les différentes pièces récoltées dans les tomes précédents (je pense en particulier aux nombreuses allusions de Zifnab dans le tome 2 et à la Chambre des Bienheureux dans le tome 3) s’assemblent enfin ! Il aura fallu quatre tomes, quatre mondes, pour enfin découvrir pourquoi tous les Sartans de tous les mondes avaient disparu, ainsi que l’origine de la guerre entre Sartans et Patryns.
Trois thèmes ressortent pour moi dans ce tome. Le premier, toujours présent, mais abordé différemment cette fois, la mort. Le deuxième, la dualité. Les rapprochements entre le Seigneur du Nexus et Haplo, entre Samah et Alfred, sont très très intéressants, il y a vraiment cette relation maitre/enfant qui se révèle très forte et néfaste. Il y a aussi le rapprochement Haplo/Alfred. Les deux ennemis réalisent que leurs valeurs ne sont pas si différentes. Le problème n’est pas l’homme, c’est le groupe auquel il appartient. Le groupe qui se révèle plus néfaste que l’individu. Enfin, le troisième thème : la peur de l’autre. On l’avait déjà vu dans les tomes précédents, mais là il prend une ampleur dans l’intrigue à laquelle je ne m’attendais pas.
Enfin, le personnage d’Haplo évolue énormément. Il y avait bien des petits changements, des petites réflexions par ci par là dans les tomes précédents, mais pour une fois, Haplo se pose, et il réfléchit au calme, à ses objectifs, aux objectifs de son maitre, aux objectifs des menschs… et à leurs conséquences. D’ailleurs la conclusion du livre, suite à la sentence d’Alfred, me paraît éclaircir un certain nombre de choses quant à la direction que prendra la suite de la série.
Ce que je retiens de ce quatrième tome, c’est qu’il faut plusieurs générations et beaucoup de recul à un groupe d’individus pour regarder les choses en face et réaliser ses erreurs. C’est vraiment flagrant chez les Sartans, habités par la peur de l’autre, et comparés à Alfred, le seul d’entre eux à connaitre vraiment les autres races et les conséquences de la Séparation. Au final, tout le monde se porte mieux sans les Sartans…
Un mystère reste encore à éclaircir. Le plus grand mystère de cette série. QUI est vraiment le chien ??

[[Name Redacted] · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains something too few fantasy books contain: black people! Indeed, the only humans on the planet are black (no fear of a black planet here!), and they live in what appears to be an adapted version of African tribal culture (which, interestingly enough, is described as being similar to that of Patryn culture). Not only that, but this world is described as the BEST of the four worlds created by the Sundering, and the humans, dwarves and elves on it are explicitly stated to be the descendants of those favoured by the Sartan. Think about that for a minute: the human inhabitants of the chosen world are black, and they are there because they were deemed "superior" by their demi-god patrons! And the main human character is specifically described as the most beautiful female Haplo has ever encountered. Again, think about that: the most beautiful woman in the FIVE EXTANT WORLDS is black. What is more, the fact that these humans are black is barely mentioned aside from a few lines at the beginning of the book and individual descriptions of three individual characters -- by the time you reach the half-way point, you simply read the word "human" and imagine a black person. The authors handle it deftly, respectfully and imaginatively. Honestly, I wish more fantasy authors took this approach -- it's refreshing and exciting.

[Stephanie Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fhdjdkfjdhsbdkfhrbsbf

Yes, keyboard smashing because that's a rude cliffhanger ish of an ending. What's up with the dog? What's up with Alfred? What's up with those sea dragons???? What's going to happen to Haplo now?! Ahhhhhhhhh!

[Elessar · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5/5

Este libro cierra la primera parte de la heptalogía, centrada en conocer cada uno de los cuatro mundos en que fue dividido el universo original. En el tercer libro habían recuperado parte del interés que caracterizaba al primero, además de conseguir una historia interesante y sin demasiados altibajos, pero que habían perdido en la ejecución del segundo. En este cuarto, vuelve a estar presente la irregularidad que deberían haber abandonado por completo.
El mundo de Chelestra es interesante, bastante completo, e incluso utópico, socialmente hablando. Pero no tanto geográficamente, pues está abocado a una extinción, que se verá acentuada con la aparición de unas serpientes dragón.

Esperaba un poco más de esta continuación, después de la interesante conclusión del anterior volumen. Las excesivas escenas amorosas, a las que no necesariamente soy reacio, se muestran demasiado simples. El personaje conductor de la historia cada vez está más confundido, lo que inevitablemente confunde al lector. Y la trama de este libro, diría, ha sido la más predecible. Confío en que los tres restantes confundan menos y emocionen más.

[Koen Crolla · Rating 2 out of 5]

1 2 3

I'm glad they're still printing these books with the original covers instead of rereleasing them with "modern" minimalist ones—the dragon ship looks so much stupider than it did in my imagination. Not sure why it's there, though, since it gets smashed in the first chapter and, to my memory, never sails towards a blonde lady on a balcony at all.
Anyway, fourth book, fourth world. The world of air had drought (and one evil wizard), the world of fire had rampaging giants, the world of stone had necromancers—this one, the world of water, is afflicted with Christianity. The focus is again on the Sartan, and this time they're Sartan who still have their powers, so like every fantasy story that focuses on the goings-on of a race of wizards so powerful they think of themselves as gods and caretakers of the lesser races, it's about how they're actually flawed and arrogant and their leader in particular is not a good guy but his wife is open to being persuaded to be better by one of the protagonists, with whom she falls in love. It's a very specific plot but it's one that's been done a million times already (Doctor Who alone did it like four times), and W&H don't do it better than most.

It's looking more and more like the series is going to pull a Chronicles of Narnia, but I still have some hope that this "One God" will turn out to be a dragon or something.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars- Dutch hardcover

Fourth of the projected seven-book series, continuing the adventures of Haplo the Patryn and his rival, Albert the Sartan.
Travel companions, not by choice.

Haplo arrives on Chelestra, a water-world whose construction makes no geometric, physical, or narrative sense, only to find that the local seawater quenches the tattoos that are the source of his Patryn magic.

Meanwhile, Alfred, the clumsy, bumbling Sartan, also arrives and by accident reawakens the slumbering ancient, arrogant Sartan ruling council, who regard askance Alfred's growing friendship with Haplo.

Also on Chelestra live some superpowerful dragon-snakes, whose purpose is to stir up trouble, force the Sartan to open the Death Gate, and allow them to escape. Haplo befriends a trio of ``mensch,'' the human, dwarf, and elf subclasses oppressed by the mighty Sartan, and eventually comes to trust Alfred.

He turns out to be the Serpent Mage, more than his nominal master, the Patryn Xar. Yet another exercise, with the implausible backdrop, absurd plotting, and vacuous dramatics makes a lot of..... I would say fasten your seatbelt and read it yourself.

[Lia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 estrellas: Me encantó :)

"El Mago de la Serpiente" es el cuarto libro de la saga de "El Ciclo de la Puerta de la Muerte". Aunque mi favorito sigue siento el tercero, este no se queda muy atrás en la calidad de la caracterización, evolución de personaje, desarrollo de argumento e intriga. Uno de los temas que atraviesa toda la saga (el racismo) es muy bien explorado en este libro, en particular por el contraste entre la amistad entre las razas mensch y el odio entre las de los semidioses. Más claramente que nunca, este tomo nos demuestra que el odio entre patryn y sartán no es un enfrentamiento entre buenos y malos, y que la historia es mucho más compleja de lo que aparentaba.

"El verdadero mal no está fuera. El verdadero mal está aquí dentro. —Se llevó la mano al corazón—. Es el miedo".

Cómo un paréntesis, me agrada la representación de gente negra en esta saga y en este libro en específico, me sorprende gratamente porque no es algo habitual en la fantasía y uno pensaría que es menos esperable de encontrar en libros de los 90s. Es refrescante, especialmente cuando incluso hoy en día hay autores que no la consiguen.

Los personajes secundarios introducidos en este libro están entre mis favoritos de la saga, todos tienen su carisma particular y están muy bien caracterizados. Pero por encima de todos, Haplo es un antihéroe increíble, y su evolución fascinante.

Sin embargo, el perro sigue siendo mi favorito:
"—¡Eh, vamos! ¡Deja de hacer eso! —le dijo Haplo a a Grundle con rudeza—. Mira, estás contagiando al perro.
El animal, que parecía haberse tomado aquello muy a pecho, había sumado sus aullidos al llanto de la enana. Grundle se enjugó las lágrimas y ensayó una débil sonrisa".

Qué va a pasar, voy a arrancar el quinto libro inmediatamente.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yaaaaay what a ride!!

This book, more so than the others in the series, was a 'bridge' book, versus one that could stand on its own as a complete story. But it is SOOOOO deliciously compelling. This one also clarified some questions I had after finishing the last (specifically what Jonathan's revelation was in that secret chamber). I had to exert all my self-control and will to enter this review (and the one for book 3!) before hurtling ahead in this series. I'm glad I still have three more to go. I am a bit apprehensive about starting the next book, as I really do have things I need to do this weekend.

I very much appreciated the portrayal of the mensch on this world (as it's definitely the most positive of the worlds), and enjoyed the device of Grundle's journal in telling the story from a different perspective. This is probably the most I've been able to appreciate/admire a dwarf so far in my life (as they are inevitably short and whiskered and not attractive compared to humans/elves - and in the estimation of humans/elves). The character development continues as Haplo and Alfred keep getting deeper and fuller - and even Dog and his role! I heart Dog, maybe the most.

As the series develops, a few of the larger themes become clearer to me - racism, domination/subjugation, self-righteousness, religion and the existence of a higher power.

[Anne Mey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bon tome dans la continuité des autres mais que j'ai trouvé un peu plus longuet à se mettre en place.
Voir les personnages réaliser qu'ils ont changé, voir leurs réactions face à de nouvelles situations compliquées était vraiment agréable.
Le monde de l'eau est encore un monde fascinant à découvrir et le trio des mensch était vraiment sympa. Ils font face à des situations difficiles malgré leur jeune âge et montre toutes les qualités de leurs peuples.
De voir du coup les Sartans et de vraiment comprendre leur façon de faire les fait descendre de leur piédestal, ce qui est dur pour Alfred.
On sent qu'au final sans qu'ils s'en rendent compte ces deux personnages opposés, Alfred et Happlo, sont bien plus proches désormais.
Leur lien et leur histoire fait la force de ces livres et on finit encore en voulant absolument lire la suite.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fourth book in the series is the first one to have a weaker hold
on my interest. Once again, though, a very unique world is created. Having said that, I had a real hard time visualizing the durnai with respect to where the living areas were in relation to the water and mountains. This even after the illustrations of cross sections and the descriptions in the Appendix.

The story with respct to the characters of Chelstra wasn't all that captivating, but there are revelations to be had in how the four worlds interrelate.

This is still a very interesting series, and I'm still enjoying Halpo and Alfred a lot. I'm still with it, but here's hoping the next book will be more gripping.

[Saskia (Smitie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het avontuur van Haplo en Alfred gaat door, deze keer op de laatste van de 4 werelden Chelestra. Het verhaal focust meer op Haplo, die deze keer in aanraking komt met een nog levende kolonie Sartanen die meer over het verleden weten dan ze willen laten doorschemeren. Ook komt er een nieuwe vijand bij die mogelijk nog gevaarlijker is en die geen duidelijke oorsprong heeft. De hele geschiedenis en wereld van de poort des doods is soms ingewikkeld, maar ik blijf toch weer lezen hoe het verder gaat. De rol van de mensen, dwergen en elven wordt nu vooral verteld via de 3 prinsen/prinsessen van ieder ras. De focus op Haplo vond ik erg interessant. Het verhaal heeft ook een open einde dus deel 5 staat weer klaar om gelezen te worden.

[Hannah Berendsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wat een interessant en meeslepend verhaal. Er spelen zich eigenlijk 2 verhalen af in dit boek: 1 over een drietal tieners en hun volken en 1 over het grote gevecht tussen de rassen van de halfgoden. Het verhaal van de tieners was dramatisch met moord en dood en een verhaal van vriendschap. Het verhaal van de halfgoden was bizar en heeft de lezer veel geleerd over de geschiedenis en het ontstaan van de strijd. De schrijvers zorgden ervoor dat de lezer werd meegenomen in het verhaal en zorgden voor veel emoties omtrent de karakters. Een mooie 4 sterren waard!

[Leah Delcamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is highly underrated! The characters, the plot, the writing, the narration…all very well done! I am enjoying how each book is its own self contained story that also builds onto the overall arc. There is a thread of mystery throughout the series and I can’t wait to see how it all ties together!

There was great character development in this book and I loved to see it! Haplo is a hero. Alfred is the real MVP. And I’m forever team dog!

[Taylor Foxx · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm kind of between 3 and 4 stars here. The world building is really good and I like what they set up here, but it just took a bit to get to some of the more exciting parts of this one. I would definitely say the second half of this book really amps things up and gets me excited about the series again (as I took a break from this series). Overall, enjoyed the story and where it's taking the full series, but I think I just wasn't as into this realm as the previous ones. I do love love love Alake, Grundle, and Devon though.

[Bryan Applegate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boo a cliffhanger, but I'm hooked anyway. And this far into a series I'm re-reading past the point to which I'd read in the 90's, I don't mind so much.

Big fun plus was the Sartan husband-wife-Alfred triangle 🔺️ felt enormously like a classic TOS Star Trek husband-wife-Kirk triangle. I enjoyed that drama.

This was a rewarding tease into book 5 which I'll order now 😊

[Jared Delcamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second read though…better than I remembered and 2x better in having my wife along for the journey this time.

True evil is found. Time to see who is capable of standing against it. This series is fantastic.

[Bingbong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Multi-dimensional story thats getting beter as the cycle continues!!

[Aeryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. This is a much slower pace than the others in the series so far. There is some great information being learned within it but it does take a while to get to any type of real action.

[Ryan Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great entry! Much more political posturing and conflict between factions, rather than the action of the last book. Still highly enjoyable and a great conclusion to the starting 4 books of the series.

[Megan]

DNS 6/9/25

[Zafer Avran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paralel olaylar birbirine iyi bağlanıyor ve düğümleniyor. Sonuna doğru epey sürükleyiciydi.

[Nabs · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not a compelling read. The book has its good points and bad but it's not a book that'll make readers want to read more, find out more about what's going to happen with a character (except, possibly Alfred)

First, I'll start with why this book didn't feel good-
There was no story even after completing 60% of the book.
The real action begins only in the last 10% of the book
The book largely fails to catch attention of the reader because of the continuous descriptions about the mensch and their seamoons
At certain places the characters seem inconsistent( Alake was shown to be the smartest at the beginning but later on she gets so dumb in love to not even for once think about who Haplo is, why he's come to their land, what he's seeking and why he's helping everyone?
It's not true to Haplo's character either
He wouldn't just not tell the girl he doesn't love her because he didn't wanted to hurt her and all other reasons associated to his lord etc
He would've thought how terribly she would be broken if he just left her after attaining his purpose. The book always tells of how quick thinking he is, this here is something much contradictory.
(But I think this maybe because he's lost much of his instinctive side which led him to avoid hurt someone without reason after being left alone without the dog)

One of the things that doesn't fit at all is that no mensch ruler ever doubts Haplo. They all agree to every plan of his, believe in everything he tells them. Not even the dwarves that were shown to be the most speculative ever have any doubts about him. Surely, a good ruler knows that a stranger suddenly appearing up and saving their daughter and taking more part in planning of their lives than their own people must be having some hidden motive. There are five representatives and not a single one questions Haplo's ideas.

Things I like about this book

Alfred, Alfred and Orla's relation.
The part about Sartan words forming images in mind.

I like the inner struggle of Haplo. The struggle of Alfred. These are the things that are keeping me to this story.

Haplo talking about his life and his dog with Devon to make him understand about his life.

The last chapter could make you cry. Alfred and Haplo could become a great team and I think I'm looking forward to it.

The dog. This dog is so significant in this book. The dog's a metaphorical representation of Haplo's soul. Without the dog, haplo was uncaring about anyone but himself, he was so blinded to his task that he was using Alake's feelings for him.

We still don't know about the dog. That's another thing you want to read this book for.

Questions the book didn't answer
What did they drink? If the sea water nullifies their magic what do they drink then? And what do they eat? Because whatever they grow might be needing water to grow and if it has been grown by that same water,it too should have some effect.

Lastly, there are questions the book leaves that will just hook you up-
Have they sent away Alfred and Orla to the labyrinth? What will happen with them? Would they survive? Would they become part of some squatter group? Would they find more of the Sartan there? Would the Patryns accept them? And what if Xar finds out about them? What if he enters the labyrinth to search for them? And what if he finds them?What about the mensch? Will Haplo escape chelestra? Where would he go? In to the labyrinth or to Xar? Will Xar kill him? Make him repent? And the dog? And what if Haplo enters the labyrinth for Alfred and in his search finds his chestnut hair love, and his child....???

For most part of the book it felt like the writers were just trying to fill up some pages. For sure this book didn't match the expectations I had after reading it's immediate predecessor,however it had its own elements that almost made up for the loss of a good plot.

[Osmosisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mensch characters are really nice in this one, and there's a good arc with a lot of development. Unfortunately also the last book in the series that's introducing something really new.

[Katinki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copied from Dragon Wing. Review is for entire series.

Re-read

The Deathgate Cycle is one of my favorite series ever. Everything about it - all 7 books - are just... high fantasy perfection.

- The world (or rather universe) is amazingly unique, stunning in set up and description, and terrifically told.
- The magic and its use is top notch. It's one of few series that really go into HOW the magic of the world works.
- The characters are all highly memorable, including "Dog", the secondaries, the villains, the monsters, etc. And the primary protagonist, Haplo, is one of my favorites ever. Maybe my very favorite. He's everything I'd ever want in a protag - strong yet kind, "good", complex, and so easy to get behind and pull for. He's a bad ass, too.
- And the plot is perfect and perfectly executed.

Everything about this series is just... yeah. I can honestly think of no negatives. Unless to say that I'd like another 7 books. I'll just settle for re-reading, which it handles just fine. This book was just as good today as the first time I read way back in like... idk... 1991 [ETA: probably like 1993 for SM] or so.

You won't get a much higher recommendation out of me than this.