Dare to Go A-Hunting

Moon Magic #4

by Andre Norton

Krip Voreland, interplanetary Free Trader, Maelen, sorceress of the Moon of Three Rings, and Farree, an orphan with iridescent wings, search for the mystery of Farree's ancestry, the secret of this race of winged people known as the Little People and their well-guarded treasure

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Young Adult, Speculative Fiction, Mystery

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Andre Norton, born Alice Mary Norton, was a pioneering American author of science fiction and fantasy, widely regarded as the Grande Dame of those genres. She also wrote historical and contemporary fiction, publishing under the pen names Andre Alice Norton, Andrew North, and Allen Weston. She launched her career in 1934 with The Prince Commands, adopting the name “Andre” to appeal to a male readership. After working for the Cleveland Library System and the Library of Congress, she began publishing science fiction under “Andrew North” and fantasy under her own name. She became a full-time writer in 1958 and was known for her prolific output, including Star Man’s Son, 2250 A.D. and Witch World, the latter spawning a long-running series and shared universe. Norton was a founding member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America and authored Quag Keep, the first novel based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. She influenced generations of writers, including Lois McMaster Bujold and Mercedes Lackey. Among her many honors were being the first woman named Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and SFWA Grand Master. In her later years, she established the High Hallack Library to support research in genre fiction. Her legacy continues with the Andre Norton Award for young adult science fiction and fantasy.

Reviews

[Len · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once upon a time the Little People, the People of the Hills, lived contented lives on Earth and then evolution struck. Those lumbering apes turned into aggressive humans. Aggressive humans who were afraid of the Little People and made war against them. Thankfully the Little People were a race that had developed advanced technology and spaceflight. Waving goodbye to the no longer benevolent Earth they flew away to leave the simian brood to fester in its own violence. We humans did our best to oblige them with wars of annihilation and nuclear apocalypses, yet we survived and eventually went off into space ourselves. Bad news for Little People - as we had retained much of our compulsion for destruction.

This is not one of Andre Norton's best by a long way. It is a sequel to Flight in Yiktor and follows Farree in his quest to track down his winged sisters and brothers. Unfortunately it comes across as a Norton novel written by someone familiar with all of Andre Norton's tropes and scenarios who decided that, if they lumped them all together, they would end up with a saleable commodity.

The beginning is OK. Farree, Toggor (now called Togger for some reason), Maelen, Krip, and a Zacathan (Zacanthan in this book) called Zoror are on the planet Gragal. It's not clear why they are there but no matter, in the marketplace Farree finds a piece of attractive fabric which he immediately recognises, by some sort of psycho-kinetic, telepathic means, as a piece of a wing such as his own. With the help of Zoror and the others they set off on a journey to a small planet at the edge of the known galaxy and throw themselves into a Norton escapade. It is very much Farree's adventure as the others, even Toggor the smux, are quickly left behind in the spaceship and only return at the end for the mopping up operations. Lots of chases, magical mists, and telepathy. Some Little People turn out to be frighteningly large Little People and there are dragons and other what not chasing poor Farree all over the place. Add to that the appearance of the Thieves' Guild as trusty old villains and it's complete – tired but complete.

There is a good deal in the first half of the novel which suggests the author had in mind a theme of folklore and legend. Zoror in particular comes out with a great variety of names from the far past or linked to Forerunners: the Uavan Desert on Tav, the skull of Orsuis, Captain Famble's find, many more. If she had only kept to that track and not diverted into a fantastical Little People adventure involving fighting the Thieves' Guild, the story would have been interesting with all sorts of openings for imaginative speculation. Ah well, it was not to be. Farree may have had greenish coloured skin – emerald green if you have the first edition dustjacket art – but at least there were no leprechauns with awful mock-Irish accents. And for that I at least am thankful.

[Kat Hooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will review at Fantasy Literature.

[***Dave Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like its predecessor in the Moon Singer series, only more so, this book focuses on Faree and his secret, with Krip Vorlund and Maelen being distant participants. The problem is, I didn't find Faree at all an interesting character, and he spends way too much of this book under agency-robbing compulsions, confused, or just stuck in his own head. Norton's conceit here, tying concepts of the Fae into an SF novel, is an interesting one, but the execution is just not up to snuff.

[Skylar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was somewhat disappointing. The first two books in this series (Moon of Three Rings and Exiles of the Stars) were fantastic. The third book (Flight in Yiktor) was okay, but not as interesting. This book just didn't hold my interest as much.

[Luka · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is my least favourite in the series so far. i was bored for most of it, only really enjoyed the last five(?) chapters :/

[Patricia Cochrane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit confusing

[Tony P · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book hardly deserves to be included in the Moonsinger cycle. It could have been titled "The Further Adventures of Faree"; Maelyn, the Moonsinger, barely figures as a minor character. Not one of Norton's best.

[Cinnamingirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just started this the other night - we'll see how it goes. Interesting idea to bring the idea of the Fae into space.

So... I realized the reason that the story never seemed clear to me is that it's not. These books are very vague, in terms of plot and description. But I liked this one, despite feeling very unsure of some of the things that happened. I realize this is because the main character is also unsure, but at times, i really want to know more about the characters and the world they inhabit and such, instead of just having hints of what they can do. Still, I think this was a good ending to the series, and it certainly felt stronger than the 2 before it, though I liked Exiles of the Stars because it was a fun mystery.

[Valerie]

There seem to be as many names for this series as there are books in it. The books in the series are (in order):

Moon of Three Rings
Exiles of The Stars
Flight in Yiktor
Dare to Go A-Hunting.

I have to say I found the last book somewhat disappointing, because Farree becomes so detached from his companions that he several times wanders off on his own.

This series doesn't have as many murders in it as many other Norton books, but the basic idea that it's possible to forfeit one's right to life is still implicit.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dare to go ahunting for fear of little men...

Ms Norton turned this age-old rhyme into a fantastic tale. It had heroism, pathos, and what I feel is her theme - don't judge based on the visual: base your judgement on the person's worth as a being.

[Scythan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had been searching for this book for a while, and it wasn't nearly as good as I remember it being.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

another reread - I imagine I liked it far better when I was much younger.

[Sandra Munger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faree's story continues. He and his companions from prior books in the series find his home world where they must rid the planet of pirates who are killing his people for their wings.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book, it was nice blend of sci-fi and fantasy.

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it as a kid, but remember really liking it.