Visions of Distant Shores: An Andre Norton Collection

by Andre Norton

This edition has a linked "Table of Contents" and has been beautifully formatted (searchable and interlinked) to work on your Amazon e-book reader, Amazon Desktop Reader, and your ipod e-book reader.
'Visions of Distant Shores' is a collection of stories written by award-winning science-fiction author, Andre Norton. In most of Norton's works, alienated outsiders undertake a journey through which they realize their full potential. Many planets in the books are Earth-like places, where humans can live without special protection, and have extensive flora and fauna which are described in considerable detail and often have substantial bearing on the plot.
On February 20, 2005, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, which had earlier honored her with its Grand Master Award in 1983, announced the creation of the Andre Norton Award, to be given each year for an outstanding work of fantasy or science fiction for the young adult literature market, beginning in 2006.
Nobody today is telling better stories of straight-forward interstellar adventure.
Included in this volume:
Book 1: Storm Over Warlock - Stranded on the alien world of Warlock, Shann Lantree's expedition camp has been wiped out by the Throgs, beings so alien that humans have yet to communicate with them. Lantree must quickly learn how to survive under harsh conditions while being chased by the Throgs -- and how to distinguish the real from the dreamed when he meets the mysterious Wyverns. A satisfying and mature novel which readers will seize upon if they want to enjoy a good adventure story...
Book 2: Star Born - When the oppressive global dictatorship of Pax took over Earth they put a stop to space exploration. Still, a few rebels escaped in the sleeper ships to found free new colonies -- or perish in the attempt. Those few colonists that reached inhabitable worlds were cut off for centuries, and in that isolation and freedom they developed the mysterious mental powers that "civilization" had all but destroyed...
Book 3: Star Hunter - Somewhere on the jungle world of Jumala, there was a man in hiding--a man whose mind had been reconditioned with another's brain pattern and for whom there was a fabulous reward. Star Hunter is a thrill-packed account of that other-worldly game of hide-and-seek between a man who did not know all his own powers and an interstellar safari that sought something no man had a right to find...
Book 4: Plague Ship - A fast-moving suspense tale, full of unusual detail and unexpected turns. Several highlights make the book really the sunset gorp hunt on the reefs of an oily sea; a raid on an asteroid's emergency station; and a landing in the Big Burn, resulting in an encounter with the mutant life-forms that reside there...
Book 5: Voodoo Planet - Dane Thorson of the space-trader 'Solar Queen' found himself embroiled in a desperate battle of minds between the rational science of the spaceways and the hypnotic witchcraft of the mental wizard that ruled the Voodoo Planet...
Book 6: The Gifts of Asti - Varta, the last priestess of Asti, lives alone with Lur, a telepath of the lizardfolk, in Asti's isolated mountain retreat. Decadent Memphir has long since drifted away from the austere paths of Asti, and now the barbarians of Klem are sacking the city, and the smoke of its burning drifts up to the temple...
Book 7: The People of the Crater - "Send the Black Throne to dust; conquer the Black Ones, and bring the Daughter from the Caves of Darkness." These were the tasks Garin must perform to fulfill the prophecy of the Ancient Ones--and establish his own destiny in this hidden land!
These are the original and unabridged versions of these tales.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

636 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 4, 2010

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

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andre Norton was a rare woman writer in the early years of science fiction although you would not know it from the lack of female characters in this collection. They are competently written, and no doubt aimed at the predominantly male audience of the 1950s, where strong female characters (or too many women at all) may have threatened the audience. In a strange way this collection reminds me of EC Tubb (Dumarest) although he had more female characters. The science is relatively light, and there is some attempt to create believable characters and aliens. She seems to have a weakness for those coming out of the slums to make good, although they do know their place, even when striking out of their social class. It was also interesting to look at future history through the Cold War lens of the 1950s. I had read some others she has written and she does have an audience still apparently. The stories do seem a little predictable and almost bland in style except for the last, which is more of a fantasy in the A Merritt or early Jack Vance tradition. For 99c who can complain?

[Paul Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norton to the core

Have always been a Norton fan. Enjoyed these stories. Some needed sequels,, but. cannot have everything. Norton is one of the giants of sci-fi.

[Scott Winegar · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always a good read

Andre has always been the author of choice in science fiction.. great plots and good reading. Never a bad story

[Jid Ofole · Rating 1 out of 5]

Strange: neither stylish nor enlightened

[Orrin · Rating 2 out of 5]

'The Gifts of Asti' was the best story in this book.

[Paul Trembling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though they can seem a bit dated in style, these are still wonder-full tales of adventure on alien worlds. And with seven books in one Kindle download, you couldn't get better value.