Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn

This is part of the Mythago Wood Series. If you like real Celtic history mixed with ancient legends you will love this book and this series. Deep within the wood is the path to another time. Robert Holdstock writes with a style of his own and avoids the cliche of legends to give you the non-disney version of Robin Hood and others. It's scary and dark in the woods and each Mythago has its own destiny it must follow. Great stuff..with a darker take on legends similar to the old fables. (In fact if you like the "Fables" comics you'll like this series.

Holdstock, if you can get past those swirling, confusing time-and-scenario shifts that he's so fond of, is one of the best authors you will ever encounter, and his novels the most enthralling. The man has a brain like no one else. Each Mythago novel deals with a different main character, and generally you don't need to read them in order, though it helps. Each has a tenuous sort of link with its companions through either mythagos in common, or mutual friends, that sort of thing. Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn is the story of Christian Huxley, who we met first in Mythago Wood, and who wasn't really a very nice guy. This novel tells the story of how he was captured by Ryhope Wood (and hence became a bit of a ****)- through Guiwenneth, who also fascinated his father; and the larger-than-life figure of Kylhuk, whose quest he becomes embroiled in. While you're reading this I guarantee there will be moments where you go "WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON?!?!" but by god, reaching the end is so worth it. And if you've been paying proper attention, it will all make sense. I don't even need to talk about his prose. I hope that if you're reading this review then you've read one or more of his novels already, and know how emotive, visual and wide his imagery is. I can't think of any other books where I can see so clearly what an author is describing. Holdstock's vision is immensely far-reaching - each novel in the series explains something in a different novel, and while I said before that you can read them out of order, NONE of them should be regarded as a stand-alone. If you read one, and your curiosity was even remotely piqued by any loose ends (of if you just love Holdstock ;)), you must read the others. Every novel is typical of Holdstock in that, like I said before, he seems to like writing a story that is highly ambiguous, and quite challenging in ways both literary and emotional. There is only one book in the series, for example, with a happy ending - I won't tell you which if you haven't read it ;). The only possible quibble that I might have with him is that in each novel, the ending is sort of unfinished - but to me that leaves a lot of room for speculation, interpretation, and hopefully -god, SO hopefully - for further novels.

WOW...is all I have to say after reading Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn. Unlike his other efforts since Mythago Wood itself, this book provided that same stomach-knotting pleasure-pain climax that the original possessed. I highly recommend it.That's not to say it's perfect. I found Christian's exploits with Legion a bit boring, frankly. Also, Holdstock has taken Ryhope Wood to its most extreme yet in terms of time-space distortion. It got a little confusing.But Holdstock has succeeded immeasurably in his "Sympathy for the Devil" look at Christian. For those who wondered how he became the monster he did in Mythago Wood, here is your answer, beautifully wrought. The phrase "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions" could have been made to describe the ending of this book. Christian did everything right (he even chose the right gate!), but could not escape his destiny, and in the end just accepted it.The final chapters and coda of Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn are well worth every long-in-the-tooth saga of Legion's exploits. The ending makes the reader think, wonder, feel sorry for Christian AND Guiwinneth, and wonder where in the very circular timeline of events could Christian have changed his fate. Also you realize that Steven had the deck stacked in his favor before HIS tale even began. Which leads the reader to re-ponder Mythago Wood, and so the circle continues. The great timeless mythic quality that Lavondyss, among others, lacked is here in droves.In short, Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn, while not quite as outstanding as Mythago Wood (which I consider the best fantasy work, EVER - makes Tolkien look like an amateur) is really close. Read it.

Way to go Robert!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work and keep those books coming! Anyone who has not read Robert Holdstock is missing out. The stories are complex, but well worth the effort. You will be continually guessing. If you are into science fiction fantasy, you'll find Holdstock at the top of the list of great writers. Also recommended: J.R.R. Tolkein, C.S. Lewis, Robert Jordan