Kaspar's Box

We have seen what has happened to two earlier expeditions to the Three Kings. Now we encounter a mystery on the Human worlds. A mystery that begins with an old space captain transporting three pregnant girls. When the surviving space navy picks him up for tax evasion, they are first exposed to the mystery. Suddenly the navy's purpose is clear. There is something for them to do other than collect taxes. There are still fights to be fought. The trail leads to an agricultural and zoological world. There they discover a conclave of power up to no good. Clues point to an involvement with the Three Kings. Finally the navy decides that they must mount a force to travel to the Kings. There they find more mysteries and survivors form earlier expeditions. Soon they realize where the answers must lie if they exist at all. Very interesting. It leaves a feeling that there might be another book or series. But most of the original questions have been answered. Forces at work in the universe are explained as is the lure of the Kings. Although not Chalker's best work, it does manage to showcase his scale of wonder present is most of his work. A good read and a must for Chalker fans.

I agree with the other reviewers who have wondered where the ending is in this book. I give it 4 stars because I found it the best read of the three (Balshazzar and Melchoir were both tough hauls setting up the characters in their first halves) it really does feel like there's chapters, even a whole other book, missing at the end. I expected a 'To Be Continued' though I wouldn't really another book in this series. I'm a huge Chalker fan from early on in his writing but this one could have been a large single rather than a trilogy, even though the Three Kings obviously lend themselves to the trilogy format. Much as I admire Jack Chalker this trilogy is a weaker effort and probably only for fans.

This is the third in a trilogy which should be read in order. As always, Chalker develops the characters well. He also enlists a couple from the previous two books. I just got the feeling that about 3/4 of the way through, he decided to abridge the remainder of the novel that could have been. Arrival at the three kings is rushed, and all of the answers are spoon fed in the last chapter. It would have been better for me if it was drawn out, but then, now I have to wait for him to write his next book, as I have read all of Chalker's books. He is still my favorite Sci-Fi author.