Lords of the Middle Dark: (#1) (Rings of the Master)

I have just read all 4 books in this series, back to back, in the last week. I was hooked after the first book, and I think it was one of the more interesting introductory books I've ever read. I give the first book 5 stars. Tho, the series, probably only 3.5, I'll explain more at the end... A future earth, that seems to be stuck in the 1500's. Ruled by a "Master Computer" that was developed long ago, when man was at the brink of destroying himself. Now the computer has devolved mankind into a state of technology (1500's) that can be brutal and savage...but, doesn't have the ability or technology to wipe out the world in the process. This master computer controls all technology and knowledge in this world. However, it does use some of the "brightest" people from each culture to help it rule. These people are snatched from their primative cultures, trained, indoctrinated, and given the knowledge and technology, that the rest of the world is now ignorant of. The only caveat is, each person must return to his/her peoples for a couple of months every 2 years or so, to "stay in touch" with the culture they came from. This computer isn't malevolent, it's just following it's programming to protect humankind from itself. However, the methods it uses to do this can be quite extraordinary. The Master Computer has basically "de-populated" Earth, to a point where there is less than a million souls on the whole planet. It has done this by moving Billions off planet, to other planets. On Earth, it has basically created 1500's technology, and the small population's living there are ignorant of anything else. England now has kings, barons, knights and castles. China has Warlords and their peasants. And America is basically populated by Native American Indians. Earth has basically become a protected museum of what life was like 500 years ago. This is a story of Hawk's. Who is a Native American Indian, but was deemed bright and inquisitive enough by the Computer, to be taught about the knowledge and technology, that is prohibited to everyone else. On one of his mandatory pilgrimmages back to his people, Hawks discovers some secrets about the Master Computer. That the people who created it, also created a way to shut it down. Basically, it involves locating 5 rings, and using them in a certain way. This is forbidden knowledge to even one such as Hawk's. This book is about what he does with that knowledge, and how the Master Computer reacts to him having it. This was a great book, and the only book I've ever given a 5 star rating too. As soon as I finished it, I immediately went out and found the other 3 books in this series, and also got everything else I could find by Chalker. Unfortunately, Book 1 is the only book in this series I believe was 5-star material. The following is what I thought about the rest... Book 2 - 4 stars. Is actually a pretty good continuation of Book 1. Hawks has now been sent to a prison planet, where he has enlisted some int

I read this book in the late eighties when I was in high school and loved it. Recently I reread the series and found that it was not dated (besides the sheer size computers can take up) the results and effects of technology are still believable. This series has near everything sex changes, species changes, mythology, space battles, high tech espionage. The characters range from flawed and tragic to flawed and heroic. There is so much crammed into these four volumes. One of the best and most consistent series I have ever read.

I bought this book in its first printing back in the mid eighties (85 I think) While I was preparing for a canoe trip through Quebec. The whole plot line appealed to me for a number of reasons that I wont get into, however, I can tell you that the plot and charecter development were fabulously rich, and enveloped me in a Tolkienesque manner. I was drawn away from the rain and mosquitos, the biting flies, and the food poisoning we all suffered, to a world in the future that I felt could actually exist. I waited impatiently for the next few years for the forthcoming sequels to come out. The only disappointment in the whole series, was when I turned the final page, of the final book, and it was over.