Magic Labyrinth

This is the best of the last 4 of the 5 Riverworld novels purely because of the battle that takes place between the two paddle wheel boats. I was able to visualize this more than anything I have ever read, probably because books 2 & 3 lead up to this moment in book 4, and it was rather satisfying to read. If you have read the first 3 books, you'd be a fool if you didn't read "The Magic Labrynth".

Excuse me. Riverworld is one of the greatest series SF has to offer, not only because of the sheer scope of the novels, but mostly because of its MYSTERY, the big questions of why the ressurection happened and who is responsible for it. This is an extremely provoking idea. Don't try to tell me that you were BORED during sections of this book or others. Don't even think about saying that certain parts could have been skipped over. If you want to skip over parts, you shouldn't have read the series at all. If you cared an ounce about the questions the Riverworld saga is asking, about any of the bigger ideas, then you wouldn't skip over a word. Every part is important and relevant. If it wasn't, Philip Jose Farmer woudn't have written it. This is a fast-paced, novel, my friends, and don't try to say otherwise. But every novel needs background, even the fast-paced ones. If it didn't have any background, any explanation of character or character development, then the books would end up like those terrible action movies they put on TV. Besides, the characters are an important part of the series. They are (or were) famous people, and one interesting theme is how they interact with one another. Basically, every part of a book is important if you are to understand parts later on in the book or in following books. As in all mystery novels, there are clues along the way to the solution. The clues keep you determined to solve the puzzle. But I do agree that sometimes the journey can be more important than the destination. The fourth book seemed sort of a let down, in more ways than one. I thoroughly enjoyed the third book and was anticipating the fourth, in which the great quest would be completed and the answers at long last found. But the ending didn't satisfy me in the least. I closed the book feeling angry and wanting more. What I really wanted was the truth. I could not believe that the ending of the Magic Labyrinth was the true and complete solution to the Mystery. So many things remained unexplained. I'm hoping to find these in the fifth book, but I have doubts that they will be there.I love this series, the ideas, the mixing of people from every time and place. But there is something terribly wrong lurking between the lines in the pages of the fourth book. Am I just missing something, perhaps a fifth book with a different solution, or has Philip Jose Farmer made a grave mistake?

Philip Jose Farmer brings the story lines of the other three books together in a great science fiction novel. The reasons behind the resurection are finally revealed, but unfortunatly, many of the books most intriguing characters are killed off. Battle scenes are rich in description and it is a must have for Riverworld fans.

This is the best of the series. PJF finally gets to pull all of his story lines together and have them meet at Virolando before moving on to the Dark Tower. This stunning conclusion to 20 years of writing leaves the reader extremely satisfied, mostly. The downside is the author has to kill off many of our friends who have toiled all those years in the Quest, and he doesn't even describe their death scenes. Fortunately, PJF did publish the 5 chapters he excised from the great battle between the riverboats, in a limited printing of a novelette called Riverworld War. Obtaining this small book is an absolute must in fleshing the final details of that great battle.