Reviews (58)

Better than even Rand, Dostoevsky, Lewis, etc.
The Tripods books have probably had a more profound influence on my life than any other book or group of books I've ever read. Christopher not only tells a gripping tale, but explains a philosophy in a way that a third-grader can understand. In my opinion, most books for children write as if the children were stupid and uncomprehending, or only devolop stock moral lessons, but Christopher writes in a way that respects the reader's intelligence and allows the reader to ponder morality for himself. Not only do I recommend the Tripods books for inquisitive souls, but also The Lotus Caves and The Guardians by Mr. Christopher. Both are exceptional books of at least the caliber of the Tripods. If for nothing else, get Christopher's books for the great entertainment value they'll provide the children in your life. Yes, grown-ups can read them too, but I don't know if they'll understand them as well as their kids.

The White Mountains
I have nothing but prais to give this book and the entire series, John Christophers books are some of the few intresting books for my age group (13-14), first reading this book just for school I quickly took it home that night and was unable to put it down, I also proceeded to read the other books of the series-- The City of Gold and Lead, later on the Pool of Fire, and just days ago ,When the tripods came. These books are all incredable and I would recomend them to anyone. Just as an example I recomended them to all my friends and they too were unable to put it down Everyone should get these books

This Book is Fan-didly-Astic
In sixth grade my teacher read my class this book about tripods that take over the world. I could not remember the title of the book or anything else about it, except, that i enjoyed it immensely. Everytime I tried to explain the book about tripods that take over the world to people, they just stared back at me in cofusion or like i was crazy. BUT IM NOT! And i can finally prove it! These books are great for young adults and i am buying the box set for myself to take with me to read while i serve in the Peace Corps...

Something Stuck with Me
I read The White Mountains ages ago when I was in fifth grade - back when The Pool of Fire hadn't even been written yet! I loved these books and something stuck with me! After all these years, I finally found the set and am ecstatic that I can now preserve them for my children to read - I would highly recommend them for anyone! :)

Great Book for Girls Too
I read these books over 20 years ago when I was a young girl. I loved them! I don't remember Little Women, I remember both The Tripod Series and The Chronicles of Narnia.

I've recently bought the books for my son (9), and I have enjoyed rereading the books. He loves the books even more than the Harry Potter books.

Just remember it's great for both boys and girls. ... Read more

Book Description

35th Anniversary Editon with new Text and a New Preface by the Author!

Long ago, the Tripods -- huge, three-legged machines -- descended upon Earth and took control. Now people unquestioningly accept the Tripods' power. They have no control over their thoughts or their lives.

But for a brief time in each persson's life -- in childhood -- he is not a slave. For Will his time of freedom is about to end -- unless he can escape to the White Mountains, where the possibility of freedom still exists. ... Read more

Reviews (83)

This is a good book!
The novel The White Mountains is a science fiction story written by John Christopher. The setting in The White Mountains is England, the English channel, France, and the Alps. The main character is an English boy named Will Parker, and the minor characters are his cousin Henry Parker and a French boy named "Zhan-pole," whom Will and Henry call Beanpole. The world described in the novel has many differences from our world today. In many ways, it is like our past around hundred years ago. There are no cars, planes, glasses and only very primitive trains. Humans have less technology and are mostly farmers. In this time humans are ruled by colossal mechanical machines called "Tripods," which have very advanced technology. Humans don't question the Tripods because they are "capped." Being capped is a process where the Tripod picks up the human and puts a metal half sphere on his or her head, causing the human to lose a little of his or her individuality. These differences are what makes the book unique. The novel starts with the main character Will seeing his best friend and cousin Jack being capped. Then Will meets a free man named Ozymandias from the White Mountains pretending to be a "Vagrant." Vagrants are humans who had a mishap in the capping making them crazy. Ozymandias gives Will a map and a compass and then Will is off. Unbeknownst to Will, Henry follows him. Will and Henry go with Captain Curtis across the English channel, and are kidnapped by the French. This is where they meet Beanpole. Then they wander into an ancient mall where they find grenades and mistakenly find out how to use them. Will is hurt and then a French man hunting finds them and brings them to the castle. As soon as Will is better they are going to run away, but that night a Tripod comes. Will tries to outrun it on horseback but it picks him up and puts a tracking device on him without him knowing. Later when they realizes that they are being tracked, they cut the tracking device aw! ay from Will's arm. As soon as they do this a Tripod comes, and they destroy it with the grenades. Then they have to hide behind a rock for two days because the other Tripods are searching for the destroyers of the Tripod. In the end they get to the White Mountains and await their next adventure. Three adjectives a reader could use for this book are fascinating, thrilling, and mystifying. It is fascinating because they think people in our time are ancient but they are like a hundred years ago in our time. It is thrilling because they have to evade many Tripods and have to destroy one. It is mystifying because it makes you wonder what are the Tripod's motives? Who are they? Where do they come from? This book is recommended to anyone who likes science fiction.

You wont want to put it down until you are through with it.
I read the science-fiction book called "The White Mountains." "The White Mountains" is about tripods that take over the world. They roam on all the continents and hunt humans for fun. In one little village where tripods come every now and then when the kids get to a certain age, there lives a boy who looks up to being capped but then he hears that if you get capped you are controlled by the tripods. The boy thinks that all the world is being roamed by the tripods but one day he finds out about one place where men are free and fighting the tripods. He takes an incredible journey along with two other boys to escape from the control of the tripods. I loved this book because the author put a lot of excitement in it and I like science-fiction books. I rate this book a 10 because you wont want to put it down until you are through with it.

This book is full of adventure,action, and originality
The Reason I like this book is that first I love to read books that don't talk about one subject for half the book. I like to read books that keep on going like this one. It does, though, talk to little about things, but I get really bored with a lot. I like to read also that this book is just full of adventure and adventure books are by far the best.

The book is very origianal too. It's is a very unique book by far because firstly the time setting. It takes place in the future, but it seems like the past. It seems like the past because they have no technology because the unique atagonists destroyed them. The atagonists are like robotic, three legged stools and that is very creative.

Dead white mountains
Fun Fact: "The White Mountains" was turned into a regular comic strip and published in the Boy Scout magazine, "Boy's Life" in the early 1980s. One of the earliest futuristic dystopian tales for children, the story is a harrowing one. The race of man has been conquered by beings known only as the Tripods. These gigantic three footed structures rule the earth, controlling the minds of the human race through "capping". Once capped, a person is exactly the same, but bound to the will of the Tripod masters. Will, his cousin Henry, and a French boy named Jean-Paul (but translated into the boys' speech as Beanpole), set out to find a place where men live free, without the caps or tripods. The white mountains.

Now, in my description of this story I've relied on a the old fashioned method of speech that speaks about "the race of man" and "where men live free". Why not the race of people... or where people live free? Well, to be frank, this book is a bit lacking in the woman department. Originally published in 1967, it is a victim of its times. Women exist here as mothers and as docile servants of the Tripods. In the story, those humans who have been capped sometimes respond violently to the process. As a result, they end up insane and "Vagrants". Usually this happens to people who are strong of will and resist the capping. The author himself notes that, "it happened occasionally with girls, although much more rarely". Sorry ladies. Resistance must be a manly trait. As for the girl Will befriends halfway through the book, she is described as having a "soothing gentleness" and is considered a remarkable woman for it. This concept of women is more than a little backwards. Even the photograph of a woman Will finds in an abandoned Paris is imagined in his head as playing the piano (as accomplished women would be wont to do). The book is now being considered, I might add, by Steven Spielberg (unsurprisingly when you consider that the man is not usually prone to strong female characters in his own films).

Aside from the old-fashioned nature of the XX chromosomed, the book has many fine features. There's a delightful tension running between the three boys as they make their journey. Will often finds himself jealous of the camaraderie between his two companions, and will lapse into spitefulness as a result. The story is well thought out and the dramatic high points very invigorating. The ending, unfortunately, is very sudden. Not to ruin it for you, but in a sudden "TA-DAH!" like sequence, the boys find themselves walking towards the white mountains one moment and suddenly IN the mountains the next. The abrupt ending feels like nothing so much as an indiscriminate stopping point created with the sole purpose of leading the viewer towards the sequel. And a map would have been a nice addition to the story. A map that showed the boys' progress from England to the mountains past France.

I was very attached to this book while reading it, and in spite of all the problems I have with it, I recommend it highly. Just bear in mind that unlike some of the other fantasy books of this ilk, "The While Mountains" has aged a little more poorly than its fellows.

a book you shouldn't miss reading
I thought this book was very interesting and exiting. It begins out in the future but it seems more like you're in the past with a teenager named Will. He has a cousin named Henry who he despises. One day a [fake] vagrant comes to town and meets will a few days later. He informs will that the tripods [machines that keep men docile with mesh/metal caps] are bad and asks will if he is welling to make a journey to a land where their are no tripods! Will accepts the challenge so the next day he sets off. Henry sees him leave and joins will. They go to a port named Rummy. They get across the river and keep going along the way they meet a kid their own age named Jean Paul. They pronounce beanpole. They keep going and encounter many challenges. Read this book if you what to find out what happens? ... Read more

Book Description

When it comes to alien invasions, bad things come in threes.

Three landings. One in England, one in Russia, and one in the United States.

Three long legs, crushing everything in their paths, with three metallic arms, snaking out to embrace -- and then discard -- their helpless victims.

Three evil beings, called Tripods, which will change life on this planet forever. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Exciting Prequel to a Fabulous Series!
Although fourth in the series in terms of publication dates, this book is actually set earlier in time than the famous triology, giving us a chance to witness the Invasion firsthand.

We meet all new heroes, of course. This story starts off slowly and seems somewhat bland after the first wave of tripods is exterminated. But gradually we realize their insidious plan to take over the Earth by Mind Control--mass Brain Washing via the media. People--kids as well as adults--start Tripping Out; pretty soon the majority of the population is saluting and chanting: Hail the Tripods! Is this tne end of human civilization?

Young Laurie and his family (lead by the courageous father) undertake a dangerous, circuitous journey to escape the menace to free will in England; they feel that safety lies in distant Switzerland,Europe's Land of the Free. But can the mountain-bred and peace-loving Swiss both human and alien attack? Is the human race doomed as Capping becomes mandatory even in the snowy Alps? This book extolls the virtues of being Human: the right to choose one's own destiny and the inate will to survive. If you have read the triology, Now it all Falls into Place! If you have not, Read This First!

When the Tripods Came
The entire series by John Christopher is well written and we enjoyed them as read-alouds for our children when they were about eleven. They are certainly just as enjoyable as an adult read and contain some startling insights. (Years ago Chicago's PBS showed the BBC television series based on these books which is how we decided to try the books.) Very exciting, rather haunting. Also, for a reluctant reader, the books aren't extremely lengthy and there is plenty of action to encourage the reader to finish the book. I highly recommend this series for the whole family. They stimulate a lot of good conversation over ethics and start youngsters and teens to thinking about how much freedom we actually have. Like the 'Giver', the content is a good neutral starting place for some lively discussion with your pre-teens and older. Also, as mentioned in a previous review, the whole TeleTubbie and Pokeman thing happened AFTER these books were written so for those of us who had read these before, it was a bit jolting almost prophetic, in a sense.

when the tripods came
When the tripods came is about two friends who wake up to seeing a big ship with three legs. A tripod. This is the beginning of the invasion. After shooting it down more and more invasions occur. Brainwashing even starts happening through a tv show called The Trippies. As more invade these two friends and their family find that Switzerland is the only non-invaded country. What happens in Switz erland. Find out for your self...

Suspenseful sci-fi
I have not read the original trilogy yet. According to several reviewers, my enjoyment of that series will be curtailed by having read this prequel first. Oh, well. I still plan to read the rest of the books because I enjoyed this one so much. John Christopher makes a very interesting and effective choice when he chooses to tell his story entirely from the point of view of his adolescent protagonists. We know only what they know. Their lives go on fairly normally for a time, even after the Tripods have arrived on Earth. But things begin to go gradually wrong until, by the end of the book, the Tripods are firmly in control of the Earth and our protagonists are fleeing for their lives with every hand turned against them. Very good. And the Tripods' method of taking over is chilling.

Compelling 'Prequel'
This is a wonderful compainion to the best-selling series The White Mountains. Very well written, with a hidden moral about what too much television can do to your mind.

Two kids start off in a very modern world, just like the one we live in now. One of the kids younger sister loves a television show called The Trippies. Her brother finds the show very odd, yet nonetheless mesmerizing. After she watches it day after day, and tries to run away, he assumes that there must be a connection between his sister and the t.v show causing all the people who watch the show to go out and worship the 'Tripods'. But what can he do about it?

Like I said before, well written with a compelling and thought-provoking end. One caution: This book does clear up a lot of unanswered question about the rest of the series, but read through the series first. You become a lot more attached to the characters while they try to figure out the mystery of how the Tripods rule the earth and how to defeat them. If you read this book first, you will have a hard time connecting to the rest of the books. The mystery leaves.

Happy readings! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

masterpiece of young adult fiction
It's too bad that fiction written for young adults is also written off by literary critics - if not, I couldn't imagine a work deserving higher praise than Christopher's "Empty World," which accomplishes the near-impossible task of rejuvenating the stale genres of coming-of-age novel, apocalyptic novel, and survival novel, all wrapped up into a touching, insightful, and compelling story.

The power of Christopher's fiction relies largely on a simple device: his heroes are never the biggest, strongest, or even smartest in their environments. They are usually quiet, unassuming, and have the great misfortune to be witnesses and unwilling participants in Events (often catastrophic). In the most heartbreaking scene in "Empty World," the hero finds another boy his age who has just committed suicide, only to realize that that boy was otherwise more intelligent and more capable of survival than he. With these kinds of realizations generating the plot, you can see that this is no ordinary teen fiction.

In "Empty World", the hero is emotionally dead long before a devastating virus sweeps the planet clean - and he begins to come alive (metaphorically) only after the rest of the world dies off (literally). His quest to find survivors turns into a near-parody of Sartre's "Huis Clos," as they struggle with their ability - or inability - to live together at all.

It's an amazing work from start to finish, full of beautifully painted atmosphere, well-drawn characters, leisurely pacing, and a helluva emotional wallop. Such a pity that the book is so difficult to find anymore. :-/

Great Book
Read this first as a 14 year old and at that age it made a real impression on me, more so than the classics you get fed at that age. I was reminded of this great book a while ago when I moved to Dulwich (the setting of the family home for the lead character)
Just having turned 30 and with a stressful job in the city I felt the need to be 14 again for an evening. I went in search of a copy yet was disappointed to find the book out of print and not in any library close-by. The copies available from booksellers came at a price but I parted with my hard earned cash and once again enjoyed Empty World. I would highlight the parallels between adolescence / turning 30 /standing looking out on the threshold of responsibility, feeling lonely and vulnerable but there are people who could do a much better job then me. To sum-up, well, its a great book.
I will be lending my copy to mates if I see them getting wound too tight, but only if they can promise not to bend the page edges...

Scary, but possible
Young Neil Miller is orphaned following a car accident of which he is the sole survivour. He goes to live with his grandparents and whilst there, civilisation is almost entirely wiped out by a plaguee of pregoria. This is a disease which causes premature ageing in younger people. Neil must learn to survive alone and meets two girls in London and the fact that 'three is a crowd' makes for an interesting conclusion...

If you can find this book READ IT!!!
It is sad that John Chrisopher isn't more well known.
Unlike his other books that deal with sci-fi themes like space ships and aliens, Empty World deals strictly with reality and in many ways is all the more chilling because of it.
I have only ever found it in Children's libraries, which is a shame because even though this book is short (easily read in an evening) it is a very thought provoking examination of the nature of being human.
I first read it in 7th grade and now that I am 27, I am happy to report that the book is still as powerful as ever and has the same effect as a really good Twilight Zone episode.

You'll read it over and over again!
I had read many of Christophers books before and found Empty World after looking through the library under Christphers name. It is the best book that I have ever read. In amost ten years of further reading I have not found a book so deep, moving and realistic that has captured my imagination and sent my mind reeling. I have read Empty World about 15 times now and it is still as gripping as the first time. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Don't judge a book by it's cover
This book looked horrible but we had to read it for school.The old saying 'Don't judge a book by it's cover' came into effect although there were quite a few bad points about the book.
For example:
-This book moves really slow by the fifth chapter and has bits which just seem like fillers(does everyone want to know two pages on bonsai?)until the rushed chapter which is the end.
-The end.Hello but am I the only one who wants to know what happens?Yeah I know I can use my imagination but I will never really know the ending.
Aside from that the book was quite enjoyable.The plot is about a young boy called Rob who had lived his entire life in the Conurbs(a city like place with holovision,electrocars,where everyone likes to be in crowds)until one day his dad dies.Rob is sent off to boarding school which is a living nightmare.They are strict and harsh and you are not allowed to be different.Desperate to escape Rob sets off to the County(where his dead mother used to live)in hopes of a better life.On the way he gets chased,becomes hungry and uncomfortable and has trouble getting into the County as the Barrier that seperates the two is supposed to be electrofied.
In the County Rob meets Mike and the two become friends and to disguise him from the authorities he is taken into the family and is made Mike's cousin.Everything goes fine until Mike starts to rebel against the controlled way of living.Rob has to decide whether to help his friend who he owes his life to or stay in the County where he's safe and secure.The really bad thing is I've gone into about chapter eight(out of ten)which just shows the slowness of the book and I won't reveal the ending which is a real suprise.
I like this book as it argues about the right of humans to do what they like and not be controlled.Also I like how on different sides of the Barrier things have gone different ways.For instance the County have horses and carriages for their transport and go fox-hunting whereas the Conurbans have inventions like the electrocar and holovision.
If you saw the same cover of the book that I saw you would probably be put off the book.But give it a try as it deals with a really good issue and even if it does move slow it is still a good read.Happy Reading!!

The Guardians
I read this book as a part of a study to do with books. This book deals with a lot of moral issues including thoughts on social control. In the book, John Christopher describes the place as being totally different but actually were under the same group of people who wanted to make England a better place. he shows the different ways of control and how people will go to certain extents to stage a rebellion!! This book is one of the best I have read and makes it a fantastic book for teens!!

Contented Slaves
This is an interesting story about freedom, and in particular, our ability to make choices that could affect the rest of our lives.

Rob Randall lives in the Conurb - an overcrowded urban maze, where reading and thinking for yourself is unpopular, and life revolves around sport, holovision, and riots. When Rob's father is electrocuted, he is sent to a boarding school where life becomes a nightmare of over-zealous discipline and torment.

Rob hears about the Barrier, which divides the Conurb from the rural, open spaces known as the County. Rob runs away from the boarding school and crosses the Barrier, hoping for a better life. On the surface, life in the County seems perfect. But Rob soon learned that appearances are very deceptive...

Although "The Guardians" is not as fast-moving as the "Tripods Trilogy", it's an interesting book nevertheless. Some of the things John Christopher writes about in his imaginary future are rather close to the bone. In the culture I live in, sport is treated with much more reverence than literature and the arts. There are signs that people devote less time to reading, as it's much easier to slump in front of the screen, watching sentimental drivel. More than ever, our lives are controlled by the media and a growing lack of privacy.

The two worlds John Christopher writes about here are deceptively utopian, but are in fact places where people are ruled by a cynical elite. Books like "The Guardians" remind us that the freedom we have is something we must never take for granted.

Very intresting
The Guardians Book review.

This book is about a boy called Robin Randall who is has not settled into a boarding school called Barnes Boarding school and gets teased like a normal new boy would be. He decidesto escape into the country where his mother was born. It was a harddecision to make and Rob shows his courage by crossing. It was a hardchoice due to the County and Conurb were enemies. It was set in 2053 in thefuture.

This book I think is not well paced, as to much thingshappen in one chapter, especially in the 10th chapter as to many thingshappen as Robs true identify is spotted by Sir.Percy. I also do not likethe story line, as it is very untrue but then again some readers find thatgood.

It is also a bit confusing so therefore you could get lost andconfused. It is one of those books which start of boring then get excitingfor the last 5 chapters and it finishes with you wondering what wouldhappen next. That is why I thought it would be a good idea for the authorto do another book following on as it does not finish well wondering wellMike meet Rob or not.

I recommend this book to people that likeadventures and can get really into a book.

I give it 8/10.

Excellent -for people with a lot of time !
THE GAURDIANS

This novel is based in 2053 and is about two places (in Britain) in which people in. The two places are The Conurb (which is a futuristic place with fast electocars, fighting gladiators, and holovision), and The County (a place based in the past, plain and peaceful, withunspoiled views but uses the technology of the future, like the softplastic for the horses to travel on).The main story is about a Conurban boycalled Rob, whose father has been killed. He is sent to boarding school,but is forced to run away due to the unbearable torture he has beenthrough. He has found some letters of his mums which show his mums addressin Gloucestershire, which is in the County. He runs away here. Here hemeets a boy called Mike. He lives in their house with a false identity as adistant cousin. Here he releases what the government is doing. They aremaking people live in one place not giving them the freedom if choosingweather to live in the County or Conurb. Mike and a few friends start arevolt. It gets stopped. After this Mike runs away to the Conurb to start arevolt there. Rob thinks about his fathers death and suspects about it. Hedecides to run away and help Mike. I think this book is a very good bookbut is a little slow to get started then is all crammed in at the end. ... Read more

Book Description

Will, Beanpole, and Henry have managed to escape the Tripods. But instead of living in safety, in the small community of free people, they have chosen to embark upon a mission that may cost them their lives. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

A good sequel to 'The White Mountains'
John Christopher did a really great job with the sequel to 'The White Mountains'.

In 'The City of Gold and Lead' the White Mountain's leader, Julius comes up with a plan to stop the Tripods. They will go to the 'Games" and compete, hopefully winning, and go to the City of the Tripods to study them. Will, Beanpole and a new character named Fritz are chosen to go and compete in the Games. Fritz and Will are winners and are carried in a Tripod to the City. The two boys are separated and become servants for different Masters. The Masters are what control the Tripods. During his time in the City, Will learns a lot- why the Tripods invaded Earth, why they capped people, what happened to Eloise, and where the Masters and the Tripods came from.

This was a really good book to answer questions about 'The White Mountains'.

Gripping adventure
Three young men seek entry to one of the strongholds of the extraterrestrial Masters who have conquered the earth. Two are successful, and they strive to learn as much as possible about the enemy so that they may report back to the last existing colony of free humans. I preferred this novel to the previous one, "The White Mountains." Both novels share the same deficiency, a tendency to relate certain events too sketchily and a failure to develop key characters, in this case the German boy, Fritz. However, the Masters themselves and Wil's adventures in their city are fascinating, and John Christopher's style does make for a fast-paced story. My interest is piqued and I look forward to reading the final book in the trilogy.

When the lights go down in the city
The second book (or third, if you consider the prequel the first book) in John Christopher's massive Tripod series. Continuing where, "The White Mountains" left off, the book follows the adventures of Will and his fight against the Tripods and their alien masters. The book furthers our knowledge about the invaders of Earth and their personal lives. Will and a fellow uncapped boy are given the chance to enter into the home of the Tripods. Once there, Will finds himself a slave to one of the aliens that live in the city and his companionship with this creature leads to further knowledge. This book also marks the point at which Will learns of the aliens' final solution (referred to here as The Plan) for earth's original inhabitants.

I found myself enjoying this book far more than "The White Mountains" itself. Though the first book in the series was far more action packed and filled with gripping chase and escape sequences, the second book is filled with fascinating descriptions of the Masters and their alien lifestyle. This is the kind of book we've been waiting for. Who are these creatures that fit every human with a silver mesh of a cap, making them docile and compliant? Where are they from? How extensive is their knowledge? And, most importantly, how can they be beaten?

Christopher has inserted a clever handicap into this tale that keeps Will from doing anything rash or careless. Neither Will nor his fellow uncapped slave can reveal their true intentions. From the moment they enter the city of gold and lead (so nicknamed for its design and intense gravity) to the moment they are supposed to leave, our heroes mustn't reveal to the Masters that they are uncapped or that a resistance has been planned. The writing in this tale never lingers unduly and the narrative is crisp and swift. Even reluctant readers will breeze through this tale, stopping to marvel at the amazing world the author has created within the boundaries of the city.

I'll admit it right now. Until this book I never really noticed the similarities between this series and H.G. Wells' remarkable "War of the Worlds". Certainly both stories rely on the world being conquered by huge tripods from outer space. In both cases, the aliens responsible for earth's enslavement are unwilling to consider human beings' rights. But the final similarity, and the most striking, is the physical resemblance between the aliens found here in "City of Gold and Lead" and the Wells classic. Both books contain aliens that have tentacles and can't breathe Earth's air. Has Christopher stolen his ideas and made them palatable to children? Perhaps. If so, I've no real objection to his strategy. Slightly more infuriating is his continued dismissal of women in general. If there are female aliens, we're never told of them. As for the girls sent, like the boys, to the city to work as slaves for the Masters, they are quickly dispatched. Apparently Christopher reasoned that while men can handle physical labor and pain, girls cannot. As such, women are killed and the most beautiful amongst them are placed in glass display cases to be observed. Forget trying to search for any symbolism here. It's obvious that the aliens, in addition to being wholly male, are just as sexist as their human counterpoints. While the first book in the Tripod series had a few weak willed females here and there, this book hasn't a single living woman in it AT ALL. This is fairly weird, even for a boy's adventure novel. So on a level of one to five (one being the least chauvinist and five being the most) I'd place this book squarely at 4.7.

Otherwise, I've no objections at all. The book is well paced, well written, and well thought out. All in all, a delightful read that makes one even more eager to read the final chapter in the trilogy.

science fiction for a novice...
this book is a great one to start off your reading of science fiction with. with many twists and turns, this book shall keep you on the edge of your seat, and perhaps even make you fall of of it!
it's a basic sciecne fiction story, two kids go to an alien city, try to get info on how to kill the aliens, and actusally almost get killed along the way.
this is a great book, no doubt, but it does have a couple boring parts. good luck with reading it!
-by Sickity Wicket, aka chilihead.

Christopher's masterwork
John Christopher's "Tripods" trilogy is
simply the purest science fiction you can
get your hands on. Fremantle and the BBC
made a superior adaptation of it which
aired on public TV in the U.S. and then
vanished. (PAL format DVD only.) I've
read most everybody's sci-fi books, but I
can't honestly recommend another author any
higher. This book (part 2 of the trilogy)
really goes the distance. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

a suspensful, easy read
Dusk of Demons is a definite winner for anyone who seeks adventure, suspense, or action. One thing that made this book so enjoyable to read was the character development. The main character of the book was a teenaged boy named Robert. Robert had sandy hair and light eyes. He was by no means large, however, he was strong. Robert didn1t strike me as particularly bright, but he held his own. His best friend and non-biological sister, Paddy, was quite different. Paddy had darker hair and darker eyes. She was athletic and keen in thought. A stubborn nature was her main flaw, but she had a tendency to win her way. Paddy was the most fearless character in the book and, because of this quality, she had no problem taking risks. Yet another important character was Mother Ryan. Mother Ryan had no biological ties to Robert, but she did care for him as a mother. Mother Ryan was in many ways similar to her daughter Paddy. She was stout and strict, but at the same time extremely caring and loving. Together, these three, whether they liked it or not, embarked on a journey facing nasty country people, misunderstood gypsies, and a countless terrifying demons. From my first impressions, I thought this book took place on an archipelago off the European coast back in the seventeen or eighteen hundreds. This seemed so because of the fact that there were no automobiles, no stoves or appliances, and electricity was unknown as well. However, I soon learned that it actually took place in the distant future. The past had been erased from all people1s memories and was labeled, 3The time of madness.2 They lived in a society where no building could tower more than six times the height of a man, and no tools from the past could be used. It was as if time started over and stagnated. The beings to blame for this time lapse were demons who were controlled by a god called the Dark One, and who, in turn, controlled the inhabitants of Earth.

Because of a fire that the demons inflicted, Robert, Paddy, and Mother Ryan were forced to seek refuge on the mainland. There they learned the true meaning of demons and the Dark One and were haunted to the point of near demise. Not only did the troubles caused by the demons plague them, the people were out to deport them once again, and deporting was not an option for these three. The bleak and scary towns that they were forced to flee to were inhabited by people who were manipulated as if they were puppets by the Dark One. Paddy1s stubbornness put her at the mercy of the demons, and it was up to Robert to save her.

This book moved slowly at first, but once the plot began to thicken, it was filled with one thrill or suspenseful moment after another. It was not incredibly beautiful writing, but it was easy going. The plot was extremely creative and mixed science fiction with fantasy. I would suggest this book to anyone looking for an easy reader page turner.

A DARK BLEND OF GOTHIC HORROR AND SATANISM
Once again Christopher transports us into the future where civilization has disintegrated- probably our own fault....The hero is a 14-year-old boy named Ben who witnesses the terrifying destruction of his home. Worse still, he gradually learns more about his origins origins, but is determined to reunite his foster family. Yet another hero who embarks on a personal odyssey for truth, knowledge and spiritual coming-of-age.

This book promises an exciting trilogy if the author continues his three-in-one trend. Not just action, but self-discovery; just how much power should the son of THE MASTER wield? What caused the Madness which destroyed the old civilization? Why is there such suspicion and prejudice against the Sea People, Gypsies and Landsmen? Who is this evil, mysterious Dark One universally feared? Why do his agents, the Summoners, hold such puitannical, religious powers? Can a mere teenage boy discover/challenge the beliefs of his elders in his quest for Truth?

cool
This book is my favorite book in the entire world. I think there should be a sequel (or something like it)

After all this time - a new book from John Christopher
I am a huge fan of John Christopher. I read his 'Tripods' and 'Prince in Waiting' trilogies when I was a teenager. I've loved his work ever since, but hadn't seen anything from him for so long, I thought perhaps he'd died. This book is a classic in Christopher's style - young adult fiction, but readable by adults. The story of a young man in a puritan after-the-fall tale - adventure, personal growth, and Christopher's near-ludite vision of a future where technology is suppressed by religion. A scary and entertaining read. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The best of the three
The pacing is odd at times and the book could have done with the last couple of chapters being stretched out somewhat, but in the end this is a fairly satisfying read. The best part, from the point of view of someone who has read most of John Christopher's post-apocalyptic young adult fiction (bizarre genre, no?), is that Christopher *finally* manages to develop some decently written, even believable, female characters. Pity that strength is set to crash and burn in the third volume of the series.

VOLCANIC EMOTIONS AND EVENTS
Luke's adventures continue as he learns about the Seers and their scientific discoveries in their underground sanctuary near Stonehenge. Although he realizes that the national religion is pure bunk, Luke wants to use it to further his own ambitions. But he is too young and restless to wait for years until the Seers--who study and recreate ancient Technology on the sly-- are ready.

The hot-headed hero sets off on his own to explore the lands beyond the volcanic barrier to the England of the medieval Future. Seeking the mythical city of Klan Gothlam in the country of the Wilsh, Luke meets a fair princess and a huge sea monster. Again he must evaluate an entirely new lifestyle, but despite the dangers of this journey, Luke must confront the greatest challenge to his Crown Prince status when he returns home. Not on a par with PRINCE IN WAITING: a good story but unevenly paced. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Dystopia
The Sword of the Spirits trilogy is definitely one of the most downer dystopia series ever written, especially for a young adult audience. The main character Luke has got to get an award for one of the most flawed protagonists of all time. The blood and death flows almost nonstop after the initial part of the book. A technological society was nearly brought to ruin and now only marginally survives, a superstitious husk of the humanity that once was.

Many people criticize the series for the infuriatingly pig-headed ending of it all. I think that's really one of the major points of the book. To think that so many people were killed, so many relationships were destroyed, and so many hopes shattered just so Luke could come to power -- and then he completely squanders it with his paranoia, his pride and his stubbornness in a final book that has got to be one of the most depressing tomes of all time. To think that everything that has been suffered is for naught is infuriating. We like to think (and many novelists do, as well) that suffering and strife will always bring some sort of redemption or good end, but this often simply is not the case. It's like Hamlet but with absolutely none of the nobility, purpose and honor. That's clear the author's point -- see the huge Hamlet reference in the final book.

This is the sort of series you want to shred after you finish reading it because it's just so anger-inducing. Not a classic, but it gets 5 stars for the impressions it's left on me.

A weak ending to a series that deserved better
First of all, the last sentence of the book alone drops this book's rating from 3 stars to 2. A downer of an ending is one thing, even a positive for this genre--but a self-important downer of an ending is simply annoying.

That said, the trilogy as a whole is pretty decent, just don't expect any literary masterpieces, particularly in this volume. The plot device stolen directly from Hamlet is pure cliche, and the author seems to forget how to write an even semi-convincing female character. The ending seems to show promise, getting the reader to start thinking about issues of the allure of wealth and international trade (very salient 30 years later), but the last sentence destroys any good will built up by that point. It's fine for the narrator to be down on life, but moping? It's out of character, and jarring enough to remind the reader of the (many) other flaws in the book.

hidden gem
This last book is the crown jewel in a trlogy that is a hidden gem for pre-teens. Containing that English play within a play (or book in this case) the story hooks the reader with adventure and ends in a Shakespherian twist.

one of the most thrilling and mind blowing books ever!!
This book is by far the best I have ever read. I read The Prince in Waiting for a school book report and found myself totally intrigued. I then found Sword of the Spirits and decided that I had to read it. This book was even more exciting and ironic than the first! The twisted love story and unexpected betrayal between Blodwen, {Luke's fiancee and daughter of a king} Edmund, {Luke's best friend} and Luke {prince of Winchester} is ironic and entrancing. I found this book hard to put down and it is HIGHLY recommended!!

no happy endings here
This series is perhaps one of the darkest young adult sci-fi stories available. That is probably why it stands out so vividly in my memories from adolescence. At last having achieved Winchester's throne, Luke proceeds to unravel everything he has gained with his frustrating single-mindedness and stubborn pride. The ending so shocked me in its sadness and resignation that I can clearly recall rereading the final chapter over and over. This series, along with certain Robert Cormier novels, taught me that all stories do not end well, and in fact might be more resonant and thought-provoking if they don't. This one stays with you for quite a while. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A decent beginning for an uneven series
The first book in the Sword of the Spirits trilogy, which is IMO stronger than the more famous Tripods series--better concept, better (particularly female) characters, better plot twists--but, paradoxically, no single book in this trilogy is as strong as the individual books in that series. It really feels like the author had an excellent idea, got it two-thirds of the way figured out, and went with the incomplete result. Go ahead and read the series, but be prepared for the high point coming from book two, not the ending.

Not as good as the Tripods but still interesting
Of course, one can't help but compare this trilogy to the author's more famous Tripods trilogy and yes, the trilogy this book belongs to (The Swords of the Spirits) does fall short. But having said that, I enjoyed reading about this much darker, less hopeful world, where politics and personal gain rule the lives of the protagonists. Our main character, though young, must combat enemies and keep his wits about him. A future where men live to fight and women are clearly in a secondary role (well at least the author included a few women here, in Tripods, there were hardly any mentioned and barely worth remembering) seems pretty backward to me but then again it is a apocalyptic future. I'm looking forward to reading the next two books in the series.

The trilogy starts bravely, but the last book craters ...
For 1972 it isn't bad, but the downsided ending offerring only the hope of commercial conquest and a rather trite "I shall have no son" (because I am a twit) for the conclusion, brings it to a sorry close.

The series either needs a fourth book or a rewrite of the ending with a better editor.

A Royal Story With A Difference
The Disaster had destroyed so much of the world. Volcanoes and earthquakes brought civilization crashing down into ruins and permanently changed the planet. The survivors blamed this on the machines. Now people live in separate medieval communities, worship Spirits and despise technology. Anyone caught with a machine of any kind is killed.

In Winchester, young Luke Perry is named Prince in Waiting by the Seers. Luke tells a tale of treachury, murder, and intrigue. The Seers have chosen Luke for a special mission...

This is a good story about friendship, loyalty, suspicion, pride and belief. John Christopher writes about a superstitious society of the future in a style that makes readers want to turn the page.

IMPATIENCE IN THE MEDIEVAL FUTURE
Very good read, but not on a par with Christopher's TRIPODS series. Perhaps the sense of urgency is lost because so much time elapses in this book, instead of the plot pursuing its course remorselessly day after day. But John Christopher fans will want to complete this futuristic series set in a medieval England.

Thirteen-year-old Luke Perry, the son of a commoner (promoted to Captain) hears a prophecy of the Seers (priests of the Spirits) that he will become the next Prince-in-Waiting for the city of Winchester. But treachery from enemies, friends and even his own family stalk him as he impatiently waits to come into his own. Besides, Luke is confused about the very existence of the Spirits; he wants to scoff and deny this national religion, but their prophecy suits his ambition perfectly. Does a young teenager possess the intelligence, wisdom and skill to defeat adult rivals for the throne? ... Read more

Book Description

Will Parker has managed escape from the City of Gold and Lead, where he served as a slave to one of the Masters who rule the modern world. And he has not only discovered what lies behind the Tripods' power, but how the Masters heartlessly plan to destroy the Earth. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

If you loved these books, watch the series
I want to begin this review with a disclaimer. I only read one book in this trilogy. That book was The Pool of Fire. It recaps the events of the last two books. Will Parker, his cousin, Henry, a German named Fritz, and a French boy, real name Jean-Paul, nicknamed Beanpole, because he's tall and thin, fight the mysterious invaders known only as the Masters. The Masters want to take over Earth and turn it into their new home. Will and Henry were sent to the City of Gold and Lead to spy on them. TPOF is set months after the events of TCOGL. The Masters still want to take over Earth. It's only a matter of time. To stop them, Will and his friends must be willing to pay the ultimate price. One of them does. Hint, hint, if you want to know who it is, read this book. If you loved these books, watch the series. Back in the '80s, there was a series called The Tripods on Channel 11 in Durham, New Hampshire. It was an Australian series distributed by Lionheart Television, the U.S. distributor for the BBC's programs.

The saga concludes
In the exciting conclusion of the Tripods series, the resistance movement has finally reached the point where they are prepared to take decisive action to foil the alien Masters' final plan to claim the Earth. Will, Beanpole, Henry and Fritz, the boys who have figured prominently in the previous two novels, are destined to have pivotal roles in this final struggle as well. The strengths and weaknesses of the other books are evident here, too. John Christopher has devised a great story with a satisfying ending, as our central characters rededicate themselves to the challenges confronting a post-Masters Earth. However, Christopher's story is really too big for the minimalist style he has adopted. Years pass in the course of a few pages and I was left with the feeling that I was being allowed only a glimpse of what could have been a richly detailed, fascinating world. Of course, this book was written with young readers in mind, so brevity was a natural concern. Christopher's Tripod books follow the primary adage of show business: always leave them wanting more.

A Brilliant Ending
The Pool of Fire is the last of The Tripods Trilogy. In this novel the reader enters the fascinating world where humans no longer are in control of the planet, but are enslaved by the ruling cast referred to as the masters. Will, Jean-Paul, Henry, and fritz are left with the challenge of aiding the rebellion in hope of destroying the Masters before it was too late. John Christopher has a wonderful style of capturing the readers and especially my attention in this novel. Of course there are some very important details that John Christopher could have done to improve the novel and to reach its full potential, such as the descriptions of many of the events and actions that were undertaken by Will and his companions. This left me with some sense of yearning and disappointment for more descriptions of the events that took place. Also it left me astonished that John Christopher did not attempt to mold the character of Will by the end of the story or even all three of the books that this character has been in. The ending was also vague and skipped many years in a short amount of pages. This left me wondering what happened between the time of the defeat of the Masters and the development of a space ship. This was disappointing considering that I was looking forward to reading this book and finding out that the ending was in all not that exciting or interesting. Considering that this is the last book of the Trilogy John Christopher should have taken more measures to see to it that the ending was more informative of the aftermath of the events. After the climax it just completely died and just left me. John Christopher also did not manage to say how the world recovered from the grip of the officious Masters. Yet despite these faults, there were many qualities that Christopher John managed to succeed. I was bonded into the world created which was filled with adventures and dangers, with John Christopher's style of writing. Another quality that makes this book worth reading is that John Christopher involved all four of the main characters to fit important roles that make the reader highly interested. Though the novel had some weak descriptions the overall flow of events were incredible and left me wanting more. Most of the book was upfront about the events, even though John Christopher could have elaborated more. The good thing about the ending was the situation that took place, which left me and probably many readers in complete awe. John Christopher also has the gift of surprising his readers by leading them onto a certain path and then completely turning the tables on them and knocking them off their feet. At least that's what happened to me. Not only did John Christopher entertain the reader but he also had some messages that could be interpreted there. This novel also teaches the importance of unity and the things that could be accomplished if man could work together in peace.

Disappointed in this book
Although I had to read this book for a school assignment, I was all eager and ready to enjoy it. My teacher had greatly enjoyed this series, and had infused me with her own enthusiasm, so I picked up this book with high expectations. Boy, was I disappointed. In addition to being very poorly written, and employing terrible grammar, this book was incredibly boring and slow-paced. I don't usually mind a quiet, or slow-developing story, if it is well-written and interesting, but this was neither- it was simply a sleeper. It wasn't that I didn't try- I really did attempt to like the book, and to interest myself in it. However, my efforts were in vain, and as I read I often found myself falling into a stupefied trance, where I would read five to ten pages, and not take in a word. No matter how hard I tried, I could not get this book to interest me. It wasn't only the plot and the bad writing that disappointed me- the characters weren't much either. Bland, boring, monotonous and one-dimensional, it was incredibly hard to distinguish one from the other. The one exception was Will, the main character, who could only be distinguished by his incredibly self-centered attitude, his extreme selfishness, his disgusting self-pity, and his revolting egotism. I wouldn't have minded these traits so much if by the end of the book he had undergone some character development, and perhaps confronted his faults and become a better person. However, this did not happen, and he remained the same unlikeable person from beginning to end. Overall, I would not reccommend this book to any but those who are suffering from extreme insomnia- and even then, a big mug of chamomile tea is better than this book.

Now we fight back!
The exciting conclusion to the White Mountains series does not disappoint the reader.

Will and Fritz have escaped the City of Gold and Lead and return to the White Mountains. They begin a journey to recruit young boys into their resistance, taking a long journey across Europe and the Middle East and back.

After they capture a Tripod and a Master named Ruki, they inadvertantly discover the Masters' weakness to alcohol. And Fritz and Will lead a team back to the city.

The book ends full circle from the beginning, and still leaves questions in the end.

This is an excellent read and an excellent conclusion to an excellent series! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Long ago the Tripods, gigantic three-legged machines, descended uponEarth and took control. They used "Caps," administered ceremoniously near each child's 14th birthday, to control humans' brains and keep them docile. Now there is pleasant life in villages, little technology, and no war--but there is no freedom either. In this powerful and suspenseful series, 13-year-old Will Parker and his friends deal with hunger, humanity, envy, and pride as they struggle to find out all they can about the Tripods and overthrow their rule. Written by John Christopher, author of many juvenile science fiction and fantasy books, The Tripods Trilogy is sure to make a science fiction fan out of any reader--young or old. This box set of paperbacks includes The White Mountains, The City of Gold and Lead, and The Pool of Fire, the chilling conclusion to the series that poses the question: Who would rule the world if it were freed from the aliens? (Ages 9 and older) --Bonnie Bouman ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Great story for introducing young readers to books.
I think I have this weird tendency to read certain books at the wrong time. When I was around ten or twelve, one of the first books I ever read (not forced by school) was The War of the Worlds. I saw all of my friends reading The Tripods Trilogy, and I was afraid to read them because I thought they would be different from Welles' book. Back then I had this annoying tendency to read the same book over and over again. It always bothered me, because as I got older friends would still mention that book, and even though it was an idea taken from Welles, it still bugged me that I never read them. I finally read them in my twenty-sixth year, and I was not at all disappointed. I got exactly what I expected, an interesting yet simple science fiction story designed to entertain children. I cannot say it was anything astounding, but I can say that I probably would have liked it a lot. I think reading makes you smarter no matter what, and getting children to start reading today seems even more difficult with the computer influence. I think that this series of books is wonderful for a child to begin reading

A Great Collection Of Wonderfully Written Books!
I'm a seventh grade student that has read plenty of books using a program called the Acclerated Reader that the whole seventh grade uses. The progam origionally had the "White Mountains" in it and when I read it I was automatically hooked! Now that our collection has been upgraded we now have the full set of The Tripod Trilogy books and i'm planing to read them all. It is somthing that keeps you from doing any other thing. I finished "When The Tripods Came" in one day because I was so into it. At this time I'm reading "The City Of Gold And Lead" and hope to start reading "The Pool Of Fire" shortly. Now I consider John Christopher one of my favorite authors.

Underrated Author
Most people have not even heard of John Christopher....I enjoyed John Christopher's books as a young adult and I still enjoy them today. The "Tripod Trilogy" is full of timeless action for male and female alike. I highly recommend this and other books for young adults by the author who also writes adult science fiction.

Under-rated author
Most people have not even heard of John Christopher. Yet, when I was in 5th grade (1973) his books were the most popular thanks to a PBS and short circuit television program called "Cover to Cover" that our school class looked forward to watching. After the "Tripods Trilogy" was featured the books were constantly checked out from the library. I enjoyed these books as a young adult, and still enjoy them today. Because of the science fiction content, the books do not seem dated. It is an action book that keeps you on your toes for male and female alike. I highly recommend this for young adults as well as other books by John Christopher such as "The Lotus Caves". He writes adult fiction as well, and is well worth checking out.

A menacing future
I first encountered the Tripods through the TV series in my teens. I became thoroughly addicted to it, and had to read the books.

John Christopher portrays a future in which human society has been reduced to a medieval level, and is under the complete domination of three-legged, 70-foot tall machines - the Tripods, who keep humans docile by fitting them with "Caps" - devices implanted in the brain during adolescence which rob the victim of his/her power of independent investigation of truth. Thus - culture never develops further, and none of the adults ever question the existence of the Tripods. As the story progresses, it is revealed that the Tripods are controlled by a race of three-legged, three-eyes aliens - The Masters - from their three super-technological domed cities.

The story centres around a small number of boys who flee before they are Capped to a community of rebel "Free Men". The main character, who tells the story in the first person, is partially motivated by the fact that the girl he loves has been taken by the Tripods into their city for her beauty.

"The White Mountains" tells the story of how the boys flee their home in England to the rebel community in the French Alps - "The City of Gold and Lead" reveals the super-technological Tripod city when two of the boys enter it in disguise, and "The Pool of Fire" tells of the final overthrow of the Tripods.

The story is very simplistic and childlike, but it greatly influenced my way of looking at life when I was younger. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Almost 30 years later...
I first learned of John Christopher's books in the early 1970's, when I was in 8th grade. I was so taken with his work that I convinced the school librarian to buy every Science Fiction book written by him. As I recall (somewhat foggily) this is a story of an older boy named "Wild Jack" and his relationship with another slightly younger boy - who seemed to be an unremarkable normal English boy of about my age. Together their initial relationship was marked by fear and distrust, only to change to great respect for one another as they face and overcome some major challenges. I hung on every word. This story, like all of John Christopher's novels, is very well written, and focuses as much on the emotions and thoughts of the characters as it does the action in the story. I recall feeling that the story ended in a way that convinced me there would be a sequel: I looked and waited for a long time to see if one became available - I'm not sure one ever did. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A fine read
I read this as an adult, remembering how much I enjoyed the Tripod Trilogy as a teen. This was a fun read with plausible history woven through out the story. One of the sequels is "The New Found Land," which I remember to be good.

The first part of a most overlooked trilogy...
This is the third of the famous (or infamous depending upon one's disposition) 'young-adult fantasy-trilogies' by J. Christopher, and quite obviously (due to it's current order status), the most overlooked one. This particular novel (alas, I do not remember the names of the other two) takes place in present day (you guessed it!) England, and is indeed, told in the first person by a young man with a slight inferiority complex. He and his buddy (genius orphan I believe) hang out and play chess, until they get slung around in time by a big fireball, and end up in an alternate-present-reality, where the Catholic church (via the Roman Empire) still controls those precious hearts and minds, and has stifled the growth of science prodigiously....and so the narrator and his friend try to make things right. Aren't too successful. Sound familiar? It had better not...it's at least partially original... and kicks off the trilogy nicely. In the next two books these two lads journey to 'the new world'...then finally end up in China (which is, quite naturally, much more sophisticated than Europe)...and so on. I hope I haven't ruined the plot too thoroughly, but the ending (as per usual with Christopher) is quite innovative (see: Sword of the Spirits Trilogy). Overall, the trilogy is a great read, excellently written...and enjoyable by both young and old. I would suggest reading the Tripod tril. and the aforementioned Sword of the Spirits tril. just to build up the appreciation level, as it were, before delving into this one. But, for the Christopher fans out there, this is an absolute must-have (as are the other two in this series), and spotlights J.C. at his most imaginative (if a tad farfetched) best. A note in addendum is necessary here, because as with the other two trilogies, there may-or-may-not-be deep religious symbolism involved here (i.e. the dangers of worshipping 'falsely', and the nature of 'the true religion'.), but it's all terribly ambiguous and supplants much of what was said about this subject by him in the earlier two...so take it with a grain of salt. Regardless of this, younger readers will NOT discern this, and these implicatory ideas should only add to the enjoyment of advanced reader. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

a amazing fantasy of aliens
i loved this book . it mixed fanstsy with science fiction and aventure. This is a book I think everyone would love.

A Fabulous Childhood Memory
For anyone with a lifelong love of books, there are watershed works we read that define new perspectives for us and broaden our perceptions, even while we are thoroughly entertained by the story. I haven't seen this trilogy in over thirty years, and my memories of enjoying the first book, The White Mountains, is a vivid memory, not of a story, but of an experience. For a young reader with a taste for Sci-Fi, this story is gripping as it interlaces an imagined future and the personal growth of the young hero, who becomes an irresistable portal to vicarious adventure. ... Read more