The Lost Gate

Mithermages, Book 1

By: Orson Scott Card

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki, Emily Janice Card

Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Orson Scott Card’s The Lost Gate is the first book in the Mithermages series from the New York Times bestselling author of Ender’s Game.

Danny North knew from early childhood that his family was different—and that he was different from them. While his cousins were learning how to create the things that commoners called fairies, ghosts, golems, trolls, werewolves, and other such miracles that were the heritage of the North family, Danny worried that he would never show a talent, never form an outself.

He grew up in the rambling old house, filled with dozens of cousins and aunts and uncles, all ruled by his father. Their home was isolated in the mountains of western Virginia, far from town, far from schools, far from other people.

There are many secrets in the House, and many rules that Danny must follow. There is a secret library with only a few dozen books, and none of them in English—but Danny and his cousins are expected to become fluent in the language of the books. While Danny’s cousins are free to create magic whenever they like, they must never do it where outsiders might see.

Unfortunately, there are some secrets kept from Danny as well. And that will lead to disaster for the North family.

©2011 Orson Scott Card (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[T]his ambitious tale is well crafted, highly detailed, and pleasantly accessible." (Publishers Weekly)

not what i expected

i'd read the Ender Game books by this author and really loved them. This is a compltely different concept- part mythology and modern day wizard. I enjoyed it but wasn't nearly as good as the Ender game books.

Worth a credit.

A bit of a mix of the movie "Jumpers", with some Enders game tossed in. Not his best work but not the worst either.

A bit too unbelievable

I have to admit, I liked the general idea that families with magic in a world typically without magic could explain the mythological and supernatural. Thus a great sea mage would be seen as Poseidon and a fading clant would explain ghosts. I found the whole concept to be intriguing and the writing style was easy to listen to.
However, I didn't care for the story itself. First, there were just too many convenient coincidences and the explanations were week at best. Second, none of the primary characters were likable in the least. It was just hard to care what happened to them, even by the end. Finally, the whole thing felt like an elaborate setup for the next book. I haven't read any of Card's other books, so I can't say if this is typical of his writing, but I won't be seeking out the next one in this series.

Interesting premise - another Card thought-piece.

Husband & I are looking forward to the continuation of this series. Card hasn't disappointed us yet. However - I would not recommend this book for pre-adolescent readers, nor adolescent readers who can't or shouldn't be exposed to certain adult - read: sexual - themes. This said, it's going to be quite fun to see where Card takes the parallel stories introduced in The Lost Gate.

One of the best I've listened to

The title says it all ... one of the best stories you could choose. Entertaining from start to finish.
A must buy !

Intelligent new world to learn about!

Interestingly, I read this book then read "Jumper," a story about a similarly talented young man who can teleport. The differences between the two are huge, but the basic premise is that Card's character is much more likable and upbeat, while the boy in Jumper wallows in self-pity. Not fair comparison, I guess, but its why I like Card's world and all its deeper characters and races and classes rather than Jumper's freak teleporter in the middle of the mundane. My 14yo loves this book and book 2. Neither of us can wait for the next one to be available!

Abrupt ending, but great introduction to the world

It's a shame that the book ends as abruptly as it does. A slightly longer denouement would have really boosted this into five-star territory.

That said, having the two voice actors reading and the split of one voice actor per world was a stroke of genius and the producers are to be commended for the choice.

Beyond disappointing

The story was semi-confusing with several plot lines being interwoven. However, I was hopeful that it would all come together in the end. Sadly, my hopes were dashed. The ending made zero sense, and it was wildly abrupt. I just wasted twelve hours of my life and a credit.

Love the book - can't stand the author

I wish I didn't like this book now that I know what a brainwashed idiot the author is. Sigh... I think after this I must boycott the author so that he isn't getting any more of this 99 %ers money.

Another great story by Card.

OSC is an author I always come back to, and always look for his new releases. I enjoyed this story, and now look forward to The Gate Thief. I most appreciate OSC for the way he intertwines mystical, legend, and physics, science together. He also does an excellent job with characters and characterizations.