Hell's Gate

Multiverse, Book 1

By: David Weber, Linda Evans

Narrated by: Mark Boyett

They thought they knew how the universes worked. They were wrong!

In the almost two centuries since the discovery of the first interuniversal portal, Arcana has explored scores of other worlds - all of them duplicates of their own. Multiple Earths, virgin planets with a twist, because the ''explorers'' already know where to find all of their vast, untapped natural resources. Worlds beyond worlds, effectively infinite living space and mineral wealth. And in all that time, they have never encountered another intelligent species. No cities, no vast empires, no civilizations, and no equivalent of their own dragons, gryphons, spells, and wizards.

But all of that is about to change. It seems there is intelligent life elsewhere in the multiverse. Other human intelligent life, with terrifying new weapons and powers of the mind...and wizards who go by the strange title of ''scientist''.

©2006 David Weber & Linda Evans (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Weber does it again

I have seen several less than flattering reviews on this title, that don't seem to understand what David Weber does. He doesn't just tell a story. He builds richly detailed words that he puts stories into. The world in a story for some authors is little more than a set for a stage play, for others it can be likened to a movie anywhere from black and white to color. Mr. Weber's worlds are in 4k high def.
This series is about the clash of two very different civilizations that each span multiple universes, and have those civilizations based on radically different foundations, magic and mechanical technology. We see both sides of that divide as the story progresses. As the story unfolds we see layer after layer of each side in their militarys, societies, politics, and belief systems. Some may see it as TMI. but you can't really understand the various factions and their motivations at the main characters must deal with through the story arc with out it. I think some may miss that details reveled in this first book are building a foundation that is needed to understand events in later books in the series.
We get an ensemble cast of characters, who are forced to develop quickly as events around them spin out of control. That out of control spin is partially the result of misunderstandings of events. In other cases it is the differences in societal mind sets having difficulty, and in some cases out right fear, of just how different the other side really is. Add to that groups on each side that are trying to manipulate events to their on advantage. Let's not forget Murphy taking a hand in events by putting some real idiots in the wrong place at the wrong time to add some seasoning to this stew.
This series reminds me of what Frank Herbert did with Dune, in the complexities of plot lines within plot lines to the point you can reread the story several times and find new aspects that you missed in previous reads.

Hell's Gate

A great beginning of an amusing book series. You really cannot go wrong with dragons, telepathics, and wizards. This is a story for those that enjoy an elaborately woven plot lines that bridge multiple books.

to long

this book is to long and detailed. needs more action and fewer protogonists. you keep forgetting who is who.

Great narration

Really good book you get a lot for your dollar on this one. The narrator was the best I've ever heard.

Extremely Well Written & Balanced

This is an extremely well written and balanced novel set in two fully developed worlds that are widely at variance with one another. The characters on both sides are highly developed and likable. This is hard to do, but here it is done well and makes a great story.