Review: The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card

Title: The Lost Gate
Author: Orson Scott Card
Publisher: TOR
ISBN: 978-0-7653-6538-5

Young Danny North was raised with a secret humanity doesn't know; magic exists. The offspring of two potent mages, great things were expected of Danny. Then he learns that his particular power is banned upon pain of death. So Danny runs. While having exploits and adventures, Danny finds a new family, grows, and learns his craft. Meanwhile a youth on a distant world, who is far older than he seems, awakes and gets enmeshed in political intrigue. His an Danny's fates are entwined, holding that of all magicians and the very worlds in their hands.

The story is reminiscent of the Dark Sword Trilogy by Margaret Weis: a boy of noble birth who is supposed to have great powers, is hunted, raised in secret, and is the key to his people's fate.

When the book starts Danny's voice is far more mature than a thirteen year-old should be even with the increased and remarkable intellect attributed to him (an intellect the reader is not allowed to forget as they are reminded time and again). His voice becomes more believable when he turns sixteen, but only just. The voices of all the characters merge to a monotone of sarcasm and smart-alec remarks. Though a few characters are embittered or angry, and fewer still are cheerful, these are more background characters not even worth more than a passing glance.

The adults, too, seem cookie-cutter characters in that all of them are manipulative of Danny, with the deciding characteristic of good and evil being how Danny views them. For example authority figures who treat him with respect receive grudging approval. Those who treat him as a child or inferior, are treated the same. But in all the main character knows best.

The magic system is an off-shoot of the four elements school of magic - earth, wind, water, fire - wherein each mage can only work within their type of magic. In this world mages may work one of eight elements, though the eight is debatable as it is considered a sin; air, water, wind, earth, animal, plant, gate (instantaneous transport), man. All mages are born with a different level of attainable skill, with the most powerful as the most respected. The most powerful is the gate magic - that of the hero - which can augment the ability of mages, heal any wound save death, and transverse space, all while conferring upon the gate mage increased intellect, language skill, and a sense of smart-alecness and urge to prank.

The pace is fairly fast and the story well written. The worlds and intrigues are convincing, as is the underlining problem faced by the hero: who holds me responsible for my actions, if none can punish me? I eagerly await the next story in the series as, the story, while enjoyable as a stand-alone, leaves too much begging to be told and a massive thread flapping loose.  I would recommend this book.