Gate of Ivrel

Gate of Ivrel, CJ Cherryh's first published novel, is not your standard science-fantasy fare. The relationship between the protagonists, Morgaine and Vanye, is much deeper and more complex than is usually seen in such material. Cherryh's gifts as a writer are much in evidence in this first effort, especially her ability to gradually sketch in the details of her world rather than dump it over a reader's head with vast blocks of exposition. Her descriptions of the complicated political relationships among the kings and kingdoms of the world of Ivrel are not always easy to untangle, and sometimes her gradual revelations of the workings of the world are too subtle and oblique so that a reader sometimes feels as though something was overlooked a few pages back, but overall this is a strong effort with engaging writing and a compelling story. Morgaine is an intriguing, mysterious, otherworldly character and I look forward to reading more about her and Vanye in the next book in the Morgaine Cycle.