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.
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"Danny is one of most interesting, relatable and unpredictable characters I have ever read about. Being able to get inside his head was great, for me this wasn't just a book, it was an experience. Danny, thinking he was a drekka (has no magic affiliation), felt like he didn't belong in the compound like everyone else. But he then finds out he is a gatemage, a strictly prohibited magery. Any gatemage found inside one of the family compounds is to be killed and a body part sent to each family to prove that it was done. Danny even though to himself "I should just fling myself out of this tree and save them the trouble of killing me.". Danny had no choice, he had to run. There hadn't been a gatemage in over 2000 years, not one that lived anyway. But he had to run, he had to get training from someone so he could learn how to open a Great Gate. A Great Gate is a portal to another world, any mage who passed through a Great Gate would come back 1000 times stronger in their magic affiliation. Gate mages were killed because 2000 years ago Loki, a very powerful Gatefather, closed every Great Gate and all mages were cut off from their power. 2000 years later the families are weaker, much weaker. Nobody is permitted to have a gatemage because then they would make a great gate and no other family would be any match for the particular family that got the gatemage. So Danny slowly learns some new skills by himself, but he needed some kind of teacher. He eventually found one of sorts, more of a colleague. He learns all kinds of new tricks, some I'm not going to give away. I though this was one of the best books I have ever read and I plan on reading it multiple more times after this. Fiction - 14+"
— Derric (5 out of 5 stars)
“This ambitious tale is well crafted, highly detailed, and pleasantly accessible.”
— Publishers Weekly“Stefan Rudnicki and Emily Janice Card balance two parallel narratives in this new series. In his deliciously deep baritone, Rudnicki narrates Danny North’s story as he escapes his family of mages who want to kill him because he has the power to make gates, a forbidden skill. In a gentler voice, Card, the author’s daughter, tells the story of Wad, another gate mage who is finding life in a castle much more complicated than he imagined, especially as he realizes he is an ancient being. Card’s light, lively voice is a good match to tell the darker of the two narratives while Rudnicki keeps listeners engaged with the longer story.”
— AudioFile“Card’s latest novel demonstrates his ability to create youthful protagonists whose coming-of-age resonates with depth and meaning even as they become the fulcrum of events on a grand scale…The author of Ender’s Game brings his masterful storytelling to a new series that should find favor among his many fans as well as readers looking for more stories in the Harry Potter vein.”
— Library Journal“Card weaves the twinned narratives seamlessly together with the ease of a master storyteller…Card keeps the action vivid and exciting. In addition, he uses Norse mythology to provide unique explanations for beings as varied as fairies and werewolves…Card’s longtime fans will read The Lost Gate with delight, while new readers will relish this introduction to the prize-winning author’s work, thanks to lively characterization, imaginative world-building, and lucid prose.”
— BookPage“Card’s storytelling skills and devoted audience guarantee success.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Good book. interesting character with a unique spin on Greek myths mixed with today's world. Very unique "
— ben, 11/26/2018" Thoroughly enjoyed. If you like Orson Scott Card, you'll probably like this. It's not /science/ fiction -- more magical fiction. "
— Brian, 2/14/2014" I loved the world Card built for this book. It's so complete I never felt the need to question or puzzle over odds and ends. I was disappointed to realize this wasn't a stand alone. Now I have yet another book to impatiently wait for as all of the details from this one slowly slip away into the great abyss of my non-memory. "
— Shawna, 2/11/2014" This book is so unbelievable. I would give it six stars if i could. "
— Christine, 2/3/2014" Orson Scott Card has done it again! If you liked Ender, you will love this. "
— Guna, 2/1/2014" I listened to this over the course of a month. Being fairly new to the world of audiobooks I found the process rather interesting, listening to rather than reading a book. As for the book itself, I enjoyed the story, the creation of a new worldview. The parallel story lines were a clever touch but the wrap-up, the "revelation" at the end seemed forced, contrived, too pat and quickly executed, as if the author was saying, "enough already, let's save something for the next book". I didn't appreciate the small amounts of "junk" added to the book to appeal to the modern teenager, a well-written, engaging tale does not need language and sex to sell the story. That was a disappointment coming from an author I had followed and read for many years. I may or may not continue the series. I am not totally fascinated, waiting with bated breath to see what happens to Danny and the gang, not to mention Wad, but if I run across them again in the future I'll probably renew our acquaintance for old times sake. "
— Liz, 1/31/2014" Loved it. Want more. NOW. "
— Erika, 1/29/2014" So disappointing. Blah. "
— Vanessa, 1/25/2014" I loved this! Random new fiction shelf discovery at the library - i glance around the section and pick things with interesting covers...This reminded me of the Magicians but i have higher hopes for the rest of the series. Love the mythology connections and how Card includes all the Greek/Roman, Norse and other gods into one story. I'm excited for the next one! "
— Sara, 1/18/2014" This book brings you to a great world of fantasy but it's just not very exciting "
— Nicole, 1/17/2014" #7 First Card book I have read and cannot wait to read more! "
— Lkemigh, 8/13/2013" This should be in the YA section. That said, I couldn't even finish it due to how annoying the characters were to me. It was very disappointing. "
— Stoli, 8/9/2013" Pretty good storyline. Liked the diffrent views on mythology and magic, but I don't recommend to readers below high school age. This book contains many innaproriate sexual refrences and language. "
— Taran, 11/16/2012" Another great read from one of my favorite authors, Orson Scott Card. "
— Jeff, 5/19/2012" Good story but there didn't seem to be much closure at the end of the story. I'm assuming this is going to be the first in a series... "
— Brandielle, 2/21/2012" Interesting story but too gritty for me (I get enough potty humor from my first grader). I won't read any more of the series. "
— Rebecca, 2/7/2012" Yay, another series to anticipate with pleasure. This one speaks to such a common fantasy--"What if I could be here, there, anywhere just by wishing it so?" "
— Yael, 12/2/2011" Fast impelling read, made me put aside all other reading until it was done. Can't wait for the next in the series! "
— Al'xae, 11/26/2011" Easy reading but I didn't realize it was a series and was awfully lost at the end when it left so much unexplained. "
— Kelsey, 11/17/2011" I think I need a sequel. "
— Misty, 5/28/2011" Got from Library. What an imaganation. Story of Gods here on earth unable to get back to heaven trying to kill all Gatekeepers so they could not get there first. A few swear words that I did not expect from Orson Card. Intertaining story. "
— Swhe641200, 5/20/2011" Oh yes, here we go again! One of my favoriate authors is back with another awesome book! "
— David, 5/18/2011" Kind of wondered how much of this was a parable for Mormonism's "lost boys". Good stuff. "
— Julia, 5/12/2011" The ending is rushed, but I still really liked it. The world the author created is addictive. "
— Maggie, 5/11/2011" Two parallel stories--one on Earth, one on another planet--with plots that run on ancient mythology. Such a talented writer, so many bad decisions. Book needs a thorough edit and a careful, sympathetic reader with LDS values. "
— Ruby, 5/10/2011" I liked it a lot. Quite interesting, fast paced, lots of intrigue. I liked the magic system. Very fun read. I can't wait for the next one. "
— Krysta, 5/7/2011" Not as much fun as I was hoping for. Card quickly tidied this up at the end rather than giving us a full conclusion. a but of a let down after 200 pages of build up. "
— Chezscoville, 4/27/2011" I found my own inner Wad through this book. Thank you Orson.<br/> "
— Sandy, 4/27/2011Orson Scott Card, the author of the New York Times bestseller Ender’s Game, has won several Hugo and Nebula awards for his works of speculative fiction. His Ender novels are widely read by adults and younger readers and are increasingly used in schools. Besides these and other science fiction novels, Card writes contemporary fantasy, American-frontier fantasy, biblical novels, poetry, plays, and scripts.
Stefan Rudnicki first became involved with audiobooks in 1994. Now a Grammy-winning audiobook producer, he has worked on more than five thousand audiobooks as a narrator, writer, producer, or director. He has narrated more than nine hundred audiobooks. A recipient of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards, he was presented the coveted Audie Award for solo narration in 2005, 2007, and 2014, and was named one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices in 2012.