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)

Surprisingly good

The book starts a bit slow but it’s worth it to keep on reading when the story explodes into funny thrilling suspense

Whimsically Captivating

I loved the way the story brought myth to reality with a touch of humor

Excellent listen

I picked this book up because of the Author. He also wrote the Enders Game Series. Again not disappointed. This is a great Fantasy Series that takes place in a magical land that has been hidden from the modern day Society. i will stop there cause i don't want to give anything away. The narraters are great and the story they get to tell is very intresting. The books length is good and you really wana cheer for the main charcter danny to do well. Worth the credit.

Great Story

One of my favorite books by my favorite authors!! Also perfectly read by Stefan Rudnicki and Emily Card!

Too much willy nilly for me

I love to jump right into a book at least within 30 minutes and this didn't do it for me. When I used to "read" I always gave a book 50 to 75 pages before I put it down. Too much good stuff to waste my time dragging through a story. Used to horrify my friends when I didn't finish a book but my drummer can't follow a straight line.

Did not finish

I finally realized with 4 hours left to listen, that I do not like our care about any of the characters in the book. I am moving onto something else.

I love anything Orson Scott Card

Just finished the Tales of Alvin Maker for the second time through after 20 years and it’s just as good as it was then! So I was searching for what’s next for me to listen to and I chose the Mither Mages series and I’m so happy that I did. I love the story. I can’t wait for the next book. I also love that Orson Scott card spoke at the end about the creation of this book and his passion of bringing readers around his campfire… Thank you.

Excellent method of combining universes

Orson Scott Card always creates beloved and interesting characters. I especially enjoyed, in this book, the ingenious way he combines two parallel universes. This was another excellent book by Orson Scott Card.

I good begining for something better to come

This is the first Orson Scott Card title that I've listened or read. For a new listener to Orson Scott Card, this book seems a good start. I really enjoyed the way that he brought two story lines together. The character development of Danny North (cough... Stone) was good. It is the story of Wad, the man from the tree, that made the book excellent. When the story of these two main characters come together, the table is set for endless possibilities. This is the point where you are left. What will happen from here? I can't wait to see how Card lays out the rest of the table for a feast in Westil, the new fantasy world, linked to our world, Mittlegard.

One remark about the mythology Card uses, I don't really think he understands the interconnectedness between the Semitic mythology, the Indo-European mythologies. Yet, the story is about the "children of children" of gods and how men caught up with the ancient gods. It is a story of ethics and the motivation behind it.

About the narrators - Stefan Rudnicki reminded me a bit of Neil Gaiman (listen to his narration of his book, "The Graveyard Book") who reads in much the same way. Their voices are very much the same, deep... and dark. However, Rudnicki does an excellent job, although I had some difficulty hear the women as women, especially remembering which one of Danny's "new parents" was who, as they have names that can be used by males and females. I still enjoyed his inflection, feeling and the life he brought to the story.

Emily Janice Card was a pleasant surprise for me. I couldn't hear anything wrong with her breathing, though her thick American accent may have to do with it. She is clear, and when she acts out a boy's voice, she is SPOT ON.

Don't expect the first book of a serious to be the best. In this case it is however, one of the best first books I've listened to. I understand that the story "Stonefather" is also set in the mithermages realm. It is available here at Audible, my next listen!

Fun Read

I love OSC's magical stories. I loved Enchantment and this is just as good. Can't wait for more to come in this series. If you like fantasy, this is a great listen.