The Ship of Ishtar

The American adventurer is pitched out of his own time and into a weird world of incredible and enticing marvels.

Ship of love

Ship of doom

The goddess of love and beauty is adrift on an enchanted ocean in a magic world. The myriad forces of satanic evil plague the vessel of the passionate red-haired goddess. Only one man, John Kenton, the American adventurer, can try to save Ishtar’s priestess from the black magic that divides her world from ours.

Originally published in 1924.

Public Domain (P)2021 Skyboat Media for Blackstone Publishing

Adventurer transported to a magical realm

A Merritt’s The Ship of Ishtar has an explorer receive a gift of a replica of an ancient sailing vessel. He is transported to that vessel and finds the ship divided into two sections that its occupants cannot cross. On one side is a beautiful woman who spurns him when he reveals his origins, while the other side is crewed by an evil magician. He goes back and forth between his own world and the ship and enjoys a series of adventures until he finally gains control of the vessel.

Merritt offers a light hearted tale with much swashbuckling adventure. The explorer undergoes a series of misfortunes, but always manages to come out on top. Along the way he develops friendships and alliances. Time does not advance in his own world when he is in Ishtar land.

The narration is excellent with solid character distinction. Pacing is smooth and a tad brisk.