This is the first in the influential Witch World series by Andre (Alice) Norton, one of the most influential writers of the 1950s - 1980s. A re-read for me of a novel first read as a teen, which was the age group most of Norton's work was aimed at, though she was writing long before the term 'Young Adult' was coined.

Simon Tregarth is an ex-military no-nonsense man who was cashiered out of the army due to being set up as the dupe in a fraud and who subsequently found work on the other side of the law. He has fallen foul of a crime boss who sent two assassins after him. Although he disposed of both, the third now on his trail is far superior. While eating what he expects to be his last meal he is approached by a man who arranges for people like himself to disappear for a price.

It transpires that this man is the custodian of the Seige of Perilous of King Arthur fame, a stone with magical properties taken from Cornwall (the story begins in the USA) and now hidden in his odd little house tucked away among tall buildings. In this surreal setting, Tregarth learns that if he sits on this stone he will see whichever land in an infinite series of alternative worlds best suits his mind, character and spirit - and can take a one-way trip into it in return for all the cash he has left. He half humouringly sits on the stone - sees a bleak moor between a menhir arch in front of it - and walks forward into his new life. Soon afterwards, he is drawn into the conflict breaking out in this other universe when he helps a woman escape hunters; a woman who, he learns, is one of the witch women gifted with certain abilities. Simon fits in well with the Estcarp people, and soon finds a role where he is able to use his military skills in their struggle.

This isn't a story such as readers might expect from reading modern fantasy tomes with intricate world building and deeply drawn characters who agonise about their character flaws. Instead, this is a fast paced relatively short action story. Although a romance builds between Simon and the woman, who is nameless till the end of the book because witches do not lightly give their names (and thereby open themselves up to being magically attacked), it is subtle in the extreme. The driving force of the narrative is the peril in which Estcarp, land of witches, finds itself, ringed around by various enemies, all with their own agendas, and the discovery that the problems stem from the actions of a race called the Kolder who have advanced psionic (mind based) technology. The Kolder are from another parallel world and have come through a gateway as Simon did, but after causing havoc and are intent on doing the same in the Witch World.

There are some interesting secondary characters such as Koris, the Captain of the guard who is of mixed race (his mother came from a group of people who live in the swamps and are short and powerfully built) and who experienced prejudice and rejection when growing up, and Lyoise who is the daughter of a powerful man who rebels against an arranged marriage and runs away to be a soldier. Some of these characters fit well known fantasy tropes now, but in 1963 when the book was published, were more unusual. This is especially so of the major role of female characters who are what these days might be termed 'kick-ass' and have a definite ruthless streak - a refreshing change after re-reading some of the fantasy fiction of the 1970s-80s for example. There were a few female fantasy writers before this such as C L Moore and her Jirel of Jorey character in the 1930s-40s, but there wasn't much in that vein when Norton's novel writing career took off in the 1950s onwards. The book raises questions about women's role versus men's and whether women really have to live as virgins to wield power, and these concerns continue to be important as the series progresses.

One element of the book whch is less common in fantasy now is the intermixing of science fiction elements - at the time known as science fantasy. This is due to the presence of the Kolder, the race from another world. Although strange, their technology is slightly less so to us and to Simon than it is to the native people of Witch World, although it is a little futuristic, such as lifts (elevators) that can be worked by the mind.

The book was an enjoyable read though rates 3 stars given the slightly arcane oldie-worldie manner in which the characters talk and the too light characterisation; I could do with a bit more depth. I think I would have given it 4 stars when I read it as a teen though. ( )

I really enjoy this classic fantasy novel. It starts out with a familiar trope - a man flees Earth to the world of his desires and ends up on a fantasy world, in the land of Estcarp. Estcarp is a matriarchy, the witches of Estcarp have magical powers - as long as they don't marry. A war is brewing, and Simon Tregarth joins the side of Estcarp against the various evil peoples who want to invade and wipe them out. What I like most about Norton's fantasy is the way that she takes the familiar and makes it feel alien. The book has good characters and good action in a great setting. ( )

Love, love, love this. Even though my despised ex brother-in-law first gave me a copy of this book, I couldn't resist the lure that is the Witch World. ( )

Too much sci-fi in the story [wanted more fantasy]. Too many missing pieces toward the end. [Update, December 2, 2013: I did go on to read others in this series.] ( )

This book (and perhaps the series) is pretty dated now (my younger self had enjoyed the author's stories). Maybe that's why (as I re-read my oldest novels on the bookshelves) it just came across as poor SF and didn't appeal at all as a fantasy. In all fairness, the storyline is pretty solid, but I was remembering more of a wizardly world so I couldn't find much to keep me captivated. ( )