[galaga99]

Anyone ever heard of this book. I think it is one of the best stand alone fantasy books ever penned. I can't find out anymore about the writer, maybe his only book, but would like to find out more if I could. The book is original and neat. Also, isn't Lord of the Rings the trilogy a little overrated?

[ChrisW]

Also, isn't Lord of the Rings the trilogy a little overrated?

Yes.

[cgw]

Heros of Zara Keep

There's a obscure book. I liked it but would not put it in any top 25 list.

A good book for those who like the main characters being transported from earth to a fantasy world.


Also, isn't Lord of the Rings the trilogy a little overrated?
no

[Robert Mammone]

Read this back in 1984-1985 - quite enjoyed it then, but haven't read it in over 10 years easily.
I believe that the author's name is a pseudonym for a father and son team, and I don't think they've written anything else under that name.

[Brys]

I hadn't heard of this. What's it about?

(Yes, LotR is overrated - that may be better in the Tolkien forums for a proper discussion on it).

[Robert Mammone]

Essentially, 5 (or 6) strangers are brought from our world to a fantasy world by a wizard, to help in the toppling of an evil force/man/creature, ruling from Zara Keep. Each discovers that they have a unique power that along the way, helps them overcome any obstacle.

Pre-dates Guy Kay, but a few years after the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant hit the shelves.

At the time, very, very enjoyable - now, I think I must dig it up from the collection and have another read. At one stage very easy to find in second hand bookstores here in Melbourne, Australia.

[Vision]

I remember reading this during my college years back in the 80's. All of them were on the verge of death when they were transported to the realm of Zara Keep, one of the other realms besides Quom, Vect, .... I still remember two of the characters, Quadra who died of a snake bite and had an affinity with the Earth and Bladen who was a knife wielder with his grey swamp cat. Their unique band was formed by the one who is the master of Time, Wind and Lightning, Fulmin who was battling the evil one Zaragosa. I wish I brought that book with me when I emigrated to here. Anyone knows where one can buy the novel?

[Robert Mammone]

Essentially, 5 (or 6) strangers are brought from our world to a fantasy world by a wizard, to help in the toppling of an evil force/man/creature, ruling from Zara Keep. Each discovers that they have a unique power that along the way, helps them overcome any obstacle.

Pre-dates Guy Kay, but a few years after the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant hit the shelves.

At the time, very, very enjoyable - now, I think I must dig it up from the collection and have another read. At one stage very easy to find in second hand bookstores here in Melbourne, Australia.

Nothing like quoting myself a bit after 4 years later - I've often thought that Guy Kay was the actual writer - the themes are similar, but as I said, certain it was a pseduonym for a father and son team.

[TheEvilKing]

So did you ever get round to that re-read? And how was it?

[galaga99]

Glad some more people have heard of it. I remember one of the guys got his foot trapped on some barb wire or a piece of wood and was going to drown before he was whisked away. Thanks for the info from everyone, this is still one of my favorites.

Take care.

For the one looking, I got both my copies from Uncle Hugos Science Fiction Bookstore in Minneapolis, MN. Look them up on the web.

R