The Keys to Paradise

Paperback, 540 pages

English language

Published 1991 by New EnglishLibrary.

ISBN:: 978-0-450-39001-2
OCLC Number:: 59841137

(1 review)

The golden key glowed darkly, the inset gem flashing green fire. Inscribed runes spelled out a promise beyond belief. The Key to Paradise. A promise and a quest.

Giles Grimsmate, world-wandering survivor of the Trans wars, had won it fairly in a game of chance. The second key -- along with a goodly haul of coin -- had been stolen from a rich merchang by Keja Tchurak, master thief.

And when they set out for the invisible Gates of Paradise, Petia, half-cat, half-woman, tracked them with silent night-skills.

Yet to enter Paradise, three keys more were needed: The Flame Key, The Key of the Skeleton Lord, and The Key of Ice and Steel.

Five keys, scattered throughout a realm of supernatural happenings, strange creatures and otherworldly powers.

3 editions

Matt reviewed The Keys to Paradise by Robert E. Vardeman

A favourite as a teen - didn't hold up

2 stars

A pulpy fantasy adventure, similar in feel to early Michael Moorcock maybe? But not as good. I mean, it's OK, and when I read it as a teen I thought it was really great! But 35 years later it didn't land the same. A bit problematic with female characters and their agency, but it was the 80s... But I did love how it felt like a messy D&D campaign. I liked the world building. A nice solid quest, some evil baddies, plans that get thwarted and changed on the fly. Character motivations/behaviour seemed inconsistent at times, but overall... fine?

I remember buying this book from a sale bin during the Australian Summer holidays of 1988 I think. I associate the book with the song "Run to Paradise" by The Choir Boys, which ran through my head every-time I picked it up. It was a great holiday, and this book got …

A pulpy fantasy adventure, similar in feel to early Michael Moorcock maybe? But not as good. I mean, it's OK, and when I read it as a teen I thought it was really great! But 35 years later it didn't land the same. A bit problematic with female characters and their agency, but it was the 80s... But I did love how it felt like a messy D&D campaign. I liked the world building. A nice solid quest, some evil baddies, plans that get thwarted and changed on the fly. Character motivations/behaviour seemed inconsistent at times, but overall... fine?

I remember buying this book from a sale bin during the Australian Summer holidays of 1988 I think. I associate the book with the song "Run to Paradise" by The Choir Boys, which ran through my head every-time I picked it up. It was a great holiday, and this book got wrapped up in those feelings - I think I even dreamed about the characters, I was that invested. When I finished it, I missed all them all terribly, and tried to continue the story in my head.

So it's sad that it wasn't that magical this time around.