This is one of those books that I can still remember where it was shelved in the library (which has been torn down), what that corner of the adult fiction section was like and the odd rocket+planet sticker the library inexplicably put on all the books I liked. The author died today, and that triggered these memories.

I remember Daddy letting me loose in the adult fiction section at some point, when the preteen section was growing thin. Could this have been one of the first books I grabbed? Maybe; the M's were near the back, so I probably found Asimov first, but, maybe. Certianly one of the early ones.

I remember figuring out that this was science fiction, and learning to appreciate how the SFnal view permiated the fantasy story.