A challange to the imagination

This is as much as a new experience to the imagination as was the first volume. IN the first we learned the nature of Gor on the surface, both literally and figuratively. Now we get to the inner workings. This volume has a focus on more action and less face and body stripping. Well worth the read, and a focal point of the whole series.

3 people found this helpful

decent but annoying character voice

I hate his robotic voice for the mechanical translators. it was hard to listen to so much of it.

2 people found this helpful

great story preformed well

enjoy loved it reminds me of GOT but diffrent. do you beleive? i do. magic happens

1 person found this helpful

They're Giant Arthropods?!

Priest-Kings of Gor makes an excellent third volume in the Gorean Saga. This particular book in the series is much more sci-fi oriented, with high tech alien battle scenes and alien-created synthetic humans. If you’re like me, you didn’t see the revelation that Priest-Kings were giant arthropods coming. I expected them to be human-like in appearance, which made for quite an interesting twist in the story.

Priest-Kings of Gor picks up right where Outlaw of Gor left off. Tarl Cabot arrives at the foot of the Sardar Mountains, releases his tarn, and enters through the gate that allows access to the domain of the Priest-Kings. Once inside, he’s held captive for some time in a special type of prison cell with a slave girl named Vika. Unbeknownst to Tarl, Vika has been tasked by the Priest-King Sarm to woo him in an effort to convince him to kill the Priest-King’s brother, Misk. Vika fails in her task and Tarl is taken in by Misk, where he learns all about Priest-Kings.

Priest-Kings are a technologically advanced race of large insects that brought Gor to our solar system over two million years ago when their sun began to die. Priest-Kings are primarily concerned with technological advancement, particularly as it relates to increasing their longevity. Ironically enough, this has caused their species to dwindle to less than a thousand. Most Priest-Kings in the Nest on Gor are sexless. There is only one female in the Nest, the Mother, and she has supreme authority. That authority, however, is being usurped by her first-born, the Priest-King Sarm. Sarm wants to prevent new male and female Priest-Kings from being born so that he can maintain his political power in the Nest. Human slaves assist the Priest-Kings in their various tasks and are considered part of the Next, that is, easily dispensable parts. It’s not really revealed why the Priest-Kings have populated Gor with various species. What is explained is that they intentionally limit the humans’ technological advancement out of fear for their own safety.

Misk informs Tarl that he was brought to the nest of the Priest-Kings in a secret conspiracy between himself and the Mother to overthrow Sarm. That’s why his city was destroyed and his people scattered, to keep Sarm in the dark about their true intentions. He wants Tarl’s help finding a female egg that was hidden among the Wagon People. Tarl reluctantly agrees, which Sarm suspects, resulting in a war between the two. The human slaves in the Nest revolt during the confrontation and join Misk’s rebellion against Sarm. Sarm is killed and Gor and the Nest are nearly destroyed in the process. With the Priest-Kings temporarily out of commission, Tarl sets out on a new journey to find the egg among the Wagon People.

John Norman is an excellent science fiction writer and the battle scenes in this book leave nothing to be desired on that front. I was on the edge of my seat throughout much of the story as the plot just kept getting more and more interesting. Norman’s humor really shows when he introduces us to pair of synthetically created twins and details their secret shenanigans within the Nest. The low ratings this series has received are simply unmerited and probably socially/politically motivated. Some people just can’t wrap their heads around the concept of fantasy. I’m looking forward to the next book. I also recommend purchasing the audiobook narrated by Ralph Lister. He does an excellent job narrating the various characters and really makes the story come alive.

1 person found this helpful

Classic

Classic fiction staple. Narrator definitely into the story. Third reread. Sometimes you need classics.

Beautiful

this is the third book of the series, and I cant wait to start the next! I have waited to get into this series for a long time, and i am not disappointed!

great series

I loved it read series 2 times ...now I listen to it ...marvelous love it

The Priest Kings

This is the 3rd novel in the 34 sagas of the Counter-Earth called Gor. It answers many of the questions that arise about the mysterious Gods of Gor called The Priest Kings. The narration is great as is the story. Read it to answer your questions about The Priest Kings of Gor.

Finally!

We finally discover the true nature of the Priest Kings, and it is well worth the wait.

My favorite so far

I'm growing to really love the Gor series and this is my favorite so far. The intricacies of plot between the classic tribal culture of Gor and the introduction of priest-kings and their technology culture is and intriguing juxtaposition.