Witch World

Simon Tregarth is a man on the run from various shadowy ruffians, people he associated with because he was wrongly convicted of working the black market while in the military. Willing to try anything, he ends up passing through the Siege Perilous, a megalith which apparently is actually a gate to another world. There he immediately finds himself embroiled in a war between the Witches of Estcarp and the alien, technologically advanced Kolder, and somewhat in love with one of the Witches, even though she is bound to remain a virgin if she wishes to retain her powers. Why it's on the list Andre Norton's real name was Alice, but she chose to write under a male pseudonym back in the 60s'. This tale started her rise to fame and is a must read for any Norton fan. Obviously, this book is fantasy. But it is not about fairies and elves and sprites. It is hard magic, not light fantasy; and it is fascinating. With this book, she took a giant step in a new direction, that of adult fantasy. A book that spawned a veritable library of sequels and other stories set in the same universe, most written by her, but some written by others or as collaborators with her. Today it still stands as one of her best works. The magic of this book lies not so much in the overt acts of magic that are performed as part of this war, nor even in Simon's growth into a hero with honor, but rather it is in the richness, the otherworldliness of this imagined world. Read if you like Adult Fantasy. Hard magic.