Teot's War (Song of Naga Teot, Book 1)

By Heather Gladney

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0441800831
• ISBN13: 9780441800834
• Release Date: May 1987
• Publisher: Ace
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 5.0" x 1.0" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Terrific Characters. Beautiful Writing. Exciting Series!

Teot's War and sequel (Bloodstorm) are terrific fantasy novels set in a medieval-like setting. Both books are beautifully written, without the tedious descriptions that bog down a lot of artful writers. The often-clashing cultures created are fascinating and enjoyable, as you see them unravel. The author spared no effort in making her world rich and believable. Great characters and situations grip you from the beginning. I think of Teot's War as being the "character" book, with Naga and Caladrunan both beautifully drawn with passionate beliefs, flaws and heart--everything that makes characters lovable. The love between the two men is filled with angst, irreverence and drama, never sappy or (gasp) romantic. Naga Teot is a delightful hero. Like many heroes, he's a great warrior (albeit a small one), but it's his unbelievably smart mouth, intense feelings, mental health problems and unstoppable drive that make him so much fun. (He's kind of a *much* darker Miles Vorkosigan.) Leader Caladrunan is more mild mannered and rational. The joy of these books is watching him try to manage Naga, which is a Herculean and sometimes thankless job. A twist that many readers will appreciate: Naga is of an ill-defined dark-skinned race. South Asian? Middle Eastern? African? Pick the one you like. He's in a world of mostly fair-haired Nordic types, which means he encounters racism and has to earn every shred of respect. Happily, this never comes off as political, preachy or politically correct. It's just a feature of the story that makes it more interesting. The sequel, Bloodstorm, is the "plot" book, with a can't-stop-reading series of exciting and intense events. It has the best (and most) fighting scenes--well detailed and satisfying. Thank the goddess for the Internet and used books! Put these at the top of your reading list today.

Heather G. needs to finish the series, publishers get busy.

My copies of the two Teots novels are ragged from rereading them every year. A reprint would be nice, the printing of new Teot novels by Heather would make my day. I can't belive that after the first two novels her publisher didn't sign her to a contract to finish the series. What a dunder head to have a author of her talent and not keep her busy for the last ten years. How many good novels have we missed while Heather was not putting to use her considerable skills to entertaining us with tales war and intrigue. What a waste of talent.

still waitng

Like all the other readers iloved both books,still waiting for book #3... Heather gladney and teot where are you?

characterization sets the tone

Writing in the first person is never easy, but Heather Gladney somehow accomplishes it with savvy and hard-edged grace. Naga's thought processes are as alien as his culture, and set the tone for an amazingly scripted plot of (as a previous reviewer already said) love, betrayal, and war. Naga's thoughts lend a wierd green light (as of looking though a glass darkly) to the setting during his desperate work to arm Tan. He seems to be the only one who sees clearly throughout the series. Drin tries to see beyond the political mechinations of counselors, but falls victim to a betrayal that only Naga can discern. Naga has many amazing abilities, but it is his flaws that create an utterly believable and powerful character. I'm excited that at long last the third book is upcoming (soon I hope)! I have read and reread the series since it was first published. My only thought to why the publisher didn't support Gladney long ago is that her dizzying writing style is many years before its time. Even now, her world is more real and more innovative than most worlds you find in fantasy today. Continue to write Gladney, you are a ray of hope in these pulp fantasy times.

The wait for #3 will have been well worth it--trust me.

I had the unique opportunity to read and review TEOT'S WAR before it was widely available. I was thoroughly impressed then (despite odd editing glitches from ACE), and am no less now. Like many others, I find myself returning to Tan, fascinated by Naga's sweet darkness and basking in Drin's light. In those days I was publishing a smallpress zine called PANDORA, and Heather had a number of fans in our camp. We published an excerpt from BLOODSTORM prior to the novel's publication and phone calls, letters, art, and short stories passed back and forth. We printed one of those, too, didn't we Heather? A lucky few have even heard the music from the operetta based on the tale. It is as haunting and lyrical as the written word. Time changes all things, but if book #3 arrives in the spirit of the manuscript I read so many years ago, fans will be delighted. It was not an "easy" book given the subject matter, and at that time not the "end" of the saga. That part was still in transition and full of really interesting possibilities. I won't betray the author, but I will say you'll be scared, you'll be depressed for at least a while (com'n, we're talking about NAGA after all), and you'll be laughing hysterically at some of the events. It is unfortunate that--for whatever reasons--ACE did not support and nurture this author ten years ago. Chalk it up to life (and death) in the midlists. God willing, all three books will be released together. Work and the "real world" may have intruded on Heather's plans for this series, but rest assurred Heather never lost interest. Hope you see this, Heather. Sorry to have lost touch, and very pleased to have found this site to celebrate the books. I still remember that 6 hour phone call!