The Mirror of Her Dreams

Book Details

The Mirror of Her Dreams

21.4% complete

Author(s):

Stephen R Donaldson

First Pub:

1987

Genre(s):

Fantasy

First Read:

1987

Times Read:

2 times

Rating:

Chapters:

See 27

Prologue - Terisa and Geraden

1 - Calling

2 - The Sound of Horns

3 - Translation

4 - The Old Dodderer

5 - Wardrobes Full of Clothes

6 - A Few Lessons

7 - The Dungeons of Orison

8 - Various Encounters

9 - Master Eremis at Play

10 - The Last Alend Ambassador

11 - A Few Days with Nothing to Do

12 - What Men Do with Women

13 - Folly in Good Faith

14 - Out of the Rubble

15 - Romantic Notions

16 - Who Your Friends Are

17 - Terisa Takes Action

18 - A Little Conversation

19 - The Advantages of an Early Thaw

20 - Family Matters

21 - At Least One Plot Discovered

22 - Questions About Being Beseiged

23 - Anticipating Disaster

24 - The Beginning of the End

25 - Master Eremis in Earnest

26 - Fratricide

Internal ID:

Series:

A Man Rides Through ->

Mordant's Need*

#1 of 2

Mordant's Need*

A series of fantasy books written by Stephen R Donaldson.

View this series in the book list

1) The Mirror of Her Dreams
2) A Man Rides Through

Copyright:

First Sentence:

None on file

Last Sentence:

None on file

Comments:

No comments on file

Synopsis (may contain spoilers)

This book starts the two book series entitled Mordant's Need.

Terisa is a woman who has a very droll life. She lives in an apartment paid for by her unloving father. She works for Father Thatcher at a mission as a secretary. She has decorated her rooms with mirrors so that she can prove to herself that she exists. She has this problem because of the way that she was treated as a child by her parents. She was often times locking into dark closets for punishment. Her father never wanted her and her mother just went along with what the father wanted.

One day a man enters her apartment through one of the mirrors and persuades her to follow him. She does and finds herself in another world. A world where mirrors do not reflect what is in front of them but other worlds and places. Gereden, the man that translated her into this world, is an Apt of the Congery. This is a group of people that can fashion mirrors and use them to send or bring things through them.

Gereden was supposed to bring through a champion from his mirror. He brought forth Terisa instead which is supposed to be impossible. His ineptness is blamed and, since he is the oldest Apt-never-to-become-an-Imager in history, this is believed to be the case.

Terisa is given into Gereden's hands for safe keeping but he is told not to answer her questions. He takes her to King Joyse, the ruler of Mordant, were she also meets Adept Havelock, a mad Imager. King Joyse and Adept Havelock are playing hop-board (or checkers) and they both appear to be somewhat crazy. King Joyse has been neglecting the kingdom and appears to have no interest in what is happening other that hop-board. Adept Havelock has been mad since he went through a flat mirror (something the Imagers cannot do with destroying their minds) in pursuit of an old enemy.

Terisa is later shown to her rooms where a secret passage admits Adept Havelock. He takes her to his rooms where Master Quillon, an Imager, explains the history of Mordant to her (against the Congery and King Joyse's orders). When Terisa gets back to her rooms, a man is there fighting with the two guards that Gereden had asked to protect her. She is saved by Havelock when he uses a mirror that shows a sun to temporarily blind the attacker.

Terisa finds herself liking Gereden but she also feels strangely drawn to Master Eremis of the Congery. She begins to feel that he has answers that will save Mordant and he also has a sort of power over her that compels her to him.

Master Eremis calls a meeting of the lords of Mordant, the Prince of Alend (an enemy of Mordant) and the Congery. This falls apart with the eventual results that the Alend Monarch sides with Elega, King Joyse's daughter, to lay siege on Orison. Also it provides the impetus for the Congery to attempt to force-translate their champion.

After the champion is translated, he blows a hole in the side of Orison and escapes. Later, Myste, a daughter of King Joyse, uses the secret passage in Terisa's apartments to go to help the champion after causing Terisa to swear to silence about her actions.

After several event and plots and schemes, it comes to pass that Gereden, Terisa, Castellan Lebbick and the Congery are gathered to hear the details of Master Eremis' accusations against Gereden and vice versa. Gereden's brother Nyle is there to support Master Eremis in the matter but he asks to talk with Gereden in private first. When they meet, Nyle falls from an apparent attack from Gereden. Gereden flees and Terisa follows after him. They meet in the room with Gereden's mirror that translated Terisa. Gereden goes through the mirror but does not appear in the image afterwards. Terisa is then captured by Castellan Lebbick.

This ends the first book of Mordant's Need.

Extract not on file

Added: 25-Nov-2002

Last Updated: 08-Apr-2020

Publications

01-Nov-1986

Del Rey

Hardback

Date Issued:

Cir 01-Nov-1986

Format:

Hardback

Pages*:

626

Read:

2 times

Cover Link(s):

World Cat

amazon.com

Internal ID:

Publisher:

Del Rey

ISBN:

5-551-66111-3

ISBN-13:

978-5-551-66111-5

Printing:

Country:

United States

Language:

English

"The need is real," Geraden said. "And it's urgent, my lady. Somewhere in the realm there are renegade Imagers, Masters of mirrors, and they're opening their glasses more and more to every kind of horror and foulness.

"I don't have any power to compel you. If I did, it would be wrong to use it. And you aren't the Champion the Congery expects. But I might be right. You understand mirrors. You might be the help we need.

"Please. Will you come with me?"

Terisa Morgan had no idea what to make of all this. She had been preparing to spend another evening alone in her apartment when, without warning, he appeared in the mirror. Not as a reflection - he was in the mirror. At once the glass shattered soundlessly, and then a young man calling himself Geraden lay on the floor in her living room. To her astonishment, he began babbling a story about "Mordant's need" - a strange kingdom in dire trouble. He wanted her to return with him to save his world from destruction.

She didn't understand what he was talking about. She was only a mission secretary - not the sort of woman who saved worlds. Yet his eyes were so full of light and laughter, appeals and promises, that she accepted his invitation... and thereby changed her life forever.

THE MIRROR OF HER DREAMS is the story of Terisa and Geraden in the strange land called Mordant. It is a rich and finely textured novel of love and lust, power and court politics, in a place where nothing is ever what is seems... and reality intertwines with powerfully seductive illusion.

THE MIRROR OF HER DREAMS is the new novel by Stephen R. Donaldson. It is a shining example of his gift as a master story teller, a gift that mesmerized millions in the bestselling Chronicles of Thomas Covenant... a gift that will continue to enchant everyone for years to come.

Born in 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio, Stephen R. Donaldson made his publishing debut with the first Thomas Covenant Trilogy in 1977. Shortly thereafter, he was named Best New Writer of the Year and given the prestigious John W. Campbell Award. He graduated from the College of Wooster (Ohio) in 1968, served two years as a conscientious objector doing hospital work in Akron, then attended Kent State University, where he received his M.A. in English in 1971. Donaldson now lives in New Mexico.

Cover:

Notes and Comments:

Author(s)

Stephen R Donaldson
Birth: 13 May 1947 Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Notes:

Stephen Reeder Donaldson (May 13, 1947 - ) was born on May 13, 1947 in Cleveland to his parents James R Donaldson and Mary Ruth Reeder. James Donaldson was a medical missionary and his family lived in India while Stephen R Donaldson was between four to sixteen years of age. His father was a medical missionary and worked with lepers. Stephen R. Donaldson earned his BA degree in 1968 from the College of Wooster (Ohio) and his MA in English in 1971 from Kent State University.

The first series Stephen R Donaldson wrote, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeleiver, was awarded first prize by the British Science Fiction Society in 1977 and 1978. He also received the John W Campbell Award as the best new science fiction writer of 1978.

AI:
Stephen Donaldson is an American fantasy author known for his highly stylized, complex novels that blend elements of epic fantasy, science fiction, psychological drama, and political intrigue. Born on May 13, 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio, Donaldson grew up in a working-class family and struggled with dyslexia throughout his childhood. Despite these challenges, he developed a deep love of reading and storytelling, which would eventually lead him to become one of the most imaginative and acclaimed authors of his generation.

Donaldson attended The College of Wooster in Ohio, where he studied English and graduated in 1968. He then went on to earn a Master's degree in English from Kent State University in 1971. After completing his studies, Donaldson worked for several years as a medical copyeditor, but he always felt drawn to the world of writing and fiction. In 1977, he published his first novel, Lord Foul's Bane, which would become the first book in his landmark trilogy, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever.

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever tells the story of a cynical and embittered bestselling author who finds himself mysteriously transported to a magical realm known as The Land. There, he discovers that he has been chosen to be the savior of this world and is given the power to heal and destroy with a single touch. However, Covenant has trouble accepting his destiny and struggles with both his faith and his own personal demons. The trilogy was a groundbreaking work in the fantasy genre, and it cemented Donaldson's reputation as a master storyteller.

Over the next several decades, Donaldson would go on to write several other critically acclaimed series, including The Gap Cycle, the Mordant's Need duology, and The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. His stories often explore themes of guilt, redemption, morality, and the nature of reality itself. Donaldson's writing is known for its intricate plotting, vivid imagery, and complex characters. He has been praised for his ability to create fully realized fictional worlds and for his unique blend of mythic and futuristic elements.

Despite his success as a writer, Donaldson has faced his share of challenges over the years. In addition to his struggles with dyslexia, he has also battled with depression and health issues. However, he has remained committed to his craft, and his work has inspired generations of readers and writers. Today, he is considered one of the greatest living fantasy authors, and his influence can be seen in many contemporary works in the genre.

In addition to his writing, Donaldson has also been an activist and advocate for environmental causes. He is an outspoken critic of industrialization, urbanization, and the destruction of natural habitats. He has written extensively on these topics and has lent his support to various organizations and initiatives aimed at preserving the environment.

Overall, Stephen Donaldson is a prolific and visionary author who has left an indelible mark on the world of fantasy fiction. His complex, thought-provoking stories have captivated readers for decades, and his legacy as a master storyteller is sure to endure for generations to come.

Awards

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