Beast Master's Quest

Beast Master / Hosteen Storm #5

by Andre Norton, Lyn McConchie

Laris is a young orphaned ex-refugee gifted with the beast master ability allowing her to communicate with animals. Her closest companion is a remarkably intelligent and mysterious cat-like creature named Prauo, whose origin is shrouded in mystery. Laris, having made a home for herself with the Quades, a family of Arzor ranchers, also has become friends with beast masters Tani and Hosteen Storm, who help her develop her beast master skills.

When Laris inherits a spaceship from a distant relative, she realizes that she might now fulfill her dream of finding Prauo's home planet. But it won't be easy, and she is relieved when she is able to convince her new extended family to embark with her on a journey into the unknown depths of space.

What Laris and her friends find in space, however, tests their beast master abilities and threatens their lives. Prauo's homeworld is beset by dangers the intrepid travelers could not have anticipated. It will take all of their talents and experience to get back to Arzor alive.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Adult, Philosophy, Young Adult, Fiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published May 30, 2006

About the author

Andre Norton, born Alice Mary Norton, was a pioneering American author of science fiction and fantasy, widely regarded as the Grande Dame of those genres. She also wrote historical and contemporary fiction, publishing under the pen names Andre Alice Norton, Andrew North, and Allen Weston. She launched her career in 1934 with The Prince Commands, adopting the name “Andre” to appeal to a male readership. After working for the Cleveland Library System and the Library of Congress, she began publishing science fiction under “Andrew North” and fantasy under her own name. She became a full-time writer in 1958 and was known for her prolific output, including Star Man’s Son, 2250 A.D. and Witch World, the latter spawning a long-running series and shared universe. Norton was a founding member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America and authored Quag Keep, the first novel based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. She influenced generations of writers, including Lois McMaster Bujold and Mercedes Lackey. Among her many honors were being the first woman named Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and SFWA Grand Master. In her later years, she established the High Hallack Library to support research in genre fiction. Her legacy continues with the Andre Norton Award for young adult science fiction and fantasy.

Reviews

[Derek · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series starts strongly: the original two Norton books were better than I remembered. Lyn McConchie took it pretty quickly downhill. Her first was decent, the second so-so, and this one is really pretty bad. Nobody's actions are believable (especially the unknown person who leaves the least responsible character a spaceship in his will...), and they spend far too much time debating how to get around this civilization's version of the "Prime Directive" instead of thinking about why there might be such a thing in the first place.

I really hope the series is over now...

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was terrific, as I excepted, although I could see the difrance with the co-author. The shock was when I read the back cover and discoverd That Andre Norton Died three years ago!!!!!! HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN AND I NOT KNOW ABOUT IT??????? now I have to try and find all the Norton books i did not read and buy them.

[Taj · Rating 4 out of 5]

just finished the entire series again - ok am a sucker for all things Andre Norton

i DID enjoy this book - i always do.. but its not quite a strong a read as most of her books. hard to explain.. its a natural progression from the first book & that part flows well & mostly naturally
i guess my problem with this one is that the focus character Laris is a wee bit over-the-top angsty.
her symbiosis with her feline partner is so very strong that her level of anxiety doesnt always come off as always as real as it could - am not sure how else to explain it. its as tho the writer was trying too hard to create tension..
as for the scenario on the planet they go to.. it also felt 'off' & am having a hard time explaining why. it just didnt ring as true as most of the story.

So while i did like the characters & the storyline I just couldn't give it 5stars

[Wilson E. Stevens Sr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book in the Beast Master Series. However, another book was intended because of the ending in this book. This book was published on 30 May 2006 and Alice Mary Norton writing as Andre Norton died the 17 March 2005 so was unable to continue the series. In this book, the key characters in the series go on a spaceship to find the planet of the intelligent cat Alien Laris had found and saved when it was a young kitten.

[richard.bjorklundgmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine extension to a favorite old series

The books that Norton and McConchie have produced are a fine extension to a favorite old series. It was a joy to discover them.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beastmaster - Hosteen Storm #5 - 2006 - HB - Palmer Lib

[Marquita Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last one in the series. Really enjoyed reading the journey to find out her fur brother's history. Classic science fiction.

[A Hoppy Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

0.5 stars
This is is basically fan fiction published by Baen in order to cash in on Norton's reputation. The coauthor turned this space western series into an awkward coming of age/finding your roots story. She didn't even have the decency to use the same characters. She introduced some snot-nosed girl and expected us to accept her as the main character. This completely destroyed the series, which had previously been about Amer-Indian (Navajo) Hosteen Storm.

Update: I now realize that I Skipped Beast Master's Ark which introduced the female characters, still not happy about the new lead or the series' change in direction.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one I give kudos to for getting back to the heart of the "Beast Master/Lord of Thunder" books; adventure, and alien encounters with strange off-world cultures. I didn't want to read about romance, or Storm and his brother Logan pairing off - I didn't particularly care for how it was done, either.

This was alright - though now I think that each of them needs a list of what current animals they are bonded with to keep track. Oi...

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Co Written But...

This is one of the few Norton novels I did not read originally as an youth. Then I would not have noticed the idea of slavery as it applies to pets and how we think of our furry friends. This is something that occurs often in Andre Norton's works. Lyn McConchie may have written the driving plot line but the subtle cat references are pure Norton. It was a joy to read a new Norton story and see the ideas unfold.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

how he was connecting to the world of his future a good story about finding home is not what you thought, or feared, and that love does not always have to come from those who are like you.
how he was connecting to the world of his future a good story about finding home is not what you thought, or feared, and that love does not always have to come from those who are like you.

[Lesa O'Hara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series

I love the characters in this series. You grow attached to each as they are introduced. I especially like the way they have the bonds between the animals and the people in this book they find ladies cats home world.where they get more questions and finally the answers I would recommend this series th anyone.

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm revisiting older books I read, and from what I can recall, there was little to recommend this book.

[Art · Rating 2 out of 5]

This must be a Youth Fiction genre. It seems to have been written for a younger audience. Interestingly, I remember Andre Norton with fondness - from my youth. Doesn't appeal anymore....

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always loved the Beast Master series, but I had trouble liking this one. It was ok, but much less Andre Norton than needed.