by Andre Norton
First published 1978
Simon Tregarth runs out of options. The former colonel faces enemies closing in from all sides, and conventional escape routes have vanished. His hunters draw nearer each day, making his situation increasingly desperate. Only one possibility remains: an ancient stone called the Siege Perilous. This mysterious artifact possesses the power to transport him to another realm entirely. The stone will evaluate his character and spirit, then deliver him to a world where he truly belongs. Simon makes his choice and steps through the portal. He arrives in a place where natural laws bend in unexpected ways. Magic functions as science here, and supernatural forces shape daily life. The inhabitants wield powers that defy everything Simon understood about reality. He cannot return to his old world or his former life. This strange new realm becomes his permanent home, whether he adapts or perishes. Simon must learn to navigate a society where witchcraft governs politics and warfare. His military experience may help him survive, but success requires mastering entirely new rules. The Witch World offers him refuge from his past, but demands he transform completely to claim his future.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, fantasy, alternate-universe
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, portal-fantasy, transformation
Setting: Witch World
282 pages · Paperback · Ace