This is the second of the Norton’s “Witch World” books, and it has
precisely the same strengths and flaws as its predecessor, being
essentially the second half of one complete story: the battle of the
people of Estcarp against men of Kolder. Like Simon Tregarth, our hero,
the men of Kolder are from another world; and like Tregarth, their
home world is one of science, indeed, one where science is greatly
advanced over that of Earth. Tregarth’s knowledge of science gives him
an edge, and with the help of his wife, Jaelithe, and the mind powers
they share, the Kolder-men are eventually destroyed.

It’s not a bad tale–certainly it kept me turning pages–but it feels
rather dated. The “super-science” of the Kolder-men hasn’t worn well,
and their very name, “Kolder”, i.e., “colder”, is a little too obvious.
The result is a tale that seems plenty deep and satisfying as one reads
it, but appears much less substantial on later reflection. It’s a tale
well-told, but there’s something lacking. Or is there? I’m really not
sure. All I can say is, there’s something of substance there while I’m
reading it, but it fades away with the dawn.