We too have a snake in the grass, October 5, 2003
Reviewer: J. Storchan (Novi, Michigan.)

Reading this book and stating that you are spellbound or hooked from one chapter to the next does not tell you about the essence of the tale. To say that this Science Fiction is superior in imagery and concept is still lacking in definition. There is something else that drew me back to read the series again. It was not the story, so much, but the reality that it represents. It is about this world whose scientific physical makeup is different than ours. We are made of cells and cells structure with DNA in control. In these worlds the Wardens are in control. The are involved in each and every molecular makeup of everything. Based upon persons background and his discipline and control will explain his possible position in these worlds.
It is much like earth in that way. It is a metaphor, yet a parallel to our own world. We still have a caste so to speak in existence on earth. Even in United States, even though there are no castles, knights or dukes, we still live according to our self-discipline, our self-awareness, education, skills, and our internal chemistry. A genius might still be a poor fellow living on the dole of others while a seemly simple person lives on the fruits of the world. It about what I stated above. This is what Chalker is telling us. It is a involved parody about our own world. You are able to watch Cal, the main character evolved as he begins to learn his own powers, his respect for his teachers, his peers, and his desire to rise. He is a survivor, he is spent the time to get his body and mind in order now he is getting his training and skills in order to conquer the planet. Don't analyze the content, but enjoy the story and stop and think about the parallel to our own world.

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Somewhere from among the four human-settled worlds of the Warden Diamont, hostile aliens were spying on Earth. But no agent could be sent to investigate and report back. All trips to the Warden worlds were one-way. There, a microscopic symbiont invaded all life forms, after which life became impossible outside the Warden system. THe same organism destroyed any for of machinery, so no message could be beamed back by normal means.
Book one of four

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Somewhere from among the four human-settled worlds of the Warden Diamond, hostile aliens were spying on Earth. But no agent could be sent to investigate and report back. All trips to the Warden worlds were one-way. There a microscopic symbiont invaded all life forms, after e which life became impossible outside the Warden system. The same organism destroyed any form of machinery so no message could be beamed back by normal means.
That called for extraordinary means of course. One agent was chosen. then four men were stripped of their own minds and personalities, and his was imposed upon them. Hooked up properly, he could them receive their reports, without ever leaving safe territory.
Each man was assigned one world to conquer. His mission was first to find the Overlord of that world and kill hi,. them to take over his link with the aliens... Of course, all this must be done with no help beyond his own naked ability.

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