Triplet

by Timothy Zahn

For one researcher, Triplet is a marvel promising both advanced technology and magic. But a world of sinister secrets lurks just below the surface . . .

Grad student Danae Panya’s dream assignment has been approved. She’ll study Triplet, the strange planetary system scarred by nuclear war and connected through portals. The most experienced Courier of Triplet, Ravagin, will lead her to its hidden worlds—Threshold, Shamsheer, and Karyx—and introduce her to their secrets, including their advanced technology, their dark magic, and the captivating demon culture of the innermost planet. But though they begin their journey with only scholarly research in mind, Danae and Ravagin quickly find themselves embroiled in the menacing dynamics roiling throughout Triplet. Will Ravagin be able to get them both out alive?

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Ebooks, Space Opera

369 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1987

About the author

Timothy Zahn attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1973. He then moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and achieved an M.S. degree in physics in 1975. While he was pursuing a doctorate in physics, his adviser became ill and died. Zahn never completed the doctorate. In 1975 he had begun writing science fiction as a hobby, and he became a professional writer. He and his wife Anna live in Bandon, Oregon. They have a son, Corwin Zahn.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a fairly imaginative world (3 of them with gates between) & the story idea was fairly interesting, but somewhat contrived - the plot was pushed along in places. Something about it never really clicked with me, though. I read it, but doubt I'll do so again. I could put it down at any time with no regrets.

I think part of the problem was his characterization. He just didn't pull them off well. They were forced & used to push situations too much. The suspense just didn't ring true.

[Richard Valle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Premis was interesting but the main female character was annoying to the point of hoping some bad would happen to her.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a great read. The ending felt kinda rushed and blah. For a Timothy Zahn book I found it kind of short to his normal work. It could just be that it had 2 dimension characters that did grow somewhat. But not enough to make you fall in love with any of them or to cheer them on. I hope that if I reread it later I may find a character to rot for.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another older Timothy Zahn book I hadn't heard about. I quite enjoyed it. It felt simultaneously familiar and novel, in that it's set sometime-in-the-future-with-space-travel only the characters are thrust into situations where they don't get to use their technology. The main events happen on three worlds (hence the name, Triplet) which are an interesting study of contrasts -- one is a 'normal' human world, one has super-advanced technology but society is in a feudal state, and one has magic and spirits.

I found the second world the most interesting -- you've probably seen the quote "sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"? Well that sums it up. People 'pray' to their 'prayer sticks' (which are probably just transmitters) and receive devices to use as they need, like 'flying carpets' for transportation. And in the rare event that something malfunctions or wears out? BLACK SORCERY!

In the third world, spirits can be summoned to do your bidding. It was interesting to see how this could be taken for granted and used in place of technology. A switch that sends power to a filament inside a bulb to make light? No, just summon a Dazzler. Plumbing? Nah, just summon a water sprite. Oh and summon a fire sprite to heat the water. Interesting huh?

Then in true Zahn style, he throws in a twist or two that I didn't expect (and I'm good at expecting twists). All told, a cool story, with some interesting settings that makes me think about the things we use.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually like Zahn's books, but this felt really amateurish. Maybe it was one of the first he ever published. It's more fantasy than sci-fi. While taking place in a sci-fi universe the planets they visit are like fantasy planets with kings and magic and spirits and whatnot.

Danae was so annoying that I wanted to throttle her. She kept whining about everyone treating her like a child; well maybe stop whining like a child! For a grad student she wasn't very bright most of the time either. Then there was that every other dialog tag was "growled" or "grunted." Were these Neanderthals or something?

If I were a different kind of reader I'd have quit this before hitting the halfway point. Definitely give it a miss.

[Tom Ackerman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zahn is a skilled writer and there's some interesting ideas here. However, all of the characters in this book are frustrating or boring. Also, Zahn spends a bunch of time setting up and explaining his world and the logic puzzles he drops his characters into, and the clever ways they solve them, but somehow most of the time I was still confused or bored. I'd only recommend this book to avid Zahn completionists. There's certainly worse sci-fi/fantasy novels from this time period, but there are lots of better ones too.

[Rebecca Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting world-building

This was an interesting excursion into parallel worlds to point out the shortfalls of societies dependent on either magic or technology. Zahn builds each society where the majority of the occupants are completely ignorant of the workings behind the luxuries they enjoy. In time, the truth comes out that these comforts rest on the backs of unwilling slaves. His social commentary takes an action-packed ride in Triplet.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was impressed by the creative premise of the story, and enjoyed the fact that it was, for the most part, unpredictable. Although there are elements that remain unexplained at the end, those are details that enhance the plot. The characters are well developed and likeable. I truly enjoyed this book!

[J.M. Brister · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is pretty much my favorite Timothy Zahn book. Triplet is very different from Zahn's usual because it is a mix of Science Fiction and Fantasy due to the multiple dimensions of Triplet. The book is an interesting read and is fast-paced. I would recommend it to any Zahn fans.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, wow

I grabbed this simply because of the author and I was not disappointed. Excellent concepts, fresh takes on magic, spirits and technology combined with his fantastic world building made a great read.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting, if imperfect, read.

Review: https://derailmentsofthought.wordpres...

[Alan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this book because I mostly enjoyed Timothy Zahn's Star Wars novels and because somewhere I had seen praise for Triplet being something special of a fantasy novel. However, it turned out to be utter dreck. It's marketed as being a mash up of fantasy/magic and sci-fi/technology. That's only barely true. The story is mainly fantasy with lots of magic and summoned spirits/demons, but only has a smidgeon of sci-fi in it, almost like an afterthought. There are "skyplanes" that seem like they're some sort of mechanical craft, but really they're just very large magic carpets with a technological name. There are "trolls" which I think are some sort of automaton, but they're still more magic than robot. There are these planets interconnected by some sort of interdimentional effect, but it's still mostly based in magic. As for the story, for some reason this magic wielding chick Dannae has to travel to one of the interconnected worlds and has a sort of minder, Hart, who shows up now and again, and sort of mercenary bodyguard, Ravagin, who accompanies her through her travels. (I started this book so long ago and only read it in skimming snippets whenever I had a doctor or dentist appointment, so I barely remember the full details). What the story really is, is Dannae and Ravagin constantly showing up somewhere where someone powerful is supposed to help them but ends up betraying them. Sometimes helping them at first against someone else who pretends to help and then betray them, and them backstabbing them as well. About a dozen times or more throughout the novel the intrepid pair show up somewhere, go through the whole mission and betrayal process, their lodgings end up on fire because of a magical battle, they skedaddle to somewhere new for sanctuary and are either helped/betrayed or just outright captured/attacked/met with hostility. Then their quarters end up on fire after either deliberate arson or a magical battle. Then the whole process starts again a couple chapters later. Sometimes going through the entire help/betrayal process with the same friend/villain multiple times. And there are conjured magical sprite demons of all shapes and sizes over and over. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. I can't believe this godawful excuse for a fantasy novel was written by the same guy who invented Thrawn. And that at one time this book was considered good. It was not. Avoid at all costs.

[Max Rohde · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have recently read The Icarus Hunt by Zahn, which I quite enjoyed and picked Triplet up as another one of his earlier works.

Triplet is interesting in that it creates an interesting world in which Science Fiction and Fantasy co-exist. But they do not only co-exist, their co-existince is the central premise of the world and story.

There is a planet of which multiple versions exist. The first one being in a universe/dimension that seems closest to our current reality; even if hundreds of years in the future. This world contains a portal to the second version of this world, one in which humans live in a kind of utopia enabled by sophisticated machines that are way beyond understanding of the inhabitants of this world. There is a further portal leading from this world to a third one, where humans can controll spirits through spells and use their power.

The central plot point of the story is that the spirits of the third world seek to find a way to the other worlds and dominate human life on them (Understandably, they don't quite enjoy being bound by spells).

Zahn is a great craftsman and the story is easy enough to read and contains a couple of nice touches. However, unfortunately the pieces here do not fit together into a coherent whole. The characters are kind of bland and the narration feels unguided.

The main character Danae, for instance, is meant to be entitled and obnoxious; and Zahn succeeds in making her thus. However he doesn't quite succeed in making her any more likeable as the story progresses.

There are extensive sections in the middle third of the book (e.g. Danae tries to escape from her guide, Danae gets captured by mysterious townspeople) that only seem tangentially related to the main story.

[Samuel Lubell · Rating 4 out of 5]

After not liking Zahn's Pawn, I re-read an older novel to see if it was the book or if his writing no longer appealed to me. I'm pleased to report I quite enjoyed Triplet as a mix of science fiction and fantasy. Yes, it's mostly action, but some cleverness is needed to unravel and defeat the conspiracy. At the times the main character tried too hard to make herself unlikeable, but fortunately she gives this up about halfway through. Yes, it's a cliche that a female heiress and a male guard would fall in love, but the fun of the book is the execution, not the original ideas.

[Kalpar Kalpar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really interesting stand-alone novel with a fascinating world to explore. I was really interested in getting to grips with the worlds of this story and how they interact. My biggest criticism is probably the romance subplot between the two main characters. For a Baen Book it's pretty standard but it basically happens because they're our breeding pair. Danae and Ravagin have no real reason to fall for each other aside from trauma bonding so it's mediocre at best.

[William S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dungeons and dragons

This is not a sci-fi story although it attempts to start that way. Instead, it is a formulaic fantasy involving spells, swords, and demons. It has friction between hero and beautiful girl. It has a requirement to get naked, and a conflict with an old girl friend. Although the prose is entertaining, the story is reminiscent of a Nelson Eddie/Jeanette McDonald operetta. I can sit through it, and even be entertained, but given a choice, I'd pass.

[Frans Kempe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ravagin is a guide in the world Triplet, where you can enter two different worlds through a special tunnel. Shamsheer a world of unknown technology and Karyx of spirit invoking. Journeying with his client Danae they find themself in a demonic plot that threathens to kill them. An ok adventure in a mix of fantasy and sci-fi.

[Mastodont · Rating 1 out of 5]

Literally the worst book from this author I read for the last 20 years.. Is it even his??? I doubt it... it's.. far less then mediocre.. shitty main character.. almost good idea of the world settings.. but. far less then Zahn's way of thinking... not counting the inferior development of the "world setting"... If you are a fan of his books.. DON'T read this....

[Albert Riehle · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I read 80 pages. I didn't connect with either of the protagonists. I didn't feel hooked by any aspect of the story. I would have pushed on if the Zahn had some some decent world-building but even that was very vague and bland. I'm sure at some point this story actually begins, but I'm not investing any more time trying to get to that point.

[Cynthia Slaughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy

Danae is running away and has plans to stay away for a long time. Using her research project as an excuse to get through the limited access tunnel to triplet, she heads out with only a courier as company. What they encounter changes everything.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird, but fascinating.

[Des · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting adventure through linked worlds of sorcery and super-science.

[Sarah Schreier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable.

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay. Might not have finished if Zahn hadn't written it. Real pacing problems and bizarre continuity error at end.

[Tom Shinners · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Zahn's best book, but still an enjoyable read.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting mix of Sci-fi and Fantasy. The story is decent, the characters somewhat annoying but I wouldn't say it's my favorite Zahn book.

[Derelict Space Sheep · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zahn finds a fresh way to mix fantasy and SF but becomes too caught up in world-building and posing scenario-specific problems for his characters to solve. The actual story is little more than advanced role-playing, the high-stakes threat just another intellectual exercise.

[Jean-Luc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Timothy Zahn is one of my favorite authors, so I had high hopes for this book quality-wise. Didn't know what it was about ahead of time, was just looking for something to do w/ my Nook.

This is a sci fi book, but without the pew pew. There's a planet, Triplet, so named because it's actually 3 planets in one! Who built this system, how does it work, and why did these aliens (it must be aliens, right?) populate the 2 "inner" planets w/ humans? None of this is explained because no one knows. The "tunnels" between planets keep all technology out, including clothes, so you arrive naked in the middle of nowhere, hoping for the best. The natives of the two inner planets, Shamsheer and Karyx, know nothing about the other worlds. They certainly don't know they're being visited by the outside galaxy! Human explorers do their best to explore w/out alarming the locals, but they're not making much headway. How does the technology on Shamsheer work? No one knows, it's all self-repairing, self-regulating, intelligent machinery that violently resists attempts to study it. How does the magic on Karyx work? No one knows, it's all sprites and spirits and djinns and demons, and they do not deign to stick around and talk to the humans who summon them.

The main character is a whiny, immature college student w/ severe daddy issues... no one's idea of a likeable heroine. Figured the guy who wrote Leia, Winter, Mara Jade, etc so well could do better, but whatever. It's annoying, but the exploration of the 3 worlds leads into the mystery smoothly enough. And once the main character and her guide realize they are in serious danger, things get tense enough that I had no choice but to keep reading.

Zahn is a master of world-building, and it shows. I've yet to see a better example of Clarke's 3rd Law: any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. I don't know how to explain the mystery without giving away too much. Suffice to ask: if you knew Skynet was plotting something, but you didn't know what, and you didn't know who Skynet was much less what a computer is, how would you stop it? At some point, forget stopping it, how do you survive??

This is a straightforward, fun thriller; you not be be part of a specific fandom or be up to date on continuity to enjoy it.

[RyU · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the ending because it showed how she turned the situation around at the end with the use of her trillionaire father's money at her disposal to fight the problems of tripletz invasion by positioning herself at the gateportal to do something good from where she could as best she could. Itz understandable how her father is soo rich he sends bodyguards and bribes to make sure she is safe and padded with protection rigging her life up soo much she runs soo much even into a world where his money cant get her help where she actually needs it but her mercenary secret service private investigator bodyguard goes in anyway cuz he does it for the money and grew to love her as a daughter himself to protect her no matter what and even tells her he knows she knows about him protecting her even tho she is not suppossed to know about him reporting to her rich daddy to the point they eventually end up working together. They even pick up the courier who ends up with her and all 3 ought to end up in a sequel that never came. What to do with all that money?? fuck up demonz of course!

[Tina Hsu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why women protagonists are often written so irritatingly - Danae is whiny, childish, thinks she knows it all and is highly offended by anyone trying to educate her on the reality of the worlds of Shamsheer or Karyx. Her characterization reminds me of many a YA novel where the protagonist is emotionally immature and does incredibly stupid things because she can't seem to learn that maybe she doesn't know everything. On the other hand, Ravagin, Danae's potential love interest, is extremely one-dimensional. Frankly, the bodyguard Hart is more fleshed out as a character than Ravagin. Their romance is totally unbelievable and somewhat forced.

The world building is good, and the story idea is good sci-fi. The reveal at the end is more of a whimper than a bang. It was a bit of a slog to finish this book, simply because the characters were so off-putting. Probably just reading the cliff notes version of this story is more satisfying that reading the whole book.