This is the second novel in the Gor series. You can read the first one here. At first I wasn’t sure if I would like these novels but I love a good sci fi series so I decided to give it a try. I loved Transmen of Gor so I ordered Outlaw of Gor and it was just as good. The author John Norma
n has created an alternate earth with different traditions and ways of doing things. The world building is such that you will be able to feel like you are really in the world. It is easy to picture the traditions and ways of like on this counter-earth.
In Outlaw of Gor the main character Tarl Cabot is returned to Gor but it is not like last time. He finds that his city is destroyed and he is now an outlaw. On his ways to see the Priest Kings which are like Gods of this world he stops in the city of Thelna and stays to long and is captured there. He goes through all kinds of harsh punishments before he finally escaped and helps free the underclass and is herald a hero.
The thing that I did not notice in the first book is there are themes running through this novel one is standing up for the underdogs. One example of this is when Tarl is in put in the mines as a punishment he not only looks out for himself but rather rallies up the men “on the same chain” to work together to avoid the wrath of the masters. When they make their daring escape he leaves no man behind. This camidrie stays with them for the rest of the book and plays a pivotal part of the rebellion that happens in the book later on.
Another theme is forgiveness. When the Tantrix of Thelena had Tarl put in the Amusements and later in the mines, he had every reason to take her as a slave and do with her as he wished. Instead he took her back to Thelena and led a rebellion that placed her back on her rightful throne.
This book is filled with acts of mercy. From Tarl letting Laura go to making sure that Tarl’s friends are freed from the Amusements there is numerous acts such as these. It is nice to know on this harsh earth that there is mercy to be found.
And of course the rebellion that Tarl won showed that he supported the under class of Thelena.This shows that Tarl believes that in this world they should have more equality.
Over all I greatly enjoyed this book. I will be reading the next in the series The Priest Kings of Gor.