Un enemigo implacable, una bestia asesina, ha llegado a Gor a fin de preparar la invasión que aniquilará a la Contratierra y que servirá de avanzadilla para la posterior captura de la propia Tierra.

La bestia ha elegido su escondite: el confín del mundo. Pero… ¿cuál es el confín del mundo en Gor? Ni los mapas más detallados son capaces de situar concretamente el límite del mundo conocido de Gor.

Tarl Cabot intuye que el misterioso confín del mundo donde aguarda la bestia está en el propio polo de Gor, el helado norte, desconocido, ignoto, peligroso, donde sólo pueden vivir los cazadores rojos y donde las mujeres son aún más cruelmente esclavizadas que en la más implacable ciudad de la Contratierra. En este nuevo volumen de las emocionantes "Crónicas de la Contratierra", John Norman nos ofrece nuevas sorpresas, nuevas aventuras y nuevos exóticos lugares de la geografía de Gor.

The synopsis above has one serious error that makes it quite clear whoever wrote it has not read much if any of the series. "Slave girls" are not one of the "three different kinds of beings that are labeled beasts". The "three[]kinds of beings" on the planet Gor are: Humans (male and female), the giant insect like "Priest Kings", and the titular "Beasts" also more properly referred to as Kurii, or just Kur for short. Humans are played as pawns by both the Priest Kings and Kur in their struggle for power over Gor. The struggle of Gor has remained in stalemate for millennia; Though if ever the balance tipped in favor or the Kur dire consequences for Earth would ensue. For they truly are best described as "Beasts" of Gor.
Now....., Having said all that anyone who has read the series thus far will not be shocked to learn that the sparse story is interrupted with pages of demagoguery on the "proper" and "natural" relationships and roles of men and women. If you've read the series this far and are committed to finishing the series go ahead and read this book. Otherwise, don't be in a hurry to read this book or any of the books that follow it. ( )

So, this science fiction series takes place in a world much like ours--climate, vegetation, most of the animals--but the citizens are much less technologically advanced and still live in the age of the sword. Women must know their place, frequently serving at the feet of men. Oh, and there are other advanced species warring over ownership of this world called Gor. Well, let's just say I enjoyed this much more as a teenager. Way too much male domination for me this time around. Also, now that I re-read this, I remember this as one of my least favorite in the series. But the series as a whole, still has a fond place in my memories. Perhaps I will just leave them contentedly there. ( )