A fun and mysterious sci-fi fantasy with a pragmatic and brave main character, Dread Companion by Andre Norton is enthralling even today. Set in the 2400s, the main character is trying to find her place in the world. She, like many female protagonists, doesn’t want to settle down and get married as expected; instead, she wants to explore. So, much like a Victorian heroine, she takes a job as a governess for two children. Kilda is awesome. She’s a typical young woman with a good head on her shoul...

Dread Companion by Andre Norton is an intriguing, if not entirely successful, blend of science fiction and faerie folklore. As is typical with Norton’s writing—at least based on the two books of hers I’ve read so far—her greatest strength lies in her vivid portrayal of exotic aliens and strange, otherworldly settings. Unfortunately, the plot of this book doesn't quite hold up as well; it’s largely a 'lost on a misty alien planet' narrative that suffers from a lot of aimless wandering throughout ...

“O brave new world that has such people in't.” This novel by Andre Norton has more than a touch of The Tempest to it. There are also the legends of the Land of Faerie, the Fair Folk, and the People Under the Hill; and in parts there are echoes of Norton's own Witch World and Star Gate. Added to that is the growing feminism in Norton's SF world: apart from two – and one of those is a child – all of the leading characters are women, strong-willed and either leaders or ready for leadership. There i...

There’s absolutely no point to this book. Andre Norton’s Dread Companion, a pseudo sci-fi novel, has nothing to say. Nothing happens in it that changes anything, and the main character is pretty much the same person at the end of the novel that she is at the beginning. No truths were explored, there’s no symbolism, just lots of wandering around and magic trees. Gah. This is the last Andre Norton book I own and will (probably) ever read. I am not sad about this.Kilda c’Rhyn does not want to follo...

Andre Norton’s Dread Companion starts off with the promise of an interplanetary Turn of the Screw. Kilda c’ Rhyn is a governess tasked with caring for a young girl named Bartare and her younger brother, Oomark. Along with the children and their self-absorbed mother, Kilda travels to the frontier planet of Dylan, where the children’s bureaucrat father is busy cataloging ancient ruins. Upon landing, Bartare—visibly terrified—correctly announces that her father is dead. Oomark tells Kilda that Bart...

As the abandoned child of a space-faring union, Kilda grows up alongside other parentless children at the Lattmah creche, a facility for the offspring of the Service (my inner Futurama fan couldn't help but think of it as an Orphanarium). Seeking a life beyond her planet, she jumps at the chance to become an au pair for two children of a dilettante space traveler. While Kilda initially views the job as a mere stepping stone, she quickly realizes something is deeply wrong. The younger child, Ooma...

Dread Companion by Andre Norton is the absolute finest example I’ve ever found of a work that seamlessly blends science fiction and fantasy. This is a must-read for any fan of classic speculative fiction looking for a truly unique book recommendation. Kilda recounts the strange, haunting story of how she ended up being fifty years younger than she should be, considering her birth date and the current year. Raised in a creche, she struggled to find an official placement until she was nearly aged...

Originally published on my blog here in January 2000.In Dread Companion, aimed at a slightly more mature audience than much of her other work, Andre Norton masterfully weaves themes from folklore and child psychology to craft a truly unsettling tale. Taking a job as a governess to escape a world that offers little room for an intelligent woman, Kilda quickly realizes that there is something deeply off about her young charges. Much like the children in The Turn of the Screw, Bartare and Oomark se...

Dread Companion is a fantastic story, brimming with the kind of boundless imagination you’d expect from C.S. Lewis. Andre Norton’s writing always reminds me of classic Twilight Zone episodes or the original Star Trek series—that perfect blend of wonder and suspense. I simply can't resist this kind of science fiction and fantasy storytelling. If you are looking for a gripping new read, I highly recommend checking out this book.

Dread Companion by Andre Norton is the book that completely shifted my perspective on the world when I was just 12 years old. It sparked a lifelong love and obsession with sci-fi and fantasy literature that has never faded. If you are looking for a classic science fiction book review, look no further; this story is a must-read for anyone who loves immersive fantasy novels.