Gandalara Cycle Series by Randall Garrett, Vicki Ann Heydron

When the fireball hit the cruise ship, Richard Carillo was already on his way out - a terminally ill language professor. He regained consciousness as a well man in the desert... only it wasn't a desert on Earth, and he was a man only because he was still male. More surpises awaited him in the exotic city of Raithskar - he was called Markasset, a master swordsman, son of a powerful leader, and a man on the run, accused of murder and the theft of a precious, sacred jewel... moreWhen the fireball hit the cruise ship, Richard Carillo was already on his way out - a terminally ill language professor. He regained consciousness as a well man in the desert... only it wasn't a desert on Earth, and he was a man only because he was still male. More surpises awaited him in the exotic city of Raithskar - he was called Markasset, a master swordsman, son of a powerful leader, and a man on the run, accused of murder and the theft of a precious, sacred jewel. With the aid of Keeshah, a great war-cat with which he shared a telepathic link, he set out to clear his newfound name... less

The authors of The Steel of Raithskar continue the Gandalara Cycle. “This whole series is a kind of literary comfort food . . . to sink into and enjoy.”—SFF ChroniclesRicardo Carillo wakes after a meteor explosion in a new body—and in a strange land of desert and danger named Gandalara, where a stolen gem holds the power to control or destroy.Ricardo, now renamed Rikardon, has cleared himself of accusations that he stole the sacred Ra’ira... moreThe authors of The Steel of Raithskar continue the Gandalara Cycle. “This whole series is a kind of literary comfort food . . . to sink into and enjoy.”—SFF ChroniclesRicardo Carillo wakes after a meteor explosion in a new body—and in a strange land of desert and danger named Gandalara, where a stolen gem holds the power to control or destroy.Ricardo, now renamed Rikardon, has cleared himself of accusations that he stole the sacred Ra’ira. But he still has enemies, especially in Gandalara’s seamy, dangerous underbelly. A powerful moneylender is threatening Rikardon’s loved ones to ensure a debt is repaid. For their safety, Rikardon leaves the city of Raithskar for Thagorn, home to the Sharith—a brotherhood of warcat riders like himself.Thagorn is expecting another new arrival too—an illusionist named Tarani, whose uncle, Volitar, is a famed glassblower with information on the Ra’ira’s whereabouts. Rikardon is drawn to the beautiful, intriguing Tarani, though she appears to be plotting against him. Tracking down Volitar forces them into an uneasy alliance and into the path of a murderous villain intent on using the gem’s power to rule Gandalara—no matter what the consequences may be . . .Praise for the Gandalara Cycle“Entertaining and well-paced . . . Full of swordplay and giant cats.” —Theodore Sturgeon, The Twilight Zone Magazine“This series as a whole is possibly the best of its kind in many years.” —SF Chronicle less

After a meteor explosion, Rikardon wakes in a new body—and in a strange desert land named Gandalara, where a sacred gem known as the Ra’ira grants its owner the power to rule—or to destroy… Gharlas, the murderous caravan leader who stole the Ra’ira, has left Raithskar and fled across the desert. His destination is Eddarta, a city rife with corruption and slavery... moreAfter a meteor explosion, Rikardon wakes in a new body—and in a strange desert land named Gandalara, where a sacred gem known as the Ra’ira grants its owner the power to rule—or to destroy… Gharlas, the murderous caravan leader who stole the Ra’ira, has left Raithskar and fled across the desert. His destination is Eddarta, a city rife with corruption and slavery. And Rikardon, along with his telepathic warcat, Keeshah, and the beautiful illusionist Tarani, intend to be waiting when he gets there. Tarani soon learns of another reason to journey to the distant city. Her mother, Zefra, is still living and married to Eddarta’s High Lord, Pylomel. Despite her rank, Zefra is little more than a prisoner herself—and her revelations about Tarani’s heritage put the travelers in mortal danger from the ruthless ruler and his ambitious son. Outnumbered yet determined, Rikardon and Tarani must rescue the gemstone before Gharlas sets his insane plan in motion… and before their luck finally runs out. less

This is an omnibus of 3 novels; THE STEEL OF RAITHSKAR, THE GLASS OF DYSKORNIS, and THE BRONZE OF EDDARTA.One moment he was Ricardo Carillo, an aging language professor from our own world. The next, he found himself in a young, strong body in the exotic desert world of Gandalara.He was now a master swordsman telepathically linked to a giant warcat called Keeshah. And he was a man on the run, accused of murder and the theft of a precious gem with awesome, perhaps magical, powers... moreThis is an omnibus of 3 novels; THE STEEL OF RAITHSKAR, THE GLASS OF DYSKORNIS, and THE BRONZE OF EDDARTA.One moment he was Ricardo Carillo, an aging language professor from our own world. The next, he found himself in a young, strong body in the exotic desert world of Gandalara.He was now a master swordsman telepathically linked to a giant warcat called Keeshah. And he was a man on the run, accused of murder and the theft of a precious gem with awesome, perhaps magical, powers.With the aid of Tarani, a beautiful illusionist, he sets out on a perilous quest to recover the sacred gem he had supposedly stolen and to clear his newfound name. less

Bearing the Ra'ira, Raithskar's most sacred gem, Rikardon and Tarani flee a ruthless enemy across the burning deserts of Gandalara. Protected by the swordsman's mighty warcat Keeshah, and the mystic bird called Lonna, who obeys the illusionist's commands, the two discover the smoldering passion they have long denied. But Keeshah leaves them to fulfill an ancient mating ritual in the Valley of the Sha'um, Rikardon and Tarani must risk death in the Well of Darkness to fulfill their destiny.

Contains the novels:4. The Well of Darkness5. The Search for Ka6. Return to Eddarta WARNING*****I'M NOT SURE WHICH EDITION I HAD, BUT IT WAS PRINTED WITH #6 RETURN TO EDDARTA BEFORE #5 SEARCH FOR KA AND I GOT INTO 6 BEFORE REALIZING THAT IT WAS OUT OF ORDER IN THE BOOK, SO CHECK CAREFULLY

Rikardon and Tarani, with Keeshah and his mate Yayshah, set off on their quest for the lost city of Ka to find the twin to Serkajon's sword and prove Tarani's claim to the throne of Eddarta. To locate the legendary city, Rikardon must meld once again with the mystic All-Mind and travel back in time to share the memories of the fabled King Zarek himself. But in the forsaken wastes of burning Gandalara desert, Tarani will also reach a reckoning with the fateful secret of her long-denied past.

Confrontation With Destiny Their mission to the lost city of Ka a resounding success, Rikardon and Tarani begin a long trek across Gandalara. Their journey leads them to a savage conflict with the ape-like vineh, a bittersweet reunion n Raithskar, and, at last, to their goal: Eddarta, seat of government... moreConfrontation With Destiny Their mission to the lost city of Ka a resounding success, Rikardon and Tarani begin a long trek across Gandalara. Their journey leads them to a savage conflict with the ape-like vineh, a bittersweet reunion n Raithskar, and, at last, to their goal: Eddarta, seat of government. There, Tarani must call upon more strength and determinatin than she has ever summoned in her life to face off against the treachery of the wicked High Lord Indomel for her rightful place on Eddarta's throne. less

In the Valley of the Mists, Rikardon and Tarani have discovered an ancient truth that will alter the destiny of Gandalara forever. But, an evil lord has enslaved the land through the mystic force of the sacred stoned called the Ra'ira. Outlawed and hunted, Rikardon and Tarani stage a daring and desperate raid to shatter his death-grip of fear... moreIn the Valley of the Mists, Rikardon and Tarani have discovered an ancient truth that will alter the destiny of Gandalara forever. But, an evil lord has enslaved the land through the mystic force of the sacred stoned called the Ra'ira. Outlawed and hunted, Rikardon and Tarani stage a daring and desperate raid to shatter his death-grip of fear. In this stunning epic, this sweeping saga of Grandalara reaches its unexpected, awe-inspiring conclusion as the secret of this strange desert world is revealed at last. less