And the Devil Will Drag You Under

A demon named Asmodeus Mogart recruits two humans in 2079 to help prevent Earth's destruction by an incoming asteroid. The mission requires collecting six magical jewels scattered across alternate dimensions, with Mogart already possessing one of them. Mac Walters and Jill McCulloch must travel separately through different fantasy realms to gather the remaining jewels. Each dimension presents unique challenges and causes physical transformations in the protagonists as they pursue their objectives. The novel combines science fiction elements with fantasy tropes, often incorporating parodies of well-known fantasy worlds. The story explores themes of trust, deception, and the price of salvation while balancing serious stakes with humor and irreverence.

Readers describe this as a complex blend of science fiction and fantasy elements, though many note it can be hard to follow at times. Readers praise: - The unique concept of parallel universes and reality manipulation - Unpredictable plot twists - Deep world-building - Integration of mythological elements Common criticisms: - Convoluted storyline that loses focus - Too many characters to track - Pacing issues in the middle sections - Some find the ending unsatisfying Ratings: Goodreads: 3.57/5 (156 ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) Several reviewers note similarities to Chalker's Well World series in terms of style and themes. One reader called it "imaginative but overwhelming," while another described it as "a fascinating premise that gets lost in its own complexity." Multiple reviews mention needing to re-read sections to follow the plot developments.

The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers A professor travels through magical portals in time pursuing an Egyptian sorcerer while navigating alternate versions of history and dealing with body-switching complications.

Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny A man discovers his connection to a family that can travel between parallel worlds and must collect artifacts while questioning loyalties and dealing with physical transformations.

Glory Road by Robert A. Heinlein A former soldier accepts a quest through multiple dimensions to retrieve a powerful artifact, encountering strange worlds and magical transformations.

Changeling by Roger Zelazny A man travels between science and magic-based parallel worlds to prevent catastrophe while experiencing changes to his own nature.

The Number of the Beast by Robert A. Heinlein Four characters use a device to travel through fictional universes and dimensions while pursuing artifacts and dealing with entities who threaten multiple realities.

🔥 Jack Chalker wrote over 60 science fiction and fantasy novels during his career, often exploring themes of physical transformation and identity. 🌍 The asteroid threat premise draws from real scientific concerns - NASA currently tracks over 28,000 near-Earth asteroids to monitor potential impact threats. 🎭 The character name Asmodeus comes from ancient mythology, where he appears as a king of demons in Jewish and Islamic traditions, known for being associated with lust and revenge. 📚 Published in 1979, this book emerged during a period when genre-blending science fiction was gaining popularity, following works like Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber series. 🎓 Before becoming a full-time writer, Chalker was a high school history teacher and founded Mirage Press, which published scholarly works about science fiction and fantasy.