Storm Constantine has written over twenty books, both fiction and non-fiction and well over fifty short stories. Her novels span several genres, from literary fantasy, to science fiction, to dark fantasy. She is best known for her sci fi Wraeththu series and the fantasy Magravandias Chronicles. Neil Gaiman, author of the Sandman graphic novel series, once said: "Storm Constantine is a mythmaking, Gothic queen, whose lush tales are compulsive reading. Her stories are poetic, involving, delightful, and depraved. I wouldn't swap her for a dozen Anne Rices!"
The birth of a girl-child and the temporary "death" of the future king, occurring on one particular festival night, forever change the destiny of the Wraeththu, setting these androgen tribal people on a course that leads to their mastery of Earth and its dwindling human population. Returning after a long hiatus to her Wraeththu series (e.g., The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit; The Bewitchments of Love and Hate), Constantine explores the unrevealed history and origins of this race of mystical creatures. The author's feel for sensory detail and her deft characterizations, reminiscent of the sensual prose of Tanith Lee and Anne Rice, result in a richly textured tale of passion and prophecy suitable for mature fantasy readers. Recommended for fans of the original series as well as the author's "Magravandias Chronicles." Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
"Storm Constantine is a mythmaking Gothic queen, whose lush tales are compulsive reading. Her stories are poetic, involving, delightful, and depraved. I wouldn't swap her for a dozen Anne Rices!" --Neil Gaiman
British author Constantine (The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit) expands on her vision of a hermaphroditic human future in this somewhat unwieldy start to a new fantasy trilogy, which falls chronologically between the second and third books of the original Wraeththu series. The outcast Ulaume, vilified in the previous trilogy, serves as the focus for a number of loosely connected "histories" that explore the many consequences of the death and rebirth of the ruler Pellaz. Told in third person from the perspective of such relatively minor characters as Cal, Flick and Orien, these disparate histories will make most sense to readers familiar with the preexisting animosities and power struggles. A new race of post-humans, the parazha, who are born (or "incepted") with more developed female than male organs, pose a challenge to the androgynous Wraeththu (or hara). The cultural conflict between the two races gets lost at times, though, amid the nostalgic reminiscences of Ulaume and company, in effect glosses on Pellaz's narrative of his suffering and triumph in the original trilogy. Relying less on the graphic violence and sadomasochism that marked her recent Magravandias Chronicles (The Crown of Silence, etc.), Constantine delivers a complicated and ultimately engaging novel sure to be embraced by existing fans. Agents, Robert Kirby and Howard Morhaim. (July 2) FYI: In a note, the author directs new readers to the Wraeththu Companion, a Web site that's "an on-line encyclopaedia of events, terms, and characters." Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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