Julian May – författare

A gripping sf adventure from the acclaimed author of The Pliocene Exile series.‘I was living in pleasant anonymity under the name of Helmut Icicle, taking smartass sport-divers out on holocam trips around the reefs of Kedge-Lockaby. Fourteen thousand light years away from civilization, K-L’s a freesoil planet way out in the boondocks, and that’s the way I like it: it makes life easier if no-one asks nosy questions.‘So one minute there I was, subbing around Brillig Reef; the next thing I know, some giant sea-toad has eaten my house and I’m caught up in a galactic conspiracy! From gently coaxing an ageing submersible around the shores of K-L to piloting a state-of-the-art Javelin starship may seem like a big jump: but when it looks as if the future course of human civilization is under threat, it’s a hell of a motivator.’Perseus Spur delivers everything readers have come to expect from worldwide bestseller Julian May: galactic scope, high adventure, humour, and complex political intrigue in a finely worked balance.

A gripping sf adventure from the acclaimed author of The Pliocene Exile series.Two hundred years into the future, the great corporations of Earth dominate all life in our Galaxy. But their endless pursuit of wealth and power has opened the door to a malevolent alien race, intent on engulfing the Commonwealth of Human Worlds.Rampart Starcorp has achieved an unprecedented David versus Goliath court victory against rivals Galapharma, making them the most powerful clan in the Commonwealth Worlds. Life should be good… But Helly still believes there's a dangerous lie hidden behind the Haluk ambassador's declaration of peace and friendship, and with Galapharma's insane boss, Alistair Drummond, missing presumed dead, Helly can continue his search for evidence of a planned invasion.The investigation leads him to Phlegethon, the sleaziest smuggler port in the universe, in search of information from the only man ever to return from the Haluk worlds alive. But the price of this crucial lead will be very high indeed. Discovering too late that no one is who they seem, and trusted friends may be deadly enemies, Helly finds himself alienated and on the run. With time running out, it appears there is nothing he can do to prevent the Haluk invasion of Earth.Sagittarius Whorl is an adrenalin-fuelled adventure full of high-speed thrills, intrigue and sharp-edged humour, which delivers an entertaining and compelling finale to the Rampart Worlds trilogy.

A powerful new fantasy adventure filled with dark magic and deadly intrigue, from the worldwide bestselling author of the Saga of the Pliocene Exile.Conrig Wincantor, Prince Heritor of Cathra, has a vision: to unite the whole island of High Blenholme under Cathran sovereignty.He has so far been thwarted in this ambition by his cautious, aging father, King Olmigon, who, though weak with illness, still clings firmly to the reigns of the government.Now Conrig has hit upon a scheme that will convince the Lords that his plan can suceed. He has formed an alliance with Ullanoth, princess of the remote northern province of Moss and a fearsome sorceress. With her help his army will have the advantage it needs to subdue the only domain refusing to sign his Edict of Sovereignty.But before Olmigon will give his consent he insists on making a pilgrimage to the Oracle of Emperor Bazekoy, there to ask the one question permitted to a dying monarch, which the Emperor must answer truthfully.Meanwhile, Ullanoth tends her own schemes. Posessing the talent to call on the unearthly powers of the Beaconfolk, mysterious otherworldy beings who appear as lights in the sky, her power is undeniable. But the Lights are fickle, and their interference in human affairs unpredictable. If Ullanoth calls on them to help Conrig, they are likely to extract an unforeseeable price.

The continuation of a powerful new fantasy adventure filled with dark magic and deadly intrigue, from the worldwide bestselling author of the SAGA OF THE PLIOCENE EXILE.King Conrig Ironcrown now rules the entire island of High Blenholme. But the peace he achieved after ruthlessly uniting its four quarrelling kingdoms into a Sovereignty is about to be challenged by enemies both mortal and supernatural.Rumours abound that his vengeful first wife, Maudrayne, believed to have committed suicide when she discovered his infidelity, is in fact still alive and about to reveal a secret that could cost Conrig his throne.A more tangible threat is posed by the ambitious sorcerer Beynor, and his crony, Conrig's traitorous former alchymist Kilian, who have stolen a trove of currently inactive moonstones capable of drawing tremendous power from the mysterious supernatural Beaconfolk. After initiating a civil war, the pair hope to utilize this power to vanquish Conrig's fatally divided realm and rule it themselves.The King's unlikely champion is his royal intelligencer, Deveron, a young man secretly possessed of magical talents. But Deveron is torn between his loyalty to the iron-willed king and his own conscience. The resulting clash involves not only human beings, but also the ancient races who inhabited High Blenholme before them – and who now intend to take back their lost homeland.

The stunning conclusion to a powerful epic fantasy from the worldwide bestselling author of the Saga of the Pliocene Exile.For sixteen years King Conrig Ironcrown has ruled High Blenholme, battling both to preserve the Sovereignty he ruthlessly established over the four provinces of the island kingdom and to repel the invading Salka monsters that threaten them all. His hope for the future is his heir, Prince Orrion, whose betrothal to a princess of the province of Didion should assure the future peace of High Blenholme. But Orrion has no interest in the girl, and is determined to marry instead his childhood sweetheart, Lady Nyla.Orrion's madcap twin, Corodon, dreams up a scheme to keep Orry and Nyla together by asking the supernatural Beaconfolk, who appear as lights in the sky, for a magical intercession. The twins are unaware that the Beaconfolk are fighting their own battle with others of their kind; to them all humans, even princes, are but pawns to be used in their own conflict. Their granting of Orrion's wish comes in a manner the twins far from expected, and precipitates chaotic infighting amongst the folk of High Blenholme.As battles rage both on the ground and in the sky, the only hopes for peace can be found deep in King Conrig’s murky past. His former spy, Deveron Austrey, has secret magical powers and no love for the Beaconfolk. And while many of his subjects no longer remember the King's first wife, Maudrayne, she has never forgotten that her son is the true heir to the throne of High Blenholme.

The stunning conclusion to a powerful epic fantasy from the worldwide bestselling author of the Saga of the Pliocene Exile.For sixteen years King Conrig Ironcrown has ruled High Blenholme, battling both to preserve the Sovereignty he ruthlessly established over the four provinces of the island kingdom and to repel the invading Salka monsters that threaten them all. His hope for the future is his heir, Prince Orrion, whose betrothal to a princess of the province of Didion should assure the future peace of High Blenholme. But Orrion has no interest in the girl, and is determined to marry instead his childhood sweetheart, Lady Nyla.Orrion's madcap twin, Corodon, dreams up a scheme to keep Orry and Nyla together by asking the supernatural Beaconfolk, who appear as lights in the sky, for a magical intercession. The twins are unaware that the Beaconfolk are fighting their own battle with others of their kind; to them all humans, even princes, are but pawns to be used in their own conflict. Their granting of Orrion's wish comes in a manner the twins far from expected, and precipitates chaotic infighting amongst the folk of High Blenholme.As battles rage both on the ground and in the sky, the only hopes for peace can be found deep in King Conrig’s murky past. His former spy, Deveron Austrey, has secret magical powers and no love for the Beaconfolk. And while many of his subjects no longer remember the King's first wife, Maudrayne, she has never forgotten that her son is the true heir to the throne of High Blenholme.

A powerful fantasy adventure filled with dark magic and deadly intrigue, from the worldwide bestselling author of the Saga of the Pliocene Exile.Conrig Wincantor, Prince Heritor of Cathra, has a vision: to unite the whole island of High Blenholme under Cathran sovereignty.He has so far been thwarted in this ambition by his cautious, aging father, King Olmigon, who, though weak with illness, still clings firmly to the reigns of the government.Now Conrig has hit upon a scheme that will convince the Lords that his plan can suceed. He has formed an alliance with Ullanoth, princess of the remote northern province of Moss and a fearsome sorceress. With her help his army will have the advantage it needs to subdue the only domain refusing to sign his Edict of Sovereignty.But before Olmigon will give his consent he insists on making a pilgrimage to the Oracle of Emperor Bazekoy, there to ask the one question permitted to a dying monarch, which the Emperor must answer truthfully.Meanwhile, Ullanoth tends her own schemes. Posessing the talent to call on the unearthly powers of the Beaconfolk, mysterious otherworldy beings who appear as lights in the sky, her power is undeniable. But the Lights are fickle, and their interference in human affairs unpredictable. If Ullanoth calls on them to help Conrig, they are likely to extract an unforeseeable price.

The continuation of a powerful new fantasy adventure filled with dark magic and deadly intrigue, from the worldwide bestselling author of the SAGA OF THE PLIOCENE EXILE.King Conrig Ironcrown now rules the entire island of High Blenholme. But the peace he achieved after ruthlessly uniting its four quarrelling kingdoms into a Sovereignty is about to be challenged by enemies both mortal and supernatural.Rumours abound that his vengeful first wife, Maudrayne, believed to have committed suicide when she discovered his infidelity, is in fact still alive and about to reveal a secret that could cost Conrig his throne.A more tangible threat is posed by the ambitious sorcerer Beynor, and his crony, Conrig's traitorous former alchymist Kilian, who have stolen a trove of currently inactive moonstones capable of drawing tremendous power from the mysterious supernatural Beaconfolk. After initiating a civil war, the pair hope to utilize this power to vanquish Conrig's fatally divided realm and rule it themselves.The King's unlikely champion is his royal intelligencer, Deveron, a young man secretly possessed of magical talents. But Deveron is torn between his loyalty to the iron-willed king and his own conscience. The resulting clash involves not only human beings, but also the ancient races who inhabited High Blenholme before them – and who now intend to take back their lost homeland.

A gripping sf adventure from the acclaimed author of The Pliocene Exile series.Two hundred years into the future, the great corporations of Earth dominate all life in our Galaxy. But their endless pursuit of wealth and power is about to open the door to a malevolent alien race, intent on engulfing the commonwealth of Human Worlds.Helly and his companions attempt to capture a crucial witness to the Galapharma conspiracy, who has taken refuge on a hostile planet. Its insanely ambitious boss, Alistair Drummond, will stop at nothing in his quest for power, and Helly is marked for death as the two corporations continue to do battle.Meanwhile, the Haluk follow their own appalling agenda, using human science to mutate their bodies, allowing them to infiltrate human society. Helly must find a way to alert the Human Commonwealth to the Haluk peril, while also saving his family from Drummond’s increasingly desperate efforts to annhilate the Rampart worlds.

The supreme fantasy epic of magic, love & treachery – Book 3The three sisters thought they had rid the world of evil, that dark sorcerer Orogastus was banished to the Chasm and set to perish.But after many long years Orogastus is stirring and Kadiya’s trillium talisman is losing its power.Their world is out of balance, trouble is looming. The stage is set for a dramatic confrontation that could decide, once and for all, the fate the sisters and the lands they govern.

In the 22nd Century, a group of misfits and mavericks are preparing to leave behind everything they have known. Advanced technology has created a one-way time portal to Earth’s Pliocene Era – six million years ago. Those seeking a better life are drawn to the promise of a simple utopia, far from the civilised Galactic Mileu. But no one could have predicted the dangers on the other side.For the group will enter the battleground of two warring alien races, exiled from a distant planet. And these races not only have potent mind powers, but seek to exploit and enslave humans for their own needs. The travellers are about to discover that their unspoilt paradise is far from Eden.Winner of the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.‘Julian May has woven a many-coloured tapestry of exotic adventure’ Roger Zelazny, ‘I was captivated by its glamorous, sinister movement through the misty forests of Earth’s true past’ Fritz Leiber

A small group journeyed through a time-gate into Europe's prehistoric past. Yet this supposedly unspoilt sanctuary holds two alien races locked in combat. In a world where the human-like Tanu have the upper hand, Elizabeth Orme soon encounters trouble. When they find she possesses rare mind powers, they want her for their own. She won’t be used as a pawn in a Tanu versus Firvulag war, but Aiken Drum can’t wait to get involved.Aiken discovers the Tanu’s mind-enhancing torcs have given him his own powerful abilities. And it’s not long before he devises a plan to challenge the Tanu’s leader – for rule of the Many-Coloured Land itself. But another faction seeks the slaughter of all humans, and he stands in their path.Praise for the series: ‘Enchanting and engrossing ... I was captivated’ Fritz Leiber, ‘Julian May has woven a many-coloured tapestry of exotic adventure’ Roger Zelazny, ‘An amazing journey from the distant future to the distant past ... high adventure’ SFReviews.net

Following an immense cataclysm, Tanu civilization is in ruins. Now the humans who passed through the gate to prehistoric Earth can finally seek power. Aiken Drum names himself King, but faces great opposition. The Firvulag are hellbent on wiping out every group but their own. Felice Landry, possibly the most powerful psychic humanity will know, hasn’t finished wreaking havoc. Then another faction emerges.A group of metapsychic human rebels have been in hiding on another continent. Until their leader, Marc Remillard, decides to take advantage of the new regime. But the group’s children, who came of age far from the Galactic Milieu, just want to return to the 22nd Century. However, the Galactic government hasn’t forgotten Marc or the billions of lives lost through his crimes – so he will stop at nothing to keep the time-gate closed.Praise for the series:‘Engrossing . . . it stirs the mind and engages the feelings’ Fritz Leiber‘A many-coloured tapestry of exotic adventure’ Roger Zelazny'Deservedly acclaimed . . . a tremendously original premise’ SFReviews

The Pliocene Epoch's exiled races are caught in a violent struggle for ascendancy. The humans who escaped to the Galactic Milieu are now beset on all sides, as they seek a foothold in this turbulent land. Aiken Drum, now King, has many enemies, but the Firvulag seem set to move first to initiate their long-prophesied Nightfall War. And although recent confrontations have weakened Aiken, any sign of frailty will bring down his kingdom.The powerful Elizabeth Orme supports King Aiken, and his enlightened despotism is preferable to Marc Remillard's cruel ambition. But these conflicts will be overshadowed if a time-gate is opened back to the 22nd century, something Marc can never permit. All will be decided at the Grand Tourney, where Tanu and humans will face the Firvulag in the last great contest of the exiled world.Praise for the series: ‘Julian May has woven a many-coloured tapestry of exotic adventure’ Roger Zelazny, ‘An engaging storyteller’ Locus, ‘Fast-paced storytelling that defies predictability; and a sympathetic and well-rendered cast’ SFReviews.net

For 60,000 years, the worlds of the Galactic Milieu have observed Earth, waiting for humanity to evolve sufficiently to join them. Now, humanity is almost ready for Intervention. Across the world, children with unusual mental powers are being born, known as operants. One such is Rogi Remillard, humble book dealer. Helped by an entity he labels the family ghost, Rogi will inadvertently steer his family – and so all mankind – into the future.Rogi's journey starts with his nephew Denis, as he guides his strong metapsychic abilities. The young man's irresponsible father certainly isn't interested, focusing instead on his volatile son Victor. Yet Victor's own emerging powers make him increasingly dangerous. Events take a dark turn when Victor starts consorting with criminals, eventually setting his sights on undermining society itself. Only his family can bring him down, but Denis may be forced to call to the stars for help.'Has irrevocably placed herself among the great of fantasy and science fiction' Azimov's Science Fiction, 'Excellent ... a host of interesting characters and incidents' InfinityPlus.co.uk

For 60,000 years, the worlds of the Galactic Milieu have observed Earth, waiting for humanity to evolve sufficiently to join them. Now, humanity is almost ready for Intervention. Across the world, children with unusual mental powers are being born, known as operants. One such is Rogi Remillard, humble book dealer. Helped by an entity he labels the family ghost, Rogi will inadvertently steer his family – and so all mankind – into the future.Rogi's journey starts with his nephew Denis, as he guides his strong metapsychic abilities. The young man's irresponsible father certainly isn't interested, focusing instead on his volatile son Victor. Yet Victor's own emerging powers make him increasingly dangerous. Events take a dark turn when Victor starts consorting with criminals, eventually setting his sights on undermining society itself. Only his family can bring him down, but Denis may be forced to call to the stars for help.'Has irrevocably placed herself among the great of fantasy and science fiction' Azimov's Science Fiction, 'Excellent ... a host of interesting characters and incidents' InfinityPlus.co.uk

Earth stands on the brink of acceptance into the Galactic Milieu, a benevolent political and telepathic alliance of alien races. But some are wary, as their new supervisors have introduced stringent new laws. Leading humanity is the powerful Remillard family, but a ruthless entity known only as the Fury has its own agenda for the Galactic Milieu. It starts to murder those with metapsychic talents, triggering a chaos that could delay Earth's inclusion.At this delicate juncture, Teresa, wife of clan leader Paul Remillard, conceives a child who could represent humanity's future. But Jack's birth is illegal under Milieu law and she will need the formidable mental abilities of Uncle Rogi and Jack's older brother Marc to cover her tracks. Young Jack promises to be the most powerful mental talent ever seen. But he's destined to be destroyed by his own DNA, unless the Fury gets to him first.'Galactic-scale intrigue ... engaging' Publishers Weekly, 'A compelling vision of humanity's future ... Highly recommended' Library Journal

Earth is finally part of the Galactic Milieu. But the next step is to achieve Unity with other galactic races. To attain this higher state, we must gather sufficient numbers of the metapsychically talented. However, a rebel group want to keep Earth forever separate. And their covert supporter is Fury, an unstable metapsychic entity with its own ruthless plans for humanity. Fury's greatest threat now is Jack the Bodiless, whose power it craves. But Jack won't be used.So the entity turns to Dorothea Macdonald, a young woman who's been hiding her great powers from the Milieu's best mind-readers. Yet she can't keep them from Fury - or Jack. She rejects their advances, suspicious of megalomaniacal dreams and galactic politics. But when Jack's brother Marc puts his schemes ahead of saving millions of lives, Jack needs her. Because ultimately no one - even the Galactic Milieu - can match the powers of the girl they'll call Diamond Mask.'Rich in intrigue and vibrating with creative energy' Library Journal, 'May has largely earned her impressive following, which makes this book a virtually mandatory acquisition' Booklist

Humanity is enjoying the Galactic Milieu. Colonies are thriving, Earth is peaceful, and as more metapsychics are born, the goal of mental Unity with the Milieu seems close.But a rebel group want Earth to remain separate, led by a man obsessed with human superiority. This is Marc Remillard, unknowingly influenced by Fury who is now unveiled and on the run. Marc's goal is nothing less than the elevation of human metapsychics above all others, through artificial enhancement of mental faculties. His methods are unpalatable; his goal horrific. So Marc and his co-conspirators continue their work in secret.Only the very Unity he fears can derail Marc's plans. And only his brother Jack the Bodiless, and the young woman known as Diamond Mask can attempt the impossible: destroy Marc, Unify humanity and allow the golden age of the Galactic Milieu to begin.'Fascinating . . . May has cemented her position as one of this generation's foremost storytellers' Library Journal, 'A certain crowd-pleaser' Kirkus Reviews

The Saga of the Exiles, Julian May’s much loved and critically-acclaimed science fiction series, was an International bestseller in the 1980s, captivating readers with its richly detailed story of the Tanu and Furvulag. This Pliocene Companion is essential reading for all fans of the Saga, new and old alike. Inside there is a descriptive listing of all the characters, a chronology, the author’s original maps, three interviews with Julian May herself, and a selective bibliography. The glossary gives information on metapsychology, on the futuristic science of the Galactic Milieu, and on the exotic world of the Tanu and Firvulag. Beyond that, it offers readers a chance to explore further the surroundings of a world 6,000,000 years in the past.

In the year 2051, Earth stood on the brink of acceptance as full member of the Galactic Milieu, a confederation of worlds spread across the galaxy. Leading humanity was the powerful Remillard family, but somebody--or something--known only as "Fury" wanted them out of the way.Only Rogi Remillard, the chosen tool of the most powerful alien being in the Milieu, and his nephew Marc, the greatest metapsychic yet born on Earth, knew about Fury. But even they were powerless to stop it when it began to kill off Remillards and other metapsychic operants--and all the suspects were Remillards themselves.Meanwhile, a Remillard son was born, a boy who could represent the future of all humanity. His incredible mind was more powerful even than his brother Marc''s--but he was destined to be desroyed by his own DNA...unless Fury got to him first!From the Paperback edition.

The eagerly awaited finale of a modern SF classic--May''s Galactic Milieu Trilogy, which began with Jack the Bodiless and continued with Diamond Mask. The mystery involving Jack the Bodiless, the metaphysically talented Dorothea, and Fury, the insane metaphysic creature determined to become sole ruler over all humankind, explodes anew. At last, the momentous secret at the heart of the trilogy is revealed.From the Hardcover edition.

From Julian May, the acclaimed author who created the incredible worlds of The Many-Colored Land and The Golden Torc, comes a bold new science fiction adventure!When rebellious Asahel Frost was expelled from the Interstellar Commerce Secretariat on trumped-up charges, he lost it all: wife, citizenship, fortune, self-respect. Exiled to a beautiful but remote planet in the Perseus Spur, Frost became Helmut Icicle, a man without a past or a future. But someone remembered Asahel Frost--remembered him enough to send an assassin to kill him. And in so doing, brought him back to life. Now, determined to track down the would-be assassin, Helmut finds himself caught in a conspiracy as convoluted as it is deadly. His sister, Eve, has mysteriously vanished. His estranged father wants him to find her with the assistance of the lovely Matilde Gregoire, who happens to hate his guts. As Helmut follows the tangled strands of deceit, greed, and violence back to their common source, he begins to wonder if he is the hunter or the hunted . . .From the Paperback edition.

Two centuries into the future, the Hundred Concerns, a group of powerful corporations that dominate galactic commerce, have pressured the Commonwealth of Humans into signing a pact with the Haluk, a conquering alien race with nefarious designs. Among the few people who recognize the malevolent intent of the aliens is hotheaded maverick Helly Frost.To prove that the Haluk have created demiclones--genetically engineered individuals who are perfect human replicas--Helly travels to the Sagittarius Whorl, a fearsome region of the galaxy hostile to every form of life. But he must find crucial pieces of evidence that will expose the Haluk plot. Instead, he discovers something far darker than he had ever imagined. . . .From the Paperback edition.

The 21st century was drawing to a close, and metapsychic humankind was poised at last to achieve Unity -- to be admitted into the group mind of the already unified alien races of the Galactic Milieu. But a growing corps of rebels was plotting to keep the people of Earth forever separate in the name of human individuality. And the rebels had a secret supporter: Fury, the insane metapsychic creatrue that would stop at nothing to claim humanity for itself. Fury''s greatest enemy was the mutant genius Jack the Bodiless, whose power it craved. But Jack would never be a tool for Fury . . . And so it turned to Dorothea Macdonald, a young woman who had spent a lifetime hiding her towering mindpowers from the best mind readers of the Milieu. But she could not hide them from Fury -- or from Jack. Time and again she rejected their advances, unwilling to be drawn into the maelstrom of galactic politics or megalomaniacal dreams. And in the end, no one -- not Jack, not Fury, not even the Galactic Milieu -- would be a match for the awesome powers of the girl who would come to be called Diamond Mask . . .From the Paperback edition.

After a brief (but heroic) fling with all that is right and just, Asahel Frost has reverted to his true nature--undisciplined and feckless, according to the girlfriend who just dumped him. Now he is once again the legal nonentity known as Helmut Icicle, living the riverboat skipper life in a tiny galactic outpost with the rest of the ne''er-do-wells.That is until his sister Eve, herself genetically altered by the alien Haluk, begs Helmut to expose the Haluk''s conspiracy, which threatens humans throughout the Spur worlds. Genetic alteration is tightly controlled, yet now it''s running rampant. Helmut must find the culprits, but time is running out. Too many people have vanished into the secret empire where an evil genius reigns supreme. Worse yet, there''s an unknown traitor in Helmut''s own family who is quite willing to murder. Only one thing''s clear: Helmut will emerge either triumphant . . . or dead.From the Paperback edition.

In the year 2034, Theo Quderian, a French physicist, made an amusing but impractical discovery: the means to use a one-way, fixed-focus time warp that opened into a place in the Rhone River valley during the idyllic Pliocene Epoch, six million years ago. But, as time went on, a certain usefulness developed. The misfits and mavericks of the future—many of them brilliant people—began to seek this exit door to a mysterious past. In 2110, a particularly strange and interesting group was preparing to make the journey—a starship captain, a girl athlete, a paleontologist, a woman priest, and others who had reason to flee the technological perfection of twenty-second-century life.

Thus begins this dazzling fantasy novel that invites comparisons with the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, Arthur C. Clarke, and Ursula Le Quin. It opens up a whole world of wonder, not in far-flung galaxies but in our own distant past on Earth—a world that will captivate not only science-fiction and fantasy fans but also those who enjoy literate thrillers.

The group that passes through the time-portal finds an unforeseen strangeness on the other side. Far from being uninhabited, Pliocene Europe is the home of two warring races from another planet. There is the knightly race of the Tanu—handsome, arrogant, and possessing vast powers of psychokinesis and telepathy. And there is the outcast race of Firvulag—dwarfish, malev-o olent, and gifted with their own supernormal skills. Taken captive by the Tanu and transported through the primordial European landscape, the humans manage to break free, join in an uneasy alliance with the forest-dwelling Firvulag, and, finally, launch an attack against the Tanu city of light on the banks of a river that, eons later, would be called the Rhine.

Myth and legend, wit and violence, speculative science and breathtaking imagination mingle in this romantic fantasy, which is the first volume in a series about the exile world. The sequel, titled The Golden Torc, will follow soon.