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Numinous World #3.5
The Ravens of Falkenau and Other Stories
The world is a numinous place, for those who have eyes to see it.
Welcome to the Numinous World, where gods and angels intervene in the lives of mortals, and a band of eternal companions unite and reunite over the centuries, striving to make the world a better place despite wars and dark ages, hatred and cruelty. Theirs are eternal oaths, to the powers they serve and to one another. Through wars and dark ages, from the ancient Nile valley to the dawn of the twentieth century, they must be true to themselves and to those they serve -- no matter what the danger.
Seventeen enchanting short stories bring to life this rich tapestry, weaving in and out of history, dark and bright alike.
List of stories with date and setting:
The Ravens of Falkenau, 1614-1634, The Kingdom of Bohemia
Dion Ex Machina, 4 BC, Alexandria
Cold Frontier, 505 AD, Caer Leon, in Britain
Small Victories, 1800-1810 AD, Paris, France
How the Lady of Cats Came to Negada, 8000 BC, along the River Nile
Prince Over the Water, 1040 AD, the Orkney Islands
Horus Indwelling, 285 BC, Alexandria
Paradise, 641 AD, Alexandria
Slave of the World, 1203 AD, France
Little Cat, 1012 BC, Thebes in Egypt
Vesuvius, 79 AD, Pompeii
Unfinished Business, 22 BC, Rome
The Messenger's Tale, 1553 AD, London
Morning Star, 469 BC, Pasargadae, in Persia
Templar Treasure, 1188 AD, Beirut
Winter's Child, 1821 AD, Poland
Brunnhilde in the Fire, 1901 AD, Boston
Welcome to the Numinous World, where gods and angels intervene in the lives of mortals, and a band of eternal companions unite and reunite over the centuries, striving to make the world a better place despite wars and dark ages, hatred and cruelty. Theirs are eternal oaths, to the powers they serve and to one another. Through wars and dark ages, from the ancient Nile valley to the dawn of the twentieth century, they must be true to themselves and to those they serve -- no matter what the danger.
Seventeen enchanting short stories bring to life this rich tapestry, weaving in and out of history, dark and bright alike.
List of stories with date and setting:
The Ravens of Falkenau, 1614-1634, The Kingdom of Bohemia
Dion Ex Machina, 4 BC, Alexandria
Cold Frontier, 505 AD, Caer Leon, in Britain
Small Victories, 1800-1810 AD, Paris, France
How the Lady of Cats Came to Negada, 8000 BC, along the River Nile
Prince Over the Water, 1040 AD, the Orkney Islands
Horus Indwelling, 285 BC, Alexandria
Paradise, 641 AD, Alexandria
Slave of the World, 1203 AD, France
Little Cat, 1012 BC, Thebes in Egypt
Vesuvius, 79 AD, Pompeii
Unfinished Business, 22 BC, Rome
The Messenger's Tale, 1553 AD, London
Morning Star, 469 BC, Pasargadae, in Persia
Templar Treasure, 1188 AD, Beirut
Winter's Child, 1821 AD, Poland
Brunnhilde in the Fire, 1901 AD, Boston
182 pages, ebook
First published May 21, 2011
216 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 29, 2024
The first two short stories were great and made me want to read Graham's Numinous World series. A lot after those two became no more than 3 or 3.5 stars. I even marked one as a 0/5 stars on my end because I was so confused by everything. The ones that made it a 3-3.5/5 felt very abrupt and/or unfinished.
Top stories (from greatest to least):
Dion Ex Machina
The Ravens of Falkenau
Small Victories (minus some of the swearing)
The Messenger's Tale
Winter's Child
Needed more of the story:
Little Cat
Unfinished Business
Slave of the World
The rest I didn't much care for
Top stories (from greatest to least):
Dion Ex Machina
The Ravens of Falkenau
Small Victories (minus some of the swearing)
The Messenger's Tale
Winter's Child
Needed more of the story:
Little Cat
Unfinished Business
Slave of the World
The rest I didn't much care for
March 25, 2018
It's not enough! The first story was very good but many of the other stories were vignettes. Which are fine! And some serve as codas to the novels...but I want more!
July 22, 2021
These vignettes add so much to the series, transforming it into a true world. I dearly wish that some of them were extended into full books and that the one that has been would be published already!
December 1, 2012
I really enjoy Jo Graham's Numinous World stories. It's interesting to see the many different characters through the ages with the same souls. To see how those souls can inhabit bodies so different and yet inherently similar. I also like the very real touch of divinity she portrays in the stories. Although the stories are of real people in the real world they are never far from gods, angels, or spirits. I hope she continues with this series and adds more stories. Few other written worlds have inspired me like hers does.
June 9, 2011
This book is a gift basket from the author for those of us who love her Numinous World books. For those new to that world, it is an excellent introduction to the style and themes Graham is building. Each one provides a different perspective on the saga she is creating and each is carefully crafted to stand alone.
June 21, 2012
Incredibly nuanced and full of fantasy and history....very unique and powerful writing.
December 13, 2017
read 8.4.15-8.6.16
read 12.5.14 thru 12.6.14 my only complaint is that i want them all to be novels,
read 12.5.14 thru 12.6.14 my only complaint is that i want them all to be novels,
Read
July 5, 2015I'VE READ THE FIRST FOUR BOOKS IN THAT SERIES AND IL'D THEM ALL. I TOOK A BIT OF A BREAK AFTER THE RAVENS OF FALKENAU BUT I'M PLANNING TO READ THE NAPOLEON-ERA BOOKS THIS SUMMER.
October 11, 2014
A must read for fans of her Numinous Worlds series (Black Ships, Hand of Isis, and Stealing Fire).
September 23, 2013
I loved the glimpses of Companions through the centuries but wanted more.....
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews