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The Saga of the Trillium #1
Black Trillium
Three infant princesses recieve the mystically protective Black Trillium at birth and learn to use their strengths and conquer their weaknesses to withstand the dangers that face them
409 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
167 people are currently reading
2117 people want to read
About the author
Marion Zimmer Bradley
799 books4,867 followersMarion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley was an American author of fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series, often with a feminist outlook.
Bradley's first published novel-length work was Falcons of Narabedla, first published in the May 1957 issue of Other Worlds. When she was a child, Bradley stated that she enjoyed reading adventure fantasy authors such as Henry Kuttner, Edmond Hamilton, and Leigh Brackett, especially when they wrote about "the glint of strange suns on worlds that never were and never would be." Her first novel and much of her subsequent work show their influence strongly.
Early in her career, writing as Morgan Ives, Miriam Gardner, John Dexter, and Lee Chapman, Marion Zimmer Bradley produced several works outside the speculative fiction genre, including some gay and lesbian pulp fiction novels. For example, I Am a Lesbian was published in 1962. Though relatively tame by today's standards, they were considered pornographic when published, and for a long time she refused to disclose the titles she wrote under these pseudonyms.
Her 1958 story The Planet Savers introduced the planet of Darkover, which became the setting of a popular series by Bradley and other authors. The Darkover milieu may be considered as either fantasy with science fiction overtones or as science fiction with fantasy overtones, as Darkover is a lost earth colony where psi powers developed to an unusual degree. Bradley wrote many Darkover novels by herself, but in her later years collaborated with other authors for publication; her literary collaborators have continued the series since her death.
Bradley took an active role in science-fiction and fantasy fandom, promoting interaction with professional authors and publishers and making several important contributions to the subculture.
For many years, Bradley actively encouraged Darkover fan fiction and reprinted some of it in commercial Darkover anthologies, continuing to encourage submissions from unpublished authors, but this ended after a dispute with a fan over an unpublished Darkover novel of Bradley's that had similarities to some of the fan's stories. As a result, the novel remained unpublished, and Bradley demanded the cessation of all Darkover fan fiction.
Bradley was also the editor of the long-running Sword and Sorceress anthology series, which encouraged submissions of fantasy stories featuring original and non-traditional heroines from young and upcoming authors. Although she particularly encouraged young female authors, she was not averse to including male authors in her anthologies. Mercedes Lackey was just one of many authors who first appeared in the anthologies. She also maintained a large family of writers at her home in Berkeley. Ms Bradley was editing the final Sword and Sorceress manuscript up until the week of her death in September of 1999.
Probably her most famous single novel is The Mists of Avalon. A retelling of the Camelot legend from the point of view of Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar, it grew into a series of books; like the Darkover series, the later novels are written with or by other authors and have continued to appear after Bradley's death.
Her reputation has been posthumously marred by multiple accusations of child sexual abuse by her daughter Moira Greyland, and for allegedly assisting her second husband, convicted child abuser Walter Breen, in sexually abusing multiple unrelated children.
(from Wikipedia)
Bradley's first published novel-length work was Falcons of Narabedla, first published in the May 1957 issue of Other Worlds. When she was a child, Bradley stated that she enjoyed reading adventure fantasy authors such as Henry Kuttner, Edmond Hamilton, and Leigh Brackett, especially when they wrote about "the glint of strange suns on worlds that never were and never would be." Her first novel and much of her subsequent work show their influence strongly.
Early in her career, writing as Morgan Ives, Miriam Gardner, John Dexter, and Lee Chapman, Marion Zimmer Bradley produced several works outside the speculative fiction genre, including some gay and lesbian pulp fiction novels. For example, I Am a Lesbian was published in 1962. Though relatively tame by today's standards, they were considered pornographic when published, and for a long time she refused to disclose the titles she wrote under these pseudonyms.
Her 1958 story The Planet Savers introduced the planet of Darkover, which became the setting of a popular series by Bradley and other authors. The Darkover milieu may be considered as either fantasy with science fiction overtones or as science fiction with fantasy overtones, as Darkover is a lost earth colony where psi powers developed to an unusual degree. Bradley wrote many Darkover novels by herself, but in her later years collaborated with other authors for publication; her literary collaborators have continued the series since her death.
Bradley took an active role in science-fiction and fantasy fandom, promoting interaction with professional authors and publishers and making several important contributions to the subculture.
For many years, Bradley actively encouraged Darkover fan fiction and reprinted some of it in commercial Darkover anthologies, continuing to encourage submissions from unpublished authors, but this ended after a dispute with a fan over an unpublished Darkover novel of Bradley's that had similarities to some of the fan's stories. As a result, the novel remained unpublished, and Bradley demanded the cessation of all Darkover fan fiction.
Bradley was also the editor of the long-running Sword and Sorceress anthology series, which encouraged submissions of fantasy stories featuring original and non-traditional heroines from young and upcoming authors. Although she particularly encouraged young female authors, she was not averse to including male authors in her anthologies. Mercedes Lackey was just one of many authors who first appeared in the anthologies. She also maintained a large family of writers at her home in Berkeley. Ms Bradley was editing the final Sword and Sorceress manuscript up until the week of her death in September of 1999.
Probably her most famous single novel is The Mists of Avalon. A retelling of the Camelot legend from the point of view of Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar, it grew into a series of books; like the Darkover series, the later novels are written with or by other authors and have continued to appear after Bradley's death.
Her reputation has been posthumously marred by multiple accusations of child sexual abuse by her daughter Moira Greyland, and for allegedly assisting her second husband, convicted child abuser Walter Breen, in sexually abusing multiple unrelated children.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
August 6, 2015
Honest to God, worst fantasy book I've ever read. Incoherent, predictable, and dull. Princess sisters whose personalities can be summed up by their hair colors! Red = hot-tempered! Blonde = Good, gentle, and naive! Black = brooding and mysterious! A reluctantly evil, yet handsome prince who becomes good through the power of loooove... for the pure-hearted blonde, of course. The entire book revolves around a magic flower. A magic macguffin flower.
January 17, 2015
I got a copy of this from the Science Fiction Book Club when I was in junior high! Wow! I remember it so vividly! Each author took one sister and wrote her story, about how they each searched for one part of a three-fold magical talisman to save their kingdom. Triplet princesses, one with red hair, one blonde, and one with black hair (because that makes total sense). One is a warrior, one is a sorceress, and one is . . . sweet and noble . . . ? Whatever, she was the blonde. This is the kind of thing that could only be popular in the early nineties. It was like a Dragonlance novel, but not actually done by Dragonlance, and I think Marion Zimmer Bradley's name was supposed to be the major draw. I picked it up because of Julian May, though. That was at the height of my Jack the Bodiless mania (Marc Remillard- I STILL LOVE YOU!)
There were other books in the series, but I never read them. This book wasn't terrible, it was just very by-the-numbers and I couldn't summon the energy to go on.
There were other books in the series, but I never read them. This book wasn't terrible, it was just very by-the-numbers and I couldn't summon the energy to go on.
July 16, 2023
I really enjoyed it, classic swords and sorcery fantasy from three grand dames of the early fantasy sci-fi writers. The three of them combined styles marvellously to make a very smooth reading experience.
A lot of people seem to criticise it for being a trope. Well, you know how a trope is formed? By constant repetition of a formula that works and in 1990 it was not a trope yet. In fact, it was close to unique to have a fantasy quest with all women heroes and all women authors.
I liked the characterisation of the three princesses, and their journeys. It is a slow book and it demands a lot of the reader; you need your own imagination to bring to the landscapes and the country. You need to spend time reading; it is not a fast read, it took me over a week.
What you DONT need, is to buy another ten books in the series to see how the story finishes LOVE that. I miss the old school writing where a book was an actual story, not a credit card grab.
A lot of people seem to criticise it for being a trope. Well, you know how a trope is formed? By constant repetition of a formula that works and in 1990 it was not a trope yet. In fact, it was close to unique to have a fantasy quest with all women heroes and all women authors.
I liked the characterisation of the three princesses, and their journeys. It is a slow book and it demands a lot of the reader; you need your own imagination to bring to the landscapes and the country. You need to spend time reading; it is not a fast read, it took me over a week.
What you DONT need, is to buy another ten books in the series to see how the story finishes LOVE that. I miss the old school writing where a book was an actual story, not a credit card grab.
October 10, 2025
Disclaimer: I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Black Trillium was first published in the early nineties, a joint effort of three respected fantasy authors now turning their collective attentions toward a trio of royal sisters who are fated to restore balance to the world.
It's now being republished with a neat new cover but, unfortunately, the formulaic story with three heroines who may as well be stock characters for all of the depth they do not possess is unlikely to thrill readers in 2015.
Essentially, this is an adventure story which is necessitated by the invasion of the peaceful, friendly kingdom of Ruwenda. To reclaim their throne and undo the harm wrought by the foreign nasties, the three princesses need to each locate a sacred talisman and use it for the force of good. Along the way, they will learn about themselves and confront their weaknesses. What this boils down to is that each princess is assigned a basic character archetype (which is, rather amazingly, signified by her hair color) and then she needs to learn to not be so... that.
Kadiya, the red-haired one, is the warrior woman. She disdains lady-princess stuff and so, she learned to fight! And longs to rush into battle because she is woman, hear her roar! She has a sword! Anigel, the blonde one, is sweet, innocent, pure of heart, and utterly useless in stressful situations, because she falls apart at the sight of anything that's not shiny, or the touch of anything that's not soft. Haramis, the black-haired one, is a thinker. She likes books and logic and bossing around her two sisters because she knows so much better than them and they're both so darn quick to emotion. SPOILER ALERT: in learning to be "better," the only one who really drastically improves is witless Anigel, because by necessity going on a perilous adventure through unfamiliar jungle improves one's survival skills and general sense of courage. The epiphanies had by the other two can be summed up as "Perhaps I should think through this battle plan a bit before diving headfirst into it," and "My sisters, though not as measured as I, still deserve my respect for being the imperfect creatures they are."
So, you know, not much really in the way of character development. This goes doubly, or triply, so for the supporting characters, who are either noble savages, savage savages, a benevolent and ambiguously helpful Archimage (Lady Gandalf), or a mustache-twirling evil sorcerer who wants to take over the world.
There is, overall, nothing in this book that isn't completely expected or that doesn't check a well-worn high fantasy trope. I'm giving it two stars instead of one in the event that it may actually be intended for a younger (i.e. middle school) audience, even though I can't find anything in the marketing to indicate that this may be the case. That would be the only slight excuse for its utter lack of sophistication, though it would probably still be outclassed by many of its contemporaries.
Black Trillium was first published in the early nineties, a joint effort of three respected fantasy authors now turning their collective attentions toward a trio of royal sisters who are fated to restore balance to the world.
It's now being republished with a neat new cover but, unfortunately, the formulaic story with three heroines who may as well be stock characters for all of the depth they do not possess is unlikely to thrill readers in 2015.
Essentially, this is an adventure story which is necessitated by the invasion of the peaceful, friendly kingdom of Ruwenda. To reclaim their throne and undo the harm wrought by the foreign nasties, the three princesses need to each locate a sacred talisman and use it for the force of good. Along the way, they will learn about themselves and confront their weaknesses. What this boils down to is that each princess is assigned a basic character archetype (which is, rather amazingly, signified by her hair color) and then she needs to learn to not be so... that.
Kadiya, the red-haired one, is the warrior woman. She disdains lady-princess stuff and so, she learned to fight! And longs to rush into battle because she is woman, hear her roar! She has a sword! Anigel, the blonde one, is sweet, innocent, pure of heart, and utterly useless in stressful situations, because she falls apart at the sight of anything that's not shiny, or the touch of anything that's not soft. Haramis, the black-haired one, is a thinker. She likes books and logic and bossing around her two sisters because she knows so much better than them and they're both so darn quick to emotion. SPOILER ALERT: in learning to be "better," the only one who really drastically improves is witless Anigel, because by necessity going on a perilous adventure through unfamiliar jungle improves one's survival skills and general sense of courage. The epiphanies had by the other two can be summed up as "Perhaps I should think through this battle plan a bit before diving headfirst into it," and "My sisters, though not as measured as I, still deserve my respect for being the imperfect creatures they are."
So, you know, not much really in the way of character development. This goes doubly, or triply, so for the supporting characters, who are either noble savages, savage savages, a benevolent and ambiguously helpful Archimage (Lady Gandalf), or a mustache-twirling evil sorcerer who wants to take over the world.
There is, overall, nothing in this book that isn't completely expected or that doesn't check a well-worn high fantasy trope. I'm giving it two stars instead of one in the event that it may actually be intended for a younger (i.e. middle school) audience, even though I can't find anything in the marketing to indicate that this may be the case. That would be the only slight excuse for its utter lack of sophistication, though it would probably still be outclassed by many of its contemporaries.
November 25, 2008
One of my favorites! This book is written by three authors about three sister princesses. At the beginning the sisters are together. After there castle is attacked they split up and each goes on her own journey. Each author writes a chapter about a princess. I had a hard time putting the book down because at the end of each chapter there was a cliff hanger. I just wanted to find out what was going to happen next.
July 17, 2015
REVIEW: BLACK TRILLIUM by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Julian May, Andre Norton
[THE SAGA OF THE TRILLIUM #1]
I first read this classic in the 90's (originally published in 1990) and I remember being both astounded, and overtaken by joy. It was my first introduction to Julian May, though not of course to Andre Norton [who authored the first book I really remember reading, LORD OF THUNDER] nor to Marion Zimmer Bradley. I have stated many times that generally I am not a fantasy person; but in the hands of these three authors, Story transcends any genre. I am so grateful to Open Road Media for bringing this classic in vivid new life ( and grateful I can now read it as an ebook). Some books ought to be reclaimed by each new generation. World, behold three Masters at work: BLACK TRILLIUM.
[THE SAGA OF THE TRILLIUM #1]
I first read this classic in the 90's (originally published in 1990) and I remember being both astounded, and overtaken by joy. It was my first introduction to Julian May, though not of course to Andre Norton [who authored the first book I really remember reading, LORD OF THUNDER] nor to Marion Zimmer Bradley. I have stated many times that generally I am not a fantasy person; but in the hands of these three authors, Story transcends any genre. I am so grateful to Open Road Media for bringing this classic in vivid new life ( and grateful I can now read it as an ebook). Some books ought to be reclaimed by each new generation. World, behold three Masters at work: BLACK TRILLIUM.
June 25, 2013
I had high expectations because I'm a huge fan of Marion Zimmer Bradley; I was disappointed. The world is big and interesting with a complicated history; the language is rich and the descriptions powerful; yet the story is predictable and boring, with shallow characters and weak dialogue. Overall, it felt like watching a cartoon teenage series, or the playout of an RPG campaign.
November 13, 2009
Another one I really wanted to like. I took it with me to an out of town training session...in Fort Wayne IN. I needed something to read, but it just wasn't that good and I never finished the series...
November 21, 2019
Dieses Buch möchte ich nicht bewerten, wie es meine Gewohnheit und meinen üblichen Werten entspricht. Denn die Autorinnen haben mehr gewoben als Handlung, Epik und Menschlichkeit. Als Leser erlebte ich es immer wieder, dass die Dinge nicht natürlich verliefen, und das Charaktere ein anderes Gesicht zeigten, als man erwarten würde. Um es klar zu sagen: Ich fand Details, die in anderen Büchern die Geschichte falsch, die Charaktere unglaubwürdig und flach machten. Doch hier war das unnatürliche magisch, und das unerwartete war ergreifende Überraschung
"Die Zauberin von Ruwenda" ist ein strahlendes Werk, ein sagenhaftes Beispiel, dass nicht die Mittel das Kunstwerk schaffen, sondern die raffinierten Hände, welche die Mittel wählen, führen und vereinen. Ich bin zuteifst grührt, und wurde selbst ein bisschen reifer, durch die zeitlose Seele dieser fantastischen Erzählung.
"Die Zauberin von Ruwenda" ist ein strahlendes Werk, ein sagenhaftes Beispiel, dass nicht die Mittel das Kunstwerk schaffen, sondern die raffinierten Hände, welche die Mittel wählen, führen und vereinen. Ich bin zuteifst grührt, und wurde selbst ein bisschen reifer, durch die zeitlose Seele dieser fantastischen Erzählung.
August 18, 2015
I love this book.
The story is fairly formulaic, probably as a result of the collaborative compromises required by having three authors - each one established in her own right - work on the same world and then having each author's idiosyncrasies smoothed out for the combined work. That's not really the point, though.
The point, for me, is that this story featured women who, abnormally for 1991, had agency and didn't experience their character development by the sufferance of the men around them. We didn't view them through the lenses of the male characters. They each had distinct motivations and needs and personalities which, if the basis was typical, were presented in new and different packages. I am a fan of the setting, too. "Low fantasy masquerading as high fantasy" is a neat trick and, while it's certainly been done before, it works well here.
Ultimately, I think Blood Trillium ended up being a better story. I read this book as an adolescent boy, though, and it had a profound effect on how I viewed fantasy novels.
The story is fairly formulaic, probably as a result of the collaborative compromises required by having three authors - each one established in her own right - work on the same world and then having each author's idiosyncrasies smoothed out for the combined work. That's not really the point, though.
The point, for me, is that this story featured women who, abnormally for 1991, had agency and didn't experience their character development by the sufferance of the men around them. We didn't view them through the lenses of the male characters. They each had distinct motivations and needs and personalities which, if the basis was typical, were presented in new and different packages. I am a fan of the setting, too. "Low fantasy masquerading as high fantasy" is a neat trick and, while it's certainly been done before, it works well here.
Ultimately, I think Blood Trillium ended up being a better story. I read this book as an adolescent boy, though, and it had a profound effect on how I viewed fantasy novels.
March 30, 2010
...The idea behind this novel may have been interesting and the world the authors use as a setting is certainly unusual but that is not enough from saving this book from being a disaster. If you are attracted to it because the book has three female protagonists (rare these days, even rarer in 1990 when the book was first published) or because of the names of the authors, think again. The good thing about buying second hand books is that you can afford to take chances. I never seriously considered putting it down as the story progressed at a fair pace and the book certainly isn't a punishment to read, but when you get right down to it the plot itself is just substandard. I really can't recommend this book to anyone.
Full Random Comments review
Full Random Comments review
November 3, 2008
This book was pretty disappointing. Each of the three stories had potential, but fell very flat. The first 150 pages were very difficult to get through. In the end it was an okay story, but I doubt most people would want to slog through the beginning to get to the mediocre ending. If I read the sequels I'll be getting them out of the library, not buying them. Not even from the used bookstore.
I think the basic problem with this book is that each of the authors needed more time to develop her character. It's really three books, and it's only about 300 pages long. I didn't care enough about any of the three that I was excited to get back to their chapters.
So, though not the WORST book I've ever read, it's certainly not up to par for any of the three authors.
I think the basic problem with this book is that each of the authors needed more time to develop her character. It's really three books, and it's only about 300 pages long. I didn't care enough about any of the three that I was excited to get back to their chapters.
So, though not the WORST book I've ever read, it's certainly not up to par for any of the three authors.
September 28, 2011
I was greatly disappointed by this book. MZB has been one of my favorite authors for a long time, and the promise of a fantasy story with not one but three female protagonists seemed too good to be true. Maybe it was. The story was so incredibly predictable. Each of the three sisters went through the exact same things, just with slightly different colorations. I have no desire to read a book three times in a row, no matter how good it might be. Unsurprisingly, the character development was extremely shallow, and the writing did not draw me into the story easily. However, I do think that this would be easy, accessible fantasy to a young woman.
July 15, 2023
Il Giglio Nero è la storia di tre principesse che, fuggite dal loro castello all'arrivo dell'usurpatore Voltrik e del mago Orogastus, sono predestinate a recuperare il loro regno ottenendo tre talismani con il prezioso aiuto dell'arcimaga Binah e di tre accompagnatori non umani. Si tratta, insomma, di un high fantasy molto classico a livello di trama: eroine predestinate, un'aiutante magica, avversari che rappresentano il male assoluto, la ricerca di talismani magici per sconfiggerli.
Il punto di forza di questo, come di altri romanzi di Marion Zimmer Bradley (non conoscevo, invece, le altre due autrici), è nell'approfondimento psicologico delle protagoniste. Haramis è prudente ma ambiziosa, Kadiya è coraggiosa fino all'imprudenza, Anigel è sensibile ma paurosa.
Tutte e tre, nelle loro differenze caratteriali, devono crescere durante la loro ricerca, ognuna a modo loro: non rinnegano il loro carattere, ma devono abbracciarlo e imparare a renderlo il loro punto di forza. Lungi dall'essere un unico macro-protagonista, sono invece tre personaggi distinti nell'unità del loro destino. La loro evoluzione è credibile e affascinante.
L'attenzione ai pericoli interni alla mente, tuttavia, prevarica sui pericoli del mondo esterno, che risultano più abbellimenti dettati dal genere fantasy che veri ostacoli al viaggio delle principesse.
Tre autrici, tre protagoniste, tre talismani (tutti e tre tripartiti), tre accompagnatori, e tutte e tutti lavorano come una cosa sola.
Consiglio la lettura, tenendo però presente che ci sono fantasy più meritevoli. Tre stelle su cinque (e giuro che il numero è una coincidenza).
Il punto di forza di questo, come di altri romanzi di Marion Zimmer Bradley (non conoscevo, invece, le altre due autrici), è nell'approfondimento psicologico delle protagoniste. Haramis è prudente ma ambiziosa, Kadiya è coraggiosa fino all'imprudenza, Anigel è sensibile ma paurosa.
Tutte e tre, nelle loro differenze caratteriali, devono crescere durante la loro ricerca, ognuna a modo loro: non rinnegano il loro carattere, ma devono abbracciarlo e imparare a renderlo il loro punto di forza. Lungi dall'essere un unico macro-protagonista, sono invece tre personaggi distinti nell'unità del loro destino. La loro evoluzione è credibile e affascinante.
L'attenzione ai pericoli interni alla mente, tuttavia, prevarica sui pericoli del mondo esterno, che risultano più abbellimenti dettati dal genere fantasy che veri ostacoli al viaggio delle principesse.
Tre autrici, tre protagoniste, tre talismani (tutti e tre tripartiti), tre accompagnatori, e tutte e tutti lavorano come una cosa sola.
Consiglio la lettura, tenendo però presente che ci sono fantasy più meritevoli. Tre stelle su cinque (e giuro che il numero è una coincidenza).
May 15, 2021
Erano anni che volevo leggerlo e finalmente l'ho fatto. Conclusione finale? Ero quasi tentata di dare due stelline ma la fantastica scrittura della Bradley ha salvato la situazione. Si percepisce tantissimo la "vecchiardia" di questo testo. La Bradley si prende tutto il suo tempo nel descriverti le ambientazioni e le popolazioni, a volte forse, anche troppo. Soprattutto quando vorresti andare avanti con la storia. Solo il primo capitolo sembrava un trattato storiografico
All'inizio le tre protagoniste non le sopportavo. Mi viene quasi da pensare che la Mass abbia copiato da lei le sue sorelle Archeron! C'è la maggiore con più sale in zucca, la seconda che ogni momento e buono per fare a botte anche se non è capace e la terza molle e piagnucolosa come del pane bagnato. Ma sono felice di dire che due su tre mi hanno fatto ricredere soprattutto la terza che all'inizio non le avrei dato un soldo bucato. È presente l'Insta love (due volte) uno peggio dell'altro ma sapendo che è un testo degli anni 80' lo posso capire.
Non ho percepito molta tensione. A parte le morti iniziali obbligatorie per fare partire la storia non c'è ne sono di significative. Muoiono i cattivi e basta, tutti gli altri in un modo o nell'altro si salvano e questo toglie molto alla trama.
Per quanto riguarda la magia è più lei che agisce da sola a salvare la situazione tutte le volte, più che le prescelte. Questo mi ha molto infastidito non dandomi la percezione di reale crescita da parte delle protagoniste. Lo stacco infatti è molto evidente e poco sensato certe volte.
Un' altra cosa però che salva la situazione sono alcuni temi trattati dalla Bradley:
Come ad esempio il fatto che durante la loro ricerca le principesse cercano di non ferire il popolo della Palude Labirinto nonostante alcune creature fossero ostili. Sono esseri viventi e parte del popolo. Questo da un grande senso di unione e rispetto per la vita. In alcuni momenti mi ha ricordato la serie TV Shee-ra in quanto è presente la magia ma anche una "tecnologia" antica lasciata dall'antico popolo venuto prima di loro.
In generale è stata una buona lettura. Non la migliore ma sono felice di averlo spuntato dalla lista. Ovviamente leggerò anche gli altri.
All'inizio le tre protagoniste non le sopportavo. Mi viene quasi da pensare che la Mass abbia copiato da lei le sue sorelle Archeron! C'è la maggiore con più sale in zucca, la seconda che ogni momento e buono per fare a botte anche se non è capace e la terza molle e piagnucolosa come del pane bagnato. Ma sono felice di dire che due su tre mi hanno fatto ricredere soprattutto la terza che all'inizio non le avrei dato un soldo bucato. È presente l'Insta love (due volte) uno peggio dell'altro ma sapendo che è un testo degli anni 80' lo posso capire.
Non ho percepito molta tensione. A parte le morti iniziali obbligatorie per fare partire la storia non c'è ne sono di significative. Muoiono i cattivi e basta, tutti gli altri in un modo o nell'altro si salvano e questo toglie molto alla trama.
Per quanto riguarda la magia è più lei che agisce da sola a salvare la situazione tutte le volte, più che le prescelte. Questo mi ha molto infastidito non dandomi la percezione di reale crescita da parte delle protagoniste. Lo stacco infatti è molto evidente e poco sensato certe volte.
Un' altra cosa però che salva la situazione sono alcuni temi trattati dalla Bradley:
Come ad esempio il fatto che durante la loro ricerca le principesse cercano di non ferire il popolo della Palude Labirinto nonostante alcune creature fossero ostili. Sono esseri viventi e parte del popolo. Questo da un grande senso di unione e rispetto per la vita. In alcuni momenti mi ha ricordato la serie TV Shee-ra in quanto è presente la magia ma anche una "tecnologia" antica lasciata dall'antico popolo venuto prima di loro.
In generale è stata una buona lettura. Non la migliore ma sono felice di averlo spuntato dalla lista. Ovviamente leggerò anche gli altri.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2023
Old epic fantasy that I'm tired of reading...
I don't feel the depth in the world or characters even with 500 pages... you have humans and 5 or 6 tribes of aborigines that appear and disappear in the story...
The plot is subpar. Three princess going on a quest to find artefacts to beat the evil as told in an old prophecy... so each princess goes on mission with a servant aborigines (all of them die or disappear in the story to return in the end but we don't really care).
Each princess found the talismans... they just going in a direction to finally stumble on it. To make it more easier, every time they're in danger, their talisman does all the job. So in merely 5 or 6 weeks, one become the new Archmage who will protect the land, the younger shy one become the queen (with the son's of the invaders as new king who love her in first time he seen her) and the other protector of aborigines...
I'm really disappointed that 3 reputed authors like them produced a story like that, feeling like an over detail kid story. Not recommended
I don't feel the depth in the world or characters even with 500 pages... you have humans and 5 or 6 tribes of aborigines that appear and disappear in the story...
The plot is subpar. Three princess going on a quest to find artefacts to beat the evil as told in an old prophecy... so each princess goes on mission with a servant aborigines (all of them die or disappear in the story to return in the end but we don't really care).
Each princess found the talismans... they just going in a direction to finally stumble on it. To make it more easier, every time they're in danger, their talisman does all the job. So in merely 5 or 6 weeks, one become the new Archmage who will protect the land, the younger shy one become the queen (with the son's of the invaders as new king who love her in first time he seen her) and the other protector of aborigines...
I'm really disappointed that 3 reputed authors like them produced a story like that, feeling like an over detail kid story. Not recommended
July 19, 2009
Book 1 in the Saga of the Trillium (a collaboration between Marion Zimmer Bradley, Andre Norton, and Julian May).
Three princesses find themselves on the run after an evil sorcerer murders the rest of the royal family in his quest to take over their kingdom. Each princess has unique strengths and weaknesses and each must learn an important lesson before they can come back together to defeat the evil sorceror, Orogastus.
The eldest, Haramis, loves books and learning, but her quest for power may be her downfall. The middle sister, Kadiya, is a fearless warrior who fears her own weakness. The youngest sister, Anigel, is a girly-girl who, though skilled at forming relationships, does not trust her own strength.
Maybe not great literature, but an entertaining tale nonetheless.
Three princesses find themselves on the run after an evil sorcerer murders the rest of the royal family in his quest to take over their kingdom. Each princess has unique strengths and weaknesses and each must learn an important lesson before they can come back together to defeat the evil sorceror, Orogastus.
The eldest, Haramis, loves books and learning, but her quest for power may be her downfall. The middle sister, Kadiya, is a fearless warrior who fears her own weakness. The youngest sister, Anigel, is a girly-girl who, though skilled at forming relationships, does not trust her own strength.
Maybe not great literature, but an entertaining tale nonetheless.
November 16, 2015
I grew up reading Marion Zimmer Bradley and Andre Norton. In fact, I would go so far as to say that those two authors are the biggest factor in my continual love for the Fantasy genre. So it was with great excitement that I started reading 'Black Trillium'. While I finished the book less excited than when I began it, I did still enjoy it.
The story itself was interesting, and I loved the idea of the three sisters with their own *and* combined destinies. However, it felt like the book was too long, like it actually could have been more of a novella than a full novel. The characters, on the other hand, rarely ever really felt fully fleshed out.
Overall, I'm glad I read the book, but it didn't leave me with a sense of being touched by the story.
The story itself was interesting, and I loved the idea of the three sisters with their own *and* combined destinies. However, it felt like the book was too long, like it actually could have been more of a novella than a full novel. The characters, on the other hand, rarely ever really felt fully fleshed out.
Overall, I'm glad I read the book, but it didn't leave me with a sense of being touched by the story.
August 3, 2011
I chose this book because I'm a fan of 2 of the three authors (I have never read Andre Norton). I love Bradley's historical fiction, and Julian May writes some of the best science fiction I have ever had the pleasure to read. Thankfully, this is one of those rare occasions where a book written by more than one author is unnoticeable as such. The story-telling is seamless in this fantasy saga of three sisters who embark on a quest to discover themselves and save their country in the process. This novel spawned several sequels written individually by the authors. Great book for YA readers, but sadly out of print.
May 13, 2013
As a standard fantasy novel this is a good example of an easy-to-read and understand the characters. The three girls involved go from their beginnings as sheltered (and dare I say spoiled) princesses through a journey of discovery of self.
There are a lot of invented words, some of which are not well explained ('ell' as a unit of distance measurement for instance, it does not say exactly how far this is) but I didn't feel they impeded the text much.
There are a lot of invented words, some of which are not well explained ('ell' as a unit of distance measurement for instance, it does not say exactly how far this is) but I didn't feel they impeded the text much.
April 22, 2024
Lekka fantasy w stylu klasycznym, przyjemna, niewymagająca lektura dla relaksu. Podziwiam pomysł, by napisać coś takiego w kilka osób, chociaż w niektórych opisach "męskich spraw" dawało się mocno odczuć, że pisały to kobiety. 😀
Czy ktoś wie, która autorka opisywała którą bohaterkę?
Czy ktoś wie, która autorka opisywała którą bohaterkę?
February 10, 2008
This book was so bad I couldn't even read it. Definitely not recommended.
August 17, 2009
Typical and predictable. Ok - just boring. One of the thousands of fantasy book in this world. You really can choose something more original.
March 30, 2018
I'm not sure what happened considering these are big names in sci fi/fantasy, but there is little 'showing' and a plethora of 'telling.' The main characters would make great supporting characters.
July 18, 2012
Awful. Unreadably bad writing.
December 28, 2025
Too many cooks in this kitchen. A 500-page novel that could have easily fit into 250 pages or less.
Ruwenda, a peaceful kingdom, is invaded by Labornok, a hostile kingdom to the north. The Labornoki king is spurred on by Orogastus, a mage from a far-away land who seeks to rule the world. So the Labornoki army rides into Ruwenda pretty much unopposed and murders the Ruwendan king in a gratuitously gory fashion. Then they kill the queen. The king and queen's three daughters witness these murders and flee three different directions into the wilds of Ruwenda with the help of some Oddlings (basically goblins/elves/fairies/choose-your-own generic fantasy creature), while the Labornoki army pursues them. For the prophecy states that these women are dangerous and will defeat the Labonoki kingdom or whatever.
The three princesses are each tested in their own way to become better people over time. Haramis, the haughty eldest realizes that her two flawed sisters are nonetheless worthy of her respect. Timid, vapid Anigel learns to fend for herself. Hotheaded Kadiya learns tactical patience.
This all sounds fine to me, but the problem is that the above paragraphs pretty much sum up the entirety of this very long novel. There are no plot twists of any importance, no surprising moments of action or insight that provide the princesses with their character growth (and that growth is minor at best), no newly introduced elements as the novel progresses. The plot is not unlike the plot of Mad Max: Fury Road in that the three women flee into the swamps and are pursued, then lead their pursuers back to the Ruwendan citadel at the end. The difference is that George Miller does so much with this simple plot as the movie progresses, whereas Bradley, May, and Norton do so very little with this plot. The novel is unimaginative, plodding, and filled with largely uninteresting characters. None of the three princesses is particularly compelling as a protagonist. The five or six Oddling subspecies(?) were difficult to tell apart (some are noble, some are savage, but the deeper distinctions between them were otherwise quite ephemeral), and, frankly, would've been easier to tell apart if the authors had just called them elves, gnomes, trolls, etc.
The elements of the story that could've been compelling (such as Orogastus's backstory, the Archimage Binah's role in the world, the truth about the Dark Powers that Orogastus worships, the prince of Labornok Antar's thoughts about his father, etc.) are merely alluded to without further exploration. Yes, we know that Orogastus comes from a far-off land, but why? Just so he can rule the world? What is the purpose of the Archimage, the role that Haramis undertakes at the end of the book? Is she just some Yoda character who dispenses wisdom and not much else? What's up with the kingdom of Labornok? Why was King Voltrik ensorcelled by Orogastus so easily, and why didn't Prince Antar stand up to his father sooner? The "Dark Powers" are clearly not magical but some ancient, advanced civilization from the world's distant past, but how did Orogastus come to learn about them, and why is he so clueless about the truth when Haramis intuitively figures it out so easily? What are the roles of the so-called Oddling species, who are apparently custodians of the land left behind by the "Dark Powers" of the distant past? Why are the humans of Ruwenda friendly with them but other kingdoms are, apparently, not?
There are so many interesting details in this book, but none of them are explored with any creativity. Instead, we watch as the three princesses plod through the wilderness, having very few interesting encounters as they each search for their respective MacGuffin that will bring about their inevitable collective triumph over the Labornoki invaders.
Perhaps these questions and more are explored in the sequels, in which each of the three authors further explores an individual princess's further adventures. But because this book was so uninspired I have no interest in wasting my time with more of the same. What a let-down.
Ruwenda, a peaceful kingdom, is invaded by Labornok, a hostile kingdom to the north. The Labornoki king is spurred on by Orogastus, a mage from a far-away land who seeks to rule the world. So the Labornoki army rides into Ruwenda pretty much unopposed and murders the Ruwendan king in a gratuitously gory fashion. Then they kill the queen. The king and queen's three daughters witness these murders and flee three different directions into the wilds of Ruwenda with the help of some Oddlings (basically goblins/elves/fairies/choose-your-own generic fantasy creature), while the Labornoki army pursues them. For the prophecy states that these women are dangerous and will defeat the Labonoki kingdom or whatever.
The three princesses are each tested in their own way to become better people over time. Haramis, the haughty eldest realizes that her two flawed sisters are nonetheless worthy of her respect. Timid, vapid Anigel learns to fend for herself. Hotheaded Kadiya learns tactical patience.
This all sounds fine to me, but the problem is that the above paragraphs pretty much sum up the entirety of this very long novel. There are no plot twists of any importance, no surprising moments of action or insight that provide the princesses with their character growth (and that growth is minor at best), no newly introduced elements as the novel progresses. The plot is not unlike the plot of Mad Max: Fury Road in that the three women flee into the swamps and are pursued, then lead their pursuers back to the Ruwendan citadel at the end. The difference is that George Miller does so much with this simple plot as the movie progresses, whereas Bradley, May, and Norton do so very little with this plot. The novel is unimaginative, plodding, and filled with largely uninteresting characters. None of the three princesses is particularly compelling as a protagonist. The five or six Oddling subspecies(?) were difficult to tell apart (some are noble, some are savage, but the deeper distinctions between them were otherwise quite ephemeral), and, frankly, would've been easier to tell apart if the authors had just called them elves, gnomes, trolls, etc.
The elements of the story that could've been compelling (such as Orogastus's backstory, the Archimage Binah's role in the world, the truth about the Dark Powers that Orogastus worships, the prince of Labornok Antar's thoughts about his father, etc.) are merely alluded to without further exploration. Yes, we know that Orogastus comes from a far-off land, but why? Just so he can rule the world? What is the purpose of the Archimage, the role that Haramis undertakes at the end of the book? Is she just some Yoda character who dispenses wisdom and not much else? What's up with the kingdom of Labornok? Why was King Voltrik ensorcelled by Orogastus so easily, and why didn't Prince Antar stand up to his father sooner? The "Dark Powers" are clearly not magical but some ancient, advanced civilization from the world's distant past, but how did Orogastus come to learn about them, and why is he so clueless about the truth when Haramis intuitively figures it out so easily? What are the roles of the so-called Oddling species, who are apparently custodians of the land left behind by the "Dark Powers" of the distant past? Why are the humans of Ruwenda friendly with them but other kingdoms are, apparently, not?
There are so many interesting details in this book, but none of them are explored with any creativity. Instead, we watch as the three princesses plod through the wilderness, having very few interesting encounters as they each search for their respective MacGuffin that will bring about their inevitable collective triumph over the Labornoki invaders.
Perhaps these questions and more are explored in the sequels, in which each of the three authors further explores an individual princess's further adventures. But because this book was so uninspired I have no interest in wasting my time with more of the same. What a let-down.
September 2, 2020
“Il giglio nero” nasce come progetto letterario in cui vennero coinvolte le più grandi autrici di Fantasy del momento al fine di creare una saga. Il progetto si concretizza in questo primo romanzo che tuttavia è seguito da altri romanzi portati a compimento dalle tre autrici indipendentemente l'una dall'altra.
I personaggi, ben descritti fisicamente e caratterialmente, risultano freddi e piatti. Le protagoniste specialmente appaiono come ragazze poco realistiche, come portatrici di uno stereotipo fiabesco che però non si concretizza mai in sentimenti verosimili (essendo un romanzo e non un breve racconto, c'era da aspettarsi una maggiore caratterizzazione delle principesse). Anche quella che viene raccontata ed esplicitamente definita come evoluzione e maturazione non si concretizza davvero con un cambiamento di atteggiamenti o comportamenti, ma in qualcosa che il lettore deve accettare come dato di fatto solo perché affermata dall'autore.
Per tutta la durata del romanzo vi sono accenni al passato e ad aspetti importanti della vicenda che non sono mai stati esplicitati abbastanza.
I luoghi sono accennati, a parte qualche sprazzo in cui c'è un tentativo di descrizione durante il percorso delle principesse nella palude, che comunque appare sempre uguale a se stessa e inconoscibile ad occhi meno esperti di quelli dei personaggi non umani della vicenda.
Mi è sembrato di leggere una fiaba per bambini troppo lunga che, invece di appassionare, mi ha suscitato una sorta di scoraggiamento per una fine che pareva non dover arrivare mai.
Il lessico è semplice e, come la trama, sembra quello adatto alle storie dei bambini. Il ritmo è lento e scoraggiante; la trama troppo breve rispetto alla lunghezza del libro.
Per la prima metà il romanzo fatica a mettersi in moto e, quando finalmente la vicenda sembra arrivare a una svolta, non si trova comunque quel carattere incalzante che hanno i romanzi fantasy e d'avventura.
Credo che l'idea potesse avere un grande potenziale che però non è stato sfruttato a dovere. Per una storia del genere sarebbero stati sufficienti la metà delle pagine e la storia ci avrebbe guadagnato.
I personaggi, ben descritti fisicamente e caratterialmente, risultano freddi e piatti. Le protagoniste specialmente appaiono come ragazze poco realistiche, come portatrici di uno stereotipo fiabesco che però non si concretizza mai in sentimenti verosimili (essendo un romanzo e non un breve racconto, c'era da aspettarsi una maggiore caratterizzazione delle principesse). Anche quella che viene raccontata ed esplicitamente definita come evoluzione e maturazione non si concretizza davvero con un cambiamento di atteggiamenti o comportamenti, ma in qualcosa che il lettore deve accettare come dato di fatto solo perché affermata dall'autore.
Per tutta la durata del romanzo vi sono accenni al passato e ad aspetti importanti della vicenda che non sono mai stati esplicitati abbastanza.
I luoghi sono accennati, a parte qualche sprazzo in cui c'è un tentativo di descrizione durante il percorso delle principesse nella palude, che comunque appare sempre uguale a se stessa e inconoscibile ad occhi meno esperti di quelli dei personaggi non umani della vicenda.
Mi è sembrato di leggere una fiaba per bambini troppo lunga che, invece di appassionare, mi ha suscitato una sorta di scoraggiamento per una fine che pareva non dover arrivare mai.
Il lessico è semplice e, come la trama, sembra quello adatto alle storie dei bambini. Il ritmo è lento e scoraggiante; la trama troppo breve rispetto alla lunghezza del libro.
Per la prima metà il romanzo fatica a mettersi in moto e, quando finalmente la vicenda sembra arrivare a una svolta, non si trova comunque quel carattere incalzante che hanno i romanzi fantasy e d'avventura.
Credo che l'idea potesse avere un grande potenziale che però non è stato sfruttato a dovere. Per una storia del genere sarebbero stati sufficienti la metà delle pagine e la storia ci avrebbe guadagnato.
December 24, 2020
2.5
È un classico fantasy vecchio stampo, che risente un po' del tempo. La struttura è quella tipica del viaggio dell'eroe fiabesco: rottura dell'equilibrio, viaggio con aiutante alla ricerca di un oggetto magico, riflessione su vizi e virtù, ritrovamento dell'oggetto magico e conseguente sconfitta del cattivone. Probabilmente, questa mancanza di verve e la linearità disarmante dell'intreccio è data dal fatto che è scritto da tre autori. La caratterizzazione dei personaggi è molto blanda, nessun personaggio spicca per personalità (o ne ha una). I rapporti tra essi, poi, sono abbastanza campati per aria, specie le "storie d'amore" (il romance è solo accennato, per fortuna).
Lo stile è piatto e noioso, sicuramente questo romanzo non lo si legge per quello.
L'unico aspetto per cui vale la pena dargli un'occhiata è la costruzione del mondo, anche qui niente di esaltante, ma ha un certo potenziale: ci troviamo in un regno creato nel mezzo di paludi popolate da esseri simili a goblin le cui caratteristiche cambiano a seconda dei clan di appartenenza. Per tradizione, esso è protetto dall'Arcimaga, creatura femminile dotata di magia che ha il pieno controllo del Popolo (i suddetti goblin), della terra (rendendo l'accesso difficile per i nemici) e degli animali. Solo quando l'Arcimaga corrente è in punto di morte, perché impossibilitata ad estrarre la magia dalle sempre più rare piante di Giglio Nero, il crudele re del regno confinante, più povero, può condurre la sua battaglia di conquista grazie all'aiuto del suo crudele consigliere, un mago che utilizza strani manufatti oscuri (dalle descrizioni sembrerebbero o oggetti alieni o tecnologia umana attuale, rendendo così questo una sorta di fantasy post apocalittico). Solo le tre principesse (gemelle, ma diverse, ovviamente) possono opporsi alla conquista del crudele re, intraprendendo la ricerca dei tre talismani che comporranno lo Scettro del potere, ultimo lascito di una leggendaria e antica popolazione di cui si sa ben poco, gli Scomparsi.
In breve, i temi fondamentali sono lo scontro tecnica vs natura e l'educazione del proprio carattere quale mezzo per raggiungere il proprio posto nel mondo.
È un classico fantasy vecchio stampo, che risente un po' del tempo. La struttura è quella tipica del viaggio dell'eroe fiabesco: rottura dell'equilibrio, viaggio con aiutante alla ricerca di un oggetto magico, riflessione su vizi e virtù, ritrovamento dell'oggetto magico e conseguente sconfitta del cattivone. Probabilmente, questa mancanza di verve e la linearità disarmante dell'intreccio è data dal fatto che è scritto da tre autori. La caratterizzazione dei personaggi è molto blanda, nessun personaggio spicca per personalità (o ne ha una). I rapporti tra essi, poi, sono abbastanza campati per aria, specie le "storie d'amore" (il romance è solo accennato, per fortuna).
Lo stile è piatto e noioso, sicuramente questo romanzo non lo si legge per quello.
L'unico aspetto per cui vale la pena dargli un'occhiata è la costruzione del mondo, anche qui niente di esaltante, ma ha un certo potenziale: ci troviamo in un regno creato nel mezzo di paludi popolate da esseri simili a goblin le cui caratteristiche cambiano a seconda dei clan di appartenenza. Per tradizione, esso è protetto dall'Arcimaga, creatura femminile dotata di magia che ha il pieno controllo del Popolo (i suddetti goblin), della terra (rendendo l'accesso difficile per i nemici) e degli animali. Solo quando l'Arcimaga corrente è in punto di morte, perché impossibilitata ad estrarre la magia dalle sempre più rare piante di Giglio Nero, il crudele re del regno confinante, più povero, può condurre la sua battaglia di conquista grazie all'aiuto del suo crudele consigliere, un mago che utilizza strani manufatti oscuri (dalle descrizioni sembrerebbero o oggetti alieni o tecnologia umana attuale, rendendo così questo una sorta di fantasy post apocalittico). Solo le tre principesse (gemelle, ma diverse, ovviamente) possono opporsi alla conquista del crudele re, intraprendendo la ricerca dei tre talismani che comporranno lo Scettro del potere, ultimo lascito di una leggendaria e antica popolazione di cui si sa ben poco, gli Scomparsi.
In breve, i temi fondamentali sono lo scontro tecnica vs natura e l'educazione del proprio carattere quale mezzo per raggiungere il proprio posto nel mondo.
December 30, 2017
this book was...interesting. it took awhile for me to get into it because it's definitely a certain kind of high fantasy that has overwrought dialogue and reactions from characters, but once i adjusted to that, reading it got easier.
i appreciated that this was a story about three sisters on a journey to fulfill their great destinies. it's not one you see a lot in fantasy and i did like how the authors worked to show the women changing on their journeys without losing the foundation of their characters. i especially appreciated this in the writing of anigel, as she was considered the weakest of the three but her cowardice and inability to commit to action is not conflated with her kindness and compassion.
there is a decent amount of heterosexual nonsense in this, especially with the prince of the invading kingdom. but in general, it wasn't excessive and really only annoyed me at the very end as i felt parts of that weren't earned by the storytelling.
also, there is some REALLY suspect stuff going on with how the native people of Ruwenda are discussed and treated by the narrative. like, they are all happy to serve their overlords and have less right to their own land than the humans. sooo...yeah.
when i picked this up, marion summer bradley's history had slipped my mind. i even evaluated each author mentally because i knew it was a woman fantasy author, but obviously forgot who exactly it was. so i wouldn't recommend this to anyone based on that fact.
overall, i enjoyed reading the book for what it is, but i probably won't remember much of it within a few years.
i appreciated that this was a story about three sisters on a journey to fulfill their great destinies. it's not one you see a lot in fantasy and i did like how the authors worked to show the women changing on their journeys without losing the foundation of their characters. i especially appreciated this in the writing of anigel, as she was considered the weakest of the three but her cowardice and inability to commit to action is not conflated with her kindness and compassion.
there is a decent amount of heterosexual nonsense in this, especially with the prince of the invading kingdom. but in general, it wasn't excessive and really only annoyed me at the very end as i felt parts of that weren't earned by the storytelling.
also, there is some REALLY suspect stuff going on with how the native people of Ruwenda are discussed and treated by the narrative. like, they are all happy to serve their overlords and have less right to their own land than the humans. sooo...yeah.
when i picked this up, marion summer bradley's history had slipped my mind. i even evaluated each author mentally because i knew it was a woman fantasy author, but obviously forgot who exactly it was. so i wouldn't recommend this to anyone based on that fact.
overall, i enjoyed reading the book for what it is, but i probably won't remember much of it within a few years.
January 29, 2021
I read this ages ago and can't remember the books very well. So a couple years ago I bought the digital format and forgot I ordered it. When someone brought it up I remembered that I meant to reread it. I discovered the formatting is backwards. It reads back to front like a manga. Which would be find in paperback. But on a kindle I'm finding this makes it IMPOSSIBLE to read. I even checked if there had been an update to fix this problem. But it doesn't look like it. So I can't read this. I tried. I kept forgetting which direction to swipe. What I can say is that I forgot how tedious and dry the prologue was. I really didn't like the prologue. I can't remember what I thought about it the first time around. What I did think was there is NOTHING in this book that I remember from when I originally read it except the Oddlings. That was the only way I knew I probably had the correct series.
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