The Old Races: Origins

Negotiator Trilogy/Old Races Universe #0.1

by C.E. Murphy

Before the Negotiator, there were the long-held covenants of the Old Races: Do not mate with humans. Never tell them of our existence. And never kill one of our own. For time immemorial, these laws were adhered to…


…except when they were not. Delve into the secret history of the Old Races and discover the truth behind Saint George and the dragons, the origins of the mysterious selkie race, and the djinn betrayals that shape the world of the Negotiator Trilogy.


These stories and more are revealed in this collection of five Old Races short stories!

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Fiction

101 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2012

About the author

CE Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her–a six year old kid–to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.

She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.

She also writes paranormal romance as Murphy Lawless and cozy mysteries as Catie Murphy.

Reviews

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot: 5 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Style: 5 stars
Pace: 5 stars

One of the three short story collections she's releasing this year set in the Old Races universe. I'll admit, the minute I heard she was releasing these, I did a happy dance. There was such gorgeous world building depth in the Old Races trilogy that I craved more of their world.
This does not disappoint, at all. Deft touches bring this world a deepness few others manage. Looking forward to the others in this world, and her others.

[RavenT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as an introduction to this storyverse, and the short stories were fascinating glimpses of various races and their cultures. Some were love stories, and some stories of conflict. All were compelling - I definitely want to read more in this world. So I gave this four and a half stars, rounded up.

"The Death of Him" is a selkie story that is bittersweet. "Saltwalter Stains the Sand" is a heart-breaking Djinn story and a testament to the will to survive, and "Saint George & the Dragon" was Janx-centric and interesting, although there were tantalizing glimpses of more tales in his past. "Legacy" has Alban's backstory, and I like the idea that he could visit some cities and stay in their cathedrals because of his friendship with the architect. I like that he broke the secret for his friend's son. "Falling" features the Gargoyle Biali, before he was enforcer to the Dragonlord Janx. I believed in this love story and was left wishing for a Happy Ever After.

[Melindeeloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of stories about the Old Races of CE Murphy's Negotiator series - and with a few familiar faces here and there, I was happy to see a bit more of my old favorites. I was happy to have found this collection of shorts - and to hear that there are more in the worked, because I really enjoyed this series and had alway hoped the Murphy would pick it up again.

My favorite of the stories, Falling, was about Gargoyle Biali, before he was enforcer to the Dragonlord Janx. I liked how the bitter and rough gargoyle falls for a strong and perceptive human woman.

I also enjoyed bits of Alban, in Legacy, as he breaks one of the key rules of the Old Races and gains a home and protects the sons memory of his dying father.

Saint George & the Dragon, was pretty good it stars a young Janx and has an interesting twist.

The other two stories, The Death of Him, a selkie story, and Saltwalter Stains the Sand, a Djinn story, were okay.

[Carmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome. I didn't realize how much I missed the old races world until I got my hands on this, especially seeing as this looks at the history of the old races not just the parts that directly affected the characters from the negotiator trilogy.

I really hope C.E Murphy continues to write more in this world as three novels and a few short stories really isn't enough for me :)

[Carmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome. I didn't realize how much I missed the old races world until I got my hands on this, especially seeing as this looks at the history of the old races not just the parts that directly affected the characters from the negotiator trilogy.

I really hope C.E Murphy continues to write more in this world as three novels and a few short stories really isn't enough for me :)

[Larisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year long subscription turned me on to the potential for direct interaction with authors; how e-books would revitalize the market for short stories; and the great fun of receiving a story in my in-box...the adult equivalent of racing to the mail box to discover a gift inside.

[Dominique · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it.

[Anna Wick · Rating 1 out of 5]

didn't appeal to me. Plot seemed to obvious from the get go.