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Artemis #1
The Monstrous Regiment
1st Orbit 1991 edition paperback, vg++ In stock shipped from our UK warehouse
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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About the author
Storm Constantine
144 books503 followersStorm Constantine was a British science fiction and fantasy author, primarily known for her Wraeththu series.
Since the late 1980s she wrote more than 20 novels, plus several non-fiction books. She is featured in the Goth Bible and is often included in discussions of alternative sexuality and gender in science fiction and fantasy; many of her novels include same-sex relationships or hermaphrodites or other twists of gender. Magic, mysticism and ancient legends (like the Grigori) also figure strongly in her works.
In 2003 she launched Immanion Press, based out of Stafford, England. The publishing company publishes not only her own works but those of new writers, as well as well-known genre writers, mainly from the UK.
Since the late 1980s she wrote more than 20 novels, plus several non-fiction books. She is featured in the Goth Bible and is often included in discussions of alternative sexuality and gender in science fiction and fantasy; many of her novels include same-sex relationships or hermaphrodites or other twists of gender. Magic, mysticism and ancient legends (like the Grigori) also figure strongly in her works.
In 2003 she launched Immanion Press, based out of Stafford, England. The publishing company publishes not only her own works but those of new writers, as well as well-known genre writers, mainly from the UK.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 20, 2013
I love Storm Constantine. I think I've said that before. If not, it bears repeating. I LOVE Storm Constantine. As a elder goth with a decided literary streak, Storm Constantine is one of my patron saints of dark literature, along with Tanith Lee, Anne Bishop, Caitlin Kiernan and Nancy Collins (to name just a few).
If you read this and become pissed off that Constantine didn't do proper justice to a female-driven society, you're missing the point. The brilliance of this novel is that people (regardless of gender) given too much power tend to revert to their baser instincts. On the other hand she writes of the utopia/balanced civilization which understands the need for both the female male principles. Is it nature or nurture? Who knows. I loved all the characters with their flaws but do wish the Dominatrix had been better developed. How did she come to believe the things she did? What was the evolution of her philosophy? Also, her private behavior really wasn't that much of a shock considering.
One of the many things I love about Storm Constantine is how she plays with notions of gender. It's fluid and it's a fertile playground of the imagination.
If you read this and become pissed off that Constantine didn't do proper justice to a female-driven society, you're missing the point. The brilliance of this novel is that people (regardless of gender) given too much power tend to revert to their baser instincts. On the other hand she writes of the utopia/balanced civilization which understands the need for both the female male principles. Is it nature or nurture? Who knows. I loved all the characters with their flaws but do wish the Dominatrix had been better developed. How did she come to believe the things she did? What was the evolution of her philosophy? Also, her private behavior really wasn't that much of a shock considering.
One of the many things I love about Storm Constantine is how she plays with notions of gender. It's fluid and it's a fertile playground of the imagination.
March 31, 2015
I was reccomended this book on the basis that I was writing a novel about female soldiers, and there is very little literature on the subject.
Let me say, straight up, that Storm Constantine writes beautiful prose with a unique and authentic voice, and that she paces the story excellently to keep the reader going.
Sadly, I wish I had not even begun. One scene in particular has been added to the collection of nightmares that I strive to keep small. If that makes some people think "oooh, nightmare fuel!" in a good way, then consider another scene which reminds me of nothing short of that meme of the squirrel with the gigantic balls.
The landscapes and settings, incidentally, are lavish and vivid, and the atmosphere of the setting intense.
The plot, however, revolves around political shenanigans in an already Rad-Fem society. At the heights of fascist control already in place when the story unfolds, a faction has emerged which plans simply to put all the men in camps and milk them medically of their sperm.
A possibly intriguing premise, hampered by several issues. First, every single male character is gay. We are proposing a society where sex between men and women has almost entirely ceased, women have split into two lesbian sub-genders... and every living male is apparently gay. Leaving aside the attempt to subvert heteronormalcy...As a straight man, it wasn't easy to relate to the male characters.
The story also suffers from an essentially passive protagonist, a girl who is literally selected from an outlying farm to be the bed-warmer of a senior (female) officer. From here, she is victimized and abused to the point of the afore-mentioned nightmare-fuel.
Let me be clear that the book is excellently written and indeed often gripping. But it is harrowing, and in places deeply unpleasant to read.
Let me say, straight up, that Storm Constantine writes beautiful prose with a unique and authentic voice, and that she paces the story excellently to keep the reader going.
Sadly, I wish I had not even begun. One scene in particular has been added to the collection of nightmares that I strive to keep small. If that makes some people think "oooh, nightmare fuel!" in a good way, then consider another scene which reminds me of nothing short of that meme of the squirrel with the gigantic balls.
The landscapes and settings, incidentally, are lavish and vivid, and the atmosphere of the setting intense.
The plot, however, revolves around political shenanigans in an already Rad-Fem society. At the heights of fascist control already in place when the story unfolds, a faction has emerged which plans simply to put all the men in camps and milk them medically of their sperm.
A possibly intriguing premise, hampered by several issues. First, every single male character is gay. We are proposing a society where sex between men and women has almost entirely ceased, women have split into two lesbian sub-genders... and every living male is apparently gay. Leaving aside the attempt to subvert heteronormalcy...As a straight man, it wasn't easy to relate to the male characters.
The story also suffers from an essentially passive protagonist, a girl who is literally selected from an outlying farm to be the bed-warmer of a senior (female) officer. From here, she is victimized and abused to the point of the afore-mentioned nightmare-fuel.
Let me be clear that the book is excellently written and indeed often gripping. But it is harrowing, and in places deeply unpleasant to read.
February 9, 2012
The Monstrous Regiment is a story of the far future. Long ago, the planet Artemis was colonized by a small group of feminists and male supporters who left Earth to create a civilization of true equality.
Unfortunately, since then a cruel matriarchy has replaced the patriarchy of history. The book follows a teenage girl named Corinna who has been raised on the farms of the marshland where, even though men have no legal authority, they are at least treated respectfully and included as part of the family. But her beliefs are about to be tested.
General Carmenya Oralien, a woman of power from the city Silven Crescent and an old friend of Corinna's mother, has called on Corinna to come to the city and work for the government; and possibly be something more than just an employee to Carmenya. But Corinna and her mother hold a secret - they've recently helped the rebel leader Elvon L'Belder escape General Oralien's clutches, and are in fact sympathetic with his cause; equality.
At least Corinna believes she is. Silven Crescent, though, is a dangerous city where the smallest infraction in manners can cause a person to go missing forever, and she finds that ignoring the men's plight is easier than fighting her intoxicating new life. As feelings between her and Carmenya blossom and she gradually sees the ugly truth beneath the beautiful city, she finds herself suddenly in danger from people she had come to know as her friends.
At the same time, L'Belder and his new friends from the marsh are in search for the elusive native race of people living on Artemis. Most believe that none exists, and the stories of traders are only fairy tales; but even the wildest legends have seeds of truth, and the truth they will find is in fact stranger than anything they could have imagined.
The best word I can find to describe this story is "unique." It was an enjoyable and interesting read. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but it didn't end up how I expected. From the beginning the reader expects to get the story of an unexpecting hero who topples the evil oppressive government and leads the people to freedom. Not really. The Monstrous Regiment unfolds in a much more realistic way, leaving the reader feeling hopeful for the future, but not exactly content that wrongs have been righted and justice has been served. Is there a sequel? I feel like there could be.
The Monstrous Regiment is not for the faint of heart and not for young readers. There are no really explicit or pornographic scenes, but sexual encounters between all combinations of sexes are implied rather heavily, and there is sexual tension between many of the characters. Some of the torture and more horrific crimes of the Dominatrix (the leader of their oppressive matriarchy) also include some graphic sexuality. In my opinion there is nothing tasteless in this book, but if you are squeamish about sexuality or the human body, a couple scenes may bother you.
The book is heavily character driven which I liked, but admittedly there is not a whole lot of action, at least in the first half of the book. Sometimes it can be confusing when the reader is allowed in the heads of many characters, but Storm Constantine does it very well, and I often didn't want to put the book down simply because I was constantly getting to know her characters better.
The one character I didn't feel was fully developed was the dominatrix herself. Before we finally meet the dominatrix half way into the story, she is made out to be a cold and shrewd woman who, despite her insanity, is brilliant. When we finally do meet her, she doesn't seem that brilliant. L'Belder escapes, she knows he was never found, and yet she apparently makes no more effort to find him after the search that brings Carmenya together with Corinna. When we do meet her, we find she is a woman so full of herself that she lounges and surrounds herself with women that flatter her. Her employees talk about her plans but never once during the book do we see her doing something intelligent or working on any plans. It makes me wonder if she was any more than a figurehead.
Still, the book was a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting read. The author does a fantastic job in building a world that feels real. I can see this leading some people, especially male readers, to see some offensive ideas in the story, so the reader has to keep in mind that this book makes no statement of opinion about gender roles or sexism in our world...the story is about ARTEMIS. Not Earth. Some of the content is controversial, but even if the world Artemis doesn't always work that way, the book makes it clear that complete equality is and always should be our goal. I feel the controversiality made the story all that more interesting, and I definitely think all you adventurous fantasy fans out there should add this book to your list. A solid four stars.
Unfortunately, since then a cruel matriarchy has replaced the patriarchy of history. The book follows a teenage girl named Corinna who has been raised on the farms of the marshland where, even though men have no legal authority, they are at least treated respectfully and included as part of the family. But her beliefs are about to be tested.
General Carmenya Oralien, a woman of power from the city Silven Crescent and an old friend of Corinna's mother, has called on Corinna to come to the city and work for the government; and possibly be something more than just an employee to Carmenya. But Corinna and her mother hold a secret - they've recently helped the rebel leader Elvon L'Belder escape General Oralien's clutches, and are in fact sympathetic with his cause; equality.
At least Corinna believes she is. Silven Crescent, though, is a dangerous city where the smallest infraction in manners can cause a person to go missing forever, and she finds that ignoring the men's plight is easier than fighting her intoxicating new life. As feelings between her and Carmenya blossom and she gradually sees the ugly truth beneath the beautiful city, she finds herself suddenly in danger from people she had come to know as her friends.
At the same time, L'Belder and his new friends from the marsh are in search for the elusive native race of people living on Artemis. Most believe that none exists, and the stories of traders are only fairy tales; but even the wildest legends have seeds of truth, and the truth they will find is in fact stranger than anything they could have imagined.
The best word I can find to describe this story is "unique." It was an enjoyable and interesting read. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but it didn't end up how I expected. From the beginning the reader expects to get the story of an unexpecting hero who topples the evil oppressive government and leads the people to freedom. Not really. The Monstrous Regiment unfolds in a much more realistic way, leaving the reader feeling hopeful for the future, but not exactly content that wrongs have been righted and justice has been served. Is there a sequel? I feel like there could be.
The Monstrous Regiment is not for the faint of heart and not for young readers. There are no really explicit or pornographic scenes, but sexual encounters between all combinations of sexes are implied rather heavily, and there is sexual tension between many of the characters. Some of the torture and more horrific crimes of the Dominatrix (the leader of their oppressive matriarchy) also include some graphic sexuality. In my opinion there is nothing tasteless in this book, but if you are squeamish about sexuality or the human body, a couple scenes may bother you.
The book is heavily character driven which I liked, but admittedly there is not a whole lot of action, at least in the first half of the book. Sometimes it can be confusing when the reader is allowed in the heads of many characters, but Storm Constantine does it very well, and I often didn't want to put the book down simply because I was constantly getting to know her characters better.
The one character I didn't feel was fully developed was the dominatrix herself. Before we finally meet the dominatrix half way into the story, she is made out to be a cold and shrewd woman who, despite her insanity, is brilliant. When we finally do meet her, she doesn't seem that brilliant. L'Belder escapes, she knows he was never found, and yet she apparently makes no more effort to find him after the search that brings Carmenya together with Corinna. When we do meet her, we find she is a woman so full of herself that she lounges and surrounds herself with women that flatter her. Her employees talk about her plans but never once during the book do we see her doing something intelligent or working on any plans. It makes me wonder if she was any more than a figurehead.
Still, the book was a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting read. The author does a fantastic job in building a world that feels real. I can see this leading some people, especially male readers, to see some offensive ideas in the story, so the reader has to keep in mind that this book makes no statement of opinion about gender roles or sexism in our world...the story is about ARTEMIS. Not Earth. Some of the content is controversial, but even if the world Artemis doesn't always work that way, the book makes it clear that complete equality is and always should be our goal. I feel the controversiality made the story all that more interesting, and I definitely think all you adventurous fantasy fans out there should add this book to your list. A solid four stars.
April 25, 2016
My first Storm Constantine book. It was really rather odd. The writing style was also somewhat clunky which was offputting at first. I liked some of the concepts of the society, and I also really enjoyed the descriptions of lush alien vegetation and landscape, but there was definitely something a bit unsatisfying about the story which I can't quite put my finger on.
Two and a half stars rather than three, it was worth finishing, but only just!
Two and a half stars rather than three, it was worth finishing, but only just!
April 26, 2018
Artemis was meant to be a matriarchal paradise. It’s a far cry from what it was meant to be. Ruled with an iron fist by its absolute ruler, those living at the capitol learn to fear her, particularly Rosanel, who has allowed herself to be swayed by a charismatic male revolutionary, L’Belder.
L’Belder is forced to flee from Silver Crescent and its monstrous regiment, led by the relentless and ruthless Carmenya. He finds himself in the marshlands where life is a little more lenient for the males living there. He meets Corrinna, the daughter of one of the marshland estate owners and Shyya, charming male companion to Meonel, the grumpy, estranged husband of the same estate owner.
Carmenya is hot on his heels, though, and she’s uncomfortably close to Corinna. L’Belder flees once more, finding unexpected allies in Corinna, Shyya, and Meonel. The latter two accompany L’Belder when he goes seeking the mysterious Greylids and a power to counter that of Silver Crescent.
In the meantime, Corinna goes on a journey of her own at Carmenya’s side into the very heart of the enemy, discovering the truth about the woman who rules them all.
This was a fascinating read with intriguing characters, whom fought more with their minds and inner strength than in physical combat. The title of the absolute leader in this, Dominatrix, threw me a bit, since the title is used in the literal sense of the word’s meaning ‘to dominate’ rather than in the modern context of bondage play. The characters were well rounded, making the setting come to life through their eyes, taking form in beautiful prose. Many of them discovered their goals through interacting with the various locations and people within them, giving the story a deeper level of self discovery while exploring the subtler levels of the matriarchy they existed in.
For all of these qualities, I give this book four stars.
L’Belder is forced to flee from Silver Crescent and its monstrous regiment, led by the relentless and ruthless Carmenya. He finds himself in the marshlands where life is a little more lenient for the males living there. He meets Corrinna, the daughter of one of the marshland estate owners and Shyya, charming male companion to Meonel, the grumpy, estranged husband of the same estate owner.
Carmenya is hot on his heels, though, and she’s uncomfortably close to Corinna. L’Belder flees once more, finding unexpected allies in Corinna, Shyya, and Meonel. The latter two accompany L’Belder when he goes seeking the mysterious Greylids and a power to counter that of Silver Crescent.
In the meantime, Corinna goes on a journey of her own at Carmenya’s side into the very heart of the enemy, discovering the truth about the woman who rules them all.
This was a fascinating read with intriguing characters, whom fought more with their minds and inner strength than in physical combat. The title of the absolute leader in this, Dominatrix, threw me a bit, since the title is used in the literal sense of the word’s meaning ‘to dominate’ rather than in the modern context of bondage play. The characters were well rounded, making the setting come to life through their eyes, taking form in beautiful prose. Many of them discovered their goals through interacting with the various locations and people within them, giving the story a deeper level of self discovery while exploring the subtler levels of the matriarchy they existed in.
For all of these qualities, I give this book four stars.
March 8, 2018
While this book had good moments, it was deeply unpleasant to read. Furthermore, it only deepened the sense that Storm Constantine has it in for women. Certainly if you're in one of her books, you would not want to be a woman. Or perhaps there is a complex underlying psychological reason for the treatment of her female characters, but either way, it's disturbing. In many ways that is beneficial becuase it means the book can address deeper themes of identity, strength and beauty/joy, in a way that wouldn't be possible without some no-holds barred body horror. In other ways, I wouldn't recommend it. Conversely, it's nice to see Storm Constantine write something with lesbians finally, even if [mild spoiler] she falls into the typical cultural trope trap of having the Sapphic romances far less deep/poignant/successful than the Achillean ones.
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January 16, 2026A 340 page book wherein the first 150 is essentially world-building and from there descents into just horrific scenes. The world building is dense and is a pretty hard slog to get into. There was a grace period before the horror began where I quite liked the story and then I was really just aghast at what I witnessed. Two aspects are insane to me 1) it's positioned as a feminist plot but really it's just women subjugating men with plans to create a fascist state and 2) it's still locked in its time with regards to gender roles and sexuality, despite the proposed subversions.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews