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Thieves' World Novels #1
Beyond Sanctuary
In this Thieves World fantasy, the warrior-servant of the fickle god of storm and war, immortal Tempus, is denied the love of mortal women so that anyone who loves him must die, and anyone he loves loathes him
262 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
21 people are currently reading
1320 people want to read
About the author
Janet E. Morris
108 books383 followersJanet Ellen Morris (born May 25, 1946) is a United States author. She began writing in 1976 and has since published more than 20 novels, many co-authored with David Drake or her husband Chris Morris. She has contributed short fiction to the shared universe fantasy series Thieves World, and edited the Bangsian fantasy series Heroes in Hell. Most of her work has been in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she has also written several works of non-fiction.
Morris was elected to the New York Academy of Sciences in 1980.
In 1995, Morris and her husband and frequent co-writer Christopher Morris founded M2 Tech. Since that time, their writing output has decreased in proportion to the success of the company, which works with U.S. federal and military agencies on non-lethal weapon systems and software.
Morris was elected to the New York Academy of Sciences in 1980.
In 1995, Morris and her husband and frequent co-writer Christopher Morris founded M2 Tech. Since that time, their writing output has decreased in proportion to the success of the company, which works with U.S. federal and military agencies on non-lethal weapon systems and software.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 28, 2014
Janet E. Morris' Beyond Sanctuary is a splendid mashup of Dark Fantasy and ancient grandeur. Read this and you'll be transported into the Baroque masterpiece cover, joining the battlefield alongside gods and champions: Life to you, Reader, and everlasting glory!
The Cover: This Author's Cut version features Peter Paul Rubens' 1618 painting "The Death of Decius Mus in Battle"(translated title); this extends Perseid Press' cover art approach. This represents the book very well; it promises to drag you into epic, divine combat rooted in history. It delivers. Expect fantastic magic, doses of horror, stealth military sorties, and mature themes.
Tempus and Niko: The book follows many characters, but focuses on Tempus and Niko; the story arc leans toward Niko's plight, though Tempus is ever present. Tempus begins living a curse in which those who love him get hurt, and Niko recovers from losing his sacred partner (only to have his mind vied for by a god and sorceress). These are deeply motivated characters who parley directly with gods as contemporary immortals .
A Mature Read: Having not read the Thieve's World Series from which this novel evolved, I entered this with a blank slate. This is ostensibly the best starting point to delve into the Tempus & Niko series (see the reading list below). Here is what you can expect:
• History-Informed Magic & Culture: Foremost, Beyond Sanctuary blends fantasy with historical elements so seamlessly, that history-deficient-folk like myself cannot easily differentiate pure-fiction from history-informed fantasy. Whether it's Niko's attraction to young women (which creeped me out despite being common in many cultures long ago and even today) , the intimate pairing of elite warriors (~the Sacred Band of Thebes), or the landscape of Nisibis and Mygdonia (those were real territories)... heck, even the gods and spiritual concepts are informed from ancient beliefs (i.e. Enil, Maat). The immortal characters and magic are presumably fiction. This mashup of fantasy/history yields a rich world for the characters to navigate. An informative Wikipedia posting on the Sacred Band of Stepsons explains more.
• Mature Scenes: Adult-appropriate sexual scenes are abundant, though not gratuitous (they reflect the milieu informed by history).
• Style: Expect intricate sentences with a panoply of vocabulary (and even parenthetical asides).
• Names/Forms: Each character has multiple names (Stealth/Niko...Riddler/Tempus… Datan/Osprey … Roxanne/Cybele; and these folk assume various forms (they use illusions to become imposters, they shape shift into animals...)
• Factions: There is a large portfolio of guilds, states, and cultures (Stepsons, Sacred Banders, Successors, Gods, Hazard Class Wizards, Wizard Wall Wizards, Rankans, ...); the characters each have multiple allegiances (to men and gods, or just men, or just men of certain region, or men and wizards…).
• Conflict: Given so many characters with allied & competing factions, there are as many conflicts as there are combinations (Tempus vs. his sister, Cyme; Cyme vs. Wizards, Tempus vs. Gods, Tempus vs. Wizards, Tempus vs. Roxanne, Niko vs. Gods, free Nisibis vs. Wizards, Mygdonia vs. Tyse vs Nisibis…)
Series Reading List: Such depth requires more books! This first installment prepares readers for the series. Any fan of the Thieve's World would no doubt devour this novel; in fact, any fan of alternate histories or epic fantasy would enjoy it. For me, it's on to Beyond the Veil, and I can't wait to get to the later books that repackage the original short stories presented in Thieves World:
The Author Cut Versions, in strict chronology (as of 2014, noting that more books may be published ):
1) Beyond Sanctuary
2) Beyond the Veil
3) Beyond Wizardwall
4) Tempus with His Right-Side Companion Niko (this contains flashbacks and the five original Janet Morris Sacred Band of Stepsons tales presented in the original Thieves World anthologies)
5) The Sacred Band
6) The Fish the Fighters and the Song-Girl(this contains a new novelette and frame story, with flashbacks and the six original Janet Morris, Janet and Chris Morris, and Chris Morris Sacred Band of Stepsons tales presented in the original Thieves World anthologies)
The Cover: This Author's Cut version features Peter Paul Rubens' 1618 painting "The Death of Decius Mus in Battle"(translated title); this extends Perseid Press' cover art approach. This represents the book very well; it promises to drag you into epic, divine combat rooted in history. It delivers. Expect fantastic magic, doses of horror, stealth military sorties, and mature themes.
Tempus and Niko: The book follows many characters, but focuses on Tempus and Niko; the story arc leans toward Niko's plight, though Tempus is ever present. Tempus begins living a curse in which those who love him get hurt, and Niko recovers from losing his sacred partner (only to have his mind vied for by a god and sorceress). These are deeply motivated characters who parley directly with gods as contemporary immortals .
A Mature Read: Having not read the Thieve's World Series from which this novel evolved, I entered this with a blank slate. This is ostensibly the best starting point to delve into the Tempus & Niko series (see the reading list below). Here is what you can expect:
• History-Informed Magic & Culture: Foremost, Beyond Sanctuary blends fantasy with historical elements so seamlessly, that history-deficient-folk like myself cannot easily differentiate pure-fiction from history-informed fantasy. Whether it's Niko's attraction to young women (which creeped me out despite being common in many cultures long ago and even today) , the intimate pairing of elite warriors (~the Sacred Band of Thebes), or the landscape of Nisibis and Mygdonia (those were real territories)... heck, even the gods and spiritual concepts are informed from ancient beliefs (i.e. Enil, Maat). The immortal characters and magic are presumably fiction. This mashup of fantasy/history yields a rich world for the characters to navigate. An informative Wikipedia posting on the Sacred Band of Stepsons explains more.
• Mature Scenes: Adult-appropriate sexual scenes are abundant, though not gratuitous (they reflect the milieu informed by history).
• Style: Expect intricate sentences with a panoply of vocabulary (and even parenthetical asides).
• Names/Forms: Each character has multiple names (Stealth/Niko...Riddler/Tempus… Datan/Osprey … Roxanne/Cybele; and these folk assume various forms (they use illusions to become imposters, they shape shift into animals...)
• Factions: There is a large portfolio of guilds, states, and cultures (Stepsons, Sacred Banders, Successors, Gods, Hazard Class Wizards, Wizard Wall Wizards, Rankans, ...); the characters each have multiple allegiances (to men and gods, or just men, or just men of certain region, or men and wizards…).
• Conflict: Given so many characters with allied & competing factions, there are as many conflicts as there are combinations (Tempus vs. his sister, Cyme; Cyme vs. Wizards, Tempus vs. Gods, Tempus vs. Wizards, Tempus vs. Roxanne, Niko vs. Gods, free Nisibis vs. Wizards, Mygdonia vs. Tyse vs Nisibis…)
Series Reading List: Such depth requires more books! This first installment prepares readers for the series. Any fan of the Thieve's World would no doubt devour this novel; in fact, any fan of alternate histories or epic fantasy would enjoy it. For me, it's on to Beyond the Veil, and I can't wait to get to the later books that repackage the original short stories presented in Thieves World:
The Author Cut Versions, in strict chronology (as of 2014, noting that more books may be published ):
1) Beyond Sanctuary
2) Beyond the Veil
3) Beyond Wizardwall
4) Tempus with His Right-Side Companion Niko (this contains flashbacks and the five original Janet Morris Sacred Band of Stepsons tales presented in the original Thieves World anthologies)
5) The Sacred Band
6) The Fish the Fighters and the Song-Girl(this contains a new novelette and frame story, with flashbacks and the six original Janet Morris, Janet and Chris Morris, and Chris Morris Sacred Band of Stepsons tales presented in the original Thieves World anthologies)
February 15, 2014
Janet Morris’ Beyond Sanctuary is the first volume in a trilogy that includes Beyond the Veil and Beyond Wizardwall, and the events in this trilogy take place before The Sacred Band, the magnificent novel by Janet and her husband Chris, which I previously reviewed here for Black Gate. Beyond Sanctuary is a complex novel, truly literary heroic fantasy. It is textured and layered, subtle at times, and yet always powerful. Like the best of all literary fiction, it has emotional depth and human drama, subtext and a philosophy that is expressed through the thoughts, words and deed of its characters, and not through narrative lecture and dissertation that slows the pace of narrative thrust. This is a novel driven by eloquent, intelligent characters with real emotions and real problems, with plots and subplots born of the classical tradition . . . characters that speak to us, that have something to say. And the action never falters, never loses momentum, and each chapter picks up more and more steam right up until the explosive finale of the attack on Wizardwall, and the resulting aftermath that ends like the final note in a great opera or symphony, on the last page.
War is brewing and the Rankan Empire hopes to flout Mygdonian expansion into their own lands, and flout the mages of Wizardwall, as well. And thus Tempus the Black, also called the Riddler, decides that it’s time to join the fight, leave the sinkhole that is Sanctuary and go up against the sorcerers and witches of Wizardwall. So he and Nicodemus, who is also called Niko, along with Janni, Critias, Straton and the other Sacred Band of Stepsons, set out in pursuit of two powerful and ruthless foes: Datan the archmage, and the Nisibisi witch, Roxane. This is the novel where Tempus first becomes involved with Jihan, daughter of a Froth God, who is in human form for the first time. This is where a young boy named Shamshi, who comes to play a major role later in The Sacred Band, has his mage-blood first awakened by Roxane’s caresses. This is where young Niko, who is heartsick over having lost two battle-partners, loses his maat, his sense of balance and inner peace. And this is where Roxane first spins her web to attract Niko, to play her games with him . . . and wants to use Tempus to destroy Datan. Ah, but Datan has his own plans to use Tempus—to destroy Roxane! No honor among thieves? There is even less honor among mages and witches.
If you are familiar with the classic ™Thieves World shared-world series, you will encounter many old friends and foes herein: Lastel, (aka One-Thumb), Molin Torchholder, Hanse (aka Shadowspawn), Walegrin, Grillo, and so many others. Oh, and you’ll also revisit the Maze and that most infamous den of iniquity, the Vulgar Unicorn. The gods, too, play a huge role in this novel: Askelon of Meridian, regent of the seventh sphere and entelechy of dreams and shadows; Enlil, Storm God of the Armies, who has snubbed Tempus; Stormbringer, the father of Jihan; and Vashanka, the former patron of Tempus, who has been left behind but not forgotten, and whose shadow, like those of all the gods, hangs over the lives of all the characters, for good or for ill, sometimes helping, sometimes interfering.
The main plot and the various subplots are complex, and to go into more detail would only cause me to give away too many surprises and twists and turns. But I can safely say that you won’t be disappointed in the array of fantastic characters, the intrigue and Machiavellian maneuverings of priests and politicians, and the exciting siege of Wizardwall. Demon dogs, were-snakes, soldiers, demons, and the heroes of the Sacred Band—those warriors “of a higher octave of being,” all clash in mighty battle. Cime the Mage Killer, sister of Tempus, lends a hand. Randal, the allergy-prone enchanter and shape-shifter, so young and so eager to prove his worth, comes into his own and earns the respect of Tempus and the Sacred Band. Niko, too, who is still very young and uncertain, hopes not to disgrace himself in front of his elders and fellow members of the Sacred Band.
For me the theme, the heart of Beyond Sanctuary is untried youth, of untested boys growing into men, of recruits becoming soldiers, warriors and heroes. It’s a great treat for me to revisit this series, to see the threads and foreshadowing that begin in this first book of the Trilogy and evolve and grow through the next two volumes, and how they all play out, for better or worse, in The Sacred Band. We see the hand of Fate at work here, and the influence of the gods. And what I especially like is how Morris involves the gods, how they influence mortals, take on human form, become human and fallible, but never over-shadow the mortal characters or the story itself. Though not always seen, not always taking an active part, the gods are ever there, their presence always felt; this is all superbly choreographed in the classic tradition of Greek mythology. Beyond Sanctuary is a wonderful novel, and this edition is a brand-new, revised and expanded Author’s Cut. This is a lucid, lyrical and powerful story of love and war, loss and betrayal, life and death. Death is the price we pay for war. Grief is the price we pay for love. Indeed. I’ve already started reading the second book in the Trilogy, Beyond the Veil. I urge you to start here, with Beyond Sanctuary, and don’t stop reading. Ever.
War is brewing and the Rankan Empire hopes to flout Mygdonian expansion into their own lands, and flout the mages of Wizardwall, as well. And thus Tempus the Black, also called the Riddler, decides that it’s time to join the fight, leave the sinkhole that is Sanctuary and go up against the sorcerers and witches of Wizardwall. So he and Nicodemus, who is also called Niko, along with Janni, Critias, Straton and the other Sacred Band of Stepsons, set out in pursuit of two powerful and ruthless foes: Datan the archmage, and the Nisibisi witch, Roxane. This is the novel where Tempus first becomes involved with Jihan, daughter of a Froth God, who is in human form for the first time. This is where a young boy named Shamshi, who comes to play a major role later in The Sacred Band, has his mage-blood first awakened by Roxane’s caresses. This is where young Niko, who is heartsick over having lost two battle-partners, loses his maat, his sense of balance and inner peace. And this is where Roxane first spins her web to attract Niko, to play her games with him . . . and wants to use Tempus to destroy Datan. Ah, but Datan has his own plans to use Tempus—to destroy Roxane! No honor among thieves? There is even less honor among mages and witches.
If you are familiar with the classic ™Thieves World shared-world series, you will encounter many old friends and foes herein: Lastel, (aka One-Thumb), Molin Torchholder, Hanse (aka Shadowspawn), Walegrin, Grillo, and so many others. Oh, and you’ll also revisit the Maze and that most infamous den of iniquity, the Vulgar Unicorn. The gods, too, play a huge role in this novel: Askelon of Meridian, regent of the seventh sphere and entelechy of dreams and shadows; Enlil, Storm God of the Armies, who has snubbed Tempus; Stormbringer, the father of Jihan; and Vashanka, the former patron of Tempus, who has been left behind but not forgotten, and whose shadow, like those of all the gods, hangs over the lives of all the characters, for good or for ill, sometimes helping, sometimes interfering.
The main plot and the various subplots are complex, and to go into more detail would only cause me to give away too many surprises and twists and turns. But I can safely say that you won’t be disappointed in the array of fantastic characters, the intrigue and Machiavellian maneuverings of priests and politicians, and the exciting siege of Wizardwall. Demon dogs, were-snakes, soldiers, demons, and the heroes of the Sacred Band—those warriors “of a higher octave of being,” all clash in mighty battle. Cime the Mage Killer, sister of Tempus, lends a hand. Randal, the allergy-prone enchanter and shape-shifter, so young and so eager to prove his worth, comes into his own and earns the respect of Tempus and the Sacred Band. Niko, too, who is still very young and uncertain, hopes not to disgrace himself in front of his elders and fellow members of the Sacred Band.
For me the theme, the heart of Beyond Sanctuary is untried youth, of untested boys growing into men, of recruits becoming soldiers, warriors and heroes. It’s a great treat for me to revisit this series, to see the threads and foreshadowing that begin in this first book of the Trilogy and evolve and grow through the next two volumes, and how they all play out, for better or worse, in The Sacred Band. We see the hand of Fate at work here, and the influence of the gods. And what I especially like is how Morris involves the gods, how they influence mortals, take on human form, become human and fallible, but never over-shadow the mortal characters or the story itself. Though not always seen, not always taking an active part, the gods are ever there, their presence always felt; this is all superbly choreographed in the classic tradition of Greek mythology. Beyond Sanctuary is a wonderful novel, and this edition is a brand-new, revised and expanded Author’s Cut. This is a lucid, lyrical and powerful story of love and war, loss and betrayal, life and death. Death is the price we pay for war. Grief is the price we pay for love. Indeed. I’ve already started reading the second book in the Trilogy, Beyond the Veil. I urge you to start here, with Beyond Sanctuary, and don’t stop reading. Ever.
July 23, 2016
Beyond Sanctuary is a great story by a master storyteller. I don't know how else to say it. Unlike too many novels that get dragged down by reams and reams of exposition and description, author Janet Morris keeps things moving, letting the story unfold through action and character, and revealing the world of the story organically - some here, some there, details peppered throughout and adding up to a full, satisfying whole. Sometimes in fantasy I get swamped with names and histories and geography lessons, but not here. Morris's engaging writing style is fluid but not simplistic, evocative but not overwhelmed by minutiae. It's a real pleasure to read.
I came across this book while looking for other volumes in the wonderful ... in Hell series (Heroes in Hell, Poets in Hell, Lawyers in Hell, Rogues in Hell, etc.) , for which Morris serves as creator, contributor, and editor. I'm really glad I've gotten reacquainted with her writing and I look forward to reading a lot more. I'd recommend Beyond Sanctuary to anybody, without reservation.
I came across this book while looking for other volumes in the wonderful ... in Hell series (Heroes in Hell, Poets in Hell, Lawyers in Hell, Rogues in Hell, etc.) , for which Morris serves as creator, contributor, and editor. I'm really glad I've gotten reacquainted with her writing and I look forward to reading a lot more. I'd recommend Beyond Sanctuary to anybody, without reservation.
December 29, 2013
When gods, immortals and mages fight among themselves mortals die, and die again. Tempus, an immortalised warrior, and his Stepsons must unite with some of the scum of Sanctuary, an ironically named city to be sure, to save a child and themselves from the machinations of a powerful wizard. Souls and more are at stake in a war which must be fought, and must be won, no matter the cost.
I was hooked by this from the first few lines, as it is a superbly written and very intelligent heroic fantasy. The characters are already established but it doesn’t matter, there is so much depth in both the world and the characters that the reader finds themselves on a ride of epic proportions. Not for the faint of heart the story does not hold back with the realities and moralities of battle, but beyond this there is a real sense of camaraderie among the Sacred Band and the Stepsons, loyalty which locks together men and horses in a dark world which leaves the reader wanting more.
April 16, 2014
Sword and Sorcery at its finest!
Discover the tale of an intrepid immortal, his deadly shock troops and brothers-in-arms, power hungry mages, a malevolent witch and all manner of Hell spawned evil. This is “Beyond Sanctuary” by Janet Morris, a classic tale of good versus evil, interspersed with the many shades of gray that lie between the two.
This is a story of epic proportions; mages being exterminated to satisfy the near insatiable needs of the beautiful Cime, the ancient warrior Tempus doing battle with gods and demons and a danger filled journey to engage a formidable enemy and avenge the deaths of members of his beloved Sacred Band.
Morris’ exceptional skill becomes readily apparent as she fleshes out characters whose complex emotions and idiosyncrasies establish a real connection and draw you into their lives. I was especially taken by Nikodemos and the many trials he faces throughout the book. He is such a wonderfully deep and troubled warrior that I couldn’t help but root for him. Niko epitomizes what it is to be strong in both body and spirit. He takes each loss that he suffers as a failure on his part, even when it was well outside of his control. Niko struggles with these losses and begins to doubt his worth. But rather than surrender to despair he pushes himself to reclaim the balance that he has lost with his brothers and within himself. Such is his strength that he earns the respect of the Riddler, the love of one of their greatest foes and draws the attention of the Lord of Dreams himself.
Beyond Sanctuary is not a fairy tale of knights standing about in unmarred, shining armor singing songs of their undying love to silk clad princesses. This is about true warriors who fight and kill the enemy, then celebrate with well earned drink and carnal festivities. Morris’ work is filled with pitched battles, excitement and intrigue. It is a land of warring factions, wielders of dark magic, formidable fighters and capricious gods. I have travelled Beyond Sanctuary and truly enjoyed the journey.
- Travis Ludvigson, author of the Nephilim Chronicles (Yare' Darkness Bound and Iron Song)
Discover the tale of an intrepid immortal, his deadly shock troops and brothers-in-arms, power hungry mages, a malevolent witch and all manner of Hell spawned evil. This is “Beyond Sanctuary” by Janet Morris, a classic tale of good versus evil, interspersed with the many shades of gray that lie between the two.
This is a story of epic proportions; mages being exterminated to satisfy the near insatiable needs of the beautiful Cime, the ancient warrior Tempus doing battle with gods and demons and a danger filled journey to engage a formidable enemy and avenge the deaths of members of his beloved Sacred Band.
Morris’ exceptional skill becomes readily apparent as she fleshes out characters whose complex emotions and idiosyncrasies establish a real connection and draw you into their lives. I was especially taken by Nikodemos and the many trials he faces throughout the book. He is such a wonderfully deep and troubled warrior that I couldn’t help but root for him. Niko epitomizes what it is to be strong in both body and spirit. He takes each loss that he suffers as a failure on his part, even when it was well outside of his control. Niko struggles with these losses and begins to doubt his worth. But rather than surrender to despair he pushes himself to reclaim the balance that he has lost with his brothers and within himself. Such is his strength that he earns the respect of the Riddler, the love of one of their greatest foes and draws the attention of the Lord of Dreams himself.
Beyond Sanctuary is not a fairy tale of knights standing about in unmarred, shining armor singing songs of their undying love to silk clad princesses. This is about true warriors who fight and kill the enemy, then celebrate with well earned drink and carnal festivities. Morris’ work is filled with pitched battles, excitement and intrigue. It is a land of warring factions, wielders of dark magic, formidable fighters and capricious gods. I have travelled Beyond Sanctuary and truly enjoyed the journey.
- Travis Ludvigson, author of the Nephilim Chronicles (Yare' Darkness Bound and Iron Song)
April 19, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this epic romp through a complex fantasy world of many layers.
Although I never give the plot of any story away, I will say this:
We have Tempus, avatar of a storm god, and leader of a band of mercenary fighters, the Stepsons, whose busy life is complicated by the meddling of his mage killing sister, Cime, the unlikely attentions of a Froth daughter, Jihan, and his concerns for the welfare of his men...Niko in particular.
And with good reason. War is brewing, and Tempus and his men are inevitably drawn into the fight at the Wizardwall. But of course, events will not allow a straightforward conflict, and a bubbling cauldron of plots and counterplots await him there. Mages, witches, demons, even the gods themselves seek to influence his every move, and none of their schemes will be direct.
How do each of them seek to gain the advantage and ensure Tempus remains distracted?
Ah! You'll have to find that out for yourselves, AND you won't be disappointed.
If you enjoy high fantasy, epic combat, and well written and intriguing plots that draw you in and involve you from the very beginning, then you'll enjoy this story.
I know I did.
Highly recommended.
Although I never give the plot of any story away, I will say this:
We have Tempus, avatar of a storm god, and leader of a band of mercenary fighters, the Stepsons, whose busy life is complicated by the meddling of his mage killing sister, Cime, the unlikely attentions of a Froth daughter, Jihan, and his concerns for the welfare of his men...Niko in particular.
And with good reason. War is brewing, and Tempus and his men are inevitably drawn into the fight at the Wizardwall. But of course, events will not allow a straightforward conflict, and a bubbling cauldron of plots and counterplots await him there. Mages, witches, demons, even the gods themselves seek to influence his every move, and none of their schemes will be direct.
How do each of them seek to gain the advantage and ensure Tempus remains distracted?
Ah! You'll have to find that out for yourselves, AND you won't be disappointed.
If you enjoy high fantasy, epic combat, and well written and intriguing plots that draw you in and involve you from the very beginning, then you'll enjoy this story.
I know I did.
Highly recommended.
July 3, 2012
I was a huge fan of the 'Thieve's World' collection when they first appeared back in the late 70s. One character in particular left such an impression that he remained with me over the years. That character was 'Tempus', created by Janet Morris. Obviously that character struck a chord with her, too, and she wrote a series of spinoffs over the ensuing years. My favourite of the several volumes that followed was 'Beyond Sanctuary' (1985), taking Tempus and his Sacred Band from the seediness of Sanctuary to the perilous regions of Wizardwall. Cut to today, and 'Beyond Sanctuary' has been released in the wake of her 2010 novel, 'The Sacred Band'. The good news is the newly released version of 'Beyond Sanctuary' has been revised and expanded. Reading it again after so many years was a delight, much like visiting old friends and picking up on conversations that seemed like yesterday. Highly recommended. Oh, and this fantasy pulls no punches, so be warned.
January 7, 2015
Janet E. Morris’ Beyond Sanctuary is an impressive writing of dark fantasy set in a multiverse world, where nothing is as it seems. The book is chock full of magic, horror, covert military forays, and mature themes, written in such a manner as to pique your curiosity and hold your interest. Morris introduced me to a new language, both for adult situations and everyday living. “‘Ahhhh,’ her premediated rippling takes him over passion’s edge, and he is falling, place and provenance forgotten…” There are many characters in this story, too many to mention, but the two main characters, Tempus and Niko carry the story. Tempus begins living a curse in which those who love him get hurt and Niko recovers from losing his sacred partner, while a god and sorceress are vying for control of his mind. These characters are larger than life and are not afraid to take on gods and/or anything that is thrown at them. Lovers of action-packed fantasy and other worldly happenings are in for a thrill!
January 2, 2014
Wow....what a trip this book gave me! I cut my book teeth on Thieve's World in my teens, fell head over heels with my first book boyfriend, Hanse, aks Shadowspawn. Here I am, today...ahhhmmm...somewhat older, a lot wiser and way more interested in plot, character and immersing my senses in a book.
Time stood still while I was reading this, and yet, it also flew by, like the pace of the precious Tros horses that Tempus so favors. Janet Morris is a master story teller that demands your attention, and I for one am more than happy to sit down and listen. From the very first sentence, I was immediately transported back into Sanctuary (perhaps the worst place to ever live, but man...I would so love to visit). The sights, the smells (yes, a book city can have a smell, it is all in the imagination) the sounds (bar fights, creaking saddle leather, animals...I swear, I can hear it all even now!) She has a way with giving you the details without being too obvious.
We meet up with our old friend Tempus Thales, favored avatar of a number of gods. Nico is there as well, having a very hard time with things. The Stepsons are there, trying to teach and keep the order around Sanctuary. A war is brewing at Wizardwall, and Tempus, Nico and the Stepsons are being drug into it, whether they want it or not. We meet Roxanne, the Nisibisi witch that has visions of grandeur. Roxanne has become one of my favorite characters...she is so complex. Just when you think you have her character nailed down to black and white, the lines shift and you are not 100 percent sure anymore. I hated her and I loved her at the same time.
I was an emotional wreck after I finished this book. I even waited a full day to process it before I posted it my review on amazon. I waited even longer to post here, as this is my backyard,this is where I review the books nearest and dearest to me, in hopes of luring one of you readers into my library and finding one of my favored authors and make them one of yours. These reviews mean more to me here, even tho they are not seen by more people. If you are a fan of fantasy from the 80's/ sword and sorcery realms/ a really good military tale, this is the series for you! The descriptions are amazingly lifelike, I honestly felt at times that i could reach out and touch the armor, feel the horse sweat, the roughness of the fabric, blood, sweat and tears. I wanted nothing more than to continue right into the next book!
What did I like....that is always a question I ask myself. I love the setting, the whole situation that Tempus finds himself in. He does not WANT to go to Wizardwall, but knows he must. I loved Nico's story line, his balance lost, emotionally alone, thinking he is a failure and being punished. Roxanne...the best darn witch I have read yet. Janet Morris writes very complex characters that are only human and have faults and ye gods, I love a character that only human after all! Here are all these characters, larger than life and we find a weak spot, a vulnerability, plain as day. Yet, our heroes are heroes in spit of that weakness. I was kept on the edge of my sofa, reading my kindle while draped over my knees, wanting to read slowly and savor, but yet finding myself turning the pages faster and faster.
Was there anything I did not like....oh heck no...I loved every ounce of it. I want to revel in the decadency of it all. What a way to come back to the realms of fantasy! Now to go Beyond the Veil...I can't wait! My horse is tacked up, gear is stowed and I am fully provisioned!
Time stood still while I was reading this, and yet, it also flew by, like the pace of the precious Tros horses that Tempus so favors. Janet Morris is a master story teller that demands your attention, and I for one am more than happy to sit down and listen. From the very first sentence, I was immediately transported back into Sanctuary (perhaps the worst place to ever live, but man...I would so love to visit). The sights, the smells (yes, a book city can have a smell, it is all in the imagination) the sounds (bar fights, creaking saddle leather, animals...I swear, I can hear it all even now!) She has a way with giving you the details without being too obvious.
We meet up with our old friend Tempus Thales, favored avatar of a number of gods. Nico is there as well, having a very hard time with things. The Stepsons are there, trying to teach and keep the order around Sanctuary. A war is brewing at Wizardwall, and Tempus, Nico and the Stepsons are being drug into it, whether they want it or not. We meet Roxanne, the Nisibisi witch that has visions of grandeur. Roxanne has become one of my favorite characters...she is so complex. Just when you think you have her character nailed down to black and white, the lines shift and you are not 100 percent sure anymore. I hated her and I loved her at the same time.
I was an emotional wreck after I finished this book. I even waited a full day to process it before I posted it my review on amazon. I waited even longer to post here, as this is my backyard,this is where I review the books nearest and dearest to me, in hopes of luring one of you readers into my library and finding one of my favored authors and make them one of yours. These reviews mean more to me here, even tho they are not seen by more people. If you are a fan of fantasy from the 80's/ sword and sorcery realms/ a really good military tale, this is the series for you! The descriptions are amazingly lifelike, I honestly felt at times that i could reach out and touch the armor, feel the horse sweat, the roughness of the fabric, blood, sweat and tears. I wanted nothing more than to continue right into the next book!
What did I like....that is always a question I ask myself. I love the setting, the whole situation that Tempus finds himself in. He does not WANT to go to Wizardwall, but knows he must. I loved Nico's story line, his balance lost, emotionally alone, thinking he is a failure and being punished. Roxanne...the best darn witch I have read yet. Janet Morris writes very complex characters that are only human and have faults and ye gods, I love a character that only human after all! Here are all these characters, larger than life and we find a weak spot, a vulnerability, plain as day. Yet, our heroes are heroes in spit of that weakness. I was kept on the edge of my sofa, reading my kindle while draped over my knees, wanting to read slowly and savor, but yet finding myself turning the pages faster and faster.
Was there anything I did not like....oh heck no...I loved every ounce of it. I want to revel in the decadency of it all. What a way to come back to the realms of fantasy! Now to go Beyond the Veil...I can't wait! My horse is tacked up, gear is stowed and I am fully provisioned!
July 22, 2014
The title “Beyond Sanctuary” suggests to me a journey of exploration, setting out of known place, where it is safe to remain ensconced, to risk life and limb in a fight, a brutal war between forces of good and of evil. This is what this story, with Tempus in the lead, is about: “He has ridden at a devil’s pace out of the sanctuary, home to the Stepsons’ barracks, which once had been a slaver’s estate and thus had rooms enough for Tempus to allow his hard-won mercenaries the luxury of piracy.”
As the immortal commander of the Sacred Band cavalry, Tempus is at once blessed and cursed with his fate: “He lived interminably, though he could not sleep at all… And wounds he took healed quickly — instantly if the god loved him that day, more slowly if they had been quarreling.” Here is a delightfully pagan, mythological world, where gods have caprices just like us, and strife abounds in their realm, which is reflected in ours. There are conversations with gods, and pleas that end up neglected. When the altar of the god of war is destroyed, “‘Well, Vashanka?’ he tested. ‘It’s your altar they took down.’ But the god was silent.” In the final analysis, the emotions given us by the gods are not external to us. They become our essence. “The fury he’d once thought was lent him by a god raged inside him. Now he knew it was his own.”
The author, Janet Morris, writes with painterly images that stir the heart, and bring to mind the epic poetry of the Odyssey. “The assault on the high peaks keep came with dawn… Pink tipped arrows raced a hundred yards straight up, glowing with Enlil’s sanction, almost invisible in the tricky light of sunrise.”
Morris hovers over her magical universe, bringing attention to one character, then another. I was particularly drawn to Roxanne, the Nisibisi witch who stalks the Stepsons. “Roxanne cursed so that the snakes, once again in her service, rushed for cover, as soon as they’d slithered into her study to announce that Tempus was at the front door.” Despite her dark character, I find myself feeling for her at several twists of the story. Here is one: “But Datan’s spell worked faster. From his finger a bolt of royal blue shot out and caught her by the throat. Struck dumb, she reeled and stumbled backwards, hit a wall and slid down it, nearly senseless, crumpling in a heap.” And here, another: “If anything had won the day on Wizardwall and lost the war for magic, it had been her feelings for a youth who didn’t even know her.” I loved her pride, and her power. “She was, after all, Death’s Queen; she was eternal; she was Roxanne.”
Five stars.
As the immortal commander of the Sacred Band cavalry, Tempus is at once blessed and cursed with his fate: “He lived interminably, though he could not sleep at all… And wounds he took healed quickly — instantly if the god loved him that day, more slowly if they had been quarreling.” Here is a delightfully pagan, mythological world, where gods have caprices just like us, and strife abounds in their realm, which is reflected in ours. There are conversations with gods, and pleas that end up neglected. When the altar of the god of war is destroyed, “‘Well, Vashanka?’ he tested. ‘It’s your altar they took down.’ But the god was silent.” In the final analysis, the emotions given us by the gods are not external to us. They become our essence. “The fury he’d once thought was lent him by a god raged inside him. Now he knew it was his own.”
The author, Janet Morris, writes with painterly images that stir the heart, and bring to mind the epic poetry of the Odyssey. “The assault on the high peaks keep came with dawn… Pink tipped arrows raced a hundred yards straight up, glowing with Enlil’s sanction, almost invisible in the tricky light of sunrise.”
Morris hovers over her magical universe, bringing attention to one character, then another. I was particularly drawn to Roxanne, the Nisibisi witch who stalks the Stepsons. “Roxanne cursed so that the snakes, once again in her service, rushed for cover, as soon as they’d slithered into her study to announce that Tempus was at the front door.” Despite her dark character, I find myself feeling for her at several twists of the story. Here is one: “But Datan’s spell worked faster. From his finger a bolt of royal blue shot out and caught her by the throat. Struck dumb, she reeled and stumbled backwards, hit a wall and slid down it, nearly senseless, crumpling in a heap.” And here, another: “If anything had won the day on Wizardwall and lost the war for magic, it had been her feelings for a youth who didn’t even know her.” I loved her pride, and her power. “She was, after all, Death’s Queen; she was eternal; she was Roxanne.”
Five stars.
Read
December 8, 2014In Beyond Sanctuary, the ancient cavalry squadron, the Sacred Band of Stepsons go beyond Sanctuary. Tempus, their immortal commander, ventures north with his Sacred Band to take the war against magic to the witches and warlocks of ancient Nisibis. This is the first Sacred Band of Stepsons novel, the Author's Cut edition, revised and expanded. There are two more in this group: Beyond the Veil and Beyond Wizardwall; all three were Science Fiction Book Club selections.
June 8, 2009
Janet Morris, who became my favorite writer from the Thieves' World books, wrote three novels about the character Tempus right as the original series was closing out. All three were excellent. I think this was the best of the three.
July 26, 2015
This is fantasy at its finest, a tale of epic proportions. Beyond Sanctuary is populated with a motley assortment of characters including: power-hungry mages, a malevolent witch, back stabbing wizards and adepts and other demons from Hell. They want nothing more than to kill one another and control the cesspool of a town called Sanctuary, where anything goes, and rule the world beyond.
I especially liked Nikodemos, who has lost two left shield partners and now his soul has been stolen by the beautiful but lascivious and treacherous witch, Roxanne. Without his knowledge she uses him as a spy as he, Tempus and the Sacred Band of Stepsons plan to attack the infamous Wizard Wall.
I won't giveaway the final outcome, except that it is an epic battle against Warlocks, wizards, the dead and undead and other foul creatures from beyond the precipice.
Once again author Janet Morris has created a world unparalleled in the world of fantasy. She fleshes out major and minor characters to the point you can identify with. You will either love or hate them, but you will never forget them.
Five stars on all accounts.
http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Sanctuar...
I especially liked Nikodemos, who has lost two left shield partners and now his soul has been stolen by the beautiful but lascivious and treacherous witch, Roxanne. Without his knowledge she uses him as a spy as he, Tempus and the Sacred Band of Stepsons plan to attack the infamous Wizard Wall.
I won't giveaway the final outcome, except that it is an epic battle against Warlocks, wizards, the dead and undead and other foul creatures from beyond the precipice.
Once again author Janet Morris has created a world unparalleled in the world of fantasy. She fleshes out major and minor characters to the point you can identify with. You will either love or hate them, but you will never forget them.
Five stars on all accounts.
http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Sanctuar...
January 26, 2012
In Beyond Sanctuary, the Sacred Band of Stepsons must leave the rogues den, cess-pool of a city that they have sworn to protect and fight in a war against sorcery and the archmage Datan, upon the famed Wizardwall. The dangers that await them might cost them more than thier lives as they must battle the Nisibis witch Roxane, Death's Queen, for the very heart and soul of one of their best fighters, Nikodimus, the Bandaran Adept martial artist called Stealth.
Tempus Thales, avatar of the storm god Enlil, called The Riddler, leads the Stepsons on their toughest and most dangerous mission yet in this tale of sword versus sorcery, and sacred warriors against profane mages.
Tempus Thales, avatar of the storm god Enlil, called The Riddler, leads the Stepsons on their toughest and most dangerous mission yet in this tale of sword versus sorcery, and sacred warriors against profane mages.
November 14, 2013
First full Thieves World novel and it focuses on one of my favourite characters from the series, Tempus. Tempus is cursed that he can't die, and anyone he loves hates him, anyone who loves him will soon die. Great stories as he leads his men to save the Empire he serves.
April 30, 2016
I think Morris works better at novel length,because this book seems much more coherent & interesting than some of her short stories do when read alone. Overall, an enjoyable, almost epic, piece.
October 30, 2014
I loved the mysticism and blend of dark fantasy in Janet Morris's Beyond Sanctuary. This is the first book by this author that I have read and I must say that her work is impressive. Beyond Sanctuary embodies all that a novel in this genre should. The book is masterfully written, appeals to the senses and is magical and appealing. The scenes are vivid, the dialogue is alive and believable and the plot is intriguing. The writer's world-building is simply short of amazing as is her imagination and use of imagery. If you love fantasy mysticism and a great read, this book is for you. I must go back and read Thieves' World so I can learn more about the historical perspectives of these characters. I recommend this highly.T
March 10, 2014
I love epic fantasy stories. I especially love it when the world building is exceptionally well done and the characters developed to such a degree that I can find myself living within the world of the authors imagination.
This book sure does that. The one thing that put me off. Vampires. It was jumping the shark.
I am so tired of these sparkly, sometimes murderous, sometimes noble fictional characters that I was seriously taken aback when they appeared in the one genre I figured would be safe from them.
That said. They don't play a massive role in this book.
So why do you not try this for yourself.
WaAr
This book sure does that. The one thing that put me off. Vampires. It was jumping the shark.
I am so tired of these sparkly, sometimes murderous, sometimes noble fictional characters that I was seriously taken aback when they appeared in the one genre I figured would be safe from them.
That said. They don't play a massive role in this book.
So why do you not try this for yourself.
WaAr
March 19, 2014
Great!
March 1, 2014
See review on other edition
March 6, 2017
"Beyond Sanctuary" is a fascinating, powerful, infuriating, intoxicating, confusing mess. Or something like that. A week after reading it I still can't decide whether I loved it or hated it. Probably both. It's certainly sui generis and a fascinating entry into the genre of sword and sorcery fantasy.
The book is composed of a series of linked vignettes featuring recurring characters as they battle each other. There's Tempus, the cursed leader of a military band who has an unhealthy obsession with his sister Cime, who is whisked off to become the lover of a god. Niko is a young brother in Tempus's band with a noble streak and a thing for young girls. The Froth Daughter is the incarnated manifestation of divine power, which doesn't stop her from becoming Tempus's (mistreated) lover. Roxane is a powerful witch chafing under the thumb of her even more powerful wizard-lover. All of them are carrying out plots, subplots, vendettas, and every kind of scheming and conniving that can be imagined. The effect is in turns intriguing and chaotic: the reader is dropped directly into the action and allowed to figure out who these people are and what they're up to as the story unfolds. In principle I enjoy this strategy, but sometimes I found myself thirsting for a little more backstory.
Like "High Couch of Silistra,"High Couch of Silistra the other book I've read by Morris, the world-building is excellent and the characterization is complex. Using a few well-chosen details, the author plunges you into a world so real you can practically smell the dust, sweat, and pedigreed horses. One of the most unusual details is the characters' regular use of intoxicating drugs (this is not a book for the juvenile set!): everyone uses something called krrf on a regular basis and other, more esoteric, substances when they can get them. The presence of drugs in the narrative underscores and heightens the dreamlike, fragmented, hyper-real impression it gives, both in its external descriptions of the landscape and in the internal descriptions of the characters' minds.
Although this is not a "psychological" work per se, the characters all have finely drawn inner lives, driven by ambition, lust, regret, fear, and a whole host of other emotions. Particularly interesting (and frustrating) in this regard are the female characters: they jump out off the page, demanding to be heard and taken seriously. It's unfortunate, then (at least to my mind) that the dominant response to them can be summed up by what Cime is told by Askelon, the god of dreams: "Silence best becomes you." Sadly, "Cime shut her mouth." I kept hoping that the scheming sorceress Roxane would realize her ambitions to destroy everyone, but alas, no ;) The forces of law and right, which here, as elsewhere, are associated with masculinity, prevail. "Beyond Sanctuary" is full of impressive examples of the power of femininity and female sexuality, but it is a sexuality pacified and bought off with rough sex, if not, in the words of Julia Kristeva, "virulently suppressed." Prefiguring what might be called "sex and sorcery" works such as Jacqueline Carey's "Kushiel" series, "Beyond Sanctuary" manages to bring grit, drugs, and sex into the often squeaky-clean world of fantasy. It may not be the last word on the subject, but it is certainly a powerful and important first word.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The book is composed of a series of linked vignettes featuring recurring characters as they battle each other. There's Tempus, the cursed leader of a military band who has an unhealthy obsession with his sister Cime, who is whisked off to become the lover of a god. Niko is a young brother in Tempus's band with a noble streak and a thing for young girls. The Froth Daughter is the incarnated manifestation of divine power, which doesn't stop her from becoming Tempus's (mistreated) lover. Roxane is a powerful witch chafing under the thumb of her even more powerful wizard-lover. All of them are carrying out plots, subplots, vendettas, and every kind of scheming and conniving that can be imagined. The effect is in turns intriguing and chaotic: the reader is dropped directly into the action and allowed to figure out who these people are and what they're up to as the story unfolds. In principle I enjoy this strategy, but sometimes I found myself thirsting for a little more backstory.
Like "High Couch of Silistra,"High Couch of Silistra the other book I've read by Morris, the world-building is excellent and the characterization is complex. Using a few well-chosen details, the author plunges you into a world so real you can practically smell the dust, sweat, and pedigreed horses. One of the most unusual details is the characters' regular use of intoxicating drugs (this is not a book for the juvenile set!): everyone uses something called krrf on a regular basis and other, more esoteric, substances when they can get them. The presence of drugs in the narrative underscores and heightens the dreamlike, fragmented, hyper-real impression it gives, both in its external descriptions of the landscape and in the internal descriptions of the characters' minds.
Although this is not a "psychological" work per se, the characters all have finely drawn inner lives, driven by ambition, lust, regret, fear, and a whole host of other emotions. Particularly interesting (and frustrating) in this regard are the female characters: they jump out off the page, demanding to be heard and taken seriously. It's unfortunate, then (at least to my mind) that the dominant response to them can be summed up by what Cime is told by Askelon, the god of dreams: "Silence best becomes you." Sadly, "Cime shut her mouth." I kept hoping that the scheming sorceress Roxane would realize her ambitions to destroy everyone, but alas, no ;) The forces of law and right, which here, as elsewhere, are associated with masculinity, prevail. "Beyond Sanctuary" is full of impressive examples of the power of femininity and female sexuality, but it is a sexuality pacified and bought off with rough sex, if not, in the words of Julia Kristeva, "virulently suppressed." Prefiguring what might be called "sex and sorcery" works such as Jacqueline Carey's "Kushiel" series, "Beyond Sanctuary" manages to bring grit, drugs, and sex into the often squeaky-clean world of fantasy. It may not be the last word on the subject, but it is certainly a powerful and important first word.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 12, 2019
I’ve got mixed feelings on the book. On the one hand, some of the language recalls Gene Wolfe’s Book of the New Sun. The book is inclusive, with its Sacred Band partners. The scope opens up vastly from the contained Thieves World short stories. The grim and morally grey Thieves World will always have a place in my heart.
But, there’s something holding me back from an unabashed endorsement. The offhand treatment of rape is jarring – it’s not even lazy grimdark shorthand, it’s just a thing that gets a sentence here and there, that bothers me. And there’s an at-times fuzziness to the plot and writing. Without having read a bunch of Thieves World anthologies (which I have, mostly, mind you), much of the book would become inscrutable.
But, there’s something holding me back from an unabashed endorsement. The offhand treatment of rape is jarring – it’s not even lazy grimdark shorthand, it’s just a thing that gets a sentence here and there, that bothers me. And there’s an at-times fuzziness to the plot and writing. Without having read a bunch of Thieves World anthologies (which I have, mostly, mind you), much of the book would become inscrutable.
September 18, 2023
Re-read the first stand alone Thieves' World novel for the first time in many years. I like the anthology books where each author writes a short story about their character a little better just because it was such a different concept (and still is many many years later.)
October 1, 2015
I came across Beyond Sanctuary in my town's used book store - it was a little old paperback with well-yellowed pages, which I like in books because of the smell. The premise also seemed interesting, so I decided to purchase it. After reading it, I came out with mixed feelings. I liked the world-building and the characters (Nikodemos especially) and the villains and the gods, and all that good stuff, but in spite of that, I felt like something was missing. I had never heard of Thieves World before reading this, and from what I understand, there are many short stories by various authors that precede this novel. In essence, I jumped right into this story without any kind of background information on the characters, the setting, the rules, or anything else. Needless to say, I was a bit confused about Tempus and what his deal was (he apparently has some kind of curse, which I don't think was ever explained in the book, and I believe he was also tied to one of the gods, which was also not explained in great detail). It is because of all this missing information that I can't give this book a higher rating than 3 stars, although the fault is my own more than the author's. I liked it, and I wanted to like it more, but my lack of knowledge for Sanctuary proved itself to be a hindrance.
January 1, 2015
As far as fantasy goes, this was a decently-written and enjoyable read, but not an especially profound one. There was a fair bit of "characterization-of-people-by-gender-or-ethnic-origin" known in the modern world as sexism and racism. The book would have been made better had the author used the stereotypes to confound and prove the main characters wrong (even as they remain unaware). It was partially done regarding gender stereotypes, but the female characters only had any power as allowed them by a male figure, i.e. Lord-lover, father, and god of dreams. Another layer regarding the comparative evils of the good and bad empires, the priests and the mages, etc. would also have added more meaning to the work. That idea was no more than mentioned in passing. The book had a great deal of potential to say more. Had this potential been fulfilled, it could have been a contender for 4-5 stars. It was good enough for me to continue with the series all the same.
December 7, 2014
Plot twists and turns will rip through the reader's thoughts!
Beyond Sanctuary (Sacred Band of Stepsons: Beyond Trilogy, Author's Cut Editions Book 1) by Janet Morris
A very strong and superbly written book by Morris.
The tale is a fantastical tale of war and fantasy, reaping the pleasures of death and destruction. Blood, danger and sanctuary awaits the reader of this dark and magical blood-splattered but beautiful inspiring work.
Plot twists and turns will rip through the reader's thoughts as they flip through these well-written pages of Beyond Sanctuary.
Depth, discretion and emotion seep from the author's words.
An spectacular adventure and highly recommended 5*****
Beyond Sanctuary (Sacred Band of Stepsons: Beyond Trilogy, Author's Cut Editions Book 1) by Janet Morris
A very strong and superbly written book by Morris.
The tale is a fantastical tale of war and fantasy, reaping the pleasures of death and destruction. Blood, danger and sanctuary awaits the reader of this dark and magical blood-splattered but beautiful inspiring work.
Plot twists and turns will rip through the reader's thoughts as they flip through these well-written pages of Beyond Sanctuary.
Depth, discretion and emotion seep from the author's words.
An spectacular adventure and highly recommended 5*****
March 6, 2018
I was only able to read a dozen or so pages of this drivel before I had to give up. The main problem is that the grammar is simply horrendous including incorrect punctuation and verb tenses that change in the middle of a sentence. The storyline itself was terrible, too. The author has obviously given a lot of thought to the world she's created, going on for paragraph after paragraph of exposition that did nothing to help draw the reader in or advance the narrative. She obviously doesn't believe in the concept of "show - don't tell." The whole experience felt like I was workshopping a new creative writing student's first novel. Perseid Press needs to hire a competent editor.
January 5, 2015
A true fantasy tale of gods and men subject to their whims. Mages who work their spells on those who they wish to subjugate for purposes know only to them and their kind walk the land. In the middle of this mess one man refuses to give in to the manipulations of those who can take away that which makes a man human. There is one he must battle for and battle he will. A man who never sleeps, who fights all including those calling themselves gods. Take a walk in a land where nothing is as it seems.
January 30, 2015
What a magical story filled with everything you can imagine … from sorcery and spells, to gods and warriors all living together. The writing is absolutely impeccable, and the story is told beautifully. The story builds as it progresses, and you really grow attached to Tempus as he battles against all of those who challenge him. I loved it, and will definitely recommend.
August 7, 2019
Love this continuation of the story of Tempus, Niko and the rest. Crit and Straton may be my favorite characters, but it's so hard to choose. Randal is awesome, Cime is so cool. Can't say enough good about this series. This fills in the gaps from the Thieves World series, where Tempus and the Stepsons depart for a time.
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