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Kencyrath
Blood and Ivory: A Tapestry
Who was Kindrie's father? What triggered the massacre of the Knorth women? What happened the night Jame was driven out by Ganth? Jamethiel Priest's-Bane first entered our lives when she walked out of the Haunted Lands on the opening page of God Stalk in 1982 with the haunts on her trail, searching for her ten-year older twin brother Tori to give him their father's sword and ring. But what was she doing in the Haunted Lands in the first place? What happened that caused her to leave her home? For the past 20 years, this has been one of the biggest mysteries of Jame's background. The answers to those questions-and others-are found in the pages of this collection. The original edition of Blood and Ivory first appeared in 1994, and included four short stories featuring Hodgell's signature character, Jame. This new edition, Blood and A Tapestry is far more than just a reprint. Our edition includes not only the four original stories, but four new ones as well, written specifically for this Three featuring Jame and the fourth one an original Sherlock Holmes tale. Pat has also written brand new introductions for each story, so the reader gets a fuller picture of Jame's life. These stories explore different facets of Jame's life and background and weave a lush and complex picture of this enigmatic figure. Blood and A Tapestry also features a gallery section of artwork by P. C. Hodgell, much of it never published before.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 27, 2018
I've recently decided to re-read this excellent epic fantasy cycle, and review as I go.
What to Expect
This is an anthology of mixed short stories by PC Hodgell. There's quite a variety:
Three short stories (one practically a flash piece) written specifically for the anthology, set right after Seeker's Mask. These provide alternative view points that help humanise some of the "villains" in the main narrative by explaining bits of background.
One story of an alternative Jame, set in a post-apocalyptic setting
A short story that was the original idea for God Stalk (reads like some bits towards the end of a novel)
A short that reads like a missing chapter from God Stalk
A short that is set some years after Seeker's Mask (and To Ride A Rathorn too)
A short about Sherlock Holmes and Watson (which does a credible job of imitating the style of Conan Doyle, though it's more Gothic than Detective in theme)
What I liked
I liked the "main continuity" shorts, as they present some extra information about the series and the characters.
What to be aware of
Some of the writing is very early, and rough around the edges.
The stories are in no way essential to understanding the main plot progressions in the novels.
Summary
If you're a true Hodgell / Jame fan, the kind that watches DVDs' extras, this anthology provides bonus material about the wonderful world of the Kencyrath.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
This is an anthology of mixed short stories by PC Hodgell. There's quite a variety:
Three short stories (one practically a flash piece) written specifically for the anthology, set right after Seeker's Mask. These provide alternative view points that help humanise some of the "villains" in the main narrative by explaining bits of background.
One story of an alternative Jame, set in a post-apocalyptic setting
A short story that was the original idea for God Stalk (reads like some bits towards the end of a novel)
A short that reads like a missing chapter from God Stalk
A short that is set some years after Seeker's Mask (and To Ride A Rathorn too)
A short about Sherlock Holmes and Watson (which does a credible job of imitating the style of Conan Doyle, though it's more Gothic than Detective in theme)
What I liked
I liked the "main continuity" shorts, as they present some extra information about the series and the characters.
What to be aware of
Some of the writing is very early, and rough around the edges.
The stories are in no way essential to understanding the main plot progressions in the novels.
Summary
If you're a true Hodgell / Jame fan, the kind that watches DVDs' extras, this anthology provides bonus material about the wonderful world of the Kencyrath.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
March 5, 2011
Don't even think of buying this unless you're a big fan of Hodgell's Kencyrath series and have read all the books. It's a delicious bonus for a fan, but has spoilers especially for book 4, To Ride a Rathorn, and besides it won't make much sense to you unless you know the books.
It begins with three segments that will fill in parts of the backstory in a bit more detail than the main series has done.
Following that, there's a short story set further in the future of the plot than the main series has gotten to. This is still officially canonical, but I would not necessarily expect this to actually come to pass in the main series, since a lot of time has passed and ideas have changed..
There's also a rather delightful short story giving an additional Tai-tastigon episode.
Following that is the original short story around which God Stalk was based.
Next up is the first story Pat ever wrote about Jame; it takes place in a sci-fi dystopian future Earth, and isn't canonical (Pat referred to it as 'perhaps too baroque to keep').
The book ends with a story Pat wrote for a Sherlock Holmes anthology, which is rather nice but unrelated to anything else she's published.
If you're a fan, get it. If you're not a fan, don't waste your money -- buy God Stalk instead, if you want to find out if you'll like her works.
It begins with three segments that will fill in parts of the backstory in a bit more detail than the main series has done.
Following that, there's a short story set further in the future of the plot than the main series has gotten to. This is still officially canonical, but I would not necessarily expect this to actually come to pass in the main series, since a lot of time has passed and ideas have changed..
There's also a rather delightful short story giving an additional Tai-tastigon episode.
Following that is the original short story around which God Stalk was based.
Next up is the first story Pat ever wrote about Jame; it takes place in a sci-fi dystopian future Earth, and isn't canonical (Pat referred to it as 'perhaps too baroque to keep').
The book ends with a story Pat wrote for a Sherlock Holmes anthology, which is rather nice but unrelated to anything else she's published.
If you're a fan, get it. If you're not a fan, don't waste your money -- buy God Stalk instead, if you want to find out if you'll like her works.
May 8, 2025
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
A collection of speculative stories by P. C. Hodgell, largely set in her Kencyrath universe.
Review
As a collection of stories and art per se, this is not very impressive. For the Kencyrath completist, however, it’s invaluable.
All but one of these stories (a missable gothic Sherlock Holmes story) deals with Jame and the Kencyrath, and the collection includes the first two Jame stories Hodgell wrote. The first, set on Earth, is frankly a confusing mess; if you read this first, you likely wouldn’t go on to the Kencyrath, and you’d miss out. The second is stronger.
The stories largely fill gaps in the then-existing Kencyrath bibliography, ranging from Ganth Graylord’s youth to some indeterminate time after Seeker’s Mask (and likely To Ride a Rathorn). Hodgell is pretty meticulous about details, so I think it’s a fair bet that this lines up with later books too, though I’ve yet to read most of those.
The stories range pretty widely in quality from the first Jame story (pretty dreadful) and the Holmes story (also not strong) to the more effective “Among the Dead”. Some don’t really function well as standalone stories. But as gap-fillers for fans, they’re very interesting indeed.
The book also includes all the maps reproduced in the first several Kencyrath books, which is helpful, though it would have been good to also have the brief family tree found in one of the others. Hodgell makes her own maps, and the book also includes some artwork, which I didn’t find compelling. The net effect is a little bit of a grab-bag, as if someone had said, “Let’s throw in all the short Hodgell material we have.” If so, it may work just as expected, with different parts appealing to different fans.
In any case, not a book for casual readers, but a must for true Kencyrath fans.
Summary
A collection of speculative stories by P. C. Hodgell, largely set in her Kencyrath universe.
Review
As a collection of stories and art per se, this is not very impressive. For the Kencyrath completist, however, it’s invaluable.
All but one of these stories (a missable gothic Sherlock Holmes story) deals with Jame and the Kencyrath, and the collection includes the first two Jame stories Hodgell wrote. The first, set on Earth, is frankly a confusing mess; if you read this first, you likely wouldn’t go on to the Kencyrath, and you’d miss out. The second is stronger.
The stories largely fill gaps in the then-existing Kencyrath bibliography, ranging from Ganth Graylord’s youth to some indeterminate time after Seeker’s Mask (and likely To Ride a Rathorn). Hodgell is pretty meticulous about details, so I think it’s a fair bet that this lines up with later books too, though I’ve yet to read most of those.
The stories range pretty widely in quality from the first Jame story (pretty dreadful) and the Holmes story (also not strong) to the more effective “Among the Dead”. Some don’t really function well as standalone stories. But as gap-fillers for fans, they’re very interesting indeed.
The book also includes all the maps reproduced in the first several Kencyrath books, which is helpful, though it would have been good to also have the brief family tree found in one of the others. Hodgell makes her own maps, and the book also includes some artwork, which I didn’t find compelling. The net effect is a little bit of a grab-bag, as if someone had said, “Let’s throw in all the short Hodgell material we have.” If so, it may work just as expected, with different parts appealing to different fans.
In any case, not a book for casual readers, but a must for true Kencyrath fans.
January 1, 2014
I enjoyed this, because I like Hodgell's books, and I'm happy to read more of Jamethiel Priest's-Bane regardless. The stories are fairly slight, giving more depth to backstory already established in the series. It's for fans, and I'm a fan, so that works out nicely. It probably wouldn't appeal to someone who hadn't read the series, or to someone who wasn't also interested in how a writer develops a character. Jame has been with Hodgell since her teens or childhood, by the looks of it, and has gone through many settings and incarnations. I had a little thrill of confirmation to see that Tai-tastigon was intentionally a Fritz Leiber setting, because that's what I thought it was back when I first began reading.
As always, I'm vastly impressed that Jame escapes Mary Sue status. I don't quite know how, because I'm sure she'd score very high on the test. Perhaps because Hodgell is playing with the tropes, winding them until they snap?
As always, I'm vastly impressed that Jame escapes Mary Sue status. I don't quite know how, because I'm sure she'd score very high on the test. Perhaps because Hodgell is playing with the tropes, winding them until they snap?
September 9, 2019
I’m doing a reread of the entire early Kencyrath series before I start on the most recent books. This is a “filler” collection between “Seeker’s Mask” and “To Ride a Rathorn” and it is very much a completist’s book. It includes several stories with either additional Jaime adventures, including one in which she lives in a postapocalyptic near future Earth. If you’ve read the first 3 books and loved them, this is worth tracking down. The only story that didn’t work for me was the Sherlock Holmes pastiche, which didn’t fit the rest of the collection; your mileage may vary. On to the next volume!
June 20, 2007
These are short story remnants, mostly centered on Jame, from Hodgell's Godstalk series. One is very odd, setting her in a dystopic Earth future. There is also a strange little Sherlock Holmes story and a collection of maps and drawings, letting you know how much time the author has spent living with her character.
April 10, 2020
Excellent collection of short fiction, all but one story related to the Kencyrath Chronicles.
"Hearts of Woven Shadow"- 5/5 We find out what happened in Knorth Hall the night it burned down.
"Lost Knots"- 5/5 Reveals the full text of the love knot letter found by Jame in "Bound in Blood".
"Among the Dead"- 5/5 A revealing glimpse into Jame's and Torisen's childhood.
"Child of Darkness"- 5/5 The Jame that could have been. Jame lands on an alternate Earth instead of Rathillien and is a college student by day, gang leader by night. It's absolutely fascinating and if P.C. Hodgell does another series after the Kencyrath Chronicles, I'd love to see more of this.
"A Matter of Honor"- 4/5 The original story on which the whole saga was based on. It pretty much goes with the canonical versions of the characters and easily could have been an excerpt from God Stalk.
"Bones"-3/5 Fun story that takes place in Tai-Tastigon, sometime during God Stalk. It's fine, but the events weren't especially dramatic and didn't add much to what has already been referenced. I would have preferred a story about Torisen's time at Tentir, or how he got captured by the Karnid.
"Stranger Blood"- 5/5 Takes place at an unspecified time in the future. This volume was published in 1994 so it may not be canon by now, but it would probably fit after By Demons Possessed since it features a highborn from Tagmeth Keep and Terribend.
"A Ballad of the White Plague"- 5/5 A Sherlock Holmes horror story.
"Hearts of Woven Shadow"- 5/5 We find out what happened in Knorth Hall the night it burned down.
"Lost Knots"- 5/5 Reveals the full text of the love knot letter found by Jame in "Bound in Blood".
"Among the Dead"- 5/5 A revealing glimpse into Jame's and Torisen's childhood.
"Child of Darkness"- 5/5 The Jame that could have been. Jame lands on an alternate Earth instead of Rathillien and is a college student by day, gang leader by night. It's absolutely fascinating and if P.C. Hodgell does another series after the Kencyrath Chronicles, I'd love to see more of this.
"A Matter of Honor"- 4/5 The original story on which the whole saga was based on. It pretty much goes with the canonical versions of the characters and easily could have been an excerpt from God Stalk.
"Bones"-3/5 Fun story that takes place in Tai-Tastigon, sometime during God Stalk. It's fine, but the events weren't especially dramatic and didn't add much to what has already been referenced. I would have preferred a story about Torisen's time at Tentir, or how he got captured by the Karnid.
"Stranger Blood"- 5/5 Takes place at an unspecified time in the future. This volume was published in 1994 so it may not be canon by now, but it would probably fit after By Demons Possessed since it features a highborn from Tagmeth Keep and Terribend.
"A Ballad of the White Plague"- 5/5 A Sherlock Holmes horror story.
April 2, 2018
Interesting
Finished all the books. Glad to add to my collection. Looking forward to the next story. Glad to see you are on ebooks.
Finished all the books. Glad to add to my collection. Looking forward to the next story. Glad to see you are on ebooks.
July 15, 2020
The early short stories are as beautifully written and cleverly imagined as the novels - and indicate that Hodgell has had the narrative arc all planned out for a long, long time. Very impressive!
October 2, 2016
This is a review of Ms. Hodgell's story "A Ballad of the White Plague," which appears in this collection.
My daughter’s favorite fantasy writer is P.C. Hodgell, best known for her Kencyr series (God Stalk, Dark of the Moon, and Seeker’s Mask), published in the 1980’s-‘90’s. I haven’t read Ms. Hodgell’s fantasy (although Catherine says it’s great); but I can verify that she has written an unusual and atmospheric Sherlock Holmes pastiche, which first appeared in Marvin Kaye’s 1998 anthology The Confidential Casebook of Sherlock Holmes. Were it not already published, “A Ballad of the White Plague” would be perfect for the forthcoming MX anthology Eliminate the Impossible, for it just skirts the edges of the supernatural. Holmes and Watson, returning late from a buggy ride in Surrey, stop at a quintessential “dark old house” that once belonged to our detective’s less savory relatives on his Vernet side. What follows is a horrific story from Holmes’ childhood, which—as it should—illuminates his character as an adult. If, of course, the tale is true; and Watson (in an afterward) leaves that decision to the reader. Despite Ms. Hodgell’s obvious debts to Poe and Stoker, her story takes no liberties with Conan Doyle. It is told in proper “Watson voice”; and Holmes, even as a child, remains the man we know. His ultimate conclusion is the one we would expect: “No ghosts need apply.” Fortunately for us, Ms. Hodgell’s ghosts (if they were ghosts) at least received a thorough and fascinating interview!
My daughter’s favorite fantasy writer is P.C. Hodgell, best known for her Kencyr series (God Stalk, Dark of the Moon, and Seeker’s Mask), published in the 1980’s-‘90’s. I haven’t read Ms. Hodgell’s fantasy (although Catherine says it’s great); but I can verify that she has written an unusual and atmospheric Sherlock Holmes pastiche, which first appeared in Marvin Kaye’s 1998 anthology The Confidential Casebook of Sherlock Holmes. Were it not already published, “A Ballad of the White Plague” would be perfect for the forthcoming MX anthology Eliminate the Impossible, for it just skirts the edges of the supernatural. Holmes and Watson, returning late from a buggy ride in Surrey, stop at a quintessential “dark old house” that once belonged to our detective’s less savory relatives on his Vernet side. What follows is a horrific story from Holmes’ childhood, which—as it should—illuminates his character as an adult. If, of course, the tale is true; and Watson (in an afterward) leaves that decision to the reader. Despite Ms. Hodgell’s obvious debts to Poe and Stoker, her story takes no liberties with Conan Doyle. It is told in proper “Watson voice”; and Holmes, even as a child, remains the man we know. His ultimate conclusion is the one we would expect: “No ghosts need apply.” Fortunately for us, Ms. Hodgell’s ghosts (if they were ghosts) at least received a thorough and fascinating interview!
January 19, 2017
It's a shame this collection is so hard to find, because it contains several short stories unavailable anywhere else. The bulk of the stories concern Jame or answer questions from the first three novels in the Kencyrarh series -- and if you haven't read those yet, I think you'll be quite confused. Also included are a few proto-Jame stories that hint at Hodgell's growth as a writer and thought process. There are also several pages of maps and drawings by the author and new introductions.
The big surprise here is an excellent Sherlock Holmes story that shows Hodgell can write more than just high fantasy.
Well worth reading for fans of the series, if you can find a copy.
The big surprise here is an excellent Sherlock Holmes story that shows Hodgell can write more than just high fantasy.
Well worth reading for fans of the series, if you can find a copy.
October 13, 2011
This book fills most of the gaps in Jame's past, which is quite a gift for fans of the series. It's not often that an author tells the backstory to a mysterious main character in such forthright detail. A must-have for any Kencyrath fan.
October 11, 2015
All the short stories set in Jame's world, plus a sort of alternate Jame story where she shows up on a college campus in the Vietnam era, and a very scary Sherlock Holmes story. Plus lots of interior art by the author.
June 30, 2014
Re-read
December 19, 2013
After reading the novels, some of these stories felt redundant, but those that covered new material were quite enjoyable.
September 11, 2014
Some interesting backstory for the series along with what felt like some very rough drafts.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews