The Shades of Time and Memory : The Second Book of the Wraeththu Histories (Wraeththu)

Rating:
Summary: Long live Wraeththukind!
Review: I remember the day the Wraeththu seduced me like it was yesterday. I was a 19-year-old art student when I walked into a bookstore in a busy mall back in 1985 looking for something interesting to read for my commute home and bought the first volume of the series because I liked the cover (I found it unusual and very well done). I began reading at the train station and did not stop for more than a couple of hours for two days. Long story short: Storm introduced me to her world. I was hooked. Willingly bewitched. What? You thought I was kidding when I say I was seduced?

I had to have more, I found the 2nd part of trilogy, and a couple of years later the 3rd. Still, I looked for more (it was like a drug) but nothing was available in the US market. Eventually, life marched on and my brain detoxed and I forgot about "that" one fantastic tale. Then I found this book last week and the fever's back (it's like the Pell & Cal reunion all over again).

I won't go into the plot details. I feel that too much has been revealed by other reviews. But I'll say this: You will even find a snippet of humor in this volume AND the ever-standing affirmation, that size does matter. The truth is that no one writes like Storm. The imagery is so utterly alive that it's effortless to imagine the places, characters and (even) emotions she conveys thru her work. I must admit that I was prepared to be sadly disappointed -- after all, everyone "know" that sequels are never as good as the original - but I am glad to be wrong.

Although, there is a big different in writing styles from her original work (when contrasted with this one book in particular), it becomes very unimportant past the first few paragraphs and goes unnoticed afterwards. If fact, one could say that this one book is actually a testament to her growth as a weaver of dreams.

Long live Wraeththukind!


Rating:
Summary: A worthy sequel
Review: My faith in the Storm-goddess has been restored! I have to admit I was disappointed with the last "Wraeththu Histories" novel, THE WRAITHS OF WILL AND PLEASURE, which seemed to discard much of what I loved about the original Wraeththu novels. I'm delighted to see that most of what was missing from Wraiths has returned in THE SHADES OF TIME AND MEMORY.

Most notably, Cal. After serving as the focal point for the entire original trilogy, Cal was conspicuously absent in Wraiths. Now he's back and in full form! This is the real joy of Shades: it is a chronological sequel to the original Wraeththu trilogy, beginning shortly after Cal's triumphant reunion with Pellaz at the end of Fulfilments. All is not "happily ever after" in Immanion as Cal, Pell, and Caeru struggle to reconcile a relationship damaged by time and jealousy. Worse, Cal's elimination of Thiede has triggered unexpected consequences for the world on many levels. Pell has been left without his mentor and father-figure. The Gelaming have been left without their founder. But worst of all, Thiede's disappearance has weakened the magical barriers of Gebbadon, the hellish alternate realm to which Ponclast and the most bloodthirsty of the old Varrs were banished back in Bewitchments (book 2 of the original trilogy). Ponclast hasn't been idle all this time. He and his Teraghasts, as they now call themselves, have been biding their time, breeding, developing their magical strength, and forging alliances with mysterious entities from beyond the world. And now they're ready to break free...

So once again we have an epic tale full of sensuality, relationships in all their pain and beauty, and dark non-traditional magic, this time joined with an exciting danger-filled plot. Shades still suffers from some of the flaws of Wraiths, such as an overabundance of relevant characters who simply get too little development. (For example, one of the key Teraghasts is introduced with the intriguing line, "Diablo was so mean, it wasn't a joke he was named for the old devil." But a few paragraphs later the focus of the narrative shifts elsewhere, and we're never given a close look at Diablo again.) But this is balanced by the fact that we get cameos from original-trilogy characters like Lianvis and Kate/Katarin, and new characters who *are* well-developed, such as Pell's brother Dorado -- now called Snake Jaguar. Because of this I found myself much less irritated by the third-person format this time around. I still miss the first person of the original trilogy, because Storm has always been a consummate master of the form; I hope she returns to it someday.

In any case, I was very happy with Shades -- so happy that I went back and re-read Wraiths, and actually enjoyed it better as foreshadowing for Shades. Now that's good. =)

And now I can't wait for the next book!


Rating:
Summary: Oh, Grow Up! Difference in Maturity
Review: The Tagline for the sixth season of that smart cult TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was "Oh! Grow up!", and for the second volume of the Wraeththu histories, *The Shades of Time and Memory*, the tentative direction of this new series seems to follow those lines.

My first reaction to the resumption of the series with *The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure* 15 years after the original ended was mixed. Delight at seeing more of it, slight disappointment that it didn't quite capture the magic of the original *Wraeththu*. The fleshing out of old minor characters, Flick and Ulaume, or Seel (no!) though vibrant and exciting, didn't make me fall in love as madly as the first one -and I'd read the holy trilogy only 2 weeks before. I didn't have years of building up their mythos in my mind. The switch to 3rd person from the brilliant mix of humor and pathos of the trilogy's 1st person didn't move me to tears and laughter, the story, while fascinating on its own terms, didn't have that legendary poignancy. The Original Wraeththu trilogy was breaktaking, heartbreaking, gripping (all sorts of -ing), and your heart threatens to hold onto them, not wanting to let go of their painful beauty.

Now that I've read the 2nd in this new series (and re-read *Wraiths* 5 times), I see this from a bit more measured perspective. These are, after all this nitpicking, the most exhilerating fantasy books I've read in years.

*The Shades of Time and Memory* picks up right where the final trilogy ended, rather than fill in the lost years between 2 and 3 as *Wraiths of Will and Pleasure* did. What happens after Cal stalks into Immanion, reunites with Pell, and takes his rightful place in Wraeththu?
This makes for an unforgetable read; the plot never drops, and almost every chapter leaves you breathless. The mystery and intrigue keeps you on the edge of your seat, until you look up and can't recognize your surroundings because you've been so absorbed. And the pace cannot be perfected upon! You're never overwhelmed by too much, but at the same time you're left dizzy with the excitement and the emotions.
The characters are a mix of our well known (and deeply beloved), Cal, Cobweb, Caeru, Swift, and well, Pellaz too, as well as the most amazing transformation of Ponclast. Newer characters tie in with the old, as children (harlings!) have grown up and do their bit to inherit the world: Tyson, Moon, Abrimel, Azriel, Aleeme, and a disturbing Caliban figure, Diablo...

Of course, everything must be compared back to the original *Wraeththu* (the holy3), but I feel at this point, that this might be a tad unfair. The originals were about one story above all, a mad, passionate, haunting, painful, gorgeous Love beyond Death and Time etc. Like Buffy season 2, like Romeo and Juliet, it's beautiful, gothic, beautifully extravagant teenage love.
(and that's why I love it so dearly)

But the new series is about something different. Not less exciting, and with even greater cosmic implications (hints of Constantine's Grigori series here), and with another sweet love story in the midst of it all, *Shades* develops the careful setting of *Wraiths*, and turns the new series, not only into a focus for the love story of Cal and Pell (holy3), but into an exploration of the greater potential of all these characters. (I'm skipping out on spoiling the "action" plot here- it's amazing)
The novel seems to be a testing ground for who matures and who doesn't. Are Wraeththu stuck in the same cycle as their human predecessors, living out comfortable and gender split domestic arrangements, bickering over land and dynasties, or are they more? Who grows up and who doesn't? And what are the choices that determine this? What about the itchy unfairness and classism of Immanion superiority (as disturbing to me as Uigenna brutality- I rather liked the crazy Uigenna)?

You're left with all the impact of the powerful love story of the originals, but with a maturity, where our once obsessed lovers have to take on responsibilities, where work and duty and racial destiny take as much space as their youthful passions did (and still do).
Don't get me wrong- this is not a mild story about settling down- by no means! It's brutal and painful, horrific and gorgeous at turns (and sometimes at once). Point-counter point revelations are shocking/thrilling. But it points, not to "only love" at the center, but "live and love too." Like the broader wryer acceptance of life trials in Buffy season 6 (O Grow up!) or the *The Winter's Tale* and *the Tempest*, life goes on and you'll love how the Wraeththu grow up.


Rating:
Summary: excellent fantasy
Review: The world of the Wraeththu (the new race of hermaphrodites) is changing even before they can completely settle in the human ruins. Calanthe has somehow vanquished perhaps killing Thiede thus leaving the power structure of the Wraeththu in a free fall vacuum that will shake the species' foundation, but also may destroy everyone.

At a time of growing instead of lessoning confusion, Cal's beloved Pellaz the Tigron tries to rule from Immanion while Caeru hosts the heir. However, Pellaz senses that a new threat has arisen has could eradicate the Wraeththu at a critical moment in their efforts to establish a society. An ancient menace has surfaced seeking recruits to overthrow Pellaz while the next generation of the Wraeththu has doubts about the wisdom of their leaders. In the Forest of Gebaddon, Ponclast and his Varrs horde are being converted from weak losers into a threat by a force beyond the understanding of the Wraeththu. For Ponclast plans to challenge Pellaz as leader, but threats come from partisanship within and the unknown ancient as much as it comes from the leader of the Varrs.

The middle book of the second Wraeththu trilogy is complex (as one can tell from this reviewers struggle to explain the prime plot above) yet very entertaining as Storm Constantine provides incredible insight into her world. The story line is exciting with several subplots simultaneously moving forward adding to the feel of an upcoming calamity. Nestled in the middle of the events of the first trilogy fans obtain further insight into a political-social system that is maturing while under assault from the second generation, the pumped up Varrs, and an unknown that might prove even more powerful than the Wraeththu.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: I can't wait for the next one!
Review: This book had me engrossed for 2 solid days and by the end, i couldn't believe I had to wait who knows how long for the next book. This second in the series is a great read. Yes, there are some writing/editing related issues but less so than in the first book. But the plot is entriguing, the characters engrossing, and the pace of the story is perfect. I think that another reason that I enjoyed this book is that it puts back to center stage the characters that drew us into the wreathu world in the first series: Cal and Pell. I loved Pell in the first series and to see him back and evolving was part of what made this book great. Cal is also moving beyond the person he was in the first book. Even though I had liked Cal, he seemed to encompass only sullen, booding seductiveness before. Now I can see why he was chosen by fate to be second Tigron. Caeru also has more of a role in this story. For some reason, his character has always had my sympathy. It was,again, wonderful seeing his character evolve and move forward in this second novel.

There are new charcters in this story as well as some familiar names who are finally developed. More of the Cevarros show up and each of them is a jewel of a character. Tyson finally gets to take center stage. There is an entriguing new character, Galdra, who I am afraid gets the two dimentional treatment in this story. I really hope that Storm sees fit to flesh him out and keep him a major supporting chara in future novels.

I won't go much into the plot. It is a departure from what you have read so far in the Wreatthu books. Storm is drawing on her angel mythology interests in this book, similar to what we saw in her Grigory series. This expension of the Wreatthu metaphysical universe is what kept me reading into the late hours of the morning. I have so many questions and can't wait to discover the answers. Read this book. You won''t regret it. And like me, you will be wringing your hands until the next book is out.