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Wraeththu #3
The Fulfilments Of Fate And Desire
The third volume of Storm's original Wraeththu trilogy, expanded and updated. This final story is narrated by Cal, one of the most complex and mysterious of all the Wraeththu characters. Down on his luck, and haunted by his questionable past, Cal comes to realise he cannot escape his destiny, and that the har he once loved and believed dead is now ruler of all Wraeththu.
424 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1989
22 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Storm Constantine
144 books502 followersStorm Constantine was a British science fiction and fantasy author, primarily known for her Wraeththu series.
Since the late 1980s she wrote more than 20 novels, plus several non-fiction books. She is featured in the Goth Bible and is often included in discussions of alternative sexuality and gender in science fiction and fantasy; many of her novels include same-sex relationships or hermaphrodites or other twists of gender. Magic, mysticism and ancient legends (like the Grigori) also figure strongly in her works.
In 2003 she launched Immanion Press, based out of Stafford, England. The publishing company publishes not only her own works but those of new writers, as well as well-known genre writers, mainly from the UK.
Since the late 1980s she wrote more than 20 novels, plus several non-fiction books. She is featured in the Goth Bible and is often included in discussions of alternative sexuality and gender in science fiction and fantasy; many of her novels include same-sex relationships or hermaphrodites or other twists of gender. Magic, mysticism and ancient legends (like the Grigori) also figure strongly in her works.
In 2003 she launched Immanion Press, based out of Stafford, England. The publishing company publishes not only her own works but those of new writers, as well as well-known genre writers, mainly from the UK.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 22, 2017
Rating: 3* of five
Wraeththu burst onto the barren LGBT science fiction scene in the late 1980s with a blaze of attention. It was unique! Hermaphroditic men who fucked each other and made babies (somehow, I never really got with that part of the program)! They look like human men because they were human men until It Happened.
And even though there are no single-gender Wraeththu back come the women. An old wordplay I used to use to piss off my sisters, "women are just woe-men," seemed to me les mots justes for this book.
Wraeththu burst onto the barren LGBT science fiction scene in the late 1980s with a blaze of attention. It was unique! Hermaphroditic men who fucked each other and made babies (somehow, I never really got with that part of the program)! They look like human men because they were human men until It Happened.
And even though there are no single-gender Wraeththu back come the women. An old wordplay I used to use to piss off my sisters, "women are just woe-men," seemed to me les mots justes for this book.
January 17, 2008
It took me awhile to get around to this one, as the narrator for this book is Cal, who, unfortunately, is the hinge of the series, it seems. I say "unfortunately" as Cal is my least favorite character. Like Lestat, he seems to be one of those aristocratic and hedonistic assholes that certain female geek authors find appealing for no reason I can possibly understand.
So, it was slow going. Luckily, some more interesting characters are introduced, as well as more interesting Wraeththru tribes, and, toward the end of the book, a companion race to the Wraeththu, a sort of barren girl-har, compensated for her barrenness by even more psychic powers than the Wraeththu.
There's more plot than previous books, but that's not saying much: As before, they enjoyment is in the author's amazing and sumptuous descriptive abilities, not the plot. The plot is, in essence: Cal gets led around the nose, mostly against his will, by occult forces, purifying him and allowing him to take his place as one of the leaders of the Wraeththu, the dark to Pell's light. Along the way, nearly everyone falls in love with him for no discernable reason, especially given what a selfish, nasty, manipulative twat he is, and we finally find out part of what makes him so dark, the oft-referred-to incident with his ex-lover Zach, which turns out (naturally) to be something one would think he'd have let go of a long time ago. Bleah.
So, I'd say it's about as good as the previous books, and it ties up all previous plot threads, which is good, but it is marred by focusing so heavily on Cal.
So, it was slow going. Luckily, some more interesting characters are introduced, as well as more interesting Wraeththru tribes, and, toward the end of the book, a companion race to the Wraeththu, a sort of barren girl-har, compensated for her barrenness by even more psychic powers than the Wraeththu.
There's more plot than previous books, but that's not saying much: As before, they enjoyment is in the author's amazing and sumptuous descriptive abilities, not the plot. The plot is, in essence: Cal gets led around the nose, mostly against his will, by occult forces, purifying him and allowing him to take his place as one of the leaders of the Wraeththu, the dark to Pell's light. Along the way, nearly everyone falls in love with him for no discernable reason, especially given what a selfish, nasty, manipulative twat he is, and we finally find out part of what makes him so dark, the oft-referred-to incident with his ex-lover Zach, which turns out (naturally) to be something one would think he'd have let go of a long time ago. Bleah.
So, I'd say it's about as good as the previous books, and it ties up all previous plot threads, which is good, but it is marred by focusing so heavily on Cal.
September 19, 2013
This one is my favourite in this series. Yes, Pell and Swift are cool, but we know it's all about the mysterious Cal breaking hearts left and right, taking aruna with so many important Har. He has a destiny to fulfill, one that he has been kept from, but when he rises out of the mud and dirt, he does it so extraordinary well.
May 20, 2014
This is the final instalment in Storm Constantine’s trilogy, and is told from Cal’s point of view, ostensibly in the form of his journal keeping while he travels. We join him in Fallsend, as far from the light of Immanion as he can get, surrounded by all the dregs of Wraeththu society, many of whom have run and can get no further. The Cal we meet here is vastly different from the Cal we got to know through Pellaz’s and Swift’s eyes.
Bitter and negative, he has very little purpose, and revels in his outcast status. He hits a nadir we could never have imagined in the preceding books, even when he murdered Orien after being driven mad by Pell’s apparent death. Though it is clear he still has feelings for Pell, he also labours under the assumption that Pell has rejected him. Thiede’s second-rate offer has also been spurned. Cal will have all of Pell, or none.
What follows is a hallmark of Constantine’s writing echoed in Sea Dragon Heir – the protagonist embarks on a quest, that changes him both physical and metaphysical levels. Cal journeys through the territories of various Wraeththu tribes and gradually heals, reclaims his power and discovers purpose, not to mention becoming entrusted with a great secret that rivals the Aghama himself. Such is Cal, an antinomian figure in Wraeththu society, always daring where others fear to tread. As much as Pellaz is the light of Wraeththu, Cal is the dark – but to reveal more is to ruin the story.
As always, Constantine envisions a remarkable setting laden with esoteric meaning and populated with fascinating characters – all combining to lay a feast for those readers who appreciate this sort of thing.
The conclusion was suitably apt, even if I personally felt that the execution came off a bit rushed – there were parts where I wanted Constantine to offer more complex layering. This being said, and when the mythos is viewed as a whole, this issue doesn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. Granted, I do feel that the writing style for book three is a bit choppy compared to the preceding two, and I’m not certain whether this was done on purpose to show how fragmented Cal had become at first.
What Constantine excels in doing is her world building, which is as always incredibly tactile. The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, and I’m pretty sure that I’ll revisit this particular trilogy some time in the future and inevitably discover other elements I did not at first consider.
Bitter and negative, he has very little purpose, and revels in his outcast status. He hits a nadir we could never have imagined in the preceding books, even when he murdered Orien after being driven mad by Pell’s apparent death. Though it is clear he still has feelings for Pell, he also labours under the assumption that Pell has rejected him. Thiede’s second-rate offer has also been spurned. Cal will have all of Pell, or none.
What follows is a hallmark of Constantine’s writing echoed in Sea Dragon Heir – the protagonist embarks on a quest, that changes him both physical and metaphysical levels. Cal journeys through the territories of various Wraeththu tribes and gradually heals, reclaims his power and discovers purpose, not to mention becoming entrusted with a great secret that rivals the Aghama himself. Such is Cal, an antinomian figure in Wraeththu society, always daring where others fear to tread. As much as Pellaz is the light of Wraeththu, Cal is the dark – but to reveal more is to ruin the story.
As always, Constantine envisions a remarkable setting laden with esoteric meaning and populated with fascinating characters – all combining to lay a feast for those readers who appreciate this sort of thing.
The conclusion was suitably apt, even if I personally felt that the execution came off a bit rushed – there were parts where I wanted Constantine to offer more complex layering. This being said, and when the mythos is viewed as a whole, this issue doesn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. Granted, I do feel that the writing style for book three is a bit choppy compared to the preceding two, and I’m not certain whether this was done on purpose to show how fragmented Cal had become at first.
What Constantine excels in doing is her world building, which is as always incredibly tactile. The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, and I’m pretty sure that I’ll revisit this particular trilogy some time in the future and inevitably discover other elements I did not at first consider.
April 29, 2010
[These notes were made in 1993:]. This last of the three Wraethtu books is told by Cal, who has been a central figure in all three. In this one, through a flashback structure imposed over a quest journey, we get explanations of the mysteries in Cal's past as well as the completion of his self-acceptance. In terms of structure, I think this is the most satisfying of the three books, although the actual climax - a massive environmental/psychic event in the capital city of Immanion, which changes it from an ideal and rather impossibly beautiful place to a more humane but rather more wartish one (like the process of self-acceptance Cal has gone through) - did not move me as much as it was meant to, I think. As usual, I found the erotic subtext very enjoyable, and the various different kinds of symbolic landscape through which Cal moves (a village on the edge of the unknown, underground tunnels, a massive repressive castle in a repressive land) to be inventive and well worked out. The resolution of the apparently impossible triangle - Pellaz, his consort Caeru, and his true love Cal - is perhaps a little wishful, but then again in a fantasy land why not have a workable ménage à trois? What I find interesting is that Constantine finally yielded to the inevitable and created a similar-but-separate race of "female" hermaphrodites to complement the "male" hermaphrodite Wraethtu. The old patterns are too strong in the end. I really did enjoy this trilogy - just the right mix of sex, imagination, and cultural commentary.
February 2, 2016
This volume follows Cal, the unhappy har who is running from his past and leaving a trail of broken hearts in his wake. The book starts out well enough, with a dark feel matching the mindset of its narrator, but it drags on too long for my taste. Even Cal complains about how drawn-out his journey of self-discovery is. The conclusion also underwhelmed me, though it did wrap up the trilogy. I suppose the book met my expectations but just didn't exceed them in the way that the first two books did. If I had an interest in Wicca, I do think this volume would have appealed more because of its focus on magic and the duality of dark/light in human nature.
My chief complaint with Fulfilments is the revelation of the existence of . This detail overcomplicates things and is not explored thoroughly enough, giving it a tacked-on feel. I found myself unable to like any of these characters or care about their future. Also, let's get real here: how can I take a character named Panthera seriously? I literally cringed every time he was called "my little pantherine." Gross.
My chief complaint with Fulfilments is the revelation of the existence of . This detail overcomplicates things and is not explored thoroughly enough, giving it a tacked-on feel. I found myself unable to like any of these characters or care about their future. Also, let's get real here: how can I take a character named Panthera seriously? I literally cringed every time he was called "my little pantherine." Gross.
October 31, 2019
I read the first edition of the Wraeththu Chronicles back in the day. It was always one of my favorite stories. I hadn't heard that Constantine had updated the books in the early 00s until recently and when I did learn of the updates, I had to read them.
I'm not sure if my memory is just failing me this much or what, but the updated versions seemed like completely different books to me. Most of what was in the stories I didn't remember from my other two or three reads of the original version. Very strange. I felt like I was reading all new books, not just updates.
Needless to say, the updates make the story very enthralling. I'm hoping someday someone will decide these need to be made into a TV series, especially with the current concentration in our society with trans people and their struggles.
I'm not sure if my memory is just failing me this much or what, but the updated versions seemed like completely different books to me. Most of what was in the stories I didn't remember from my other two or three reads of the original version. Very strange. I felt like I was reading all new books, not just updates.
Needless to say, the updates make the story very enthralling. I'm hoping someday someone will decide these need to be made into a TV series, especially with the current concentration in our society with trans people and their struggles.
March 26, 2012
The journey finally ends and Calanthe's destiny fulfilled. When I wrote that reading tnis series was like a journey, I meant that in every sense of the word. It was like traveling through a mysterious land as well as traveling through the unmapped territory of the heart and the mind.
January 15, 2017
I didn't really feel the whole destiny thing/climax of the story but I love Cal.
March 24, 2020
The Fulfilments of Fate and Desire (Wraeththu, #3)
The Fulfilments of Fate and Desire (Wraeththu #3)
This is an old series, first published in the late 1980s. The trilogy is available on e-book, as is the extended series. I would class this as LGBTQ+, and Dystopian Fantasy too, possibly YA 😊
Constantine switches to another protagonist in book 3, the much troubled and broken Cal (Calanthe) who we first met in book 1. The book provides some of Cal’s backstory, the reason why he turned out as he did and also, more importantly, how the hars came into being.
Pellaz now sits at the head of the race, although not quite in control, and we meet and understand who has been pulling the strings of the main characters. The question that remains for readers to discover, is what the hars are like without this interference.
Fulfilments is a good title because not only do some of the characters reach the end of their journey, but the race and indeed the twists of the series reach a conclusion too. The next trilogy is based on future generations.
I’ve rated this a 4 because it’s the best of the series and likely why I remember this many years after reading it. It’s not that the hars become more human, because that’s not the point. For me they become more real.
Harper
www.HarperMaze.com
The Fulfilments of Fate and Desire (Wraeththu #3)
This is an old series, first published in the late 1980s. The trilogy is available on e-book, as is the extended series. I would class this as LGBTQ+, and Dystopian Fantasy too, possibly YA 😊
Constantine switches to another protagonist in book 3, the much troubled and broken Cal (Calanthe) who we first met in book 1. The book provides some of Cal’s backstory, the reason why he turned out as he did and also, more importantly, how the hars came into being.
Pellaz now sits at the head of the race, although not quite in control, and we meet and understand who has been pulling the strings of the main characters. The question that remains for readers to discover, is what the hars are like without this interference.
Fulfilments is a good title because not only do some of the characters reach the end of their journey, but the race and indeed the twists of the series reach a conclusion too. The next trilogy is based on future generations.
I’ve rated this a 4 because it’s the best of the series and likely why I remember this many years after reading it. It’s not that the hars become more human, because that’s not the point. For me they become more real.
Harper
www.HarperMaze.com
January 18, 2024
Finally, three books into the main trilogy, we get full access to the secret protagonist of it all-- CAL. And what a delight it is to finally be in his head. Of all Wraeththu narrators, he is by far the most entertaining. His voice is so witty and cynical, his approach to life so haphazard and chaotic.
Even the things that are stupid about this book are redeemed by being seen through Cal's eyes and described by his snarky commentary.
Cal is a goth cowboy. You cannot change my mind. He's always blowing into town like a tumble weed, fucking up everybody's lives and then riding off drunkenly into the sunset. The scene early on where he gets thrown out of an inn? It is impossible not to picture that inn having saloon-style doors. Listen to Fields of the Nephilim while reading this book.
But Cal of course has to mature. This book is a delirious spiritual journey, a quest for Cal to become who he is meant to be so that he can...
So that he can...
KILL.
GOD.
Yes, my friends, every comparison of Cal to Lucifer and Satan and the Devil that we get throughout the books finally pays off. And this time, blessedly, the Devil wins. Cal takes down Thiede and removes his controlling bullshit from the world.
Too bad that didn't last.
Panthera deserved better.
Even the things that are stupid about this book are redeemed by being seen through Cal's eyes and described by his snarky commentary.
Cal is a goth cowboy. You cannot change my mind. He's always blowing into town like a tumble weed, fucking up everybody's lives and then riding off drunkenly into the sunset. The scene early on where he gets thrown out of an inn? It is impossible not to picture that inn having saloon-style doors. Listen to Fields of the Nephilim while reading this book.
But Cal of course has to mature. This book is a delirious spiritual journey, a quest for Cal to become who he is meant to be so that he can...
So that he can...
KILL.
GOD.
Yes, my friends, every comparison of Cal to Lucifer and Satan and the Devil that we get throughout the books finally pays off. And this time, blessedly, the Devil wins. Cal takes down Thiede and removes his controlling bullshit from the world.
Too bad that didn't last.
Panthera deserved better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2025
Enjoyed the three books. Love the setting and ideas and the writing is great but somehow the characters are not fully formed. Think she would have been better off staying along the apocalyptic story line than the paradise one and kept the setting quite basic. Think if she had more depth to the characters and their motivations, which I don't think would have taken much this series would have been the best ever. As it was I really enjoyed it and wished it would never end. I am looking forward to reading more by the author and hope her character descriptions become as good as her environmental ones.
December 24, 2018
I enjoyed this one best of the three. It's told from Calanthes' perspective. He plays an important part in the first books too - and he is probably the most interesting character of the series. His cynicism and wit shine through in the writing, which felt different from the first two parts - I was quite impressed by that.
The story surpasses the typical cardboard character fantasy ones by several notches. Cal's character develops.
Especially at the start the story is very dark
The story surpasses the typical cardboard character fantasy ones by several notches. Cal's character develops.
Especially at the start the story is very dark
May 2, 2025
I first read this book when it was brand new...in the 80z. Late 80z. I've loved it deeply all these years and re-read the entire series over and over again but this one is my favourite...because I love Calanthe the most. The world that Storm Constantine created is lush, intelligent, and captivating...you almost want Wraththu to be real! I could never recommend this series enough.
May 23, 2022
While I didn't love the world travel arc the final climax of the story was amazing.
December 10, 2020
Calanthe resists reuniting with Pallaz, but does so after several spiritual elevations. This reorders all things and pushes wraeththu civilization to a higher level of development.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2013
I wish I could read a book the in the same way that I observe matter. I see the sky and accept that it is what it is. Why is it I can't read a book without somehow feeling cheated of what it could have been? Who knows, but the fact is, I do, and this is how I feel after 2405 pages of Wraththu-ness.
It was good, yes, but there were things I found distracting after a while. Why the horses and ye olden day life when there were cars and planes and telephones? What up with the Dwarves and Elven folk--I mean the Mojag and Ehlman? Where's Froto through all this? Oh wait, he's the Tigron, I forgot.
Still, this scratched the itch in me for spiritual/sexual intimacy. Her writing isn't exploitive and is very elegant but I'm glad to be done with Aruna for a while.
It was good, yes, but there were things I found distracting after a while. Why the horses and ye olden day life when there were cars and planes and telephones? What up with the Dwarves and Elven folk--I mean the Mojag and Ehlman? Where's Froto through all this? Oh wait, he's the Tigron, I forgot.
Still, this scratched the itch in me for spiritual/sexual intimacy. Her writing isn't exploitive and is very elegant but I'm glad to be done with Aruna for a while.
August 21, 2014
Enjoyed the three books. Love the setting and ideas and the writing is great but somehow the characters are not fully formed. Think she would have been better off staying along the apocalyptic story line than the paradise one and kept the setting quite basic. Think if she had more depth to the characters and their motivations, which I don't think would have taken much this series would have been the best ever. As it was I really enjoyed it and wished it would never end. I am looking forward to reading more by the author and hope her character descriptions become as good as her environmental ones.
February 4, 2015
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two. It had a different feel that was out of sync with the others, even if it did wrap the trilogy up nicely. It was a strange series over all, I haven't read any of Storm Constantine's work for many years and I wasn't quite prepared for it. I look forward reading the Histories trilogy.
August 12, 2012
Fantastic ending to this trilogy! I think this was my favorite book. The author's writing just gets better and better throughout. Cal's point of view was exciting, humorous and dramatic. Really loved this series!
June 1, 2007
this is my favorite in the trilogy.
April 12, 2025
The third book of the Wraeththu Chronicles
October 27, 2010
Nice ending!
Want to read
September 9, 2010*note to self. (copy from Al).
different cover different ed. 1988 Orbit books. will scan & fix when I read it.
different cover different ed. 1988 Orbit books. will scan & fix when I read it.
August 2, 2011
{throws head back and laughs} Awesome.
November 25, 2011
As the culmination to the Wreaththu chronicles, this brings understanding to the structure of this new society. I really liked these and will get more.
Read
November 2, 2014couldn't finish this... I might give it another try sometimes in the future, but now I got a bit sick of the characters and the endless drama surrounding their beautiful and tragic selves...
(p103)
(p103)
November 22, 2014
I did like this book and it is well written but it paled against book one. I'd hoped for more.
September 9, 2017
So many feels!!!!!!!
This one follows Cal's story. He is the most interesting and complex character in the series.
This book is very very very dark and has made me suffer a little bit for Cal. A lot of answers are given but many new questions appear.
When I read this 8 years ago I didn't know there were 3 more books so it is exciting rereading this again knowing the story continues!
This one follows Cal's story. He is the most interesting and complex character in the series.
This book is very very very dark and has made me suffer a little bit for Cal. A lot of answers are given but many new questions appear.
When I read this 8 years ago I didn't know there were 3 more books so it is exciting rereading this again knowing the story continues!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews