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Wraeththu Histories #3
The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence
Darquiel har Aralis lives among the hidden tribe of Olopade, in ignorance of his identity, and as he grows up, Darq realizes he is different from any other har. After a disastrous attempt to incept his closest friend, he attracts the attention of the mysterious Thiede, and learns that his origins are more astounding than he imagined. Loki har Aralis is the favoured son of the Tigrons in Immanion, but he too is unaware of his real heritage. When he is kidnapped to the stark realm of Thanatep, he must learn to walk the secret ways between the worlds before he can escape.
The struggle between these two brothers is both powerful and mythic, and brings this cycle of Wraeththu history to a marvelous conclusion.
The struggle between these two brothers is both powerful and mythic, and brings this cycle of Wraeththu history to a marvelous conclusion.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
11 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
About the author
Storm Constantine
144 books503 followersStorm Constantine was a British science fiction and fantasy author, primarily known for her Wraeththu series.
Since the late 1980s she wrote more than 20 novels, plus several non-fiction books. She is featured in the Goth Bible and is often included in discussions of alternative sexuality and gender in science fiction and fantasy; many of her novels include same-sex relationships or hermaphrodites or other twists of gender. Magic, mysticism and ancient legends (like the Grigori) also figure strongly in her works.
In 2003 she launched Immanion Press, based out of Stafford, England. The publishing company publishes not only her own works but those of new writers, as well as well-known genre writers, mainly from the UK.
Since the late 1980s she wrote more than 20 novels, plus several non-fiction books. She is featured in the Goth Bible and is often included in discussions of alternative sexuality and gender in science fiction and fantasy; many of her novels include same-sex relationships or hermaphrodites or other twists of gender. Magic, mysticism and ancient legends (like the Grigori) also figure strongly in her works.
In 2003 she launched Immanion Press, based out of Stafford, England. The publishing company publishes not only her own works but those of new writers, as well as well-known genre writers, mainly from the UK.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 7, 2011
I'd really like to write a good review, not only of this book but of the two trilogies I've just finished. However, a string of adjectives such as "amazing", "stunning", "fabulous" and so on doesn't feel like enough! No matter how I try to describe how I felt reading these books, with its complex main characters, its colourful, rich array of secondary characters, and how they all relate in a hundred complex ways, plus the vidid descriptions, the magical settings, the mysteries of love, sex and procreation in Wraeththu life, the beautiful writing style and power of narration... Everyone, go and read them for yourselves if you haven't (in the right order, of course!); the odds are that these books will change your inner world the way they've changed mine!
May 22, 2017
Rating: 3* of five
Wraeththu as a concept strikes me now as not terribly gay. At the time I read this, maybe I thought it was on a par with Ethan of Athos as social commentary, but now it feels forced and slightly silly to me.
Also, pelki? EW.
Wraeththu as a concept strikes me now as not terribly gay. At the time I read this, maybe I thought it was on a par with Ethan of Athos as social commentary, but now it feels forced and slightly silly to me.
Also, pelki? EW.
April 5, 2022
Storm Constantine burned genius in the first trilogy. Then, the histories happened.
October 18, 2012
My favorite of the series
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 9/10
PROS:
- It’s interesting seeing all of the events in this story from the perspectives of new characters. We get to see many of the old favorites (the main characters from the earlier books), but we see them with a new set of eyes, from the point of view of young hara who don’t know all the political and emotional history of everyone else.
- Constantine creates multi-dimensional characters who are neither wholly good nor wholly bad. The villains, for example, often seem hateful at first, but as the other characters come to understand and even love them, I could feel my feelings toward them transitioning as well. I felt more connected to the characters in this story--both good and bad--than I have with any of the previous volumes.
- The new worlds introduced in each new book seem more beautiful and fantastical and brilliant than those introduced in the books before it. This series is worth a read if only for the descriptions of the realms the characters inhabit.
- The politics in this story are so complex that I was never sure who was in the right and who was in the wrong--who the good guys and the enemies were, who was being honest and who was playing a political game, who was being used as a pawn, etc.
CONS:
- The language in this volume is a bit less mystical than that of the earlier books. It’s not that the writing in this book is bad (far from it); it’s just that a bit of the magic of Constantine’s writing is gone when she uses simple, straightforward language that contrasts so greatly with her previous writing style.
- There’s one minor difference between these History books and the original trilogy that I find a little irritating: with the later installments in the series, Constantine takes to writing “har” in the place of “one” in pronouns (that is, “nohar,” “somehar,” “everyhar,” etc.). It’s an interesting convention, but because the original books don’t do it and these later ones do, it jars me for some reason.
Overall comments: This is my favorite of the Wraeththu books, because I became much more engrossed in the worlds and in the characters’ lives than I did with the earlier volumes. There are references throughout to characters and terms introduced earlier in the series, so I think you’ll be quite lost if you attempt to read this book without having read at least some of the earlier ones. I had trouble myself, and it’s been only six months or so since I read the most recent predecessor. It truly is worth the time to go back and read all six of the books, though. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 9/10
PROS:
- It’s interesting seeing all of the events in this story from the perspectives of new characters. We get to see many of the old favorites (the main characters from the earlier books), but we see them with a new set of eyes, from the point of view of young hara who don’t know all the political and emotional history of everyone else.
- Constantine creates multi-dimensional characters who are neither wholly good nor wholly bad. The villains, for example, often seem hateful at first, but as the other characters come to understand and even love them, I could feel my feelings toward them transitioning as well. I felt more connected to the characters in this story--both good and bad--than I have with any of the previous volumes.
- The new worlds introduced in each new book seem more beautiful and fantastical and brilliant than those introduced in the books before it. This series is worth a read if only for the descriptions of the realms the characters inhabit.
- The politics in this story are so complex that I was never sure who was in the right and who was in the wrong--who the good guys and the enemies were, who was being honest and who was playing a political game, who was being used as a pawn, etc.
CONS:
- The language in this volume is a bit less mystical than that of the earlier books. It’s not that the writing in this book is bad (far from it); it’s just that a bit of the magic of Constantine’s writing is gone when she uses simple, straightforward language that contrasts so greatly with her previous writing style.
- There’s one minor difference between these History books and the original trilogy that I find a little irritating: with the later installments in the series, Constantine takes to writing “har” in the place of “one” in pronouns (that is, “nohar,” “somehar,” “everyhar,” etc.). It’s an interesting convention, but because the original books don’t do it and these later ones do, it jars me for some reason.
Overall comments: This is my favorite of the Wraeththu books, because I became much more engrossed in the worlds and in the characters’ lives than I did with the earlier volumes. There are references throughout to characters and terms introduced earlier in the series, so I think you’ll be quite lost if you attempt to read this book without having read at least some of the earlier ones. I had trouble myself, and it’s been only six months or so since I read the most recent predecessor. It truly is worth the time to go back and read all six of the books, though. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
July 10, 2013
Back when I reviewed the first Wraeththu trilogy, I mentioned I could accept the ending but didn't find it personally satisfying. Without giving anything away, I'll just say that this trilogy gave me what I felt I was missing. It gave it gradually, so that with each book I thought, "Okay, sure, I get that, but how are you gonna explain how it relates to *this* now?" By the end of this book, though, I had no more questions.
I'm glad to have it all explained, and I enjoyed the experience of learning each thing along with the characters even if it wasn't what I personally would have wanted the facts to be. But I kept longing for the first trilogy and all the characters' arrogant assumptions. I missed how desperate and tragic it felt. With the characters understanding the Wraeththu universe completely now, it made it feel like we could leave them at the end of this book and they would be all right. But that peace and maturity replaced the youthful naivete that attracted me to the characters in the first place.
The book totally nods to that, however. Even though my favorites of the first generation are still around, the second-generations are truly taking over by this book. And as Constantine says, it's their time now. It just makes me wistful for the good ol' days when nobody understood anything, especially me.
I'm glad to have it all explained, and I enjoyed the experience of learning each thing along with the characters even if it wasn't what I personally would have wanted the facts to be. But I kept longing for the first trilogy and all the characters' arrogant assumptions. I missed how desperate and tragic it felt. With the characters understanding the Wraeththu universe completely now, it made it feel like we could leave them at the end of this book and they would be all right. But that peace and maturity replaced the youthful naivete that attracted me to the characters in the first place.
The book totally nods to that, however. Even though my favorites of the first generation are still around, the second-generations are truly taking over by this book. And as Constantine says, it's their time now. It just makes me wistful for the good ol' days when nobody understood anything, especially me.
November 20, 2019
Good but not great
I thoroughly enjoyed all the other books. In those I was able to connect with each character and they will always be some of my favorite characters. I was disappointed in this one though. The sons were fascinating but everything seemed rushed and didn't have as much depth as the others. I felt like Cal and Pell deserved a much more detailed ending after six books. There was just too much to try and cover so it fell flat. Still glad I read it, but it pales in comparison.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the other books. In those I was able to connect with each character and they will always be some of my favorite characters. I was disappointed in this one though. The sons were fascinating but everything seemed rushed and didn't have as much depth as the others. I felt like Cal and Pell deserved a much more detailed ending after six books. There was just too much to try and cover so it fell flat. Still glad I read it, but it pales in comparison.
March 17, 2011
I won't say much about it but it was really enjoyable. I'm still on the fence on how I feel about Constantine’s habit of totally ignoring or barely mentioning other characters who were important in the plot earlier on in the series; sometimes it works sometimes I'm like "But what about...", so yeah that can be frustration sometimes. I actually really liked the characters and their relationships though and wished for a prologue of some kind, but you don't always get what you want I suppose.
January 29, 2016
As was my complaint with several other books in the Wraeththu universe, the fascinating characters are somewhat lost in the overly-involved storyline, and every new friendship could be reality shattering (sometimes literally). I would have liked something more down-to-earth, without all the cosmic entities and parallel universes. Darq was not the most believable character since he was so different from everyone else, and I didn't buy into those differences.
Aruna as a concept was still dealt with pretty fantastically (sex is not only socially acceptable, but required to maintain your sanity), though I find that I prefer the descriptions from younger characters for whom the experience is still new.
This book wrapped the series up quite well, but it didn't impress me because I wanted the focus to be lives of the individual characters, not the otherworldly battle for power that they've become pawns in. This series hit its stride early on and never managed to give me the intimacy I felt with the main characters from the first two books.
tl;dr: I love the concept of the Wraeththu and the characters but could have done without such a convoluted plotline.
Aruna as a concept was still dealt with pretty fantastically (sex is not only socially acceptable, but required to maintain your sanity), though I find that I prefer the descriptions from younger characters for whom the experience is still new.
This book wrapped the series up quite well, but it didn't impress me because I wanted the focus to be lives of the individual characters, not the otherworldly battle for power that they've become pawns in. This series hit its stride early on and never managed to give me the intimacy I felt with the main characters from the first two books.
tl;dr: I love the concept of the Wraeththu and the characters but could have done without such a convoluted plotline.
March 16, 2016
I love this series. Storm Constantine’s writing style is beautiful and rich, sometimes dark and erotic, sometimes lyrical. The world-building is wonderful, mysterious, and more complete with other realms beyond the earthly reality having been revealed.
But I don't really like the complicated relationships among certain characters in this trilogy very much, because sometimes they let me feel troubled, even annoyed, especially those in The Shades of Time and Memory.
Although the ending is happy and great, and many things, which are not clear before, are well explained, I am not totally satisfied with it. I wonder why some characters, who play important roles in previous two books, are not mentioned or do not reappear.
But I don't really like the complicated relationships among certain characters in this trilogy very much, because sometimes they let me feel troubled, even annoyed, especially those in The Shades of Time and Memory.
Although the ending is happy and great, and many things, which are not clear before, are well explained, I am not totally satisfied with it. I wonder why some characters, who play important roles in previous two books, are not mentioned or do not reappear.
July 3, 2024
This was a beautiful, satisfying finish to this second trilogy of Wraeththu. Lileem came into her own, fulfilling the potential seething within The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure, playing a crucial roles in exposing the battle of otherworldly forces pitting Darq and Loki against each other. This battle between brothers, the sons of Pellaz was acutely painful after how they’d been drawn to each other, kept apart, and their emotions toyed with, particularly Loki’s. Gebarael, kin to both of them, takes on such a sinister role at first, yet he flowers into an ally to both of them. He sneaks into Loki’s bed and abducts him, yet he comes to love Loki, supporting Loki in his attempts to discover the truth behind everyone’s agendas. Geb is coached to revile Darquiel, yet finds himself drawn to Darq and allying with him when they both need an ally.
Much of the pain of the previous book and the entire series is resolved in this volume; not in the epic battle, but in questioning, talking to, and confronting the forces behind the battle. This may be about Pellaz’s sons; the ones he fathered and hosted; but it’s also about Pellaz, Cal, Galdra, and Caeru coming into play in the coping and healing process with their harlings, even when those harlings spin through manipulation and knowledge on their individual journeys back home and to each other. In the end, we loop back to Pellaz with the feeling this series always loops back to him, no matter whom might be at the heart of the tale.
February 17, 2012
This final book of the Wreaththu Histories brings the generational gap between the founders of Wreathu (those who were incepted) - and the pure-born Wreaththu (those who were pearls) full circle. The battle for the control of Wreaththu and the world has gone into other lands and through the outer pathways, battles are being fought between beings far beyond the comprehension of Wreaththu. Yet their very survival depends on their understanding and negotiating with all of these varied entities. Who/what are the Sedim? Who/what is the "helpful" character who is teaching Loki? And what did Lileem find in the ancient pyramidal library? All of the hanging threads that have been tantilizing for the past three books come to conclusion here and all I can say is "I want more!" Read on my NookColor.
July 4, 2013
I love when stories end, but don't really end, only to hint at more. That's how this series ended for me. I'm glad things are finally going better for this new race of people!
This book felt like a major departure from the rest of the Wraeththu books, but I believe it was purposeful. Storm Constantine wrote this from the perspective of a new generation of hara coming into their own, which is different from the first generation struggles of a new species. I found it masterfully crafted and perfectly written.
It does get a little slow toward the middle, but I think it was necessary to build up to the crazy climax. Nothing is without purpose in this story, and that's what I appreciate about Constantine's writing.
I cannot recommend the Wraeththu series enough, especially if you are part of the LGBT community. It's a poignant story for our time.
This book felt like a major departure from the rest of the Wraeththu books, but I believe it was purposeful. Storm Constantine wrote this from the perspective of a new generation of hara coming into their own, which is different from the first generation struggles of a new species. I found it masterfully crafted and perfectly written.
It does get a little slow toward the middle, but I think it was necessary to build up to the crazy climax. Nothing is without purpose in this story, and that's what I appreciate about Constantine's writing.
I cannot recommend the Wraeththu series enough, especially if you are part of the LGBT community. It's a poignant story for our time.
December 26, 2008
This was my least favorite of the Wreaththu series. I found it really hard to follow, but that may just be because it's been a long time since I read the other books in the series and had to stop and think about characters and events that I'd already forgotten about.
I enjoyed the beginning very much, but there was a long stretch towards the middle of the book where I was very bored by the events and just wanted to skim forward to the end. But my love for the rest of the series had me reading through.
I liked Darquiel very much, towards the beginning, but at the end, when it turned out that he was this Super Special Har, I was getting really annoyed with him.
I enjoyed the beginning very much, but there was a long stretch towards the middle of the book where I was very bored by the events and just wanted to skim forward to the end. But my love for the rest of the series had me reading through.
I liked Darquiel very much, towards the beginning, but at the end, when it turned out that he was this Super Special Har, I was getting really annoyed with him.
August 7, 2019
If you never pick up another book again - and love dark fantasy - please read this series. It's sensual, maddening, dramatic, corrupt and fulfilling - it's perfection in a 3 book bundle!
It takes you through the perspectives of the various members of a hermaphroditic race and their struggles with falling in and out of love in a world where everyone looks like a fallen angel and screws like a greek god; finding a balance between their dual masculine and feminine natures; engaging in power struggles against other tribes and groups, creating new religions, and uncovering the mystery of their origins.
It takes you through the perspectives of the various members of a hermaphroditic race and their struggles with falling in and out of love in a world where everyone looks like a fallen angel and screws like a greek god; finding a balance between their dual masculine and feminine natures; engaging in power struggles against other tribes and groups, creating new religions, and uncovering the mystery of their origins.
November 27, 2017
Better than Wraiths (#1 of Histories/#4 of all six), slightly worse than Shades (#2/5), which I consider the best book out of all 6, but out of my love for this series as a whole, I decide to give it 5 stars in the end as well. Why not.
I am overwhelmed by a strong sense of "And now what". I hate leaving worlds, once I have learned to love them and feel comfortable within them. (It's why I re-read books so much.)
....I guess I gotta read all the other stories within the universe now. (Not sure how many of those are soft canon and how many are hard canon. Gotta find out.) Just gotta find 'em.
.......
...........or I gotta write one.
I am overwhelmed by a strong sense of "And now what". I hate leaving worlds, once I have learned to love them and feel comfortable within them. (It's why I re-read books so much.)
....I guess I gotta read all the other stories within the universe now. (Not sure how many of those are soft canon and how many are hard canon. Gotta find out.) Just gotta find 'em.
.......
...........or I gotta write one.
January 12, 2014
Out of the series, this was my favorite. The First and second ones give you a little more variety of emotions, sure. But, this is my favorite simply because it made me the most tense, relieved, angry, sad, and generally stirred out of them all.
I like more than my fair share of darkness in a series. I couldn't put the book down. And when I had to, I resented the time I spent away from this world.
It is a re-read, for sure. Love it. Love this series.
I like more than my fair share of darkness in a series. I couldn't put the book down. And when I had to, I resented the time I spent away from this world.
It is a re-read, for sure. Love it. Love this series.
April 29, 2008
This was my least favorite of the trilogy. It was a little too "wrapped up". And where was Moon? It ey just felt strange to me that they wouldn't mention Tyson is your brother either. But it was a nice way to bring Lileem back. But even though, it was my least favorite I am still going to give it a four because they don't have half stars.
December 2, 2014
I thought this was a really great ending to the trilogy. All loose ends were tied up and the ending was pretty satisfying. I really enjoy this author's writing and hope to read some more about the world of Wraethu.
February 21, 2018
We get into the second generation of Wraeththu here, with all the intrigue, complexity, and mystery of the previous manifestations of Constantine's world. I loved this continuation, and despite the density and length of the material read it super fast, because it was impossible to put down.
April 12, 2025
The third book of the Wraeththu Histories
June 5, 2008
Best in the series.
Want to read
April 21, 2013My favourite of the trilogy
June 19, 2009
Loved this whole series. Really enjoyed meeting all the characters again from the first books. She's got a great imagination.
February 24, 2012
A fantastic series, I've really enjoyed all six Wraeththu books and sincerely hope that Storm will write some more. Highly recommended.
Read
October 28, 2014What an absolutely fantastic writer--I devoured this series.
June 18, 2015
Loved it. I don't think I would ever rate Ms. Constantine below a 4. She's at a caliber of writing which is rare. Love her books and savour them.
January 2, 2014
Second reading - still loved it. ;-)
April 17, 2017
Thank god it was so much more cheerful!
Taking off all of the stars in the world for not addressing a lot of what happened in 'Shades. Then I guess putting on 5 for being... IDK, cheerful. Since every other Histories book was so immensely depressing, I have to give this one a lot of points for being consistently upbeat and having nothing bad happen in it at all; even if that positivity and my mental wellbeing is badly marred by lack of closure.
Taking off all of the stars in the world for not addressing a lot of what happened in 'Shades. Then I guess putting on 5 for being... IDK, cheerful. Since every other Histories book was so immensely depressing, I have to give this one a lot of points for being consistently upbeat and having nothing bad happen in it at all; even if that positivity and my mental wellbeing is badly marred by lack of closure.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews