Julian May

A story of the human struggle in a new galactic civilisation.

This is the fourth book in "The Saga of the Exiles" series. The Frivulag are rising, while the children of the metaphysic rebels are to re-open the time gate - sole escape route back to the Galatic Milieu - and Marc Remillard, the adversary, takes up his destined role in the power play.

The log-awaited epic fantasy from the author of "The Many-Colored Land" is the saga of a land beyond the horizon, where the quest for power is eternal, where magic and mystery are feared above all, a

Meanwhile, Ullanoth tends her own schemes. Posessing the talent to call on the unearthly powers of the Beaconfolk, mysterious otherworldy beings who appear as lights in the sky, her power is undeniable. But the Lights are fickle, and their interference in human affairs unpredictable. If Ullanoth calls on them to help Conrig, they are likely to extract an unforeseeable price.

Earth stands on the brink of acceptance into the Galactic Milieu, a benevolent political and telepathic alliance of alien races. But some are wary, as their new supervisors have introduced stringent new laws. Leading humanity is the powerful Remillard family, but a ruthless entity known only as the Fury has its own agenda for the Galactic Milieu. It starts to murder those with metapsychic talents, triggering a chaos that could delay Earths inclusion. At this delicate juncture, Teresa, wife of clan leader Paul Remillard, conceives a child who could represent humanitys future. But Jacks birth is illegal under Milieu law and she will need the formidable mental abilities of Uncle Rogi and Jacks older brother Marc to cover her tracks. Young Jack promises to be the most powerful mental talent ever seen. But hes destined to be destroyed by his own DNA, unless the Fury gets to him first.Galactic-scale intrigue ... engagingPublishers Weekly, A compelling vision of humanitys future ... Highly recommendedLibrary Journal

Earth is finally part of the Galactic Milieu. But the next step is to achieve Unity with other galactic races. To attain this higher state, we must gather sufficient numbers of the metapsychically talented. However, a rebel group want to keep Earth forever separate. And their covert supporter is Fury, an unstable metapsychic entity with its own ruthless plans for humanity. Furys greatest threat now is Jack the Bodiless, whose power it craves. But Jack wont be used. So the entity turns to Dorothea Macdonald, a young woman whos been hiding her great powers from the Milieus best mind-readers. Yet she cant keep them from Fury - or Jack. She rejects their advances, suspicious of megalomaniacal dreams and galactic politics. But when Jacks brother Marc puts his schemes ahead of saving millions of lives, Jack needs her. Because ultimately no one - even the Galactic Milieu - can match the powers of the girl theyll call Diamond Mask.Rich in intrigue and vibrating with creative energyLibrary Journal, May has largely earned her impressive following, which makes this book a virtually mandatory acquisitionBooklist

The Saga of the Exiles, Julian Mays much loved and critically-acclaimed science fiction series, was an International bestseller in the 1980s, captivating readers with its richly detailed story of the Tanu and Furvulag. This Pliocene Companion is essential reading for all fans of the Saga, new and old alike. Inside there is a descriptive listing of all the characters, a chronology, the authors original maps, three interviews with Julian May herself, and a selective bibliography. The glossary gives information on metapsychology, on the futuristic science of the Galactic Milieu, and on the exotic world of the Tanu and Firvulag. Beyond that, it offers readers a chance to explore further the surroundings of a world 6,000,000 years in the past.

Humanity is enjoying the Galactic Milieu. Colonies are thriving, Earth is peaceful, and as more metapsychics are born, the goal of mental Unity with the Milieu seems close. But a rebel group want Earth to remain separate, led by a man obsessed with human superiority. This is Marc Remillard, unknowingly influenced by Fury who is now unveiled and on the run. Marcs goal is nothing less than the elevation of human metapsychics above all others, through artificial enhancement of mental faculties. His methods are unpalatable; his goal horrific. So Marc and his co-conspirators continue their work in secret. Only the very Unity he fears can derail Marcs plans. And only his brother Jack the Bodiless, and the young woman known as Diamond Mask can attempt the impossible: destroy Marc, Unify humanity and allow the golden age of the Galactic Milieu to begin.Fascinating . . . May has cemented her position as one of this generations foremost storytellersLibrary Journal, A certain crowd-pleaserKirkus Reviews

In the 22nd Century, a group of misfits and mavericks are preparing to leave behind everything they have known. Advanced technology has created a one-way time portal to Earths Pliocene Era six million years ago. Those seeking a better life are drawn to the promise of a simple utopia, far from the civilised Galactic Mileu. But no one could have predicted the dangers on the other side. For the group will enter the battleground of two warring alien races, exiled from a distant planet. And these races not only have potent mind powers, but seek to exploit and enslave humans for their own needs. The travellers are about to discover that their unspoilt paradise is far from Eden. Winner of the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel. Julian May has woven a many-coloured tapestry of exotic adventure Roger Zelazny, I was captivated by its glamorous, sinister movement through the misty forests of Earths true past Fritz Leiber

For 60,000 years, the worlds of the Galactic Milieu have observed Earth, waiting for humanity to evolve sufficiently to join them. Now, humanity is almost ready for Intervention. Across the world, children with unusual mental powers are being born, known as operants. One such is Rogi Remillard, humble book dealer. Helped by an entity he labels the family ghost, Rogi will inadvertently steer his family and so all mankind into the future. Rogis journey starts with his nephew Denis, as he guides his strong metapsychic abilities. The young mans irresponsible father certainly isnt interested, focusing instead on his volatile son Victor. Yet Victors own emerging powers make him increasingly dangerous. Events take a dark turn when Victor starts consorting with criminals, eventually setting his sights on undermining society itself. Only his family can bring him down, but Denis may be forced to call to the stars for help.Has irrevocably placed herself among the great of fantasy and science fictionAzimovs Science Fiction, Excellent ... a host of interesting characters and incidentsInfinityPlus.co.uk

The Pliocene Epochs exiled races are caught in a violent struggle for ascendancy. The humans who escaped to the Galactic Milieu are now beset on all sides, as they seek a foothold in this turbulent land. Aiken Drum, now King, has many enemies, but the Firvulag seem set to move first to initiate their long-prophesied Nightfall War. And although recent confrontations have weakened Aiken, any sign of frailty will bring down his kingdom. The powerful Elizabeth Orme supports King Aiken, and his enlightened despotism is preferable to Marc Remillards cruel ambition. But these conflicts will be overshadowed if a time-gate is opened back to the 22nd century, something Marc can never permit. All will be decided at the Grand Tourney, where Tanu and humans will face the Firvulag in the last great contest of the exiled world. Praise for the series: Julian May has woven a many-coloured tapestry of exotic adventure Roger Zelazny, An engaging storyteller Locus, Fast-paced storytelling that defies predictability; and a sympathetic and well-rendered cast SFReviews.net

Following an immense cataclysm, Tanu civilization is in ruins. Now the humans who passed through the gate to prehistoric Earth can finally seek power. Aiken Drum names himself King, but faces great opposition. The Firvulag are hellbent on wiping out every group but their own. Felice Landry, possibly the most powerful psychic humanity will know, hasnt finished wreaking havoc. Then another faction emerges. A group of metapsychic human rebels have been in hiding on another continent. Until their leader, Marc Remillard, decides to take advantage of the new regime. But the groups children, who came of age far from the Galactic Milieu, just want to return to the 22nd Century. However, the Galactic government hasnt forgotten Marc or the billions of lives lost through his crimes so he will stop at nothing to keep the time-gate closed. Praise for the series:Engrossing . . . it stirs the mind and engages the feelings Fritz LeiberA many-coloured tapestry of exotic adventure Roger ZelaznyDeservedly acclaimed . . . a tremendously original premise SFReviews

A small group journeyed through a time-gate into Europes prehistoric past. Yet this supposedly unspoilt sanctuary holds two alien races locked in combat. In a world where the human-like Tanu have the upper hand, Elizabeth Orme soon encounters trouble. When they find she possesses rare mind powers, they want her for their own. She wont be used as a pawn in a Tanu versus Firvulag war, but Aiken Drum cant wait to get involved. Aiken discovers the Tanus mind-enhancing torcs have given him his own powerful abilities. And its not long before he devises a plan to challenge the Tanus leader for rule of the Many-Coloured Land itself. But another faction seeks the slaughter of all humans, and he stands in their path. Praise for the series: Enchanting and engrossing ... I was captivated Fritz Leiber, Julian May has woven a many-coloured tapestry of exotic adventure Roger Zelazny, An amazing journey from the distant future to the distant past ... high adventure SFReviews.net

The continuation of a powerful new fantasy adventure filled with dark magic and deadly intrigue, from the worldwide bestselling author of the SAGA OF THE PLIOCENE EXILE. King Conrig Ironcrown now rules the entire island of High Blenholme. But the peace he achieved after ruthlessly uniting its four quarrelling kingdoms into a Sovereignty is about to be challenged by enemies both mortal and supernatural. Rumours abound that his vengeful first wife, Maudrayne, believed to have committed suicide when she discovered his infidelity, is in fact still alive and about to reveal a secret that could cost Conrig his throne. A more tangible threat is posed by the ambitious sorcerer Beynor, and his crony, Conrigs traitorous former alchymist Kilian, who have stolen a trove of currently inactive moonstones capable of drawing tremendous power from the mysterious supernatural Beaconfolk. After initiating a civil war, the pair hope to utilize this power to vanquish Conrigs fatally divided realm and rule it themselves. The Kings unlikely champion is his royal intelligencer, Deveron, a young man secretly possessed of magical talents. But Deveron is torn between his loyalty to the iron-willed king and his own conscience. The resulting clash involves not only human beings, but also the ancient races who inhabited High Blenholme before them and who now intend to take back their lost homeland.