Beyond Sanctuary (Sacred Band of Stepsons: Beyond Series) [Kindle Edition]

Janet Morris (Author)

Book Description

In Beyond Sanctuary, the immortal Tempus and his ancient cavalry squadron take the war between magic and the gods to the mages of Wizardwall. Tempus and his Sacred Band of Stepsons begin a series of new adventures that start in Sanctuary(R) but go far "beyond," pitting some of Thieves World's(R) most canonical characters against unforgettable villains and their own frailties while souls hang in the balance.

Love and war mix in a heady mix of ancient history and mythic fiction, love and hate, philosophy and ethos. Sacred Band pairs are forged in the crucible of the wizard wars: lovers and warriors win and lose as the hurly-burly of battle tests all loyalties. Some of Thieves' World's most popular characters stretch out and new characters are introduced in this fast-paced tale that's lyrical and lucid: the immortal Tempus and his sister; the allergic mageling Randal; the Froth Daughter Jihan, join the Sacred Band of Stepsons, fighting for freedom of the human spirit.

Beyond Sanctuary marks the emergence of the Sacred Band series of novels, as well as the first authorized and independent Thieves' World(r) novel. Two iconic Thieves' World stories lead naturally into this trek into farther realms of body and mind, so new readers are well grounded. Although Beyond Sanctuary stands alone, it begins a major epic and is the first of the author's three "Beyond" novels. Janet Morris stretches out and plows new ground, exploring unknown realms with Tempus and his hand-picked band of paired fighters. Demons and warlocks, witches and fiends, enemies human and inhuman clash at every turn while allegiances fracture and reform. Ancient warfare becomes reality and gods take the field with their favorites. Passion, philosophy, and high adventure make a heady, vivid mix as armies use magic and gods use the weather to harry opposing forces. When the Sacred Band and its formidable female allies finally join with the local high-peaks bandits and the storm god of the armies to assault Wizardwall itself, anything can happen -- and does. War and witchery abound in this mystical adventure of love and death Beyond Sanctuary.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Janet Ellen Morris (born May 25, 1946) is an American author of fiction and nonfiction, best known for her fantasy and science fiction and her authorship of a nonlethal weapons concept for the U.S. military. Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and has since published more than 20 novels, many co-authored with her husband Chris Morris or others. Her first novel, written as Janet E. Morris, was High Couch of Silistra, the first in a quartet of novels with a very strong female protagonist. She has contributed short fiction to the shared universe fantasy series Thieves World, in which she created the Sacred Band of Stepsons, a mythical unit of ancient fighters modeled on the Sacred Band of Thebes. She created, orchestrated, and edited the Bangsian fantasy series Heroes in Hell, writing stories for the series as well as co-writing the related novel, The Little Helliad, with Chris Morris. Most of her fiction work has been in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she has also written historical and other novels. Her 1983 book "I, the Sun", a detailed biographical novel about the Hittite King Suppiluliuma I was praised for its historical accuracy; O.M. Gurney, Hittite scholar and author of "The Hittites," commented that "the author is familiar with every aspect of Hittite culture." Morris has written, contributed to, or edited several book-length works of non-fiction. Morris was elected to the New York Academy of Sciences in 1980; she served as Research Director and Senior Fellow (1989–1994) at the United States Global Strategy Council, as well as Adjunct Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (1993–1995). Morris co-authored The Warriors Edge, with John B. Alexander, which explores embracing unconventional psychological combat techniques, in 1990. Janet Morris and the USGSC's campaign for the creation of a non-lethality panel resulted in the assembly of the Non-lethality Policy Review Group, led by Major General Chris S. Adams, USAF (retd.) in 1991. The group earned the political backing of Sam Nunn, chair of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services. Janet Morris published numerous white papers in 1991, detailing the USGSC’s non-lethal war doctrine proposals. The papers promoted diversifying and expanding non-lethal weapon capability for use in increased American intervention in global conflicts. The papers urged additional development of anti-personnel incapacitants as well as vehicular area denial devices.

Product Details

• File Size: 740 KB
• Print Length: 357 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: B002CYLM68
• Publisher: Perseid Publishing (March 2, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007GIWCYG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,692 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #98 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy > TV, Movie, Video Game Adaptations

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Go Beyond Sanctuary with the Sacred Band of Stepsons March 4, 2012

By Larry E. Atchley Jr.

Format:Kindle Edition

This is the first spin-off novel from the Thieves' World shared world anthology setting, which involves some of my favorite characters from the series.
In Beyond Sanctuary, the Sacred Band of Stepsons must leave the cess-pool of a city that they have sworn to protect, and fight in a war against sorcery and the archmage Datan, upon the famed Wizardwall. The dangers that await them might cost them more than thier lives as they must battle the Nisibis witch Roxane, Death's Queen, for the very heart and soul of one of their best fighters, Nikodimus, the Bandaran Adept martial artist called Stealth. In the midst of the battles they must also rescue a half mage-blooded child named Shamshi, from the clutches of Roxane and Datan, before he can be trained to put his powers to malevolent use. Tempus Thales, avatar of the storm god Enlil, called The Riddler, leads the Stepsons on their toughest and most dangerous mission yet in this tale of sword versus sorcery, and sacred warriors against profane mages.
The book is loaded with action and also delves into the hearts and minds of some of the principle characters of the Sacred Band of Stepsons. This revised edition contains some new expanded sections, and parts of the book that were previously edited out in the original release have been re-inserted.
It is a must have for die hard fans of the series, and also a great book on it's own for those who have never read any of the stories about The Sacred Band of Stepsons.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Catching up on Old Friends July 3, 2012

By Bruce Durham

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was a huge fan of the 'Thieve's World' collection when they first appeared back in the late 70s. One character in particular left such an impression that he remained with me over the years. That character was 'Tempus', created by Janet Morris. Obviously that character struck a chord with her, too, and she wrote a series of spinoffs over the ensuing years. My favourite of the several volumes that followed was 'Beyond Sanctuary' (1985), taking Tempus and his Sacred Band from the seediness of Sanctuary to the perilous regions of Wizardwall. Cut to today, and 'Beyond Sanctuary' has been released in the wake of her 2010 novel, 'The Sacred Band'. The good news is the newly released version of 'Beyond Sanctuary' has been revised and expanded. Reading it again after so many years was a delight, much like visiting old friends and picking up on conversations that seemed like yesterday. Highly recommended. Oh, and this fantasy pulls no punches, so be warned.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Go Beyond Sanctuary with Tempus and the Sacred Band of Stepsons January 26, 2012

By Larry E. Atchley Jr.

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This is the first spin-off novel from the Thieves' World shared world anthology setting, which involves some of my favorite characters from the series.
In Beyond Sanctuary, the Sacred Band of Stepsons must leave the rogues den, cess-pool of a city that they have sworn to protect and fight in a war against sorcery and the archmage Datan, upon the famed Wizardwall. The dangers that await them might cost them more than thier lives as they must battle the Nisibis witch Roxane, Death's Queen, for the very heart and soul of one of their best fighters, Nikodimus, the Bandaran Adept martial artist called Stealth.
Tempus Thales, avatar of the storm god Enlil, called The Riddler, leads the Stepsons on their toughest and most dangerous mission yet in this tale of sword versus sorcery, and sacred warriors against profane mages.

More About the Author

Best selling author Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and has since published more than 20 novels, many co-authored with her husband Chris Morris or others. She has contributed short fiction to the shared universe fantasy series Thieves World, in which she created the Sacred Band of Stepsons, a mythical unit of ancient fighters modeled on the Sacred Band of Thebes. She created, orchestrated, and edited the Bangsian fantasy series Heroes in Hell, writing stories for the series as well as co-writing the related novel, The Little Helliad, with Chris Morris. Most of her fiction work has been in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she has also written historical and other novels. Morris has written, contributed to, or edited several book-length works of non-fiction, as well as papers and articles on nonlethal weapons, developmental military technology and other defense and national security topics.