When Jassenah har Sulh arrives in the Wraeththu town of Jesith to train magically with the famous hienama Ysobi, he's unprepared for the effect this har will have on him. Ysobi opens Jassenah's mind to the potential that hara can reach for and in doing so, also opens his heart. Just as it seems Jassenah has achieved his heart's desire, a new student arrives, in the form of Gesaril, a damaged young creature with mysteries lurking in his past. The magic of both the unseen world and that of harish emotions conspire to destroy Jassenah's idyllic life, until he feels he's forced to stoop to equally cruel methods to salvage his happiness. But at what cost? The Hienama is a rich and deeply erotic tale of the Wraeththu, set in the magical land of Alba Sulh. This is not a story of great leaders who affect the destiny of all, but simply that of hara who live on the land and in the wake of human passing are trying to establish communities. They strive to cast off human limitations but sometimes this task proves difficult, especially when it involves matters of the heart, when all the dark anxieties and jealousy of their previous human condition can rise to torment them. This story is the first in a series of Wraeththu novellas planned by Storm Constantine, involving the hermaphrodite race who comes to replace humanity, first explored in her seminal trilogies: The Wraeththu Chronicles and The Wraeththu Histories.
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From the Back Cover
The following day, I was nervous about going to the Nayati. I was almost scared of facing Ysobi, sure that my face would betray me. When I knocked and entered his room, he was standing on a stool, watering some plants on a high shelf. 'Hi, Jass,' he said. 'Get yourself a drink. I won't be long.' I went into his kitchen, noticing all the little details of his life: a plate left unwashed beside the sink, a note to himself left on the counter. When I went back into the main room, he was sitting on the floor. 'I think we should take things easy today. We'll look into some history. It's quite interesting to see the ways humans viewed arts such as ours.' 'All our arts?' I enquired. 'Yes. All of them.' I sat down in front of him. 'I tried out some of your techniques on Zehn last night.' Ysobi laughed. 'Well, you're commended for doing homework, but he's hardly a har I'd choose for such work. What were your results?' 'Nothing much. I just made him fall in love with me.' Ysobi didn't laugh at that. 'Be careful,' he said. 'I think you're very responsive, and one day will be a hienama of arunic arts. It gives you power, and that's a responsibility. It shouldn't be used to play with hara's feelings.' 'Believe me, I know that.' Ysobi frowned. 'Is there something wrong, Jass?' I shook my head. 'No. I'm just astounded how little I knew before. Have any of your students ever fallen in love with you, Ysobi?' 'I make it clear they shouldn't,' he said.
About the Author
Since The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit first appeared in 1987 (and long before that), Storm Constantine's "cauldron" has produced a phantasmagoric array of creative works, everything from her best known piece, the Wraeththu trilogy, to Andrew Collins-inspired works like the Grigori trilogy and Burying the Shadow, on down to fantastic visions like Calenture, non-fiction books like Egyptian Birth Signs, and dozens of short stories.
To read one of Storm's books is to enter a world where there is much more than meets the eye and mysteries lie at the heart of things. Magic is essential, and sexuality, often of the forbidden variety, yields not only pleasure but a means of altering reality and opening up the doors to these mysteries. Storm's different races and cultures-- the Wraeththu, the Grigori, the Eloim, the Artemesians, and more -- all struggle with balancing magic with the everyday, maintaining harmony in their own world while pushing open the doors to worlds less known, although sometimes far more ancient or exotic.
In recent years Storm has returned to the world of Wraeththu with a roar and cry, creating a second trilogy that interlocks with and then continues the story of the original. The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure, the first book in the series, was published in 2003 to acclaim by fans, and the second book, The Shades of Time and Memory, appeared in 2004. The final book in the new series, The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence, is set for U.S. and U.K. release in 2005. Storm has also written a new stand-alone Wraeththu novella, The Hienama, to be published this year by Immanion Press.
In 2003 Storm began new chapter in her life, starting up a new publishing company called Immanion Press, which has put out editions of books in her out-of-print back catalog, U.K. editions of her latest works, as well as "Wraeththu Mythos" novels and works by other authors, both seasoned authors (Ian Watson, Freda Warrington, etc.) and new faces. IP's first release was an edited, deluxe edition of The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit, followed by new editions of The Bewitchments of Love and Hate and The Fulfilments of Fate and Desire. All three books are re-edited with cover and interior artwork by Ruby as well as expanded, updated appendices. In 2003, IP released the first "Wraeththu Mythos" novel, Breeding Discontent (Oct. 2003), by Wendy Darling and Bridgette Parker. Another major Wraeththu project coming out of Immanion Press is From Enchantments to Fulfilment, a Wraeththu role-playing game.
Storm has also been busy with conventions, after some years away. It began in October 2003, when Storm and her friends held Grissecon 1, the first ever Wraeththu convention in Stafford, England. This was a great success, and in 2004 was repeated as part of the huge Dragon*Con fantasy convention in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, where it had its own programme track. In 2004 Storm was "Author Guest of Honor" at Lunacon, the annual convention of the New York Science Fiction Society; Storm will make a repeat appearance in 2005 as she and associates offer more "Grissecon" programming.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tantalizing and satisfying,
By Merro M. (Frederick, Maryland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Hienama (Wraeththu Mythos) (Hardcover)
The Hienama is different from the new Wraeththu Histories, but has the original element that is always so satisfying about Storm Constantine's books. As the advertising claims, it's not about larger politics or cosmic events, but about ordinary hara. Only, this has the maturity of the new Histories, with the personal voice that was so alluring about the first trilogy.
Wraeththu is gripping because admist the new evolution into hermaphrodites, in its unique blend of science fiction merging into fantasy, it is at heart about enlightenment. In the middle of politics and war and "greater events," it has always been about rising about the petty concerns and finding spiritual awareness and understanding. The Histories do not lose sight of this, and The Hienama, the story of late-incepted har Jassenah har Suhl whose life in a smalll community in Alba Suhl, brings 'slice of life' to a transcendant level. The characters are beautifully mapped out, their relations with each other are developed and complicated. The book itself is a joy - the scrolls and illustrations, reminiscent of Art Nouveau, are beautiful. I was wary at first - novella? common hara? no Cal? but now I'm avidly waiting Storm Constantine's future Wraeththu novellas.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love's labour lost in the Wraeththu world,
By
This review is from: The Hienama (Wraeththu Mythos) (Hardcover)
In a remote corner of the Wraeththu world, far from the splendid Immanion and the grim Fulminir, a late-incepted har in the country of Alba Sulh comes to the peaceful village of Jesith to be trained by the renowned local Hienama (wraeththu High Priest), Ysobi. From here develops a tale of love (and lovemaking), difficult relationships, misundertandings and disappointements between the hara of Jesith, precipitated by the arrival of a problematical student for Ysobi.A tale of love and thorns, friendships and affections strained and conflicting, a very good piece from Storm Constantine, this time very graphic in describing Wraeththu lovemaking, Aruna. A little, hot masterpiece
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
melts under the tongue,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Hienama (Wraeththu Mythos) (Hardcover)
Constantine's style is liquid sex for your eyeballs. It is a bit steep for such a smallish book - but the prose is so exquisite that this read is enjoyable for more than once.
definitely worth it.
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