Customer Reviews

The Shades of Time and Memory: The Second Book of the Wraeththu Histories (Constantine, Storm. Wraeththu Histories, Bk. 2.)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Tagline for the sixth season of that smart cult TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was "Oh! Grow up!", and for the second volume of the Wraeththu histories, *The Shades of Time and Memory*, the tentative direction of this new series seems to follow those lines.

My first reaction to the resumption of the series with *The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure* 15 years after the original ended was mixed. Delight at seeing more of it, slight disappointment that it didn't quite capture the magic of the original *Wraeththu*. The fleshing out of old minor characters, Flick and Ulaume, or Seel (no!) though vibrant and exciting, didn't make me fall in love as madly as the first one -and I'd read the holy trilogy only 2 weeks before. I didn't have years of building up their mythos in my mind. The switch to 3rd person from the brilliant mix of humor and pathos of the trilogy's 1st person didn't move me to tears and laughter, the story, while fascinating on its own terms, didn't have that legendary poignancy. The Original Wraeththu trilogy was breaktaking, heartbreaking, gripping (all sorts of -ing), and your heart threatens to hold onto them, not wanting to let go of their painful beauty.

Now that I've read the 2nd in this new series (and re-read *Wraiths* 5 times), I see this from a bit more measured perspective. These are, after all this nitpicking, the most exhilerating fantasy books I've read in years.

*The Shades of Time and Memory* picks up right where the final trilogy ended, rather than fill in the lost years between 2 and 3 as *Wraiths of Will and Pleasure* did. What happens after Cal stalks into Immanion, reunites with Pell, and takes his rightful place in Wraeththu?
This makes for an unforgetable read; the plot never drops, and almost every chapter leaves you breathless. The mystery and intrigue keeps you on the edge of your seat, until you look up and can't recognize your surroundings because you've been so absorbed. And the pace cannot be perfected upon! You're never overwhelmed by too much, but at the same time you're left dizzy with the excitement and the emotions.
The characters are a mix of our well known (and deeply beloved), Cal, Cobweb, Caeru, Swift, and well, Pellaz too, as well as the most amazing transformation of Ponclast. Newer characters tie in with the old, as children (harlings!) have grown up and do their bit to inherit the world: Tyson, Moon, Abrimel, Azriel, Aleeme, and a disturbing Caliban figure, Diablo...

Of course, everything must be compared back to the original *Wraeththu* (the holy3), but I feel at this point, that this might be a tad unfair. The originals were about one story above all, a mad, passionate, haunting, painful, gorgeous Love beyond Death and Time etc. Like Buffy season 2, like Romeo and Juliet, it's beautiful, gothic, beautifully extravagant teenage love.
(and that's why I love it so dearly)

But the new series is about something different. Not less exciting, and with even greater cosmic implications (hints of Constantine's Grigori series here), and with another sweet love story in the midst of it all, *Shades* develops the careful setting of *Wraiths*, and turns the new series, not only into a focus for the love story of Cal and Pell (holy3), but into an exploration of the greater potential of all these characters. (I'm skipping out on spoiling the "action" plot here- it's amazing)
The novel seems to be a testing ground for who matures and who doesn't. Are Wraeththu stuck in the same cycle as their human predecessors, living out comfortable and gender split domestic arrangements, bickering over land and dynasties, or are they more? Who grows up and who doesn't? And what are the choices that determine this? What about the itchy unfairness and classism of Immanion superiority (as disturbing to me as Uigenna brutality- I rather liked the crazy Uigenna)?

You're left with all the impact of the powerful love story of the originals, but with a maturity, where our once obsessed lovers have to take on responsibilities, where work and duty and racial destiny take as much space as their youthful passions did (and still do).
Don't get me wrong- this is not a mild story about settling down- by no means! It's brutal and painful, horrific and gorgeous at turns (and sometimes at once). Point-counter point revelations are shocking/thrilling. But it points, not to "only love" at the center, but "live and love too." Like the broader wryer acceptance of life trials in Buffy season 6 (O Grow up!) or the *The Winter's Tale* and *the Tempest*, life goes on and you'll love how the Wraeththu grow up.

I remember the day the Wraeththu seduced me like it was yesterday. I was a 19-year-old art student when I walked into a bookstore in a busy mall back in 1985 looking for something interesting to read for my commute home and bought the first volume of the series because I liked the cover (I found it unusual and very well done). I began reading at the train station and did not stop for more than a couple of hours for two days. Long story short: Storm introduced me to her world. I was hooked. Willingly bewitched. What? You thought I was kidding when I say I was seduced?

I had to have more, I found the 2nd part of trilogy, and a couple of years later the 3rd. Still, I looked for more (it was like a drug) but nothing was available in the US market. Eventually, life marched on and my brain detoxed and I forgot about "that" one fantastic tale. Then I found this book last week and the fever's back (it's like the Pell & Cal reunion all over again).

I won't go into the plot details. I feel that too much has been revealed by other reviews. But I'll say this: You will even find a snippet of humor in this volume AND the ever-standing affirmation, that size does matter. The truth is that no one writes like Storm. The imagery is so utterly alive that it's effortless to imagine the places, characters and (even) emotions she conveys thru her work. I must admit that I was prepared to be sadly disappointed -- after all, everyone "know" that sequels are never as good as the original - but I am glad to be wrong.

Although, there is a big different in writing styles from her original work (when contrasted with this one book in particular), it becomes very unimportant past the first few paragraphs and goes unnoticed afterwards. If fact, one could say that this one book is actually a testament to her growth as a weaver of dreams.

Long live Wraeththukind!

This has been an exhilarating few days for me as I finish the Wraeththu Histories. Like some of the reviewers I was a trifle dismayed yet hopeful when I learned that Storm wished to write a sequel to Wraeththu. It has been more than 15 years since the conclusion of Wraeththu. Yes I could still recall the last part of Wraeththu being rushed and there could have been much more in the reunion of Calanthe and Pellaz. But how does Storm hope to redeem this small but significant fault in Wraeththu, least of all equal the brilliance of this masterpiece. I do not doubt her story telling skill but there is a haunting originality, a sensuality, an innocence in Wraeththu which is not possible to duplicate or match.

My fear grew when I found Book 1 of the Wraeththu Histories a sort of a "fill-in-the-blanks" which does not feature and if so, limited roles of the enchanting and alluring characters in Wraeththu. And it was not written in the first person view which I love so much in Wraeththu. However my fear was unfounded a third through Book 1. Storm has not lost her magic though I still miss Calanthe, Rue, Cobweb and more of Pell of course.

Happily these endearing characters reappear in Book 2 which is just brilliant. My favorite characters take center stage again as Storm continue from where she left off in Fulfilments of Fate and Desire (3rd book of Wraeththu). I no longer miss the first person narration. Storm does not need that to inject emotions, intensity and life into her story and characters. Her characters have grown and I like the maturity in Cal, Pell and Cobweb. New characters appear, Moon, Snake, Raven just to name a few, and Storm weave them seamlessly into her magical tapestry of intriguing plots and sub-plots.

As I turn to Book 3 (The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence, UK edition), I was again a trifle dismayed with the story shifting to new characters, this time the second generation harlings. I should just have trusted Storm. Book 3 is as enchanting as Book 2. Her protagonists, Pell's sons/high-son, Darq, Loki, Geb, can never equal Cal, Pell and Cobweb,(I have to admit I am bias because nohar else can replace these favorite characters of mine), but they are refreshing and each harling's character is an unique individual. The stories of Pell's sons/high-son, from the day they are "hatched" to the day they confront each other are equally spell binding.

Storm's imagination just keep on growing covering untouched realms without ever dragging her feet or confusing her reader. Few can match her world building skills or the deep interplay of emotions among her characters.

And I am very please with the way she continues the love/hate emotions development among Cal, Pell,Galdra and Rue in Book 3. No reader can expect more but as a Wraeththu fan, I am thirsty for much more. Just novellas from now on is just not enough! Long live the Wraeththu Mythos!

This book had me engrossed for 2 solid days and by the end, i couldn't believe I had to wait who knows how long for the next book. This second in the series is a great read. Yes, there are some writing/editing related issues but less so than in the first book. But the plot is entriguing, the characters engrossing, and the pace of the story is perfect. I think that another reason that I enjoyed this book is that it puts back to center stage the characters that drew us into the wreathu world in the first series: Cal and Pell. I loved Pell in the first series and to see him back and evolving was part of what made this book great. Cal is also moving beyond the person he was in the first book. Even though I had liked Cal, he seemed to encompass only sullen, booding seductiveness before. Now I can see why he was chosen by fate to be second Tigron. Caeru also has more of a role in this story. For some reason, his character has always had my sympathy. It was,again, wonderful seeing his character evolve and move forward in this second novel.

There are new charcters in this story as well as some familiar names who are finally developed. More of the Cevarros show up and each of them is a jewel of a character. Tyson finally gets to take center stage. There is an entriguing new character, Galdra, who I am afraid gets the two dimentional treatment in this story. I really hope that Storm sees fit to flesh him out and keep him a major supporting chara in future novels.

I won't go much into the plot. It is a departure from what you have read so far in the Wreatthu books. Storm is drawing on her angel mythology interests in this book, similar to what we saw in her Grigory series. This expension of the Wreatthu metaphysical universe is what kept me reading into the late hours of the morning. I have so many questions and can't wait to discover the answers. Read this book. You won''t regret it. And like me, you will be wringing your hands until the next book is out.

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 9/10

PROS:
- The characters in these later books (the Histories) seem more personable to me than many of the characters in the original Wraeththu trilogy. Their reactions are more humanlike and less removed, less controlled. Even the older characters who were present in the original books seem less distant in these volumes.
- Constantine's writing is amazing: not only is her characterization deep, but her descriptions of physical settings and abstract, metaphysical ideas are lyrical and captivating.
- One of my favorite aspects of the Wraeththu series is the romantic relationships that emerge, and I was delighted by several of the pairings that occur in this book. One character in particular has been present since the first book and finally finds his chesnari (partner/soul mate) in this book.
- With each new Wraeththu volume I read, I find it incredibly interesting to see how much further Constantine develops the story--how the new characters turn out (especially when they're the children of existing characters), what new plot developments will happen, how everything ties into the original stories, etc.
- The author includes explanations of essential events from the earlier books when such information is necessary to keep new readers from getting confused. I thought her inclusion of these explanations was less intrusive in this volume than in the first Histories book, The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure: The First Book of the Wraeththu Histories.

CONS:
- One of my least favorite features of the original series is present in this book also. Two of the characters who have been through hell and back and are finally united at the end of the original trilogy are once again separated for the majority of this book. Not just separated physically, either: throughout this story, each of them doubts repeatedly whether the other is still in love with him. Angst is much more prevalent in this book than previous ones.
- Sometimes it's hard to see how all of the disparate storylines fit together, and I found it difficult to get through certain chapters because I simply wasn't as interested in the characters in them as I was in the characters of other chapters.

Overall comments: I adore this series. The world Constantine has created becomes grander and more beautiful with each additional volume, and she continues to add multi-layered characters at such a rate that I've reached a point where I'm starting to have a hard time keeping track of everyone. I didn't wholeheartedly enjoy reading the parts of this story in which the characters are so emotionally miserable, but it ends well, and I'm now looking forward to reading the final installment.

Pros: Compelling old and new characters, improved writing style, understandable story line, increased maturity of attitude.

Cons: The amount of head hopping is a bit distracting, could be expanded more.

I was pleased with the "The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure" largely because I thought that the writing style was improved from the original trilogy and the characters' attitudes toward love were more mature and realistic. "The Shades of Time and Memory" continues in this same vein, but it takes up the story where the original series left off.

In "Shades", Pell and Cal are finally reunited, but they begin to question their relationship -- they've been apart for thirty years. Are they really in love with one another or just in love with a memory or an ideal that never existed? As they try to figure all this out, the Gelaming are threatened by Ponclast, a dark leader of a violent tribe long thought to be vanquished. I must say that "Shades" has the most coherent, cohesive storyline of any Wraeththu book yet. There is a clear enemy in this book that must be fought through clearly articulated magical means. There is no purposeless wandering in the desert while the protagonists attempt to attain some sort magical rank whose significance is unclear.

Storm's writing continues to improve by leaps and bounds, but, as always, the highlight of the book is the characters. When many fantasy novels move on to the "next generation", I find that the next generation is not nearly as interesting as the first. That is not the case here. Moon, Tyson, Abrimel and the rest are every bit as interesting as the older characters even if I would like it if a little more time was spent with them. The fact that Wraeththu seem to be ageless, however, means that the older characters are not shuffled to the side. Pell and Cal are still at the center of this story and Storm doesn't disappoint with their characters. One of the messages of this "Histories" series is that there are no happy endings -- life just goes on. This is shown with the two main characters and their relationship seems to evolve into a mature, real thing complete with disagreements and regrets, but if anything that just makes me want to see them together more.

My only real complaint about the book is that the viewpoint switches from character to character too often. I really think that Storm has so many characters by this point that it is hard to do them all justice. If she had expanded this single book into a trilogy, then she could have fleshed out all the characters and expanded the conflict. As it is, she often writes scenes that are little more than a page long from a character's point of view and we might not hear from that character again for another fifty pages or so which is distracting.

I really do think that these Wraeththu "Histories" are a bit too loosely connected. This book could have been a trilogy all on its own with the third History "The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence" comprising an entirely different series and the first History "The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure" (which is excellent, by the way) being a stand alone side novel.

But I can't knock a great novel too much even if I wish there were more of it. 5- stars.

The second book of a trilogy has the toughest job, I think. The first book is the one that gets to introduce the setting and characters, while the third is the one to wrap it all up. The second book, though, has the task of fitting it all together. Shades accomplishes this quite nicely.

New characters as well as old are brought in to flesh out the world of Wraeththu. A leftover group of Uigenna, the Freyhallans who are descended from Norse humans, and others are brought in to join Pellaz, Cal, Caeru and other better-known main characters. Once again we're treated to seeing how the various har develop as the story continues--there are no flat, emotionless beings here.

At first, some of the threads of story may seem to have no connection whatsoever. However, Constantine is skilled at taking these and weaving them together, so that by the end of the book we're curious to see just what happens next and how it'll all turn out.

Shades is an excellent bridge, neither being too long and boring, nor too hastily sketched out. It thrives in the role of second book, and is a wonderful addition to any sci-fi/fantasy fan's shelf.

Wow. This second in the series really gets more into the energetic origins and capabilities of the Wraeththu, more than dwelling in the stories of the characters themselves. Again, Constantine brings to the fore the backstory of yet other past characters and there is more synergy between them than dissent, as before most of the characters are facing deep personal crises. This book was tough to read, though. She really departed from a lot of what had become clichéd writing for her (though I love her style--it works). She definitely expanded her own understanding of what her characters and their world are and where they may be going. Constantine spent a lot of the earlier books nailing down that the Wraeththu are unsure of themselves as a race. The blinders are off now. That is mostly what made it so hard for me to read: It was sad. The irony is that many of the relationships you had been wanting to happen find a foundation in this book, yet their wider lives are in such turmoil as a race what you've been wanting for so long becomes an afterthought. She really is a brilliant writer. You really do go where she wants you to as reader. She also leaves a ton of doors open, as usual to make you wonder where the next book will go.

Storm's Wraeththu Histories just keep getting better and better. With each new book of hers that I read, I harbor a fear that something will start to falter, that the magic I love will no longer exist. This is definately not the case with "Shades".
As much as I loved "Wraiths", I nearly danced with joy as Pell, Cal, and Rue graced the pages once again.
Now that Thiede has been somewhat thrown out of the earthly realm by Cal, the Wraeththu world is a bit off kilter and Aralis' struggle to find a way to stablize it.
The characters in "Shades" have grown up, Pell and Rue work to put their unfortunate past behind them, as their son finds his own way to deal with his pain. Cal struggles to deal with his wild nature and in the process, meets an old... friend.
This book is quite different from the orginal triology and builds quite a bit on Wraiths as the Wraeththu kind learn some of their true capabilities and their own insignificance at the same time. It is a wild and capitavating ride.
One thing I really loved about "Shades" was the inclusion and introduction of some of Pell's human relatives, Terez, Snake, and Moon. They add to the amazing web that is wraeththu.
I can't wait to get started on "The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence"!

My faith in the Storm-goddess has been restored! I have to admit I was disappointed with the last "Wraeththu Histories" novel, THE WRAITHS OF WILL AND PLEASURE, which seemed to discard much of what I loved about the original Wraeththu novels. I'm delighted to see that most of what was missing from Wraiths has returned in THE SHADES OF TIME AND MEMORY.

Most notably, Cal. After serving as the focal point for the entire original trilogy, Cal was conspicuously absent in Wraiths. Now he's back and in full form! This is the real joy of Shades: it is a chronological sequel to the original Wraeththu trilogy, beginning shortly after Cal's triumphant reunion with Pellaz at the end of Fulfilments. All is not "happily ever after" in Immanion as Cal, Pell, and Caeru struggle to reconcile a relationship damaged by time and jealousy. Worse, Cal's elimination of Thiede has triggered unexpected consequences for the world on many levels. Pell has been left without his mentor and father-figure. The Gelaming have been left without their founder. But worst of all, Thiede's disappearance has weakened the magical barriers of Gebbadon, the hellish alternate realm to which Ponclast and the most bloodthirsty of the old Varrs were banished back in Bewitchments (book 2 of the original trilogy). Ponclast hasn't been idle all this time. He and his Teraghasts, as they now call themselves, have been biding their time, breeding, developing their magical strength, and forging alliances with mysterious entities from beyond the world. And now they're ready to break free...

So once again we have an epic tale full of sensuality, relationships in all their pain and beauty, and dark non-traditional magic, this time joined with an exciting danger-filled plot. Shades still suffers from some of the flaws of Wraiths, such as an overabundance of relevant characters who simply get too little development. (For example, one of the key Teraghasts is introduced with the intriguing line, "Diablo was so mean, it wasn't a joke he was named for the old devil." But a few paragraphs later the focus of the narrative shifts elsewhere, and we're never given a close look at Diablo again.) But this is balanced by the fact that we get cameos from original-trilogy characters like Lianvis and Kate/Katarin, and new characters who *are* well-developed, such as Pell's brother Dorado -- now called Snake Jaguar. Because of this I found myself much less irritated by the third-person format this time around. I still miss the first person of the original trilogy, because Storm has always been a consummate master of the form; I hope she returns to it someday.

In any case, I was very happy with Shades -- so happy that I went back and re-read Wraiths, and actually enjoyed it better as foreshadowing for Shades. Now that's good. =)

And now I can't wait for the next book!