Artemis
A Science Fiction duology
The Artemis Sequence
The Monstrous Regiment
Book 1 of The Artemis Sequence
Artemis, a world named for a huntress goddess, has been isolated from other human colonies for hundreds of years. Originally settled by a group of feminists and their male supporters, whose aim was to create an equal Utopian society, Artemis has drifted away from those ideals. A cruel matriarchy has risen to replace the oppressive patriarchy the original colonists sought to escape.
Corinna Trotgarden has grown up in Vangery, a ranch situated on the sprawling marshes, where life is still more like the original settlers’ dream. But Corinna is soon to be sent to the capital city of Silven Crescent, to the household of General Carmenya Oralien. Rumours persist on the marsh of political unrest in the city, and how some residents want to resist the draconian changes that its ruler, Yani Gisbandrun, wishes to force upon the people. Can it be possible these changes will eventually surge over the marsh-dwellers too, who would be unable to oppose the might of Gisbandrun’s militia?
A chance meeting with a fugitive from the city, the rebel Elvon L’Belder, draws Corinna into this unrest. From that moment, her move to Silven Crescent is destined to be something other than what her mother had planned for her. Change is coming, and whatever the outcome, it is sure to be devastating.
The world is mostly unexplored; there are stories too of mysteries upon the marsh and beyond, including sightings of strange beings. While Corinna faces the harsh realities of city life, and her connection with the dissidents, Elvon L’Belder and the people of Vangery attempt to secure assistance from an unimaginable source; the mythical original inhabitants of Artemis. Are these creatures simply a dream, or do they really exist? And even if they are found, will they be prepared to help the interlopers on their world before it is too late?
Originally published in 1989, this new edition of Storm Constantine’s sf novel has been revised and re-edited for its Immanion Press release.
Cover by Ruby
2nd edition, Immanion Press, 2011
Aleph
Book 2 of The Artemis Sequence
Artemis, a world named for a huntress goddess, colonised by a group of political idealists who over the centuries saw their dreams of equality shatter into a brutal matriarchy.
After the events of The Monstrous Regiment, Corinna Trotgarden, her family and friends, and other refugees, have fled the feared city of Silven Crescent and travelled north to an unhabited area, which they have named Freespace. To Corinna’s intense irritation, she is regarded by the community as one of its leaders.
The Freespacers are unaware that for the first time in many years the government of Artemis has been in contact with the outside world, and an interstellar tour company has sent a representative, Zy Larrigan, to check the planet out for possible commercial exploitation. Larrigan’s flyer begins to behave strangely as he moves further away from Silven Crescent, and bizarre events occur in Freespace, which lead Corinna and others to recall tales of the mysterious Greylids – Artemis’ indigenous population, reduced almost to the status of myth. Something terrible and inexplicable is happening, which the Freespacers fear puts their fragile community in peril.
When Zy Larrigan is propelled uncompromisingly into their midst, the Freespacers know for sure they are not alone, but is the mysterious presence that haunts the ancient caves and mountains above their home benign or dangerous? Perhaps it is both. It is up to Corinna to overcome the mental scars of all that happened to her in Silven Crescent and, along with the bemused off-worlder, do what must be done to solve the mystery, whatever the outcome.
Originally published in 1991, this new edition of Storm Constantine’s sf novel has been revised and re-edited for its Immanion Press release.
Cover by Ruby
2nd edition, Immanion Press, 2012
