The Fortress Series
Encyclopedia
Fortress is a series of fantasy
novels by science fiction
and fantasy author C. J. Cherryh
, published by HarperCollins
. They are set in a medieval fantasy world
with a 15th century feel and feature magic
, sorcery, medieval warfare
, politics and other elements common to the High Fantasy
subgenre. The first book in the series, Fortress in the Eye of Time, was published in 1995 and followed by Fortress of Eagles in 1998, Fortress of Owls in 1999, Fortress of Dragons in 2000 and Fortress of Ice in 2006.
Unlike some works of high fantasy, Cherryh makes a clear distinction between wizardry (learned like writing and mathematics), sorcery (force of character) and magic (born gift) in this series. Wizardry in the Fortress series is a deliberate act—a technical manipulation of paranormal power to achieve a desired outcome. Sorcery is similar in its deliberate application, but Cherryh reserves the word here exclusively for nefarious spellcasting in the service of evil ends (what might traditionally be called "black magic
").
But "magic" itself is something altogether different in the Fortress series. Here, magic is an innate characteristic of a person or object, more like a force of nature than a technical discipline. Places, the Name of a Person and certain Words have strength in them and their knowledge. It is also distinct from wizardry and sorcery in its ability to create effects without consequence. Wizardy must be undertaken with careful study, as it follows the premise that every action causes a reaction. Like choosing to knock over a domino in a room full of other dominoes, a wizard must be careful and precise which domino he knocks over, less he knock over other dominoes in the process. Magic, by contrast, operates outside of these concerns. A user of magic is free to wield his power to whatever end he has the power to effect, without having to worry his actions will result in anything other than his intended goal.
The principles follow certain ancient beliefs of the Celtic people that there is a secondary world overlapping ours where spirits ghosts and the fey
(also called faeries) live superimposing our world. Tristen calls this the Gray place, where revenants and happenings get imprinted on Places. Certain rules must be kept within this world, thoughts can be perceived more easily and projected within this world and mortal's dreams slip here as well. It is easily understood why the Sihhë kings and lords of old were perceived as gods, when these beings could use this different 'Place' of existence at will and teleport using magic.
, Mauryl is the last living representative of the great Galasieni race. His once formidable power, however, is declining with age. And Mauryl, doubting his own abilities, falters during the act of Tristen's creation, leaving the shaping work partially unfinished.
Tristen is thereby brought into the world not fully formed. Physically he conforms to the shape and abilities of a normal human boy, but he has no memory
, knowledge of the world around him, or understanding of his personal identity. Mauryl deliberately leaves the question of Tristen's identity unanswered, and as such Tristen must discover it for himself. But Tristen is being stalked by an evil ghost
-like sorcerer, Hasufin Heltain, an old enemy of Mauryl who seeks to destroy Tristen and return to living corporeal form.
The first novels in the series describe Tristen's coming of age
and his developing relationship with Prince Cefwyn, heir to the Marhannen throne. Later novels in the series portray Tristen as he comes to understand his true origins and the full extent of his powers as he confronts his enemy Hasufin.
Cherryh also dedicates significant effort to the development of Cefwyn's character as he also comes of age, ascends to the Marhannen throne and confronts the challenges of kingship. Cefwyn must unite the fractious nobles of his court and establish his authority over an independent-minded church hierarchy
while simultaneously defending his lands from both internal treachery
and external invasion
.
As the series develops, Cherryh continues to intertwine the storylines of Tristen and Cefwyn. Tristen becomes a critical bulwark of support for the young King, and Cefwyn helps Tristen to find his place in society with the grant of a peerage
and through the close friendship they form. The two are further united by their common enemies, for Hasufin attempts to leverage both internal and external opposition to Cefwyn as a means to gain power and force a final confrontation with Tristen.
Fortress of Eagles was shortlisted for a Locus Award in 1999.
Fortress of Owls was shortlisted for a Locus Award in 2000.
Fantasy literature
Fantasy literature is fantasy in written form. Historically speaking, literature has composed the majority of fantasy works. Since the 1950s however, a growing segment of the fantasy genre has taken the form of films, television programs, graphic novels, video games, music, painting, and other...
novels by science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and fantasy author C. J. Cherryh
C. J. Cherryh
Carolyn Janice Cherry , better known by the pen name C. J. Cherryh, is a United States science fiction and fantasy author...
, published by HarperCollins
HarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
. They are set in a medieval fantasy world
Fantasy world
A fantasy world is a fictional universe used in fantasy novels and games. Typical worlds involve magic or magical abilities and often, but not always, either a medieval or futuristic theme...
with a 15th century feel and feature magic
Magic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
, sorcery, medieval warfare
Medieval warfare
Medieval warfare is the warfare of the Middle Ages. In Europe, technological, cultural, and social developments had forced a dramatic transformation in the character of warfare from antiquity, changing military tactics and the role of cavalry and artillery...
, politics and other elements common to the High Fantasy
High fantasy
High fantasy or epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that is set in invented or parallel worlds. High fantasy was brought to fruition through the work of authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, whose major fantasy works were published in the 1950s...
subgenre. The first book in the series, Fortress in the Eye of Time, was published in 1995 and followed by Fortress of Eagles in 1998, Fortress of Owls in 1999, Fortress of Dragons in 2000 and Fortress of Ice in 2006.
Unlike some works of high fantasy, Cherryh makes a clear distinction between wizardry (learned like writing and mathematics), sorcery (force of character) and magic (born gift) in this series. Wizardry in the Fortress series is a deliberate act—a technical manipulation of paranormal power to achieve a desired outcome. Sorcery is similar in its deliberate application, but Cherryh reserves the word here exclusively for nefarious spellcasting in the service of evil ends (what might traditionally be called "black magic
Black magic
Black magic is the type of magic that draws on assumed malevolent powers or is used with the intention to kill, steal, injure, cause misfortune or destruction, or for personal gain without regard to harmful consequences. As a term, "black magic" is normally used by those that do not approve of its...
").
But "magic" itself is something altogether different in the Fortress series. Here, magic is an innate characteristic of a person or object, more like a force of nature than a technical discipline. Places, the Name of a Person and certain Words have strength in them and their knowledge. It is also distinct from wizardry and sorcery in its ability to create effects without consequence. Wizardy must be undertaken with careful study, as it follows the premise that every action causes a reaction. Like choosing to knock over a domino in a room full of other dominoes, a wizard must be careful and precise which domino he knocks over, less he knock over other dominoes in the process. Magic, by contrast, operates outside of these concerns. A user of magic is free to wield his power to whatever end he has the power to effect, without having to worry his actions will result in anything other than his intended goal.
The principles follow certain ancient beliefs of the Celtic people that there is a secondary world overlapping ours where spirits ghosts and the fey
Fey
Fey may refer to:* A word meaning "wild or crazy acting", often ascribed to supernatural causes and evidenced by abnormal behavior...
(also called faeries) live superimposing our world. Tristen calls this the Gray place, where revenants and happenings get imprinted on Places. Certain rules must be kept within this world, thoughts can be perceived more easily and projected within this world and mortal's dreams slip here as well. It is easily understood why the Sihhë kings and lords of old were perceived as gods, when these beings could use this different 'Place' of existence at will and teleport using magic.
Introduction
The stories center on Tristen, a boy not born from a human mother, but rather a magical "shaping" created by the ancient wizard Mauryl Gestaurien. Called "Kingmaker" for his role in the founding of the ruling Marhannen dynastyDynasty
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers considered members of the same family. Historians traditionally consider many sovereign states' history within a framework of successive dynasties, e.g., China, Ancient Egypt and the Persian Empire...
, Mauryl is the last living representative of the great Galasieni race. His once formidable power, however, is declining with age. And Mauryl, doubting his own abilities, falters during the act of Tristen's creation, leaving the shaping work partially unfinished.
Tristen is thereby brought into the world not fully formed. Physically he conforms to the shape and abilities of a normal human boy, but he has no memory
Memory
In psychology, memory is an organism's ability to store, retain, and recall information and experiences. Traditional studies of memory began in the fields of philosophy, including techniques of artificially enhancing memory....
, knowledge of the world around him, or understanding of his personal identity. Mauryl deliberately leaves the question of Tristen's identity unanswered, and as such Tristen must discover it for himself. But Tristen is being stalked by an evil ghost
Ghost
In traditional belief and fiction, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person or animal that can appear, in visible form or other manifestation, to the living. Descriptions of the apparition of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to...
-like sorcerer, Hasufin Heltain, an old enemy of Mauryl who seeks to destroy Tristen and return to living corporeal form.
The first novels in the series describe Tristen's coming of age
Coming of age
Coming of age is a young person's transition from childhood to adulthood. The age at which this transition takes place varies in society, as does the nature of the transition. It can be a simple legal convention or can be part of a ritual, as practiced by many societies...
and his developing relationship with Prince Cefwyn, heir to the Marhannen throne. Later novels in the series portray Tristen as he comes to understand his true origins and the full extent of his powers as he confronts his enemy Hasufin.
Cherryh also dedicates significant effort to the development of Cefwyn's character as he also comes of age, ascends to the Marhannen throne and confronts the challenges of kingship. Cefwyn must unite the fractious nobles of his court and establish his authority over an independent-minded church hierarchy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
while simultaneously defending his lands from both internal treachery
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
and external invasion
Invasion
An invasion is a military offensive consisting of all, or large parts of the armed forces of one geopolitical entity aggressively entering territory controlled by another such entity, generally with the objective of either conquering, liberating or re-establishing control or authority over a...
.
As the series develops, Cherryh continues to intertwine the storylines of Tristen and Cefwyn. Tristen becomes a critical bulwark of support for the young King, and Cefwyn helps Tristen to find his place in society with the grant of a peerage
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
and through the close friendship they form. The two are further united by their common enemies, for Hasufin attempts to leverage both internal and external opposition to Cefwyn as a means to gain power and force a final confrontation with Tristen.
Reception
Fortress in the Eye of Time was shortlisted for a Locus Award in 1996.Fortress of Eagles was shortlisted for a Locus Award in 1999.
Fortress of Owls was shortlisted for a Locus Award in 2000.
External links
- Author's Notes on Fortress in the Eye of Time from C. J. Cherryh's Web site