Silistra Quartet
Silistra Quartet (4 book series)
Kindle Edition
by Janet Morris (Author)
From Book 1: Dystopian.

Biology shapes reality...

One woman's mythic search for self-realization in a distant tomorrow...

Her sensuality was at the core of her world, her quest beyond the civilized stars.

Aristocrat. Outcast. Picara. Slave. Ruler.

"Engrossing characters in a marvelous adventure." - Charles N. Brown, Locus Magazine

"The amazing and erotic adventures of the most beautiful courtesan in tomorrow's universe" - Frederik Pohl

"The best single example of prostitution used in fantasy is Janet Morris' Silistra series... Estri's character is most like that of Ishtar who describes herself as "'a prostitute compassionate am I'" because she "symbolizes the creative submission to the demands of instinct, to the chaos of nature ...the free woman, as opposed to the domesticated woman". Linking Estri with these lunar and water symbols is not difficult because of the moon's eternal virginity (the strength of integrity) links with her changeability (the prostitute's switching of lovers). [...] Morris strengthens the moon imagery by having Estri as a well-keepress because wells, fountains, and the moon as the orb which controls water have long been associated with fertility, [...] In a sense, she is like the moon because she is apparently eternal, never waxing or waning except in her pursuit of the quest; she is the prototypical wanderer like the moon and Ishtar. She is the eternal night symbol of the moon in opposition to the Day-Keepers [...] At her majority (her three hundredth birthday), she is given a silver-cubed hologram letter from her mother, containing a videotape of her conception by the savage bronzed barbarian god from another world. [...] If Estri's mother then acts as a bawd, willing her lineage as Well-Keepress to her daughter, then Estri's great-grandmother Astria as foundress of the Well becomes a further mother-bawd figure when she offers her prophetic advice in her letter: "Guard Astria for you may lose it, and more. Beware of one who is not as he seems. Stray not in the port city of Baniev ...look well about you, for your father's daughter's brother seeks you". Having no brother that she knows of does not stay Estri from undertaking the heroic quest of finding her father." - Anne K. Kaler, The Picara: From Hera to Fantasy Heroine
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Books in this series (4 books)
1
High Couch of Silistra (Silistra Quartet Book 1)
by Janet Morris (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 96 3.6 on Goodreads 448 ratings
Dystopian.

Biology shapes reality...

One woman's mythic search for self-realization in a distant tomorrow...

Her sensuality was at the core of her world, her quest beyond the civilized stars.

Aristocrat. Outcast. Picara. Slave. Ruler.

"Engrossing characters in a marvelous adventure." - Charles N. Brown, Locus Magazine

"The amazing and erotic adventures of the most beautiful courtesan in tomorrow's universe" - Frederik Pohl

"The best single example of prostitution used in fantasy is Janet Morris' Silistra series... Estri's character is most like that of Ishtar who describes herself as "'a prostitute compassionate am I'" because she "symbolizes the creative submission to the demands of instinct, to the chaos of nature ...the free woman, as opposed to the domesticated woman". Linking Estri with these lunar and water symbols is not difficult because of the moon's eternal virginity (the strength of integrity) links with her changeability (the prostitute's switching of lovers). [...] Morris strengthens the moon imagery by having Estri as a well-keepress because wells, fountains, and the moon as the orb which controls water have long been associated with fertility, [...] In a sense, she is like the moon because she is apparently eternal, never waxing or waning except in her pursuit of the quest; she is the prototypical wanderer like the moon and Ishtar. She is the eternal night symbol of the moon in opposition to the Day-Keepers [...] At her majority (her three hundredth birthday), she is given a silver-cubed hologram letter from her mother, containing a videotape of her conception by the savage bronzed barbarian god from another world. [...] If Estri's mother then acts as a bawd, willing her lineage as Well-Keepress to her daughter, then Estri's great-grandmother Astria as foundress of the Well becomes a further mother-bawd figure when she offers her prophetic advice in her letter: "Guard Astria for you may lose it, and more. Beware of one who is not as he seems. Stray not in the port city of Baniev ...look well about you, for your father's daughter's brother seeks you". Having no brother that she knows of does not stay Estri from undertaking the heroic quest of finding her father." - Anne K. Kaler, The Picara: From Hera to Fantasy Heroine

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2
The Golden Sword (Silistra Quartet Book 2)
by Janet Morris (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 42 4.1 on Goodreads 130 ratings
Dystopia.

Biology shapes reality.

The further adventures of the most beautiful courtesan in the galaxies of tomorrow.

She had the power to create planets.
The sixty carved bones of the Yris-tera
foretold her ancient fate.
Her heritage of power took her beyond
time and space and stole from her the
one man she loved.

Enslaved on the planet Silistra tomorrow's
most beautiful courtesan unleashes the
powers of the gods.

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3
Wind from the Abyss (The Silistra Quartet Book 3)
by Janet Morris (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 32 4.0 on Goodreads 124 ratings
Dystopia. Novel series #2 of 4. Fantasy. Science fiction. Allegory. Political.

Wind from the Abyss is the third volume in Janet Morris' classic Silistra Quartet, continuing one woman's quest for self-realization in a distant tomorrow.

Aristocrat. Outcast. Picara. Slave. Ruler ....

She is descended from the masters of the universe. To hold her he challenges the gods themselves.

Praise for Janet Morris' Silistra Quartet: "The amazing and erotic adventures of the most beautiful courtesan in tomorrow's universe." -- Fred Pohl

"Engrossing characters in a marvelous adventure." -- Charles N. Brown, Locus Magazine.

The best single example of prostitution used in fantasy is Janet Morris' Silsitra series." -- Anne K. Kahler, The Picara: From Hera to Fantasy Heroine.

This Perseid Press Author's Cut Edition is revised and expanded by the author and presented in a format designed to enhance your reading experience with larger, easy-to-read print, more generous margins, and covers designed for these premium editions.

Wind from the Abyss starts with this . . .

Author's Note

Since, at the beginning of this tale, I did not recollect myself nor retain even the slightest glimmer of such understanding as would have led me to an awareness of the significance of the various occurrences that transpired at the Lake of Horns then, I am adding this preface, though it was no part of my initial conception, that the meaningfulness of the events described by "Khys' Estri" (as I have come to think of the shadow-self I was while the dharen held my skills and memory in abeyance) not be withheld from you as they were from me.

I knew myself not: I was Estri because the girl Carth supposedly found wandering in the forest stripped of comprehension and identity chose that name. There, perhaps, lies the greatest irony of all, that I named myself anew after Estri Hadrath diet Estrazi, who in reality I had once been. And perhaps it is not irony at all, but an expression of Khys' humor, an implicit dissertation by him who structured my experiences, my very thoughts, for nearly two years, until his audacity drove him to bring together once more Sereth crill Tyris, past-Slayer, then the outlawed Ebvrasea, then arrar to the dharen himself; Chayin rendi Inekte, cahndor of Nemar, co-cahndor of the Taken Lands, chosen so of Tar-Kesa, and at that time Khys' puppet-vassal; and myself, former Well-Keepress, tiask of Nemar, and lastly becoming the chaldless outlaw who had come to judgment and endured ongoing retribution at the dharen's hands. To test his hesting, his power over owkahen, the time-coming-to-be, did Khys put us together, all three, in his Day-Keeper's city -- and from that moment onward, the Weathers of Life became fixed: siphoned into a singular future; sealed tight as a dead god in his mausoleum, whose every move brought him closer to the sum total, obliteration. So did the dharen Khys bespeak it, himself. . . .

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4
The Carnelian Throne (The Silistra Quartet Book 4)
by Janet Morris (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 34 3.9 on Goodreads 94 ratings
Three venture where few dare tread . . .

Where an ancient sword may sever past from future . . .
Where three come seeking truth from prophecy . . .
Where a dystopia lies enwrapped in a riddle . . .
Where biology shapes reality . . .
Where humanity no longer rules. . .

Are they the three foretold, two men and a woman, tried and tempered, who will forge a new age on the shores of which none are empowered to speak?

Estri was a daughter of light.
Chayin was a son of darkness.
Sereth was hase-enor, the son of all flesh.

Lovers and friends, could they be the prophesied three
who would wield the Sword of Severance, Se'Keroth,
and bring light out of dark?

"One from the east, born of ease and destined,
"One from north of south, divine, exempt of question;
the third from out the west,
Astride a tide of death," quoted Chayin. He was not
smiling. It is a long epic. All has been foreseen. We
all know that tale's end."
--- Estri Hadrath diet Estrazi, in "Wind from the Abyss."

The Carnelian Throne, Book 4 in the bestselling Silistra Quartet

"Engrossing characters in a marvelous adventure." --- CHARLES N. BROWN, LOCUS

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
10 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars worth collecting
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2017
Science fiction and history blend together in this fantastical and sensual adventure. A series of books worth collecting and now available in digital format as well.
3 people found this helpful
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Al-Khemet Book Club
5.0 out of 5 stars Morris' books are by far her greatest and like always
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2017
Yet another masterpiece book collection from the masterful writer Janet Morris. Most recently, the book club fell into heated debate over which of Mrs. Morris' books are by far her greatest and like always, we were unable to come to a conclusion. Then comes the reading of this series which has left many baffled at her literary works and how one writer can stun her audience time and time again, with new releases and old time classics.

Janet, and Janet alone knows how to do this and does it so well, that it leaves a whole book club amazed.

It is often said that an authors greatness is best illuminated with their best book, and if this holds true, what can one say of Janet Morris when almost all, if not a whopping 88% of all her books fall into the category of great?

Amazed yes, but not surprised, grab this collection and enter another world, one which only Mrs Morris knows how to weave with the fabrics of greatness.

Al-Khemet Book Club
Jan 2016
3 people found this helpful
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Loretta Cogar
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Series
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2017
I have read these book many times. I actually have the 1978 copyright books. I had all 4 but cannot locate the 4th one now. These books are a futuristic & at the same time backward look at a time when women had control but were at the same time subservient to men with fantastic animals, gods & godess', unimaginable power. If you want something different I recommend it but not for children as it is geared toward the mature audience.
I would like to see the whole 4 book set in kindle, as I'm getting ready to repurchase the 4 book printed set. I've worn my copies apart.
7 people found this helpful
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Tom Manne
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best ever
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2017
The Silistra Quartet is everything that's right about the current state of indie writing. Janet Morris is a superb writer and this series demonstrates each tool in the writer's belt. Steinbeck once said that it took every part of his writing ability to create "East of Eden". One can easily see that Morris was equally dedicated to each element of writing in her creation of Silistra. Great characters, believable and telling dialogue. Every part of this was wonderful.
3 people found this helpful
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LoveToRead
5.0 out of 5 stars I love all of author Janet Morris' works
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2017
I have read a couple of these intriguing books and couldn't wait to get the complete series. I love all of author Janet Morris' works. The Silistra Quartet (3 Book Series) are well written, unique stories of beautiful, sensual courtesans surviving with their skills. Estri is in search of her father and the adventures begin. 5 stars!!
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2017
Estri is as woman of noble birth, on a world where reproduction is difficult, birth rates are low, and consequently women who can become pregnant are very powerful. When she comes of age, Estri's dead mother sends her a message: find your father. She leaves her family for a land full of peril and violence. Love the stories, each one becomes more and more thrilling.
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Big Apple
5.0 out of 5 stars Silistra
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2017
This is a complex, meaty, intellectual series that can be enjoyed on many levels. Stick with Book 1 until you get hooked... it's worth it.
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Love2read
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing tales!
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2017
The three book series by Janet Morse are epic tales of beautiful courtesans striving to survive in male dominated worlds.
Free-spirited and powerful, nevertheless shackled by the forces of submissiveness and covetousness, these fantasies portray the will of strong hearted women.
Well written, intriguing characters, exciting and adventurous...a marvelous set of emphatic reads.
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More About the Author
Janet Morris
Biography

Best selling author Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and has since published more than 30 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. She wrote the bestselling Silistra Quartet in the 1970s, including High Couch of Silistra, The Golden Sword, Wind from the Abyss, and The Carnelian Throne. This quartet had more than four million copies in Bantam print alone, and was translated into German, French, Italian, Russian and other languages. In the 1980s, Baen Books released a second edition of this landmark series. The third edition is the Author's Cut edition, newly revised by the author for Perseid Press. 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.

Janet says: 'People often ask what book to read first. I recommend "I, the Sun" if you like ancient history; "The Sacred Band," a novel, if you like heroic fantasy; "Lawyers in Hell" if you like historical fantasy set in hell; "Outpassage" if you like hard science fiction; "High Couch of Silistra" if you like far-future dystopian or philosophical novels. I am most enthusiastic about the definitive Perseid Press Author's Cut editions, which I revised and expanded.'