Maybe I'm just not a short-story person. But I was disappointed in this book---especially given its hefty price. I fell in love with SC through Wraeththu, and bought this book mainly because there was a Wraeththu story in it. Unfortunately, the story, although it had potential, simply lacked the emotional impact that I'd come to associate with the Wraeththu series. I cared nothing for the protagonist, nor for his people, nor for his lost lover, and I was just resigned, not pleased, by the end of the tale. I will say that the story did have a fascinating ethereal atmosphere... but that's the only positive thing I can say about it. Perhaps if I'd had a longer time to get to know the protagonist, I might have liked him better. (And I'll admit---I'd been hoping to see familiar characters in this story, from the Wraeththu trilogy, not a new chara.)

There are other stories in here which have potential, but it seems as if many of them are early treatments of what eventually became her finished novels. There's a proto-Calenture story in here, and a proto-Grigori one, etc. Given that these were the best stories in the book, I'm tempted to suggest that anyone who's interested in this anthology should skip it and just find a way to get the finished novels. Especially given the price. (The Wraeththu story is available on her website, anyway.)

But I'll stop short of not recommending it. The stories *are* well-written---more than enough to please someone not familiar with what SC is capable of. SC still proves herself to be far and away the best and most original fantasy writer out there, hands down. But for those who have read Wraeththu, or Calenture, or the Thorn Boy, and who know just how hypnotic and powerful her writing can be... it's just not enough.

Storm Constantine is a very eclectic writer.She goes from the Cyberpunk,to classic Science Fiction,to evocative fantasy,to religious satire. This book's a bountiful!

I'd set my sights on The Oracle Lips once I realized I had at long last read all of Storm's novels (but for the unfindable Aleph, alas). Having read a few of Storm's stories beforehand (the short Three Heralds of the Storm chapbook, "Paragenesis" in The Crow anthology and several posted to her web site), I had some idea of what to expect, but at the same time, I started out my reading curious what other strange new worlds and characters I might discover.

One of the things which surprised me was the fact that not all the worlds and characters were new. A half a dozen stories were directly related to novels I had already read! Three of the book's 24 selections are tales of Grigori. "Heir to a Tendency" is a peek at the exploits of one Peverel Othman, years before his fateful appearance at Little Moor -- an arrival described in another story appearing, "A Change of Season." Written for an anthology and with the twins in Little Moor being not Grigori but something else, "A Change of Season" is essentially a draft version of the first chapter of Stalking Tender Prey. The book's third Grigori story, "The Feet, They Dance," is a lyrical story of a museum curator who falls into the sort of "remembered life" experiences that come up so often in the third book of Grigori, Stealing Sacred Fire. Any reader and fan of Grigori cannot afford to miss these stories.

Other Storm novels also have relatives appearing. "Blue Flame of the Candle" is an exotic Magravandias tale of temple idols and mysterious strangers. (It also reminded me strangely of an E.M. Forster novel set in a cross between ancient Mesopotamia and Southeast Asia.) A Wraeththu story Storm once had on her web site, "By the River If Only, in the Land of Might Have Been," also makes an appearance, offering a poignant glimpse at what it means when a people loses touch with its roots and wander unquestioningly in darkness and confusion. And finally, just to tantalize me, there's a story set (so Storm's intro note explains) on the same world as Aleph, the (for me) impossible-to-find sequel to The Monstrous Regiment. "God Be With You" is a bitter account of how religious fanaticism and "born again" zeal can split apart families and turn friends into enemies.

Beyond these jaunts into more familiar territory, however, are many more virgin journeys where Storm has created people and places out of nothing and presents them for the length of a short story. Included within this are stories from various genres, from Storm's own brand of science fiction (where space is much more scary and grim than exciting and glamorous), dark fairy tales, fantasies, and strange (but wonderful) unclassifiables like "The Oracle Lips" (a Moebius strip of a story) to "Of a Cat, but Her Skin," a tale of one woman's liberation.

I found my favorite stories split among all the genres. One of the most dearly enjoyed was "The Vitreous Suzerain," the story that opens the anthology. This is one of Storm's forays into science fiction, with a new governor arriving on one of his empire's conquered planets and discovering there is much more to the planet's inhabitants (and more satisfaction to be had) than he or his fellows ever suspected. For me, this story captured my conception of an inter-species encounter far better than any episode of Star Trek.

Other favorites of mine were two dark fairy tales ("Sweet Bruising Skin" and "Remedy of the Bane"), another sci-fi tale ("As It Flows Into the Sea," very much a Twilight Zone episode set in outer space), Storm's fantasy-parody "The Deliveress," a story ("Return to Gehenna") that was like a one-chapter Thin Air, and just about every other story in the book. I made a good choice with this book!

I had been searching for this book for a long time and I was thrilled when I saw that it had been reprinted. After reading it, I realized that I hadn't really missed much. The main story in the book, the Thorn Boy, is a decent story. The other short stories in this collection read like mediocre fanfiction. If you are expecting work on the level of Wreathu or any of SC's more recent work and are at all a discriminating reader, you wiil be dissappointed. The worst thing about this collection is that editing is almost non -existant. I ran across so many typos and mispellings that I could not believe this was a professionally published book.

This is definately a work to borrow from a friend or find in a library or used bookstore. At least it shows how much SC has grown as writer.

I disagree with the comment left by jtouchst with regard to the editing of this fantastic book. I am of the opinion that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the editing of this book. Additionally, my belief is that the author simply kept the book the same as the author had written it, using British punctuation and spellings.

A bizarre imaginary world, whit the vagaries of love and sexual desire in the royal courts of two warring nations similar to China and Egypt. All the strange, tragic story of love full of misunderstandings and delusions is wieved through the eyes of the victor King's first concubine, torn between the fear than a wonderful achingly beautiful prisoner of war will displace him from his position and an unquehenchable love and lust for that same person. An encounter in a temple will seal enigmatically the fate of their relation. It's like an exquisite tale from Arabian nights.

3 Heralds is a well-packaged booklet collection of three short stories by the author of the cult classic Wraeththu trilogy. It's nice to look at and a supplemental to any Constantine fan's library. But that's it. The first story, 'Such a Nice Girl,' is interesting to a point with a few intriguing devices, but never realizes its great potential. 'Last Come Assimilation' also has potential for an interesting science fiction story, but is clumsily handled. 'How Enlightenment Came to the Tower' is downright silly. Hardcore Constantine fans will want this, but Wraeththu fans looking for more will be disappointed. Spend your money on the Grigori books instead.

This is the first U.S. printing of these three stories and each is a joy to read."Such A Nice Girl" is a story about a girl whom everyone thinks is so very nice, but they come to make other discoveries after her death. "Last Come Assimilation" is a tale of computer networking taken to the next level. "How Enlightenment Came to the Tower" is the story of Saphariel, who lives in a tower and will not come down until he is enlightened. A well done booklet that shows a range and style of Storm that will help you develope your taste for Storm and encourage you to look for her longer works if you are not already familiar with them

The reason I didn't give this five stars is because it absolutely cannot be read as a book by itself. In order to understand the significance of all the events and characters, you need to read the trilogy. There is a reason certain characters die, disappear, or are mentioned without really doing anything at the time. Almost everybody and every event is vital to the setup of the third book.

I first read this book over summer break when I was bored out of my mind and decided to go to the library. I saw this on the shelf and immediately became interested. I absolutely couldn't put it down because I wanted to understand the characters and find out what happened. I was very unsatisfied with the ending of the book, but then I found out about the sequel. The ending was not an ending, but a setup for the next novel. It worked for me. I bought the other two books as soon as I found them.

The darkness and sexuality of Sea Dragon Heir is not for everyone and I can see where it would turn people away from this book. I loved the characters and the air of mystery shrouded about them. They were so... human. There isn't a Mary Sue or Marty Stew in sight in this story. I never once regretted buying this book.

The Magravandias series (starting with this book) is probably the easiest Storm book to get your hands on. Out of all her books, this series is closest to what I always thought regular "fantasy" books would be like -- has a Medieval type setting, castles, dragons, heroes on a "quest" for artifacts, noble ideals, forces of darkness to be overcome, etc. That said, I think Storm turns a lot of the cliches on their heads and makes it all quite twisted :) The books have a big undercurrent of sexuality, notably a strong same sex attachment while at the same time tying in with things like Medieval sagas and German myths. Best of all, the books really lead up and up to a cool conclusion which you don't see coming and which is very satisfying.

The Magravandias series (starting with this book) is probably the easiest Storm book to get your hands on. Out of all her books, this series is closest to what I always thought regular "fantasy" books would be like -- has a Medieval type setting, castles, dragons, heroes on a "quest" for artifacts, noble ideals, forces of darkness to be overcome, etc. That said, I think Storm turns a lot of the cliches on their heads and makes it all quite twisted :) The books have a big undercurrent of sexuality, notably a strong same sex attachment while at the same time tying in with things like Medieval sagas and German myths. Best of all, the books really lead up and up to a cool conclusion which you don't see coming and which is very satisfying.

Storm's writing is great, but this repeated ordeal of Shemyaza feels like Frodo being told that there is another Ring to melt in another volcano. The Grigori story could well have ended whit the previous novel. We would have been spared the executive manager who suddenly speaks like a taliban would and the Iraqi dictator that renegades Islam for an antediluvian deity.If you can't get real, get plausible,at least!

I would like to review the Fallen Angels trilogy (STP,SHB,SSF) here. I finished the trilogy in 3 days because the series is addictive despite some of its shortcomings. Stalking Tender Prey (first book) is brilliant once you overcome the rather slow pace in the beginning. STP has all a perfect gothic dark fantasy should have and it is not for those with high moral standards. Its hero (PO) is a disturbing yet alluring amoral character whom you either dislike or care for. I find myself doing the later and the transformation of PO from a demonic character in the first book to almost a god of love in the 3rd book is mesmerizing. The second book delves into the usual good versus evil fantasy realm and hence to me the weakest of the trilogy but still an engrossing read. The concept of the 3rd book, transformation of a divine king in flesh to the ultimate Messiah of mankind, would be a challenge for any writer. But Storm delivers because she is gifted and writes from her heart. Her alternate view of Christianity and salvation is fascinating and almost believable. But like all Storm's books her ending tend to be rushed with all her fascinating views cramped into a few pages. I love the Wraeththu trilogy and of course tend to compare any of Storm's books to it. The Fallen Angel series is not as great but this dark fantasy is still too good to be missed.

This book, being the final book in a trilogy about a character who becomes a messiah figure, would have been impossible to write well by most writers published today. This, as well as the fact that the writer is coming from a Pagan background, makes it doubly hard. You need to read the first two books in the trilogy to understand what she has done in this novel. Stealing Sacred Fire is the most esoterical of the three, but also the most complex in regards to what it has to say about all religions. I highly recommend it and feel that this was how the journey had to end.