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Book One of The Phoenix Legacy In the 33rd Century, a vast empire teeters on the brink of collapse. "Has the sweep and power of Asimov's Foundation." --Jean M. Auel, author of the Earth's Children series At the heart of the Concord, unrest is festering. Unrecognized by the Elite, the ruling class, an undercurrent of rebellion is surging through the enslaved Bond class. It's a threat that could bring down all of civilization, creating a third Dark Age. Lord Alexand, first born of the House of show more DeKoven Woolf, stands to inherit a vast industrial empire along with a seat on the Directorate, the Concord's ruling body. But he sees the writing on the wall and realizes that if the Bonds explode into total rebellion, there will be nothing to inherit, and the toll in human suffering will be beyond calculation. He makes a terrible choice then: He chooses to "die" and join the Society of the Phoenix, a clandestine organization whose existence is known to only a few Directorate Lords, who consider membership treason and punishable by death. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
My copy of this book was published in 1981, when I was in high school. I haven't read it in decades (probably not since the early 90's), but my memory of the story was so strongly positive it's remained on my shelves all these years, along with the rest of the "Phoenix Legacy" trilogy. Yesterday, needing something to read, I picked it up with a bit of trepidation. It was hard to believe the story would stand the test of time.
It has.
There are plenty of science fiction tales about dynastic empires and the threat of revolution, of families and politics and high tech, but this one manages to be special -- perhaps because it has so much heart as well as insight. I've been reading it as fast as I can, and am looking forward to the next two show more books. show less
It has.
There are plenty of science fiction tales about dynastic empires and the threat of revolution, of families and politics and high tech, but this one manages to be special -- perhaps because it has so much heart as well as insight. I've been reading it as fast as I can, and am looking forward to the next two show more books. show less
I recommend this book, but only if you can get hold of all three in the series. This is the first, "Shadow of the Swan" is the second, "House of the Wolf" is the third and final of this "The Phoenix Legacy" series. I would say this is one novel in three installments. In my 1981 edition the second and third books both have maps, previous part synopsis (there are 6 parts altogether), and a cast of characters; the third book also has an extensive glossary. It unfortunately has some pretty lame cover art. You can easily find plot synopsis elsewhere. I want to say that this book nicely combines political intrigue with some hard science fiction and social idealism in the context of a far future feudal society. One plot element involves a show more pseudo-christian religion, but it is not thematic and there is no supernatural, fantastic, or faith-based action. There's enough action and plot twists to keep you turning the pages, but the real strength of the novel is in the characters and the drama. To my mind, there is nothing particularly profound or inventive about this series, but it is well written and entertaining. show less
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Author Information
Martha Kay Renfroe was born in Amarillo, Texas on June 5, 1938. She wrote mystery and science fiction novels under the pen name M. K. Wren. Her books included the Conan Flagg series, the Phoenix Legacy Trilogy, A Gift Upon the Shore, and Nitty Gritties: The Pursuit of the Perfect Manuscript. She was also an artist whose work was shown in galleries show more and shows. She died on August 20, 2016 at the age of 78. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Sword of the Lamb
- Original publication date
- 1981-02
- People/Characters
- Adrien Camine Eliseer; Mathis Daro Galinin (First Lord of the House of Daro Galinin, Chairman of the Directorate); Lukis (acolyte); Elor Ussher Peladeen (First Lord of the House of Peladeen); Theron Rovere; Satva (Elder Shepherd) (show all 12); Karlis Selasis; Orin Badir Selasis (First Lord of the House of Badir Selasis, member of the Directorate); Alexand DeKoven Woolf (Alex Ransom); Elise Galinin Woolf; Phillip DeKoven Woolf (First Lord of the House of DeKoven Woolf, member of the Directorate); Richard DeKoven Woolf (Richard Lamb)
- Important places
- Victoria, Australia (Concordia, the Concord); Montréal, Québec, Canada (Montril, the Concord)
- Dedication
- This book is dedicated in gratitude to Dwight V. Swain, a man with a rare talent for teaching well an art that defies teaching.
- First words
- PHOENIX MEMFILES: DEPT HUMAN SCIENCES: HISTORY (HS/H)
SUBFILE:WAR OF THE TWIN PLANETS (3208-3210) PELADEEN
&nbs... (show all)p; REPUBLIC: LETTAPE #61: FROM LORD ELOR USSHER PELADEEN
TO DR. ANDREAS RIIS 1 JANUAR 3210
DOC LOC #819/8-232016/1618-122016 #61: 52116/118-113210
My dear Andreas,
I'm touched by your appeal to join you "underground," and I admit I was tempted; it isn't easy to face the prospect of one's imminent death.
PHOENIX MEMFILES: DEPT HUMAN SCIENCES: SOCIOTHEOLOGY (HS/STh)
SUBFILE: LAMB, RICHARD: PERSONAL NOTES
&nbs... (show all)p; 12 SEPTEM 3250
DOC LOC #819/12908-1812-1614-1293250
I'm an old man in some senses; an old man because I'm so close to the end of my life, not because of the number of years that have elapsed since the beginning of it. - Quotations
- On an overcast autumn day - it was last Avril - the Elder Shepherd Satva and I sat in his visitation room in the chapel in Compound B discussing the concept of free will over tamas tea. I remember that conversation with extra... (show all)ordinary clarity; in fact, I can repeat most of it verbatim, and I'm not usually a mnemonic adept. Two old men, one in a young but failing body, measuring the dimensions of a concept meaningful to the other only in theological terms.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Just keep your eyes open and, remember, all I need is a sign.
Fortune, brother -
Jael
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- Reviews
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- Rating
- (4.24)
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- Dutch, English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 7
- ASINs
- 5
