Sagara, Michelle 1963- (Michelle West, Michelle Sagara West)

PERSONAL:

Born 1963; married; children: one.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Toronto, Ontario, Canada. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Writer, 1991—. Works at Bakka, a fantasy and science fiction bookstore.

WRITINGS:

"THE BOOK OF THE SUNDERED" SERIES

Into the Dark Lands, Del Rey (New York, NY), 1991, BenBella Books (Dallas, TX), 2005.

Children of the Blood, Del Rey (New York, NY), 1992, BenBella Books (Dallas, TX), 2006.

Lady of Mercy, Del Rey (New York, NY), 1993, BenBella Books (Dallas, TX), 2006.

Chains of Darkness, Chains of Light, Del Rey (New York, NY), 1994, BenBella Books (Dallas, TX), 2007.

AS MICHELLE WEST; "THE SUN SWORD" SERIES

The Broken Crown, DAW (New York, NY), 1997.

The Uncrowned King, DAW (New York, NY), 1998.

The Shining Court, DAW (New York, NY), 1999.

Sea of Sorrows, DAW (New York, NY), 2001.

The Riven Shield, DAW (New York, NY), 2003.

The Sun Sword, DAW (New York, NY), 2004.

AS MICHELLE SAGARA WEST; "THE CAST" SERIES

Cast in Shadow, Luna (New York, NY), 2005.

Cast in Courtlight, Luna (New York, NY), 2006.

Cast in Secret, Luna (New York, NY), 2007.

AS MICHELLE WEST

Hunter's Oath, DAW (New York, NY), 1995.

Hunter's Death, DAW (New York, NY), 1996.

(With Mark Kreighbaum and John Helfers) Tad Williams' Mirrorworld, HarperPrism (New York, NY), 1998.

Speaking with Angels: Stories, Five Star (Waterville, ME), 2003.

Contributor of short stories to various anthologies under names Michelle Sagara, Michelle West, and Michelle Sagara West, including Christmas Bestiary, edited by Rosalind M. Greenberg and Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1992; Aladdin, Master of the Lamp, edited by Mike Resnick and Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1992; Dinosaur Fantastic, edited by Mike Resnick and Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1993; Alternate Warriors, edited by Mike Resnick, Tor (New York, NY), 1993; Christmas Ghosts, edited by Mike Resnick and Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1993; By Any Other Fame, edited by Mike Resnick and Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1994; Deals with the Devil, edited by Mike Resnick, Martin H. Greenberg, and Loren D. Estheman, DAW (New York, NY), 1994; Alternate Outlaws, edited by Mike Resnick, Tor (New York, NY), 1994; Witch Fantastic, edited by Mike Resnick and Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1995; Enchanted Forests, edited by Katharine Kerr and Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1995; Phantoms of the Night, edited by Richard Gilliam and Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1996; Alternate Tyrants, edited by Mike Resnick, Tor (New York, NY), 1997; Sword of Ice, edited by Mercedes Lackey, DAW (New York, NY), 1997; Tarot Fantastic, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Lawrence Schimel, DAW (New York, NY), 1997; Elf Fantastic, Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1997; Return of the Dinosaurs, edited by Mike Resnick and Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1997; The Fortune Teller, edited by Lawrence Schimel and Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1997; Zodiac Fantastic, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and A.R.Morlen, DAW (New York, NY), 1997; Elf Magic, by Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1997; Wizard Fantastic, edited by Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1997; Olympus, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Bruce D. Arthurs, DAW (New York, NY), 1998; Tad William' Mirror World, edited by Tad Williams, Harper Prism (New York, NY), 1998; Black Cats and Broken Mirrors, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and John Helfers, DAW (New York, NY), 1998; Things Invisible to See, edited by Lawrence Schimel, Ultra Violet Library, 1998; Battle Magic, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Larry Segriff, DAW (New York, NY), 1998; Alien Pets, edited by Denise Little, DAW (New York, NY), 1998; A Dangerous Magic, edited by Denise Little, DAW (New York, NY), 1999; Moon Shots, edited by Peter Crowther, DAW (New York, NY), 1999; Merlin, edited by Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1999; Alien Abductions, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and John Helfers, DAW (New York, NY), 1999; Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, edited by Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 1999; Mardi Gras Madness, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Russel Davis, Cumberland House, 2000; Spell Fantastic, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Larry Segriff, DAW (New York, NY), 2000; Perchance to Dream, edited by Denise Little, DAW (New York, NY), 2000; How I Survived My Summer Vacation, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2000; Single White Vampire Seeks Same, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Brittiany A.Koren, DAW (New York, NY), 2001; Villains Victorious, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and John Helfers, DAW (New York, NY), 2001; Out of Avalon, edited by Jennifer Robinson, DAW (New York, NY), 2001; Assassin Fantastic, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Alexander Potter, DAW (New York, NY), 2001; The Mutant Files, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and John Helfers, DAW (New York, NY), 2001; Creature Fantastic, edited by Denise Little, DAW (New York, NY), 2001; Knight Fantastic, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and John Helfers, DAW (New York, NY), 2002; The 30th Anniversary DAW Fantasy, edited by Elizabeth R. Wollheim and Sheila E. Glibert, DAW (New York, NY), 2002; Familiars, edited by Denise Little, DAW (New York, NY), 2002; Once upon a Galaxy, edited by Wil McCarthy, Martin H. Greenberg, and John Helfers, DAW (New York, NY), 2002; Vengeance Fantastic, edited by Denise Little, DAW (New York, NY), 2002; Apprentice Fantastic, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Russel Davis, DAW (New York, NY), 2002; The Bakka Anthology, edited by Kristen Pederson Chew, DAW (New York, NY), 2002; Magical Beginnings, edited by Steven H. Silver and Martin H. Greenberg, DAW(New York, NY), 2003; The Sorcerer's Academy, edited by Denise Little, DAW (New York, NY), 2003; Sun in Glory, edited by Mercedes Lackey, DAW (New York, NY), 2003; The Magic Shop, edited by Denise Little, DAW (New York, NY), 2004; Conqueror Fantastic, edited by Pamela Sargent, DAW (New York, NY), 2004; Faerie Tales, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Russel Davis, DAW (New York, NY), 2004; Sirius, the Dog Star, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Alexander Potter, DAW (New York, NY), 2004; Little Red Riding Hood in the Big Bad City, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and John Helfers, DAW (New York, NY), 2004; Summoned to Destiny, edited by Julie Czerneda, Fitzenhenry and Whiteside, 2004; Maiden, Matron, Crone, edited by Kerrie Hughes and Martin H. Greenberg, DAW (New York, NY), 2005; Women of War, edited by Tanya Huff and Alexander Potter, DAW (New York, NY), 2005; In the Shadow of Evil, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and John Helfers, DAW (New York, NY), 2005; Magic Tails, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Janet Pack, DAW (New York, NY), 2005; and Children of Magic, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Kerrie Hughes, DAW (New York, NY), 2006. Contributor of book reviews to Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.

SIDELIGHTS:

Into the Dark Lands, Michelle Sagara's first novel, is the first installment in a tetralogy called "The Book of the Sundered." The Sundered are the descendants of the two gods, Light and Dark. Erin, fighting for the Bright Heart, is captured by Stefano, the First Servant of the Dark Heart. The First Servant is a healer who destroys, while Erin is a trained destroyer with a talent for healing. Although she languishes in the First Servant's prison, she develops feelings for him, emotions that help describe how opposites attract. Gordon Graham of Quill & Quire proclaims that Sagara has "ample talents as a storyteller." Sagara "weaves" a "powerful mood," says Carolyn Cushman of Locus. Cushman calls Into the Dark Lands "a very strong first novel, and one likely to appeal to fans of lengthy epic fantasies."

The second book in Sagara's "The Book of the Sundered" saga is Children of the Blood. Set hundreds of years after the end of the first book, Children of the Blood finds the forces of the Bright Heart one step away from destruction: the only Bright Heart troop who remains alive is Darin. Stefano (now the Dark Lord), enjoying eternal life, learns of the capture and enslavement of Darin and attempts to save him, a gambit that would make it easier for Sara (now called Lady Sarillorn) to wake from her sleep. The Dark Heart forces are not pleased by Stefano's actions, and Stefano eventually must protect not only himself but Sara and Darin.

In the third chapter of the series, Lady of Mercy, Erin awakes from Stefano's spell and begins to use new information on the Dark Lord's transgressions to oppose him. The fourth installment, Chains of Darkness, Chains of Light, catches the long struggle between Light and Dark coming to a close, with Erin challenging Stefano, trying to save the last bastion of Light.

Hunter's Oath is the first in a pair of "Sacred Hunt" books, written by Sagara under the pen name Michelle West. In Hunter's Oath, a Sacred Hunt is held each year for the people of Breodanir. The hunt is held for the Hunter God, who provides a bountiful harvest every year in exchange for the Sacred Hunt, in which one Hunter Lord, or a Huntbrother, must die. Hunter Lords, or men of the ruling class, participate in the hunt and choose a young male companion from the masses. Gilliam of Elseth takes Stephen, an orphan boy, and the two embark on adventures of sword and sorcery. "This is a real page-turner," reported Deborah L. Dubois of the Voice of Youth Advocates. Readers will be "glued to the story until the final confrontation" and will be left "anxiously awaiting the next book in the series." Judith H. Silverman of Kliatt called it an "exciting story."

Coming on the heels of Hunter's Oath is Hunter's Death, which follows Hunter Lord Gilliam and his Huntbrother Stephen as they journey to Averalaan in the Empire of Essalieyan. Averalaan used to be ruled by the Lord of the Hells, and it is now being invaded by demons. The only way to save Averalaan is to combine modern skills with magic that has been forgotten. Lord Gilliam and Stephen join forces with Evayne, born of a seer, Espere, daughter of the Hunter God, and Zareth Kahn, a magus. This group collaborates with the Terafin, the distaff leader of a prominent Averalaan family. They proceed to enlist any other being in Averalaan who is willing to fight against a reemergent Lord of the Hells. Deborah L. Dubois of the Voice of Youth Advocates described Hunter's Death as a "gripping story" that will "appeal to those who enjoy Arthurian tales." A critic for Science Fiction Chronicle called West's effort "ambitious" and compliments her for "skillfully" weaving together "a host of disparate characters." "It's very readable," commented Judith H. Silverman for Kliatt.

The Broken Crown is the first volume in Sagara's "Sun Sword" series. The book creates a world in which human beings are separated into two opposing camps: the Annagar Dominion and the Empire. The Dominion is a harsh place once ruled by the Clan Leonne where slavery is practiced, women are sold off as concubines, and people are murdered at random. The Empire, on the other hand, does not use slavery, and men and women are treated equally. The Empire's government is, however, as aggressive as the Dominion's government. Meanwhile, Diora, a beautiful young woman from an aristocratic family in the Dominion, is trapped in an unhappy marriage. This circumstance ends when Diora's husband and his attendants are killed in an onslaught orchestrated by an associate of Diora's own father. There is only one survivor, Valedan, the son of a concubine, who is being held at the Empire's court. Complicating matters are the Hells, ruled over by the Lord of the Night and inhabited by the Kin. As the Empire and Dominion move toward war, the Kin throw their support behind the Dominion in this "appealing book for those who love to immerse themselves in the intrigues of a safely distant world." Rayna Patton wrote in the Voice of Youth Advocates.

The Uncrowned King is the second in the "Sun Sword" series. The realm of the Dominion is now in disarray as evil forces massacre the Clan Leonne, the rulers of the Dominion. In the Empire, Valedan kai di'Leonne, a seemingly incompetent man, must rise to the occasion and win the King's Challenge to reclaim the crown. The remaining volumes in the series include The Shining Court, Sea of Sorrows, The Riven Shield, and finally The Sun Sword.

Cast in Shadow is the first of a new series, followed by Cast in Courtlight and Cast in Secret. With these books, Sagara hopes to write a series that can be ongoing for as long as she has stories to tell and readers who are interested in them, rather than a trilogy or other finite set of books. Set in the fictional realm of Elantra, the stories focus on Kaylin, who works as a Hawk, a member of an elite law enforcement group that serves the Emperor. A reviewer for Publishers Weekly praised the books for their "impressively detailed setting and the … spirited heroine."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

BOOKS

Science Fiction & Fantasy Literature, 1975-1991, Gale (Detroit, MI), 1992.

PERIODICALS

Kliatt, January, 1996, Judith H. Silverman, review of Hunter's Oath, p. 18; September, 1996, Judith H. Silverman, review of Hunter's Death, p. 20.

Locus, November, 1991, Carolyn Cushman, review of Into the Dark Lands, p. 29.

Publishers Weekly, June 11, 2007, review of Cast in Secret, p. 42.

Quill & Quire, March, 1992, Gordon Graham, review of Into the Dark Lands, p. 62.

Voice of Youth Advocates, December, 1995, Deborah L. Dubois, review of Hunter's Oath, p. 318; December, 1996, Deborah L. Dubois, review of Hunter's Death, p. 282; August, 1997, Rayna Patton, review of The Broken Crown, p. 196.