Paradise is Fleeting for the First Humans.
Part of the Trilogy
This is a prequel to Shadows of Mars and Point of Venus. It is recommended to read this before reading the other two books.
Briefest of Synopses
Marhan Tahn, the designated human ruler of the ancient civilization known as Akasha, is preparing for his wedding to Syranna Mi’in in the main hall. Syranna is half-human, half Risha’an, the species that built the human body on God’s behalf. God’s most brilliant and imposing angel, Faraisel, visits Marhan with an alternate view to God’s vision for the fledgling human race. Marhan momentarily rebuffs Faraisel but begins to feel inner conflict.
General Akha’an Ta’an, Marhan’s brother and the leader of the seven men who guard the walls of Akasha from the unintentionally menacing Ga’alenth, begins a relationship with JiLa’ana Ha’an, the teacher of the children of the ways of mastering mind. The half-human, half-Risha’an Vika’an, who had his sights on JiLa’ana, is hurt and vows vengeance in some form.
General Ta’an, who also works as a healer of the physical body within a chamber inside the top of the Akashan pyramid, is struck by a dream he has of wearing a cloak burning with streams of colors and wakes up filled with a passion he could only describe as touching the Wheels of Heaven. He runs to the forest to tell his friend Vetro Solage, a Risha’an whom has the mind to manifest General Ta’an’s vision-dream. With Vetro’s help, the cloak is made and General Ta’an is able to float in the air, the first man to do so.
This frightens Marhan as a threat to his reign and accepts Faraisel’s help setting in motion the destruction of Akasha, an Eden fallen.