Merovingen Nights Series by C.J. Cherryh, Janet E. Morris, Lynn Abbey, Mercedes Lackey, Nancy Asire, Chris Morris, Bradley H. Sinor, Roberta Rogow, Leslie Fish, Robert Lynn Asprin, Pat Tobin

School Library Journal: YA In Merovingen, a watery canal-laced city, much like Earth's Venice, society is segregated along class lines between the lower and upper cities. Against her better judgment, Altair Jones, 17, rescues an unconscious man from a canal near her poleboat. She is fascinated by Mondragon's good looks and elegant ways and begins to fall in love with him... moreSchool Library Journal: YA In Merovingen, a watery canal-laced city, much like Earth's Venice, society is segregated along class lines between the lower and upper cities. Against her better judgment, Altair Jones, 17, rescues an unconscious man from a canal near her poleboat. She is fascinated by Mondragon's good looks and elegant ways and begins to fall in love with him. Even though she knows there is no future for a water rat like herself with such a man, she decides to watch over him and rescue him from his enemies; enemies who turn out to be the most powerful people in the upper city. Cherryh is well known for her skill at creating complex and believable societies and worlds, as is shown by this book's 40-page appendix of maps and essays that cover everything from Merovingen's history to its monetary system. This meticulous background work shows up in the reality of her descriptions of the city, through which readers can almost feel the rotting dampness of the canals. The plot has some gaps, it is never completely clear why Mondragon was being pursued but the exciting boat chases and fights with various malefactors keep the story moving along at a fast pace. Altair is a girl-woman, half worldly-wise, half naive, but full of bravery and honesty, who should appeal to teenage SF fans. Betsy Shorb, PGCMLS, Md. less

Merovin, the world the C. J. Cherryh built, a low-tech, inhospitable planet where the human survivors of a colony nearly destroyed by an enigmatic alien menace still dwell, salvaging what they can, while awaiting the return of the alien menace or rediscovery by the Terrans who abandoned them in that long-ago terror... moreMerovin, the world the C. J. Cherryh built, a low-tech, inhospitable planet where the human survivors of a colony nearly destroyed by an enigmatic alien menace still dwell, salvaging what they can, while awaiting the return of the alien menace or rediscovery by the Terrans who abandoned them in that long-ago terror.And in Merovingen, the fantastic canal city, where the wealthy and powerful reside in the highest towers, and beggars, spies, thieves and boaters like Altair Jones ply the highly polluted interlacing waterways below, intrigue, thievery and revolution are the very breath of life. And now with the Festival of Scouring approaching, C. J. Cherryh has invited some of today's finest writers into Merovignen, to weave together this tale of Festival Moon, a time of mystery and murder, of power games both high and low, a Festival after which this world will never be quite the same again... less

As winter's deadly cold threatens those who dwell on and around Merovingen's dank waterways and dark, twisting byways, the various forces seeking to wrest or retain control of the city are busily plotting new and desperate plans of treacherous betrayal.And seeking a weapon with which to blackmail Thomas Mondragon into doing his bidding, Chance Magruder - ambassador, spy, master assassin, and chief strategist for the fantastical Sword of God - has seized the opportunity to kidnap Altair Jones... moreAs winter's deadly cold threatens those who dwell on and around Merovingen's dank waterways and dark, twisting byways, the various forces seeking to wrest or retain control of the city are busily plotting new and desperate plans of treacherous betrayal.And seeking a weapon with which to blackmail Thomas Mondragon into doing his bidding, Chance Magruder - ambassador, spy, master assassin, and chief strategist for the fantastical Sword of God - has seized the opportunity to kidnap Altair Jones. But what Magruder doesn't know is that by imprisoning Jones he and his allies in crime, the slavers of Megary, may have unleashed a new force in the power games of Merovingen, a force which, its anger once roused, may prove completely unstoppable in its quest for revenge!Includes:"Troubled Waters" essay by C.J. Cherryh"A Tangled Web We Weave" novella by Mercedes Lackey"By a Woman's Hand" novelette by Nancy Asire"Strange Bedfellows" novelette by Lynn Abbey"Nessus' Shirt" novelette by Roberta Rogow"Treading the Maze" novelette by Leslie FishAfterword: "Epilogue (Troubled Waters)" essay by C.J. Cherryh"Raj's Letters (Troubled Waters)" essay by uncredited"The Prisoner" novelette by Janet Morris"Saying Yes to Drugs" novelette by Chris Morris"Merovingian Pharmacology 103, or, Poison in Jest" essay by uncreditedMerovingian Songs: "Partners" poem by Mercedes Lackey and C.J. CherryhMerovingian Songs: "A Song for Marina" short fiction by Mercedes Lackey and C.J. Cherryh less

Cardinal Boregy's murder has proven a catalyst for dangerous new politcal games among the Great Houses. As intrigues begin to unwind, the death toll slowly mounts, shifting control in many of the Houses. To some this seems the perfect opportunity to dispose of Mondragon, and framed for a murder he didn't commit, Thomas will need the help of Jones and all his allies if he is to have any hope of escaping this deadly trap... moreCardinal Boregy's murder has proven a catalyst for dangerous new politcal games among the Great Houses. As intrigues begin to unwind, the death toll slowly mounts, shifting control in many of the Houses. To some this seems the perfect opportunity to dispose of Mondragon, and framed for a murder he didn't commit, Thomas will need the help of Jones and all his allies if he is to have any hope of escaping this deadly trap.And with Cardinal Willa Exeter as Boregy's replacement, Revantist fanaticism is strengthening, and Merovingen may soon find itself drowning in an unstoppalbe reign of terror which not even Janist and canaler conspiracies can avert...Includes: "Flood Tide" novelette by C.J. Cherryh"The Testing" novelette by Nancy Asire"Don't Look Back" novelette by Mercedes Lackey"Walking on the Waves" novelette by Leslie Fish"Where's the Fire" short story by Roberta Rogow"Wheels within Wheels" short story by Bradley H. Sinor"Marriage" novelette by Lynn Abbey"With Friends Like These" short story by Mercedes Lackey"Rapproachment" novella by Janet Morris and Chris MorrisAppendix: "Merovingian Folklore 102" essay by Mercedes LackeyAppendix: "Merovingian Songs" essay by Mercedes Lackey less

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