Greg Sky, an acclaimed master of contemporary fantasy fiction, presents one of his most ambitious and imaginative works to date – Tales of the Butterfly Dawn. Six vibrant and self-contained short stories comprise the tales which are then woven into the overarching Butterfly Dawn plot.

“Our lives are like that of the butterfly – short but glorious”

Such are the words of Dýrfinna, an integral member of the ancient Ögurr people, a community that inhabited the fertile lands of the Jut River, far back in the mists of time.

Initially a paternalistic and nomadic hunter-gatherer community, the Ögurrs exhibit skills and attitudes far in advance of their time. At first presided over by the warlord Maiko, the Ögurrs sense the winds of change are in the air. It is clear the two favourites to succeed Maiko’s rule are the warriors, Ludic and Kettil. That battle will be decided on the warrior’s field but it is not the only one of importance; the two warriors must also compete for the affections of the beautiful Arnkatla.

Step forward many centuries, and the world is remarkably different from that of which the Ögurrs inhabited. It is a world at war, ravaged and exhausted. Even the winners are defeated. Retired from active military duty, Professor Dirk Cooch, battle-scarred and wearied by war, now spends his days in relative seclusion studying the ancient Ögurrs – their ways, their language, their history. Called to a top-level meeting by his superiors one day, Cooch is surprised when he is quizzed on the history of the Ögurrs and even more surprised when his military superiors tell him that it is imperative that Ludic succeeds Maiko and wins the hand of Arnkatla.

Assisted by the miracles of modern technology, Cooch is sent back through time to the ancient banks of the Jut river with the express purpose of preserving the destiny of two worlds inextricably linked by the dual powers of cause and consequence. But there is a third destiny to consider, and Cooch decides there is no longer a place for him in his modern day world. Abetted by Kamien, the Ögurr magus, Cooch wraps the Ögurrs around him and embraces their lifestyle with little thought to the world he has left behind, or the ramifications of his decision, or indeed, who will be sent after him.

Drawing on the experiences of a diverse array of characters, the Tales of the Butterfly Dawn arc gracefully between ancient and modern eras, gently revealing the mythic and archetypal roots that shape the future. More than just an epic of battle and conquering heroes, the Tales of the Butterfly Dawn is also an intuitive study of sociological progression as the author skillfully outlines the challenges and decisions that the Ögurrs experience as their culture becomes progressively more sophisticated.

It is a challenge to create so many diverse characters and maintain their identities, but it is one that Greg Sky not only meets, but also exceeds. The rich, diverse and deliciously human characters breathe life into the tales and provide an almost tangible connection between the reader and the tales. They enrich the plot and add a level of depth and truth that is rarely found in works of fiction. The Tales of the Butterfly Dawn is a spectacular testament to Greg Sky’s subtle and instinctive talent for weaving and crafting page-turning fiction that not only excites and entertains, but also captures the readers’ imagination, intellect and heart.

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