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Is this the Lemuria of antiquity, or of times to come? Once you've ridden the storm clouds of heaven from the edge of time, anything is possible.
Demonic hordes threaten to destroy the very fabric of time itself. The fate of all humanity rests on the shoulders of Tempus the Black, Favorite of the Storm God. But even this hero of legend will encounter a challenge he has never faced before . . . present-day New York City.
Demonic hordes threaten to destroy the very fabric of time itself. The fate of all humanity rests on the shoulders of Tempus the Black, Favorite of the Storm God. But even this hero of legend will encounter a challenge he has never faced before . . . present-day New York City.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1989
4 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Janet E. Morris
107 books379 followersJanet Ellen Morris (born May 25, 1946) is a United States author. She began writing in 1976 and has since published more than 20 novels, many co-authored with David Drake or her husband Chris Morris. She has contributed short fiction to the shared universe fantasy series Thieves World, and edited the Bangsian fantasy series Heroes in Hell. Most of her work has been in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she has also written several works of non-fiction.
Morris was elected to the New York Academy of Sciences in 1980.
In 1995, Morris and her husband and frequent co-writer Christopher Morris founded M2 Tech. Since that time, their writing output has decreased in proportion to the success of the company, which works with U.S. federal and military agencies on non-lethal weapon systems and software.
Morris was elected to the New York Academy of Sciences in 1980.
In 1995, Morris and her husband and frequent co-writer Christopher Morris founded M2 Tech. Since that time, their writing output has decreased in proportion to the success of the company, which works with U.S. federal and military agencies on non-lethal weapon systems and software.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 8, 2017
New York, New York, - Tempus cuts right through the very heart of it...
Tempus the Black – Lord of Time, Commander of the Sacred Band, Avatar of Enlil the storm god – enters Lemuria on New Year’s Eve, not quite sure why his deity has seen fit to place him there.
Once inside, he becomes a guest of Chiara – the Evening Star – and is invited to a sumptuous feast where he is greeted by a number of other visitors who, as it transpires, are from different epochs of earth’s history. Mingled in amongst them is none other than Aškelon of Meridian, Lord of Dreams and entelechy of the Seventh Sphere; onetime husband of Tempus’ sister, Cime.
While the majority of the group believes they are there to determine the fate of billions in the present and future by undoing mistakes & manipulating events in the past, Tempus suspects events are being staged, for Cime had disappeared from the land of dreams, along with her deadly rods. Thus begins the hunt that sees the storm god’s avatar transported to present day – and 22nd Century – New York.
Tempus in New York! Can you imagine?
The culture shock itself leads to some rather imaginative confrontations. And that’s only the beginning, for there is an Archmage and his minions to kill.
Enmity is guaranteed. Combat is inevitable. Bloodletting abounds.
Along the way, old wounds are opened; long held grudges come to the fore; bitter lessons are learned; eternal stories come full circle; and Tempus discovers just how intimately his affairs are interwoven to that of his god.
Having read all of Tempus’ adventures, I have to say this is one of my favorites. Fast paced, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable, it adds a clever twist to his epic narrative and keeps his story as fresh today as it’s always been.
Tempus the Black – Lord of Time, Commander of the Sacred Band, Avatar of Enlil the storm god – enters Lemuria on New Year’s Eve, not quite sure why his deity has seen fit to place him there.
Once inside, he becomes a guest of Chiara – the Evening Star – and is invited to a sumptuous feast where he is greeted by a number of other visitors who, as it transpires, are from different epochs of earth’s history. Mingled in amongst them is none other than Aškelon of Meridian, Lord of Dreams and entelechy of the Seventh Sphere; onetime husband of Tempus’ sister, Cime.
While the majority of the group believes they are there to determine the fate of billions in the present and future by undoing mistakes & manipulating events in the past, Tempus suspects events are being staged, for Cime had disappeared from the land of dreams, along with her deadly rods. Thus begins the hunt that sees the storm god’s avatar transported to present day – and 22nd Century – New York.
Tempus in New York! Can you imagine?
The culture shock itself leads to some rather imaginative confrontations. And that’s only the beginning, for there is an Archmage and his minions to kill.
Enmity is guaranteed. Combat is inevitable. Bloodletting abounds.
Along the way, old wounds are opened; long held grudges come to the fore; bitter lessons are learned; eternal stories come full circle; and Tempus discovers just how intimately his affairs are interwoven to that of his god.
Having read all of Tempus’ adventures, I have to say this is one of my favorites. Fast paced, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable, it adds a clever twist to his epic narrative and keeps his story as fresh today as it’s always been.
August 6, 2017
Tempus Unbound is part of the fantasy series about the Sacred Band of Stepsons, an elite army modeled on the fourth-century B.C.E. Sacred Band of Thebes. This story centers on Tempus the Black, and the role he plays as Avatar of Enlil, the Storm God. It was interesting to see the vulnerable side of Tempus, this supreme commander and war hero, as he went about Enlil’s bidding, until, “they had brought all things into balance, within and without,” and good and evil could be viewed as ebb tides and storm tides.
When it was all told, Tempus is pleased to find himself finally free to go and come as he pleases, and it pleases him greatly if he could find his Sacred Band, “and bring them to a better place than anyplace but heaven.” These things he could now do because the world was his oyster, as he and Enlil, Lord Storm, god of war, and a part of himself had come to a truce.
Having read several of Tempus’ adventures, I have to confess, the author has done a remarkable job by including archaeological and historical details, from physical items to social practices, in creating this fantasy world that is, in many ways, more historically accurate than many popular accounts of ancient times. I highly recommend.
When it was all told, Tempus is pleased to find himself finally free to go and come as he pleases, and it pleases him greatly if he could find his Sacred Band, “and bring them to a better place than anyplace but heaven.” These things he could now do because the world was his oyster, as he and Enlil, Lord Storm, god of war, and a part of himself had come to a truce.
Having read several of Tempus’ adventures, I have to confess, the author has done a remarkable job by including archaeological and historical details, from physical items to social practices, in creating this fantasy world that is, in many ways, more historically accurate than many popular accounts of ancient times. I highly recommend.
October 3, 2017
There are few writers who can successfully take their characters out of their “ancient setting” and transplant them in a story set in modern and even futuristic times. In my opinion, Janet and Chris Morris have brilliantly achieved just that with Tempus Unbound. This novel takes place after the events in City on the Edge of Time, and before those of Storm Seed, and it’s quite a departure from the other novels starring Tempus the Black, Niko, Strat and the other warriors of The Sacred Band. It’s also quite a wild ride — an adventure that never lets you pause for breath.
The story begins after Tempus leaves the City at the Edge of Time and heads for Lemuria. But is this the Lemuria before or after the Fall of Man? Is it the Past or is it the Future? As events later play out in the novel, we find that out. Tempus is on a quest to find Cime, the Mage Killer who may or may not be his sister, who was forced into a marriage to Askelon, the Lord of Dreams. Cime has gone missing from Meridian, Askelon’s dream realm, and Tempus rides to Lemuria looking to find her. He suspects she’s gone after some mage who needs killing, and hopes she has her magical diamond rods with her, for without them she’s powerless.
When he arrives at a mystical place called Pinnacle House, Tempus is invited to a dinner party hosted by Chiara, the Evening Star of Lemuria. Among the handful of guests, which includes Askelon, are two warriors named Mano, a warrior from the future, and Rath, a New York beat cop. They’ve come to Lemuria seeking technology to save both the Present and the Future; like them, every guest at this feast is from a different era of earth’s history and all are battling magical and supernatural forces. The enemy they face is using weapons that could change and destroy the fabric of Space and Time, as well as other dimensional realms.
Tempus teams up with Mano and Rath, and the trio soon find themselves in present-day New York City, as well as the New York of the 22nd century. Rath wants to arrest a cult of murderers plaguing New York — a band of sorcerers that Tempus and Mano seek to destroy. Along the way they encounter a young man named Jerry, a role-playing gamer who calls himself Stinger. At first, Jerry thinks it’s all a game and gladly agrees to help Tempus, but he soon finds out that this role-playing game is no game at all. Nevertheless, Jerry sticks with the warriors and helps them locate Cime, who is a prisoner of a mage named Allegro, the deadly opponent Cime had targeted for death. Once Cime is freed and the battle is joined, Tempus and his new band of warriors set out to destroy Allegro and his demonic minions.
Tempus Unbound is an engaging and intelligent novel, well-thought out and well executed. There’s plenty of action and drama, and even some philosophical debate on the nature of good and evil, and man’s place in the universe. The story is not without a sense of humor, either, such as Tempus dealing with modern-day clothing, automobiles he calls “demon cars,” technology, and the slums, thugs and gangs of New York. He truly is a stranger in a strange time and place, but he learns to quickly adapt.
One of the things I enjoyed about this novel is that while it’s epic in scope and concept, it’s also a very intimate story. The plot of Tempus Unbound is not as complex as The Sacred Band or The Beyond Sanctuary Trilogy. This story is a quest, a straight-forward adventure tale, and unlike the other books featuring the Sacred Band, Tempus is “on stage” throughout the entire story. While it’s not written in the first person, it reads like it, for we get inside Tempus’ head and heart, because the novel is told from his perspective, his point of view. While Niko, Crit, Strat and the other members of the Sacred Band aren’t in this novel, Askelon does play a small part, and Abarsis the Slaughter Priest makes an appearance in a very well-written and touching chapter. Plus, Cime figures more prominently in this novel and we get to know so much more about her. We also see another side of Tempus; he’s more human, more accessible and less of an enigma than in other novels. This is his story, all the way, and it’s Cime’s story as well, for their love-hate relationship is finally resolved and we see both of them in a whole new light.
As in all the Sacred Band novels and stories, Janet’s and Chris’ prose is tight, crisp, clean and sharp. There’s no stilted dialog and they strike a perfect balance between subtext and being “on the nose,” as they say in screenwriting jargon. There are no unnecessary words, no excessive description . . . they make every word count.
The final chapter is very satisfying, sweet and poetic as Tempus and Cime come to terms with who and what they are, and what they mean to each other, and at last make peace between them. This is a fun novel to read, a great story that departs from the Sacred Band tales and puts Tempus in a setting both familiar and unfamiliar to us. It’s one of my favorites.
September 26, 2017
A fan of the Sacred Band Saga, I found in these books everything - adventure and history, fast-paced action and lively characters I could hate and love, grow angry with or worry about; deep understanding of life, different philosophies, and just sheer pleasure of diving into different worlds. One of my most favorite fantasy series, and I'm not regular reader of this genre at all!
October 20, 2017
I have read this saga out of order but that doesn’t matter! I love this series! This story centers on Tempus the Black, and the role he plays as Avatar of Enlil, the Storm God. The author as always has done an amazing job by including archaeological and historical details, from physical items to social practices, in creating this fantasy world that is historically accurate than many popular accounts of ancient times. I love accurate details, which is why most of the time I shy away from any type if ‘historical’ fiction, I and my family are big on history from the ancient times to more modern so to see my love of history also being fulfilled by this amazing book as well as my need for fiction and fantasy it is love at first read! I highly recommend checking this book out! It is well worth the higher price, more so than many others I have spent more on!
October 22, 2017
Tempus goes to New York
Tempus the Black, the Riddler, the Obscure. He's travelled a long, literary road, from his debut in 'Vashanka's Minion,' to this volume. This tale is as action-packed as the others! Tempus travels to New York to search for his sister Cime, and ends up dealing death to some sorcerers and their filthy minions. It's not all Sword & Sorcery Slash & Slay, though. The Riddler's philosophy is revealed in the narrative, and will make the reader ponder, perhaps about their own thinking. (I did, anyway.)
Tempus the Black, the Riddler, the Obscure. He's travelled a long, literary road, from his debut in 'Vashanka's Minion,' to this volume. This tale is as action-packed as the others! Tempus travels to New York to search for his sister Cime, and ends up dealing death to some sorcerers and their filthy minions. It's not all Sword & Sorcery Slash & Slay, though. The Riddler's philosophy is revealed in the narrative, and will make the reader ponder, perhaps about their own thinking. (I did, anyway.)
November 8, 2017
Tempus Unbound is part of the Sacred Band stepsons saga. Tempus is a 'Storm God' who enters a new and futuristic world in New York for that matter, taking his ancient ways with him. Here he will meet up with other hybrid characters in this fast-paced action SciFi. Loved the authentic historical details woven throughout the novel. This is truly a top of the line read for SciFi buffs.
July 23, 2017
This particular Tempus/Sacred Band book is a little different – for a start, it’s all from Tempus’ point of view, and we have only Tempus himself, Cime and Askelon from the former books. Don’t let this put you off, there’s a host of worthies – not least Mano the mercenary from the future and bad guys to rival anyone in Sanctuary.
Called to Lemuria, a strange citadel between the worlds, and times it’s a chance to right wrongs if only you can work out WHICH wrongs. Tempus is lonely, alone save for his petulant and truculent god. Who is who, and who needs whom? That’s one of the questions asked as Tempus fights an old enemy in a new and unfamiliar world. The future is dark, and war will out. Strife is all and king of all. And so it was in his own time, and in this possible future. We see our hero struggle with technology he can barely imagine and his friends see power and courage they can barely comprehend. Gods, magic and tech fight as Tempus tries to save his sister, and save the world from his deadly sister. Choices are made, and regrets are put aside in the names of love and courage. Ideals are questioned, and
As usual, the characters are supremely crafted, with a richness that brings emotion and a real sense of reality. In Morris’s world, anything is possible, and the reader believes it. These aren’t easy reads, they have a high level of violence, sex and themes that require the reader to engage their brain. But this, and the other Sacred Band/Tempus books are worth the time, and the brainpower. Rarely does a reader find a world so rich, or characters so enchanting, or writing so lyrical. The tempo of the book is a call to war, a call to stand for what is good, and a call to give all.
Heartily recommend this – even if you’re unfamiliar with the characters, and setting Tempus Unbound takes the reader on a journey from ancient times, to a future and it’s a thrilling journey and is a great intro to Tempus and his worlds.
Called to Lemuria, a strange citadel between the worlds, and times it’s a chance to right wrongs if only you can work out WHICH wrongs. Tempus is lonely, alone save for his petulant and truculent god. Who is who, and who needs whom? That’s one of the questions asked as Tempus fights an old enemy in a new and unfamiliar world. The future is dark, and war will out. Strife is all and king of all. And so it was in his own time, and in this possible future. We see our hero struggle with technology he can barely imagine and his friends see power and courage they can barely comprehend. Gods, magic and tech fight as Tempus tries to save his sister, and save the world from his deadly sister. Choices are made, and regrets are put aside in the names of love and courage. Ideals are questioned, and
As usual, the characters are supremely crafted, with a richness that brings emotion and a real sense of reality. In Morris’s world, anything is possible, and the reader believes it. These aren’t easy reads, they have a high level of violence, sex and themes that require the reader to engage their brain. But this, and the other Sacred Band/Tempus books are worth the time, and the brainpower. Rarely does a reader find a world so rich, or characters so enchanting, or writing so lyrical. The tempo of the book is a call to war, a call to stand for what is good, and a call to give all.
Heartily recommend this – even if you’re unfamiliar with the characters, and setting Tempus Unbound takes the reader on a journey from ancient times, to a future and it’s a thrilling journey and is a great intro to Tempus and his worlds.
November 17, 2023
It is a terribly cheesy conceit, mixing Tempus with god-given time travel to a future United States, playing fantasy games, but if you can keep suspending your disbelief, it’s a fun ride.
This is a sequel to the Thieves’ World stories and novels featuring Tempus, the Riddler, as one major character, and relocating him in time and space, for another battle against the evil wizards. He is without his “Sacred Band”, so there is less banter and humour, but there is humour from descriptions of modern/future technology as experienced by Tempus to partially compensate.
This is a sequel to the Thieves’ World stories and novels featuring Tempus, the Riddler, as one major character, and relocating him in time and space, for another battle against the evil wizards. He is without his “Sacred Band”, so there is less banter and humour, but there is humour from descriptions of modern/future technology as experienced by Tempus to partially compensate.
November 20, 2017
Tempus Unbound is part of a series, but it’s an epic story on it’s own. The characters are fully developed and the historical details are spot on, so this fantasy feels realistic. There’s a bit of humor as well as plenty of action and drama. Be prepared to get fully immersed in this world. I recommend it highly.
July 24, 2020
Loved it! A very different direction for Tempus and Cime. The depiction of his adjustment to the modern world was great fun. There are some philosophical ideas that are very interesting, as well. And I can see where some new possibilities are opening up for the future books, based on what happened on this one. Can't wait to start on Storm Seed!
March 6, 2022
I gave this 4 stars but really probably 3.5. If it had featured any other characters besides Tempus and Enlil I would have liked it better. The story was entertaining and engaging. It just felt like Tempus and Enlil were not acting as they had in all the previous books, which was frustrating to read.
January 17, 2012
Tempus, a sword swinging avatar of a storm god, is transported into a battle against time traveling demons in modern New York City. Not as cheesy as it sounds. Tempus is a character from the Thieve's World series, so he does have a fleshed out persona. Near the beginning there is a bit of "iron chariots? boom sticks?" technology clash but the character is smart enough so it is quickly "transport. weapon. same old same old." The more interesting clash is between values as Tempus' modern allies are repulsed and attracted to his moral code.
September 26, 2016
Tempus Unbound
Chris morris and Janet Morris
The ultimate in fantasy and adventure stories.
A book to take the reader into a world of heros, demons and thieves. It is a tale that unfolds into places you never knew existed, places to test your soul and swim in the currents of battle.
Tempus - Bloody powerful wars.
Chris morris and Janet Morris
The ultimate in fantasy and adventure stories.
A book to take the reader into a world of heros, demons and thieves. It is a tale that unfolds into places you never knew existed, places to test your soul and swim in the currents of battle.
Tempus - Bloody powerful wars.
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April 14, 2008Fantasy
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews