An Introduction to Julian May's The Saga of the Exiles

In the 22nd Century, a group of misfits and mavericks are preparing to leave behind everything they have known. Advanced technology has created a one-way time portal to Earth’s Pliocene Era – six million years ago. Those seeking a better life are drawn to the promise of a simple utopia, far from the civilised Galactic Mileu. But no one could have predicted the dangers on the other side.

For the group will enter the battleground of two warring alien races, exiled from a distant planet. And these races not only have potent mind powers, but seek to exploit and enslave humans for their own needs. The travellers are about to discover that their unspoilt paradise is far from Eden.

A small group journeyed through a time-gate into Europe's prehistoric past. Yet this supposedly unspoilt sanctuary holds two alien races locked in combat. In a world where the human-like Tanu have the upper hand, Elizabeth Orme soon encounters trouble. When they find she possesses rare mind powers, they want her for their own. She won’t be used as a pawn in a Tanu versus Firvulag war, but Aiken Drum can’t wait to get involved.

Aiken discovers the Tanu’s mind-enhancing torcs have given him his own powerful abilities. And it’s not long before he devises a plan to challenge the Tanu’s leader – for rule of the Many-Coloured Land itself. But another faction seeks the slaughter of all humans, and he stands in their path.

Following an immense cataclysm, Tanu civilization is in ruins. Now the humans who passed through the gate to prehistoric Earth can finally seek power. Aiken Drum names himself King, but faces great opposition. The Firvulag are hellbent on wiping out every group but their own. Felice Landry, possibly the most powerful psychic humanity will know, hasn’t finished wreaking havoc. Then another faction emerges.

A group of metapsychic human rebels have been in hiding on another continent. Until their leader, Marc Remillard, decides to take advantage of the new regime. But the group’s children, who came of age far from the Galactic Milieu, just want to return to the 22nd Century. However, the Galactic government hasn’t forgotten Marc or the billions of lives lost through his crimes – so he will stop at nothing to keep the time-gate closed.

The Pliocene Epoch's exiled races are caught in a violent struggle for ascendancy. The humans who escaped from the Galactic Milieu are now beset on all sides, as they seek a foothold in this turbulent land. Aiken Drum, now King, has many enemies, but the Firvulag seem set to move first to initiate their long-prophesied Nightfall War. And although recent confrontations have weakened Aiken, any sign of frailty will bring down his kingdom.

The powerful Elizabeth Orme supports King Aiken, and his enlightened despotism is preferable to Marc Remillard's cruel ambition. But these conflicts will be overshadowed if a time-gate is opened back to the 22nd century, something Marc can never permit. All will be decided at the Grand Tourney, where Tanu and humans will face the Firvulag in the last great contest of the exiled world.