''Atlan'' is a

fantasy novel Fantasy literature is literature set in an imaginary universe, often but not always without any locations, events, or people from the real world. Magic, the supernatural and magical creatures are common in many of these imaginary worlds. Fa ...

by British writer

Jane Gaskell Jane Gaskell (born July 7, 1941 in Lancaster, EnglandSharon Yntema, ''More Than 100: Women Science Fiction Writers''. Crossing Press, 1988. (pp. 51-52).) is a British fantasy writer. She wrote her first novel, ''Strange Evil'', at age 14. It wa ...

. It was first published in

1965 Events January–February * January 14 – The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and the Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland meet for the first time in 43 years. * January 20 ** Lyndon B. Johnson is Second inauguration of Lyndo ...

. It is the second book in the ''Atlan'' series set in prehistoric

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the southe ...

and

Atlantis Atlantis ( grc, Ἀτλαντὶς νῆσος, , island of Atlas (mythology), Atlas) is a fictional island mentioned in an allegory on the hubris of nations in Plato's works ''Timaeus (dialogue), Timaeus'' and ''Critias (dialogue), Critias'' ...

. The first book in the series was '' The Serpent'', and ''Atlan'' is followed by two more books, '' The City'' and ''Some Summer Lands''.

Plot summary

''Atlan'' is told from the first person point of view of the main character, Cija. Following the events of '' The Serpent'', Cija has married Zerd, a half-human, half- reptilian warlord. Zerd's army has conquered the hidden continent of Atlan (a clear reference to

) and Zerd now rules as its Emperor with Cija by his side. Zerd has not given up his philandering ways and the couple become estranged. Cija's suffers travails in Atlan, which include assassination attempts, bandits, and misadventures. Complicating matters is an invasion by the Northern army, headed by Zerd's ex-wife Sedili.

References

External links

* 1965 American novels 1965 fantasy novels American fantasy novels Novels set in Atlantis Hodder & Stoughton books Fiction about invasions {{1960s-fantasy-novel-stub