''The Ancient Future Trilogy'' is a set of

fantasy novels 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. Fant ...

Traci Harding Traci Harding (born 1964) is an Australian novelist. Her work blends fantasy, fact, esoteric belief, time travel and quantum physics, into adventurous romps through history, alternative dimensions, universes and states of consciousness. She was ...

. The story follows a 20th-century

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

n woman who is transported to 6th century

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...

in an attempt to change the future. Major themes within the series include

time travel Time travel is the concept of movement between certain points in time, analogous to movement between different points in space by an object or a person, typically with the use of a hypothetical device known as a time machine. Time travel is a w ...

martial arts Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; a ...

magic Magic or Magick most commonly refers to: * Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces * Ceremonial magic, encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic * Magical thinking, the belief that unrela ...

and

Psychic Phenomena A psychic is a person who claims to use extrasensory perception (ESP) to identify information hidden from the normal senses, particularly involving telepathy or clairvoyance, or who performs acts that are apparently inexplicable by natural laws, ...

. The three novels in the series are ''The Ancient Future: The Dark Ages'', ''An Echo In Time: Atlantis'' and ''Masters of Reality: The Gathering''. In November 2018 ''This Present Past'', a prequel to the trilogy, was published by HarperCollins.

''The Ancient Future: The Dark Ages''

''The Ancient Future: The Dark Ages'' was Traci Harding's first published novel. It was inspired by a trip to the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

, during which the author experienced light phenomenon that are described in the novel as 'fairy lights'. The novel's main character Tory Alexander is unknowingly transported from the present day to 6th century Wales in an attempt to change the future.

''An Echo In Time: Atlantis''

''An Echo In Time: Atlantis'' is the second novel in the Ancient Future trilogy. Tory Alexander has ruled as a queen in 6th century Britain for twenty years. When her husband becomes ill, she travels through time in order to find a cure. However the cure can only be found in the most ancient of cities and the grandest of civilizations: Atlantis!

''Masters of Reality: The Gathering''

''Masters of Reality: The Gathering'' is the final novel in the Ancient Future trilogy. Moving away from planetary concerns Maelgwn and Tory find themselves reunited in the depths of space.

Characters

*Tory Alexander - The Heroine of the story, Tory is a thirty-year-old Australian woman who is adept at Tae Kwon Do and speaks fluent Brythanic. In the Dark Ages, Tory rules as High Queen of Briton for 21 years. After the Gathering Tory rules as Governess of Kila for 50 years. She is also the heroine of

The Celestial Triad The Celestial Triad is a set of fantasy novels by Traci Harding. The story follows a 20th-century Australian woman who is transported to 5th century Wales in an attempt to change the future. Major themes within the series include time travel, mar ...

series of novels. *Maelgwn of Gwynedd - Former King of Gwynedd, Maelgwn is known as 'the Dragon of the Isle' or simply 'the Dragon'. *Taliesin Pen Beirdd - Spiritual advisor to Maelgwn and the magician who brings Tory back through time. *Sir Calin Brockwell - Maelgwn's champion, cousin and friend. A dedicated womaniser who is also an incarnation of Tory's brother Brian. *Katren - A maid rescued from the horrendous man who bought her as a wife. Katren becomes Tory's maid and best friend. With Tory's help, Katren marries Brockwell. *Rhun of Gwynedd - Rhun, Prince of Gwynedd, is the first-born child of Tory & Maelgwn. *Bryce - the illegitimate son of Calin Brockwell. *Brian Alexander - Tory's brother. Brian is Brockwell's 21st century incarnation. Brian is one of the Chosen. *Naomi - Brian's wife, Naomi, is Katren's 20th century incarnation. Brian & Naomi have 1 son, Daniel Alexander. *Teo - Teo is Taliesin's 20th century incarnation. *Miles Thurlow - Miles is Maelgwn's 20th century incarnation. *Lady Gladys - Calin Brockwell's mother & an incarnation of Tory and Brian's Aunt Rose.

References

External links

Ancient Future series reviews at SFFWorld.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ancient Future Trilogy, The Australian fantasy novel series Fantasy novel trilogies