The Connatic rules the three thousand inhabited planets of the Alastor Cluster from his palace Lusz on the world Numenes. Though his military force can bring considerable might to bear where necessary, the Connatic often wanders among his subjects incognito, intervening to right a wrong, or leaving well enough alone.

A young man knows nothing of his origins or his name. He is identified at the Connatic's hospital as a Rhune, one of the ruling class of Marune. On Marune he resumes his identity as Efraim, Kaiark of Scharrode, and must relearn the pomp and protocol of the Rhunes, then determine who was responsible for his amnesia-and the death of his father. The mystery leads to the realm of the inscrutable Fwai-chi.

Marune is Book III in the Alastor sequence, and Volume 49 of the Spatterlight Press Signature Series.Released in the centenary of the author's birth, this handsome new collectionis based upon the prestigious Vance Integral Edition. Select volumes enjoyup-to-date maps, and many are graced with freshly-written forewords contributedby a distinguished group of authors. Each book bears a facsimile of theauthor's signature and a previously-unpublished photograph, chosen from family archives for the period the book was written. These uniquefeatures will be appreciated by all, from seasoned Vance collector to new reader sampling the spectrum of this author's influential work forthe first time. - John Vance II