The Grand Ellipse
core novel 2000 The World of Vonahr
Record
| First published | 2000 |
|---|---|
| Original language |  EN |
| Work type | novel |
| Canon status | core |
| Reader rating | 3.75 (481 ratings, collected 2026-10-28) |
| First-edition ISBN | 9780553108040 |
| Internal chronology | 5 |
Synopsis
In an alternate late nineteenth-century Europe, with familiar countries under other names, the lowborn sorcerer of Mad King Miltzin of Low Hetz has discovered Sentient Fire, a green-flamed elemental entity that could become an unstoppable weapon. To save her country, the republic of Vonahr, from invasion, an adventuress enters the Grand Ellipse, a long and gruelling race across the continent: if she wins, she gains the money and fame her career needs, but she must also persuade Miltzin to sell Vonahr the secret of the fire. Set partly in the same Vonahr as Illusion a century later, it was a World Fantasy Award nominee.
Where it sits
- Universe: The World of Vonahr
- Series: The World of Vonahr core; position 5 of 5 in the series' recorded order
- Author: Paula Volsky
Awards (verified)
- Locus Award (Best Fantasy Novel), 2001: finalist; Locus reader-poll placement; rank not confirmed.
- World Fantasy Award (Best Novel), 2001: nominated
Notes
- From the series record (The World of Vonahr): Five standalone novels set in the same world, readable in any order.
Neighbouring works
Publication order and internal chronology are tracked as two separate orderings, but they resolve to the exact same sequence for this book, so one combined line is shown instead of two identical ones.
- Reading order, within the series The World of Vonahr: position 5 of 5: previous The White Tribunal (1997)
Sources
- Wikipedia: Paula Volsky
- Reader ratings: Paula Volsky series page
- Encyclopedia.com: Volsky, Paula
- Paperback Swap: Paula Volsky bibliography (Bantam Spectra hardcover)
- Kirkus Reviews: The Grand Ellipse
- Black Gate: review of The Grand Ellipse
- NESFA: review of Illusion
- Fantastic Fiction: Paula Volsky
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