malicious “3340” (described in detail in the prequel Lady of Mazes''). Ultimately, 3340 is destroyed, but not before it sends “Resurrection Seeds” of itself throughout the galaxy. The Archipelago starts a long process of tracking these Seeds down, lest 3340 rebuild itself anew. Unfortunately, one of these Seeds has landed on Ventus, in the form of former-demigod Armiger. Packed with nanotechnology, Armiger secretly installs implants in several unknowing humans around the planet, in an effort to reconnoiter the Winds. He begins a campaign of warfare, intending to first take over the human population, and then attack the Winds head-on, but inadvertently alerts the Winds when he uses forbidden technology during a battle and is subsequently destroyed by them. Entombed by his former soldiers, his nanotech slowly pieces him back together. A young adolescent named Jordan Mason begins having visions of being Armiger, seeing and hearing everything that Armiger does. Frightened by what is happening to him, Jordan runs away from home. He is soon intercepted by the mysterious Calandria May, who, unbeknownst to Jordan, has been sent by the Archipelago to Ventus to track down Armiger. Along with her partner Axel, Calandria intends to use Jordan to get to Armiger. The novel explores the mystery of why the Winds have rejected humanity, and also explores the themes of Platonic Ideals and identity. External links Ventus full text 2000 Canadian novels Novels by Karl Schroeder Creative Commons-licensed novels Tor Books books 2000 debut novels