Plot Summary
Ebora's Last Gasp
Once a city of splendor, Ebora is now a hollowed shell, its people dying from the crimson flux after the death of their god-tree, Ygseril. The Eborans, once nearly immortal, are reduced to a handful, haunted by memories and guilt. Hestillion, desperate to save her people, clings to hope and ritual, while her brother Tormalin, the Oathless, cannot bear to watch the slow decay. The city is stalked by wolves and silence, its glory faded. The Eborans' only hope lies in the impossible: the return of their god, or a miracle from the world beyond their walls.
The Oathless Departure
Tormalin, unable to endure the slow death of his people and the futility of Hestillion's efforts, leaves Ebora. His departure is fraught with guilt and anger, especially from Hestillion, who accuses him of cowardice. He seeks meaning and pleasure in the wider world, hoping to outrun the crimson flux and his own sense of failure. His journey takes him through lands scarred by the past wars with the Jure'lia, where the memory of Eboran bloodlust lingers. Tormalin's exile is both an escape and a search for something to fill the void left by his dying home.
Vintage's Wild Pursuit
Lady Vincenza "Vintage" de Grazon, a scholar and explorer, is driven by curiosity about the Wild—lands poisoned by the Jure'lia's ancient invasions. Her family's vine forest is threatened by the spread of parasite spirits and unnatural growth. Vintage's determination to understand the Jure'lia and their lingering corruption leads her to recruit Tormalin as her bodyguard. Together, they seek answers in the dangerous, shifting forests, where the past's monsters still leave their mark. Vintage's quest is as much about personal loss and longing as it is about science.
Prison of Winnowry
Noon, a fell-witch, endures the oppressive regime of the Winnowry, a prison cloaked as a sanctuary for women with dangerous winnowfire magic. The fell-witches are exploited for their power, forced to produce the drug akaris and kept docile through ritual and fear. Noon's existence is marked by shame, isolation, and the constant threat of purging. The Winnowry's cruelty is justified by religious dogma, but beneath the surface, the women dream of freedom and vengeance. Noon's inner fire simmers, waiting for a chance to break free.
Noon's Burning Escape
After a violent incident in the Winnowry, Noon seizes a rare opportunity to escape, using her winnowfire to overpower her captors and steal a giant bat. Her flight is frantic and uncertain, driven by nightmares of the Jure'lia's return and the knowledge that the Winnowry will hunt her relentlessly. Noon's first taste of freedom is bittersweet—she is alone, hunted, and haunted by her own power. Her journey takes her into the Wild, where she must confront both external threats and the trauma of her past.
Unlikely Companions
Vintage, Tormalin, and Noon's paths converge in the Shroom Flats, a parasite-haunted stretch of Wild. Initial mistrust and violence give way to a fragile alliance as they realize their goals align: survival, understanding the Jure'lia, and, for Noon, simply staying free. Vintage's curiosity, Tormalin's skill, and Noon's raw power make them a formidable, if uneasy, team. Together, they face the dangers of the Wild, the secrets of the Behemoth wrecks, and the relentless pursuit of the Winnowry's agents.
Parasite Spirits Awaken
The trio's exploration of the Behemoth wrecks uncovers the true nature of the parasite spirits—remnants of the Jure'lia's war, haunting the poisoned land. Noon's winnowfire, combined with Eboran energy, proves uniquely lethal to these spirits, hinting at a new weapon against the ancient enemy. The group's discoveries are both scientific and deeply personal, as they confront the legacy of the Jure'lia and the cost of survival. The Wild is not just a backdrop, but a living, dangerous force shaped by past trauma.
The Shroom Flats Pact
After a harrowing battle with parasite spirits, Noon's power—amplified by Tormalin's energy—saves the group but leaves scars, both physical and emotional. Vintage, recognizing the potential of this new weapon, offers Noon a place in their quest. The trio's bond is cemented by necessity and shared danger, but trust remains fragile. Each carries secrets: Vintage's lost love, Tormalin's guilt, Noon's haunted past. Their alliance is a microcosm of the larger struggle against the Jure'lia's lingering poison.
Blood and Wine
Tormalin's need for human blood, a legacy of Ebora's fall, is both a source of strength and shame. His relationships—with lovers, with Vintage, with Noon—are shaped by this hunger. Blood and wine become metaphors for survival, pleasure, and the blurred lines between predator and companion. Noon's willingness to give her blood to heal Tormalin deepens their connection, complicating the boundaries between victim and savior. The trio's intimacy is as dangerous as any external threat.
The Behemoth's Secret
In Esiah Godwort's compound, the group discovers a Behemoth's heart—a crystal chamber containing a portal to the Jure'lia's world. The chamber is both a scientific marvel and a tomb, trapping Godwort's son between worlds. The revelation that the Jure'lia never truly left, and that their queen is imprisoned beneath Ebora, raises the stakes. The Behemoth's secrets are not just historical curiosities, but active threats, waiting to be unleashed. The group's discoveries set the stage for a new invasion.
Dreams of Invasion
Across Sarn, people begin to share dreams of the Jure'lia's return—visions of Behemoths in the sky, cities consumed, and a queen whispering promises of doom. These dreams are not mere nightmares, but warnings, connecting the fates of Eborans, humans, and fell-witches. Noon, Tormalin, and others are haunted by these visions, which blur the line between prophecy and memory. The dreams drive the characters toward Ebora, where the past and future will collide.
The Winnowry's Hounds
The Winnowry, desperate to reclaim Noon and maintain control, sends its most dangerous agent, Lin, to hunt her down. The pursuit is relentless, culminating in a violent confrontation in the Wild. Noon, empowered by the energy of a parasite spirit, defeats Lin in a display of power that terrifies even her allies. The victory is costly, leaving Noon changed and the group more isolated than ever. The Winnowry's defeat is temporary; the greater threat is still to come.
The Gathering Storm
As rumors and dreams of the Jure'lia's return spread, representatives from across Sarn gather in Ebora, seeking answers and protection. Hestillion, believing she can save her people, manipulates events to bring the world to Ebora's gates. The city becomes a crucible, where old wounds and new alliances are tested. The stage is set for a confrontation that will determine the fate of Sarn. The past's sins and the future's hopes are inextricably linked.
The Jure'lia Return
The group's attempt to revive Ygseril with the Jure'lia's life-giving fluid succeeds—but with unintended consequences. The queen, imprisoned beneath the roots, is freed, revealing that Hestillion's efforts have been manipulated all along. The queen's emergence triggers the Ninth Rain: the birth of new war-beasts and the return of the Jure'lia's full power. Ebora becomes the epicenter of a new invasion, as the queen unleashes her minions and the corpse moon descends from the sky.
The Festival of New Lights
On the day of the Festival of New Lights, Ebora is filled with anticipation and dread. The birth of the war-beasts is both a miracle and a harbinger of war. Noon, bonded to the dragon Vostok, becomes the first human war-beast rider, breaking ancient taboos. The city's joy turns to terror as the queen's minions attack, and the true cost of hope is revealed. The festival becomes a battlefield, and the future of Sarn hangs in the balance.
The Ninth Rain Falls
As the queen's forces descend, the newly born war-beasts—imperfect, incomplete, but powerful—take flight. Noon and Vostok lead the charge, wielding winnowfire and ancient strength against the Jure'lia's minions. Tormalin, Aldasair, and the survivors fight desperately to protect Ebora and the refugees within its walls. The battle is chaotic and brutal, with victory uncertain. The Ninth Rain is both a blessing and a curse, a last stand against extinction.
War-Beasts Reborn
In the aftermath of battle, the truth of the parasite spirits is revealed: they are the lost souls of war-beasts, denied rebirth by Ygseril's death. Vostok's return, and her bond with Noon, offers hope for healing and unity. The survivors must reckon with the cost of victory, the scars left by the Jure'lia, and the uncertain future. Ebora is changed forever, its myths and realities intertwined. The war is not over, but a new chapter has begun.
The Queen's Betrayal
Hestillion, manipulated by the queen and desperate to save her people, is swept away with the Jure'lia, carrying a war-beast pod. Her betrayal is both personal and cosmic, a final twist in the cycle of hope and despair. The queen's escape signals that the war is far from over, and the survivors must prepare for the next onslaught. The bonds forged in fire—between human, Eboran, and war-beast—are all that stand between Sarn and annihilation.
Characters
Tormalin the Oathless
Tormalin is a scion of Ebora, marked by guilt, pride, and a desperate need to escape the slow death of his people. His relationship with his sister Hestillion is fraught with love and resentment, and his exile is both a flight from pain and a search for meaning. Tormalin's Eboran heritage—his need for blood, his martial skill, his long life—makes him both an outsider and a bridge between worlds. His journey is one of reluctant heroism, as he is drawn back to Ebora and forced to confront the legacy of his people, the cost of survival, and the possibility of redemption. His bond with Noon, forged in blood and battle, challenges his self-image and opens him to vulnerability and love.
Noon
Noon is a fell-witch, scarred by trauma, guilt, and the cruelty of the Winnowry. Her power—winnowfire—is both a curse and a gift, making her a target and a tool. Noon's escape from captivity is a desperate act of self-preservation, but her journey is one of self-discovery and transformation. She is haunted by the memory of burning her own people, a wound that shapes her every choice. Her bond with Vostok, the war-beast, and her relationship with Tormalin, are sources of healing and danger. Noon's arc is one of claiming agency, learning to wield her power for others, and forging a new identity as both destroyer and savior.
Lady Vincenza "Vintage" de Grazon
Vintage is a woman of intellect, wit, and deep longing. Her obsession with the Jure'lia and the Wild is driven by both scientific curiosity and personal loss—the disappearance of her Eboran lover, Nanthema. Vintage's pragmatism and compassion make her a natural leader, but her relentless pursuit of knowledge often puts herself and others at risk. She is a bridge between worlds, able to see the value in Eboran, human, and fell-witch alike. Vintage's journey is one of confronting the limits of knowledge, the cost of obsession, and the possibility of hope in the face of overwhelming darkness.
Hestillion
Hestillion is Tormalin's sister, consumed by the need to save Ebora at any cost. Her mastery of dream-walking and her fierce intelligence make her a formidable force, but her desperation blinds her to manipulation. Hestillion's relationship with Ygseril, and her willingness to do anything for her people, lead her into the queen's trap. Her arc is one of tragic ambition, as her desire for salvation becomes the instrument of destruction. Hestillion embodies the dangers of unchecked hope and the tragedy of being used by greater powers.
Vostok
Vostok is a dragon, a war-beast born from Ygseril's branches, carrying the memories and pain of countless cycles. Her bond with Noon is unprecedented, bridging the gap between human and Eboran myth. Vostok's voice is both alien and wise, guiding Noon through the chaos of battle and the mysteries of power. She represents the possibility of healing, the return of lost strength, and the hope that the past's wounds can be mended. Vostok's presence is a catalyst for change, both personal and cosmic.
Aldasair
Aldasair is Tormalin's cousin, a survivor of Ebora's decline who retreats into memory and ritual. His recovery, spurred by the return of people and purpose to Ebora, mirrors the city's own fragile revival. Aldasair's kindness and vulnerability make him a touchstone for the other characters, and his role in the rebirth of the war-beasts is quietly heroic. He represents the possibility of healing through community and the importance of remembering the past.
Agent Lin
Lin is the Winnowry's most dangerous agent, a fell-witch who has traded freedom for power and survival. Her pursuit of Noon is both professional and personal, driven by the need to protect her own child from the Winnowry's cruelty. Lin's mastery of winnowfire is matched by her emotional numbness, a shield against the pain of her choices. Her defeat at Noon's hands is both a liberation and a tragedy, exposing the cost of complicity and the limits of control.
Esiah Godwort
Esiah is the guardian of a Behemoth wreck, consumed by the mysteries of the Jure'lia and the loss of his son. His compound is both a sanctuary and a tomb, filled with secrets and sorrow. Esiah's madness is a warning of the dangers of obsession and the cost of knowledge pursued without compassion. His story is a mirror to Vintage's, and his tragedy sets the stage for the group's discoveries and the queen's return.
Mother Fast
Mother Fast is a plainswoman scarred by fire and loss, a living witness to Noon's past and the trauma of the Jure'lia's wars. Her presence in Ebora is both a reminder of old wounds and a catalyst for Noon's reckoning with her own guilt. Mother Fast's anger and fear are understandable, but her inability to forgive or see change in Noon highlights the difficulty of healing after atrocity.
The Jure'lia Queen
The queen is the heart of the Jure'lia, a being of cunning, patience, and overwhelming power. Her imprisonment beneath Ygseril is both a victory and a ticking time bomb. The queen's manipulation of Hestillion, her unleashing of the Ninth Rain, and her escape signal the return of existential threat. She is both a literal and symbolic embodiment of the past's poison, the cycle of invasion and destruction that haunts Sarn.
Plot Devices
Cyclical Invasion and Rebirth
The narrative is structured around cycles: the repeated invasions of the Jure'lia, the birth and death of war-beasts, the rise and fall of Ebora. Each "Rain" is both a promise of salvation and a harbinger of destruction. The characters are caught in these cycles, struggling to break free or find meaning within them. The return of the queen and the Ninth Rain is both a literal event and a metaphor for the persistence of trauma and the difficulty of true change.
Dream-Walking and Shared Visions
Dreams and visions are central to the story, serving as warnings, sources of knowledge, and tools of control. Hestillion's dream-walking allows her to influence others and be influenced in turn. The shared nightmares of the Jure'lia's return connect characters across distance and difference, foreshadowing the coming crisis. Dreams blur the line between past and future, memory and prophecy, and force the characters to confront truths they would rather avoid.
The Poisoned Land
The Wild, the parasite spirits, and the Behemoth wrecks are not just backdrops, but active forces shaped by the Jure'lia's legacy. The land itself is wounded, its corruption a constant threat and a reminder of past failures. The characters' journeys through these landscapes mirror their internal struggles, and the healing or further poisoning of the land is tied to their choices. The setting is both a source of danger and a repository of hope.
Found Family and Unlikely Alliances
The core trio—Noon, Tormalin, and Vintage—are united by necessity, not trust or affection. Their alliance is tested by secrets, trauma, and external threats, but ultimately becomes a source of strength. The bonds they form, with each other and with the war-beasts, are the only antidote to the cycles of violence and isolation. The story suggests that survival, and even redemption, is only possible through connection and mutual aid.
The Cost of Power and Knowledge
The pursuit of knowledge—about the Jure'lia, the war-beasts, the nature of power—drives many characters, but always comes with a price. Vintage's obsession, Hestillion's ambition, Esiah's madness, and Noon's struggle with her own destructive potential all illustrate the dangers of seeking power without compassion or restraint. The story repeatedly asks: what are you willing to sacrifice for hope, for survival, for love?
Analysis
Jen Williams' The Ninth Rain is a sweeping, emotionally resonant fantasy that interrogates the cycles of trauma, survival, and hope in a world poisoned by its own history. At its heart, the novel is about the cost of clinging to the past—whether in the form of dying gods, ancient enmities, or personal guilt—and the necessity of forging new bonds in the face of existential threat. The story's central trio, each marked by loss and longing, embody the possibility of found family and the healing that comes from vulnerability and trust. The return of the Jure'lia, and the rebirth of the war-beasts, are both literal and symbolic: the past's wounds cannot be ignored, but neither can they be allowed to define the future. The novel's use of dream-walking, shared visions, and the poisoned land as narrative devices underscores the interconnectedness of personal and collective trauma. Ultimately, The Ninth Rain argues that survival is not about purity or heroism, but about the messy, painful work of connection, forgiveness, and change. The lessons are clear: history's cycles can only be broken by those willing to face their own darkness, to risk love, and to imagine a future beyond the ruins.
Last updated:
