Abilene, Texas – A medium sized city in west Texas, …
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Abilene, Texas – A medium sized city in west Texas, mentioned by Zach Trewick as the location of the Marfa Line while on his way to New Mexico in Truesilver.
Acetylene – A hydrocarbon which is used as fuel for blowtorches on Earth. Tyke McGrath mentions it as the compound used by creatures on Titan for storage of energy in the body, somewhat like glucose on Earth. Acetylene is mentioned only in Avenger.
Achernar – A bright blue star mentioned by Zach Trewick in Cry for the Moon as he lay stargazing at the university library in Commerce, Texas.
Akins, Marybeth – Wife of Daniel Trewick and mother of Drake, John, William, Henry, Richard, and Hannah. Marybeth is the foremother of all five Curse-Breakers, who share the mark of her bright blue eyes. Marybeth is mentioned by name only in Bran the Blessed, although she is alluded to in Behind Blue Eyes.
Akiri – A title of A’rum nobility on Titan, given only to one who has demonstrated extraordinary courage and steadfast honor under the most extreme circumstances. N’grumth held this title, which he also granted to Tyke McGrath after he climbed Muwamanth in Avenger. The title is also referred to in Freedom.
Alabama – A southern state which is the scene of several important episodes in Bran the Blessed. It is also mentioned in Behind Blue Eyes, Nightfall, Freedom, and Elysium.
Alabama (ship) – One of the six large colony ships built by the NADF under the orders of Colonel James Burns, which Tyke McGrath and Hunter Bartow stole from the spaceport on the Isle of Barbados on Venus. The ship was soon disabled beyond repair at the Battle of Tharsis Tholus, but it did get the survivors home. The Alabama is mentioned only in Freedom and Elysium.
Alaska – A former state of the United States and later an independent republic after the Union War. Alaska is the setting for several important episodes in Many Waters.
Albert Pike – A campground and recreation area in the mountains of western Arkansas, where Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker liked to visit from time to time in More Golden Than Day.
Albert, Prince – Queen Victoria’s husband, mentioned in connection with her in Many Waters.
All the Heavens – A praise song performed most notably by the group Third Day. Brandon Stone sings this song to himself in the cypress forest in the Realm of Hidden Things, trying to comfort himself about the things that lie ahead. This song is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
All Through the Night – A traditional Welsh lullaby which was passed down to Lisa Stone from her mother’s great-grandmother, who came from Caerleon. Lisa sings this song to Cody on the porch at Goliad Ranch in Many Waters.
Altai Canal, Moon – A canal linking the Caloosahatchie River with the Stöfler-Faraday Crater, usually by means of cuttings connecting one crater to another. The Canal continues to the Cloudy Sea via the Faraday and Tycho Rivers. Tyke McGrath traveled the entire length of it in Avenger.
Altai Crater Swamps, Moon – A large region of swamp-filled craters which pockmark the highlands between the Sea of Tranquility to the east and the Ocean of Storms to the west. The area is interspersed with the jumbled peaks of the Altai Mountains and is described by Tyke McGrath as a very ugly and harsh region inhabited by genetically engineered Moon Monsters put there for big game hunters to go after. The area is traversed by the Altai Canal and bounded on the north by the swamps of the Caloosahatchie river valley and the Sinus Medii, which serve to keep the monsters out of the Land of Snow. Tyke McGrath visits the area in Avenger, and recalls the experience in Elysium.
Altai Mountains, Moon – A collection of jumbled peaks interspersed with large swamp-filled craters, located between the Stormy Ocean, the Sea of Tranquility, and the Caloosahatchie swamps. The southern border is undefined. Most of the area is very ugly and inhabited by genetically engineered Moon Monsters. Tyke McGrath visits the area in Avenger, and it is also mentioned in Tycho and Elysium.
Amarillo, Texas – A medium sized city in the Texas panhandle, mentioned by Zach Trewick in Cry for the Moon as a possible location for his uncle Justin.
Amazing Grace – A famous traditional hymn which Brandon Stone and Lana Krisanova sing to each other on their first real date, walking together in the bluebonnet field behind the Avinger Cowboy Church in the spring. It was the only song they both knew, she the Russian version and he the English version, and forever afterward symbolized love for both of them. This was the first time they ever said I love you, a major milestone for Brandon in particular. Lana knows this and plays the Russian version for him at Dr. Anderson’s house in Bran the Blessed.
Amazing Love, Amazing Grace – A praise song performed most notably by the group Third Day, and one of Brandon Stone’s favorites. He is practicing this song at his father’s house in Piedmont, Alabama when Layla Garza shows up in Bran the Blessed.
Ambroses’ Jewelers – A jewelry store in Longview, Texas, where Cody and Lisa McGrath bought their wedding rings in Many Waters.
Amino Acid – Any of a number of small molecules which form the building blocks of proteins. Of all the possible amino acids, only twenty of them are actually found in living things. Four of these are mentioned in Tycho, including alanine, glycine, tryptophan, and taurine.
Amsterdam, Holland – Brandon Stone spends several hours on a rainy day at the airport here on his way to Russia in Bran the Blessed.
Anchorage, Alaska – A city on the southern coast of Alaska where Lisa Stone has to switch planes at the airport in Many Waters.
Anderson, Adam – Jonah Anderson’s son.
Anderson, Amie – Luther and Jenine’s daughter, Tommy and Aron’s younger sister. She and Tommy were unofficially adopted by Cameron and Joan after the rest of their family were killed in the crash of the Cabral. Amie is mentioned in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Anderson, Aron – Luther and Jenine’s oldest son, an acquaintance of Tyke and Jesse who weighs a hundred pounds soaking wet, dislikes the outdoors, and according to Tyke is a little bit nerdy. He serves as an Avenger for a few months before being killed in the crash of the Cabral. Aron is mentioned in Tycho, Avenger, and Freedom.
Anderson, Calvin – Luther Anderson’s father.
Anderson, Charles – Jonah Anderson’s father, Charles is a doctor in Mooringsport, Lousiana and a part-time preacher at a local church. He was a good friend of Brian Stone and later of Cody McGrath, and he also helps Brandon Stone quite a bit in Bran the Blessed. His wife is the former Rosalie Doucet, Matthieu and Jolie’s aunt.
Anderson, Jenine Bolinger – Luther’s wife, and mother of Aron, Tommy, and Amie. She appears briefly in Nightfall and Tycho before being killed in the crash of the Cabral on the Moon.
Anderson, Jonah – Charles and Rosalie’s only child and a leukemia survivor, Jonah is thin, dark-haired, and mostly quiet. He doesn’t spend much time with his cousins Matthieu and Jolie Doucet, but he does become good friends with Brandon Stone in Bran the Blessed.
Anderson, Luther – Jonah Anderson’s great-grandson. Luther is an intelligence officer for the North American Defense Forces and also an Avenger who appears in Nightfall and Tycho. He is killed in the crash of the Cabral.
Anderson, Rosalie Doucet – Daughter of Gilbert and Clarice Doucet and aunt of Matthieu and Jolie. She later becomes the wife of Charles Anderson and the mother of Jonah. Rosalie appears in Bran the Blessed.
Anderson, Tommy – Luther and Jenine Anderson’s son, he barely survived the crash of the Cabral and was afterwards unofficially adopted by Cameron and Joan. Tommy appears in Tycho, and is mentioned in Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Andrews, Nona – A medical technician who is one of the surviving rebel soldiers on Mars whom Brandon Stone and the others go there to rescue. She wraps up Tyke’s wounded ankle at the Redoubt. Nona appears only in Elysium.
Angel Falls, Mars – A three-step falls located on the River of Fire where it emerges from the Caprock Canyon just upstream from Phoenix. The Falls are thousands of feet high and a truly awesome sight. Tyke McGrath is swept over them in Elysium.
Apalachicola, Florida – A small city on the coast of the Florida panhandle, which is mentioned as being near The Pinnacles in Elysium.
Appalachian Mountains – A mountain chain running from Newfoundland to Alabama. These mountains (or locations within them) are important in Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, Bran the Blessed, and Freedom. If the Ozarks and Ouachitas are included, then these mountains occur in every book.
Aran Islands, Ireland – A group of rocky islets off the west coast of Ireland which form the westernmost point of land in Europe. Zach Trewick sees them in More Golden Than Day.
A’rath – The native word for Saturn’s moon Titan. It is pronounced with a click of the tongue in place of the apostrophe and sounds something like Akrath. It means The Beautiful Land and is closely related to the word A’rum, the name of the native people. This term is mentioned in Avenger and Freedom.
Archangel, Russia – A port city on the White Sea in far northern Russia, mentioned by Tatya Volkova as a possible escape route from St. Petersburg in Bran the Blessed.
Arctic Caribou Inn – A motel in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, which is used mainly by oilfield workers. Cody McGrath stayed here for several months in Many Waters.
Arctic Circle – The point north of which the sun does not rise at all during at least some portion of the winter. Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, is far north of the Arctic Circle, which is mentioned in Many Waters.
Arctic Ocean – The frigid ocean located around the north pole which borders northern Alaska. Prudhoe Bay is an inlet of this ocean. Cody McGrath went swimming here so he could join the Polar Bear Club in Many Waters.
Ares Channel, Mars – A shallow strait at the southern tip of the Golden Sea, dividing the Isle of Xanthe from the mainland. Several rebel soldiers, including Sergeant Jones, perish here in Elysium.
Arizona – The home state of Colonel James Burns, and the source of many names for things on Mars, including the colony of Phoenix.
Arkadelphia, Arkansas – A city in southwest Arkansas near Hot Springs National Park. Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker spent several weeks here during the summer they turned seventeen, learning how to scuba dive in preparation for going after the Guardian Stone at Cape Mendocino in California in Truesilver. Micah McGrath went to college here along with Josiah Wilder in Nightfall.
Arkansas – A southern state which is the setting for many episodes from Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, Truesilver, Unclouded Day, Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, and Nightfall. Cameron Parker, Brian Stone, and Brandon Stone are all natives of Arkansas.
Arkansas River – One of the major tributaries of the Mississippi, rising in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and flowing through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Brian Stone and Rachel McCray cross it at Dardanelle, Arkansas, on their way to the Fountain of Youth in Unclouded Day.
Arlington, Texas – A medium sized city located halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth, and location of the University of Texas at Arlington. Zach Trewick stops here to have Dr. Garza’s lab manuals explained to him in Truesilver. Although not mentioned in the text, Zach and Cameron visited Arlington regularly to watch the Texas Rangers play in Ranger Stadium, which is located in this city.
Art of War, The – An ancient Chinese textbook of strategy. Matthieu Doucet holds a high opinion of this book and gives a copy to Zach Trewick in Truesilver.
Arthur (King) – An ancient king of Britain who lived at Camelot (Caerleon) in Wales and about whom several legends of the early Middle Ages are told. King Arthur is mentioned in Many Waters.
A’rum – The native people of Saturn’s moon Titan. The word is pronounced with a click of the tongue in place of the apostrophe and sounds something like Akrum. It means The Beautiful People and is closely related to the word A’rath, the name for Titan. The A’rum are mentioned in Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Asheville, North Carolina – A medium-sized city in the mountains of western North Carolina, site of an NADF intelligence-gathering facility where Luther Anderson works in Nightfall. Tyke McGrath lands at the airport here in Freedom.
Atlanta, Georgia – The capital of Georgia. Atlanta is the home base for Prissy Ferguson, the sorceress who attempts to kill Brandon Stone in Bran the Blessed, and Layla Garza flees here after losing her magical powers in Many Waters. Atlanta is also the headquarters for the Southern Command of the North American Defense Forces, and Tyke McGrath and his associates are held captive here in Freedom. The city is also mentioned in Nightfall and Elysium.
Atlanta, Texas – A small city in northeast Texas near Linden and Texarkana, and location of the oil company where Justin and Eileen Wilder both work. Atlanta is mentioned by name only in Cry for the Moon, but it is implied elsewhere whenever Justin or Eileen’s work is discussed.
Atlantic Ocean – The ocean which borders France on the west and the United States on the east, of which the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Finland near Helsinki are both inlets. Although not always mentioned by name, this ocean or portions of it are visited or mentioned by various characters in almost every book, although it plays a large role only in More Golden Than Day, Truesilver, Bran the Blessed, Nightfall, Tycho, and Elysium.
Atmospheric Leaking – The tendency of any atmosphere to bleed away into space over time. Although every atmosphere leaks, the process is accelerated by heat, low gravity, or lack of a magnetic field. Lighter gases such as hydrogen and helium will also bleed much faster than heavier gases such as carbon dioxide. This process of atmospheric leaking is the primary reason why the Moon is not a sustainable ecosystem for the long term. Atmospheric leaking is described in Tycho and mentioned Freedom and Elysium.
ATP Synthase – A cellular enzyme which is responsible for helping to synthesize adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule used for energy by all living things. The Orion Strain plague kills by attacking ATP synthase. This enzyme is mentioned only in Tycho.
Australia – Jolie Doucet mentions this as the location of an active werewolf pod in More Golden Than Day.
Autograph Rock – A boulder of sandstone near Ore City, Texas, on which it was customary for people to carve their names when they got married. Cody and Lisa McGrath did this in Many Waters, and although it isn’t mentioned in the text, so did Brandon and Lana Stone much later on in Bran the Blessed.
Autoimmune Disease – Any of a number of disorders in which a living thing’s immune system attacks its own body, such as lupus or certain forms of arthritis. Tyke McGrath mentions these things as one of the possible consequences of genetic therapy in Tycho and Freedom.
Avenger – A person who has sworn an oath to God to fight against evil wherever he or she may find it, no matter how high the cost, and to make the world a better place. There are only six Avengers at any given time, and each wears a ceremonial ring of office. The group began as werewolf hunters under Michel Doucet in 1769, but after the werewolf curse was abolished, there was need to expand the scope of the group to other things, which was accomplished under the leadership of Matthieu Doucet in Truesilver. The term Avenger is also used in Bran the Blessed, Nightfall, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Avinger, Texas – A small town about ten miles northeast of Ore City. Location of Goliad Ranch and hometown of Cody McGrath. Many events take place here in Many Waters, Truesilver, Bran the Blessed, and Freedom.
Avinger Cowboy Church – A small cowboy church in Avinger, Texas. Members or guests of this church include Cody and Lisa McGrath, Micah McGrath, Brandon Stone, Lana Krisanova, Marcus Cumby, Cyrus Clay, Blake and Josie McGrath, and (for a little while) Layla Garza. Cody, Brandon, Marcus, and Cyrus play the music service every Sunday, and after the sermon there is usually a trail ride. The church sponsors a Back-to-School Rodeo every August which is where Brandon and Lana first met, and their first real kiss occurred in the bluebonnet fields behind this church. The church is mentioned in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed.
Avinger High School – A very small public high school in Avinger, Texas. Former students who have attended AHS include Cody McGrath, Blake and Josie McGrath, Cyrus Clay, Jenny and Lisa Stone, and Linda McGrath. The school is mentioned in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed.
Ayer’s Rock, Moon - A small mountain which looms over Cape Joy at the northernmost tip of the Land of Snow and divides the Rainy Sea from the Sea of Serenity. Although technically part of the Snowy Mountains, it isn’t one of the major peaks and isn’t mentioned in the text, even though Tyke McGrath would have seen it when he rounded Cape Joy in Tycho.
Azores – A group of islands in the central Atlantic Ocean where Tyke McGrath and the other survivors contemplate settling after returning from the Moon, before finally choosing Hawaii instead. The Azores are mentioned only in Tycho.
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Bach, Johann Sebastian – A classical composer whose work Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, plays in Eileen Wilder’s music box. She later gave this to Cameron as a gift, and he gave it to his son Jesse. Bach is mentioned or alluded to in Nightfall and Tycho.
Balboa – The sister ship of the Cabral. Tyke McGrath and Jesse Parker fly the Balboa to England to pick up Josh Hampstead in Tycho, and then to Titan in Avenger before it finally crashes in the Chocolate Mountains on the Moon.
Bangladesh – A small country near Calcutta, it was the first country outside India to report cases of the Orion Strain. Bangladesh appears only in Tycho.
Barbados, Battle of – A battle on the Isle of Barbados on Venus, in which rebel forces under the command of Brandon Stone attacked the spaceport while Tyke McGrath and Hunter Bartow hacked into the computer system to take control of the colony ship Alabama. This battle took place in Freedom.
Barbados, Isle of, Venus – A medium sized highland near the equator where Colonel Bartow’s spaceport is located. A major battle takes place here in Freedom, and the isle is also mentioned in Bran the Blessed and Elysium.
Barefoot Bluejean Night – A country song performed most notably by Jake Owen, which Cody McGrath sings for Lisa Stone while they sit beside the river on his tailgate one night. The words make her laugh because they seem to be talking about her. This song is mentioned only in Many Waters.
Barksdale Air Force Base – An air force base located in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr. Elijah Bartow works here when he adopts Tatya and Vlad Volkov. The base is never mentioned by name, but is alluded to in Bran the Blessed.
Barling, Jeb – The owner of Hope Ranch in the Red River Bottoms near Texarkana. Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker work for him sometimes, baling hay, working cows, and harvesting pecans. Jeb Barling is mentioned by name only in Truesilver, but he is alluded to in More Golden Than Day.
Barnaby Bay, Moon – A large bay of the Rainy Sea, bordered by steep cliffs and bluffs. On the western shore are the three peaks of Steelytine, Cloudyhead, and Skye, and on the east is a small flattish plateau at the foot of Mount Bradley. The area is very scenic (although very stormy) and was formerly the site of Barnaby Station until it was destroyed by a storm in 2082. Tyke McGrath visited the area in Tycho.
Barnaby Station, Moon – The former headquarters of the scientists and engineers who terraformed the Moon, built in 2059 and used until it was destroyed by a storm in 2082, at which time the headquarters was moved to Lakeside Station for safety’s sake. Drew Breyer’s great-grandfather was killed here in 2082, and Tyke McGrath visits the ruins of the place in Tycho.
Bartimaeus – Brandon Stone’s middle name, which he has never uttered to anyone until he tells Lana Krisanova in Bran the Blessed. As mentioned in the text, Bartimaeus was a blind beggar whom Jesus healed and gave his sight.
Bartow, Beau – Son of Hunter Bartow and his wife Veronica.
Bartow, Benjamin – Luke Bartow’s father, and grandson of Wolf.
Bartow, Brent – Wolf Bartow’s son, and grandfather of Luke.
Bartow, Elijah – A physician who works at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana, and who is a dear friend of Charles and Rosalie Anderson. Elijah and his wife adopt Tatya and Vlad Volkov in Bran the Blessed.
Bartow, Hunter – Son of Luke and Marie Bartow and brother of Leah. Hunter appears throughout the Tyke McGrath series, and is an especially important character in Freedom and Elysium. He becomes an Avenger and marries Veronica Carpenter, and eventually becomes the father of Beau.
Bartow, Leah – Daughter of Luke and Marie Bartow and sister of Hunter. Leah appears throughout the Tyke McGrath series and is especially important in Freedom. She marries Jesse Parker and becomes the mother of David and Daisy.
Bartow, Luke – Great-grandson of Wolf Bartow, Luke is an NADF colonel and chief commanding officer of the Tampa homeland security office and later of the colony on Venus. He can be ruthless and cruel, and is totally devoted to his work. He allows his wife and children to think he was lost in action in Burma in 2142 so as to take the secretive post of high commander of Venus. Luke is an important character in Nightfall and in Freedom, and is mentioned occasionally in Elysium.
Bartow, Marie Bittinger – Wife of Luke Bartow and mother of Leah and Hunter, Marie is a secretary who never remarries after her husband’s disappearance. She dies in the Orion outbreak on the Moon in 2155. Marie appears in Nightfall and Tycho and is mentioned in Freedom.
Bartow, Tatiana – A Russian orphan and sister of Wolf, Tatya provides invaluable assistance to Brandon Stone in Bran the Blessed. He later introduces her to Levi Black, who becomes her husband. Derrick and Danielle Black are among her descendants.
Bartow, Veronica Carpenter – Cameron and Joan’s third child and only daughter. She is tall, blonde, and beautiful, and has a liking for the limelight. In later days she marries Hunter Bartow and becomes the mother of Beau. Veronica appears in Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Bartow, Vladic "Wolf" – A Russian orphan and brother of Tatiana, Wolf becomes close friends with Brandon Stone in Bran the Blessed. Hunter and Leah Bartow are among his descendants.
Basalt – A black or dark brown rock of volcanic origin, commonly found in Hawaii, on Venus, and in the lowlands of the Moon. Makes up most of the ocean floor on Earth. The main square of Kailua Kona is paved with slabs of black basalt, and the tombstones of the rebel soldiers buried on Venus are made from this material. Basalt is mentioned only in Freedom.
Bathymetry – Analogous to topography, except that it deals with underwater areas. This term is used in Truesilver and Elysium.
Batten’s Disease – A fatal genetic disorder which strikes children, and is almost always fatal by the age of twenty. It causes worsening vision, seizures, and eventually loss of mental abilities and motor skills, progressively ending in death. There is no cure and no known treatment at this time. Rachel McCray suffers from Batten’s Disease in Unclouded Day.
Baylor, John – A Confederate general from Texas, who led forces to defend southern New Mexico (then Arizona Territory) against Unionists in Santa Fe. He commanded the battles of Mesilla and Glorieta Pass, and was said to be Reuben McGrath’s commanding officer in Many Waters.
Bayou – A Cajun French word for a slow, meandering type of stream, often used as part of the names of such streams in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi, as in Bayou Bartholomew or Black Cypress Bayou. Bayous are mentioned in Many Waters, Behind Blue Eyes, and Nightfall.
Beast of Gévaudan – The greatest werewolf of all time, killed by Jean Chastel and Michel Doucet in 1769 on Mont Mouchet in France. The six rings of the Avengers were seized from him at this time. The Beast appears only in More Golden Than Day.
Beauty and the Beast – A famous French fairy tale about a beautiful young girl who falls in love with a cursed monster. Jolie Doucet shows Zach the castle where this story supposedly happened, during their travels around France in More Golden Than Day.
Beaver’s Bend – A recreation area in the mountains of southeast Oklahoma near the Arkansas border. Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker visit this place occasionally in More Golden Than Day.
Beckham, Clayton – Husband of Lena Trewick and father of Laura, Lisa, and Michelle. Clayton and his family live in Huntsville, Alabama.
Beckham, Laura – Daughter of Clayton and Lena, Laura is a high-handed, determined adversary. Her boyfriend and later husband is Heath Coates, the son of Albert Coates, mayor of Huntsville, Alabama. Laura is Zach Trewick’s third cousin and Cameron Parker’s first cousin. She appears in Behind Blue Eyes.
Beckham, Lena Trewick – Daughter of Calvin Trewick and sister of Janelle. Lena lives in Huntsville, Alabama with her husband Clayton Beckham and her three daughters Laura, Lisa, and Michelle. They are a respectable and wealthy family in the city.
Beckham, Lisa – Daughter of Clayton and Lena, and sister of Laura and Michelle. Lisa’s husband Logan Tygart is a veterinarian in Huntsville, Alabama.
Beckham, Michelle – Youngest daughter of Clayton and Lena, and sister of Laura and Lisa.
Behind Blue Eyes – An alternative rock song which Cameron Parker identifies with since it talks about being misunderstood and rejected, while also referring to the bright blue eyes he shares with the other four Curse-Breakers. Cameron and Zach listen to this song while crossing the Mississippi River at Memphis in Behind Blue Eyes.
Belet, Kingdom of, Titan – One of the three kingdoms of the A’rum on Titan. Belet is the Middle Kingdom, including all the equatorial deserts and the mountainous islands within them. Mount Tortola and the Black Desert of Shangri-la are both located within the Kingdom of Belet. Tyke McGrath visits this land in Avenger.
Bethesda, Pool of, Israel – A pool of water in Jerusalem famous for its healing powers. From time to time, an angel would come down to trouble the water, and then whoever entered the pool first would be healed of whatever illness or infirmity he had. This Pool is mentioned in Bran the Blessed, and Cadron Pool is a reflection of it.
Billowy Bay, Moon – A bay of the Stormy Ocean located on the west coast of the Land of Snow, bounded on the north by Land’s End and on the south by Cape Carmel. There is a small fishing station at the mouth of the Bountiful River where Tyke McGrath retrieves the Elsinore in Avenger.
Biloxi, Mississippi – A small city on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Joan Rusk ended up living here in Truesilver, and Cameron Parker went to rescue her.
Biodiversity – A general term referring to the number and variety of species of living things present in a given area. Areas with high biodiversity are typically biological reserve areas which recolonize less-favorable areas after disasters. In the United States, the two areas of highest biodiversity are the southern Appalachian Mountains and the West Florida Reefs. This term is mentioned only in Elysium.
Bioengineering – The science of altering living things to suit various purposes, generally through genetic manipulation. The term is used only in Tycho, but the concept is also important in Nightfall, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium, since it describes a large portion of Tyke McGrath’s work of restoring species and also a large portion of the work of terraforming by adapting animals and plants to new conditions.
Biohazard Lab – A laboratory which is specially equipped to handle dangerous biological agents such as viruses or bacteria. Workers typically wear airtight suits which protect them from exposure, and breathe air which is pumped to the suit through a hose. Biohazard labs exist at Southern Command in Atlanta, Georgia, where Tyke McGrath is taken prisoner in Freedom.
Birmingham, Alabama – A large city in central Alabama, visited often by Brandon Stone for the purpose of fighting evil. Craig Lumpkin was formerly the top crime boss of Birmingham and attempted to kill Brandon because of his meddling. This city is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
Bittinger, Marie – Wife of Luke Bartow and mother of Leah and Hunter, Marie is a secretary who never remarries after her husband’s disappearance. She dies in the Orion outbreak on the Moon in 2155. Marie appears in Nightfall and Tycho and is mentioned in Freedom.
Black Angus – A type of black cow which is often used for beef production. The Black Angus has become trendy in recent years after becoming the subject of marketing campaigns by several restaurants, which has caused an increase in value for any black cow which vaguely resembles an Angus. Cody McGrath raises Black Angus cows at Goliad Ranch, a fact which he mentions in Many Waters.
Black Cypress Bayou, Texas – A muddy bayou which forms the eastern boundary of Goliad Ranch. Cody and Lisa like to spend evenings here playing music and swimming in Many Waters, and so does Brandon Stone in Bran the Blessed.
Black Hills, Moon – A region of hills which separates the valley of the Trinity River from the Sea of Serenity. The hills contain large ilmenite deposits which make them very dark in places, much like the Chocolate Mountains. The hills extend from Trinity Bay in the south to Cape Joy in the north. The Black Hills contain only a single important peak, Mount Blackberry at 12,631 feet, and on its western flank is the notable Ukert Springs formation which Tyke McGrath and his friends visited in Tycho and in Elysium.
Black Rock – An outcrop of black stone near the creek behind Brian and Brandon Stone’s house where the two of them liked to fish and swim. This is also where Brian Stone first discovered his powers in Unclouded Day.
Black Springs, Arkansas – A very small down just west of Norman, and the closest named spot to the family deer camp high in the mountains nearby. It appears in Behind Blue Eyes and Truesilver.
Black, Chad – Grandson of Levi Black, and father of Joe. Chad is killed during the bombing of Longview, Texas in 2105 during the Union War.
Black, Colton – Son of Joe and Rosalita, brother of Danielle, and father of Derrick. Colton develops a serious drug addiction problem after his parents are assassinated by the NADF for unauthorized political activities, an addiction from which he never recovers. He refuses to believe in the reality of the Orion Strain or to permit Danielle to take Derrick with her to the Moon, at which time she gives Colton some extra pills and takes Derrick anyway. Colton dies a few days later during the plague. Although never mentioned by name, he is discussed frequently in Tycho.
Black, Danielle – Daughter of Joe and Rosalita, sister of Colton, and aunt of Derrick. Danielle is forced to sell weed to take care of herself and Derrick because Colton is unable to take responsibility for anything after their parents and grandmother Catalina pass away. She and Tyke McGrath fall in love on the Moon and later get married in Hawaii, becoming the parents of Josie and Thomas. She is a major character in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Black, Derrick – Son of Colton and nephew of Danielle, who mostly takes care of him. Derrick appears in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Black, Joe – Son of Chad and great-grandson of Levi and Tatya, Joe is rescued from the bombing of Longview at four years of age and taken to a refugee camp in Plant City, Florida (near Tampa) by Brandon Stone. He grows up here and meets Rosalita Trevino after becoming involved in protests against the harsh policies of the government and the NADF. For this reason Joe and Rosalita are killed by secret agents in 2146, leaving their children Colton (16) and Danielle (9) to move in with Rosalita’s elderly mother Catalina, who disapproves of Joe because he was a Texan and blames him for her daughter’s death.
Black, Levi – One of Zach Trewick’s best friends, who goes bear hunting with him and comes to check on him after the explosion in Truesilver. Levi is a small engine mechanic and a good baseball player, facts which are mentioned in More Golden Than Day. Levi eventually becomes an Avenger and becomes friends with Brandon Stone in Bran the Blessed. He marries Tatya Bartow after Brandon introduces them, and Danielle and Derrick are among his descendants. Danielle talks about him in Elysium, and names her son after him.
Black, Matthew – Son of Levi and Tatya. Matthew is killed as a very old man during the bombing of Longview in 2105 during the Union War.
Black, Rosalita Trevino – Daughter and only surviving child of Edmundo and Catalina Trevino. She becomes headstrong and passionately political after her father’s death, creating a scandal and horrifying her mother when she marries Joe Black, a fellow political activist.
Black, Tatiana Bartow – A Russian orphan and sister of Wolf, Tatya provides invaluable assistance to Brandon Stone in Bran the Blessed. He later introduces her to Levi Black, who becomes her husband. Derrick and Danielle Black are among her descendants.
Blackberry (Mount), Moon – Tallest peak (by far) in the Black Hills, rising to 12,631 feet. Mt. Blackberry is very imposing and looks even larger than it is, since it stands alone with no close neighbors that even approach it in size. Ukert Springs is located on the western flank of Mt. Blackberry, although this isn’t mentioned in the text, so Tyke McGrath and his friends visited the mountain twice, in Tycho and Elysium.
Blake, William – An English poet well known for his Songs of Innocence. Brandon Stone has one of his poems inscribed on a foil picture in his bedroom in Bran the Blessed.
Blanchette, Marielle – Wife of Barthélemy Chrétien and mother of Tristan. She was killed by radicals during the French Revolution in 1790.
Blaylock (Mount), Arkansas – A peak in the southern Ouachita Mountains, roughly 2300 feet above sea level. Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker encounter Orem Garza while climbing here in Truesilver.
Bloody Creek, Titan – A small river of methane in the eastern portion of the Ice Hills of Xanadu, where a notable battle had recently taken place between the kingdoms of Dilmun and Tsegihi, such than the creek ran red with blood from the slain. N’grumth earned his noble rank by saving the life of the King of Dilmun during this battle. Mentioned only in Avenger.
Bluebonnets – A type of blue wildflower which grows in Texas and occasionally in other areas, and which is the state flower of Texas. They are notoriously difficult to grow, but once they become established will form huge mats of almost endless flowers from horizon to horizon in the springtime. Lisa Stone compares Cody McGrath’s eyes to the color of bluebonnets in Many Waters, and Goliad Ranch is strewn with them. Brandon Stone recalls walking barefoot through the field of bluebonnets behind the cowboy church with Lana Krisanova in Bran the Blessed. Micah McGrath also mentions them in Nightfall.
Blue Danube Waltz – A piece of classical music by the composer Johann Strauss, which Lana Krisanova played at her piano recital in Bran the Blessed.
Boer War – A particularly bloody and divisive war fought among several nations in southern Africa, resulting in millions of deaths and refugees and during which nuclear weapons were used, resulting in vast swathes of the area being reduced to radioactive wasteland. The Boer War is mentioned in Nightfall.
Boggy Creek Monster – A folktale of the Red River Valley, which states that a hairy, Bigfoot-type monster lives in the swamps of the lower Sulphur River near Fouke, Arkansas. The legend is fairly well-known, and has even been the subject of a movie. Visitors to Fouke can buy t-shirts or have their picture taken with the monster, as Jolie Doucet does in More Golden Than Day.
Bolinger, Jenine – Luther Anderson’s wife, and mother of Aron, Tommy, and Amie. She appears briefly in Nightfall and Tycho before being killed in the crash of the Cabral on the Moon.
Book of Numbers – The fourth book of the Bible, in which the Priestly Blessing is found at Numbers 6:24-26. The Book of Numbers is mentioned by Cody McGrath in Many Waters.
Books – Several books are mentioned in the text, mostly by Zach Trewick who likes to read. At various times, he mentions reading King Solomon’s Mines, Perelandra, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Prince, Legends of the Red River Valley, Folklore of Texas, Tales of the Piney Woods, Robinson Crusoe, A Wrinkle in Time, Days of Yore, and Hunters of the Night: Real Life Tales of Monster Slayers. Tyke McGrath also mentions reading Perelandra, and Lisa Stone-McGrath mentions reading Tristan and Isolde, and Scarlett’s Hawaiian Nights along with the rest of her collection of Scarlett Blaze romance novels.
Bordeaux, France – A city on the southwest coast of France on the Atlantic Ocean, where Zach and Jolie went walking on the beach while they were staying with Marc Doucet. Bordeaux is mentioned only in More Golden Than Day.
Borderland – An area on the border between Scotland and England, including several counties on both sides. It is the ancestral home of the Protestant Northern Irish (aka the Scotch-Irish), and thus of a large percentage of Americans, including Cody McGrath, as he mentions in Many Waters.
Bosco Bluffs, Moon – The skyscraper-high cliffs alongside the eastern shore of Lake Boscovich, where Tyke McGrath and his friends like to go diving into the water in Tycho and Elysium.
Boscovich (Lake), Moon – A large lake southeast of Lake Okechobee which is notable for the high cliffs on its eastern shore. Tyke McGrath and his friends go here often to jump off into the water, since one can jump from any height on the Moon without getting hurt. The lake drains into the Caloosahatchie River via the Sandy River, and it is mentioned in Tycho and in Elysium.
Bossier City, Louisiana – A suburb of Shreveport located directly across the Red River on the east bank. Bossier City was mentioned in More Golden Than Day as a place where Zach Trewick and Jolie Doucet stopped and had lunch at a Cajun restaurant.
Boudain – A type of sausage typically eaten in places with a strong French influence on the food.
Bountiful River, Moon – A river which rises on the southern slopes of Mt. Diamondtop and flows southward into Billowy Bay. Although not mentioned in the text, the work station described in Avenger is located near the mouth of the Bountiful River. Westernmost of the Seven Rivers of Snow.
Bournemouth, England – A small city on the English Channel in southern England, and the home of Josh Hampstead, a young man immune to the Orion Strain. Tyke McGrath and Jesse Parker visit this city in Tycho.
Bradley (Mount), Moon – Located just west of Mt. Silverspur and east of Steelytine, Mt. Bradley is the tallest peak on the Moon at 15,200 feet at its highest point. It is also huge, extending as a ridge along the coast and containing three more peaks of decreasing height. It contains a weather station on its summit and is divided from Mt. Silverspur to the east by the Grand Canyon of the Moon. Mt. Bradley is also the source of the Faithful River, and Tyke McGrath visits this mountain in Tycho.
Brahe, Tycho – The Father of Modern Astronomy, and one of Micah McGrath’s particular heroes. He was also a very colorful personality who cut off his own nose in a swordfight. Tycho McGrath is partly named after him. He is mentioned in Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, and Freedom.
Brand Name Products – Many brand-name products are mentioned throughout the text, with some being more important than others. Zach Trewick is fond of Dodge trucks, Coca-Cola, Monster Energy Drinks, Cool Ranch Doritos, Froot Loops, and Easy Cheese, and sometimes uses Cornhusker’s Lotion after a long day of baling hay. Cody McGrath and Brandon Stone both prefer Chevy trucks and Dr. Pepper, and Cody likes to hunt with a Winchester rifle and to wear his Wranglers with shirts from Cowboy for Life, sometimes with a little Old Spice. Micah McGrath has a weakness for Beanie Weenies and Sugar Daddies, and his son Tyke McGrath consumes a lot of Gatorade and Spam. Jolie Doucet drives a yellow Volkswagen Beetle, and Layla Garza has a classic red Camaro. When he wears overalls (which is often), Brandon Stone is said to look just like the boy on the Tennessee Pride sausage wrapper. Brian Stone likes to wear Nikes when he can get them, and saves his money in a Crown Royal bag. Cameron Parker has been known to use WD-40 on tough bolts when breaking into houses and to clean his truck seats with Febreeze, or to read Zach’s leftover Bassmaster magazines if he’s tired of playing the Xbox. Almost every character likes to shop at Wal-Mart and Family Dollar, to talk with AT&T and to eat at McDonald’s or Taco Bell. Justin Wilder likes to visit the Hard Rock Café in Dallas and to fill up his tank at Exxon, and when Lisa Stone is feeling under the weather she just pops a few Tylenol and goes to work in her old Ford anyway. Other products mentioned at least once include Hobie Cat, Jeep, Subaru, Kool-Aid, Greyhound, Subway, Piggly Wiggly, Mentholatum, Oil of Olay, Google, Yahoo, Regions Bank, Century 21, Diamond Bank, Mountain Dew, Mars bars, Mello Yello, TicTacs, UPS, MasterCard, StairMaster, and Mossberg rifles.
Brandt, Paul – A country singer whose signature song I Do has become a modern wedding classic. Cody and Lisa play this song at their wedding in Many Waters.
Bray, James – One of Zach and Cameron’s friends and baseball teammates in More Golden Than Day.
Brazil – A country in eastern South America, where Tyke McGrath and the others located a single crazy survivor who shot at them when they tried to rescue him. Brazil appears only in Tycho.
Brazoria, Republic of – A republic which became independent of the United States during the Union War of 2105-2115. By treaty, it includes all the land between the Red River and the Rio Grande, except for that portion east of the Atchafalaya in southern Louisiana. Within this area is included all of Texas except the panhandle (which was reduced to ashes in any case), southeast New Mexico south and east of Albuquerque (the rest of New Mexico was similiarly destroyed), and about half of Louisiana west of the Red and Atchafalaya, plus a single county of Arkansas. The name derives from the Brazos River and the capital is located at Waco. Brazoria plays a significant role in Nightfall.
Brazos River, Texas – A large and important river in central Texas, rising in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of eastern New Mexico and flowing southeastward to the Gulf of Mexico. The full name of the river is Brazos de Dios, and means “Arms of God” in Spanish. Blake McGrath is killed on this river by Layla Garza near Possum Kingdom Lake. Cody McGrath visits this river in Many Waters, and so does Zach Trewick in Truesilver. Brandon Stone mentions it often in Bran the Blessed. Although not mentioned in the text, the Republic of Brazoria in Nightfall takes its name from this river, and thus means something like “Land of the Everlasting Arms”.
Breeder Gas – A catalyst which causes certain chemical reactions to occur much more rapidly than they otherwise would, and which replicates itself in an exponential fashion. Typically used in the terraforming of planetary atmospheres. This term is used in Tycho, Freedom, and Elysium.
Breyer, Andrew Jr. – Son of Andrew Sr. and Denise, and grandson of Matthieu Doucet. Andrew was one of the few people to be born and raised on the Moon, staying there until 2094 when Denise retired. Although never an Avenger himself, Andrew’s son Jason and daughter Jennifer both became one later on.
Breyer, Andrew Sr. – Husband of Denise and father of Andrew Jr., Andrew was an analytical geologist who worked for the Lunar Terraform Project. He was killed in a major storm at Barnaby Station in 2082, a fact which his great-grandson Drew (who is named after him), remembers in Tycho.
Breyer, Denise Doucet – Daughter of Matthieu Doucet and mother of Andrew Breyer Jr. Denise was a geneticist who worked for the Lunar Terraform Project in its early days along with her husband Andrew Breyer Sr. She designed several organisms for the lunar environment, including the blue hamburger crab and the silver spotted catfish. Although never mentioned by name, Tyke McGrath expresses appreciation for her work in Tycho.
Breyer, Drew – Son of Jason and Gina, twin brother of Tabby, and one of Tyke McGrath’s best friends. Drew is a medical science student at the John Brooke Academy for Math and Science in Tampa, and is the one who initially came up with the idea of fleeing to the Moon to escape the Orion Strain. He is a great-great grandson of Matthieu Doucet, and is killed in a freak mudslide near Hilo, Hawaii in 2155. Drew appears in Tycho and Avenger.
Breyer, Gina Leeds – Wife of Jason and mother of Drew and Tabby. Gina is a social director for a retirement village in Citrus Park, Florida, and she makes a similar job for herself after fleeing to the Moon. Gina dies in the Orion outbreak on the Moon in 2155. She appears in Tycho.
Breyer, Jason – Son of Andrew Jr. and brother of Jennifer, and a great-grandson of Matthieu Doucet. Jason is an Avenger, and works as an astrophysical engineer at McDill Research Station in Tampa, Florida. His twin children Drew and Tabby both attend the John Brooke Academy for Math and Science and are friends with Tyke McGrath and Jesse Carpenter. Jason is killed in the crash of the Cabral, and appears in Tycho and Avenger.
Breyer, Jennifer – Daughter of Andrew Breyer Jr. and sister of Jason, Jennifer is a computer programming specialist and also an Avenger. She later marries Sam Rayburn and becomes the mother of Emily and Madeleine Rayburn. Jennifer appears in Nightfall, Tycho, and Avenger and is killed in the crash of the Cabral.
Breyer, Tabby – Daughter of Jason and Gina, Tabby is a brilliant astronomical engineering student at the John Brooke Academy for Math and Science along with her twin brother Drew. She has a rather sour and negative personality which doesn’t win her many friends. She is a great-great-granddaughter of Matthieu Doucet. Tabby is killed in a freak mudslide near Hilo, Hawaii in 2155, and appears only in Tycho and Avenger.
Brooke, John – A Navy officer and maritime scientist from Tampa, Florida in the mid-nineteenth century who worked on various projects including a sounding device which made possible the first transatlantic telegraph cable. The John Brooke Academy for Math and Science in Tampa which Tyke McGrath attends is named after him. Professor Brooke is mentioned in Tycho and Freedom.
Brooks, Garth – A country singer from Oklahoma, very popular in the 1990’s and still occasionally listened to. Brandon Stone and his teammates were singing his song Friends in Low Places on the way back from Tyler in Bran the Blessed.
Brother Manchin – Abbot of the Monastery of Miracles and leader of the Monks of Peace in the Realm of Hidden Things. He helps Brandon Stone a lot during his visit, but also offers him a terrible choice. Brother Manchin is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
Brother Timothy – One of the Monks of Peace who finds Brandon and Lana sitting at the well when they come to the Monastery of Miracles in the Realm of Hidden Things. He appears only in Bran the Blessed.
Bryce Canyon National Park – A national park in southern Utah famous for its odd rock formations of tall narrow spires. Cody McGrath and Marcus Cumby visited this place in Many Waters.
Bubble Ring – An informal term referring to the outermost limit of the region enclosed by the tachometer’s force field and therefore directly affected by its power. As the name implies, the bubble ring is always spherical in shape, with the tachometer located at the exact center. If the power settings on the tachometer are not adjusted properly, the bubble ring can be unstable. This term is mentioned only in Nightfall, although the concept is also displayed vividly in Truesilver.
Buck, Leo – An electrical engineer from Tennessee, and one of the surviving rebel soldiers at the Redoubt on Mars. Leo is mentioned only in Elysium.
Buckwild – Cody McGrath’s horse, which he bottle-fed as a colt after adopting him from a shelter for abused and neglected horses. He got his name from the fact that he was wild and hard to break to riding, throwing Cody in the dirt more times than he could remember. His name is usually shortened to simply Buck, and he is mentioned in Many Waters and in Bran the Blessed.
Burns, James – A colonel in the North American Defense Forces, James Burns is head of the Southern Command headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. After hearing about the Orion Strain from Micah McGrath, he orders the terraforming of Mars and Venus and the building of colonies on those worlds. Colonel Burns takes personal command of the Martian colony, and names many locations on that world after places in his home state of Arizona. He is ruthless, cold, and often merciless. Colonel Burns appears in Nightfall, Freedom, and Elysium.
Buster – Zach Trewick’s horse, given to him as a Christmas present by Eileen in Cry for the Moon. Buster is also mentioned in More Golden Than Day when Zach and Jolie ride him along the shore of Coca-Cola Lake together.
C
Cabral – Sister ship of the Balboa, designed by Peggy Weiss and Jason Breyer at McDill Aerospace Research Center in Tampa, Florida. The Cabral was used by Tyke McGrath and thirty-one other survivors to flee to the Moon before the Orion Strain. It later crashed on Mount Silverspur in the Grand Canyon of the Moon, killing nine survivors. The Cabral is mentioned in Tycho and Avenger.
Caddo Gap, Arkansas – A small town on the Caddo River near the deer camp where Zach Trewick’s cousins hold him captive in Behind Blue Eyes and it is mentioned in More Golden Than Day.
Caddo Lake, Texas-Louisiana – A large natural lake on the Texas-Louisiana border near Shreveport, and center of the largest cypress swamp in the world. Caddo Lake is featured in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed.
Caddo River, Arkansas – A river which rises in the high Ouachita Mountains and flows southeastward through Norman, Caddo Gap, Glenwood, and Amity before forming Lake Degray. Zach floats this river between Norman and Glenwood to escape his cousin Laura in Behind Blue Eyes, and learns to scuba dive in Lake Degray in Truesilver.
Cadron Brook, Israel – A small stream which flows only in winter through the Cadron Valley just outside Jerusalem, and right past the Garden of Gethsemane. Cody McGrath mentions it in Many Waters, and it is the namesake for Cadron Creek at Goliad Ranch.
Cadron Creek – A small stream at Goliad Ranch, flowing out of Cadron Pool and emptying into Black Cypress Bayou. Cody and Lisa McGrath have lunch beside this stream under a large mimosa tree in Many Waters.
Cadron Pool – A spring-fed pool of water at the foot of Mount Nebo on Goliad Ranch, consecrated by God in Many Waters to be a place of healing for those who bathe in its waters. Cadron Pool is named after the Cadron Brook in Jerusalem, where King Hezekiah threw the ashes of all the idols and evil things he’d burned. The Pool also appears in Freedom and in Bran the Blessed.
Cadron Valley, Israel – Also spelled Kidron, this valley just outside Jerusalem contains the Cadron Brook and the Garden of Gethsemane. Cody McGrath mentions it in Many Waters as the place where King Hezekiah threw the ashes of the idols he destroyed.
Caerleon, Wales – A town in southern Wales, formerly known as Camelot and the original home of Lisa Stone’s great-grandmother, as she mentions to Cody McGrath in Many Waters.
Cajun – Strictly speaking, the descendants of French settlers removed from Nova Scotia to Louisiana in the 1700’s. More broadly, any person of French descent from Louisiana or adjacent portions of Texas, Mississippi, or southern Alabama, even if they have moved elsewhere. Cajuns form the largest ethnic group in southern Louisiana and speak a distinctive variety of French, sometimes intermixing French words such as ouais (meaning “yeah”) and chére (meaning “sweetheart” or “dear”) into their English, as Damon Doucet does in Nightfall. Cajun influences can also be seen in More Golden Than Day, Truesilver, and Many Waters.
Calcium Carbonate – A chemical compound formed by coral as part of their exoskeleton and also as part of the shells of most sea creatures. Commonly known as chalk or lime. This substance is mentioned in Elysium.
Calcutta, India – A large city in eastern India near the border with Bangladesh, Calcutta was the first location to suffer an outbreak of the Orion Strain. Calcutta is mentioned only in Tycho.
California – A western state which was mentioned in connection with Cape Mendocino in Truesilver. It was also mentioned in connection with its offshore kelp forests in Tycho.
Caloosahatchie River, Florida – A river in southern Florida which drains Lake Okechobee. Namesake of the more famous river on the Moon.
Caloosahatchie River, Moon – The large river which drains the entire basin of Lake Okeechobee and Lake Boscovich, flowing out of Lake Okeechobee on the south and draining southeastward through swampland into the Sea of Tranquility. It connects to the Altai Canal and the Sinus Medii and in this way forms the southern boundary of the Land of Snow. Tyke McGrath mentions it often and uses it for transportation in Tycho and in Avenger.
Calvary (Mount), Israel – The place where Jesús was crucified just outside Jerusalem, mentioned by Cody McGrath in Many Waters.
Camber of Wales – According to legend, the first King of Wales. He is the namesake for Camber Carpenter in Elysium.
Camelot – The former name of Caerleon, Wales, where King Arthur held his court. Lisa Stone mentions it as being the home of her great-grandmother in Many Waters.
Campeche – An artificial city built on pilings driven into the seabed roughly a hundred miles north of Yucatán. Campeche is a notorious den of corruption and lawlessness in Nightfall.
Candlemas Day – An ancient Christian feast day celebrated on February 2nd, in which it is customary to light candles as a sign of devotion to God. In the United States in recent times, it has more commonly been known as Groundhog’s Day. This is also Cameron Parker’s birthday. Gina Breyer holds a Candlemas party on the Moon, during which Tyke McGrath and Danielle Black kiss for the first time. Candlemas Day is mentioned in Tycho and Avenger.
Caprock Canyon, Mars – A deep canyon cut by the River of Fire across the northern portion of the Caprock Plateau, severing a small section of it from the rest. This smaller detached section is known as Sacramento Island. The Caprock Canyon ends at Angel Falls and is mentioned only in Elysium.
Caprock Plateau, Mars – A very flat plateau bounded on the north and west by the Valley of the Sun, on the east by the coast of the Golden Sea, on the south by the Labyrinth of the Night, and on the southeast by the Yellow Hills. The Caprock Plateau slopes slightly downward from west to east and from south to north. Tyke McGrath, Brandon Stone, Danielle Black, Hunter Bartow, and Jesse Parker visit it in Elysium.
Carbon Dioxide Poisoning – A medical emergency which occurs when carbon dioxide levels are too high in the atmosphere. In this situation, red blood cells are unable to get rid of the carbon dioxide bound to them and therefore cannot pick up fresh oxygen even if the air is full of it, resulting in suffocation. Carbon dioxide poisoning is usually easily reversible if the person is given fresh air. Tyke McGrath faces the threat of carbon dioxide poisoning in Tycho and Elysium.
Carbonaceous Chondrite – A type of asteroid made mostly of rocky materials rather than metallic or icy ones. This type of asteroid was mentioned in Nightfall.
Carmel (Cape), Moon – A prominent knot of hilly ground at the northern point of the Thousand Mile Beach, looking out over the swampland of the Sinus Medii to the north. Tyke McGrath spends a long lunar night camped out in a cave on Cape Carmel in Avenger.
Carpenter, Andrea – Christopher and Emily Carpenter’s second daughter, born in Kailua Kona, Hawaii.
Carpenter, Callum – Cameron and Joan’s third son, and for many years the baby of the family. Callum was Cameron’s favorite child until he was killed in the crash of the Cabral. Cameron never completely recovered from this loss. Callum is mentioned in Tycho, Avenger, and Elysium.
Carpenter, Camber – Cameron and Joan’s youngest child, born in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. He is named after the first king of Wales, and is mentioned only in Elysium.
Carpenter, Christopher – Cameron and Joan’s firstborn son, given the name that would have been Zach Trewick’s first name if his parents hadn’t changed their minds at the last minute. Christopher is a dutiful and loyal son, but he also has a strong taste for danger and adventure. He works with his father in the construction business. Christopher appears in Truesilver, Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Carpenter, Emily Rayburn – Daughter of Sam and Jennifer Rayburn, sister of Madeleine, and later on the wife of Christopher Carpenter and mother of Virginia, Andrea, and Jonathan. Emily appears in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Carpenter, Jesse James – Cameron and Joan’s second son, and Tyke McGrath’s first cousin and best friend. Jesse is brash, athletic, popular, and a proud hayseed in spite of his brilliant mind. He is a mathematical savant who has the ability to do complex math problems in his head very quickly. Jesse is also a pilot and navigator with a thirst for exploration and adventure. He is said to be tall, blond, and handsome, and later becomes an Avenger and the father of David and Daisy. Jesse uses the surname Carpenter until he discovers his father’s true identity, at which time he chooses to reclaim his “real” name. Jesse appears in Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium. See also Jesse Parker.
Carpenter, Joan Rusk – Daughter of Nicholas Rusk and older sister of Annabelle, Joan was a werewolf and a scout for the Confederate Army in Texas when she was captured by Denis Doucet in 1863. She later marries Cameron Parker and becomes a nurse in Tampa, Florida and the mother of five children: Christopher, Jesse, Veronica, Callum, and Camber. She also mostly raises Tyke McGrath, Tommy and Amie Anderson, and Molly Strickland. Joan appears in Truesilver, Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Carpenter, Jonathan – Christopher and Emily’s third child, born in Kailua Kona, Hawaii.
Carpenter, Philip – A young man from Biloxi, Mississippi who was briefly Joan’s first husband until he was killed by Andrew Garza. Cameron Parker then stepped in and took his identity, using the name Philip Carpenter for the rest of his life. See Cameron Parker for more information.
Carpenter, Veronica – Cameron and Joan’s third child and only daughter. She is tall, blonde, and beautiful, and has a liking for the limelight. In later days she marries Hunter Bartow and becomes the mother of Beau. She appears in Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Carpenter, Virginia – Christopher and Emily’s first child, born in Kailua Kona, Hawaii.
Carter, Phyllis Grey – Daughter of Tommy Lee Grey, Phyllis is Cody McGrath’s aunt and Troy Carter’s mother in Many Waters.
Carter, Troy – Cody McGrath’s first cousin who tells him about the oilfield jobs at Prudhoe Bay in Alaska. Troy appears only in Many Waters.
Catamaran – A type of ship with two hulls rather than one. Catamarans are typically faster, more maneuverable, more difficult to sink, and can venture into much shallower water than single-hull ships. Jesse Parker owns a catamaran which he likes to sail on the Gulf, and most of the working ships left behind on the Moon are of this type. Catamarans are mentioned only in Tycho.
Cedartown, Georgia – A small town in northwest Georgia. Layla Garza waylaid Brandon Stone at a gas station here, planting explosives in his tire so as to strand him in a desolate place more favorable for attack. Cedartown is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
Celsius Temperature Scale – One of the three widely used temperature scales in the world today, and arguably the least useful of the three. It has larger degrees than the Fahrenheit scale (which makes it less precise before one must begin using decimals), and it doesn’t begin at absolute zero as the Kelvin scale does (which means one must use negative numbers). It thus preserves the worst aspects of both the Kelvin and the Fahrenheit scales while adding nothing to counterbalance these deficiencies. Tyke McGrath mentions that this scale has long since been abandoned in Avenger.
Chalkytooth (Mount), Moon – One of the large inland peaks of the Snowy Mountains, Chalkytooth rises to 10,039 feet and is located at the head of the Valley of the Wolves within sight of Milkpearl and Starfrost.
Chastel, Jean – A man from Clermont, France, who killed the Beast of Gévaudan on Mont Mouchet in 1769. Father of Marie and father-in-law of Michel Doucet. Jean Chastel is mentioned only in More Golden Than Day.
Chastel, Marie – Daughter of Jean Chastel and wife of Michel Doucet, Marie is the author of a book which tells the early history of the werewolf hunters and which Zach and Cameron find in John Doucet’s library in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Marie is mentioned only in More Golden Than Day.
Cherryblossom (Mount), Moon – One of the large inland peaks of the Snowy Mountains, Cherryblossom reaches a height of 11,309 feet and is located just southeast of Silverspur. Although never mentioned in the text, it would have been easily visible to anyone in the vicinity of Mount Bradley or Silverspur, as Tyke McGrath was in Tycho and Avenger.
Chihuahua, Mexico – A northern state of Mexico, location of the village of Pueblito de Allende where Andrew Garza and later Micah McGrath acquired material to build a tachometer in Nightfall.
Chocolate Mountains, Moon – A mountain range running north from the Sinus Medii to Land’s End, following the eastern shore of Billowy Bay. The stone of the Chocolate Mountains is often made of ilmenite, a dark mineral which gives them a chocolaty appearance in places. The tallest peak is Mount Sugarstone (10,826) in the southern portion of the range at the source of the Rocky River. Tyke McGrath visited the Chocolate Mountains in Tycho and also in Avenger.
Chrétien, Aline Doucet – Older sister of Michel Doucet, wife of Bourbon Chrétien and mother of Barthélemy and Sebastién. She is killed by radicals during the French Revolution.
Chrétien, Barthélemy – Brother of Sebastién, nephew of Michel Doucet, and first holder of the Avenger’s Ring which bears his name and which was later held by Zach Trewick, Damon Doucet, and Tyke McGrath, among others. Barthélemy was killed by radicals during the French Revolution in 1790, and he is mentioned in Truesilver, Avenger, and Freedom.
Chrétien, Bourbon – Father of Barthélemy and Sebastién. Bourbon is named after the surname of the royal family of France, not the whiskey. He was killed by radicals during the French Revolution.
Chrétien, Marielle Blanchette – Wife of Barthélemy Chrétien and mother of Tristan. She was killed by radicals during the French Revolution in 1790.
Chrétien, Sebastién – Brother of Barthélemy, nephew of Michel Doucet, and first holder of the Avenger’s Ring which bears his name and which was later held by Cameron Parker, among others. Sebastién was killed by radicals during the French Revolution in 1790, and he is mentioned only in Truesilver.
Chrétien, Tristan – Son of Barthélemy, and only a few months old when his family was family was massacred by radicals during the French Revolution. Tristan was saved only because his parents hid him in the attic and he wasn’t found. Michel Doucet later took him with them to America when they fled.
Citrus Park, Florida – A suburb of Tampa, mentioned in Tycho as the location of a retirement village where Gina Breyer worked as a social director.
Clark Containment Zone, Arkansas – An area fenced off by the North American Defense Forces due to the enormous explosion caused by the tachometer in 2036. It includes the central core of the city of Arkadelphia, plus everything within a radius of about twenty miles. Access is strictly forbidden, on pain of death. Micah McGrath first appears in the future inside the Containment Zone in 2136, and visits it again several years later with Cameron Parker. It appears only in Nightfall.
Clearwater Beach, Florida – That portion of Clearwater which is built on the barrier island and thus has direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. Tyke McGrath and his cousins grew up here until Tyke was sixteen years old. Clearwater Beach appears specifically only in Nightfall and Tycho, although Tyke refers to the area more generally as Clearwater or Tampa many more times throughout the series.
Clearwater High School – The public high school in Clearwater, Florida, attended by Christopher Carpenter, Leah Bartow, and Emily Rayburn. Jesse Carpenter occasionally attended track and field events here, and Tyke McGrath usually went with him to these. Clearwater High is mentioned in Tycho and in Elysium.
Clearwater, Florida – The main portion of Clearwater, located on the mainland rather than on the barrier island. Tyke McGrath and his associates spent a lot of time here. Clearwater is mentioned occasionally throughout the Tyke McGrath series.
Clermont, France – Also known as Clermont-Ferrand, a city in southern France which is the home of Marc Doucet and which Zach Trewick and his friends visited while attacking Mont Mouchet in More Golden Than Day.
Clipperton Island – A small island off the Pacific coast of Mexico, used by Tyke McGrath as a prison for Colonel Burns’ invaders until they can be dealt with in a more permanent manner. Clipperton Island appears only in Elysium.
Clip-tags – Small scars left on chromosomes after the addition or deletion of genetic material. A tell-tale sign of human tampering. Tyke McGrath discusses clip-tags in Tycho, Freedom, and Elysium.
Cloud Forest – A type of rain forest found in high mountain areas on Earth and Venus, where most of the precipitation comes in the form of mist and clouds. Tyke McGrath visits a cloud forest on Mount Freedom on Venus in Freedom.
Cloudy Sea, Moon – The southernmost extension of the Stormy Ocean, with no clearly defined boundary between the two. The Tycho River flows into the Cloudy Sea, and it is bounded on the east by the Thousand Mile Beach. The area is known for pea-soup fog and cold and rainy conditions. Tyke McGrath visits the area in Avenger, although it’s also mentioned in Tycho.
Cloudyhead (Mount), Moon – Located between Steelytine to the east and Skye to the west, this mountain rises to 12,523 feet above Barnaby Bay and forms a pretty triple-peak arrangement with its two neighbors. Tyke McGrath views it in Tycho.
Coates, Albert – The wicked mayor of Huntsville, Alabama who pays a large sum of money from city funds in order to take part in torturing Brandon Stone in Bran the Blessed. Albert’s son Heath is Laura Beckham’s boyfriend in Behind Blue Eyes.
Coates, Heath – Son of Albert Coates, the mayor of Huntsville, Alabama. Heath’s girlfriend and later wife is Laura Beckham, from the Trewick werewolf pod. Heath appears only in Behind Blue Eyes.
Coates, Laura Beckham – Daughter of Clayton and Lena Beckham, Laura is a high-handed, determined adversary. Her boyfriend and later husband is Heath Coates, the son of Albert Coates, mayor of Huntsville, Alabama. Laura is Zach Trewick’s third cousin and Cameron Parker’s first cousin. She appears in Behind Blue Eyes.
Coca Cola Lake, Arkansas – A small lake in the hill country just east of Texarkana, Arkansas. The water is dark from the tannins that come from leaves, which makes it look like tea or coca cola sometimes, although from a distance it’s the same blue as any other lake. Zach Trewick lives on ten acres bordering the south shore of this lake.
Colbert, Elise – Wife of John Trewick and mother of Andrew. Zach and Cameron are among her descendants.
Commerce, Texas – A small town in northeast Texas near Sulphur Springs, and home of Texas A&M University. Zach Trewick spends a night at the college library here in Cry for the Moon, and also goes shopping at the Wal-Mart and eats at the Lone Star Pizza Works with Justin.
Conservation of Energy, Law of – A law of physics which states that matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed. It is usually considered to be the most fundamental of all physical laws, and has many consequences. Among them is the fact that it makes time travel impossible (except for one-way travel to the future), since that would amount to removing matter from the universe. This Law is discussed in Truesilver.
Contreras, Josefina – Danielle Black’s great-grandmother, after whom she named her daughter Josie. Josefina is mentioned only in Freedom.
Cornish Diamond – A Cornish diamond is not really a diamond, but a particularly fine and clear variety of quartz crystal which can sometimes be found in Cornwall, in southwest England. They are fairly rare and some are of gemstone quality. Madryn of Gwent made her three Guardian Stones from Cornish Diamonds. Stones of that size and purity would have been very valuable in the early Middle Ages. Cornish Diamonds are mentioned in Truesilver.
Cossatot Mountains, Arkansas – The portion of the high Ouachitas where the Cossatot River has its headwaters. The name means “Skull-Crusher”, a fact which Zach Trewick mentions in Truesilver.
Cossatot River, Arkansas – A river which rises in the high Ouachita Mountains and flows south into the Red River, well known for dangerous whitewater. Zach Trewick mentions it in Truesilver.
Cowhorn Creek – A small creek which flows southward through Texarkana, Texas, near St. Michael’s hospital and the mall. Cowhorn Creek is mentioned in connection with Joram Ross in Behind Blue Eyes, and Zach Trewick uses it as an escape route from Dr. Garza in Truesilver.
Crenshaw, Adam – A football player and one of the best friends that money can buy, as Brian Stone puts it in Unclouded Day.
Creosote Bush – A type of tough, bushy plant common in the deserts of North America, known for its ability to survive under extreme conditions and also for its foul smell. The creosote bush will often grow in places where nothing else can survive. They are abundant on the Moon and Tyke McGrath mentioned them often in Tycho.
Cross, Amber – Girlfriend of Colton Black and mother of Derrick. She died of a drug overdose when Derrick was eighteen months old.
Croydon, Gordon – Owner of Tabitha’s House Bed and Breakfast and a rather pompous and pretentious man who calls the police to investigate Brian Stone in Unclouded Day. He is notable for wearing cowboy boots made of very cheap fake alligator skin which is far too green to be realistic. He is also Rachel McCray’s boss.
Cryptobiotic Crust – A thin, crusty layer of lichens and bacteria which typically are the first organisms to colonize barren ground. Cryptobiotic crust is frequently used in terraforming and is mentioned in Tycho and Elysium.
Crystal Ball – A round ball, usually of rock crystal, which sorcerers and soothsayers used as a tool in which to see visions. Dr. Garza used a crystal ball in Truesilver and Many Waters, which was later smashed by Zach Trewick.
Crystal Range, Arkansas – A portion of the high Ouachita mountains in west central Arkansas, so named because of the presence of large amounts of rock crystal in the area. The name is sometimes applied specifically to a small region in east-central Montgomery County near Norman, and sometimes more broadly to the large cluster of high peaks stretching from Gillham in the west to Pearcy in the east and including the Cross, Cossatot, Missouri, and Caddo Mountains and which contain the headwaters of several important rivers. Brian and Brandon Stone grow up within sight of the Crystal Range and it is mentioned several times in Unclouded Day. Although not mentioned by name, Zach Trewick is trapped here in Behind Blue Eyes and fights Orem Garza here in Truesilver. Cody McGrath killed his bear here in Many Waters and mentioned the area to Brandon Stone in Bran the Blessed. This area also forms the heart of Ouachita National Park, mentioned in Nightfall.
Cuba – A large island at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico, mentioned in Nightfall as a possible escape route from Tampa.
Cumberland, England – A county (and former kingdom) located on the border of England and Scotland. It has a long and turbulent history, and a large percentage of the population of the United States are descended from its people, who became known as the Scotch-Irish after King James I moved the majority of them to Northern Ireland in the early 1600’s. They remained here for six generations until most of them emigrated to the Appalachian backcountry in the mid-1700’s. Cody McGrath mentions some of this history and relates the fact that his family is from Cumberland in Many Waters.
Cumby, Caroline – Daughter of Marcus and Jenny Stone.
Cumby, Jenny Stone – Daughter of Crush and Emma Stone, and older sister of Lisa. Jenny is cynical, irresponsible, and often juvenile, and she inherited quite a bit of her father’s wandering ways. She is said to be very beautiful, tall and blonde. Jenny was a former girlfriend of Tommy Jones and good friends with Sheila Jackson and Janet Loving, two girls with less than stellar reputations. Jenny does eventually settle down and marry Marcus Cumby, and later becomes the mother of Caroline. Jenny appears only in Many Waters, although she is mentioned in Nightfall.
Cumby, Marcus – Cody McGrath’s best friend and later brother-in-law after he marries Jenny Stone. Marcus is a major character in Many Waters, and is mentioned briefly in Nightfall.
Cumby, Texas – A small town just west of Sulphur Springs. Zach Trewick hitches a ride here and then walks the rest of the way to Wolfe City. Cumby is mentioned only in Cry for the Moon.
Curse-Breakers – A term referring to the five promised descendants of Marybeth Trewick, who were fated to be breakers of curses and fighters against all things wicked and evil. All five of them share the same bright blue eyes, the mark of their calling. From oldest to youngest, the five Curse-Breakers are Brian Stone, Cody McGrath, Cameron Parker, Zachary Trewick, and Brandon Stone. At least one of them plays a major role in every book, and sometimes their children or grandchildren as well.
Cypress Tree – A semi-deciduous tree found in wet or swampy locations, with feathery leaves which turn brick red in the fall. The tree itself often grows in standing water with a swollen base around the bottom of the trunk and knobby knees growing up from the roots. Brandon Stone lives in a cypress swamp in Many Waters, and must travel across one in Bran the Blessed. Tyke McGrath hunts for Hamburger Crabs in another cypress swamp on the Moon in Tycho. These trees are also mentioned in Avenger and Elysium.
Cyrillic Alphabet – An alphabet based on Greek letters which is used to write Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, and sometimes other languages. Although not especially difficult for an English-speaker to learn, it does create an added barrier to communication between Russians and other Europeans. It is mentioned in Bran the Blessed.
Cytherean Sea, Venus – This “sea” is really an ocean of very dense atmosphere which fills the lowlands of Venus and sometimes has a very thick, blue appearance which reminds Tyke McGrath of water even though there’s no distinct boundary between sea and sky as there would be if it were really liquid. It’s quite possible to walk and breathe for a while on the bottom of the sea, if one can withstand the blistering hot temperatures and the threat of oxygen poisoning. Tyke McGrath and Hunter Bartow cross the Cytherean Sea on foot in Freedom, a feat worthy of any hero.
D
Daingerfield, Texas – A small town in northeast Texas where Zach Trewick finds someone by the name of Justin Wilder listed in the phone book, although this never amounts to anything. Daingerfield is found only in Cry for the Moon.
Dairy Dip – A diner and dairy bar in Ore City, Texas. Lisa Stone works here, and eats lunch here with Cody McGrath every Saturday in Many Waters. Cody carves their initials into one of the tables here.
Dallas, Texas – The largest city in north Texas. Lisa Stone flies to Alaska from here, and Cody McGrath gets his lip busted at a honky tonk gig in the city in Many Waters. Cody and Lisa go shopping here, and Brandon and the others fly into this airport in Bran the Blessed. Cody and Lisa’s daughter Emma lives here after she grows up and gets married. Zach Trewick mentions it as a possible location for his uncle Justin in Cry for the Moon, and mentions it again as being a place where he goes shopping in More Golden Than Day. Matthieu Doucet observes downtown Dallas with the tachometer in Truesilver. Micah McGrath mentions visiting it, and Damon Doucet mentions that Katrina’s mother ran away to Dallas with her boyfriend in Nightfall.
Dalton, Georgia – A medium-sized town in northern Georgia and hometown of Olivia Deming, the infamous traitor in Freedom.
Dalton Highway – The only road connecting Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Fairbanks. It is largely all-weather gravel. Cody McGrath often went jogging on the Dalton Highway while he was in Alaska in Many Waters.
Daniel – A prophet of the Old Testament, famous for interpreting dreams and visions for the kings of Babylon and Persia. Brandon Stone is compared to Daniel in Many Waters.
Dardanelle, Arkansas – Brian Stone and Rachel McCray crossed the Arkansas River on the large bridge located here. Dardanelle appears only in Unclouded Day.
Davies, Erwin – Father of Madaug Davies.
Davies, Etta Trewick – Daughter and only child of Drake Trewick, wife of Erwin Davies and mother of Madaug Davies.
Davies, Grace – Daughter of Madaug Davies, wife of Stephen Golden, and grandmother of Brian and Brandon Stone. She was killed when her son Jack misused the guiding amulet which was meant to lead him to the Fountain of Youth. Grace is discussed but not mentioned by name in Unclouded Day.
Davies, Madaug – Grandson of Drake Trewick, and great-grandfather of Brian and Brandon Stone. Brian is given his name, Madaug, as a middle name. Madaug is mentioned in Unclouded Day and Bran the Blessed.
Davies, Rebecca Johnson – Wife of Madaug Davies, mother of Grace, and great-grandmother of Brian and Brandon Stone. Rebecca is no relation to Maralyn Johnson, Zach Trewick’s grandmother.
Dead Men’s Fingers – A type of edible seaweed common in the Gulf of Mexico, said to resemble the fingers of a dead body and which has a bland, muddy flavor. They were a staple food of Tyke McGrath and the other survivors while living on the Eastern Star in Tycho.
Deep South – A portion of the South also known as the Lowland South (as opposed to the Upland or Mountain South). As implied by the name, this area is largely flat, low-lying, usually agricultural, and sometimes swampy. It includes the coastal plain from Maryland to Texas and the Mississippi River valley below its junction with the Ohio. It is typically hot and humid, heavily wooded in areas where crops are not grown, and shares a common cultural heritage. Zach Trewick mentions this area in Truesilver.
Degray (Lake), Arkansas – A rather deep lake near the city of Arkadelphia, in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains and formed by the Caddo River. The lake is mentioned in Behind Blue Eyes and Truesilver. Although it isn’t mentioned, Micah McGrath and Josiah Wilder from Nightfall spent a lot of time here during their college years. The lake was mostly destroyed by the explosion of the tachometer in 2036 and the swampy remains of it are included within the Clark Containment Zone, off limits to the public.
Deimos – The smaller of Mars’ two moons, which from the surface of the planet appears as nothing more than a very bright star. Tyke McGrath and his friends crash on Deimos in Elysium.
Deimos, Battle of – A battle in which the Susie Q was destroyed by Colonel Burns lasers and several rebel soldiers killed. This battle occurred in Elysium.
Delacroix, Celine – Wife of Robert Doucet and mother of Jolie. Celine is mentioned in More Golden Than Day and in Truesilver.
Delaney, Nancy – Wife of George Trewick and mother of James and Calvin. Zach and Cameron’s great-grandmother.
Deming, Olivia – A systems tech and expert in Venusian surface conditions, originally from Dalton, Georgia. Olivia is also an expert marksman and one of Colonel Bartow’s chief toadies in Freedom.
Desolation Island, Moon – A largish island in the northwest section of the Rainy Sea, site of one of the few workable thorium deposits on the Moon and site of a major mining camp for that reason. The area is dangerously radioactive and has produced the mutant vampire roaches as a result. Tyke McGrath and his friends visit Desolation Island in Tycho and in Avenger, and Tyke mentions the place in Freedom and Elysium also.
De Soto, Hernando – A famous Spanish explorer who visited most of the South during the 1500’s. Fort Desoto in Nightfall is named after him, and he is mentioned in Unclouded Day as a person who sought unsuccessfully for the Fountain of Youth.
Destin, Florida – A beach town in the Florida panhandle, famous for sugar-white sand. Zach Trewick mentions visiting this place in More Golden Than Day.
Devochka Magazine – A girls’ magazine about fashion and social events which Tatya Volkova enjoys, and which Brandon Stone finds her reading at the orphanage in Vyborg in Bran the Blessed.
Diamond Jubilee – The sixtieth anniversary of a king or queen’s rule. Since very few rulers actually survive this long, a Diamond Jubilee is a rather rare event. Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 1897, as mentioned in Many Waters and in Nightfall.
Diamondtop (Mount), Moon – Located between Skye to the east and Starfrost to the west, Diamondtop rises to 12,401 at its highest point, although it is a double peak with another summit at 11,171 and a saddle in between. Diamondtop is the source of the Bountiful River and is notable for being a very scenic and beautiful mountain, a fact which leads Tyke McGrath to climb it in Elysium. Diamondtop is also mentioned in Tycho.
Dilmun, Kingdom of, Titan – One of the three kingdoms of the A’rum on Titan. Dilmun is the North Kingdom, and includes all the land north of the equatorial deserts. Tyke McGrath spends most of his time on Titan in the Kingdom of Dilmun in Avenger.
Dixie – A famous popular song of the mid-nineteenth century which soon came to be thought of as the unofficial national anthem of the South, with all the patriotic and emotional connections such a song often has. Cody McGrath and the Mustangs played it at the Four States Fair in Texarkana in Many Waters, earning nine hundred dollars in tips.
Dixie League Baseball – A baseball league for young people which operates in several southern states, including Arkansas and Texas. Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker both participate in this league. It is mentioned explicitly only in Truesilver, but also discussed in Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, and More Golden Than Day whenever Zach mentions playing baseball.
Dock – Cody McGrath’s childhood nickname, given to him because he liked Bugs Bunny cartoons. Cody mentions this fact in Many Waters.
Dolan Family – A family of ex-werewolves from Sarasota, Florida, who are among the first to be woken from the dust sleep. The family consists of Henry, an optician, his wife Ashley, a nurse, and their two daughters Daisy and Suzanne. They are mentioned only in Truesilver.
Dothan, Alabama – A small town in southeast Alabama whose baseball team (the Tigers) played against Brandon Stone’s team at an invitational tournament attended by Cody and Lisa McGrath. Dothan is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
Doucet, Aline – Older sister of Michel, wife of Bourbon Chrétien and mother of Barthélemy and Sebastién. She is killed by radicals during the French Revolution.
Doucet, Angela – Sister of Robert, John, Marc, and Rosalie. Angela is an Avenger who lives in Texarkana, Arkansas and whose house is burned down in More Golden Than Day.
Doucet, Aram – Father of Gilbert and grandson of Denis. Matthieu and Jolie’s great-grandfather.
Doucet, Celine Delacroix – Wife of Robert Doucet and mother of Jolie. Celine is mentioned in More Golden Than Day and in Truesilver.
Doucet, Charles – Son of Michel and Marie. He became an important planter in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Doucet, Christophe – Younger brother of Michel, killed while serving with Lafayette in the American Revolution.
Doucet, Clarice Lenoir – Mother of Robert, John, Marc, Angela, and Rosalie, and grandmother of Jolie, Matthieu, and Jonah.
Doucet, Damon – Son of Dylan and great-grandson of Matthieu, Damon is the longest-serving Avenger in history, holding his post for just over fifty years before retiring. He is an excellent pilot and plays a large role in Nightfall.
Doucet, Denis – Great-grandson of Michel and Marie, Denis was an exceptionally efficient werewolf hunter, capturing more of them than anyone before or since. He captured Joan Rusk near the Sulphur River in Texas in December of 1863, and was later killed along with his father Eli in a bloody fight with Henrietta Maldorf and a group of other werewolves in Switzerland in 1879, during which the third Guardian Stone was lost in a crevasse of Grindelwald Glacier. Denis is mentioned in Truesilver.
Doucet, Denise – Daughter of Matthieu and mother of Andrew Breyer Jr. Denise was a geneticist who worked for the Lunar Terraform Project in its early days along with her husband Andrew Breyer Sr. She designed several organisms for the lunar environment, including the blue hamburger crab and the silver spotted catfish. Although never mentioned by name, Tyke McGrath expresses appreciation for her work in Tycho.
Doucet, Dylan – Father of Damon and grandson of Matthieu.
Doucet, Eli – Grandson of Michel and Marie and father of Denis. Eli was killed during the battle with Henrietta Maldorf in Switzerland in 1879.
Doucet, Eloise Favre – Widow of Denis Doucet and mother of Joseph, Eloise was largely responsible for holding the family together after Denis’ untimely death in Switzerland in 1879.
Doucet, Gilbert – Father of Robert, John, Marc, Angela, and Rosalie, and grandfather of Jolie, Matthieu, and Jonah. Gilbert loved medieval weaponry and had a sword and a dagger forged of pure Truesilver so he could fight wolves with them. This sword later ends up being used by Zach Trewick in Truesilver.
Doucet, Jean-Luc – Son of Michel and Marie and father of Eli.
Doucet, Jean-Pierre – Younger brother of Michel, killed in the French Revolution.
Doucet, John – Father of Matthieu and brother of Robert, Marc, Angela, and Rosalie. John is the family librarian and keeper of the storeroom of the collected werewolves in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He appears only in More Golden Than Day and Truesilver.
Doucet, Jolie – Daughter of Rob and Celine, Jolie is an Avenger herself and later becomes the girlfriend of Zach Trewick. Tyler and Jacob Trewick are among her descendants. Jolie appears only in More Golden Than Day and Truesilver.
Doucet, Joseph – Son of Denis and father of Aram. Joseph was thirteen when his father and grandfather were killed in Switzerland in 1879, so he was raised mostly by his mother Eloise. He is notable for being one of the few members of the Doucet family who never became a werewolf hunter.
Doucet, Katrina – Daughter of Damon Doucet, Katrina is an excellent pilot, an Avenger who holds the Ring of Barthélemy, and Tyke McGrath’s biochemistry teacher at the John Brooke Academy for Math and Science in Tampa, Florida. She has a passionate attachment to the truth. She is also the wife of Amos McClendon and the mother of Lucia. Katrina dies in the Orion outbreak on the Moon and is buried at Lakeside Station. She is mentioned in Nightfall, Tycho, and Avenger.
Doucet, Marc – Brother of Rob, John, Angie, and Rosalie, Marc was formerly a history professor in Natchitoches, Louisiana, before moving to Clermont, France. There he became a werewolf himself and attempted to destroy his family in More Golden Than Day.
Doucet, Marie Chastel – Daughter of Jean Chastel and wife of Michel Doucet, Marie is the author of a book which tells the early history of the werewolf hunters and which Zach and Cameron find in John Doucet’s library in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Marie is mentioned only in More Golden Than Day.
Doucet, Matthieu – Son of John and Sarah, Matthieu is dark-haired, handsome, and fearless, and later becomes the leader of the Avengers. Zach and Cameron greatly admire him. Matthieu appears in Truesilver and Many Waters, and is mentioned in More Golden Than Day, Bran the Blessed, and Nightfall. Damon Doucet, Katrina and Lucia McClendon, Jason and Drew and Tabby Breyer, Jennifer and Emily and Madeleine Rayburn, and Virginia, Andrea, and Jonathan Carpenter are all among his descendants.
Doucet, Michel – Husband of Marie Chastel and one of the hunters of the Beast of Gévaudan, Michel was the first Avenger and founder of the Doucet family after settling in Natchitoches, Louisiana in 1799. He is mentioned only in More Golden Than Day.
Doucet, Robert – Father of Jolie and leader of the Avengers until his retirement, Rob is mentioned in More Golden Than Day, Truesilver, and Many Waters.
Doucet, Rosalie – Daughter of Gilbert and Clarice and aunt of Matthieu and Jolie. She later becomes the wife of Charles Anderson and the mother of Jonah. Luther Anderson and his children are among her descendants. Rosalie appears in Bran the Blessed.
Doucet, Rusty – Son of Matthieu and grandfather of Damon.
Doucet, Sarah Lange – Wife of John and mother of Matthieu, Sarah has an astringent side which makes her difficult to relate to at times. She appears in More Golden Than Day and is mentioned in Truesilver.
Dreyfus, John – A werewolf captured by Gilbert Doucet in 1947, whose bottle Zach Trewick picks up by chance while he visits the storeroom in More Golden Than Day. Although he isn’t mentioned by name, John is later returned to his home in California in Truesilver.
Druids – Priests of an ancient pagan nature religion of the British Isles, which became extinct by the early Middle Ages. Druids are mentioned briefly in relation to Saint Madryn of Gwent in Truesilver.
Dunedin, Florida – A medium sized town northwest of Tampa, mentioned in Nightfall as a detour around the damage caused by the nuclear explosion which destroyed the University.
E
Eberly, Ambrose – A physics professor at the University of Texas at Arlington who takes the time to explain some of Dr. Garza’s lab manuals to Zach Trewick in Truesilver.
Echo Lake, Mars – A small but extremely deep freshwater lake at the northern edge of the Labyrinth of the Night. It was formerly known as the Echus Chasma, before terraforming began. Echo Lake is the source of the River of Fire, and is mentioned only in Elysium.
Edgmont Key, Florida – A small sandy island at the mouth of Tampa Bay, formerly the site of Fort Dade. Annabelle and Tycho McGrath were held captive here in Nightfall, and Tyke met his parents here in Freedom.
Edward the Confessor – King of England just before William the Conqueror, Edward was a very pious man and also the first owner of the sword of Tristan of Tintagel, a fact mentioned in Truesilver.
El Paso, Texas – A large city at the westernmost point of Texas, on the Rio Grande River and very near the border of New Mexico. Cody McGrath took Lisa, Marcus, and Matthieu to the hospital here after attacking Layla Garza’s house in Las Cruces in Many Waters.
Electrophoresis – A common lab technique used for separating DNA fragments by placing them in a special gel and then subjecting them to an electric field. Because DNA is negatively-charged, it moves toward the positive electrode. Tyke McGrath uses electrophoresis for this purpose in Tycho.
Elephant Ears – Tyke McGrath’s name for the black, succulent “trees” of Titan, whose leaves somewhat resemble elephant ears. The plants are thorny and utilize a type of photosynthesis based on acetylene rather than sugar. The A’rum eat the leaves of these plants in salads and use their fibers to make weapons and clothing in Avenger.
Eleuthera, Isle of, Venus – The largest of the highlands of Venus, located near the Arctic Circle. Most of the events in Freedom take place on Eleuthera, which is also mentioned in Bran the Blessed.
Elsinore – A research vessel left behind at the fishery station on Billowy Bay on the Moon and recovered by Tyke McGrath as a method for traveling the Altai Canal. The Elsinore is wrecked near the end of the canal at Stöfler-Faraday Crater in Avenger.
Elysium – A land in the uttermost west, where the blessed of God can rest for a time in perfect peace and be healed of whatever troubles their hearts and bodies. Elysium is a shadow of heaven, where the sun shines forever in a blue and cloudless sky, and no ugly or evil thing dares come. All who set foot on its holy shore carry the sweet fragrance of this place for the rest of their lives, and all of them are given the title the Blessed. Brandon Stone drinks from the Fountain of Youth in Elysium in Bran the Blessed, and goes on to tell Tyke McGrath about it in Elysium.
Emerald Bay, Moon – An inlet of the Sea of Serenity on its northeast shore. Emerald Bay is surrounded by the Red Rock Desert and the Rusty Mountains, and is noted for one of the most beautiful wildflower displays on the Moon. Tyke McGrath visits it in Tycho, and then takes Danielle there in Elysium.
England – A kingdom in the southeast portion of Britain, with its capital at London. England is mentioned in More Golden Than Day as the site of a werewolf pod, in Truesilver in relation to the fact that its kings own the sword of Tristan of Tintagel, and in Many Waters as the ancestral home of the McGrath family, as well as Josh Hampstead’s home in Tycho. It is also alluded to in Cry for the Moon and Avenger.
English Channel – A narrow strait dividing England and France. The city of Bournemouth is found here, and Tyke McGrath would have seen it when visiting the place in Tycho.
Enthalpy – Heat, specifically latent heat of molecular motion. This type of heat is one of the power sources usable by the tachometer, which lowers the temperature of a spherical region just outside its bubble ring in order to draw energy for its operation. This concept is displayed when most of the outer portion of the city of Arkadelphia, Arkansas is frozen to near absolute-zero in Nightfall.
Enzymes – Proteins inside cells which act as catalysts for various chemical reactions necessary for life, but which would not normally occur under the conditions found inside the bodies of living things. Enzymes will begin to fall apart if an organism’s internal body temperature rises above 105 degrees Fahrenheit; a medical emergency which will quickly result in death if allowed to continue for very long. Enzymes are discussed in Tycho and Freedom.
Erie (Lake) – One of the Great Lakes, where Tyke McGrath planted some of the Tranquility kelp that he collected from the Moon in Tycho.
Eternal Peace, Lake of, Moon – A perfectly round and intensely blue crater lake located just to the southeast of Mount Bradley in the Snowy Mountains. This lake is the source of the Lucky River and Tyke McGrath visits it in Tycho and in Avenger.
Eureka, California – A medium-sized town on the extreme northern coast of California, near Cape Mendocino. Zach Trewick, Cameron Parker, and Matthieu and Jolie Doucet went here to get scuba equipment and to take Matthieu to the hospital in Truesilver.
Everest (Mount) – The tallest mountain on Earth, compared to Mt. Nebo by Micah McGrath in Nightfall, and used as a metaphor for an unlikely or impossible location in Truesilver. Tyke McGrath compares it to the height of Mt. Freedom on Venus in Freedom.
Everglades – A large swampy area in southwest Florida. The Everglades are mentioned in Nightfall, Tycho, and Elysium.
Everwhite (Mount), Moon – Tallest of the Snowy Mountains which isn’t on the coast, Everwhite rises to 12,923 feet and is located on the west bank of the Faithful River directly across from Icyheart. Although not mentioned in the text, Danielle Black, Chris Carpenter, and Drew Breyer would have passed right at its feet as they followed the Faithful River upstream to Barnaby Station in Tycho.
Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About – A country song performed by the group Thompson Square, which Brandon Stone and Lana Krisanova danced to at Bobby Jones’ party in Bran the Blessed.
Explosive Decompression – A fatal event which occurs when pressure drops very quickly and the body has no time to adjust, causing it to explode. This event is discussed in Avenger and Elysium, and a minor example of it occurs in Freedom.
F
Fahrenheit Temperature Scale – One of the three widely used temperature scales in the world today. The chief complaint about the Fahrenheit scale is that one must use negative numbers at times. One of the merits of the scale is that it has smaller degrees than the Celsius scale and thus can mark off much finer shades of meaning without needing to use fractions or decimals. This makes it much better suited for cooking, weather, and medical purposes. Tyke McGrath mentions that it is often used for these applications in Avenger.
Fairbanks, Alaska – A city in central Alaska which is mentioned as an airline transfer point in Many Waters.
Faithful River, Moon – A river which rises on the southern face of Mount Bradley in the Snowy Mountains and flows southward into Lake Okechobee somewhat to the west of Lakeside Station. For the southern half of its course it crosses the flat Sinus Fidei-Yucca Flats and becomes very slow, placid, and sandy. Tyke McGrath visits it often in Tycho and in Avenger. One of the Seven Rivers of Snow.
Fallen Astronaut Memorial – A memorial to all those who died in the exploration of space. The memorial consists of a brightly polished aluminum statue of a man looking up at the stars with one hand raised, as he stands atop a block of blue granite with names carved on it. The memorial stands at the summit of Mount Hadley in the Snowy Mountains, and among others it contains the name of Andrew Breyer, Drew Breyer’s great-grandfather who was killed in a storm at Barnaby Station. Jesse Carpenter carved the names of his brother Callum and of Madeleine Rayburn on this stone when he and Tyke McGrath visited it in Tycho. They also visited again in Elysium.
Favre, Eloise – Widow of Denis Doucet and mother of Joseph, Eloise was largely responsible for holding the family together after Denis’ untimely death in Switzerland in 1879.
Ferguson, Prissy – A powerful sorceress in Atlanta, Georgia who is also involved in drug dealing and organized crime, Prissy was great friends with the Garza family. She attempts to kill Brandon Stone in Bran the Blessed.
Finland, Gulf of – An inlet of the Baltic Sea which separates Estonia from Finland. Notable cities along its shores are Tallinn, Narva, Saint Petersburg, Vyborg, and Helsinki. Additionally, Lake Peipus drains into the Gulf of Finland via the Narva River. Although not mentioned by name in the text, Brandon Stone spends a lot of time in locations on or near the Gulf of Finland, and crossed it from Tallinn to Helsinki in Bran the Blessed.
Fire, River of, Mars – The longest river on Mars, the River of Fire begins in Echo Lake at the northern edge of the Valles Marineris, then flows north and then east through the Valley of the Sun until it empties into the Golden Sea. Along the way it passes through the Caprock Canyon, pours over Angel Falls, and flows past Phoenix. This river appears only in Elysium.
Fitch, James – A nineteen year old victim of Layla Garza from Memphis, Nebraska. James is an acquaintance of Troy Carter and becomes embittered because of what’s happened to him. He refuses to believe that Cody McGrath can help him, even after Cody makes a trip to Nebraska to plead with him. James appears only in Many Waters.
Flintlock rifle – A type of rifle often used by the early pioneers who settled North America. Zach Trewick mentions this type of rifle in Truesilver.
Florida – A southern state which provides the major setting for many episodes in Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium. Tyke McGrath was born and lived his entire life in Florida until fleeing to the Moon.
Florida Gators – The football team of the University of Florida. Micah McGrath has a baseball cap from here in Nightfall, and Tycho has a Gators hoodie in Tycho.
Flower Garden Banks – A coral reef offshore from Galveston, Texas; the northernmost coral formation in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a popular spot with scuba divers and although it wasn’t mentioned by name, the place was visited by Zach Trewick in Truesilver. It’s also mentioned by Tyke McGrath in Elysium.
Forever and Ever, Amen – A famous country song performed most notably by Randy Travis, which Brandon Stone and Lana Krisanova play at their wedding in Bran the Blessed.
Fort Dade, Florida – A military installation on Edgmont Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay. An older fort of the same name was located somewhat north of the current one, although nothing is left of it but some of the brick walkways and a few buildings. This abandoned fort is called Old Fort Dade and was one of Annabelle’s favorite haunts during the time she was imprisoned on the island in Nightfall. Tyke McGrath also visited Fort Dade in Freedom.
Fort Myers, Florida – A medium-sized town in southwest Florida where Tyke McGrath located the submersible Manatee. Fort Myers appears only in Elysium.
Fort Smith, Arkansas – Zach ended up here after getting out of the septic tank when he first ran away from home in Cry for the Moon. He spent some time raking leaves for an old lady just off Zero Street and rode his first city bus here.
Fort Worth, Texas – A large city in north Texas, mentioned briefly by Cody McGrath in Many Waters and Zach Trewick in Truesilver, mostly in relation to locating other places.
Foster, Nona – Wife of Martin McGrath and mother of William.
Fouke, Arkansas – A small town located about fifteen miles south of Texarkana, famous for the legend of the Boggy Creek Monster. Zach Trewick rescues Jolie from werewolves near this place in More Golden Than Day.
Fountain of Youth – An ice-cold fountain of crystal clear water which can only be found by those God has chosen and tested. Those who drink from it live well over a hundred years and remain permanently young and beautiful, healing almost immediately from wounds and never getting sick. They also have the power to heal sickness and injury in others, and to undo for a little while the curse of the Fall, so that people can see what the world might have been like if mankind had never rebelled. Brian and Brandon Stone both visit the Fountain of Youth, in Unclouded Day and Bran the Blessed.
Four Seasons, The – November – A piece of classical music by the composer Antonio Vivaldi. Veronica Carpenter chooses to play this music at her sixteenth birthday party on Kona Beach in Kailua Kona, Hawaii so that she can dance barefoot with Hunter Bartow (who shares the same birthday). This event is described in Freedom.
Four States Fair – A large regional fair which takes place every October in Texarkana, Arkansas. The four states are Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Zach Trewick kissed Jolie Doucet at this fair in More Golden Than Day, and Cody McGrath got a standing ovation and nine hundred bucks in tips for playing Dixie here that same year in Many Waters. Although it isn’t mentioned in the text, Zach and Cameron almost certainly overheard Cody’s concert that night.
Freedom (Mount), Venus – The tallest and hugest peak on Venus, located in the east central portion of the Isle of Eleuthera. Formerly known as Mt. Maxwell, the NADF colonizers renamed the mountain when they founded Jamestown. Mt. Freedom is approximately 36,000 feet tall, about a mile higher than Mount Everest, and is capped with a permanent snowfield which contains over 80 percent of the water on Venus. Tyke McGrath visits this place in Freedom.
French Revolution – A notoriously bloody and cruel revolution which took place in France in the 1790’s, during which so many people were executed that the streets and rivers of Paris were said to literally run red with blood. Barthélemy and Sebastién Chrétien were killed during this revolution, along with their parents. Michel Doucet saved Barthélemy’s baby son Tristan and fled to Martinique with his own family before eventually settling in Louisiana. The French Revolution is mentioned only in More Golden Than Day.
Freshwater Kelp – A type of California giant kelp, genetically modified to live in fresh water and very common in the Sea of Tranquility. Its Latin name is Macrocystis tranquilitatis. Tyke McGrath finds it an especially interesting organism since it was developed at the Academy where he went to school, and he later attempts to make it grow in Lake Erie. This plant is mentioned only in Tycho.
Freshwater Marlin – A type of Atlantic blue marlin, genetically modified to live in fresh water and common in all the seas of the Moon. Its Latin name is Makaira caeruleus. Tyke McGrath mentions that it was developed at the John Brooke Academy for Math and Science, where he went to school, after seeing one leaping out of the water in the Rainy Sea. The freshwater marlin is mentioned only in Tycho.
Friends in Low Places – A famous country song performed most notably by Garth Brooks, which Brandon Stone and his teammates sang on the bus trip home from the football game in Tyler in Bran the Blessed.
Fulton, Arkansas – A small town and former port located on the Red River in southwest Arkansas. Daniel Trewick and his flunkies used it regularly and it is mentioned in his journal, which Zach Trewick reads aloud in Behind Blue Eyes.
Furr, Janie – Wife of Mark McGrath, mother of Blake and Linda, and grandmother of Cody.
G
Galvés, Catalina – A blue-blooded Spanish aristocrat from Santa Fe, Catalina is the wife of Edmundo Trevino, mother of Rosalita and grandmother of Danielle and Colton Black, who live with her for three years following the death of their parents until Catalina herself passes away. Brandon Stone rescues her along with her husband Edmundo (Layla Garza’s grandson) and Rosalita from the firebombing of Santa Fe during the Union War and takes them to a refugee camp in Plant City, Florida for safety. Danielle mentions Catalina during a conversation with Tyke in Elysium.
Galveston, Texas – A colonial city on the upper Gulf coast of Texas, known as a tourist destination. It is mentioned in More Golden Than Day as a place where Jake Golden went on vacation, and Zach Trewick goes here to learn how to scuba dive in Truesilver. Lisa Stone and her sister Jenny discuss going to the beach here in Many Waters, and Tyke McGrath mentions it as the location of the Flower Garden Banks in Elysium.
Garza, Andrew – The most powerful sorcerer of his generation, not to mention a brilliant physicist and a dangerous werewolf, Andrew is feared and respected by all the followers of evil in North America. He invented the tachometer to observe future events and sometimes to travel there, but his attempt to kill Zach and Cameron led to his undoing. Dr. Garza appears in Truesilver and Many Waters, and is discussed in More Golden Than Day, Bran the Blessed, and Nightfall.
Garza, Gabriel – Brother of Andrew, Orem, and Layla, Gabe is a powerful sorcerer in his own right, although not as strong as Andrew, who usually keeps him under an iron thumb. Gabe’s fear and hatred of his brother leads him to attempt to steal the Guardian Stone from Zach and Cameron as protection, a plan which ends in his destruction. Gabe is mentioned only in Truesilver.
Garza, Layla – Sister of Andrew, Gabe, and Orem. Layla has the power to drain the life energy of a young man by kissing him, causing him to grow old and die within a few weeks to months while she remains young and beautiful forever. She is cruel, vengeful, and pitiless, and close friends with Prissy Ferguson. Layla killed Cody McGrath’s father Blake, among many others, and had similar plans for Cody himself and for Brandon Stone. She is known for using frequent aliases, such as Layla Latimer, Layla Martin, or Lilly Adams, among many others. Layla appears in Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, and Truesilver. Danielle and Derrick Black are among her descendants.
Garza, Lucas – Son of Selena Garza, who was killed by Reuben McGrath at the Battle of Mesilla in 1861 when Lucas was thirty years old. As a result, his mother Selena cursed Reuben’s descendants such that none of them would ever live longer than her own son did. Layla Garza and her brothers are among his descendants. Although not mentioned by name, Lucas is discussed in Many Waters.
Garza, Orem – Brother of Andrew, Gabe, and Layla. Orem is the only member of this family who lacks the ability to do any sorcery, and for that reason is very jealous of his siblings. They despise him and use him for muscle, but after their demise Orem attempts to collect whatever remaining magic items he can find and set himself up as a sort of imitation sorcerer by using these items. The Avengers eventually have him locked up for robbery. Orem appears in Truesilver, Many Waters, and Bran the Blessed.
Garza, Selena – An evil witch in Mesilla, New Mexico, who curses Reuben McGrath’s family in such a way that all of them will die before the age of thirty. Andrew, Gabe, Orem, and Layla are her sixth-generation descendants. Selena is mentioned only in Many Waters.
Gatchina, Russia – A southern suburb of St. Petersburg where Brandon Stone and the others catch a train to Pskov in Bran the Blessed.
Geiger Counter – A simple machine invented by Hans Geiger, which is used to measure the intensity of radiation. It works by emitting a click whenever the detector is struck by a radioactive particle. The more clicks and the closer they come together, the higher the radiation level. Tyke McGrath, Jesse Parker, and Tabby Breyer carry a Geiger counter with them to Desolation Island on the Moon in Tycho.
Genetic Engineering – The science of manipulating the genetic material of various organisms in order to change their characteristics. Tyke McGrath is a molecular geneticist in the Tyke McGrath series, which enables him to solve the problem of the Orion Strain.
Geobiologist – A type of scientist who analyzes the environmental impact of various geological processes, especially those which are caused by drilling or construction. Justin Wilder works as a geobiologist for an oil company in Cry for the Moon.
Georgia – A southern state which is the setting for several important episodes in Bran the Blessed and Freedom. Georgia is also mentioned in Many Waters, Nightfall, and Elysium.
Gethsemane, Garden of – An ancient olive garden where Jesus often went to pray and where he was finally arrested. It is bordered by Cadron Brook and was mentioned by Cody McGrath in Many Waters.
Gilead, Land of – A land located in the northwest portion of the modern country of Jordan, with a reputation for being fruitful and beautiful. Mount Nebo is located in the land of Gilead, and Goliad Ranch is partly named after it. Cody McGrath mentions Gilead in Many Waters.
Gilham, Arkansas – A small town in western Arkansas where Zach Trewick met a talkative boy named Jonathan. Gillham appears only in Cry for the Moon.
Gilmer, Texas – A small town north of Tyler, Texas. Jenny Stone suggests visiting the soda fountain at the drugstore here as a way to cheer up her sister in Many Waters. Although not mentioned in the text, Brandon Stone would have passed through here every weekend going to his father’s house, and he was near Gilmer when Jason Lewis asked him to go to the party in Bran the Blessed.
Glenwood, Arkansas – A small town in southwest Arkansas on the upper Caddo River. Zach Trewick spent considerable time here in Behind Blue Eyes, first attempting to escape his family and then plotting to destroy their wolf stone.
Glock 45 – Matthieu Doucet’s preferred weapon, the Glock 45 is a powerful handgun which Cameron Parker also uses against Dr. Garza. This gun is mentioned only in Truesilver and Many Waters.
Glorieta Pass – A pass in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico. A battle took place here during the Civil War in which Reuben McGrath was said to have taken part in Many Waters.
Glucose – A type of sugar used by the body for energy. Also known as blood sugar, and mentioned in contrast with the acetylene used for body energy by the natives of Titan in Avenger.
God is Great – A praise song performed most notably by the group Hillsong. Brandon Stone sings this song to himself while he walks alone through the cypress forest in the Realm of Hidden Things, trying to comfort himself about the things that lie ahead. This song is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
Golden Firth, Moon – A narrow fjord of the Rainy Sea, dividing Mt. Starfrost from Mt. Milkpearl in the western part of the Snowy Mountains.
Golden Sea, Mars – A large bay of the North Sea, the Golden sea is known for being muddy, cold, and stormy. Tyke McGrath and his friends spend Christmas of 2158 on the shores of the Golden Sea in Elysium. The Ares Channel and the Isle of Xanthe are both found in the Golden Sea.
Golden, Carolyn – Sister of Peggy and Jack and aunt of Brian and Brandon Stone. Carolyn is helpful when she feels like it, but not when it might cost her too much effort. She appears in Unclouded Day and is mentioned in Many Waters.
Golden, Charla Lee – Daughter of Robert and Sandra Lee, wife of Jason Golden, and mother of Jacob. Charla likes a little bit of adventure in her life and it was largely for that reason that she decided to dabble in the werewolf business, which turned out to be a costly mistake for her. Charla appears only in More Golden Than Day.
Golden, Grace Davies – Daughter of Madaug Davies, wife of Stephen Golden, and grandmother of Brian and Brandon Stone. She was killed when her son Jack misused the guiding amulet which was meant to lead him to the Fountain of Youth. Grace is discussed but not mentioned by name in Unclouded Day.
Golden, Hillman – Father of Jason and son of Hiram.
Golden, Hiram – Father of Hillman and grandfather of Jason, not to mention brother of Obadiah and uncle of Stephen.
Golden, Jack – Younger brother of Peggy and Carolyn, and uncle of Brian and Brandon Stone. Jack carved his name on the sweet gum tree at Black Rock and was called to find the Fountain of Youth, but failed his test. He and his mother were killed in the process. Jack is mentioned only in Unclouded Day.
Golden, Jake – Son of Jason and Charla, and a friend of Zach and Cameron. Jake has a reputation for being clumsy and not especially likable until he becomes a werewolf. He is a distant cousin of Brian and Brandon Stone, although they don’t know each other. Jake is mentioned only in More Golden Than Day, and briefly in Truesilver.
Golden, Jason – Father of Jake, Jason is a dabbler in the werewolf curse before getting himself into serious trouble because of it. Although not mentioned in the text, he is a distant cousin of Brian and Brandon Stone. He’s also the first person ever brought back from the dust sleep by Zach Trewick in More Golden Than Day.
Golden, Obadiah – Father of Stephen Dale Golden, and great-grandfather of Brian and Brandon Stone.
Golden, Peggy – Daughter of Stephen Golden, wife of Crush Stone, and mother of Brian and Brandon. Peggy has a severe drinking problem and often takes out her anger and frustration on her sons. She appears in Unclouded Day and is mentioned in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed.
Golden, Stephen Dale – Father of Peggy, Carolyn, and Jack, and grandfather of Brian and Brandon Stone. He hides the amulet in one of his trunks in the attic, where Brian later finds it. He’s very protective, and Brian loved him greatly. Stephen passes down his steel buck knife with his initials on it to Brian, who interprets the initials SDG to mean Soli Deo Gloria (Latin for To God Alone Be the Glory). Brian later gives this knife to Brandon, which proves to be an inspiration to him in later years. Brandon names his son after this man. Stephen is mentioned in Unclouded Day and Bran the Blessed.
Goliad Ranch, Texas – A thousand-acre ranch in Cass County, Texas, between the towns of Linden and Avinger. It was granted to Reuben McGrath in 1839 for his service during the Texas Revolution and has been inhabited continuously by the McGrath family ever since. Goliad Ranch appears in Truesilver, Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, Nightfall, and Freedom.
Goliad, Texas – A small town in southern Texas where a major battle of the Texas Revolution was fought in 1836. Reuben McGrath fought here and was one of the few survivors, according to Cody McGrath in Many Waters.
Grand Canyon National Park – Cody McGrath visited this place in Many Waters, and Tyke McGrath recalls visiting it a few years before the events of Tycho. It’s also the namesake for the Grand Canyon of the Moon.
Grand Canyon of the Moon – A canyon approximately two miles deep (roughly 10,500 feet) located between Mt. Bradley and Mt. Silverspur in the Snowy Mountains. The Cabral crashes here in Tycho, and Tyke McGrath visits the place again in Avenger.
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer – A silly Christmas song sung by Justin Wilder in Cry for the Moon which makes Zach laugh.
Granger, Loretta – Wife of Andrew Trewick and mother of George. Zach and Cameron’s great-great-grandmother.
Graphite – One of the two commonly found solid forms of carbon, the other being diamond. In its natural form graphite resembles coal dust, and huge dunes of gritty black graphite cover the lowland deserts of Venus, the waste products of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Graphite is mentioned by name only in Freedom, although similar dunes also exist on Titan in Avenger.
Gravitational Slingshot – A method of acceleration in which a probe or ship uses the gravitational field of a planet to gain or lose speed and thereby conserve fuel. The gravitational slingshot maneuver is used in Avenger.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – A national park in the high Appalachians along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, mentioned by Tyke McGrath in Freedom as being near the site of the Anderson family farm.
Great White Throne, Utah – A large rock formation in Zion National Park which is said to resemble the Great White Throne of God in heaven. Cody McGrath saw this place in Many Waters and never forgot it.
Green, Jonathan – Zach’s childhood friend in Tennessee. Jonathan is mentioned in Cry for the Moon and Behind Blue Eyes.
Green River Killer – An infamous serial killer in Seattle. Cameron Parker enjoys true crime books and is mentioned as reading one about the Green River Killer in More Golden Than Day.
Greggton, Texas – An old town near Longview and site of one of the Trewick family’s wolf stones. It was here that Daniel Trewick became a werewolf, and John Trewick later settled in the area. Destroyed by Zach Trewick in Behind Blue Eyes.
Grey, Josie – Daughter of Tommy Lee Grey, wife of Blake McGrath, and mother of Cody McGrath. She is steadfastly devoted to Blake and cannot imagine getting remarried after he dies, an attitude which rubs off on Cody. Josie appears only in Many Waters.
Grey, Phyllis – Daughter of Tommy Lee Grey, Phyllis is Cody McGrath’s aunt and Troy Carter’s mother in Many Waters.
Grey, Tommy Lee – Father of Josie and Phyllis, and grandfather of Troy Carter and Cody McGrath. Tommy Lee was a talented guitarist and leader of a gospel band known as Southern Psalms. He was particularly fond of Cody and gave him his Martin 12-string guitar as a graduation present. Cody gets his middle name from him, not to mention his love of music, and mentions him often in Many Waters. Tyke McGrath also mentions him to Danielle in Elysium.
Grindelwald Glacier – A mountain glacier in the Swiss Alps. Denis Doucet and his father Eli were killed here in a fierce battle with Henrietta Maldorf and several other werewolves in 1879. The pod was destroyed, but Henrietta threw her Guardian Stone into a crevasse in the glacier rather than let it be captured by the werewolf hunters. Grindelwald Glacier is mentioned only in Truesilver.
Guardian Stones – Three crystals made of Cornish Diamond, blessed by Saint Madryn of Gwent in the year 500 AD and intended to guide and protect her most devoted followers. They are said to protect their owner against curses and sorcery, and to give him or her true dreams to show them which way God would have them to go. Guardian Stones are mentioned in Truesilver, Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, Avenger, and Nightfall.
Gulf Breeze, Florida – A small town on the barrier island at Pensacola, and location of Cody and Lisa’s motel in Bran the Blessed.
Gulf Shores, Alabama – A small resort town on the Gulf coast of southern Alabama, known for its beautiful white-sand beaches. Zach Trewick mentions visiting it in More Golden Than Day, and Cameron Parker and Joan Rusk get married here in Truesilver.
Gulfweed – Another name for Sargasso Weed, when found in the Gulf of Mexico. It is an edible seaweed which typically grows in long strands and is said to have a pleasant sweet-and-sour taste. It was a staple food of Tyke McGrath and the other survivors while living on the Eastern Star in Tycho, and was also mentioned in Nightfall.
Gum Tree – An ancient red oak tree which students have covered with old wads of chewing gum, and which has become a landmark on the campus of Micah McGrath’s university in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Micah views it with a mixture of sadness and nostalgia when he visits the place in Nightfall.
Gusev Crater, Mars – A large crater on Mars where Colonel Burns kept his colony ships hidden until they were destroyed in Freedom.
Gwent, Wales – A former kingdom along the southern border of England and Wales, near Cardiff. It was ruled at one time by Saint Madryn, and is mentioned by Zach Trewick in Truesilver.
H
Hadley (Mount), Moon – Easternmost of the Snowy Mountains, rising to a height of 11,319 feet at its highest point, although it also contains two other slightly lower peaks with a flat saddle in between. Mount Hadley contains the Fallen Astronaut Memorial on its western peak and it is visited by Tyke McGrath in Tycho and in Elysium.
Half-life – The period of time required for one half of a radioactive substance to decay into something else. Each radioactive element has a very specific half-life, which can last anywhere from fractions of a second up to billions of years. Generally speaking, the shorter the half-life, the more violently radioactive and therefore dangerous a substance will be. This concept is discussed in relation to the thorium fuel cells of the space planes in Tycho.
Hamburger Crab – A genetically modified version of the Atlantic blue crab, which has been altered to survive in fresh water and whose meat is said to taste somewhat like beef. Common only in the coastal cypress shallows of Trinity Bay and adjacent regions of the Sea of Serenity or the lower reaches of the Trinity River itself. The Hamburger Crab was designed by Denise Doucet, daughter of Matthieu. The crabs are mentioned in Tycho and Elysium.
Hampstead, Josh – A young man from England who is naturally immune to the Orion Strain. Tyke McGrath uses some of his genetic material to produce a vaccine against the bacteria. Josh appears in Tycho, and is mentioned in Avenger and Freedom.
Hand-Laser – A laser-powered hand-tool which is used for cutting various materials and which has several different power settings depending on need. Hand lasers can also be used as weapons in a pinch. They are mentioned throughout the Tyke McGrath series.
Harvest Moon – The eleventh full moon of the year, which usually occurs during the month of November. Those who have undergone the Werewolf Ceremony at the Hunter’s Moon a month earlier must complete the process of becoming a werewolf by making their first kill of a warm-blooded animal on the night of the Harvest Moon. Although not named, this moon is mentioned in Cry for the Moon and Behind Blue Eyes.
Hawaii, University of – The state university of Hawaii, a small branch of which is located in Kailua Kona and which Tyke uses for his research facilities. The other survivors place a statue of him in the front drive, which he has to walk past whenever he goes to work. This university is mentioned in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Hawaii – A group of islands in the central Pacific Ocean, a state of the United States and a former independent kingdom. Tyke McGrath and the other survivors of the Orion Strain settle here after returning to Earth in the small town of Kailua Kona on the southwest coast of the island of Hawaii itself (aka The Big Island) and rarely visit any of the other islands. Many locations are mentioned, including Hilo, Papalokea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Kilauea, Hualalai, Kailua Bay, and others. Hawaii plays a major role in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Heart of the World – The location of the Fountain of Youth, which may not always be found in the same place by everyone who seeks it. The Heart of the World should be interpreted metaphorically as a reference to God, not as a precise physical location. The Heart of the World is mentioned in Unclouded Day and in Bran the Blessed.
Hello Trouble – A famous country song by Buck Owens, which Cody overhears someone humming to himself in Alaska and which reminds him to start playing and composing again himself. The song is mentioned only in Many Waters.
Helsinki, Finland – The capital of Finland, a spacious and breezy city on the Gulf of Finland where Brandon Stone rested for a little while with Lana and Tatya and Vlad before flying home to Dallas. Helsinki is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
Hematite – A type of red rock made up primarily of iron oxide and very common on Mars and elsewhere. More commonly known as rust. Hematite is mentioned only in Elysium.
Hezekiah – An ancient king of Judah, famous for destroying all the idols and evil things in the land and then tossing the ashes into the Cadron Valley outside Jerusalem. This story is mentioned during the consecration of Cadron Pool in Many Waters.
Hillsborough County, Florida – The county including Tampa and many of its suburbs. Locations within Hillsborough County are mentioned in Truesilver and also throughout the Tyke McGrath series.
Hilo, Hawaii – A medium sized city on the northeast coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Tyke McGrath and the others go here sometimes to plunder supplies, and they also make use of the larger airport facilities now and then. Hilo is mentioned in Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Himalaya Mountains – The highest mountain range on Earth, mentioned by Tyke McGrath in comparison to the Snowy Mountains of the Moon in Tycho and in comparison to atmospheric density on Mars in Elysium.
His Life is an Open Book – A southern gospel song performed most notably by the Lewis Family, which Cody McGrath mentions performing at church sometimes in Many Waters.
Hoboreau – A sometimes derogatory French word for a minor nobleman who possesses a title but who has no money or land to go with it. These poor noblemen often became adventurers in order to improve their prospects, but their penniless condition didn’t normally save them from the guillotine during the French Revolution. Michel Doucet was said to be a hoboreau in More Golden Than Day.
Holly, Buddy – An early rock musician from Lubbock, Texas, known as a particularly skilled guitar player. Cody is fond of his music in Many Waters.
Honolulu, Hawaii – The capital of Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. Tyke McGrath and the others rarely have any reason to go there, so Honolulu is mentioned only in Avenger, as the location where they located the Pineapple Express.
Hope Ranch – A ranch located in the Red River Bottoms near Texarkana, where Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker both worked for a while. The ranch is owned by Jeb Barling and produces hay, beef cattle, and praline pecans. Zach mentions this ranch only in Truesilver, although he and Cameron had been working there for several years by then.
Horn (Cape) – The southern tip of South America, which the Lorelei had to circumnavigate to reach Kailua Bay in Elysium.
Hot Springs, Arkansas – Although not mentioned by name, this is the place where Brian and Brandon Stone’s mother Peggy often goes to visit bars and get drunk in Unclouded Day. Zach Trewick also mentions it in Truesilver as the arch-rival of his own baseball team, and Micah McGrath notices a road sign for it in Nightfall.
Hot Spring County, Arkansas – A county in southwest Arkansas. Micah McGrath and Josiah Wilder visit this place in Nightfall.
Houston, Texas – A large city in southeast Texas, mentioned by Zach Trewick as a possible location for his uncle Justin in Cry for the Moon. Justin and Eileen attend a conference here in Behind Blue Eyes, and Zach visits the passport agency and the airport in More Golden Than Day. Zach also uses this airport and mentions the street gangs of the city in Truesilver. Micah McGrath mentions visiting the city in Nightfall.
Hualalai (Mount), Hawaii – A volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii which looms over Kailua Kona and which tends to erupt about once every three hundred years. An eruption in 2097 nearly destroyed the entire southwest side of the island and allowed Kailua Kona to be rebuilt as a tourist attraction. Hualalai is mentioned only in Elysium.
Hunter’s Moon – The tenth full moon of the year, which normally occurs sometime during the month of October. Those who would become werewolves must be cursed on the night of the Hunter’s Moon, a fact which is mentioned in Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, and More Golden Than Day.
Hunt County, Texas – A county in northeast Texas which includes the towns of Wolfe City, Commerce, and Cumby. Justin and Jenna Wilder grew up here, and Zach spent some time in this place in Cry for the Moon.
Huntsville, Alabama – a medium-sized city in northern Alabama and home of Lena Trewick, her husband Clayton Beckham, and their three daughters Laura, Michelle, and Lisa. Lisa’s husband is the notorious Logan Tygart the Werewolf Vet from Behind Blue Eyes, and Laura Beckham was the chief jailer for Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker in that same book. Laura’s husband Heath Coates appears briefly in that same book, and Heath’s father Albert Coates is the infamous mayor of Huntsville who tortures and nearly kills Brandon Stone in Bran the Blessed.
Hydrocell – An energy cell which releases stored hydrogen to an engine in a controlled fashion so that it can be combined with atmospheric oxygen to release energy. Must be periodically refilled or exchanged. Hydrocells are used for almost all applications which formerly used gasoline or fossil fuels. They are mentioned in Nightfall and Freedom.
Hydrochloric Acid – An acid with the chemical formula HCl, which is commonly found in the stomach and is also widely used for commercial and industrial purposes. It can also be used to destroy proteins and amino acids and is thus particularly effective at destroying genetic material. Tyke McGrath used hydrochloric acid to clean up Hunter’s blood in Elysium.
Hydrogen Sulfide – A chemical compound with the formula H2S which is involved in several biological reactions within the body and which can induce rapid unconsciousness and sometimes hibernation in mammals if applied in the proper concentrations, although it can be rapidly fatal if not handled extremely carefully. This gas is mentioned only in Elysium.
Hydroponics – The practice of growing plants with no soil, using only nutrient-enhanced water. Danielle oversaw the hydroponics unit on the Moon in Tycho, which aside from fishing was the source of most of the survivors’ food supply.
Hypothermia – Body temperature which is lower than normal. This affects many cellular processes and will result in death if core body temperature drops too low. Tyke suffers from hypothermia after falling off the cliff in Tycho, and is threatened with it in Avenger and Elysium.
I
Icyheart (Mount), Moon – One of the large inland peaks of the Snowy Mountains, Icyheart is a double peak which reaches a height of 11,066 feet at its higher southern summit and 11,033 at its slightly lower northern summit. It can be found on the east bank of the Faithful River directly across from Everwhite and south of Steelytine. Although never mentioned in the text, Danielle Black, Chris Carpenter, and Drew Breyer would have passed right at the foot of Icyheart as they followed the Faithful River upstream to Barnaby Station in Tycho.
I Do – A country wedding song most notably performed by Paul Brandt, which Cody and Lisa choose for their own wedding in Many Waters.
I Fought the Law – A famous old rock song by Buddy Holly, which Cody McGrath likes to play when he wants to show off how well he can do quick chord changes. He plays this song for Lisa while they sit by the river in Many Waters.
Ilmenite – A black mineral common on the Moon, especially in the Black Hills and in parts of the Chocolate Mountains. Ilmenite is mentioned in Tycho.
Inertial Sensor – A navigational aid which detects small changes in the direction of movement (and therefore inertia), and uses these to analyze and compute a person’s exact position without the need for any contact with satellite systems, magnetic fields, or other reference points. It is very useful when such outside aids are either not available (as on the Moon) or else when they cannot be accessed for secrecy reasons (as when hiding from the NADF). Inertial sensors are mentioned in Nightfall, Tycho, and Avenger, and are used without being mentioned in Freedom and Elysium also.
Interspecies Infection Rate – A term referring to the ability of a disease to successfully infect more than one species, as the flu often does when it crosses over from pigs or birds to human beings. The Orion Strain has an extremely high interspecies infection rate, a fact mentioned by Tyke McGrath in Tycho.
In the Sweet Bye and Bye – A traditional hymn which is Brandon Stone’s favorite, since it reminds him of Elysium with its beautiful shores across the sea and the glorious songs of the Blessed. This song is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
Ionizing Radiation – Radiation of such high energy that it can cause illness, genetic mutations, or even death. Commonly defined as any radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of violet light and including ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays. This is the radiation commonly thought of as “radioactive”, and which made Tyke McGrath ill in Tycho. It is also mentioned in Elysium.
Ireland – The westernmost island of Europe and one of the British Isles. Zach Trewick mentions it in More Golden Than Day as the location of the Aran Islands.
Iridium – The more formal chemical name for truesilver. Iridium is the densest element known, which makes even a small amount of it very heavy. It resembles ordinary silver, with a slight golden iridescence under certain conditions. It is extremely hard, almost impossible to work, and will never tarnish or lose its sharp edge. It’s also extremely poisonous even to ex-werewolves. Gilbert Doucet spent a large sum of money to have a matching sword and dagger forged from iridium, because he liked ancient weaponry. Zach Trewick later acquired this sword and dagger in Truesilver, and it eventually came into the hands of Brandon Stone.
J
Jack Mountain, Arkansas – A ridge which forms part of the Crystal Range of the Ouachita Mountains. Brian Stone sometimes went hunting on Jack Mountain in Unclouded Day.
Jackson, Howard – Father of Sheila and Jamie, and president of Piney State Bank, Howie is a wealthy and respectable member of the community in Ore City, Texas. He is a member of the Avinger Cowboy Church and involved in charitable activities such as hosting international exchange students. He is mentioned in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed.
Jackson, Jamie – Son of Howie and Sylvia, Jamie is a band member at Ore City High School and has a malicious streak which sometimes leads him to be cruel to others in little ways that he thinks nobody will notice. Brandon gets in a fight with him in Bran the Blessed.
Jackson, Patti Sue – A farmer’s daughter and pageant queen who is the girlfriend of Adam Crenshaw in Unclouded Day, although she later develops a crush on Brian Stone. Patti Sue is no relation to the Jackson family in Ore City, Texas.
Jackson, Sheila – Daughter of Howie and Sylvia, Sheila has a reputation for being trashy and loose which isn’t altogether undeserved. She is good friends with Jenny Stone and once had a crush on Cody McGrath which wasn’t returned. Sheila appears in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed.
Jackson, Sylvia – Mother of Sheila and Jamie, Sylvia is known as a gossiper who sometimes jumps to unfairly negative conclusions about people and then spreads rumors without waiting for confirmation of the facts. Sylvia dislikes Brandon Stone and thinks he’s an opportunist with no conscience. She appears only in Bran the Blessed.
Jamaica – Cameron Parker goes here on a short-term mission trip when he’s sixteen years old, as Zach Trewick mentions in More Golden Than Day.
James River, Venus – One of the main rivers coming down from the snowfields on Mt. Freedom. The James river flows right through the middle of Jamestown and is dammed for agriculture and other uses a few miles upstream. It is mentioned only in Freedom.
Jamestown, Battle of – A battle on the Isle of Eleuthera on Venus, in which forces under the command of Colonel Luke Bartow slaughtered over half the rebel forces who were attempting to escape. This battle took place in Freedom.
Jamestown, Venus – The colony town founded by the North American Defense Forces on the Isle of Eleuthera at the foot of Mount Freedom. Brandon Stone has a dream about this place in Bran the Blessed, and Tyke McGrath visits it in Freedom. It’s also mentioned in Elysium.
Japan – Tyke McGrath and the others find a single survivor of the Orion Strain here, an elderly lady named Amaya Tanaka. Japan is mentioned only in Tycho.
Jasper, Arkansas – Brian Stone and Rachel McCray hitchhiked into Jasper after locating the Fountain of Youth, eating at a pizza restaurant and buying a cell phone at the dollar store on Court Street. Then they waited for Adam Crenshaw on the steps of the Newton County Courthouse. Jasper appears only in Unclouded Day.
Jerusalem, Israel – Mentioned by Cody McGrath in Many Waters as the location of Cadron Valley and the Garden of Gethsemane.
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – A piece of classical music by the composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Eileen Wilder’s music box plays this melody, which she later gives to Cameron in Nightfall and he to his son Jesse in Tycho.
John Brooke Academy for Math and Science – A prestigious math and science school in Tampa. Tyke McGrath, Jesse Carpenter, Drew and Tabby Breyer, and Aron Anderson are students here, and Robert Weiss and Amos and Katrina McClendon are teachers. The Academy is located on the campus of the former Hillsborough High School, built in 1928. The Academy appears throughout the Tyke McGrath series.
Johnson, Everett – Although his first name is never mentioned, Everett Johnson is the owner of the pawn shop where Brian Stone sells his gold nuggets. He’s something of a greedy scoundrel, but Brian has no problem doing business with him even though he knows he’s being cheated. Everett is no relation either to Maralyn or to Rebecca, and he appears only in Unclouded Day.
Johnson, Maralyn – Widow of James Trewick, mother of Anthony and grandmother of Zach and Lola. Maralyn is the one who places the werewolf curse on Zach. She is no relation to Rebecca Johnson, the wife of Madaug Davies. Maralyn is no relation either to Rebecca or to Everett. She appears in Cry for the Moon and is mentioned in Behind Blue Eyes.
Johnson, Rebecca – Wife of Madaug Davies, mother of Grace, and great-grandmother of Brian and Brandon Stone. Rebecca is no relation either to Maralyn or to Everett.
Johnston, Janie – An acquaintance of Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker, whom Cameron fell in love with for a while after kissing and flirting with her at a kissing booth at the fair in Truesilver.
Jones, Bobby – Younger brother of Tommy, and a teammate and sometime-friend of Brandon Stone at Ore City High School, Bobby comes from a poor family and has a weakness for money and material things which makes him easy prey for Layla Garza in Bran the Blessed. He is a great-grandson of Sadie Jones and the great-great-grandfather of Sergeant Elgin Jones of Elysium.
Jones, Elgin – A sergeant in the North American Defense Forces and leader of the few surviving rebels at the Redoubt, Sergeant Jones is killed while trying to swim across the Ares Channel. Elgin’s ancestors include Sadie Jones of Unclouded Day and Bobby Jones of Bran the Blessed. Elgin himself is mentioned only in Elysium.
Jones, Janette – Granddaughter of Sadie Jones, and aunt of Tommy and Bobby. Janette is only mentioned in Unclouded Day.
Jones, Sadie – An elderly woman who once drank from the Fountain of Youth herself, and who gives Brian Stone some excellent advice about the subject. Two of Sadie’s great grandsons are Tommy and Bobby Jones, and through Bobby she is an ancestor of Sergeant Elgin Jones of Elysium. Sadie appears only in Unclouded Day.
Jones, Tommy – Older brother of Bobby, Tommy is a former football player and currently a notorious drug dealer and party boy. He is said to be handsome, and was a former friend of Marcus Cumby and a boyfriend of Jenny Stone in Many Waters. He is also mentioned briefly in Bran the Blessed. He is a great-grandson of Sadie Jones.
Jordan River, Israel – The river marking the eastern border of Palestine, which Moses looked across at the end of his life but was not allowed to cross. Cody McGrath mentioned it in Many Waters.
Joshua Tree – A large variety of yucca plant native to the deserts of North America, whose long arms reaching for the sky reminded the early settlers of Utah of the prophet Joshua praying. Joshua trees are common on the Moon and the streets of Lakeside Station were lined with them for landscaping purposes. Tyke McGrath mentioned them often in Tycho and in Avenger.
Josiah – An ancient king of Judah who rediscovered the Book of Deuteronomy in the Temple and who attempted to live a righteous life. Josiah Wilder is named after him in More Golden Than Day.
Joy (Cape), Moon – A peninsula which divides the Rainy Sea from the Sea of Serenity and which forms the northernmost tip of the Land of Snow. It is surmounted by Ayer’s Rock at 6365 feet, a formation which somewhat resembles the Rock of Gibraltar and forms a major landmark. Cape Joy is mentioned only in Tycho.
K
Kailua Bay, Hawaii – A wide inlet of the Pacific Ocean at the foot of Mount Hualalai on the southwest side of the Big Island of Hawaii. Kailua Kona is built on its shores. Kailua Bay is named only in Elysium, but when Tyke McGrath and the others visit Kona Beach in Avenger and Freedom, they are looking out at Kailua Bay.
Kailua Kona High School – First built in 2098 after the eruption of Mt. Hualalai, Kailua Kona High School is located at the corner of Palani Road and the Queen’s Highway, and takes up an entire city block. Brandon Stone’s house is on Alapa Street just across from the football field. Although mentioned by name only in Freedom, it also appears in Elysium.
Kailua Kona, Hawaii – A small town on the southwest shore of the Big Island of Hawaii, and former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Kailua Kona is sometimes shortened to simply Kona as a nickname. Tyke McGrath and his associates settle here after the end of the Orion Strain. Kailua Kona is mentioned in Tycho and Bran the Blessed, and featured prominently in Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Kazakhstan – A central Asian country in which Matthieu Doucet once destroyed a werewolf pod, a story he told to Cody McGrath in Many Waters.
Kelvin Scale – A temperature scale in which the degrees are equal to those in the Celsius scale, but the zero point is set at absolute zero so that there are no negative numbers. Thus, the freezing point of water is approximately 273 kelvins at sea level on Earth. Tyke McGrath contrasts the Kelvin scale with Celsius and Fahrenheit in Avenger.
Kentucky Derby – A famous horse race which takes place every year in Kentucky. It is mentioned briefly by Zach in Truesilver.
Key Largo, Florida – Largest of the Florida Keys and home of a coral reef which Tyke mentioned having visited in Elysium.
Key West, Florida – Westernmost island the Florida Keys. Tyke compares the size of Key West to that of the Isle of Tortuga on Venus in Freedom.
Khamrabaevite – A mineral of varying composition, commonly found in carbonaceous chondrite meteorites, and which is one of the components required for the building of a tachometer. Khamrabaevite is mentioned only in Nightfall.
Kilauea, Hawaii – The most active volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, mentioned by Tyke McGrath in Avenger and Freedom.
King James Bible – A translation of the Bible ordered by King James I of England in the very early 1600’s, and which became the standard English text for centuries. It remains in wide use even today. Zach Trewick mentions it in Truesilver.
Knights of St. John – Also known as the Knights Hospitaler, they were charged with the care and defense of the Holy Land after the First Crusade, and with caring for sick and injured pilgrims to Jerusalem. They later became known as the Knights of Malta, and the Maltese Cross has been used as a symbol of this order for centuries. Cody McGrath mentions them in Many Waters, and the sword Mercy is said to be a replica of a Knight of St. John sword in Truesilver.
Kona Beach, Hawaii – The main city beach at the foot of Kailua Kona, on the shores of Kailua Bay. Although mentioned by name only in Freedom, the beach also appears in Avenger and Elysium.
Kraken Sea, Titan – The largest body of methane on Titan, located in the land of Dilmun close to the north pole. N’grumth’s castle is located on the southern shore of the Kraken Sea in Avenger.
Krisanov, Mikhail – Father of Lana. Mikhail is a wealthy and respectable dentist in Vyborg, Russia, just outside Saint Petersburg. He dislikes many of his daughter’s choices in life, including the church she attends, the fact that she loves a foreigner, and the idea that she won’t give up her child for abortion or adoption. He disowns her until such time as she decides to listen to reason. Mikhail is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
Krisanova, Svetlana Mikhailevna – More commonly known as Lana, she is Brandon Stone’s girlfriend. Lana is from Vyborg, Russia, and is a devoted Christian with a strong sense of right and wrong. Her name means “bright and beautiful”, which Brandon finds to be particularly appropriate for her. He breaks a boy’s nose for insulting her in Many Waters, and she is a major character in Bran the Blessed. Lana’s last name is the same as her father’s, but in Russian an “a” is usually added to the end of a female’s last name for grammatical reasons, unless the name is not Russian in origin or already ends with a vowel (i.e. Goldberg or Lubchenko).
Kuiper Belt – A region in the outer solar system which is home to many comets. The Kuiper Belt is mentioned only in Tycho, in connection with the Lunar Terraform Project.
L
Labyrinth of the Night, Mars – A cracked and broken area at the western end of the Valles Marineris, which forms the southern boundary of the Tharsis Plateau. Mentioned only in Elysium.
Lactic Acid – A type of acid commonly produced by muscle cells as a by-product of metabolism and which can cause pain, fatigue, and burning sensations if allowed to build up in muscles, as it commonly does after intense exercise. Tyke McGrath mentions lactic acid while crossing the Ares Channel on Mars in Elysium.
Lake Magdalene, Florida – A medium-sized suburb just northwest of Tampa, where Micah McGrath struggled out of the swamp to call Cameron just after the explosion at the University in Nightfall.
Lakeside Hills, Moon – A collection of jumbled hills located between the Lucky River to the east, the Sinus Fidei to the west, and dropping off in bluffs to Lake Okechobee to the south. The highest point in the Lakeside Hills is Mount Greyling at 2480 feet. To the north they merge gradually into the foothills of the Snowy Mountains. Lakeside Station is built on the southern bluffs of these hills, and Shady Lake is located about forty miles to the north at the foot of Mount Greyling. Tyke McGrath and the others spend a lot of time here in Tycho, Avenger, and Elysium.
Lakeside Station, Moon – The major research and living facility on the Moon after Barnaby Station was destroyed in 2082. Lakeside Station is built on the northern shore of Lake Okechobee near the mouth of the Lucky River. Tyke McGrath and the other survivors moved in and took up residence at Lakeside Station in Tycho, and visited it again in Avenger and Elysium.
Lakkaia – A deserted city of stone blocks in the Realm of Hidden Things, where Brandon Stone encounters a woman named Mara and faces a test of his love. Lakkaia is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
Land’s End, Moon – A peninsula which divides the Stormy Ocean from the Rainy Sea and which forms the westernmost tip of the Land of Snow. Land’s End is topped by Mount Opaline and thus a major landmark. It is mentioned only in Tycho.
Lange, Sarah – Wife of John Doucet and mother of Matthieu, Sarah has an astringent side which makes her difficult to relate to at times. She appears in More Golden Than Day and is mentioned in Truesilver.
Langley, Arkansas – A small town on the southern edge of the high Ouachitas, near Mt. Blaylock. Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker come this way to go mountain climbing and bear hunting in Truesilver.
Las Cruces, New Mexico – A medium sized city on the banks of the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico, and home of New Mexico State University. Las Cruces is featured prominently in Truesilver and Many Waters.
Latimer, Layla – A fake name used by Layla Garza while dealing with Marcus Cumby and Lisa Stone in Many Waters.
Lazarus – The brother of Mary and Martha and a friend of Jesus, whom he raised from the dead after the man had been dead for four days. Rachel McCray refers to this miracle when she asks Brian Stone to go down to the morgue with her in Unclouded Day.
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms – A traditional hymn which Josie McGrath likes to sing in memory of her husband Blake, since he was drowned in the Brazos River (which means Arms of God). This song is mentioned only in Many Waters.
Lebanon, Tennessee – A medium-sized city not far to the east of Nashville, where Zach Trewick grew up in Cry for the Moon. It was also the site of one of the Trewick family’s wolf-stones, which Zach returned to destroy in Behind Blue Eyes. Cameron Parker was almost killed here by a bullet wound from Maralyn Trewick, an incident which is also mentioned in More Golden Than Day. Cameron retrieves his bullet-holed t-shirt from a safety deposit box in Tampa during Nightfall.
Lee, Charla – Daughter of Robert and Sandra Lee, wife of Jason Golden, and mother of Jacob. Charla likes a little bit of adventure in her life and it was largely for that reason that she decided to dabble in the werewolf business, which turned out to be a costly mistake for her. Charla appears only in More Golden Than Day.
Lee, Robert – Charla’s father, who has an altercation with Zach in More Golden Than Day.
Lee, Sandra – Charla’s mother. She appears only in More Golden Than Day.
Leeds, Gina – Wife of Jason Breyer and mother of Drew and Tabby. Gina is a social director for a retirement village in Citrus Park, Florida, and she makes a similar job for herself after fleeing to the Moon. Gina dies in the Orion outbreak on the Moon in 2155. She appears in Tycho.
Lenoir, Clarice – Wife of Gilbert Doucet and mother of Robert, John, Marc, Angela, and Rosalie. Grandmother of Jolie, Matthieu, and Jonah.
Leon, Ponce de – A Spanish explorer sometimes called the Lionhearted because of his courage. He visited Florida in search of the Fountain of Youth, as is mentioned in Unclouded Day.
Lewis, Jason – One of Brandon Stone’s teammates and friends at Ore City, Jason has never been very popular with the ladies. He becomes easy prey for Layla Garza in Bran the Blessed.
Ligeia Sea, Titan – The second largest body of methane on Titan, located in the land of Dilmun close to the north pole. The castle of the King of Dilmun is located on an island in the Ligeia Sea in Avenger.
Lily of the Valley – A traditional hymn which is Cody McGrath’s favorite gospel song. He sometimes plays it for Lisa while they sit by the river on summer nights in Many Waters.
Linda Sue – An abandoned XR-218 space plane left behind on Desolation Island on the Moon. Although not in good shape, the plane works well enough to get the survivors back home before crashing into the Gulf of Mexico. The Linda Sue appears only in Tycho.
Linden, Texas – Cody McGrath and his band play music at a chili supper at the high school here in Many Waters, as well as chasing Layla Garza through here. Linden is also mentioned in Freedom.
Little Bit – Brandon Stone’s horse, which he uses for trail rides and also for cattle work at Goliad Ranch, among other things. Little Bit is four years old, half quarter horse and half Appaloosa, and got his name from the fact that two bits make a quarter, which makes him only a Bit, and the fact that he’s smaller than usual. Little Bit is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
Little Brown Jug – A honky-tonk bar just outside Longview, Texas. Cody McGrath sometimes plays here when the Mustangs need the money and can’t find anything better. The Little Brown Jug is mentioned only in Many Waters.
Live Oak Trees – A type of evergreen oak tree which grows in the South and which is often used for landscaping. Zach Trewick and Jolie Doucet walk hand-in-hand along Hickory Street in Natchitoches, Louisiana under a canopy of live oak trees in More Golden Than Day.
Lizard Rock, Moon – A sizable mountain which forms the tip of Cape Trinity and divides the Sea of Tranquility from the Sea of Serenity. Lizard Rock rises to 4612 feet and is so named because the peninsula was thought to resemble a lizard’s tail.
Little Rock, Arkansas – Though he didn’t know it, Zach passed through here on his way from Memphis to Fort Smith in Cry for the Moon, and then again on his way back to Tennessee in Behind Blue Eyes. It’s also the location of the hospital where Brandon Stone died and came back to life in Unclouded Day, and where Dr. Anderson from Bran the Blessed did his physician’s residency work.
Llano Estacado – Spanish for “Staked Plain”, this region covers a large area of eastern New Mexico and western Texas, and is mentioned in Truesilver as Dr. Garza’s hunting grounds. Sometimes called simply The Llano.
Loftis, Eileen – Wife of Justin Wilder. See entry for Eileen Wilder.
London, England – The capital of Britain, mentioned in Cry for the Moon as the site of a story Zach Trewick had read. Micah McGrath views it with the tachometer and sees it utterly deserted in Nightfall, and Tyke McGrath mentions it in relation to London Bridge in Avenger.
Lone Star Pizza Works – A pizza place in Commerce, Texas where Zach Trewick eats with his uncle Justin in Cry for the Moon and first sees him pray over a meal.
Longview, Texas – John Trewick (son of Daniel) settles near here after the Civil War to guard the nearest wolf stone and maintain his father’s pod. Longview is mentioned mostly in Behind Blue Eyes in relation to Zach Trewick destroying the wolf-stone there, and also briefly in Truesilver as being close to where Cody McGrath lives. Cody and Lisa McGrath went to the movies here on their first date, and Lisa went to the Longview mall with her sister Jenny. Lisa’s mother Emma was killed in a wreck on the way to the hospital in Longview, and Cody sometimes played at a honky-tonk place here called the Little Brown Jug. He also visited a church on the east side of town where he first learned about Brandon Stone, and his aunt Linda was killed in nearly the same place as Lisa’s mother. All this took place in Many Waters. Longview is also the place where Brandon Stone took his girlfriend to the free medical clinic and where Crush Stone foresaw Brandon fighting in a war someday, events which occurred in Bran the Blessed.
Lord Have Mercy on a Country Boy – A famous country song which Cody McGrath plays at a high school chili supper in Linden, Texas in Many Waters.
Lord of the Rings – A story by J.R.R. Tolkien of which Zach Trewick is especially fond. He names his truesilver dagger Sting, after the one in Lord of the Rings. This book is mentioned only in Truesilver.
Lorelei – A large nuclear submarine abandoned near the Tampa Naval Yards which Tyke McGrath and his associates recover for their own use in Elysium.
Louisiana – A southern state which provides the main setting for many important episodes in Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, Truesilver, Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, and Nightfall. It is also mentioned in Freedom.
Loup-garou – French for “werewolf”. The word is used by Zach Trewick in Cry for the Moon and in later books, and descends from the fact that all the werewolves still left in the world originated as followers of the Beast of Gévaudan in southern France in the mid-1700’s.
Loving River, Moon – A river which rises on the southern slopes of Mt. Steelytine and flows southward through very mountainous terrain into Lake Okechobee. One of the Seven Rivers of Snow.
Loving, Janice – A friend of Jenny Stone and Sheila Jackson in Ore City, Texas. Janice is mentioned only in Many Waters.
Lubbock, Texas – A medium sized city in west Texas, mentioned by Zach Trewick in Truesilver in relation to the Marfa Line which divides the South from the West.
Lucky River, Moon – A river which rises in the Lake of Eternal Peace in the Snowy Mountains and flows south into Lake Okechobee. Lakeside Station is built very near the mouth of the Lucky River, and Tyke McGrath and his friends followed it often in Tycho and Avenger.
Lufkin, Texas – A small city in southeast Texas, mentioned by Zach Trewick as a possible location for his uncle Justin in Cry for the Moon. Lisa Stone’s aunt Michelle is said to live here in Many Waters, and Micah McGrath considers the idea of claiming to be from Lufkin in Nightfall.
Lumpkin, Craig – The top organized crime boss in Birmingham, Alabama. His organization suffered a great deal of harm from Brandon Stone, and as a result Craig paid a large sum of money to Prissy Ferguson in order to take part in personally killing him in Bran the Blessed.
Lunar Consortium – A group of businessmen and scientists based in Geneva who planned and directed the Lunar Terraform Project as a moneymaking enterprise. The Consortium’s spaceport was located on the island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean, and among its many contractors and employees were the John Brooke Academy for Math and Science, several universities, Denise Doucet, Andrew Breyer Sr., and Jessica McGrath. The Consortium was defunct by 2103, and formally dissolved shortly before the Union War began in 2105. It is mentioned by name only in Avenger, although its activities are described at length in Nightfall and Tycho.
Lunar Terraform Project – A scheme cooked up by a private group of businessmen and scientists known as the Lunar Consortium, whose purpose was to develop the Moon as a retirement and tourist destination after converting it to Earthlike conditions. The Project was abandoned in 2103 when it became clear that it was unworkable in the long term. Although not always mentioned by name, the Project and its effects are prominent themes in Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Lusitania – A large Bluewater Cruiser seagoing yacht, purchased by Damon Doucet as a way for Micah and Annabelle McGrath to flee the NADF. The Lusitania is later rammed and sunk thirty miles from the mouth of Tampa Bay by Colonel Luke Bartow. It appears only in Nightfall.
M
Macrocystis tranquilitatis – A type of California giant kelp, genetically modified to live in fresh water and very common in the Sea of Tranquility. Tyke McGrath finds it an especially interesting organism since it was developed at the Academy where he went to school, and he later attempts to make it grow in Lake Erie. This plant is mentioned only in Tycho.
Madame Louise – Marc Doucet’s housekeeper in Clermont, France. She is mentioned only in More Golden Than Day.
Madryn of Gwent, Saint – A medieval queen of Gwent (southern Wales) who was known for doing many remarkable things during her lifetime. Madryn is mentioned in Truesilver and Many Waters, and briefly in Bran the Blessed.
Maggie Valley, North Carolina – A tiny village in the high Appalachians of western North Carolina, location of the Anderson family farm which Tyke McGrath visits often during his childhood and remembers fondly in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging – A method of viewing the interior of certain kinds of objects by means of manipulating the magnetic field. Tyke McGrath uses this method to explore Colonel Burns’ secret lair in Elysium.
Magnolia Tree – A large, smooth-barked tree with thick broadleafed evergreen foliage and large sweet-smelling white flowers, common in the southern states. If not pruned, its branches will grow down to the ground and create a dark cave-like area behind them. Brian Stone hid inside a magnolia tree in Unclouded Day, and Micah McGrath climbed one to view the destruction of Arkadelphia in Nightfall. Zach Trewick sat under one to fish in Cry for the Moon, and there are two large ones flanking the walkway in front of Matthieu Doucet’s house in More Golden Than Day.
Magnolia, Arkansas – Zach Trewick’s aunt Eileen grew up on a horse ranch just outside this small college town, and although it isn’t mentioned, this is where she went to college herself. Zach’s horse Buster was raised on Eileen’s parents’ ranch, and Zach and Cameron visit this place fairly regularly. Magnolia is mentioned occasionally throughout the Last Werewolf Hunter series.
Makaira caeruleus – A type of Atlantic blue marlin, genetically modified to live in fresh water and common in all the seas of the Moon. Tyke McGrath mentions that it was developed at the John Brooke Academy for Math and Science, where he went to school, after seeing one leaping out of the water in the Rainy Sea. The freshwater marlin is mentioned only in Tycho.
Maldorf, Henrietta – Leader of a werewolf pod in Grindelwald, Switzerland. Henrietta and her followers are all killed or captured by Eli and Denis Doucet in a pitched battle on Grindelwald Glacier in 1879 during which Eli and Denis are also killed. Henrietta tosses her Guardian Stone into a crevasse of the glacier to prevent it from falling into the hands of the werewolf hunters, a story which is told in Truesilver.
Maltese Cross – A stylized red square cross once used by the Knights of Malta and frequently by fire departments, fraternal organizations, and the West Coast Choppers, among others. Zach Trewick’s truesilver sword Mercy has a Maltese Cross on the hilt in Truesilver.
Manatee – A small submersible which Tyke McGrath locates at Gator World in Fort Myers, Florida and then uses during the assault on The Pinnacles in Elysium.
Mara – An elderly lady who has lived alone in the city of Lakkaia in the Realm of Hidden Things for the past forty years. Her name means “bitter” and that’s exactly what her life has been for a long time. She appears only in Bran the Blessed.
Marfa Line – The dividing line between the dry desert air of the southwestern deserts, and the thick, humid air of the Gulf coast. This line fluctuates somewhat, but it tends to remain somewhere in West Texas. It also tends to be very sharp and noticeable, especially in the summer. The Marfa Line is mentioned in Truesilver.
Marlowe, Christopher – A poet of the Elizabethan era, known for his love poetry. Lisa Stone mentions to Cody McGrath that she likes his work in Many Waters.
Mars – The fourth planet from the sun, terraformed by the North American Defense Forces beginning in 2142, with the first human survey teams landing that same year. The livable regions of the planet are in the lowlands, and the high mountains and plateaus are dangerously cold and thin-aired. The main colony, Phoenix, is located in the Valley of the Sun just below Angel Falls on the River of Fire, at the edge of the Tharsis uplift region. The Battle of Tharsis Tholus takes place on Mars in Freedom, and Mars is visited by Tyke and Danielle, Hunter Bartow, Jesse Parker, and Brandon Stone in Elysium, where they encounter Buzz Trewick.
Marshall, Texas – Zach Trewick stops here to have a well-deserved chicken fried steak after destroying his first wolf-stone in Longview earlier in the day. Marshall is mentioned only in Behind Blue Eyes.
Martin Guitars – One of the most famous and expensive guitar manufacturers in the world. Martin guitars are generally the best that money can buy, especially the older models. Cody McGrath inherits his grandfather’s 1939 twelve-string Martin guitar in Many Waters, a gift which may literally have been worth its weight in gold.
Martinique – A Caribbean island belonging to France. Michel Doucet fled here with his family during the French Revolution in 1790, before moving on to Louisiana nine years later. Martinique is mentioned only in More Golden Than Day.
Martin, Layla – A fake name used by Layla Garza while she was living at Prudhoe Bay in Alaska. This is the name she first used with Cody McGrath in Many Waters.
Material Girl – A famous song performed by Madonna, and one of Layla Garza’s favorite tunes. She listens to it shortly after picking up Brandon Stone on the highway in Bran the Blessed.
Mathematical Savant – A person who is able to do complex mathematical problems in his or her head almost instantly, without needing to think about it. Annabelle Rusk is a mathematical savant, and so is her nephew Jesse Parker. The term is used only in Nightfall, but the concept is also displayed in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Mauna Kea, Hawaii – A volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, site of an astronomical observatory which Tyke McGrath makes use of on a regular basis. Mauna Kea is mentioned in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Mauna Loa, Hawaii – The largest volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, mentioned by Tyke McGrath only in Freedom.
McClendon, Amos – Micah McGrath’s lab assistant in Nightfall, Amos goes on to become a physics teacher at the John Brooke Academy for Math and Science, where he comes to know Tyke McGrath and Jesse Carpenter. Amos is also the husband of Katrina Doucet and the father of Lucia. He dies in the Orion outbreak on the Moon. Amos appears in Nightfall, Tycho, and Avenger.
McClendon, Katrina Doucet – Daughter of Damon Doucet, Katrina is an excellent pilot, an Avenger who holds the Ring of Barthélemy, and Tyke McGrath’s biochemistry teacher at the John Brooke Academy for Math and Science in Tampa, Florida. She has a passionate attachment to the truth. She is also the wife of Amos McClendon and the mother of Lucia. Katrina dies in the Orion outbreak on the Moon and is buried at Lakeside Station. She is mentioned in Nightfall, Tycho, and Avenger.
McClendon, Lucia – Daughter of Amos and Katrina, Lucia is nearly killed by vampire roaches on the Moon until Tyke McGrath saves her. Lucia appears in Tycho and is mentioned briefly in Avenger.
McClure, Rose – Wife of William McGrath and mother of Mark. Rose is Cody’s great-grandmother.
McCray, Rachel Anne – A schoolmate of Brian Stone who suffers from the incurable Batten’s Disease, which will surely kill her before the age of twenty. She goes to the Fountain of Youth with Brian in Unclouded Day and is also mentioned in Bran the Blessed.
McDill Aerospace Research Center – The former McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, which has been converted into a major research facility focused on air and space science. Jesse Parker and Tabby Breyer take some classes here, and the XR-339 was developed here by Peggy Weiss and Jason Breyer. McDill appears in Nightfall, Tycho, and Avenger.
McGrath, Annabelle Rusk – Daughter of Nicholas Rusk and younger sister of Joan, Annabelle was never a werewolf herself but got caught by Denis Doucet in 1863 anyway. Annabelle is a mathematical genius who can do complex math in her head. She is also every inch a Victorian lady who will not tolerate filth or immodesty. She grew up in Sugar Hill, Texas, and is said to be short, slight, and dark-haired. She later becomes a professor of mathematics at the University of South Florida in Tampa and the wife of Micah McGrath, not to mention the mother of Tycho and Melissa. Annabelle appears in Truesilver, Nightfall, and Freedom, and is mentioned in Elysium.
McGrath, Beebo – A fake name Brandon Stone used to sign in to the motel in Räpina, Estonia in Bran the Blessed.
McGrath, Blake – Father of Cody McGrath. Blake is a noble-hearted man who is killed by Layla Garza on the Brazos River at Possum Kingdom, Texas, her first victim and the one who teaches her to like the taste of goodness. Blake is discussed frequently in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed.
McGrath, Cody Lee – Son of Blake and Josie, father of Micah, Emma, and Jessica, and grandfather of Tycho. Cody is a talented guitar player like his grandfather Tommy Lee, and plays with a band called the Mustangs. He prizes greatness of heart and selfless love. Cody appears in Truesilver, Many Waters, and Bran the Blessed, and is mentioned frequently in Nightfall, Freedom, and Elysium.
McGrath, Danielle Black – Daughter of Joe and Rosalita Black, sister of Colton, and aunt of Derrick. Danielle is forced to sell weed to take care of herself and Derrick because Colton is unable to take responsibility for anything after their parents and grandmother Catalina pass away. She and Tyke McGrath fall in love on the Moon and later get married in Hawaii, becoming the parents of Josie and Thomas. Danielle is a major character in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
McGrath, Emma – Daughter of Cody and Lisa McGrath, Emma gets married and moves to Dallas in Bran the Blessed.
McGrath, Hannah Trewick – Only daughter of Daniel and Marybeth Trewick, and the only one who chose to live a righteous life. She was forced to flee home at the age of 15 when she discovered in a true dream that her father meant to kill her because she wouldn’t become a werewolf. She took his Guardian Stone with her, and later married Reuben McGrath, thirty years her elder. All of her children died in infancy except the last one, Martin. Among her descendants are Cody, Micah, and Tycho McGrath. Hannah is mentioned in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed.
McGrath, Janie Furr – Wife of Mark McGrath, mother of Blake and Linda, and grandmother of Cody.
McGrath, Jessica – Youngest daughter of Cody and Lisa McGrath, Jessica goes away to college in Denton, Texas in Bran the Blessed.
McGrath, Josefina – Daughter of Tycho and Danielle, Josefina is named after two of her great-great-grandmothers, Josie McGrath and Josefina Trevino. Josie appears in Freedom and Elysium.
McGrath, Josie Grey – Daughter of Tommy Lee Grey and mother of Cody McGrath. She is steadfastly devoted to her husband Blake and cannot imagine getting remarried after he dies, an attitude which rubs off on Cody. Josie appears only in Many Waters.
McGrath, Linda – Younger sister of Blake, Linda is killed in a car accident at the age of eighteen while driving home from Longview after shopping for her prom dress. Lisa Stone is almost killed in a wreck at the same location where Linda died, as is mentioned in Many Waters.
McGrath, Lisa Marie Stone – Daughter of Crush and Emma Stone, Lisa is a romantic daydreamer who loves poetry and yearns for her one true love. She has auburn hair and blue eyes, and a quiet and caring personality. She doesn’t get along with her sister Jenny very well, and sometimes feels heavily burdened in life by caring for her mother and all her other responsibilities. She becomes a close friend of her brother Brandon, and in later days becomes the wife of Cody McGrath and the mother of Micah and grandmother of Tycho. Lisa appears in Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, and Nightfall, and is mentioned frequently in Freedom.
McGrath, Mark – Father of Blake and Linda and grandfather of Cody. Mark dies of cancer at the age of 29, a fact which is mentioned in Many Waters.
McGrath, Martin – Only surviving child of Reuben and Hannah McGrath, born very late in their lives when she was 43 and he was 72. All the rest died in infancy. Martin was dearly loved, and it was almost impossible for Hannah to believe God and give up the Guardian Stone which might have protected him from the curse. Martin is mentioned only in Many Waters.
McGrath, Melissa – Daughter of Micah and Annabelle and sister of Tycho, born in Kailua Kona, Hawaii after the plague. She is mentioned only in Freedom.
McGrath, Micah – Son of Cody and Lisa and father of Tycho. He is sometimes called Mike or Mikey by friends or family, and holds a PhD in astronomy from the University of South Florida in Tampa, where he was a professor for a while. He is particularly loved by his uncle Brandon Stone, and spends a lot of time rebuilding Andrew Garza’s tachometer, a project which unintentionally lands him in the future. He is said to be tall and muscular, with a messy mop of strawberry blond hair. Micah appears in Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, Nightfall, Freedom, and Elysium, and is mentioned in Tycho and Avenger.
McGrath, Nona Foster – Wife of Martin McGrath and mother of William.
McGrath, Reuben – A veteran of the Texas Revolution and the Civil War who fought at the Battles of Goliad, Mesilla, and Glorietta Pass. He killed Lucas Garza in battle at Mesilla, and as a result his descendants were cursed to die before the age of thirty. He married Hannah Trewick late in life at the age of 45, even though she was almost thirty years his junior. All their children except Martin died in infancy. Reuben is discussed frequently in Many Waters.
McGrath, Rose McClure – Wife of William McGrath and mother of Mark. Rose is Cody’s great-grandmother.
McGrath, Thomas Levi – Son of Tycho and Danielle, born in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, after Danielle drank the water from the Fountain of Youth. Tommy is said to be an uncommonly beautiful baby. He has red hair and likes the sound of waterfalls, two facts predicted about him by Brandon Stone. He is named after Tommy Lee Grey and Levi Black, two of his ancestors. Thomas appears only in Elysium.
McGrath, Tycho Nicholas – Son of Micah and grandson of Cody, Tycho is named after Tycho Brahe the Father of Modern Astronomy, and after Saint Tycho the Wonder-Worker of Cyprus. His middle name comes from his grandfather Nicholas Rusk, a Confederate soldier commended for exceptional bravery at the battle of Shiloh in Tennessee. Tycho is a brilliant molecular geneticist who studies at the John Brooke Academy for Math and Science in Tampa, Florida, and who is chosen by God for the task of reviving a devastated world after the human-made Orion Strain kills off nearly all the animals and people. He is also the husband of Danielle and the father of Josie and Thomas. Tyke is foreshadowed in dreams in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed, and appears personally in Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
McGrath, William – Son of Martin, father of Mark, and grandfather of Cody. He was killed in battle at Normandy in World War Two at the age of 28.
Melinda May – An XR-218 space plane recovered from the Lunar Consortium’s spaceport on the island of Socotra and moved to Hawaii for repairs in Freedom. The rescue party travels to Deimos in the Melinda May, and Jesse pilots her to the Moon in Elysium.
Melkova, Vera – Director of the orphanage in Vyborg, Russia, where Lana, Tatya, and Vlad live for a few months. Vera helps Brandon with some good advice about how to find Lana in Bran the Blessed.
Memorial Park, Tampa, Florida – A large park in northern Tampa located on the former campus of the University of South Florida, built around the crater lake created by the nuclear explosion that destroyed the university. Tyke McGrath mentions it in Elysium.
Memphis, Nebraska – A small town in eastern Nebraska and home of John Fitch, one of Layla Garza’s victims in Many Waters.
Memphis, Tennessee – A large city on the Mississippi River at the border of Tennessee and Arkansas. Zach Trewick mentioned hearing a radio station here in Cry for the Moon, and he and Cameron Parker had a discussion about the city while passing through it in Behind Blue Eyes. Cameron lived right across the river in West Memphis.
Mendeleev – A defunct XR-218 space plane at Desolation Island on the Moon, which has suffered too much damage to be repaired but which Tyke and Jesse use for spare parts. The Mendeleev is mentioned in Tycho and Avenger.
Mendocino Canyon, California – A deep undersea canyon just south of Cape Mendocino in California. Zach Trewick, Matthieu Doucet, and Cameron Parker visit this place to retrieve one of the Guardian Stones in Truesilver, an exploit which Matthieu refers to in Many Waters.
Mendocino (Cape), California – The westernmost point of the contiguous United States, where Zach Trewick and his associates went diving for the Guardian Stone located in the sunken warship San Andrés. Cape Mendocino is mentioned only in Truesilver.
Mendocino Rock – A large mountain of stone which sits just offshore from Cape Mendocino in California and forms a well-known landmark. Zach Trewick and his friends visit this place in Truesilver.
Mercy – the sword of Tristan the Brave of Tintagel, owned by every English king since Edward the Confessor and found on the seals of several U.S. states. Gilbert Doucet named his truesilver sword Mercy in honor of Tristan, to remind himself never to kill without need. Mercy is mentioned by name only in Truesilver, but it is passed down eventually to Brandon Stone and occurs again in Freedom as the ceremonial silver sword which he uses to swear allegiance to Cameron in Kailua Kona.
Mesabi Range, Venus – A range of mountains in the western portion of the Isle of Eleuthera, enclosing the Minnesota Plain on all sides except the south. The Mesabi Range is named after the range of the same name in Minnesota.
Mesquite Tree – A type of small tree common in dry areas of North America whose wood is frequently used to smoke meats or barbecue for flavor because of its pleasant taste and smell, and the bean-like pods of the mesquite tree can be made into a type of bread. Mesquite is common on the Moon and Tyke McGrath and the others often used it for firewood or bread in Tycho.
Mesilla, New Mexico – A small but very old town just outside the city limits of Las Cruces and formerly the capital of Arizona Territory. A notable battle of the Civil War took place here in 1861, during which the Union forces were defeated by General Baylor of Texas. Selena Garza was present at this battle and her son Lucas was killed by Reuben McGrath, with the consequence that Selena cursed Reuben such that none of his descendants would ever survive past the age of thirty. Marcus Cumby visits Mesilla during Many Waters.
Metal Fatigue – The tendency of metals to eventually break after exposure to repeated stress. A serious problem in structural engineering. Metal fatigue is discussed in Avenger as the reason for the Balboa’s crash.
Methamphetamines – A type of recreational drug which is very cheap to manufacture and highly addictive, also known simply as meth or sometimes crystal meth. Long-term users tend to have extremely rotten teeth (meth mouth) and to waste away to nothing because they don’t eat. If not stopped, the drug is eventually fatal. It is the scourge of many small communities because of its cheapness and ease of production. Tommy Jones is said to be a meth addict in Many Waters, and Brandon Stone unintentionally consumed some of it in Bran the Blessed.
Mexico, Gulf of – A large inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, usually referred to in everyday conversation simply as “the Gulf”. The Gulf itself or locations on its shores are mentioned in More Golden Than Day, Truesilver, Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, and throughout the Tyke McGrath series.
Micah – A prophet of the Old Testament for whom Micah McGrath is named, a fact which is mentioned in Many Waters. Mikey himself quotes a verse from the Book of Micah in Nightfall.
Microclimate – A small area of climate which differs markedly from the area around it. The Summer Isles on the Moon are a microclimate, which allows coconut palms to survive when they otherwise would not. Microclimates are mentioned only in Tycho.
Milkpearl (Mount), Moon – Located between Starfrost to the east and Opaline to the west, Mt. Milkpearl is the shortest of the eleven major coastal peaks of the Snowy Mountains, reaching only 10,078 feet. It is divided from Starfrost by the Golden Firth and the Valley of the Wolves. Milkpearl is mentioned only in Tycho.
Milky Creek, Moon – A small creek flowing down from Mount Silverspur past the cave where Tyke McGrath and the other survivors took shelter immediately after the crash of the Cabral. They named it this because the water looked like milk. Milky Creek is mentioned only in Tycho.
Miller County, Arkansas – That portion of Arkansas located southwest of the Red River and including Texarkana, Fouke, Wolf Mountain, Coca Cola Lake, Ravanna, and Boggy Creek. This is Zach Trewick’s home, and also that of Cameron Parker, and locations throughout the county are featured prominently during the entire Last Werewolf Hunter series.
Millibar – A unit of air pressure equal to one thousandth of the normal pressure at sea level on earth, which is 1000 millibars. Tyke McGrath uses this unit to describe air pressure in Freedom and Elysium.
Mimosa Tree – A tree which grows throughout the South and beyond, known for its smooth bark, double pinnate leaves, and huge numbers of pink powder-puff shaped blossoms during the summer months. These have a strong, sweet scent which is unmistakable. The tree is also known for its seed pods, which resemble pea pods. Although often considered a noxious weed by road crews and others, the tree is often beloved by Southerners who have fond memories of growing up playing with its leaves, seed pods, and blossoms, and climbing barefoot in its branches. Whatever its demerits, the mimosa is an almost ideal kid-friendly tree which (in my humble opinion) no child should ever have to do without, The mimosa tree is mentioned in Many Waters and in Behind Blue Eyes.
Mineral Wells, Texas – A town west of Fort Worth and near Possum Kingdom Lake. Cody McGrath stops here to buy epoxy sealant and some dry clothes in Many Waters.
Minnesota Plain, Venus – A broad and very flat plain surrounded by mountains in the western regions of the Isle of Eleuthera, known for its numerous shallow lakes of sulphurous water. Tyke McGrath and Hunter Bartow spend a long Venusian night here in Freedom.
Mirrorsuit – Clothing made of highly reflective silver fabric designed to be worn as protective armor during a laser battle. Mirrorsuits are not the same as thermal suits since they don’t provide protection from heat or cold, only laser beams. Mirrorsuits are used in Freedom and Elysium.
Mississippi – A southern state which is mentioned in Truesilver, Unclouded Day, and Many Waters.
Missouri – A state on the border between the South and Midwest. Missouri is mentioned as the location of a wolf-stone in Behind Blue Eyes, and as the home of one of Layla Garza’s victims in Many Waters.
Mo’Kuai’Kaua Church – The oldest church in Hawaii, built in the 1830’s. Cameron preaches in this church every Sunday, and it became the church for all the survivors. Tyke McGrath and Danielle Black were married here, as were Jesse Parker and Leah Bartow, Hunter Bartow and Veronica Carpenter, and Brandon Stone and Lana Krisanova. The church is mentioned by name in Avenger, Freedom, and Bran the Blessed, and referred to frequently in Elysium.
Monastery of Miracles – A compound inhabited by the Monks of Peace in the Realm of Hidden Things, whose purpose is to draw refreshment from worship in a land without fear, to care for weary and heartsick travelers, and to write down and document all the wonderful things God has done in the world. At the time of Brandon Stone’s visit, there were twenty-four monks, led by the abbot Brother Manchin. The Monastery of Miracles appears only in Bran the Blessed.
Monkey Kiss – Lisa Stone’s name for the habit of kissing someone while your lips are still wet from whatever you last ate or drank, so that the person you’re kissing can still taste it. Cody McGrath has a habit of giving monkey kisses right after he takes a drink of Dr. Pepper or a bite of fresh peach from the orchard. Lisa usually laughs as long as the kiss comes right after something sweet. She got this name from the way monkeys feed each other by putting food in each other’s mouths. Monkey kisses are mentioned in Many Waters.
Monks of Peace – A group of men and women who live at the Monastery of Miracles to worship God, to care for weary and heartsick travelers, and to write down all the miracles God has done in the world. At the time of Brandon Stone’s visit, there were twenty-four monks, led by the abbot Brother Manchin. The Monks of Peace appear only in Bran the Blessed.
Mont Mouchet, France – A large mountain in southern France, the former home of the Beast of Gevaudan, the greatest werewolf of all time. Zach Trewick visits Mont Mouchet in More Golden Than Day.
Montgomery County, Arkansas – A sparsely populated and very mountainous portion of western Arkansas, inside the borders of which are located the Trewick deer camp from Behind Blue Eyes, as well as Mt. Blaylock from Truesilver. Although not named, this is where Cody McGrath killed his bear in Many Waters and the majority of Ouachita National Park from Nightfall is also located here.
Montgomery, Alabama – The capital of Alabama and site of an invitational baseball tournament in which Brandon Stone played for the Piedmont Bulldogs during his senior year in high school. Montgomery appears only in Bran the Blessed.
Moon – The only natural satellite of Earth, terraformed by the Lunar Terraform Project beginning in 2055 by dragging comets from the Oort Cloud to replace the lack of volatile compounds on the Moon and then modifying the resulting atmosphere with breeder gases. Only the lowlands near the center of the side facing Earth can be inhabited, since these regions are somewhat protected from dangerous radiation levels that exist at the higher elevations and especially on the far side. Terraforming the Moon turns out to be an unworkable scheme in the long run, but it does save the lives of a group of survivors fleeing from the Orion Strain on Earth. The lowlands are filled with freshwater seas and the central highlands consist of a peninsula known as the Land of Snow, tipped by the Snowy Mountains and filled with every kind of beautiful and imaginative thing the terraformers could come up with, so as to sell vacation and retirement packages. The Moon plays a large role in Tycho, Avenger, and Elysium, and is mentioned in Nightfall and Freedom. It is mentioned for quite different reasons in connection with the werewolf curse in Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, and Truesilver.
Moon Cat – A former scientific research vessel abandoned at Lakeside Station on the Moon. Tyke McGrath and Jesse Parker use it for a fishing boat and as an escape vehicle in Tycho, before abandoning it themselves at Desolation Island.
Moon Monster – A hideous, genetically engineered creature which lives in the Altai Crater Swamps of the Moon, put there as an incentive for big game hunters. The creature is very intelligent, and is said to resemble a beaver the size of a bear, with no tail, and a mouth full of teeth like sewing needles that showed like a crocodile’s. They are said to be vicious, bloodthirsty, and highly aggressive, although they hate water and cannot swim. They also have rich, luxuriant fur like a chinchilla. Tyke McGrath kills and eats one in Avenger, before bringing back its fur to make a bedspread and several of its teeth to make a necklace for Derrick Black. The monsters are also mentioned in Elysium.
Mooringsport, Louisiana – A small city just northwest of Shreveport, on the eastern shore of Caddo lake. Mooringsport is the home of Charles and Rosalie Anderson, who are Matthieu and Jolie Doucet’s aunt and uncle. Brandon Stone visits their home and clinic often in Bran the Blessed.
Mors ante infamium – An ancient Roman battle cry in Latin which means Death Before Dishonor. It has been continuously used by various groups ever since then, and continues in use today. Zach Trewick mentions it in Truesilver.
Moses – Leader of the ancient Israelites and author of the first five books of the Bible, Moses is said to be buried on Mt. Nebo in the land of Gilead. He is mentioned in Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, and Avenger.
Movies – Several movies are mentioned in the text, mostly by Zach Trewick who is a science fiction fan. At various times, he mentions watching A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scary Movie, Indiana Jones, The Day After Tomorrow, The Lion King, Weird Science, Alien, Tomb Raider, Mission Impossible, Jaws, and Star Trek. Additionally, Lisa Stone compares Cody McGrath to a character straight out of True Grit.
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus – A classical composer. Lana Krisanova plays his work Piano Sonata in C at Dr. Anderson’s house in Bran the Blessed. Tyke McGrath compares Jesse’s mathematical genius to that of Mozart in Elysium.
Mount Pleasant, Texas – A small city in northeast Texas. Zach Trewick stops to eat breakfast here on his way to Sulphur Springs in Cry for the Moon, and Joan and Annabelle Rusk are from the nearby town of Sugar Hill, as mentioned in Truesilver and Nightfall.
Mudbogging – Another name for mudding, the hobby of taking a truck with big tires and speeding and sliding through muddy patches. This is especially fun right after the rain, when the clay is slick as ice. Zach and Jolie go mudbogging in the Red River Bottoms near Natchitoches in More Golden Than Day, and Cameron does the same thing with Jake and Levi in Truesilver. So does Brian Stone in Unclouded Day and Cody McGrath in Many Waters.
Mummy’s Curse – An ancient curse said to haunt those who broke into a mummy’s tomb, such that they all died young. Cody McGrath refers to the Mummy’s Curse when he discusses his own situation in Many Waters.
Murchison Station, Moon – A mining camp and spaceport located on Desolation Island for the purpose of extracting thorium to manufacture fuel cells. The area is dangerously radioactive and off limits to anyone under the age of thirty-five. Tyke McGrath and the others recover an old space vehicle from Murchison Station in Tycho, but are nearly killed by blood-sucking vampire roaches in the process.
Murmansk, Russia – A port city on the Arctic Ocean in far northern Russia, mentioned by Tatya Volkova as a possible escape route from St. Petersburg in Bran the Blessed.
Musicians – Several musicians are mentioned throughout the text, varying from country to rock to classical. Zach Trewick likes George Strait, while Cameron Parker leans more toward Metallica, Poison, and Def Leppard. Brandon Stone is fond of Third Day, Hillsong, and Toby Keith, while Lana Krisanova prefers Mozart and Strauss. Cody McGrath will sing almost anything, from Buddy Holly and Buck Owens to The Lewis Family. Tyke McGrath kisses Danielle for the first time while listening to Pachelbel at the Candlemas party, and watches Veronica dancing to Vivaldi on Kona Beach. Lisa Stone thinks Paul Brandt is the perfect choice for her wedding music.
Musick, Charlotte – Wife of Drake Trewick and mother of Etta. Brian and Brandon Stone are among her descendants.
Mustangs – The band originally consisting of Cody McGrath (guitar), Marcus Cumby (drums), and Cyrus Clay (guitar and vocals). It later expands to include Brandon Stone (guitar and vocals) and Lisa Stone McGrath (vocals). The band plays country, southern rock, red dirt, and sometimes gospel, all over northeast Texas and adjacent parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The Mustangs are mentioned in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed, and alluded to in Nightfall.
Mutton-busting – A type of rodeo for very small children, in which they try to stay on the back of a sheep instead of a bull or a bronco. This is a commonplace event at rodeos and county fairs throughout the Red River Valley and elsewhere. Zach Trewick has a picture of himself mutton-busting when he was too little to remember the event. His mother sent him this picture in Truesilver.
Muwamanth, Temple of, Titan – A three-sided pyramid built of ice blocks and flat on top, where fighting is strictly forbidden and where the kings of the Three Kingdoms come to worship God on each equinox. The Temple is located near the center of Xanadu and is mentioned only in Avenger.
N
Nacogdoches, Texas – A medium sized city in east Texas, mentioned by Zach Trewick as a place with an interesting name while on his way to Houston with Jolie Doucet in More Golden Than Day.
Narva, Estonia – A city on the Narva River which drains Lake Peipus into the Gulf of Finland, and which sits on the border between Estonia and Russia. Tatya Volkov mentions it as a possible escape route from Saint Petersburg in Bran the Blessed.
Nashville, Tennessee – The capital of Tennessee, which Zach Trewick passed through several times in Cry for the Moon and Behind Blue Eyes.
Natchitoches High School – The public high school in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Former students include most of the Doucet family, particularly Matthieu, Jolie, Damon, Katrina, Rob, John, Angela, Marc, Rosalie, and Gilbert (among many others). The school is mentioned in More Golden Than Day.
Natchitoches, Louisiana – A small but very pretty town in northwest Louisiana, notable as the ancestral home of the werewolf-hunting Doucet family since 1799. Natchitoches is the scene of many events in More Golden Than Day, Truesilver, and Nightfall, and is mentioned in Many Waters and Freedom.
Naturalism – The philosophical assertion that the universe is the only thing that exists, that it never had a creator, and that it goes on purely of its own accord. As a corollary, it usually also entails the assertion that God does not exist. Naturalism is discussed in Avenger.
Nazarbaeva, Elina – Wife of Ruslan Volkov and mother of Vlad and Tatya, she is killed in a car accident when Tatya is twelve.
Nebo (Mount), Israel – A tall peak in the land of Gilead, from which Moses looked across the Jordan into the Promised Land. He is said to be buried on this mountain, which is the namesake for the one at Goliad Ranch. Cody mentions Mt. Nebo in Many Waters.
Nebo (Mount), Texas – A large hill on Goliad Ranch upon the top of which is the McGrath family cemetery and the Nebo Rock where Cody and Lisa first confess their love for each other in Many Waters and where Cody tackles Brandon Stone in Bran the Blessed. Micah McGrath likes to watch the stars from this place while he’s a child, a fact which he recalls in Nightfall. Mt. Nebo also appears in Freedom.
Nebo Rock – A large flat rock at the western edge of Mt. Nebo on Goliad Ranch. Cody McGrath liked to climb here to watch the sunset when he was a child in Many Waters, and his son Micah likes to use it to watch the stars in Nightfall. Brandon Stone also enjoys the solitude and the view from this spot in Bran the Blessed.
Nebo’s Crossing – A contemporary Christian song written by Cody McGrath, in which he mentions Moses looking out across the Jordan River into the Promised Land from the summit of Mount Nebo at the end of his life. Cody goes on to say that sometimes we have to give up the things we want the most so that those we love can have them later. The song was partly a memorial for his father, Blake, and Lisa Stone was very impressed with it in Many Waters.
Nebraska – A Midwestern state which is the home of James Fitch, one of Layla Garza’s victims in Many Waters.
Necromancer – A type of sorcerer who specializes in the magic needed to create zombies out of dead bodies. Dr. Andrew Garza is said to be a necromancer in Truesilver and Many Waters.
Nellie – Lisa’s horse at Goliad Ranch. Nellie is said to be fairly placid and easy to handle in Bran the Blessed.
Neutrinos – A type of subatomic particle which is almost completely unreactive with any other particle and which can thus pass through thousands of miles of matter without being affected at all. Several types of nuclear reactions produce neutrinos, and the tachometer is said to produce a burst of these particles whenever it operates. Neutrinos are mentioned only in Freedom.
Nevsky Prospect, St. Petersburg, Russia – The main business and commercial street in Saint Petersburg. Brandon Stone spends quite a bit of time here with Tatya and Vlad in Bran the Blessed.
New Boston, Texas – A small town in northeast Texas where Zach Trewick finds someone with the name of J.T. Wilder listed in the phone book, although this never amounts to anything. New Boston is found only in Cry for the Moon.
New Camp, Fulton, Arkansas – Former location of one of the Trewick family’s wolf-stones on top of Wolf Mountain. They turned it into a camp and used it for hunting sometimes, including when they wanted to torment Joram Ross and his family in nearby Red Lick. It was here that Daniel’s son Richard underwent his werewolf curse (seen by Joram) and it was here that the Sweet Spring came into existence as a result of Joram’s prayer. Joram destroyed the stone with holy water from the spring and burned the camp to the ground. Daniel and Richard both died less than a month later, Daniel from lingering blood poisoning from the pellets in his leg from Joram’s shotgun, and Richard from a fatal case of yellow fever contracted in the swampy Red River bottoms.
New Mexico – A western state which provides the setting for several important episodes in Truesilver and Many Waters. The state is also mentioned in Bran the Blessed, Nightfall, Avenger, and Elysium.
New Mexico State University – Dr. Andrew Garza was a physics professor at this university in Las Cruces, and did a considerable amount of his work on the tachometer here. Zach Trewick visited the university and broke into Dr. Garza’s lab during Truesilver.
New Orleans, Louisiana – An old French colonial city, New Orleans was the original home of Marybeth Akins. Daniel Trewick went to college here and met her at a party on Bourbon Street in 1849. New Orleans is mentioned in Behind Blue Eyes and in Bran the Blessed.
New Zealand – Tyke McGrath and the others discovered a single survivor of the Orion Strain here in Tycho, a ten year old girl named Molly Strickland. In Avenger, the latitude of the Cloudy Sea is compared to that of New Zealand.
N’grumth – One of the A’rum of Titan, N’grumth is a nobleman and a leader in his clan in spite of his youth. He is a fierce warrior who becomes friends with Tyke McGrath and rescues him from certain death on the icy plains of the Black Desert of Shangri-la. N’grumth gives Tyke the title of Akiri for his bravery. N’grumth appears only in Avenger, but is also mentioned in Freedom and Elysium.
Nicaragua – A country in central America and location of a second canal in addition to the one in Panama, built in 2071 to accommodate larger ships and excess traffic. The Nicaragua Canal is mentioned briefly in Elysium.
Nikki – Josie McGrath’s horse at Goliad Ranch. Lisa rode her for a while in Many Waters.
Nitric Acid – An acid with the chemical formula HNO3, which is notable for producing a bright yellow stain when it comes in contact with proteins in the skin. It can also be used to kill the Orion Strain bacteria, a purpose for which it is used in Freedom.
Nitrogen Narcosis – Also known as Rapture of the Deep, this condition occurs when excess nitrogen builds up in the blood and causes something very much like drunkenness. Symptoms include happiness, impaired judgment, and in severe cases unconsciousness. Tyke McGrath and Hunter Bartow experienced nitrogen narcosis at the bottom of the Cytherean Sea in Freedom.
Nitrous Oxide – A chemical compound with the formula NO which is known to induce rapid unconsciousness. Commonly known as laughing gas, it is brownish in color and is an unstable compound which will break down of its own accord. This gas is mentioned only in Elysium.
Norman, Arkansas – A small town near the family deer camp where Zach Trewick almost escapes from his cousin Laura and begins his float down the Caddo River. It appears in Behind Blue Eyes.
North American Defense Forces (NADF) – The military forces of the North American Union, divided into four large command zones of approximately equal population (Southern, Western, Central, and Eastern). They have a reputation for being ruthless, and are often called simply the NADF. They are important figures in Nightfall, Freedom, and Elysium.
North American Union – A country formed by the merger of the surviving portions of Canada and the United States in 2115, minus Brazoria, Quebec, and Alaska. In addition to this, large portions of Ontario, North Dakota, northern New Mexico, and a few other regions were bombed into uninhabitable wasteland.
North Carolina – A southern state which Tyke McGrath visited many times as a child and of which he has fond memories. North Carolina is mentioned in Bran the Blessed, Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
North Sea, Mars – Sometimes also referred to as the Northern Ocean, this body of water extends from approximately forty degrees north latitude all the way to the north pole. It is cold, stormy, and frequently frozen over during the long winters, when even the atmosphere at the north pole is subject to freezing out at times. Mentioned only in Elysium.
North Slope, Alaska – The flat plains along the Arctic Ocean, north of the Brooks Range. Prudhoe Bay is found here. The North Slope is mentioned only in Many Waters.
O
Oh, Come All Ye Faithful – A famous Christmas hymn sung by Justin Wilder, Zach Trewick, and Eileen Loftis in Cry for the Moon. Although not specifically named in the text, this is also one of the songs sung by Tyke and Danielle McGrath, Brandon Stone, Hunter Bartow, and Jesse Parker in the cave on Mars in Elysium.
Ohio – A Midwestern state mentioned by Jolie Doucet as the location of an active werewolf pod in More Golden Than Day.
Okechobee (Lake), Florida – A large and shallow freshwater lake in southern Florida. Namesake of the more famous lake on the Moon.
Okechobee (Lake), Moon – A large and shallow freshwater lake in the center of the Land of Snow on the Moon. It is surrounded by mountains and hills on all sides except the south, and fed by many rivers and streams coming down from these. It is drained by the Caloosahatchie River into the Sea of Tranquility. It has white sand beaches on its northern fringe, clear green water, and is said to resemble the Gulf of Mexico. It fills the basin of the former Mare Vaporum, and Lakeside Station is situated in the central portion of its northern coast. Lake Okechobee is mentioned in Tycho, Avenger, and Elysium.
Old Tampa Bay, Florida – The northern extension of Tampa Bay, which Tyke and his associates would have crossed often when going between Clearwater and Tampa proper, although the Bay is mentioned by name only in Tycho.
Olivine – A mineral generally found in the lunar lowlands, which can form green sand under specific conditions. Iron-magnesium silicate, also known as peridot. Olivine is also found on Earth in volcanic locations, where it can form semiprecious gemstones. It also forms a green sand beach at Papalokea, Hawaii, the only such location in the world. Olivine is mentioned only in Tycho.
Olympus (Mount), Mars – The tallest peak in the solar system at 69,822 feet, located near the western edge of the Tharsis Plateau. Colonel Burns takes advantage of the mountain’s height to fire at Tyke McGrath in Elysium.
Opaline (Mount), Moon – Westernmost of the Snowy Mountains, Opaline rises to 12,106 feet at the very tip of Land’s End, forming a massive landmark for sailors.
Ore City, Texas – A small town about twenty miles north of Longview, near the Lake O’ the Pines. Lisa Stone’s grandmother lived here, and so did Lisa herself after returning from South Carolina in Many Waters. Ore City is also the hometown of Marcus Cumby, Cody McGrath’s best friend, and Brandon Stone decided to attend school here instead of in Avinger so he could play football. Tommy Jones is said to live on Redbud Street, and Lana Krisanova’s host family (the Jacksons) live on Catawba Street in Bran the Blessed.
Ore City High School – A public high school in Ore City, Texas. Former students who have attended OCHS include Brandon Stone, Marcus Cumby, Jason Lewis, Tommy and Bobby Jones, Sheila and Jamie Jackson, and Lana Krisanova. Brandon plays football here for the Ore City Rebels, and Lana is the water girl. OCHS is mentioned in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed.
Ore City Rebels – The football team of Ore City High School. Brandon Stone, Jason Lewis, Tommy and Bobby Jones, and Marcus Cumby have all been members of this team at one time or another, and the colors are black and gold. The Rebels are mentioned by name in Bran the Blessed and alluded to in Many Waters.
Oregon – A Western state which is mentioned in connection with octopus wrestling in Truesilver, and as the home of one of Layla Garza’s victims in Many Waters.
Organ Mountains, New Mexico – A dry mountain range just to the east of Las Cruces, dividing the Rio Grande Valley from the White Sands Desert. Andrew Garza’s home was located in these mountains, and attacked by Cody McGrath and Matthieu Doucet in Many Waters. Matthieu had also visited the place in Truesilver.
Orion – A great hunter in Greek mythology, who fell in love with Artemis, goddess of hunting and of the Moon. He promised her that he would kill every beast on earth for her, a promise which angered Gaia the goddess of the Earth, who sent a giant scorpion to kill him. Then he was placed among the stars as a lesson about what happens to proud and selfish people. The Orion Strain is named after him, and Tyke McGrath tells this story to Danielle Black as they lie on the beach at Lakeside Station after the Candlemas party in Tycho.
Orion Strain – A genetically modified man-made bacterium originally based on anthrax, which attacks the enzyme known as ATP synthase in mammals and birds, resulting in swift and certain death within no more than 36 hours after exposure. The bacterium is able to form spores which persist in the environment for many years. The Orion Strain destroys virtually all warm-blooded life on the planet earth, except for a few scattered survivors who flee into space. Although not always mentioned by name, it is discussed in Bran the Blessed, Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas – A mountain range in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, including roughly all the land between Little Rock, AR and Atoka, OK, and from approximately Broken Bow in the south to Fort Smith in the north. They are made up mostly of long east-west ridges of which the highest reach an elevation of about 2600 feet, and are often lumped together as part of the Ozarks in everyday speech. They are the direct western continuation of the Appalachians, although the mountains which once connected them have subsided beneath the deposits of the Mississippi River Valley. The stumps of them still exist underground and can be viewed by means of sound waves. The Crystal Range, a smaller subset of the Ouachitas, is the setting for many events in Unclouded Day, Behind Blue Eyes, and Truesilver.
Ouachita National Park, Arkansas – A national park created in the year 2092, including most of the high Ouachita Mountains in western Arkansas, particularly the Cossatot, Missouri, Caddo, and Crystal Ranges. Although not always mentioned as such, this area is featured in Cry for the Moon, when Zach passes through part of it at night on his bus trip. It appears again as the location of the deer camp in Behind Blue Eyes, and then again in Truesilver, when Zach and Cameron visit the area to climb Mt. Blaylock and to go bear hunting with Levi Black. This is also the region where Brian and Brandon Stone live in Unclouded Day and where Cody McGrath kills his bearskin rug in Many Waters. Micah McGrath also mentions it in Nightfall.
Ouai – A slangy or informal French word which means something like “Yeah” and which is sometimes heard in southern Louisiana. It is pronounced like “way”. Damon Doucet is fond of using it in Nightfall.
Overton, Ida Leigh – Wife of Calvin Trewick and mother of Lena and Janelle. She is Cameron’s grandmother.
Owen, Jake – A country singer notable for the song Barefoot Bluejean Night. Cody McGrath plays this for Lisa while they sit by the river one night, making her laugh because the lyrics seem to describe her somewhat. Jake Owen is mentioned in Many Waters.
Owens, Buck – A country singer popular in the 1960’s and 70’s. Cody McGrath overhears somebody humming one of his songs in Alaska, which gets him to thinking about ordering a guitar and writing some music again. The song he heard was Hello, Trouble, and Buck Owens is mentioned only in Many Waters.
Oxygen Poisoning – A medical emergency which occurs when a person breathes too much oxygen for longer than a certain period of time, causing the excess to build up inside the body and cause tissue damage. Symptoms can include pain, blindness, dizziness, seizures, and eventually death. Tyke McGrath and Hunter Bartow suffer a mild case of oxygen poisoning at the bottom of the Cytherean Sea in Freedom.
Oxy-helium – A mixture of oxygen and helium gases which is used by divers when they need to reach deeper areas than usual. Zach Trewick uses oxy-helium (sometimes called heliox) when diving at Cape Mendocino in Truesilver.
Oxytocin – A hormone which among other functions is largely responsible for the feeling of falling in love. Sometimes known commercially as Pitocin, and mentioned by Tyke McGrath in Tycho.
Ozark Bluegrass – A variety of bluegrass common in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountain region of Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Although very similar to the bluegrass found in the southern Appalachians (from which it came), it tends to be a bit more upbeat in tone and to say almost nothing about coal mining or mill towns, since these things never existed in the Ozarks. Ozark Bluegrass is mentioned as something Brandon Stone likes to play in Bran the Blessed.
Ozark Mountains – A range of low but often rugged limestone and sandstone peaks and ridges which at their greatest extent stretch from Lawton, Oklahoma to Carbondale, Illinois. They include the southern half of Missouri, the northwest half of Arkansas, and the southeast half of Oklahoma. They are mostly heavily wooded and thinly populated, and are the direct western continuation of the Appalachians. The Ozarks (or parts of them) appear in Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, Truesilver, Unclouded Day, Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, and Nightfall.
Ozark Mountain Lullaby – A famous song performed most notably by Tammy Wynette, which Brandon Stone sings to his unborn son Stephen in the forest in Russia in Bran the Blessed.
P
Pachelbel, Johann – A classical composer best known for his work Canon in D Major, a famous piece of music which Johnny Weiss played at the Candlemas Dance on the Moon where Tyke and Danielle first kissed in Tycho, and then again at their wedding in Kailua Kona in Avenger.
Pacific Ocean – The largest ocean on earth. Locations on or near the Pacific Ocean are important in Bran the Blessed, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Palani Road, Kailua Kona, Hawaii – One of the main streets in Kailua Kona, running from the docks on Kailua Bay through the main black stone square where the statue of the unknown soldier was erected in Freedom, and then past the high school and Queen’s Highway and finally exits the city wall. Palani Road is lined with palm trees and is one of Tyke McGrath’s favorite places to walk. The street is mentioned by name only in Elysium but Tyke would have used it frequently the entire time he lived in Kailua Kona.
Papalokea, Hawaii – A green sand beach near the southernmost tip of the Big Island of Hawaii, the only one of its kind on Earth. The green sand is formed by peridot crystals weathered out of the local volcanic rock by strong surf action which washes the lighter grains of ordinary sand away while leaving the peridot behind. Tyke McGrath and Danielle Black like to go walking here because it reminds them of the Summer Isles on the Moon. Papalokea is mentioned only in Tycho and Freedom.
Paris, France – The capital of France, which is mentioned often in More Golden Than Day.
Parker, Cameron – Son of Billy and Janelle Parker and best friend of his third cousin Zach, Cameron grew up on a ranch in the mountains near Black Springs, Arkansas until his father was killed by getting kicked in the head by a horse when Cam was ten. He then lived a tumbleweed life for several years until moving in with Zach when he was fourteen. He is one of the five Curse-Breakers and also an Avenger. In later life he follows Joan Rusk to the future and takes on a new identity as Philip Carpenter and becomes leader of the Avengers. He and Joan have five children – Christopher, Jesse, Veronica, Callum, and Camber. Cameron appears in Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, Truesilver, Bran the Blessed, Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Parker, Daisy – Daughter of Jesse and Leah.
Parker, David – Son of Jesse and Leah. David was very large when he was born, and finds himself kidnapped by his grandfather (Colonel Luke Bartow) during Freedom.
Parker, Janelle Trewick – Daughter of Calvin Trewick and mother of Cameron Parker. Janelle has a problem with self-control and tends to attack cattle when she goes hunting as a werewolf, which makes it difficult for her to stay in any one place for very long. She wants nothing to do with Cameron anymore after he helps destroy the werewolf curse. Janelle appears in Behind Blue Eyes and is mentioned in More Golden Than Day.
Parker, Jesse James – Cameron and Joan’s second son, and Tyke McGrath’s first cousin and best friend. Jesse is brash, athletic, popular, and a proud hayseed in spite of his brilliant mind. He is a mathematical savant who has the ability to do complex math problems in his head very quickly. Jesse is also a pilot and navigator with a thirst for exploration and adventure. He is said to be tall, blond, and handsome, and later becomes an Avenger and the father of David and Daisy. Jesse uses the surname Carpenter until he discovers his father’s true identity, at which time he chooses to reclaim his “real” name. Jesse appears in Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Parker, Leah Bartow – Daughter of Luke and Marie Bartow and sister of Hunter. Leah appears throughout the Tyke McGrath series and is especially important in Freedom. She marries Jesse Parker and becomes the mother of David and Daisy.
Parker, William – Father of Cameron, William is usually called Billy in everyday life. He dies from a kick to the head by a horse at the age of 28, when Cameron is ten. Billy Parker is mentioned in Behind Blue Eyes and Truesilver.
Particle Physics – The branch of physics dealing with subatomic particles such as protons, neutrons, and electrons. Particle physics as a subject is mentioned in Truesilver, and two types of particles are mentioned elsewhere. Tachyons are discussed in Nightfall, and neutrinos are mentioned in Freedom.
Pecan Tree – A type of hickory tree with large, thin-shelled nuts. Pecans grow wild in the South and lower Midwest, and are highly prized as shade trees. Zach Trewick mentions seeing many of them in Ruston, Louisiana in Behind Blue Eyes, and has to climb one in the Doucets’ yard in Natchitoches in More Golden Than Day. He also mentions them growing at Hope Ranch in Truesilver. Goliad Ranch is full of pecan trees in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed, and Micah McGrath finds one of them still growing there in Nightfall.
Peipus (Lake), Russia-Estonia – A large freshwater lake dividing Russia from Estonia. Brandon and his friends make a daring midnight dash across the lake in the rain to escape the Russian border guards. Lake Peipus appears only in Bran the Blessed.
Pensacola, Florida – A small city in the Florida panhandle known for beautiful beaches. Cody and Lisa McGrath visited here in Bran the Blessed, a trip later recalled by Micah McGrath in Nightfall. Pensacola is also mentioned by Tyke McGrath in Elysium.
Perelandra – A classic science fiction novel about Venus by C.S. Lewis. Perelandra is mentioned in Cry for the Moon and in Freedom.
Phobos – The larger and closer of Mars’ two moons, and the only one which has a visible disc from the planetary surface. The name means fear. Phobos is mentioned several times in Elysium.
Phoenix, Arizona – The capital of Arizona. Lisa Stone had a layover at the airport here on her way to Alaska in Many Waters. It’s also the original home of Colonel James Burns who appears throughout the Tyke McGrath series, and the namesake for the Phoenix on Mars.
Phoenix, Mars – The colony founded by the North American Defense Forces at the edge of the Tharsis Plateau on Mars. Phoenix is found in a deep valley of dark red stone and it is built on the banks of the River of Fire. Tyke McGrath visits here in Elysium.
Phytoplankton – Any of several types of single-celled algae which produce oxygen through photosynthesis and whose enormous numbers are responsible for the green color of water in many places, including the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Okechobee and Emerald Bay on the Moon. They are also used as part of the terraforming process, especially on the Moon and Mars. Phytoplankton are mentioned in Tycho and alluded to in Avenger and Elysium.
Piano Sonata in C – A piece of classical music by the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Lana Krisanova mentions that it’s one of her favorite pieces, and she plays it at Dr. Anderson’s house in Mooringsport, Lousiana, just before she and Brandon depart for the Realm of Hidden Things in Bran the Blessed.
Picts – An ancient Celtic people of Scotland and northern England, who had a reputation as vicious fighters in Roman times. They later merged with the related Scotti tribe from northern Ireland and ceased to exist as a separate people, but their descendants form a large proportion of the Scotch-Irish in America and elsewhere. In this way, Cody McGrath and the other Curse-Breakers are largely Pictish in ancient origin, a history which is displayed by Brandon Stone’s red hair (Scotland has the highest percentage of redheads in the world). The Picts are mentioned in Many Waters.
Piedmont, Alabama – A small city in northeast Alabama, and home of Brandon Stone after his father Crush takes him there by force in Bran the Blessed. Piedmont is also mentioned as Brandon’s home in Freedom.
Piedmont High School – The public high school in Piedmont, Alabama. Brandon Stone goes to school here for two years and plays football and baseball for the Piedmont Bulldogs in Bran the Blessed. The colors are blue and gold.
Pillar of Heaven – A holy mountain of ice in the land of Xanadu on Titan, upon whose summit is built the Temple of Muwamanth. Tyke McGrath visits this place in Avenger.
Pineapple Express – A corporate jet belonging to a pineapple company, which Tyke McGrath and Jesse Parker choose as the survivors’ transportation. The plane is so named because it has a mouthwatering picture of sliced pineapple chunks on the side of the fuselage. The Pineapple Express is mentioned in Freedom and Elysium.
Pinecrest Retirement Village – A nursing home in Falls Chapel, Arkansas where Sadie Jones resides. Brian Stone meets her here in Unclouded Day.
Piney State Bank – A small bank in east Texas, of which Howard Jackson is the president. Cody McGrath does business with this bank in Many Waters. Although not mentioned in the text, Howie Jackson is Lana Krisanova’s foster father in Bran the Blessed.
Pinnacles – A portion of the West Florida Reef System south of Pensacola, where Colonel Burns formed his lair and where Tyke McGrath had to attack him in Elysium.
Plant City, Florida – A medium-sized city east of Tampa which in the past contained a large refugee camp for those fleeing the Union War of 2105-2115. Danielle Black’s grandmother Catalina (whom she refers to in Elysium) came to Plant City as a refugee from Santa Fe, as did Danielle’s mother Rosalita and her father Joe Black. Danielle herself and her brother Colton grew up here until their parents were assassinated by the NADF when Danielle was nine and then lived with Catalina until she also died when Danielle was twelve, at which time they moved in with friends in Zephyr Hills.
Plastimetal Alloy – A synthetic molecular-level alloy of plastic and metal which, depending on the specific plastics and metals involved, can be designed to have various properties. Chiefly desired for strength, flexibility, and lightness. NADF weaponry is largely made of plastimetal alloys, as is mentioned in Elysium.
Pleasure Pier – An amusement park located on a pier in Galveston, Texas. Zach Trewick visits the Pleasure Pier just for fun during Truesilver.
Pleistocene – The era of Earth’s history immediately preceding our own, and commonly known as the Ice Age, when sea levels were often 300-400 feet lower than now. The Pleistocene Era is mentioned in Elysium.
Point Mutation – A small change at a single point in the DNA strand of an organism which results in the substitution of a different amino acid in place of the one which is supposed to be there. This can result in radically different proteins. For example, sickle cell anemia is the result of a single point mutation. This concept is mentioned in Tycho.
Polar Bear Plunge – The practice of jumping into the ice-cold water of the Arctic Ocean either nude or almost so, and then staying submerged for a few minutes. For a small fee, those who survive the ordeal are rewarded with a lifetime membership certificate to the Polar Bear Club. Cody McGrath did this in Alaska at Prudhoe Bay in Many Waters, although he swore never to do it again!
Poplar Bluff, Missouri – A town in southeast Missouri in the Ozark foothills, and the location of one of the Trewick family’s wolf-stones. Zach destroys it in Behind Blue Eyes.
Possum Kingdom, Texas – A small town near Possum Kingdom Lake on the Brazos River west of Fort Worth. Layla Garza killed Blake McGrath here, and Cody McGrath placed his Guardian Stone at the bottom of the river in Many Waters. Cameron Parker later retrieved it in Truesilver, and the spot was also mentioned in Bran the Blessed.
Powell, Gina – A girl in Falls Chapel, Arkansas, who is said to suffer from terrible acne. Brian Stone heals her in Unclouded Day.
Priestly Blessing – A specific blessing which God commanded the priests of Israel to speak over the people from time to time, which includes the words God bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his eyes unto you, and give you peace. This blessing has commonly been used for parents to bless their children and is often heard in Christian churches at the end of the services. Cody McGrath pronounces the Priestly Blessing upon Layla Garza in Many Waters.
Prodigal Son’s Prayer – A country gospel song performed most notably by Dierks Bentley which Brandon Stone likes and chooses to perform at church one morning when he’s feeling guilty and remorseful for his actions at Bobby Jones’ party the night before in Bran the Blessed.
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska – A small inlet of the Arctic Ocean in Alaska, the site of a large oil production area. Cody McGrath goes here to work for several months in Many Waters.
Pskov, Russia – A medium-sized city near Lake Peipus in northwest Russia. Brandon Stone and the others were nearly killed in Pskov before escaping in Bran the Blessed.
Pueblito de Allende, Mexico – A small village in the northern state of Chihuahua, near which a large meteorite fell in 1967. Dr. Garza used part of this meteorite to build his tachometer, and Micah McGrath mentioned this fact in Nightfall.
Pushkin, Russia – A suburb of St. Petersburg which was formerly the location of the palaces of the Russian emperors. Lana Krisanova mentions that her cousin has a souvenir business here in Bran the Blessed.
Q
Queen’s Highway, Kailua Kona, Hawaii – A highway circling the entire island of Hawaii. Although mentioned by name only in Elysium, the highway also appears several times in Avenger and Freedom since Tyke and the others have to use it whenever they go to the observatory on Mauna Kea, to Hilo for supplies, or even to visit Papalokea.
R
Radiation Poisoning – An illness caused by exposure to radioactivity. It can range from mild to deadly. Symptoms of mild radiation poisoning include nausea, diarrhea, headache, tiredness, and aching muscles. Tyke McGrath suffered from this for a while in Tycho.
Radio Delay – A consequence of the fact that nothing can travel faster than light. When a spaceship is far from earth, it takes a measurable amount of time for lightspeed messages to reach the intended listener via radio, and then a similar amount of time for the listener to reply. This means that a person on Mars must wait about twenty minutes between the time he sends a message and the time he receives a reply, a length of time which varies by distance. Radio delay is mentioned in Avenger and Elysium.
Ramada Palms de Las Cruces – An upscale hotel in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker stayed here in Truesilver, and so did Lisa Stone and Cody McGrath in Many Waters.
Rainy River, Venus – One of the main rivers coming down from the snowfields on Mt. Freedom. The Rainy river flows a few miles to the east of Jamestown, and Tyke McGrath follows it upstream in Freedom.
Rainy Sea, Moon – A large northeastern arm of the Stormy Ocean and partly divided from it by Land’s End. The entire northwest coast of the Land of Snow faces the Rainy Sea. The sea is known for being stormy, dangerous, and unpredictable. Tyke McGrath and his friends sail across the Rainy Sea twice on their way to Desolation Island in Tycho, and then fly across it in Avenger. Although not mentioned by name, they would also have seen it while climbing Mt. Diamondtop in Elysium.
Ranger-3 – A small space station where Tyke McGrath and the other survivors took refuge for a while when the Linda Sue’s air purifier broke down. It is mentioned only in Tycho.
Rapides Parish, Louisiana – A region in central Louisiana along the Red River, mentioned in Behind Blue Eyes as the southernmost hunting ground of Daniel Trewick and his werewolves. It contains the city of Alexandria.
Räpina, Estonia – A small town near Lake Peipus in the southeastern part of Estonia, with a reputation for scenic views and solitude. Brandon Stone breaks into a pharmacy to steal drugs and also steals a car from here. Rapina appears only in Bran the Blessed.
Ravanna, Arkansas – An almost nonexistent town at the very southwest corner of Arkansas in Miller County, on the northern edge of the largest cypress swamp on earth. Brandon Stone lives in the swamp near Ravanna in Many Waters, and remembers the place in Bran the Blessed.
Rayburn, Emily – Daughter of Sam and Jennifer, sister of Madeleine, and later on the wife of Christopher Carpenter and mother of Virginia, Andrea, and Jonathan. Emily appears in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Rayburn, Jennifer Breyer – Daughter of Andrew Breyer Jr. and sister of Jason, Jennifer is a computer programming specialist and also an Avenger. She is the mother of Emily and Madeleine Rayburn. Jennifer appears in Nightfall, Tycho, and Avenger and is killed in the crash of the Cabral.
Rayburn, Madeleine – Daughter of Sam and Jennifer and younger sister of Emily, Maddy is killed in the crash of the Cabral. She is mentioned in Tycho and Avenger.
Rayburn, Sam – Father of Emily and Madeleine. He is killed in the crash of the Cabral, and is mentioned briefly in Tycho and Avenger.
Realm of Hidden Things – A country which can only be reached by those who are meant to find it, by sailing westward through the fog across any body of water in the world. Brandon Stone goes here in Bran the Blessed.
Rebel Field – The football field at Ore City High School. Brandon Stone likes to keep his truck parked here in Bran the Blessed.
Rebreathers – A piece of scuba diving equipment which permits the diver to stay underwater for longer than usual by removing carbon dioxide from his exhaled air and then having him rebreathe the same air again. Rebreathers are mentioned during the dive at Cape Mendocino in Truesilver.
Red Dirt Music – A type of home-grown country performed mostly in the Red River Valley of Texas and Oklahoma and adjacent regions, usually by local bands. The name comes from the red clay dirt common to that whole area. Red Dirt music is one of the things Cody McGrath likes to play in Many Waters, and is also mentioned in Bran the Blessed.
Red Lick, Texas – A small town just west of Texarkana where Edith Ross lives. Her grandfather Joram Ross had a farm in this area and found himself harassed by Daniel Trewick and his wolves, and Zach Trewick and his friends use Miss Edith’s house to hide from the Garzas. Red Lick appears in Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, and Truesilver.
Red River Gorge – A deep canyon in the western wall of the Valley of the Sun, where the Red River of Mars comes down from the Tharsis Plateau at the edge of the Tempe Hills. Sergeant Jones establishes a base camp here while Tyke McGrath and the others go ahead to explore Phoenix in Elysium.
Red River of Mars – The second longest river on Mars, the Red River rises in the Mountains of Tantalus, then flows eastward along the southern edge of the Tempe Hills before plunging down into the Valley of the Sun through a deep gorge. It then follows the Valley of the Sun (although it never merges with the River of Fire) until it empties into the Golden Sea. Tyke McGrath follows its upper reaches in Elysium.
Red River of the South – One of the major tributaries of the Mississippi, the Red River begins in the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) Mountains of eastern New Mexico, flows through the Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo, and forms most of the border between Texas and Oklahoma. It turns sharply southward just after entering Arkansas (a place known as the Great Bend of the Red), then flows past Shreveport and Natchitoches, Louisiana before entering the Mississippi not far above Baton Rouge. The Red River is notable for its red color. This river is mentioned in More Golden Than Day when Zach Trewick and Jolie Doucet go mudding on its eastern shore and watch the moonrise near Natchitoches. Daniel Trewick’s plantation was said to be near its banks at Shreveport in Behind Blue Eyes, and he and his werewolves used it often for transportation. It’s also mentioned in Nightfall as the border between the North American Union and the Republic of Brazoria.
Red River Valley – the valley of the Red River, including parts of northern and eastern Texas, southern Oklahoma, most of southwest Arkansas, and most of northwest Louisiana. All five Curse-Breakers have roots somewhere in the Red River Valley. Cities mentioned in the text which are located in this region are Texarkana, Ore City, Avinger, Sulphur Springs, Commerce, Mt. Pleasant, Atlanta, Wolfe City, Linden, and Red Lick (in Texas), Shreveport, Mooringsport, Ruston, and Natchitoches (in Louisiana), and Arkadelphia, Glenwood, Norman, Caddo Gap, and Magnolia (in Arkansas). Caddo Lake, the Sulphur River, Black Cypress Bayou, the Crystal Range, Mt. Blaylock, the Caddo River, and the Skullcrusher mountains are all included within the region, as well. Tyler and Longview are on the southern border of the area. Most of The Last Werewolf Hunter series and the Stones of Song series take place somewhere in this region, along with significant portions of Nightfall and Freedom in the Tyke McGrath series.
Red Rock Desert, Moon – The northeast shore of the Sea of Serenity, notable for the reddish color of its rocks and sand, and also for its brilliant wildflower blooms every morning. Tyke McGrath visits the area in Tycho and then again in Elysium.
Redoubt, Mars – A secret lair in the Mountains of Tantalus, built by the rebel forces on Mars in case of desperate need. This is the first location Tyke McGrath visits on Mars, and it is mentioned only in Elysium.
Retrograde – Reversed or backward movement, as in the case of Venus which rotates in such a manner that the sun rises in the west rather than the east; opposite from the rotation of all other planets in the solar system. This term is used only in Freedom.
Reverse Bungee-Jumping – A game invented by Tyke McGrath, Jesse Parker, and Hunter Bartow while they are marooned on Deimos. It involves tying a cord to the ground and then leaping into the sky in the almost-nonexistent gravity until caught by the cord and falling back to the ground again. The game is described in Elysium.
Rings of the Avengers – Six rings of silver, set with midnight blue star-sapphires. They are symbolic marks of office for the Avengers, and each one is inscribed on the inner band with the name of the person who first wore it. Zach Trewick, Damon Doucet, and Tyke McGrath were each holders of the Ring of Barthélemy, named after Michel Doucet’s nephew Barthélemy Chrétien. Cameron Parker held the ring of Barthélemy’s brother Sebastién. The other four rings are those of Michel, Bourbon, Christophe, and Jean-Pierre. Luther Anderson, Aron Anderson, and Hunter Bartow held the Ring of Bourbon. Matthieu Doucet, Jason Breyer, and Jesse Parker held the Ring of Michel. Levi Black and Danielle Black both held the Ring of Christophe, and Jolie Doucet and Joan Rusk both held the Ring of Jean-Pierre. The Rings are mentioned in More Golden Than Day, Truesilver, Nightfall, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Rio Grande – A river which forms the southern border of Texas and whose shape is easily recognizable from high altitude. Tyke McGrath notices it while returning to Earth in Tycho.
Roaring Fork River – A river in the Crystal Range of western Arkansas, where Zach Trewick likes to go rafting sometimes and where Justin and Eileen are said to own a cabin in More Golden Than Day.
Robertson, Emma – First wife of Crush Stone and mother of Lisa and Jenny. Emma is a stroke victim and had a difficult relationship with Lisa and Jenny’s father. She passes away suddenly in Many Waters. Emma McGrath is named after her.
Rockport, Arkansas – A small town in southwest Arkansas, near Hot Springs National Park. Micah McGrath visited Rockport twice, when fleeing from the defense forces and also when investigating the aftereffects of the tachometer. Rockport is mentioned only in Nightfall.
Rocky River, Moon – A whitewater stream descending from Lake Windsong at the summit of Mount Sugarstone in the southern Chocolate Mountains and flowing north to Lake Okechobee, and one of the Seven Rivers of Snow. Tyke McGrath and his friends went rafting here in Tycho.
Rosalinde – A small research vessel abandoned at Desolation Island on the Moon, which Tyke McGrath, Jesse Parker, and Tabby Breyer sail across the Rainy Sea before abandoning at Trinity Bay in Tycho.
Ross, Edith – Granddaughter of Joram Ross and keeper of the Sweet Spring, Miss Edith becomes an unlikely friend of Zach Trewick in later days, when she leaves her hoard of healing water and her house to him. She is described as a grand old Southern lady who has a strict attitude about good manners. Edith appears in Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, and Truesilver.
Ross, Joram – A farmer in Red Lick, Texas who is harassed by Daniel Trewick’s werewolf pod during the fall of 1863. He follows them to their camp on Wolf Mountain just east of Texarkana and after praying for a way to destroy this evil place he is rewarded with a holy spring which gushes out of the rock and which he uses to destroy the wolf-stone before setting fire to the hilltop. Joram Ross is mentioned in Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, and Many Waters.
Rusk, Annabelle – Younger sister of Joan Rusk, Annabelle was never a werewolf herself but got caught by Denis Doucet in 1863 anyway. Annabelle is a mathematical genius who can do complex math in her head. She is also every inch a Victorian lady who will not tolerate filth or immodesty. She grew up in Sugar Hill, Texas, and is said to be short, slight, and dark-haired. She later becomes a professor of mathematics at the University of South Florida in Tampa and the wife of Micah McGrath, not to mention the mother of Tycho and Melissa. Annabelle appears in Truesilver, Nightfall, and Freedom, and is mentioned in Elysium.
Rusk, Joan – Older sister of Annabelle Rusk, Joan was a werewolf and a scout for the Confederate Army in Texas when she was captured by Denis Doucet in 1863. She later marries Cameron Parker and becomes a nurse in Tampa, Florida and the mother of five children: Christopher, Jesse, Veronica, Callum, and Camber. She also mostly raises Tyke McGrath, Tommy and Amie Anderson, and Molly Strickland. Joan appears in Truesilver, Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Rusk, Nicholas – Father of Joan and Annabelle, grandfather of Tycho and Melissa McGrath and of Christopher, Jesse, Veronica, Callum, and Camber Carpenter. Nicholas was a Confederate soldier commended for exceptional bravery at the battle of Shiloh in Tennessee, and killed in battle shortly thereafter. Tycho McGrath gets his middle name from this man. Nicholas is mentioned in Nightfall and Freedom.
Russia – A country in eastern Europe, the largest on Earth. Lana Krisanova and her friends Tatya and Vlad are native Russians from the Saint Petersburg area. Several Russian customs and oddities are mentioned, including the notoriously long and frigid Russian winter, the traditionalism of the people, and the custom of kissing ones’ friends on the cheek upon greeting or parting (actually a very ancient custom once practiced by all Europeans and also found in the Bible). This region provides the setting for many episodes in Bran the Blessed.
Russian Language – A member of the Indo-European language group which includes English, French, and many others. Russian has many similarities with these other languages, but is normally written with the Cyrillic alphabet rather than the Latin alphabet used in most of the rest of Europe. This can make it difficult for foreigners to read at times. Several Russian words and phrases are used in Bran the Blessed, including krasny malchik (red boy or beautiful boy), milaya (sweetheart), prikaditye (come!) and the Russian lyrics to Amazing Grace.
Ruston, Louisiana – A medium-sized college town in northwest Louisiana and home of Louisiana Tech University. Ruston is also the location of one of the Trewick family’s wolf-stones, which was destroyed by Zach Trewick in Behind Blue Eyes. Particular locations in Ruston which are mentioned include Regions Bank and Honeysuckle Lane.
Rusty Mountains, Moon – A range of jagged peaks of reddish stone located in the Red Rock Desert on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Serenity. They are notable for containing deposits of rubies and yellow sapphires. Tyke McGrath sees them from a distance in Tycho and Elysium.
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Sacramento Island, Mars – A small portion of the Caprock Plateau detached from the main section by the Caprock Canyon cut by the River of Fire. Sacramento Island is the location of Colonel Burns’ airport in Elysium.
Salt Lake City, Utah – Zach Trewick and his friends had a layover at the airport here on their way to Cape Mendocino to retrieve the Guardian Stone in Truesilver.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge – A famous British poet of the Romantic era, beloved by Crush Stone and his daughter Lisa in Many Waters.
San Andrés – The Spanish warship of Juan de Velasco, nephew of the Viceroy of Peru, sunk off Cape Mendocino in California in the year 1600. Zach Trewick, Matthieu Doucet, and Cameron Parker visit the ship in Truesilver.
Sandy River, Moon – Although not mentioned by name in the text, this is the river which drains Lake Boscovich into the Caloosahatchie River. It flows mostly through sandy swampland and is not considered to be one of the Seven Rivers of Snow.
Santa Fe, New Mexico – The capital of New Mexico, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Home of many old and aristocratic Spanish families. Layla Garza settled here with her brother Orem after Bran the Blessed. The city was firebombed during the Union War of 2105-2115 and most of its inhabitants killed, but Brandon Stone rescued Layla’s grandson Edmundo from the destruction along with his wife Catalina and his daughter Rosalita, taking them to a refugee camp in Plant City, Florida.
Sarasota, Florida – A large town on the south side of Tampa Bay, mentioned in Elysium as the site of a factory where Tyke McGrath finds the necessary equipment to manufacture poisonous gases.
Sargasso Weed – A type of edible seaweed common all over the western Atlantic and elsewhere, which typically grows in long strands and is said to have a pleasant sweet-and-sour taste. Often called Gulfweed when found in the Gulf of Mexico. It was a staple food of Tyke McGrath and the other survivors while living on the Eastern Star in Tycho, and was also mentioned in Nightfall.
Saturn – Sixth planet from the sun, one of whose moons is Titan, visited by Tyke McGrath, Jesse Parker, and Cameron Parker in Avenger.
Scarlett Blaze – The heroine of a series of romance novels of which Lisa Stone is particularly fond. Although she has almost all of them, her favorite is Scarlett’s Hawaiian Nights, which she mentions in Many Waters.
Scotland – A kingdom in the northern portion of the island of Britain, mentioned by Cody McGrath in Many Waters.
Sea Grapes – A type of edible seaweed found in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere which is said to resemble green grapes and to possess a peppery flavor. It was a staple food of Tyke McGrath and the other survivors while they lived on the Eastern Star in Tycho.
Sea Moss – A type of edible seaweed found in the Gulf of Mexico which resembles moss. It has a bland, almost tasteless flavor and is said to be crunchy like celery. It was a staple food of Tyke McGrath and the other survivors while they lived on the Eastern Star in Tycho.
Sea of Galilee – A lake in northern Israel, on which Jesus calmed a storm. Rachel McCray mentions this in Unclouded Day.
Seawolf Park – A park in Galveston, Texas. Zach Trewick went fishing here for spotted seatrout and red drum in Truesilver.
Section Map – A type of map used by surveyors, tax assessors, and others to locate property in any of the states which were surveyed into blocks via the township and range method. This includes most of the states between the Appalachians and the Rockies, with the notable exception of Texas. Justin Wilder uses section maps to locate oil well sites in Louisiana and Arkansas, which he teaches Zach how to do in Behind Blue Eyes.
Semicircular Canals – Small fluid-filled tubes inside the ears which are chiefly responsible for keeping a person’s balance. Hunter Bartow has a problem with these on Deimos in Elysium.
Send the Fire – A traditional hymn and praise song which Cody McGrath mentions performing at church sometimes in Many Waters.
Serendipity – Chance, or good fortune. Tyke McGrath is fond of this word and uses it in Tycho and Avenger.
Serenity, Sea of, Moon – A large, mostly tranquil sea just north of the Sea of Tranquility and partially separated from it by Cape Trinity. The Sea of Serenity divides the Land of Snow from the Red Rock Desert to the northeast, and Trinity Bay is an inlet of this sea. Tyke McGrath spent a lot of time in or near the shores of the Sea of Serenity in Tycho and Elysium.
Seven Rivers of Snow, Moon – The fancy name chosen for the seven large rivers which flow through the Land of Snow, including the Trinity, Lucky, Faithful, Loving, Bountiful, Rocky, and Caloosahatchie. Tyke McGrath visits most of them often, even those which aren’t named in the text.
Shady Lake, Moon – A small lake in the Lakeside Hills just a few miles north of the Station, known for its cottonwood trees. Tyke McGrath and his friends like to come here, and it was at Shady Lake that Chris Carpenter first discovered it was possible to jump off high cliffs into water. Shady Lake appears only in Tycho.
Shangri-la, Black Desert of, Titan – A region of black sand-dunes made of coal dust, bounded on the east by Xanadu, on the south by Tsegihi, and on the north by Dilmun. Shangri-la contains the ice volcano known as Mount Tortola and was the first place Tyke McGrath encountered living things on Titan. It is mentioned only in Avenger.
Shel Silverstein – A writer known primarily for his children’s poetry collections. Lisa Stone was very fond of him as a child, as Cody McGrath remembers in Many Waters.
Should’ve Been a Cowboy – A famous country song performed most notably by Toby Keith, and one of Brandon Stone’s favorites. He plays it for his first solo public performance, at Sufficient Grounds coffee house in Tyler, Texas in Bran the Blessed.
Shreveport, Louisiana – A large city in northwest Louisiana, on the west bank of the Red River. Shreveport was the home of Daniel and Marybeth Trewick, the ancestors of all five Curse-Breakers, and so it holds importance for every book. Additionally, Zach Trewick passes through it often on his way to Natchitoches in More Golden Than Day and in Truesilver. Cody McGrath mentions it in Many Waters, and Brandon Stone departs from its airport on his way to Russia in Bran the Blessed. Tyke McGrath lands at the airport here in Freedom on his way to Cadron Pool. Shreveport is also the home of Dr. Elgin Bartow and his wife, who adopt Tatiana and Vlad Volkov, the ancestors of Hunter and Leah Bartow and also of Derrick and Danielle Black.
Shropshire, England – A county in western England where Josh Hampstead grew up on an apple orchard. Shropshire is mentioned only in Tycho.
Silent Night - A famous Christmas hymn sung by Justin Wilder, Zach Trewick, and Eileen Loftis in Cry for the Moon. Although not specifically named in the text, this is also one of the songs sung by Tyke and Danielle McGrath, Brandon Stone, Hunter Bartow, and Jesse Parker in the cave on Mars in Elysium.
Silicates – Various minerals containing silicon and oxygen as major components. Silicates are typically hard and glassy. Common examples are quartz, glass, and olivine. These materials are mentioned in Tycho and Elysium.
Silverspur (Mount), Moon – Located between Mt. Bradley to the west and Mt. Swanwhite to the east, Silverspur rises to 14,761, the second highest peak on the Moon. It is divided from Mt. Bradley by the Grand Canyon of the Moon, and it was on the western flank of Mt. Silverspur that the Cabral crashed in Tycho. Tyke McGrath and Jesse Parker visit this mountain again in Avenger.
Sinfonie de Fanfares – A piece of classical music by the composer Jean-Josef Mouret, which Lana Krisanova played at her piano recital in Bran the Blessed.
Sinkhole – A terrain feature commonly found in areas with lots of limestone, in which the roof of an underground chamber caves in to create a very steep-walled depression which is often filled with water at the bottom. Brian Stone and Rachel McCray find themselves trapped in a sinkhole in Unclouded Day.
Sinus Fidei, Moon – A flat plain located on the northwest shore of Lake Okechobee between the foothills of the Chocolate Mountains and the Lakeside Hills. It is divided by the Faithful River and notable for the sprinkling of yucca plants across its almost table-like surface. For this reason it’s also known as Yucca Flats. Tyke McGrath, Christopher and Jesse Carpenter, Drew Breyer, and Danielle Black spent a lot of time here riding the dune buggy. The Sinus Fidei appears in Tycho and Avenger.
Sinus Medii, Moon – A flat plain located in the exact center of the Moon as viewed from Earth, or just to the southwest of Lake Okechobee. It is filled with swampland after terraforming. Tyke McGrath, Philip and Jesse Carpenter, and Danielle Black have to cross the western edge of the Sinus Medii on foot in Avenger.
Sirius – The brightest star in the sky, being located near Orion’s foot. Sirius was the name of Orion’s hunting dog, a fact which Tyke McGrath mentions to Danielle Black on Candlemas Day in Tycho. Zach Trewick also mentions that Sirius is his favorite star while he lies stargazing in Cry for the Moon.
Skullcrusher Mountains – A colloquial name for the Cossatot Range in western Arkansas, which Zach mentions while standing on Mount Blaylock in Truesilver.
Skye (Mount), Moon – Located between Cloudyhead to the east and Diamondtop to the west, this is the third highest peak on the Moon at 14,616 feet. It forms a very pretty triple-peak arrangement with Steelytine and Cloudyhead, viewable from Barnaby Station. Mount Skye is mentioned only in Tycho.
Smelling Oranges – A common name for a thorny bush closely related to the citrus family which grows in the South and the lower Midwest. The fruit resembles small oranges and smells like them, and it’s a common practice to put them in drawers with socks and underwear to make the clothes smell nice. The fruits are sometimes made into orange marmalade, but they contain so little juice that it usually isn’t worth the trouble. Zach mentions smelling oranges in Cry for the Moon.
Smoky Mountains – A common name for that portion of the southern Appalachians located along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. They are the highest part of the entire Appalachian range, with several peaks over 6000 feet. They are also the largest reservoir of biodiversity in North America. The Smoky Mountains are mentioned in Behind Blue Eyes and Bran the Blessed, and Tyke McGrath visits them in Freedom.
Snow, Land of, Moon – The most beautiful and livable portion of the Moon, bounded on the west by the Stormy Ocean, the northwest by the Rainy Sea, the northeast by the Sea of Serenity, the southeast by the Sea of Tranquility, and on the south by the swamplands of the Caloosahatchie valley and the Sinus Medii. Also known as Terra Nevaia. Most of the notable features of the Moon are located in the Land of Snow, including the Snowy Mountains, Lakeside Station, Trinity Bay, Lake Okechobee, Lake Boscovich, the Black Hills, and many other locations. Tyke McGrath spends most of his time on the Moon in the Land of Snow, which is featured prominently in Tycho, Avenger, and Elysium.
Snowball, Arkansas – A tiny hamlet in the central Ozarks. Brian Stone and Rachel McCray spent considerable time near this place during their search for the Fountain of Youth in Unclouded Day.
Snowdrop (Mount), Moon – One of the large inland peaks of the Snowy Mountains, Snowdrop reaches a height of 12,651 feet and is found just to the southeast of Swanwhite in the northern portion of the range.
Snowstone – More common name for the white rock of the lunar highlands, made up mostly of calcium-aluminum silicate, also known as plagioclase feldspar. Many buildings, runways, and roads on the Moon were built of snowstone. Although it is mentioned by name only in Avenger, Tyke and the others would have seen it often in Tycho and Elysium also.
Snowy Mountains, Moon – The tallest mountain range on the Moon, containing eleven large peaks over ten thousand feet along the coast of the Rainy Sea and five others inland, along with innumerable smaller mountains. The range contains several unusual features such as the Grand Canyon of the Moon, the White Cliffs, and the Lake of Eternal Peace, not to mention the Fallen Astronaut Memorial on the summit of Mount Hadley. Mount Bradley is the tallest peak in the Snowies (and on the Moon in general) at 15,200 feet. Besides Bradley, the range contains only three other “fourteeners” – Silverspur, Steelytine, and Skye. Tyke McGrath and his friends crash-land in the Snowy Mountains in Tycho, and return to visit them in Avenger and also in Elysium.
South Africa – Mentioned in Nightfall as a radioactive wasteland after the Boer War.
South Carolina – A southern state where Lisa Stone moved with her mother and sister for a few years when she was twelve, before moving on to Florida and then eventually back to Texas.
South Florida, University of – A university in Tampa. Micah McGrath and Annabelle Rusk both graduated from here and were both professors, she of math and he of astronomy. The University was destroyed by a nuclear explosion in 2141 and the area replaced by Memorial Park after the crater filled with water in Nightfall.
Southern Command – The NADF military command zone including the states of Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, East Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia, and Oklahoma. Colonel James Burns was the head of Southern Command in the years before the Orion Strain struck. The headquarters of Southern Command was in Atlanta, Georgia, and it is mentioned in Nightfall, Freedom, and Elysium.
Southern English – As used in my books, the dialect of English commonly spoken by those in the southern United States. Some of the more noticeable aspects of Southern English include the use of the pronoun y’all when addressing more than one person, the use of double modals such as might could, as in We might could do that, the retention of certain older words and expressions like yonder and a tendency to use colorful metaphors. It is also quite common for adults of all ages to refer to their parents as Mama and Daddy. Some of these aspects of Southern English (and others) are used by several characters in my books.
Southern Psalms – The country gospel group led by Cody McGrath’s grandfather Tommy Lee Grey. Tommy gave his original Martin 12-string guitar to Cody as a graduation present in Many Waters. Although not mentioned by name, the group is also alluded to in Elysium.
Southwest Dairy Museum – A museum in Sulphur Springs, Texas, donated to the various aspects of the dairy industry in Texas. Zach Trewick mentions it in Cry for the Moon.
Space Sickness – Nausea produced by zero-gravity conditions, a problem which affects almost all space travelers and which aggravates Tyke McGrath’s radiation poisoning in Tycho.
Spectroscopic Analysis – A method of determining the composition of stars, atmospheres, and various other things, based on the fact that each element in the periodic table is known to emit and absorb light at certain very specific frequencies. This allows the identification of which elements are present and in what proportions. Spectroscopic analysis is utilized in Freedom to determine the composition of the atmosphere on Venus.
Spotted Catfish – A large silver catfish with black spots found on the Moon, which reminds Tyke McGrath of the pictus cats found in aquariums. The spotted catfish was designed by Denise Doucet, Matthieu’s daughter, during the time when she worked on the Lunar Terraform Project. Tyke and the other survivors eat a lot of spotted catfish during their time on the Moon in Tycho and Avenger.
Spring Lake Park – A park located in Texarkana, Texas. Zach Trewick met with Jolie Doucet at this park in More Golden Than Day.
Spyrogyra – A type of edible bright green freshwater algae which grows in the form of extended filaments and which is noted for producing enormous amounts of oxygen under favorable conditions, which then appears as bubbles tangled in the strands. Commonly known as maidenhair when it resembles a girl’s long hair floating in the water, or sometimes simply as pond scum when it has a more matted appearance. Tyke McGrath and his associates survive by eating Spyrogyra in Avenger.
Stars – Several stars and constellations are mentioned in the text, largely by Zach Trewick who likes to stargaze. He mentions Antares, Aldebaran, Altair, Canopus, Vega, and Regulus while stargazing from the library in Cry for the Moon. He mentions that he likes the blue color of Achernar and discusses that Sirius is also called the Dog Star and that it’s high in the sky during the dog days of summer. Tyke McGrath also mentions Sirius in Tycho, as being Orion’s hunting dog, along with the constellation of Scorpio and in connection with the name of the Orion Strain. Brian Stone wishes the stars a little brighter in Unclouded Day, and Cody and Lisa sit on Nebo Rock to watch them in Many Waters, something Micah McGrath also remembers doing in Nightfall.
St. Augustine, Florida – A very old and somewhat touristy city on the northeast coast of Florida, mentioned by Tyke McGrath in Avenger as a place he visited as a child.
St. John, Isle of, Venus – A large highland near the equator on Venus, and situated very close to St. Thomas. Although when grouped together they are larger than Eleuthera, these two islands were not selected for immediate colonization and do not come into any story very much. They are mentioned in Freedom but never visited.
St. Michael’s Hospital – A large hospital in Texarkana, Texas. Zach Trewick was a patient at this hospital after falling off Wolf Mountain in Behind Blue Eyes, and then again when he, Cameron Parker, and Matthieu Doucet were caught in the bombing at Edith Ross’s house in Truesilver.
St. Petersburg, Florida – A suburb of Tampa. Tyke McGrath was born here, and so were all of Cameron and Joan’s children (except Camber), along with Hunter Bartow. Micah McGrath leaves from here to visit his family on Edgmont Key in Nightfall, and Tyke McGrath notes that Peggy Weiss nearly clips off some of the rooftops as she flies over the city in Tycho.
St. Petersburg, Russia – A large and pretty city on the Gulf of Finland, formerly the capital of Russia during the days of the tsars. Brandon Stone spends a lot of time here in Bran the Blessed.
St. Thomas, Isle of, Venus – A large highland near the equator on Venus, situated just to the east of St. John. It is mentioned in Freedom but never visited.
Starfrost (Mount), Moon – Located between Diamondtop to the east and Milkpearl to the west, Starfrost rises to 12,303 feet. It is divided from Milkpearl by the Golden Firth and the Valley of the Wolves. Starfrost is mentioned only in Tycho.
Steelytine (Mount), Moon – Located west of Mt. Bradley and east of Mt. Cloudyhead, Steelytine rises to 14,255 feet and is the source of the Loving River. It stands close to Cloudyhead and Skye, forming a triple peak formation on the west side of Barnaby Bay which is very picturesque, a fact which Tyke McGrath notices during his time at Barnaby Station in Tycho.
Sting – The truesilver dagger which Gilbert Doucet forged as a mate to the sword Mercy. Zach Trewick named it Sting after Bilbo’s dagger in Lord of the Rings. Cameron used it to kill a werewolf in Truesilver.
Stöfler-Faraday Crater, Moon – A largish crater swamp at the southern end of the Altai Canal. Tyke McGrath visits this place in Avenger.
Stone, Brandon Bartimaeus – Son of Crush and Peggy, grandson of Stephen Golden, and brother of Brian. Brandon is the youngest of the Curse-Breakers, with fiery red hair and pale skin. He has a hot temper sometimes and won’t hesitate to fight if need be, but he also has some issues with love and trust which God has to deal with him about. He is frequently called by one of his nicknames, Bran or Beebo. Brandon appears in Unclouded Day, Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, Freedom, and Elysium, and is mentioned in Nightfall.
Stone, Brian Madaug – Son of Crush and Peggy, grandson of Stephen Golden, and older brother of Brandon. Brian is the oldest of the Curse-Breakers, and he is called to drink from the Fountain of Youth to wipe evil out of the world. His middle name comes from his great-grandfather, Madaug Davies, and from this he gets his hated nickname, “Mad Dog”. In later days he heals Jonah Anderson of leukemia and raises his brother Brandon from the dead. Brian appears only in Unclouded Day, although he is also mentioned in Bran the Blessed.
Stone, Crush – Father of Brian, Brandon, Lisa, and Jenny. Although he likes poetry and has a taste for noble ideas, Crush isn’t exactly the faithful type. He led a very romantically nomadic lifestyle for many years, resulting in children with several different women. He is tall and handsome, with the same fiery red hair as his son Brandon. Crush appears in Unclouded Day, Many Waters, and Bran the Blessed.
Stone, Emma Robertson – Mother of Lisa and Jenny. Emma is a stroke victim and had a difficult relationship with Lisa and Jenny’s father, Crush. She passes away suddenly in Many Waters. Emma McGrath is named after her.
Stone, Jenny – Daughter of Crush and Emma, and older sister of Lisa. Jenny is cynical, irresponsible, and often juvenile, and she inherited quite a bit of her father’s wandering ways. She is said to be very beautiful, tall and blonde. Jenny was a former girlfriend of Tommy Jones and good friends with Sheila Jackson and Janet Loving, two girls with less than stellar reputations. Jenny does eventually settle down and marry Marcus Cumby, and later becomes the mother of Caroline. Jenny appears only in Many Waters, although she is mentioned in Nightfall.
Stone, Lisa Marie – Daughter of Crush and Emma, Lisa is a romantic daydreamer who loves poetry and yearns for her one true love. She has auburn hair and blue eyes, and a quiet and caring personality. She doesn’t get along with her sister Jenny very well, and sometimes feels heavily burdened in life by caring for her mother and all her other responsibilities. She becomes a close friend of her brother Brandon, and in later days becomes the wife of Cody McGrath and the mother of Micah and grandmother of Tycho. Lisa appears in Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, and Nightfall, and is mentioned frequently in Freedom.
Stone, Peggy Golden – Daughter of Stephen Golden, wife of Crush Stone, and mother of Brian and Brandon. Peggy has a severe drinking problem and often takes out her anger and frustration on her sons. She appears in Unclouded Day and is mentioned in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed.
Stone, Rachel Anne McCray – A schoolmate of Brian Stone who suffers from the incurable Batten’s Disease, which will surely kill her before the age of twenty. She goes to the Fountain of Youth with Brian and later on marries him in Unclouded Day. She is also mentioned in Bran the Blessed.
Stone, Stephen – Son of Brandon and Lana. Stephen was intended to be a curse by Prissy Ferguson and Layla Garza, and when things didn’t turn out that way they cursed him with death instead. Stephen appears only in Bran the Blessed.
Stone, Svetlana Mikhailevna Krisanova – More commonly known as Lana, she is Brandon Stone’s girlfriend and eventually wife. Lana is from Vyborg, Russia, and is a devoted Christian with a strong sense of right and wrong. Her name means “bright and beautiful”, which Brandon finds to be particularly appropriate for her. He breaks a boy’s nose for insulting her in Many Waters, and she is a major character in Bran the Blessed. Lana’s last name is the same as her father’s, but in Russian an “a” is usually added to the end of a female’s last name for grammatical reasons, unless the name is not Russian in origin or already ends with a vowel (i.e. Goldberg or Lubchenko).
Stormy Ocean, Moon – The largest body of water (and only ocean) on the Moon, located to the west of the Land of Snow. Tyke McGrath and the others generally avoid the Stormy Ocean and the coastlands nearby because of the danger of severe weather, but they do visit Billowy Bay and Thousand Mile Beach in Avenger, and the Stormy Ocean is also mentioned in Tycho.
Stunner – A less lethal weapon than the laser, stunners are meant to subdue enemies rather than kill them. They work by firing a bolt of electricity, and they are not very accurate at long range. A person hit in the head by stunner fire is likely to suffer mild to severe brain damage on a permanent basis, as Jesse Parker does in Freedom.
Sufficient Grounds – A coffee house in Tyler, Texas where Cody McGrath and his band like to play. Sufficient Grounds appears in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed.
Sugar Hill, Texas – A very small spot in the road north of Mount Pleasant, Texas. Joan Rusk and her sister Annabelle grew up on a farm here, which is mentioned in Nightfall.
Sugarloaf Mountain, North Carolina – A mountain located near the Anderson family farm in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, mentioned by Tyke McGrath in Elysium as a place where he and Jesse used to chop down Christmas trees and drag them home through the snow. Coincidentally, this is also the name of the highest point of land near Tampa, Florida.
Sugarloaf Mountain, Titan – A small hill at the western edge of the Ice Hills of Xanadu, the first place where human footprints touched that world. Tyke McGrath named it after the highest point of land near Tampa. Mentioned only in Avenger.
Sugarstone (Mount), Moon – Tallest peak (by far) in the Chocolate Mountains, rising to 10,826 feet and cupping in its summit a large crater lake known as Lake Windsong, which is the source of the Rocky River. Although not mentioned in the text, Tyke McGrath and his friends visited Mt. Sugarstone when they went rafting on the Rocky River in Tycho.
Sulfuric Acid – An acid with the chemical formula H2SO4, which is commonly found in car batteries and which was formerly quite abundant in the atmosphere of Venus. Sulfuric acid is mentioned only in Freedom.
Sulphur River, Texas – A river which flows eastward from the vicinity of Sulphur Springs, Texas, passing Mount Pleasant and forming Wright Patman Lake just south of Texarkana before crossing into Arkansas and flowing into the Red River near Fouke, where Boggy Creek is one of its tributaries. Zach Trewick mentions crossing it in Cry for the Moon, and Joan Rusk was captured near the Sulphur River ford in Truesilver. Zach spent considerable time near the Sulphur River (in Fouke) during More Golden Than Day, even mentioning that he likes to go fishing for catfish there. Although not mentioned in the text, Zach would have crossed the river on his way to Longview in Behind Blue Eyes.
Sulphur Springs, Texas – A medium-sized city in northeast Texas where Zach Trewick’s father Anthony grew up on Stonewall Street and played baseball for the high school team. Zach himself spent a night at the bus station here, not to mention under a bridge, before finding a doghouse to live in. He also did quite a bit of research at the library here. Sulphur Springs is featured prominently in Cry for the Moon and is also mentioned now and then in Behind Blue Eyes and More Golden Than Day.
Summer Isles, Moon – A collection of three small islands surrounding a lagoon in the Sea of Tranquility, the remains of an old volcanic cone. The islands are notable for their green sand beaches and coconut palms, mild climate, and for large lightning displays over the ocean in the evenings. Tyke McGrath falls in love with Danielle Black in the Summer Isles in Tycho, and visits them again with her in Elysium. He also mentions them in Avenger and Freedom.
Summerford, Annie – the former librarian in Falls Chapel, Arkansas, now retired and poor. Brian Stone leaves a hundred dollar bill in her mailbox in Unclouded Day.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge – A large bridge crossing over the mouth of Tampa Bay from St. Petersburg to Sarasota. Micah and Annabelle McGrath see it from Edgmont Key in Nightfall, and Tyke McGrath and Jesse Carpenter pass under it in Tycho.
Sun Tzu – An ancient Chinese general and author of the book The Art of War. Sun Tzu is mentioned in Truesilver.
Susie Q – An XR-218 salvaged from the island of Socotra in Freedom, which is later used to mount a rescue operation for the handful of surviving rebels at the Redoubt on Mars. The Susie Q is eventually destroyed in the attempt, crashing on Deimos in Elysium.
Swampbilly – A term used in the Gulf Coast region to denote an uncultured, backwards person who lives in the swamp; related to the term hillbilly. Sometimes used as a badge of honor by such individuals. Cameron asks Micah McGrath if he wants to become a swampbilly in Nightfall.
Swanwhite (Mount), Moon – Located between Mt. Hadley to the east and Mt. Silverspur to the west, Swanwhite rises to 13,438 feet. It is mentioned only in Tycho.
Sweet Gum Tree – A tree with soft gray bark, maple-like leaves which turn yellow in the fall, and which produces sap which can be chewed as gum. The sap has a sweetish, cinnamon flavor. Sweet Gum Trees are mentioned in Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, Unclouded Day, and Freedom.
Sweet Spring – A holy spring on Wolf Mountain just east of Texarkana, which had the power to cure any sickness or disease. It was called into being by Joram Ross in 1863 when God granted his prayer for a way to destroy the wolf-stone located on the mountain. It was destroyed by the werewolves in Behind Blue Eyes. The Sweet Spring is also mentioned in More Golden Than Day and Many Waters.
Sweetwater, Texas – A small city in west Texas which is a convenient stopping point on the trip between Las Cruces and Texarkana. Zach Trewick used it for that purpose in Truesilver, and so did Cody McGrath in Many Waters.
Swiss Army knife – A knife with many added tools and useful odds and ends attached. Zach Trewick carries one of these, and uses it to good effect in Cry for the Moon.
Synchronous Orbit – An orbit in which one body revolves around another in such a way that its time of revolution exactly matches the primary body’s rotation, resulting in the moon or other body remaining permanently in the same spot in the primary body’s sky. Deimos orbits Mars barely outside a synchronous orbit, which causes it to move very slowly across the sky. This fact is mentioned in Elysium.
T
Tabitha’s House – A bed and breakfast inn located in Falls Chapel, Arkansas and owned by the pompous Gordon Croydon. Rachel McCray works here in the kitchen after school, and Brian Stone stays here for one night in Unclouded Day.
Tachometer – A time travel device which can be used to view future events or to travel to the future, but which cannot be used to view or travel to the past. First perfected by Dr. Andrew Garza and requiring many components, including khamrabaevite. The tachometer was used or mentioned in Truesilver, Bran the Blessed, Nightfall, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Tachyon – A theoretical particle which always travels faster than light and backwards through time. Andrew Garza’s tachometer utilizes tachyons to observe the future. These particles are mentioned in Truesilver and Nightfall.
Tales of the Piney Woods – A book of Texas folklore which Zach Trewick reads in Behind Blue Eyes, and in which he finds the story of Joram Ross and the Sweet Spring.
Tallinn, Estonia – The capital of Estonia, located directly across a narrow arm of the Baltic Sea from Helsinki, Finland. Brandon and his friends stop here to clean up and then to catch the ferry to Helsinki. Tallinn appears only in Bran the Blessed.
Tampa Bay, Florida – A large saltwater bay on the Gulf coast of Florida, surrounded by the Tampa metropolitan area.
Tampa, Florida – A large city on the west coast of Florida, surrounded by numerous suburbs and featured prominently throughout the Tyke McGrath series.
Tampa Naval Yards – A naval shipbuilding and repair facility near Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Naval Yards are mentioned in Elysium.
Tampa Tribune – The main newspaper of the Tampa Bay area, in which Mike and Annabelle’s wedding was announced, and which Dr. Robert Weiss liked to read during class while his students worked. This newspaper was mentioned in Nightfall and Tycho.
Tampa, University of – University where Peggy Weiss taught astrophysics and where Micah McGrath was temporarily assigned to work in Nightfall after his regular facilities at the University of South Florida were destroyed by the Western Brotherhood.
Tantalus – A figure in ancient Greek mythology who was punished by the gods by being placed in neck deep water he couldn’t drink and surrounded by vines heavy with grapes he couldn’t eat, so that he would be tormented by hunger and thirst he could never satisfy. The English word “tantalize” comes from his name. Brandon Stone compares himself to Tantalus in Bran the Blessed, and the Mountains of Tantalus on Mars in Elysium are named after him.
Tantalus, Mountains of, Mars – A small range of steep and rugged mountains which divide the Tempe Hills on the east from the North Sea Plain to the west. The Redoubt is built here, and the Red River of Mars has its source in the Mountains of Tantalus. Mentioned only in Elysium.
Tarpon Springs, Florida – A resort town just northwest of Tampa on the Gulf of Mexico. Micah McGrath and Annabelle Rusk spent their honeymoon here in Nightfall.
Tempe Hills, Mars – A cracked and rugged massif of hills and canyons bounded by the Valley of the Sun on the southeast, the Tharsis Plateau on the southwest, the Mountains of Tantalus on the west, and the North Sea on the north and east. Although nearly impossible to cross in a rover, the Tempe Hills do provide some shelter for the Valley of the Sun against the cold north winds coming in off the sea. The Tempe Hills are mentioned only in Elysium.
Temple Terrace, Florida – An inner suburb of Tampa, located near the campus of the University of South Florida and mentioned in Nightfall as the home of Amos McClendon’s parents.
Tennessee – A southern state which provides the setting for several episodes in Cry for the Moon and Behind Blue Eyes. Zach Trewick is a native of Tennessee.
Terminal Velocity – The highest speed which can be attained by a falling body; the point at which atmospheric wind resistance exactly equals acceleration due to gravity. This concept is important for several reasons, including the calculation of how high it’s safe to jump on a given planet. Terminal velocity is discussed in Tycho, Avenger, and Elysium.
Terminator – The dividing line between day and night on a planet, very visible from space when using a telescope. Tyke McGrath mentions observing the terminator on the Moon in Avenger.
Terraforming – The process of transforming an uninhabitable region or planet into a place where humans and other living things can survive and multiply without needing artificial assistance. Terraforming is already a workable technology (although a very expensive one), and several details of the process as it applies to the Moon, Venus, and Mars were discussed in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Terra Nevaia – A Latin term which means “Land of Snow”. It refers to the area on the Moon bounded by the Stormy Ocean in the west, the Rainy Sea to the northwest, the Sea of Serenity on the northeast, the Sea of Tranquility to the southeast, and the swamps of the Caloosahatchie valley and the Sinus Medii to the south. This name comes from the white stone common in this area. It is the most habitable portion of the lunar surface and the area on which the terraforming crews spent the most time and effort. Terra Nevaia is the setting for most of Tycho and Avenger and also occurs in Elysium.
Terror, Mountains of, Deimos – A range of low hills on the moon Deimos, from which Tyke McGrath mounts a rescue mission for Hunter Bartow in Elysium.
Texarkana, Texas-Arkansas – A medium-sized town straddling the Arkansas and Texas state line, with the larger half in Texas. Zach Trewick ends up settling here with his uncle Justin and eventually Cameron Parker as well. Many places and things in the Texarkana area appear very frequently during the Last Werewolf Hunter series. Some of the more important of these include the mall (books 3-4), St. Michael’s hospital (2 & 4), Cowhorn Creek (3-4), State Line Avenue (3), downtown post office (1 & 3), Spring Lake Park (3), Books-a-Million (3), library (2-3), Texarkana Gazette (3), Coca Cola Lake (1-4), Boggy Creek (3), and the Red River (1-4), not to mention the nearby towns of Red Lick (2-4) and Fouke (3-4), along with many other locations. Texarkana is also mentioned briefly in Many Waters as the location where Cody McGrath and his band played Dixie at the Four States Fair.
Texarkana Gazette – The main newspaper in Texarkana, which Zach Trewick has reason to use for his research in More Golden Than Day.
Texas – A southern state which provides the main setting for many episodes in Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, Truesilver, Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, Nightfall, and Freedom. It is also discussed in Avenger and Elysium. Cody McGrath, Justin Wilder, and Lisa Stone are all natives of Texas.
Texas A&M University – One of the two large university systems in Texas. Zach Trewick spent the night in the library of the branch in Commerce in Cry for the Moon, and Justin Wilder is a graduate of this university.
Texas Longhorns – The athletic team of the University of Texas. Zach Trewick plays baseball for the Longhorns while he goes to college there, a fact which is mentioned in Truesilver.
Texas Rangers – The most well-known professional baseball team in Texas, which counts among its fans Zach Trewick, Cameron Parker, and Cody McGrath. The Rangers are mentioned in Cry for the Moon, More Golden Than Day, Truesilver, and Many Waters.
Texas Revolution – A war for independence waged by the province of Texas against Mexico beginning in 1836 which was ultimately successful. Cody McGrath’s forefather Reuben fought in this war, as he mentioned in Many Waters.
Texas, University of – Zach Trewick and Jolie Doucet talk about attending this university in Austin, Texas near the end of Truesilver.
Tharsis Plateau, Mars – A large flat highland area bounded on the east by the Valley of the Sun, on the south by the Labyrinth of Night, on the north by the Tempe Hills, and on the west by Amazon Bay. It is pockmarked occasionally by large peaks, including Mount Olympus and Tharsis Tholus, among others. Tyke McGrath spends a lot of time here in Elysium.
Tharsis Tholus, Battle of – A battle on the upper slopes of Tharsis Tholus on Mars, in which the rebel forces aboard the colony ship Alabama were nearly destroyed and in which almost fifty rebel soldiers had to be abandoned on the surface. Tyke McGrath and Hunter Bartow were both nearly killed in this battle, which occurred in Freedom.
Tharsis Tholus, Mars – A large volcanic peak located near the center of the otherwise flat Tharsis Plateau. Tharsis Tholus is a landmark visible for a hundred miles in every direction, and a major battle took place here in Freedom. Tyke McGrath discusses the mountain frequently in Elysium also.
Thermal Suit – A type of suit made of highly insulating thermo-resistant fabric which is used primarily for working in very hot or cold environments but which can also be useful for preventing the detection of body heat by alarm sensors. Thermal suits were used in Nightfall, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Thermal Blanket – A type of blanket made of thermo-resistant fabric, which is useful because it can be manufactured thin as paper and thus can be easily transported without being heavy or bulky. Thermal blankets are usually bright silver on one side and dark gray on the other. Tyke McGrath folds one up to make a star for a Christmas tree on Mars in Elysium.
Thermo-resistant Fabric – A type of fabric with extremely high insulation value, which is typically used when working in very hot or cold environments which would not normally be survivable. Thermo-resistant fabric is used to make thermal suits and also thermal blankets, and in most cases it has a bright silvery color and thin texture which resembles the Mylar plastic used in gift wrapping, although it can also be found in other colors and thicknesses designed for specialized applications. It is mentioned by name only in Avenger, but products made from it (thermal suits and blankets) also occur in Nightfall, Freedom, and Elysium.
Thor – The Norse god of thunder, mentioned by Cody McGrath in Many Waters.
Thorium-228 – A rare isotope of the element thorium, with a half life of approximately two years. Used for reactor fuel in XR-series spacecraft and in other applications utilizing thorium fuel cells. Violently radioactive and dangerous to handle. Tyke McGrath gets a moderate case of radiation poisoning by handling a ball of thorium-228 in Tycho. Thorium 228 is also mentioned in Avenger and Elysium.
Thorium Fuel Cell – Nuclear-based fuel cells utilized by the Cabral, Balboa, and others of the XR-series space planes which were used before safer and more reliable power supplies were developed. They are dangerous to refuel and expensive to maintain, which is why Peggy Weiss was considered flaky for wanting to use them in her spacecraft designs. Thorium Fuel Cells are either used or mentioned in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Thousand Mile Beach, Moon – A continuous beach along the eastern shore of the Stormy Ocean, stretching from the mouth of the Tycho River to Cape Carmel. Although some portions are rocky and others sandy, there are no breaks or obstructions for this entire length. Tyke McGrath runs the entire length of the Thousand Mile Beach in Avenger.
Three Kingdoms (of A’rath) – A term referring to the three divisions of Titan, each under its own king. The Kingdom of Dilmun includes everything north of the equatorial deserts. The Kingdom of Tsegihi includes everything south of the equatorial deserts. The Kingdom of Belet includes the deserts themselves. The Ice Hills of Xanadu are not included in any of the kingdoms. Tyke McGrath, Jesse Parker, and Cameron Parker spend most of their time on Titan in the Kingdom of Dilmun, and sometimes in Belet or Xanadu. These kingdoms are mentioned only in Avenger.
Three State Stone – A marker located at the geographic point where Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana meet. Although such points are fairly common, most of them occur under water or else in remote regions which are difficult to access. The Three State Stone is unusual because it is the only one within several hundred miles in any direction and it also exists right beside a major highway. This makes it somewhat of a local curiosity and a place for people to stop and take photos. The Stone is mentioned in Many Waters.
Tigernach of Ireland, Saint – A saint in ancient Ireland who was said to have the power to raise the dead to life again. He is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
Tintagel, England – An ancient fortress on the northern coast of Cornwall in southwest England, notable as the home of Tristan the Brave, a medieval hero mentioned in Truesilver and in Many Waters.
Titan – The largest moon of Saturn and indeed the largest moon in the entire solar system, being roughly a third the size of the planet Mercury. Titan possesses a thick atmosphere and a working ecosystem based on liquid methane and various other hydrocarbons. There are various lakes of liquid methane, mostly near the north and south poles, and vast deserts of coal dust in the equatorial regions, and hills and mountains made of water ice. Called A’rath by its inhabitants, which means the beautiful land. Tyke McGrath, Cameron Parker, and Jesse Parker visit Titan in Avenger, and it is mentioned in Freedom and Elysium,
Titus County, Texas – A county in northeast Texas including Mount Pleasant and Sugar Hill, mentioned in Truesilver as the home of Joan and Annabelle Rusk, and visited by Zach Trewick in Cry for the Moon.
Tolberts – The Doucets’ backdoor neighbors across the alley in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Zach and the others have a battle with the Garzas inside the Tolberts’ house in Truesilver.
Tortola (Mount), Titan – An ice volcano located in the northern portion of the Black Desert of Shangri-la, in which the lava is actually water. Tyke McGrath visits this place in Avenger.
Tortuga, Isle of, Venus – A very small highland located about eight hundred miles south of Jamestown, where Tyke McGrath, Hunter Bartow, and Leah Bartow are imprisoned in Freedom.
Toxoplasmosis – A severe illness which is usually caught from contact with cats, with symptoms which resemble the flu. Lisa Stone catches toxoplasmosis in Many Waters.
Tranquility, Sea of, Moon – A large, shallow, and tranquil sea located in the southeast quadrant of the Moon as seen from Earth. The original Moon landing in 1969 took place here, and the Sea of Tranquility is one of Tyke McGrath’s favorite places on the Moon which made a lasting impression on him, especially the Summer Isles. Tyke visits the area in Tycho and Elysium, and also mentions it frequently in Avenger and Freedom.
Transylvania – A western province of Romania which has acquired the reputation of being a place where vampires, werewolves, and other such creatures are common. Zach mentions Transylvania in Truesilver.
Treasure Island, Florida – A seaside suburb of St. Petersburg, known for wealthy retirees and yacht clubs. Micah and Annabelle McGrath fled from the NADF from Treasure Island in Nightfall, and Tyke McGrath mentioned it in Tycho as a place Jason and Gina Breyer had thought about moving after their children graduated from high school. Treasure Island is also referred to in Elysium as a reference point for locating the tachometer at the bottom of the Gulf.
Trevino, Catalina Galvés – A blue-blooded Spanish aristocrat from Santa Fe, Catalina is the mother of Rosalita and grandmother of Danielle and Colton Black, who live with her for three years following the death of their parents until Catalina herself passes away. Brandon Stone rescues her along with her husband Edmundo (Layla Garza’s grandson) and Rosalita from the firebombing of Santa Fe during the Union War and takes them to a refugee camp in Plant City, Florida for safety. Danielle mentions Catalina during a conversation with Tyke in Elysium.
Trevino, Edmundo – Grandson of Layla Garza and grandfather of Colton and Danielle Black. Brandon Stone rescues Edmundo and his wife and daughter from the firebombing of Santa Fe during the Union War and takes them to safety in Plant City, Florida. Edmundo is later killed fighting as a soldier in the war. He is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
Trevino, Josefina Contreras – Wife of Richard Trevino and mother of Edmundo. Danielle Black’s great-grandmother, after whom she named her daughter Josie. Josefina is mentioned only in Freedom.
Trevino, Layla Garza – Sister of Andrew, Gabe, and Orem Garza. Layla has the power to drain the life energy of a young man by kissing him, causing him to grow old and die within a few weeks to months while she remains young and beautiful forever. She is cruel, vengeful, and pitiless, and close friends with Prissy Ferguson. Layla killed Cody McGrath’s father Blake, among many others, and had similar plans for Cody himself and for Brandon Stone. Layla appears in Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, and Truesilver. She eventually marries Simon Trevino and becomes the mother of Richard. Danielle and Derrick Black are among her descendants.
Trevino, Richard – Son of Layla Garza and father of Edmundo Trevino.
Trevino, Rosalita – Daughter and only surviving child of Edmundo and Catalina. She becomes headstrong and passionately political after her father’s death, creating a scandal and horrifying her mother when she marries Joe Black, a fellow political activist.
Trevino, Simon – Layla Garza’s husband and the father of Richard.
Trewick, Andrew – Son of John and grandson of Daniel.
Trewick, Anthony – Father of Zach and Lola. Anthony was known as a good athlete and a baseball player in his high school days in Sulphur Springs, Texas. After marrying Jenna Wilder in college, they moved to Lebanon, Tennessee to keep an eye on the wolf stone there. Anthony appears in Cry for the Moon and is mentioned occasionally by Zach in Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, and Truesilver.
Trewick, Calvin – Son of George and father of Lena and Janelle, not to mention Cameron’s grandfather.
Trewick, Charlotte Musick – Wife of Drake Trewick and mother of Etta. Brian and Brandon Stone are among her descendants.
Trewick, Daniel – A wealthy planter from Shreveport, Louisiana, who becomes ensnared in occult activity in his early youth, which leads him into a life of cruelty and wickedness. Daniel becomes the father of five sons and one daughter: Drake, John, William, Henry, Richard, and Hannah. The five boys become just as wicked as their father, and Hannah is forced to flee for her life. Daniel becomes a werewolf and founds a pod which continues for many years. He dies in 1863 from blood poisoning after Joram Ross shoots him (in werewolf form) in Red Lick, Texas.
Trewick, Drake – Youngest son of Daniel and Marybeth. Drake leaves Shreveport to go work in the mercury mines in Arkansas in the foothills of the Crystal Range. He develops a bad drinking problem and generally leads a miserable life before eventually dying of mercury poisoning. He is the father of Etta and the grandfather of Madaug Davies, and Brian and Brandon Stone are among his descendants. Drake is mentioned only in Bran the Blessed.
Trewick, Elise Colbert – Wife of John Trewick and mother of Andrew. Zach and Cameron are among her descendants.
Trewick, Etta – Daughter and only child of Drake Trewick, wife of Erwin Davies and mother of Madaug Davies.
Trewick, Etta – Daughter and only child of Drake Trewick, wife of Erwin Davies and mother of Madaug Davies.
Trewick, George – Son of Andrew and father of Calvin and James. He is Zach and Cameron’s great-grandfather.
Trewick, Hannah – Only daughter of Daniel and Marybeth, and the only one who chose to live a righteous life. She was forced to flee home at the age of 15 when she discovered in a true dream that her father meant to kill her because she wouldn’t become a werewolf. She took his Guardian Stone with her, and later married Reuben McGrath, thirty years her elder. All of her children died in infancy except the last one, Martin. Among her descendants are Cody, Micah, and Tycho McGrath. Hannah is mentioned in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed.
Trewick, Henry – Son of Daniel and Marybeth. Henry was a werewolf and was killed in battle during the Civil War in 1865.
Trewick, Ida Leigh Overton – Wife of Calvin Trewick and mother of Lena and Janelle. She is Cameron’s grandmother.
Trewick, Jacob "Buzz" – Son of Tyler. Jacob got his nickname from a patch of black hair that grows on the back of his blond head, which reminded people of a bumblebee. Buzz is an army ranger and one of the surviving rebel soldiers at the Redoubt on Mars. He appears only in Elysium.
Trewick, James – Son of George, father of Anthony, and grandfather of Zach.
Trewick, Janelle – Daughter of Calvin Trewick, widow of William “Billy” Parker and mother of Cameron Parker. Janelle has a problem with self-control and tends to attack cattle when she goes hunting as a werewolf, which makes it difficult for her to stay in any one place for very long. She wants nothing to do with Cameron anymore after he helps destroy the werewolf curse. Janelle appears in Behind Blue Eyes and is mentioned in More Golden Than Day.
Trewick, Jenna Wilder – Mother of Zach and Lola, and sister of Justin Wilder. Jenna became a werewolf after falling in with Anthony Trewick while in college. At first she rejects Zach because of his choice not to become a werewolf, but she does eventually thaw somewhat. Jenna appears in Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, and Truesilver.
Trewick, Jeremy – Son of Zach and Jolie, father of Travis, and great-grandfather of Buzz.
Trewick, John – Next-to-youngest son of Daniel and Marybeth. He settled just outside Longview, Texas, after the Civil War, so as to be near the wolf-stone located there. John became a werewolf and continued as much of his father’s wickedness as he could. He is mentioned in Behind Blue Eyes and Bran the Blessed.
Trewick, Jolie Doucet – Daughter of Rob and Celine Doucet, Jolie is an Avenger herself and later becomes the girlfriend and wife of Zach Trewick. Tyler and Jacob Trewick are among her descendants. Jolie appears only in More Golden Than Day and Truesilver.
Trewick, Lena – Daughter of Calvin Trewick and sister of Janelle. Lena lives in Huntsville, Alabama with her husband Clayton Beckham and her three daughters Laura, Lisa, and Michelle. They are a respectable and wealthy family in the city.
Trewick, Lola – Daughter of Anthony and Jenna, and Zach’s younger sister.
Trewick, Loretta Granger – Wife of Andrew Trewick and mother of George. Zach and Cameron’s great-great-grandmother.
Trewick, Maralyn Johnson – Widow of James Trewick, mother of Anthony and grandmother of Zach and Lola. Maralyn is the one who places the werewolf curse on Zach at the beginning of Cry for the Moon. She is no relation to Rebecca Johnson, the wife of Madaug Davies.
Trewick, Marybeth Akins – Wife of Daniel Trewick and mother of Drake, John, William, Henry, Richard, and Hannah. Marybeth is the foremother of all five Curse-Breakers, who share the mark of her bright blue eyes. Marybeth is mentioned by name only in Bran the Blessed, although she is alluded to in Behind Blue Eyes.
Trewick, Nancy Delaney – Wife of George Trewick and mother of James and Calvin. Zach and Cameron’s great-grandmother.
Trewick, Richard – Son of Daniel and Marybeth. It was Richard’s cursing ceremony that Joram Ross witnessed on Wolf Mountain in the fall of 1863. Richard was twelve at the time, although he died shortly thereafter from yellow fever.
Trewick, Travis – Son of Jeremy and grandson of Zach, also grandfather of Buzz.
Trewick, Tyler – Son of Travis and father of Buzz.
Trewick, William – Son of Daniel and Marybeth. Killed in battle in the Civil War in 1865.
Trewick, Zachary – Son of Anthony and Jenna. Zach is one of the five Curse-Breakers, and in later days becomes an Avenger and the best friend of his third cousin Cameron and also of Brandon Stone. Zach appears in Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, and Truesilver, and is mentioned in Many Waters, Bran the Blessed, Nightfall, Avenger, and Elysium.
Trinity (Cape), Moon – A long peninsula which divides the Sea of Serenity from the Sea of Tranquility and which forms the easternmost tip of the Land of Snow. It is tipped by Lizard Rock at 4612 feet.
Trinity Bay, Moon – A shallow inlet of the Sea of Serenity, fed by the Trinity River and known for its many islands and cypress trees. Tyke McGrath comes here often to hunt the blue Hamburger Crabs which live nowhere else on the Moon. Trinity Bay appears in Tycho and in Elysium.
Trinity River, Moon – Easternmost and longest of the Seven Rivers of Snow, the Trinity River rises just south of Mount Silverspur and flows through a broad valley for most of its length, finally emptying into the Sea of Serenity at Trinity Bay. Tyke McGrath and his friends visit this river often in Tycho and also in Elysium.
Triphibian – A type of plane which, in addition to regular runways, is able to take off or land on water or on snow and ice. Commonly used in areas where runways are few. The small planes left behind on the Moon were of this type, a fact which is mentioned in Tycho and Elysium.
Trisomy-18 – A fatal genetic defect which results from having an extra 18th chromosome. It almost always results in death long before birth. Stephen Stone is afflicted with Trisomy-18 in Bran the Blessed.
Tristan the Brave – A medieval hero and knight renowned for his nobility of character. Tristan is mentioned in Truesilver and in Many Waters.
True Grit – A cowboy movie set in the Red River Valley. Lisa Stone compares Cody McGrath’s house to a scene from True Grit in Many Waters.
Truesilver – A very rare metal which resembles ordinary silver in appearance. However, truesilver is extremely dense and hard, being almost impossible to work or even to scratch. It holds a sharp edge and a polished luster almost indefinitely, since it also never tarnishes. Truesilver is very heavy, like lead, and is considered a precious metal. It is found most often in deposits with platinum, and is sometimes used for wedding rings, or in various scientific and industrial applications. It is also known as iridium. Matthieu Doucet’s grandfather Gilbert had a sword and a matching dagger forged from truesilver since it is very poisonous to werewolves and hard enough to hold an edge. Zach Trewick uses this sword in Truesilver, and Brandon Stone also uses it in Freedom.
Truesilver Ranch – The ten-acre ranch of Justin and Eileen Wilder just outside Texarkana on the shore of Coca-Cola Lake. Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker live here, and it is the location for many events in Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, and Truesilver. The ranch is also mentioned in Nightfall.
Tsegihi, Kingdom of, Titan – One of the three kingdoms of the A’rum on Titan. Tsegihi is the South Kingdom, including all the land south of the equatorial deserts. This is the only kingdom which Tyke McGrath did not visit during his time on Titan in Avenger.
Tycho Crater, Moon – A large and prominent crater in the southern hemisphere of the Moon near the Cloudy Sea, named after Tycho Brahe the astronomer. Tyke McGrath mentions that he’d like to visit this place in Tycho, and then does in fact go there in Avenger.
Tycho of Cyprus, Saint – A baker’s son in ancient Cyprus who was said to have the power to bring dead grape vines back to life. Saint Tycho was the namesake for Tycho Brahe the astronomer, and both of them were the namesakes for Tycho McGrath. Saint Tycho is mentioned in Nightfall, Tycho, and Elysium.
Tycho River, Moon – A river flowing out of Tycho Crater and into the Cloudy Sea. Tyke McGrath and his friends follow it and kill a monster along its banks.
Tygart, Lisa Beckham – Daughter of Clayton and Lena Beckham, and sister of Laura and Michelle. Lisa’s husband Logan Tygart is a veterinarian in Huntsville, Alabama.
Tygart, Logan – Husband of Lisa Beckham, a large-animal veterinarian, and a wannabe werewolf from Huntsville, Alabama. Logan appears in Behind Blue Eyes and is mentioned in Truesilver.
Tyler James – An old XR-218 space plane left behind at Desolation Island on the Moon, not fit to be repaired. However, Tyke McGrath and Jesse Parker do find a way to use the stripped-down hull. The Tyler James is mentioned in Tycho and Avenger.
Tyler, Texas – A medium-sized city in east Texas where several important episodes occur. Zach Trewick calls a number in Tyler in Cry for the Moon while looking for his uncle Justin, and several years later Zach and his friends are attacked by Dr. Garza in a Tyler motel in Truesilver, an event which Cameron Parker recaps briefly in Avenger. Jenny Stone works here at the mall for a while, and Cody and Lisa McGrath go shopping for a wedding dress here in Many Waters. One of Cody’s favorite places to play music is at Sufficient Grounds, a coffee house in Tyler. Brandon Stone plays with them at Sufficient Grounds and also goes to stay with his father Crush sometimes in Bran the Blessed, since he also lives in Tyler.
U
Ukert Springs, Moon – A collection of natural hot springs found in the Black Hills, a rarity on the Moon. The springs are inhabited by millions of Doctor Fish, small minnows bred to nibble away dead skin. Tyke McGrath visits this place for his seventeenth birthday in Tycho, and then again four years later in Elysium.
Uncertain, Texas – A small town on the western shore of Caddo Lake, where Brandon Stone reentered the normal world in Bran the Blessed.
Unclouded Day – A traditional hymn beloved by Brian Stone, which he plays for Brandon and for Rachel McCray in Unclouded Day. The song is also mentioned in Many Waters, where it makes Brandon cry.
Unintended Consequences, Law of – The principle that there will always be unforeseen consequences to any action, the majority of which will turn out to be negative. This principle operates in science, government, and all other aspects of life, and is a prime logical basis for the philosophy of Conservatism – that is, the idea that changes should be made slowly and only after very careful consideration, since the unintended consequences of such changes will often end up being worse than the problem one is attempting to solve. This principle is mentioned in Elysium.
Union War – A bloody and destructive conflict which took place from 2105 to 2115. It began with a constitutional crisis in America and eventually spread to involve most of the world. Notable for its use of cyber-attacks which resulted in the loss of many records and considerable technical knowledge which the world still had not entirely recovered from even decades later. When the dust settled, a significant chunk of the world’s knowledge and scientific expertise had been destroyed by cyber-warfare or old-fashioned bombs. Most of northern New Mexico and portions of northeast Texas had been reduced to rubble, although the new Republic of Brazoria made good on its bid for independence. North Dakoka, parts of northern New England, most of eastern Ontario, and other regions were utterly destroyed also. Quebec and Alaska also became independent at this time, and Mexico dissolved into a collection of feuding city-states. What was left of Canada was merged into what was left of the United States to form the North American Union.
Upscale Retail Boutique – A small, upscale clothing shop in Natchitoches, Louisiana where Jolie Doucet likes to go shopping. It is mentioned only in More Golden Than Day.
US Geological Survey – An agency of the US government which (among other things) is responsible for mapping almost everything. Zach mentions them and uses some of their maps in Behind Blue Eyes.
UT Arlington – A branch campus of the University of Texas located in Arlington, where Zach Trewick stops to talk to one of the physics professors about Dr. Garza’s lab manuals in Truesilver.
Uzbekistan – A central Asian country, mentioned as a possible source of khamrabaevite in Nightfall.
V
Valles Marineris, Mars – An exceedingly deep canyon system full of freshwater lakes (some of them over a mile deep) which form part of the course of the Ares River and also the southern boundary of the Caprock Plateau and the Yellow Hills. Mentioned only in Elysium.
Valley of the Sun, Mars – The deep and broad valley bounded by the Caprock Plateau on the southeast, and by the Tempe Hills and the Tharsis Plateau to the north and west. The Red River and the River of Fire flow through it until they empty into the Golden Sea. The Valley of the Sun is a sheltered location where the settlement of Phoenix is built, and is named after the valley on earth where the original Phoenix was located. Mentioned only in Elysium.
Vampire Roach – A type of mutated insect which feeds on blood, found only on Desolation Island on the Moon where the radiation levels are exceptionally high because of the nearby thorium mines. Sometimes known also as blood-bugs. Tyke McGrath and his associates were attacked by vampire roaches twice in Tycho, and barely avoided them in Avenger. They are also mentioned in Freedom and Elysium.
Velasco, Juan de – A Spanish naval commander and nephew of the viceroy of Peru. He was the owner of one of the three Guardian Stones, and when his ship the San Andrés went down in a storm off Cape Mendocino, California in the year 1600, the Stone went down with him. Zach Trewick visits the ship and finds the Stone still gripped in his skeletal hand four hundred years later in Truesilver.
Venus – The second planet from the sun, formerly a hellish place of super-high temperatures and thick, unbreathable atmosphere. Venus was terraformed by the use of breeder gases beginning in 2142, with the first human survey teams setting foot on the planet in 2145. After terraforming, the livable surface area of the planet consists of five large highland regions plus a scattering of small ones, the area of which amounts to roughly the same as the state of Alaska. The rest of the planet remains a hellishly hot and dry desert which cannot be survived by humans. These lowlands are called the Cytherean Sea because the thick atmosphere is reminiscent of a blue ocean, and for that reason the highlands are called isles. The main colony, Jamestown, is located on the Isle of Eleuthera near the Arctic Circle, the wettest and most favorable piece of land on the planet. Tyke McGrath, Hunter and Leah Bartow, and David Parker visit Venus in Freedom, and it is also mentioned in Elysium.
Victoria, Queen – Queen of Great Britain from 1836 to 1901, Queen Victoria was known for her piety, devotion to her husband, and humility. She was greatly beloved all over the world. Lisa Stone admires her greatly in Many Waters.
Vivaldi, Antonio – A classical composer best known for his work The Four Seasons. The ninth movement of this work corresponds to the month of November, and Veronica Carpenter dances to it with Hunter Bartow on their mutual birthday in the fall of 2157, barefoot on the beach in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, an event described in Freedom.
Volkov, Ruslan – Father of Tatya and Vladic Volkov, killed in a car accident along with his wife Elina when Tatya is twelve and Vlad is nine.
Volkova, Elina Nazarbaeva – Mother of Vlad and Tatya Volkov, she is killed in a car accident along with her husband Ruslan when Tatya is twelve.
Vortimer the Blessed – King of Gwent and father of Saint Madryn, Vortimer is mentioned only in Truesilver.
Vyborg, Russia – A medium-sized town on the Gulf of Finland in Russia about halfway between St. Petersburg and the border of Finland. Vyborg is the hometown of Lana Krisanova, and also Vlad and Tatya Volkov. Brandon Stone spends a lot of time in Vyborg in Bran the Blessed.
W
Wales – A country in the southwest portion of Britain, mentioned by Lisa Stone in Many Waters as the home of her great-grandmother. Zach Trewick mentions it as being the home of Saint Madryn of Gwent in Truesilver, and Cameron and Joan name their son Camber after its first king in Elysium.
Wall Street, Kailua Kona, Hawaii – A street which runs along the interior side of the city wall of Kailua Kona. Tyke McGrath sometimes walks home this way. Wall Street is mentioned by name only in Elysium but Tyke would have used it ever since moving to Hawaii.
Watermelon Queen – The winner of a beauty pageant sponsored by the Piney State Bank every July. Janice Loving was said to be the most recent winner in Many Waters.
Weiss, Bethany – Daughter of Robert and Peggy Weiss and sister of Johnny. Bethany is strong-willed and determined to thumb her nose at her parents’ rules whenever possible. She smokes weed, and in this way comes to know Danielle Black as a reliable dealer. Bethany appears in Tycho and Avenger.
Weiss, Johnny – Son of Robert and Peggy and brother of Bethany. Johnny is a classically trained musician and composer who can play both violin and piano beautifully. He loves classical and baroque music, and plays it often for his fellow survivors until they all come to appreciate it in some degree. He becomes depressed after losing his mother and sister and discovering what his father has done. Johnny appears in Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Weiss, Peggy – A professor of aeronautical engineering at the University of Tampa, and also a devoted proponent of space exploration. Peggy is the head researcher attempting to develop a workable space plane design based on old plans from before the Union War. Although colleagues consider her a bit flaky, she proves herself by getting results. She is the wife of Robert and the mother of Johnny and Bethany, and appears only in Tycho, although she is mentioned in Nightfall and Avenger.
Weiss, Robert – A brilliant geneticist, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2126, and a teacher at the John Brooke Academy for Math and Science as well as a professor at the University of South Florida. Robert is also rather proud, supercilious, and high-handed. He is the father of Johnny and Bethany, neither of whom he approves of. Dr. Weiss becomes despondent and suicidal after losing his wife Peggy in the crash of the Cabral, and eventually acts on these impulses by designing a reverse-engineered copy of the Orion Strain and releasing it on the Moon, thereby killing himself and several other people. Dr. Weiss appears in Tycho and is mentioned in Avenger.
Werewolf Ceremony – The process of turning someone into a werewolf, which must take place on the Hunter’s Moon (the full moon in October), on a specially prepared rock known as a wolf-stone which has been sprinkled with dust from Mont Mouchet in France and properly cursed. The person to be cursed must then have his bare chest painted with the right symbols in peppermint and henbane, and drink a small amount of fresh blood before sleeping on the rock all night. The ceremony isn’t complete until the person makes his first kill of a warm-blooded animal on the next full moon a month later. Zach Trewick undergoes part of this process against his wishes in Cry for the Moon, and learns other bits and pieces about the Ceremony during the course of Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, and Truesilver.
Western Brotherhood – An anti-government anarchist group known for its use of terrorism, which was responsible for the nuclear bombing of the University of South Florida in 2141. The Western Brotherhood is mentioned only in Nightfall.
Western Martial Arts – A general word for the techniques of swordfighting and other types of combat as they were practiced in Europe in the days before guns. This is in contrast to the similar but not identical Eastern Martial Arts, which were practiced in the Orient. Zach Trewick takes a course in Western Martial Arts so he can learn how to use the sword Mercy in Truesilver, since it is a western European broadsword and requires this type of skill.
West Florida Reef – A massive drowned reef system along the west coast of Florida which is partly responsible for the white-sand beaches in that part of the world. Tyke McGrath visits a portion of the West Florida Reef in Elysium.
West Florida Shelf – Another name for the continental shelf between Mobile, Alabama, and the southern tip of Florida. A broad area of relatively shallow water notable for fishing and bounded on the west and south by drowned coral reefs which are particularly rich in biodiversity and which are important for the entire Gulf ecosystem. Tyke McGrath visits this region in Elysium.
West Memphis, Arkansas – Cameron Parker and his mother lived in West Memphis at the time he first met Zach Trewick in Behind Blue Eyes, although Cameron himself felt little attachment to the place since he’d been moved around so much.
White Cliffs, Moon – Steep and massive cliffs of white stone rising out of the Rainy Sea and topped by the Snowy Mountains, the White Cliffs are an awesome sight for any visitor to the Moon. Tyke McGrath sees them when he first arrives there in Tycho.
White Oak Tree – A variety of North American oak which is known for its beauty, light-colored bark and wood, and rather large acorns. White Oaks are Brian Stone’s favorite tree in Unclouded Day, and there are many of them at Goliad Ranch in Many Waters and Bran the Blessed.
White Sands Desert, New Mexico – A small desert of pure white sand made of gypsum, located just to the northeast of Las Cruces. This desert is mentioned as the place where Reuben McGrath captured a platoon of drunk soldiers who tried to cross it after filling their canteens with whiskey instead of water, and is also foretold in Cody McGrath’s dream of a white silver plain in Many Waters.
White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico – A facility located near Alamogordo, New Mexico, and the former employer of Dr. Andrew Garza, who worked here as a physicist and did part of his work on the tachometer here. The facility is mentioned in Truesilver, and then again in Avenger, when Cameron Parker tells his son Jesse and Tyke McGrath how he came to the future.
White Sands, New Mexico – An eastern suburb of Las Cruces and home of Layla Garza. White Sands sits in the eastern foothills of the Organ Mountains and on the edge of the White Sands Desert. Lisa Stone visits it during Many Waters.
White Sea, Russia – An inlet of the Atlantic Ocean on the northeast coast of Russia, frozen for most of the year but accessible via icebreaker ships. Archangel is the largest city on the White Sea, and is mentioned as a possible escape route from Saint Petersburg in Bran the Blessed.
Wilder, Eileen Loftis – Mother of Josiah and aunt of Zach, Eileen is an organic chemist who works for an oil company in Atlanta, Texas. She tends to be calm and unflappable in most circumstances and has a very analytical mind. She grew up on a horse ranch in Magnolia, Arkansas, and is an accomplished rider and fisherman. Eileen appears in Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, and Truesilver, and is mentioned in Bran the Blessed. She is referred to (though not by name) in Nightfall when Josiah’s parents are mentioned, and in Tycho when Jesse takes her music box to the Moon with him.
Wilder, Jenna – Wife of Anthony Trewick, mother of Zach and Lola, and sister of Justin Wilder. Jenna became a werewolf after falling in love with Anthony while in college. At first she rejects Zach because of his choice not to become a werewolf, but she does eventually thaw somewhat. Jenna appears in Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, and Truesilver.
Wilder, Josiah – Son of Justin and Eileen, and best friend of Micah McGrath. He is particularly fond of Cameron in his baby days, and grows up to earn a PhD in psychology. He was named after the righteous King Josiah of Judah. Josiah appears in Truesilver and Nightfall, and is mentioned in More Golden Than Day.
Wilder, Justin – Brother of Jenna and uncle of Zach Trewick, Justin is a geobiologist for an oil company in Atlanta, Texas. He is a kind man who takes Zach in when he has nowhere else to go, and urges him to fulfill his duty as a Curse-Breaker. Justin appears in Cry for the Moon, Behind Blue Eyes, More Golden Than Day, and Truesilver, and he is mentioned in Bran the Blessed.
Windsong (Lake), Moon – A large crater lake at the top of Mt. Sugarstone in the Chocolate Mountains. Lake Windsong is the source of the Rocky River.
Wisconsin – Jolie Doucet mentions this as the location of an active werewolf pod in More Golden Than Day.
Witten, Charles – A physics professor at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, who is a colleague of Dr. Garza and who is said to specialize in particle physics in Truesilver.
Witwatersrand, South Africa – A city in South Africa famous for its university. Mentioned only in Nightfall.
Witwatersrand, University of – A university located in South Africa and reputedly the place where Micah McGrath studied astronomy before coming to Florida. It is described in Nightfall as being utterly destroyed during the Boer War.
Wolf Mountain, Arkansas – The highest point of land located in the Great Bend of the Red, from which it’s possible to see a long distance because of the flat river bottomland. Daniel Trewick had a wolf stone located here and also a hunting camp, both destroyed by Joram Ross in 1863. Also the location of the Sweet Spring, discovered by Zach Trewick many years later.
Wolfe City, Texas – A small town in Hunt County in northeast Texas, where Justin and Jenna Wilder grew up and graduated from high school. Zach Trewick finds his uncle Justin still living here and sleeps in his house on Wild Buck Lane while he’s gone. He later gives Justin a candy mug with the Wolfe City Wolves on the front. Wolfe City is mentioned only in Cry for the Moon.
Wolf-stone – Zach Trewick’s name for the flat pieces of sandstone scattered around the world which are cursed in such a way that on the Hunter’s Moon in October of each year, a person can lie down on one of them and have the proper symbols painted on his chest with mint and henbane, drink a taste of fresh blood, and if he has certain words spoken over him and sleeps all night under the moon, he will wake up the next morning as a werewolf, provided he makes his first kill at the next full moon in November. The curse can only be done at these specific places and times and won’t work anywhere else. A wolf-stone has to be prepared by using a pinch of dust from the summit of Mont Mouchet in southern France, but will last forever unless it is physically destroyed or else cleansed with holy water.
Wolverhampton, England – A city in central England where Josh Hampstead worked as a bouncer in a bar for a while before moving on to Bournemouth. Wolverhampton is mentioned only in Tycho.
Wolves, Valley of the, Moon – The upper valley of the Golden Firth, dividing Mt. Starfrost from Mt. Milkpearl in the western part of the Snowy Mountains. Besides Starfrost and Milkpearl, it is bounded on the south by Mt. Chalkytooth at 10,039 feet.
World Health Organization – An organization based in Geneva which monitors world health trends and possible dangers on behalf of various governments as a way to promote good health. Tyke McGrath likes to hack into their computer system when he’s bored, and in this way he discovers the Orion Strain in Tycho.
Wright’s – A grocery store in Glenwood, Arkansas, where Zach Trewick stops to eat a turkey sandwich while barefoot and soaking wet in Behind Blue Eyes.
Wyoming – A western state, scene of Zach Trewick’s battle with Gabe Garza at Yellowstone Lake in Truesilver.
X
Xanadu, Ice Hills of, Titan – A large region of hills and mountains made of solid ice near the equatorial region of Titan, bordering the Black Desert of Shangri-la to the west. Xanadu contains the Temple of Muwamanth which sits atop the Pillar of Heaven, the tallest mountain on Titan. Xanadu is considered sacred ground by the A’rum (natives). All battles take place somewhere in this province and it does not belong to any of the three kingdoms. Tyke McGrath visits this place in Avenger.
Xanthe, Battle of – A battle which took place on the Isle of Xanthe on Mars, when rebel forces under the command of Brandon Stone attacked an outpost of Colonel Burns in an attempt to recapture the spaceship Susie Q. Buzz Trewick was almost killed in this battle, which took place in Elysium.
Xanthe, Isle of, Mars – A small island at the southern tip of the Golden Sea, divided from the mainland by the Ares Channel. A major battle takes place here in Elysium.
X-ray Laser – A laser which utilizes x-rays rather than visible light for its beam, and which is therefore invisible and also (generally speaking) more powerful and more difficult to detect since it can’t be seen. Often used for tripwires and other stealthy applications, as in Elysium.
XR Series – A type of spacecraft designed to operate in space and also within planetary atmospheres. Several designs were used over the years because of their versatility, but they were ultimately abandoned due to cost and safety concerns. The XR-339 was the last one to be used, designed by Peggy Weiss and Jason Breyer at the McDill Aerospace Research Center with funding provided by Damon Doucet. The Cabral and Balboa were the only two XR-339’s ever built. The earlier XR-218 was used extensively during the Lunar Terraform Project and included such ships as the Linda Sue, Tyler James, Mendeleev, Melinda May, and Susie Q. The XR Series or one of its ships occurs in Nightfall, Tycho, Avenger, Freedom, and Elysium.
Y
Yellow Freestone – A type of peach with deep yellow flesh and pits which can easily be pulled free, often grown in east Texas as a cash crop. Cody McGrath grows twenty acres of Yellow Freestones at Goliad Ranch, a fact mentioned in Many Waters.
Yellow Hills, Mars – A region of low hills bounded on the northwest by the Caprock Plateau, the northeast by the Golden Sea, on the south by the Valles Marineris, and on the southeast by the Ares River. It is mentioned only in Elysium.
Yellow Rose of Texas – A famous Confederate anthem of the Civil War, sung by Texas soldiers fighting in Tennessee. Annabelle Rusk sings it to her son Tyke McGrath as a lullaby in memory of her father Nicholas who died in that war. Tyke mentions this fact and what it means to him while he sits in jail in Freedom.
Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming – A large lake in Yellowstone National Park, where Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker were attacked by Gabe Garza during a dinner and dancing cruise in Truesilver.
Yellowstone National Park – The first national park in the world, visited by Zach Trewick and Cameron Parker in Truesilver.
Yucatan, Mexico – A peninsula dividing the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea, mentioned in Nightfall and Elysium.
Yucca – A spiny, prickly plant native to the desert regions of North America, able to survive extreme environmental conditions. The Joshua Tree is one type of yucca. Yuccas of various kinds are common on the Moon. They are mentioned in Tycho, Avenger, Nightfall, and Elysium.
Yucca Flats, Moon – Also known as the Sinus Fidei, Yucca Flats is a broad plain just west of Lakeside Station which is sprinkled with yucca plants and through which the Faithful River flows. Tyke McGrath and his friends went there often to race the dune buggy in Tycho, and most of the wreckage of the Balboa ended up scattered across the western fringe of Yucca Flats in Avenger.
Yukon, Canada – The far northwestern portion of Canada, mentioned by Zach Trewick in Cry for the Moon as an example of somewhere impossibly far away.
Z
Zephyr Hills, Florida – A small city northeast of Tampa and home of Dr. Robert Weiss and his family. This was the rendezvous site for everyone who left Earth in Tycho.
Zion National Park – A national park in southern Utah famous for its red stone canyons and beautiful views. Cody McGrath visited this place in Many Waters, and it left a lasting impression on him. Micah McGrath also mentioned it in Nightfall.
Zombie – A type of monster which results from a dead body being animated by a sorcerer for various purposes. They are not actually alive anymore and tend to decay over time in spite of the magic that holds them together, so that they need to be continually replaced with fresh specimens. Dr. Garza uses zombies as soldiers in Truesilver and Many Waters.
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