C L Hellisen Audiobooks

A Million Points of Light: fantasy from South Africa, off the Anglo-American map

1 audiobook reviewed

★ 4.8/5 average

13 listener ratings

Who is C L Hellisen?

C L Hellisen is a South African fantasy author, born in 1977, who published earlier work under the name Cat Hellisen. Three novels built the reputation: When the Sea is Rising Red, House of Sand and Secrets and Beastkeeper, books that marked Hellisen out as a distinctive voice in the genre.

Fantasy publishing is dominated by British and American names, which makes a South African perspective worth noticing in its own right. Beyond the essentials, Hellisen keeps a fairly low public profile and lets the books speak for themselves – and for readers who like their fantasy a little off the beaten track, they speak persuasively.

C L Hellisen in audiobooks

On this site Hellisen appears with A Million Points of Light, a good entry point for listeners who want fantasy from outside the usual Anglo-American axis. The qualities implied by Hellisen’s track record – invented worlds taken seriously, atmosphere over formula – are exactly the ones that translate best to audio, where a strong sense of place counts double.

Anyone who takes to it will find the earlier novels, from When the Sea is Rising Red to Beastkeeper, waiting as a follow-up – though it is A Million Points of Light that earns Hellisen a place in this catalogue, and it stands perfectly well on its own.