MASHATAAN

MASHATAAN
"There was nothing remotely human about the Mashataan. Their bodies consisted of writhing swarms of tendrils that pulsed with undiluted mchawi. They possessed no other limbs. From the midst of each clump of tendrils rose a head dissimilar in shape to that of anything ever spawned in Nyumbani. Eyes were the only familiar feature on those nightmarish heads — yes that were multitudinous orbs of bright green light, each on refelecting cold, dispassionate involvement in the struggle against the Erriten...the recalcitrant, pathetic and insignificant Erriten...
Charles R. Saunders, Imaro IV

Again, if you've been following my work you know that I've been obsessed with Charles Saunders' work for a few years now. His Imaro series (a Conan-esque warrior set in a fictional ancient Africa with fleshed out supporting characters and a satisfying arc) quickly became my favorite book series. I've read or listened to the audio books of all 4 novels multiple times. I've read his Dossouye series (a woman warrior that roams another fictional version of ancient Africa righting wrongs) and his stand alone novels Damballa & Abengoni. I've tracked down anthologies with uncollected stories and even zines that have never seen reprints. I love his work and want to encourage as many people as possible to read it.

Cover art for 1 & 2 by Vince Evans, 3 & 4 by Mshindo Kuumba

Saunders could write an amazing story. He's got great, sympathetic & relatable characters, imaginative settings, well timed & exciting crescendos and engaging action scenes. But what I'm drawn to is his monsters. They're wild! Hyena-gorilla hybrids, giant ant monsters and even dinosaurs!

Cover art for Dossouye 1 & 2 by Mshindo Kuumba, Damballa by Charles Fetherolf, Abengoni by Julie Dillon

In his Imaro stories, the Mashataan are the Lovecraftian interdimensional gods that scheme through their human sorcerer puppets, the Erriten. We don't encounter them until the fourth and final Imaro novel and it's great. A masterful buildup and an epic battle. I honestly can't hype these stories enough.

Unfortunately, Charles passed away in 2020, just as his work was beginning to see a resurgence in popularity.