Please note that the entire "Quest of the Solar Flower" trilogy and the single volume version are now in "revised second edition" form with close to 200 minor text changes made throughout since Edition One. Thus please read on, for this epic tale breaks entirely new ground in science fiction, particularly that it contains authentic gnostic content, including real inner world experiences of the author which are given to the central hero, Joe Paz. Not only is the tale painted on a canvas of one real and three fictional universes, but it also enters the very real and personally experienceable 'Seven Heavens of Terrestrial Consciousness' this canvas referred to in the book as the "Megalocosmos," a term borrowed from Gurdjieff. If you appreciate the works of authors like Bach and Coelho or if you enjoyed Wilson & Shea's "Illuminatus " this novel breaks ground they've not even entered. Or if you're just a fan of truly innovative science fiction and uniquely original creativity, then this book has it all. It's destined to become a cult classic."The Chalice of Love and Empathy," Volume One of the 'Quest of the Solar Flower trilogy', introduces an epic gnostic science fiction mega-myth, set 156 years after the Old Earth's Armageddon, though a more positive culture has been reborn from the ashes, and the planet has been renamed Gaia.The central hero, a wildlife ranger called Joe Paz, is attacked by human agents of super-advanced Quindi aliens as these newcomers to local space believe his existence threatens their unimaginable goal. Through this first encounter, Joe meets members of the spiritually evolved alien Deyans, and discovering they have a cosmic link, the ranger enters the "Quest" to thwart the Quindi plan.Amafakazata the Silent, ruler and god of the Quindi multi-galactic empire, has an opportunity to end Creation completely, ostensibly in order to end all suffering in the Megalocosmos: four interconnected material universes and the seven inner dimensions which preceded the material Creation. All he needs do is unify himself with the Four Petals of the Solar Flower - numinous items of "vast" Megalocosmic "power" - to achieve his end; while if one of his opponents succeeds, then a new era of love and super-evolution could ensue throughout the seven inner dimensions and the four material universes - though there would still be no end to suffering.Joe Paz and the Deyans unite with other heroes and heroines from the four universes to thwart Amafakazata, and while some of these discover that they knew each other in previous incarnations, all have in common a parallel "philoSophia" they each call "Wonderway."The trilogy is dedicated to Sacred Woman, and sacred women - a number of very key heroines - abound in it.The eBook version of "The Chalice of Love and Empathy" contains a colour map of the Solar Flower Continent, and illustrations of the prototype of the super starscout "Feh 418," Mindra Catlan of the Zora-lians and Irohir of Azura. Though these like the cover will appear in greyscale (black and white) on basic Kindle e-readers.""Quest of the Solar Flower" is rewarding, deep, compelling, fun, action-packed, bizarre, erotic, mystical, spiritual and quite excellent indeed. ... there seems to be a resurgence in literature that makes you think. This one is ably augmented by action, sex and stuff that is seriously cool." Jill de Laat, Melrose Books.