The Shadow of Ararat (Oath of Empire, Book 1)
In his ambitious first novel, Harlan combines fantasy and alternate history to create a rich depiction of an historical empire. Set in what can be our A.D. 600, the narrative depicts a Roman empire that's still standing, due to the prowess of its military legions and of its thaumaturges. The e-book's many subplots stir into action when the empire's Western emperor joins his Japanese counterpart in a battle against Persia. Characters embrace stock villains and unrelievedly heroic heroes, such as the Roman Prince Maxian, who is both a fighter and physician.
Fortunately, many of the other major characters are more rounded; they embody a female murderer whose crafty patron sends her into the royal army, an emperor who returns from the lifeless, a young Hibernian thaumaturge who's prematurely thrust into battle, a Airtight priest who mentors his inexperienced pupil within the artwork of magic and a powerful sorcerer who turns against his country. Harlan incorporates allusions to actual historical past.
A for instance, references to a religious group crucified for not worshipping Roman godsAwhile twisting history's penalties in other arenas, comparable to in his descriptions of the consequences of lead in Roman drinking water. Even if the novel usually lacks the luxurious element of similar fantasy and historicals, it adequately evokes the interval's landscape, on a regular basis manners, consuming and housing. This e book marks the beginning of a deliberate OATH OF EMPIRE series, and most readers of this quantity will look ahead to the second.
No comments:
Post a Comment