Average customer rating:
- The climax of "Storm" eclipses a volanic eruption
- A Compelling Tale of an Alternate Roman World
- Powerful series, exciting action
- Very Enjoyable, at least to a history dweeb such as myself
- Excellent ending to a fascinating trilogy
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The Storm of Heaven
Carnet d'adresses alsacien (petit format)
Carnet d'adresses alsacien (petit format)
Authors: Michèle Delsaute
Catalog: Book
Media: Relié
Release Date: 13 October, 2003
Publisher: Equinoxe
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ks, the Emperors of the Eastern and Western Roman empires had joined forces to devast and defeat Persia. But the tactics of the Eastern Emperor cost some of his allies dearly, resulting in the destruction of the city-state of Palmyra. Prince Maxian, youngest brother of Galen, Emperor of the West, had discovered that there was an Oath which cast restrictions on the Empire, attacking and destroying anything that the Oath perceived as a threat to Rome.
Maxian set out to destroy the Oath, convinced that the Oath was actually harming Rome. He was blessed with healing magical talent, and quickly grew in power, resurrecting Julius Caeser and Alexander the Great.
But there are other plots and stories, all intertwined. A young student named Dwyrian, from far off Hibernia (Ireland) is drafted into the Roman army, and gains magical powers far faster than he should.
Dwyrian's teacher, coming after him, meets a merchant named Mohammed of Mekkah. And there is an evil, inhuman sorcerer, Dahak, who is in league with Persia. There is Thyatis, an agent in service to the Emperor of Rome, and more characters and subplots than you can shake a stick at.
Book 1, The Shadow of Ararat, was sheer brilliance. Book 2, The Gate of Fire, was well done, but not as good as the 1st volume, due to a host of new elements which were introduced without enough foundation being laid.
The Storm of Heaven is not as good as Book 1, but it is better than book 2. Maxian deals with the devastation that he wrecked by accidently causing the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Thyatis deals with her own survivor's guilt, and ends up in the arena of the Colosseum. Dwyrian grows in power. Mohammed leads, along with Dwyrian's one time companion, Zoe, who is now the Queen of the destroyed city of Palmyra, the march for vengence against the Emperor of the East. Empress Martina of the East struggles to hold the Eastern Empire together for the benefit of her young son, while her husband is wracked by an illness of mysterious origin. Her Uncle, Prince Theodore, the brother of her husband, has his own plans for who should rule the Eastern Empire.
Gaius Julius Caesar and Alexandros, have their own dreams of power, which they have not given up, even though they have been cast aside by their master, Prince Maxian. Oh, and the Persians are on the march as well.
ALthough a long book, TSoH, suffers from covering too much ground with too few pages. THe author's note at the end indicates that the author exceeded the size limit which had been decreed by the editors, and excised portions are available via a website.
Still, despite that flaw, author Harlan has created a highly detailed alternate Roman world, with compelling characters and a complex and entertaining storyline. I look forward to Book 4 of this series.
Powerful series, exciting action.......2001-09-01 The leaders of Rome, both east and west, seem hopelessly sunk into grief and guilt. Meanwhile, a revived Persia and the desert armies of Mohammed win victory after victory over the dispirited Roman armies. Even Prince Maxim, who has tried to break the Oath of Empire that holds Rome together while preventing any progress, seems unwilling to do anything to prevent destruction.
In this third novel in the OATH OF EMPIRE SERIES, players with more minor roles in the earlier books come to the fore. The revived Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great have to act independently because Maxim refuses to give them direction. The wizard-boy Dwyrin has found incredible powers. Thyatis has lost her memory and must fight for survival on her own.
With two books under his belt, Harlan has mastered the impressionistic style. His plot still jumps from one action-center to the other across the Roman and Persian worlds, but these transitions are less jarring and the overall plot moves forward more smoothly than in the earlier novels.
I look forward to the next volume in this fascinating series set in a 7th century world where magic works and where the power of the Oath has kept Rome from falling.
Very Enjoyable, at least to a history dweeb such as myself.......2001-08-04 This book is very long, the type is small, and Harlan still cut out so much stuff to hit this length that he has whole chapters on his website that just couldn't fit. I haven't read those chapters, though, because the book works very well as is: somebody, either Harlan or his editors, did an excellent job of cutting without butchering.
His world isn't quite our world in the same era, of course: the Roman Empire never fell in his. But he brings the era alive and carries a complex story through many twists and turns without losing the reader's attention. A very enjoyable book, full of lots of interesting historical nuggets.
Excellent ending to a fascinating trilogy.......2001-06-17 In the seventh century, the Roman Empire is under siege on two military fronts and one natural front. Mohammed of Mekkah and his army defeated Theodore and the war with Persia led by the inhuman sorcerer Damawand continues unabated. Adding to the gloom is the eruption of Vesuvius that has destroyed several cities.
The last real hope for Rome and Constantinople lies with Prince Maxian, who has tried to destroy the magical Oath that protects the city. An epiphany strikes him and he realizes he is taking a destructive path that could kill many innocents. He turns to the past, raising Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, to abet his cause of saving the great empire from its two front war.
THE STORM OF HEAVEN is an extremely complex alternate historical fiction novel that includes a well-written introduction explaining key events from the first two novels. However, in spite of that, most new readers and repeat fans will find it much easier to follow the myriad of plots by perusing the previous novels (see THE SHADOW OF ARARAT and THE GATE OF FIRE) because this is an extremely elaborate tale. This reviewer stopped early on because she understood that like Rome wasn't built in a day, this is not one day reading. The audience will feel they have been transported to the ancient world as the vivid depths of detail bring the senses alive. That and the numerous subplots that brilliantly tie together make Thomas Harlan's novel (and The Oath of Empire series) a must read for the sub-genre audience.
Harriet Klausner
Average customer rating:
- Intrigue, Mystery & Character Development
- Great ride!
- Disappointing
- good but could be better
- even better than the first book in the series
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House of Reeds (Tor Science Fiction)
Thomas Harlan
Manufacturer: Tor Books
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ASIN: 076534114X
Release Date: 2005-05-31 |
Book Description
In five short centuries, the mighty Empire of the Meacute;xica, descendants of the ancient Aztecs allied with Imperial Japan, has spread out to conquer the Earth, left the homeworld, and set its sights on the stars. But the universe is a dangerous place, filled with hidden powers and the relics of ancient civilizations. The Meacute;xica are only the latest of the great Imperial powers to reach for the stars. But that doesn't stop Imperial Meacute;xica from claiming control. Xenoarcheologist Gretchen Anderssen had hoped to enjoy her well-earned vacation. She hadn't seen her home-world or her children for many months. But the Company has other plans for her - when she checks in for her transport, she finds new orders for her team. It looks like only a small diversion - a quick trip to the Planet Jagen, to investigate reports of a possible First Sun artifact. She doesn't have to run an excavation, or even gain possession of the artifact. Just file a report. But it smells bad, says Gretchen's Hesht companion, Magdalena. David Parker, the Company pilot assigned to Anderssen's analysis team agrees. And they are so right.Gretchen, Magdalena, and Parker find themselves in very dangerous territory indeed. Because, unbeknownst to anyone at the Company, the Imperial Meacute;xican Priesthood has decided to wage a war on Jagan - a war not of conquest or defense, but a "flowery war", planned and fomented for the purpose of blooding the Emperor's youngest son. Gretchen and her team are headed right into the middle of the battle.It may be a War of Flowers, but many people will die, and blood will flow in the streets.
Customer Reviews:
Intrigue, Mystery & Character Development.......2005-10-27 I read the first book Wasteland of Flint before reading this book.
Thomas Harlan has been able to further develop the main characters in this book - Gretchen of the Company, Susan of the star ship cruiser Cornuelle and Itzpalicue, an Imperial agent of the Mirror. He fails in portraying a clearer huma
Carnet d'adresses alsacien (grand format)
Carnet d'adresses alsacien (grand format)
Authors: Michèle Delsaute
Catalog: Book
Media: Relié
Release Date: 13 October, 2003
Publisher: Equinoxe
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on, or a tank or a gun. Following every bullet is unnecessary. I was really very saddened in a way because I was hoping for more from these books but I am afraid that Mr. Harlan is following the example of his first series which I felt degenerated considerabley after the first book.
even better than the first book in the series.......2005-05-30 This is the second book in Harlan's "Sixth Sun" series, an alternate universe where the British Isles and Europe are minor players, and the Aztecs and Japanese are the major powers. Most of that alternate history is background; the books are set far enough in the future that the intrigue and battles in space stand on their own, even if the reader is a little fuzzy on the idea of alternate histories.
It does help to read the first book, Wasteland of Flint, first, to get some sense of the characters; however, this book can be read without that - while one might miss a few references to things that happened before, there are enough new characters, and the personalities of the continuing characters are strong enough, that their words and actions stand on their own, even without the background.
The plot is full of intrigue and double crosses and double-double crosses - it takes some following, perhaps even a few notes scribbled on your bookmark, to remember who works for whom, and who is secretly what other than what they seem. It makes this a juicy read, but not a light one - you can't skim, you'd better read every word, or you will lose the thread of some subplot.
As with the previous book, this one is pretty much GP-rated: although there's violence, it is not all blood and gore, and there's almost nothing of a sexual nature. Not that the characters aren't sexual beings, just that it's not an important part of the plot, and no time is spent dwelling on their sex lives.
The major plot twist here is the introduction of a hidden alien, apparently a shape-shifter, and that alien features in the cliff-hanger ending. There will clearly be another volume, and it seems likely that some of our military characters that were introduced in this book will carry over, as well as all those that carried from the first book. Gretchen has acquired as a friend, sort of, a native of the planet she's been on; it remains to be seen whether this character will travel with her to other places. The race this alien is from was once space-faring, now devolved and planet-bound, and it would be interesting to see how members of the species might return to space.
I found the foiling of some of the underhanded tricks to be very satisfying, and the fact that it wasn't completely obvious up front, nor was it unrealistically without loss or damage, to add the the pleasure in following the plot. Perhaps the most disappointing thing, on the other hand, was the alien artifact that Gretchen is initially sent to look for. It is not well developed as a plot device, if you'll pardon the pun, and is destroyed in a rather simplistic "there are some things man was not meant to know!" way. So the book isn't perfect. It is, however, the best one by Harlan so far, and a great read for fans both of military SF and alternate history SF.
Average customer rating:
- AS a book it rates higher than a 3, but as the end it really is a
- Stupid ending spoils good series
- Schizophrenic
- Disappointment
- Too many loose ends
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The Dark Lord (Oath Of Empire)
Thomas Harlan
Manufacturer: Tor Fantasy
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ASIN: 0812590120 |
Book Description
Tom Harlan brings his Oath of Empire series to a shattering conclusion in The Dark Lord. In what would be the 7th Century AD in our history, the Roman Empire still stands, supported by the twin pillars of the Legions and Thaumaturges of Rome. The Emperor of the West, the Augustus Galen Atreus, came to the aid of the Emperor of the East, the Avtokrator Heraclius, in his war with the Sassanad Emperor of Persia. But despite early victories, that war has not gone well, and now Rome is hard-pressed. Constantinople has fallen before the dark sorceries of the Lord Dahak and his legions of the living and dead. Now the new Emperor of Persia marches on Egypt, and if he takes that ancient nation, Rome will be starved and defeated.But there is a faint glimmer of hope. The Emperor Galen's brother Maxian is a great sorcerer, perhaps the equal of Dahak, lord of the seven serpents. He is now firmly allied with his Imperial brother and Rome. And though they are caught tight in the Dark Lord's net of sorcery, Queen Zoe of Palmyra and Lord Mohammed have not relinquished their souls to evil. Powerful, complex, engrossing --Thomas Harlan's Oath of Empire series has taken fantasy readers by storm. The first three volumes, The Shadow of Ararat, The Gate of Fire, and The Storm of Heaven have been universally praised, and the author was nominated for the Campbell Award for Best New Writer of 1999 and 2000.
Customer Reviews:
AS a book it rates higher than a 3, but as the end it really is a.......2007-05-31 2. If you want to read any of this series of books it is mandatory to start with the 1st and read them in order and probably with no breaks (like reading other authors' books) in between. Lots of threads...lots of characters... lots of differing action. I HATED that a couple of the most interesting and well-developed characters just fizzled out. There SHOULD be a 5th book. I expected a 5th book even though I could only find the 4 (which I made sure that I had before starting the series). When I finished this book...I felt " yeah, now what?". There were many likeable characters and several really unlikeable ones...that means that he wrote them well. But he didn't finish his job well. I really felt like I'd been left hanging out over a cliff. He did so much work writing this...and I put in so many (some enjoyable) hours reading this...I really was let down. I think even an "Epilogue" summing up some of the thread endings would have helped. It makes me not want to chance reading another of his series. Be sure that you have all the books before starting the first...and be assured that I think there are some good hours of reading...but there's a letdown coming at the end. The maps are very good although I could have used a couple more details than were given
in the African parts.
Stupid ending spoils good series.......2004-08-17 That author Harlan threw the character Dwyrin away at the end of the third book should have been a major warning sign. Here was a character that Harlan introduced as a youngster and made us care about. Dwyrin is then summarily killed at the close of the third book for no apparent reason other than Harlan didn't know how to fit him into the fourth book.
Further, as mentioned by a prior reviewer, a number of other characters who are nicely developed in the first three books are relegated to bit parts. It might have been better if they had been killed as well. Many are "living dead" in more than one sense.
There are also glaring logical gaps. Galen finds out about Gaius' plot to overthrow him. Does he tell Maxian (who controls Gaius utterly) or have Gais arrested ? No, he sends for the German legions, and then lets Gaius steal them away.
Another problem mentioned in other reviews is the oath not stopping magic. Harlan says "The Oath is weak in Egypt." Why would that be exactly ? Wasn't it created by an Egyptian sorceror ?
Other reviewers have mentioned the loose ends and speculated that this is really just the fourth book of a five book series. The near complete uninvolvement of Mohammed in any action could only be excused on that basis, as well as the undetermin
Dictionnaire de culture générale
Dictionnaire de culture générale
Authors: Mokhtar Lakehal
Catalog: Book
Media: Relié
Release Date: 13 October, 2003
Publisher: Vuibert
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the very end there was no one but centurians and legionares in the Army, no decurians, optimos, tribunes, signifers, etc etc. Also it was repeatedly stressed in the earlier books that magic had little or no effect on the Roman forces, why did it become so successful in the last book? Anyway the story lost my interest about midway and then became work to finish. It does seem like there is a sequel setup but I for one will not waste money on it...
Too many loose ends.......2003-02-15 I've been waiting and waiting for my library to get this last book, and when it finally came, I was thrilled! The pace was fast, and the staging was great. I was not thrilled with the alterations made to Martina, but then, she was fairly minor, so no harm done. However, I do have one complaint. There are way too many loose ends! What happens with Mohammed now that he's back? Does Maxian keep his power? Is he truly a god (bit arrogant, there, he was). What happens between Vladimir and Betia? Is Thyatis really dead this time? Was Kore the K'Shapacara queen (assuming that Kore, another name for Hecate, was also the Queen of the Night)? Too many questions were left unanswered, and so I am pleading with Mr. Harlan to give us a fifth book and tie everything up! I admit, I like my books nice and neatly tied up, so a fifth book would be particularly welcome. All in all, though, a gorgeous read! Thank you, sir, for such a lovely series.
Average customer rating:
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THE NEW TOMORROWS: The Pleasure Garden of Felipe Sagittarius; Driftglass; Sending the Very Best; Going Down Smooth; The Garden of Delights; Surface if You Can; Masks; Pennies Off a Dead Man's Eyes; 198- A Tale of Tomorrow
Norman (editor) (Michael Moorcock; Samuel R. Delany; Ed Bryant; Robert Silverberg; Langdon Jones; Terry Champagne; Damon Knight; Harlan Ellison; John T. Sladek; Thomas M. Disch; Brian W. Aldiss; Michael Butterworth; Bob Marsden) Spinrad
Manufacturer: Belmont Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 5055054050 |
Product Description
Science Fiction
Average customer rating:
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A Yank in the R.A.F.
Harlan Thomas
Manufacturer: New York: Triangle Books, 1944
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O3MQ0A |
Average customer rating:
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The Storm Of Heaven - Book Three Of The Oath Of Empire
Thomas Harlan
Manufacturer: Tor: Tom Doherty Associates
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RIUXYI |
Authors:
- Harlow, Bill
- Harnett, Cynthia
- Harper, Frances E. W.
- Harris, David
- Harris, E. Lynn
- Harris, Frank
- Harris, Geraldine
- Harrison, Harry
- Harrison, Jim
- Harrison, Ted
Authors
Authors
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