The Time of Troubles II

Time of Troubles #3-4

by Harry Turtledove

Abrivard, marshal of Makuran, has been given an impossible task by his King: destroy the mighty Empire of Videssos. Even as he pondered how to obey, Videssos's legions are on the march, attacking Makuran first. Abrivard finds himself fighting a defensive war, putting his great battle skills to the task of driving the invaders from his home, the land of the Thousand Cities. But even as he struck back at the invader, he realized that force of arms alone would not carry the day, for Videssos's powerful sorcerers were the stuff of legend, and a strong sword are could not stand against a potent battle spell which could strike the mightiest warrior dead from miles away . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Alternate History

768 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Dr Harry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced a sizeable number of works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction.

Harry Turtledove attended UCLA, where he received a Ph.D. in Byzantine history in 1977.

Turtledove has been dubbed "The Master of Alternate History". Within this genre he is known both for creating original scenarios: such as survival of the Byzantine Empire; an alien invasion in the middle of the World War II; and for giving a fresh and original treatment to themes previously dealt with by other authors, such as the victory of the South in the American Civil War; and of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.

His novels have been credited with bringing alternate history into the mainstream. His style of alternate history has a strong military theme.

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second half of the Time of Troubles saga part of the Videssos cycle by Harry Turtledove. I reviewed the previous last month, so here is the second review. The book, like, volume one, is two novels- one focused on the hero from Makuran (kind of Sassanid Persia) and the other with the hero from Videssos (kind of the Byzantine Empire). The storyline continues with court intrigue, wars and some continuing romance.

As with the rest of Turtledove, the heroes resemble each other. The fact that they are admirable, if ambitious men, making their way in a less than admirable world, is something a Turtledove trope, but one gets drawn into their worlds. This is a world where honesty and principle ultimately win out over corruption and treachery, but, usually, at great cost. The working out of this is fascinating.

This series is well worth reading because Turtledove's writing is so entertaining.

[Brentman99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is an excellent series that continues to build upon other books in the Videssos series. I really enjoyed this series.