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Age of Unreason #2
A Calculus of Angels
Newton's Cannon, the critically acclaimed first volume in J. Gregory Keyes's Age of Unreason series, brilliantly combined the best of alternate history, fantasy, and science fiction in a bravura reimagining of the tempestuous eighteenth century. Now, Keyes triumphantly adds to his masterpiece in the making . . .
A CALCULUS OF ANGELS
1722: A second Dark Age looms after the devastating impact of an asteroid, unnaturally drawn to Earth by dire creatures who plot against the world of men. Yet this destruction is just the opening salvo in a war of annihilation.
Sir Isaac Newton and his young apprentice, Benjamin Franklin, have taken refuge in ancient Prague, seeking the secrets of the aetheric beings whose vast powers and new sciences have so nearly destroyed humanity . . . yet who may prove to be its last, great hope.
But their safety is tenuous, as Peter the Great marches his unstoppable forces across Europe. And half a world away, Cotton Mather and Blackbeard the pirate lead a party of colonial luminaries back across the Atlantic to discover what has befallen the Old World. With them sails Red Shoes, a Choctaw shaman whose mysterious connections to the invisible world warn him that they are all moving toward a confrontation as violent as it is decisive . . .
A CALCULUS OF ANGELS
1722: A second Dark Age looms after the devastating impact of an asteroid, unnaturally drawn to Earth by dire creatures who plot against the world of men. Yet this destruction is just the opening salvo in a war of annihilation.
Sir Isaac Newton and his young apprentice, Benjamin Franklin, have taken refuge in ancient Prague, seeking the secrets of the aetheric beings whose vast powers and new sciences have so nearly destroyed humanity . . . yet who may prove to be its last, great hope.
But their safety is tenuous, as Peter the Great marches his unstoppable forces across Europe. And half a world away, Cotton Mather and Blackbeard the pirate lead a party of colonial luminaries back across the Atlantic to discover what has befallen the Old World. With them sails Red Shoes, a Choctaw shaman whose mysterious connections to the invisible world warn him that they are all moving toward a confrontation as violent as it is decisive . . .
406 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
25 people are currently reading
480 people want to read
About the author
Greg Keyes
84 books653 followersGregory Keyes is a writer of science fiction and fantasy who has written both original and media-related novels under both the names J. Gregory Keyes and "Greg Keyes".
Greg Keyes was born in to a large, diverse, storytelling family. He received degrees in anthropology from Mississippi State and the University of Georgia before becoming a fulltime writer.
He lives in Savannah, Georgia.
Greg Keyes was born in to a large, diverse, storytelling family. He received degrees in anthropology from Mississippi State and the University of Georgia before becoming a fulltime writer.
He lives in Savannah, Georgia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 19, 2016
Drugi nastavak ne gubi na dinamici, tu padaju carstva, mijenjanu se stranme, kroje sudbine...idemo dalje
December 20, 2017
“For a simple man like me, Mr. Franklin, the new science seems like the old sorcery.”
Continues an alternate history where the teen-aged Ben Franklin sails to Europe and apprentices to Sir Isaac Newton Other famous and infamous character cycle in and out of the story.
“I could see light before I understood it. Which is more important, seeing it or understanding its laws?”
Better storytelling. Plenty of cliffhangers and reversals. Explores many what-ifs and potentials in a universe where certain magical powers are science, advancing technology perhaps a hundred years over our timeline.
“Most would rather have a king--even a foolish one like me--make their decisions for them. It isn’t kings that must change, Benjamin, but man.”
Continues an alternate history where the teen-aged Ben Franklin sails to Europe and apprentices to Sir Isaac Newton Other famous and infamous character cycle in and out of the story.
“I could see light before I understood it. Which is more important, seeing it or understanding its laws?”
Better storytelling. Plenty of cliffhangers and reversals. Explores many what-ifs and potentials in a universe where certain magical powers are science, advancing technology perhaps a hundred years over our timeline.
“Most would rather have a king--even a foolish one like me--make their decisions for them. It isn’t kings that must change, Benjamin, but man.”
February 21, 2012
So far, having finished the first two books in this series ("Newton's Cannon" being the first), it has been a very enjoyable experience. It sounds crazy, I suppose, to have Sir Issac Newton and Ben Franklin as major characters in an alternate history/science fiction yarn with some really wild and crazy gadgets thrown in, but it's really a hoot! Lots of other characters that are really enjoyable and likable, plus some really bad-ass entities make this an extremely satisfying read. Plan to read all others in this series as well. Soon!!
February 1, 2020
Retour aujourd'hui sur le deuxième tome de la série "L'Âge de la Déraison" de J. G. Keyes.
L'histoire reprend quelques années après la fin du premier volume. Le cataclysme qui s'est abattu sur Londres à profondément biuleversé l'ordre du monde. Coupé de leurs mères-patries, les colonies s'interrogent et envoient une délégation vers l'Ancien-Monde afin de comprendre ce qui s'est produit. En Europe, Benjamin Franklin et son maître, Newton, ont trouvé refuge à Prague. Quant à Adrienne, elle erre par les routes dévastées du royaume de France livré au chaos, essayant du mieux qu'elle peut de protéger son jeune fils. Seulement, les armées russes menées par un tsar bien décidé à diriger toute l'Europe, déferlent sur le continent et tous vond devoir, de près ou de loin (mais surtout de près !) s'y confronter.
On reprend les mêmes et on recommence. Ce tome nous permet d'en apprendre davantage sur les anges, ces mystérieuses entités qui se sont révélées autrefois à Louis XIV et qui dorénavant, semblent être l'objet de toutes les convoitises. Le début m'a laissée un peu de marbre, j'avoue. J'ai eu du mal à me relancer et à retrouver mes marques dans cet univers, le changement de langue (j'ai basculé vers le français) n'a sans doute pas aidé. Les personnages étaient loin dans mon esprit. Mais au-delà de ça, j'ai trouvé le début un peu plat. La fin, en revanche, m'a beaucoup plu. La réunion des différents narrateurs dans la confrontation finale était vraiment chouette à suivre. Et la bataille finale est littéralement explosive. Au niveau des personnages, j'ai eu du mal à m'attacher à Adrienne et à Ben, qui ont tous gagné une sorte de cynisme face aux événements qu'ils ont traversé. En revanche, le nouveau personnage indien, Red Shoes de la tribu des Choctow est une vraie bouffée d'air frais. Sa manière d'envisager les choses, sa manière de pratiquer la magie, sa philosophie... un vrai plaisir à suivre.
Bref, un roman plein de termes compliqués et de réflexions scientifiques complexes, mais qui a su rester divertissant. Pas sûr toutefois qu'il me laisse un souvenir impérissable...
L'histoire reprend quelques années après la fin du premier volume. Le cataclysme qui s'est abattu sur Londres à profondément biuleversé l'ordre du monde. Coupé de leurs mères-patries, les colonies s'interrogent et envoient une délégation vers l'Ancien-Monde afin de comprendre ce qui s'est produit. En Europe, Benjamin Franklin et son maître, Newton, ont trouvé refuge à Prague. Quant à Adrienne, elle erre par les routes dévastées du royaume de France livré au chaos, essayant du mieux qu'elle peut de protéger son jeune fils. Seulement, les armées russes menées par un tsar bien décidé à diriger toute l'Europe, déferlent sur le continent et tous vond devoir, de près ou de loin (mais surtout de près !) s'y confronter.
On reprend les mêmes et on recommence. Ce tome nous permet d'en apprendre davantage sur les anges, ces mystérieuses entités qui se sont révélées autrefois à Louis XIV et qui dorénavant, semblent être l'objet de toutes les convoitises. Le début m'a laissée un peu de marbre, j'avoue. J'ai eu du mal à me relancer et à retrouver mes marques dans cet univers, le changement de langue (j'ai basculé vers le français) n'a sans doute pas aidé. Les personnages étaient loin dans mon esprit. Mais au-delà de ça, j'ai trouvé le début un peu plat. La fin, en revanche, m'a beaucoup plu. La réunion des différents narrateurs dans la confrontation finale était vraiment chouette à suivre. Et la bataille finale est littéralement explosive. Au niveau des personnages, j'ai eu du mal à m'attacher à Adrienne et à Ben, qui ont tous gagné une sorte de cynisme face aux événements qu'ils ont traversé. En revanche, le nouveau personnage indien, Red Shoes de la tribu des Choctow est une vraie bouffée d'air frais. Sa manière d'envisager les choses, sa manière de pratiquer la magie, sa philosophie... un vrai plaisir à suivre.
Bref, un roman plein de termes compliqués et de réflexions scientifiques complexes, mais qui a su rester divertissant. Pas sûr toutefois qu'il me laisse un souvenir impérissable...
April 4, 2025
От продолжения «Пушки Ньютона» мы ждали все ту же привычную игру в «наш мир XVII века, только с алхимиками» — а Киз взял и перевернул игровое поле, погрузив планету в натуральный постапокалипсис и ядерную зиму. На руинах выжженной и замерзающей Европы идет тотальная война, все воюют со всеми, применяя все более смертоносные алхимические средства массового поражения.
Петр Первый ведет флот боевых дирижаблей на захваченную турками Венецию. Черная Борода пересекает Атлантику на одном корабле с великим пуританским проповедником Коттоном Мэзером (в аннотации упомянутым как, сядьте покрепче, «Хлопковая Матушка») и индейским шаманом. Исаак Ньютон повелевает джиннами и строит летающие лодки, а в старой Праге от векового сна просыпается Голем... Любимые герои первого тома снова с нами; они взрослеют, получают жизненный опыт, раскрываются новыми гранями характеров. Адриана учится совмещать свою одержимость математикой с материнством; а Бен Франклин чуть подрос и превратился в завзятого ловеласа и безбашенного трикстера.
В целом книжка вышла куда более живой и приключенческой и по-хорошему безумной, чем первая часть. Если «Пушка Ньютона» близка «Барочному циклу», то «Исчисление ангелов» уместнее сравнить с «Миром реки». Надеюсь, Киз на этом не остановится и в оставшихся двух томах цикла придумает еще что-нибудь новенькое!
Петр Первый ведет флот боевых дирижаблей на захваченную турками Венецию. Черная Борода пересекает Атлантику на одном корабле с великим пуританским проповедником Коттоном Мэзером (в аннотации упомянутым как, сядьте покрепче, «Хлопковая Матушка») и индейским шаманом. Исаак Ньютон повелевает джиннами и строит летающие лодки, а в старой Праге от векового сна просыпается Голем... Любимые герои первого тома снова с нами; они взрослеют, получают жизненный опыт, раскрываются новыми гранями характеров. Адриана учится совмещать свою одержимость математикой с материнством; а Бен Франклин чуть подрос и превратился в завзятого ловеласа и безбашенного трикстера.
В целом книжка вышла куда более живой и приключенческой и по-хорошему безумной, чем первая часть. Если «Пушка Ньютона» близка «Барочному циклу», то «Исчисление ангелов» уместнее сравнить с «Миром реки». Надеюсь, Киз на этом не остановится и в оставшихся двух томах цикла придумает еще что-нибудь новенькое!
February 22, 2025
As with Newton’s Cannon, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this. The plot is fast-paced and well-structured, and the writing is a quantum leap above the average SF/F book, on par with some of my favorites: Tim Powers, Dan Simmons, or Neal Stephenson. And in fact the setting and tone are strikingly similar to Stephenson’s Baroque Cycle. But while those books stayed close to real events, Keyes veers off in his own direction, creating an alternate history that nevertheless manages to feel familiar and has a ring of truth in spite of its numerous wildly fantastical elements. I have to admit that the character of Ben Franklin as a young man doesn’t fit with the image I have of him as a historical figure, and I have no idea how close this comes to depicting his essence. But this version of Franklin makes a decent protagonist anyway, and I liked Adrienne even better. It ends on a bit of a low point, but I’ve put book three of this series on my list to track down.
October 27, 2019
A bit more action packed than the first book, and all the major players come together in one location. Still having a hard time investing in the plot, although it is becoming more interesting. I think there isn't a seamlessness between the scientific and the magical/spiritual aspects. Neither one seems clearly defined.
March 2, 2018
Enjoyable in the unfolding of its alternate universe. The conceit of using historical inventors as characters when you realise that their written genius is no greater than the author's.
August 24, 2018
Super weird. But in an interesting way.
November 20, 2018
Holds up well on a second reading over a decade later.
February 22, 2019
Another alternative history story.This is just fun to read .
June 29, 2020
Second in the series of swashbuckling adventures of young Ben Franklin, inventor and apprentice to Isaac Newton. Lots of goofy fantasy sci-fi fun. On to the next two books.
December 11, 2020
A hilarious mashup
September 5, 2021
A drek if I ever read one.
April 3, 2022
Getting better
February 21, 2023
人老了看富蘭克林越來越欠扁。
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手裡這本是首刷，不知道有沒有二刷有沒有訂正就是。
p. 133 建築物「身」處有什麼東西開始蠢動
p. 375 可能會交給威尼「私」人自己管吧。
---
手裡這本是首刷，不知道有沒有二刷有沒有訂正就是。
p. 133 建築物「身」處有什麼東西開始蠢動
p. 375 可能會交給威尼「私」人自己管吧。
March 28, 2023
2.5 stars
August 15, 2015
Another wonderful exploration of a world where Isaac Newton discovered how to use scientific principles to manipulate the aether, and create a super-science revolution.
Two years has passed since French philosopher-scientists brought a comet from the heavens to obliterate the city of London. No one predicted the nuclear winter like conditions that cooled the entire planet, impacting crops and weather around the world. Nor did anyone predict the chaos of war that would be unleashed on Europe. France has devolved into rival factions after the death of Louis XIV, Tasr Peter is on the march conquering swathes of Western Europe, and Isaac Newton and his new apprentice Benjamin Franklin have found refuge in Prague, where their inventions prove sufficient to keep Prague out of the hands of both the Turks and the Tsar.
Sir Newton has once again isolated himself from the world at large as he makes further investigations and experiments into the strange spiritual beings dubbed the Malakim, who seem to be influencing world events towards the destruction of civilization and science. Ben is sent on a variety of strange tasks, while being kept in the dark as to Newton's experiments. Things come to a head when he's almost assassinated, and gains a new companion...but can he be trusted?
Meanwhile, Adrienne is scavenging for survival in the remnants of France and eventually is part of a group making for Vienna, as a bastion of calm amidst the storm of armies on the move. In America, the colonies have been cut off, receiving no word of what has befallen London, or the other troubles besetting Europe. They form a joint expedition of both English and French colonies, as well as the formidable presence or Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard the pirate. They strike out across the Atlantic to see what has stopped trade and news from the old world, as they try to survive the now much harsher new world. They are joined by the Indian shaman Red Shoes, who has a very different perspective and relationship with the spirit world, one which puts him squarely in the sights of the puritan minister, Cotton Matter.
Eventually, their paths with cross in an epic confrontation between armies, as well as between science and spiritual forces, all of which have a strong interest in the course of history.
Two years has passed since French philosopher-scientists brought a comet from the heavens to obliterate the city of London. No one predicted the nuclear winter like conditions that cooled the entire planet, impacting crops and weather around the world. Nor did anyone predict the chaos of war that would be unleashed on Europe. France has devolved into rival factions after the death of Louis XIV, Tasr Peter is on the march conquering swathes of Western Europe, and Isaac Newton and his new apprentice Benjamin Franklin have found refuge in Prague, where their inventions prove sufficient to keep Prague out of the hands of both the Turks and the Tsar.
Sir Newton has once again isolated himself from the world at large as he makes further investigations and experiments into the strange spiritual beings dubbed the Malakim, who seem to be influencing world events towards the destruction of civilization and science. Ben is sent on a variety of strange tasks, while being kept in the dark as to Newton's experiments. Things come to a head when he's almost assassinated, and gains a new companion...but can he be trusted?
Meanwhile, Adrienne is scavenging for survival in the remnants of France and eventually is part of a group making for Vienna, as a bastion of calm amidst the storm of armies on the move. In America, the colonies have been cut off, receiving no word of what has befallen London, or the other troubles besetting Europe. They form a joint expedition of both English and French colonies, as well as the formidable presence or Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard the pirate. They strike out across the Atlantic to see what has stopped trade and news from the old world, as they try to survive the now much harsher new world. They are joined by the Indian shaman Red Shoes, who has a very different perspective and relationship with the spirit world, one which puts him squarely in the sights of the puritan minister, Cotton Matter.
Eventually, their paths with cross in an epic confrontation between armies, as well as between science and spiritual forces, all of which have a strong interest in the course of history.
April 29, 2013
This was a much more "fun" read than its predeccesor, if a little less intellectual. I enjoyed the steampunk-y world set up in "Newton's Cannon," and after the intense finale of that book, it made sense to have everything in the sequel be a disorganized, chaotic mess. I never thought I'd read a "post-apocalyptic Revolutionary War-era" novel, but now I can proudly say that I have! The premise: What would happen if there was a "nuclear option" in the warfare of this time period? How would that world be fundamentally changed as a result of such a "doomsday device"? While I don't think this book explores these questions with as much depth as it could have, it's still an interesting concept that is decently portrayed.
There was a lot more ACTION! in this second novel as well. Perhaps the author worried the first book was too talky? At any rate, the reader never has to wait for too long before another disaster befalls some of our heroes. I also appreciated that some of the mysterious questions brought up in the first book were finally answered in this book. Not ALL the questions, mind you, but enough of them that I was reasonably satisfied. However, I found some of the ifrit's powers a little vaguely outlined, and so I didn't always understand how they accomplished the things they did.
I suspect Mr. Keyes has a tough time writing good climaxes to his books. The final battle of "Calculus Of Angels" was a hot mess, and it was often hard to figure out what was going on. Sort of a "throw everything at the wall, see what sticks" method of writing. However, it can't be denied that the characters are set off in a new, different direction, with new goals, and that's okay, because it promises for another fun entry in the series. Here's hoping!
There was a lot more ACTION! in this second novel as well. Perhaps the author worried the first book was too talky? At any rate, the reader never has to wait for too long before another disaster befalls some of our heroes. I also appreciated that some of the mysterious questions brought up in the first book were finally answered in this book. Not ALL the questions, mind you, but enough of them that I was reasonably satisfied. However, I found some of the ifrit's powers a little vaguely outlined, and so I didn't always understand how they accomplished the things they did.
I suspect Mr. Keyes has a tough time writing good climaxes to his books. The final battle of "Calculus Of Angels" was a hot mess, and it was often hard to figure out what was going on. Sort of a "throw everything at the wall, see what sticks" method of writing. However, it can't be denied that the characters are set off in a new, different direction, with new goals, and that's okay, because it promises for another fun entry in the series. Here's hoping!
August 22, 2014
Le premier tome de cette uchronie est bien écrit. Tellement bien, même, qu’il semble difficile à l’auteur de tenir la distance dans un second tome. Et effectivement, il n’y arrive pas. Bien sûr, la France livrée au barbares a tout lieu d’inquiéter, et certaines scènes (notamment celles dans ce qui reste de l’Angleterre) sont assez effrayantes. Il y a néanmoins quelques jolies scènes, comme l’attaque finale de Venise, qui ne peut pas laisser indifférent. Il n’en reste pas moins que j’ai trouvé cet ouvrage, pour intéressant qu’il soit, nettement inférieur au premier. J’espère pour la qualité de cet épique cycle que la suite relèvera le niveau ….
May 2, 2011
Ok this one took longer for me to get in to even though the action took place a lot quicker than the first. Again many historical characters have been drawn in to the storyline but apart from that the story gets even more fantastic - new characters are brought in and old ones leave the stage - there are 2 more books in the series you can see things even though chaotic enough here are drawing to an even larger more cataclysmic conclusion - however now i am actually looking forward to reading the next instalment a feeling i didn't share with the first volume.
December 31, 2012
The ideas are certainly interesting, though I'm not exactly fond of the whole religious note. The writing can occasionally leave a little to be desired, but there are also really nice moments, especially during dialogs. In all, not exactly something I ended up being enthusiastic about, but a good book nevertheless, and one that I'm sure was a whole lot more work than it appears, as alternative history always is, even when you don't try to turn all known science on its head, create your own and actually have it make sense while still roughly sticking to the world we live in!
January 24, 2017
there are wars and there are wars
the Old World is in shambles. wars of all types march upon land, through the air, and in men's minds and hearts. the very souls of men hang in the balance and Ben feels that he is racing from one disaster to another. well, he is. but he has friends who remain loyal, even when they question his actions.
Ben is really in the thick of things. the landscapes change rapidly as do the characters but they are well-rounded and fun.
the Old World is in shambles. wars of all types march upon land, through the air, and in men's minds and hearts. the very souls of men hang in the balance and Ben feels that he is racing from one disaster to another. well, he is. but he has friends who remain loyal, even when they question his actions.
Ben is really in the thick of things. the landscapes change rapidly as do the characters but they are well-rounded and fun.
October 31, 2007
more alt. history
it is 1722 and a second Dark Age looms after the devestating impact of an asteroid, unnaturally drawn to Earth by dire creatures plotting against the humanity.
book 2 of 4. like it's predecessor, although it's not a long book, it is a slow weighty tome. it's a book to be carefully considered, rather than a flighty jaunt.
it is 1722 and a second Dark Age looms after the devestating impact of an asteroid, unnaturally drawn to Earth by dire creatures plotting against the humanity.
book 2 of 4. like it's predecessor, although it's not a long book, it is a slow weighty tome. it's a book to be carefully considered, rather than a flighty jaunt.
April 12, 2010
While still an amusing trip through a weird alternate europe I begin to see problems with the number of characters being strung together. Adrienne especially seems annoying and superfluous, as she serves only to be awesome at everything without good reason. Still, barring that this is a very enjoyable work.
September 30, 2015
The second in an old, favorite series. I like the way the author mixes magic, science, and religion into a wholly believable alternate universe, one in which Ben a Franklin is called upon to defend Venice from the flying ships of of the Tsar. Think of it as a kind of proto-Steampunk. It's a quick, fun read.
March 3, 2008
This was a great alternative history/fantasy series. You have to read all of them to get the full picture. But I think the first one is still the best book. Although, this book was a real turning point for the story. So much happens, and is revealed in this volume.
October 30, 2008
The same as the first one, I liked this better the second itme around. There is just so much to absorb that I guess it took more reading. I generally prefer not to do this, but these were good reads.
January 24, 2011
This was a very entertaining action-adventure story. I felt it was much more exciting than the first book in the series. I'll certainly be looking to pick up the next two books in the series after reading this one.
July 5, 2011
7/10
Some of the plot twists were a little hard for me to follow and the whole story line with Red Shoes is beyond me, I must confess. But I am fascinated with the Ben Franklin/Isaac Newton and Adrienne/Crecy storylines and, of course, all the clever inventions. Ready to dive into the next book.
Some of the plot twists were a little hard for me to follow and the whole story line with Red Shoes is beyond me, I must confess. But I am fascinated with the Ben Franklin/Isaac Newton and Adrienne/Crecy storylines and, of course, all the clever inventions. Ready to dive into the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews