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Arcane America #2
Council of Fire
NEW ENTRY IN THE DRAGON AWARD–WINNING ARCANE AMERICA SERIES from New York Times best-selling alternate history master Eric Flint.
The passage of Halley’s Comet in 1759 is catastrophic. The comet appears to strike the Earth, sundering the New World from the Old. A chain of mountains rises in the Mid-Atlantic. No ship from the Old World arrives in America. No ship from the New World can find a passage to the Old—and most who try simply disappear.
The comet has also unleashed magic forces, which soon spread everywhere. Slaves begin using powers derived from African witchcraft, bringing monsters from that continent into the New World. The native tribes begin doing the same. Some European settlers devise ways to couple Old World technology with sorcery.
Kraken in the Atlantic, revenants in Jamaica, Dry Hands and Floating Heads in the Hudson valley, African ogres and worse set loose in the streets of New York. Magic of all kinds, emerging everywhere, most of it poorly if at all controlled.
The powerful Iroquois Confederacy disintegrates. The Onondaga Council Fire is extinguished; the Seneca and Cayuga follow their own shaman and war leader, and the Mohawks ally with the English.
For their part, the English and the French in North America, who had been on the brink of war when the Sundering came, now have to contemplate what would once have been unthinkable. They must not simply forge a military alliance against the rising dark powers but may even have to unite politically behind the young English prince Edward, now the only person of royal blood left in the terrifying world created by the Sundering.
At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).
About Uncharted:
"History and mythology meld admirably, leading to a satisfying conclusion. This hardy adventure establishes a world ripe for many more rousing stories."—Publishers Weekly
"With a light and brisk narrative that propels its heroes through a number of increasingly dangerous situations, this combination of alternate history and fantasy should appeal to fans of Eric Flint, Harry Turtledove, and historical fantasy in general."—Booklist
“While delivering plenty of action that approximates the best of cinematic fantasy, Hoyt and Anderson also strive for—and achieve—a kind of gravitas that suitably reflects the majesty of an untrammeled continent. Their descriptions of raw nature and its emotional repercussions on the humans are subtly poetic without being overblown. The native tribes are depicted in authentic ways, especially the people of Sacagawea. . . .The characterization of all the cast members is deep and revelatory of human nature. . . . There is also humor amidst the seriousness . . . [Anderson and Hoyt’s] prose is a clear-eyed, sturdy naturalism meshed with flights of vivid unreality . . . filled with not only slambang adventures but also a kind of rational optimism that has become rare in genre works these days. . . Hoyt and Anderson, a kind of de Camp and Pratt for the twenty-first century, convey these ideals without lectures or sermons, embodying them in principled people doing exciting things.”—Locus
About Eric Flint:
“This alternate history series is … a landmark…”—Booklist
“[Eric] Flint's 1632 universe seems to be inspiring a whole new crop of gifted alternate historians.”—Booklist
“…reads like a technothriller set in the age of the Medicis…”—Publishers Weekly
About Walter H.
The passage of Halley’s Comet in 1759 is catastrophic. The comet appears to strike the Earth, sundering the New World from the Old. A chain of mountains rises in the Mid-Atlantic. No ship from the Old World arrives in America. No ship from the New World can find a passage to the Old—and most who try simply disappear.
The comet has also unleashed magic forces, which soon spread everywhere. Slaves begin using powers derived from African witchcraft, bringing monsters from that continent into the New World. The native tribes begin doing the same. Some European settlers devise ways to couple Old World technology with sorcery.
Kraken in the Atlantic, revenants in Jamaica, Dry Hands and Floating Heads in the Hudson valley, African ogres and worse set loose in the streets of New York. Magic of all kinds, emerging everywhere, most of it poorly if at all controlled.
The powerful Iroquois Confederacy disintegrates. The Onondaga Council Fire is extinguished; the Seneca and Cayuga follow their own shaman and war leader, and the Mohawks ally with the English.
For their part, the English and the French in North America, who had been on the brink of war when the Sundering came, now have to contemplate what would once have been unthinkable. They must not simply forge a military alliance against the rising dark powers but may even have to unite politically behind the young English prince Edward, now the only person of royal blood left in the terrifying world created by the Sundering.
At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).
About Uncharted:
"History and mythology meld admirably, leading to a satisfying conclusion. This hardy adventure establishes a world ripe for many more rousing stories."—Publishers Weekly
"With a light and brisk narrative that propels its heroes through a number of increasingly dangerous situations, this combination of alternate history and fantasy should appeal to fans of Eric Flint, Harry Turtledove, and historical fantasy in general."—Booklist
“While delivering plenty of action that approximates the best of cinematic fantasy, Hoyt and Anderson also strive for—and achieve—a kind of gravitas that suitably reflects the majesty of an untrammeled continent. Their descriptions of raw nature and its emotional repercussions on the humans are subtly poetic without being overblown. The native tribes are depicted in authentic ways, especially the people of Sacagawea. . . .The characterization of all the cast members is deep and revelatory of human nature. . . . There is also humor amidst the seriousness . . . [Anderson and Hoyt’s] prose is a clear-eyed, sturdy naturalism meshed with flights of vivid unreality . . . filled with not only slambang adventures but also a kind of rational optimism that has become rare in genre works these days. . . Hoyt and Anderson, a kind of de Camp and Pratt for the twenty-first century, convey these ideals without lectures or sermons, embodying them in principled people doing exciting things.”—Locus
About Eric Flint:
“This alternate history series is … a landmark…”—Booklist
“[Eric] Flint's 1632 universe seems to be inspiring a whole new crop of gifted alternate historians.”—Booklist
“…reads like a technothriller set in the age of the Medicis…”—Publishers Weekly
About Walter H.
509 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2019
25 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Eric Flint
250 books877 followersEric Flint was a New York Times bestselling American author, editor, and e-publisher. The majority of his main works were alternate history science fiction, but he also wrote humorous fantasy adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 6, 2025
Fantasy & alternate history set in North America in 1756
January 27, 2020
Council of Fire is both the first and second book in the Arcane America series. First because it is chronologically first but second because Uncharcted, written by Kevin Anderson and set in the same universe a few years later, came out a year earlier, so... it's a prequel, but it was written by a different author and from what little I know of Uncharted, there's not much in the way of character crossovers (if any). ANYWAY, the basic premise is that when Halley's Comet returned in 1759, it passed a little closer than expected and the Eastern hemisphere actually passed through the comet's tail. As a result, strange forces have awoken on Earth, and the Old World is either destroyed or completely separated from the New World by physical and supernatural barriers. As a result, the situation in the New World has suddenly become vastly more complex as the balance of power shifts dramatically as things of myth and legend suddenly become horrifyingly real and slaves and natives have the powers of magic at their disposal. The English and French colonies of the region as well as their native allies face stark choices about their future and the old enmities are suddenly far less important. In the midst of this difficult situation, the remnants of the English armed forces, who had thought themselves on the brink of defeating the French, are stretched thin trying to protect the frontier while also dealing with outbreaks of uncanny powers and facing supply shortages that the colonies are ill-equipped to support; moreover, there's the unpleasant issue of who exactly they report to when the King is gone and the only member of the Royal House in this hemisphere is Prince Edward, a young naval officer.
All in all, I found Council of Fire to be a pretty fun book, the story is interesting, the world is intriguing, and the colonial America setting is generally well-developed. It's not the most innovative concept as it reminded me of a kind of mash-up of Stirling's the Peshawar Lancers (though with the Eastern Hemisphere getting it instead of the Western Hemisphere), Butler's Witchy Eye series, Card's Seventh Son series, and Stackpole's Crown Colonies series, though it does enough to not feel like a ripoff. I did find it a bit disappointing that the colonials themselves are almost entirely secondary characters in this story as almost all the major characters are either French or English military officers, slaves, or Iroquois, and it seems like that's neglecting a huge aspect of the universe. In the book, the English military remnants basically dictate the political future of the colonies with no real consultation with the colonial leaders (of which, only New York's governor is given any real book-time and that as a problem), which seems rather a wasted opportunity to me since in our real timeline, the late 1750's/early 1760's were when the colonies first made fledgling efforts to actually work together and began to consider that they might not need Britain's oversight. Maybe it was a subplot that just didn't fit in the story. I don't know, admittedly, the colonies didn't really get angry at Britain (and, specifically, the Hannoverian Monarchy) until the post-French and Indian War Intolerable Acts, which obviously don't happen in this book.
All in all, if you enjoy Eric Flint's alternate history novels, then this may not be up to the standards of the best of the 1632 series, but it's quite enjoyable for what it is with a more fantastic take on the genre.
All in all, I found Council of Fire to be a pretty fun book, the story is interesting, the world is intriguing, and the colonial America setting is generally well-developed. It's not the most innovative concept as it reminded me of a kind of mash-up of Stirling's the Peshawar Lancers (though with the Eastern Hemisphere getting it instead of the Western Hemisphere), Butler's Witchy Eye series, Card's Seventh Son series, and Stackpole's Crown Colonies series, though it does enough to not feel like a ripoff. I did find it a bit disappointing that the colonials themselves are almost entirely secondary characters in this story as almost all the major characters are either French or English military officers, slaves, or Iroquois, and it seems like that's neglecting a huge aspect of the universe. In the book, the English military remnants basically dictate the political future of the colonies with no real consultation with the colonial leaders (of which, only New York's governor is given any real book-time and that as a problem), which seems rather a wasted opportunity to me since in our real timeline, the late 1750's/early 1760's were when the colonies first made fledgling efforts to actually work together and began to consider that they might not need Britain's oversight. Maybe it was a subplot that just didn't fit in the story. I don't know, admittedly, the colonies didn't really get angry at Britain (and, specifically, the Hannoverian Monarchy) until the post-French and Indian War Intolerable Acts, which obviously don't happen in this book.
All in all, if you enjoy Eric Flint's alternate history novels, then this may not be up to the standards of the best of the 1632 series, but it's quite enjoyable for what it is with a more fantastic take on the genre.
July 23, 2020
I originally discovered this series when Sarah Hoyt mentioned the first volume, which she co-authored, in her blog. Just from the excerpt, I knew it was going to hit all the buttons that made me love Orson Scott Card's Alvin Maker series and Greg Keyes' The Age of Unreason.
The first volume takes place some years after the Change, and deals with a very different Lewis and Clark expedition in an altered America -- with an ending that makes me think of Jerome Bixby's "It's a GOOD Life." This novel, the second in the series, takes us back to the actual events of the Change, and how it is dealt with by the colonial population, the indigenous tribes (particularly the Iroquois), the free and enslaved African population, and the forces from France and Britain.
It's weird, but as I was reading this book and came to the scene where Chief Joseph has his vision of the Changed world, it made me think of JRR Tolkien's story of the Fall of Numenor, only in reverse. In Tolkien's Legendarium, the world was originally created as being flat, but when the Numenorean forces assaulted Valinor, those hallowed lands were taken away and Middle-Earth was reshaped into a round world. In this novel, it seems that the Change has resulted in the Americas being stripped off the globe and transformed into a Flat Earth, bounded by mountains that keep the Atlantic and Pacific from flowing off into the void except at a few small waterfalls.
It's neat to see how various cultures' magical and folkloric traditions become real in this strange, Changed world -- European alchemy, African Obeah, Amerind medicine traditions -- and how they can be used for both good and evil, depending on the intents of the worker.
I'm looking forward to the third volume, which apparently deals with Benjamin Franklin, and how the Change transformed him into the wizard from the beginning of Uncharted.
The first volume takes place some years after the Change, and deals with a very different Lewis and Clark expedition in an altered America -- with an ending that makes me think of Jerome Bixby's "It's a GOOD Life." This novel, the second in the series, takes us back to the actual events of the Change, and how it is dealt with by the colonial population, the indigenous tribes (particularly the Iroquois), the free and enslaved African population, and the forces from France and Britain.
It's weird, but as I was reading this book and came to the scene where Chief Joseph has his vision of the Changed world, it made me think of JRR Tolkien's story of the Fall of Numenor, only in reverse. In Tolkien's Legendarium, the world was originally created as being flat, but when the Numenorean forces assaulted Valinor, those hallowed lands were taken away and Middle-Earth was reshaped into a round world. In this novel, it seems that the Change has resulted in the Americas being stripped off the globe and transformed into a Flat Earth, bounded by mountains that keep the Atlantic and Pacific from flowing off into the void except at a few small waterfalls.
It's neat to see how various cultures' magical and folkloric traditions become real in this strange, Changed world -- European alchemy, African Obeah, Amerind medicine traditions -- and how they can be used for both good and evil, depending on the intents of the worker.
I'm looking forward to the third volume, which apparently deals with Benjamin Franklin, and how the Change transformed him into the wizard from the beginning of Uncharted.
March 16, 2020
Sweeping Changes for America
When the broom star, a recurring comet, passes over North America again, everything changes. North and, possibly, South America are now cut off from the rest of the world. Everyone is left to deal with what those changes mean to them and the future of this new land.
This book explains everything that happened to get to where Kevin J Anderson and Sarah Hoyt's Uncharted book starts. Personally, I would read book two before I read book one.
The story includes the French, the British, the slaves, and the Native Americans, as they try to understand how this new world works and their place in it. As you might imagine there's a lot of anger, lots of competition, and a great deal at stake.
There is a large cast of characters in this book, it's wide-ranging, which makes for lots of people to keep track of. However, the book kept my interest throughout. Not a desperate, middle of the night page turner, but a compelling, complicated story that kept pulling me back at every opportunity in line at the store, waiting for a prescription, and long past finishing my lunch.
I'm very excited to see what's going to happen in the future. I hope this series manages to continue. For those who don't really care about alternate history in Europe in 1632, this fantasy has a lot going for it and is well worth the read.
When the broom star, a recurring comet, passes over North America again, everything changes. North and, possibly, South America are now cut off from the rest of the world. Everyone is left to deal with what those changes mean to them and the future of this new land.
This book explains everything that happened to get to where Kevin J Anderson and Sarah Hoyt's Uncharted book starts. Personally, I would read book two before I read book one.
The story includes the French, the British, the slaves, and the Native Americans, as they try to understand how this new world works and their place in it. As you might imagine there's a lot of anger, lots of competition, and a great deal at stake.
There is a large cast of characters in this book, it's wide-ranging, which makes for lots of people to keep track of. However, the book kept my interest throughout. Not a desperate, middle of the night page turner, but a compelling, complicated story that kept pulling me back at every opportunity in line at the store, waiting for a prescription, and long past finishing my lunch.
I'm very excited to see what's going to happen in the future. I hope this series manages to continue. For those who don't really care about alternate history in Europe in 1632, this fantasy has a lot going for it and is well worth the read.
March 15, 2020
This is one of the best books I've read in a ling time. Take the Circle of Fire, turn it sideways, and you have another great read! Colonial America is sundered from the rest of the world by Halley's Comet. The English and French are engaged in war, each side backed by Native American allies, until one shaman decides to use his new powers from the comet to purge the white devils from the earth.
May 8, 2021
Part two was even worse than part one. The characters were unremarkable and the whole climax scene was boring. Then the end was lame and just annoying. They put Washington in this book and didn’t even use him right. Just boring and tedious.
October 27, 2022
It was a bit of work at first to keep track of all the characters. Other than that, it was a very enjoyable read. Flint and Hunt did a great job blending historical characters with made up ones. Hope there will be more books then the 3 planned so far.
May 6, 2024
Set prior to the events of book 1 shows the first few weeks after the sundering do after they actually get to battlesbecome old has the enemies weakness are plane to see and when the heroes are in trouble side chacthers appear to give a new tool to save the day making them anticlimactic.
February 24, 2020
interesting blend of African, Native American, & of course greatly reduced French/English mysticism after the return of the comet changes the world.
May 20, 2020
A fine novel
I've read everything Flint has created and this is another Jem. The collaboration of Flint and Hunt makes a great read!
I've read everything Flint has created and this is another Jem. The collaboration of Flint and Hunt makes a great read!
June 12, 2020
Best of the series.
Good story. Fun to read a different treatment of such familiar history. Nice treatment of the well-known figures. Far better than the 1st in the Arcane series.
Good story. Fun to read a different treatment of such familiar history. Nice treatment of the well-known figures. Far better than the 1st in the Arcane series.
August 2, 2020
Arcane America . Read this one FIRST. Great concept great story . Jump in with both feet !
March 30, 2021
A great blend of fantasy and alternative history brought about by the 1759 return of Halley's Comet.
December 24, 2022
Another excellent installment in the trilogy!
December 18, 2024
Alternate history in the Colonial Americas, but with quite a supernatural twist.
An interesting story with some action and lots to discover of how things work in this imagined world.
An interesting story with some action and lots to discover of how things work in this imagined world.
March 25, 2020
Took me a while to get into this book, perhaps because it's the first in the series I've read. It wasn't the first in the series but I couldn't tell. The authors presented a lot of characters and a lot of background material, both on the magical system and on history.
Nonetheless, the characters were vivid and realistic, the historic material fascinating, and the action compelling. After reading half the book, I raced through the rest to the end.
If you like historic fiction, alternate history fiction, or plain old fantasy, you will like this book.
Nonetheless, the characters were vivid and realistic, the historic material fascinating, and the action compelling. After reading half the book, I raced through the rest to the end.
If you like historic fiction, alternate history fiction, or plain old fantasy, you will like this book.
January 3, 2020
Halley's Comet fell to Earth, bringing magic in its wake. In Book One of the Arcane America series, we explored the North American continent.
In Book Two, the Council Fire, we find out how this affects the British, the French, the Iroquois confederation, and the African Americans on the East Coast of North America.
The British and the French soon realize that from now on that they are on their own. No more supply ships nor reinforcements from their home countries across the sea.
The Onondaga Council Fire, symbol of the Iroquois confederation is magically extinguished. Formerly united tribes now have to decide whether to go their own ways or try to put their federation back together.
And there are some African American freedmen but also many slaves.
Also, both African Americans and Native Americans have already started using magic since the "broom's tail" (comet) fell to Earth.
Highly recommended for alternate history and fantasy fans!
In Book Two, the Council Fire, we find out how this affects the British, the French, the Iroquois confederation, and the African Americans on the East Coast of North America.
The British and the French soon realize that from now on that they are on their own. No more supply ships nor reinforcements from their home countries across the sea.
The Onondaga Council Fire, symbol of the Iroquois confederation is magically extinguished. Formerly united tribes now have to decide whether to go their own ways or try to put their federation back together.
And there are some African American freedmen but also many slaves.
Also, both African Americans and Native Americans have already started using magic since the "broom's tail" (comet) fell to Earth.
Highly recommended for alternate history and fantasy fans!
November 8, 2019
Very interesting
It took a bit of quiet reading & rereading before I could get into this story. It is a very well written story with many interesting characters whom I would like to know more about. I eagerly await the next installment in this series.
It took a bit of quiet reading & rereading before I could get into this story. It is a very well written story with many interesting characters whom I would like to know more about. I eagerly await the next installment in this series.
December 29, 2020
what an excellant series so far, this is the prequil story and sets up the series,
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews