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Belisarius #6
The Dance of Time
The Malwa and their evil have been driven back to their Indian heartland, but there they coil to strike again. Ruled by a monster from the future which is part computer and part demon, they prepare a fresh attack whose success will leave them rulers of the world—and the monster that guides the Malwa will rule the whole future! Belisarius, the greatest general of his age, has arrayed the forces of Mankind against the Malwa evil. On his breast is the jewel sent to his support from a future of hope and freedom, willing to guide him but never to direct his actions. Behind him are allies from across Europe, Asia and Africa--mutually distrustful but aware that neither they nor Mankind have any hope if the Malwa prevail. Belisarius faces armies and assassins, ruthless brutality and inhuman cruelty. There is no hope for Mankind if he fails—so he must not fail!
672 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2006
30 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Eric Flint
250 books873 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 - 30 of 52 reviews
June 8, 2024
The Belasarius series is a six-volume alternate history that pits the legions of Rome against the Malwa empire of northern India within a science fiction infrastructure of time travel and artificial intelligence. It's a vast, sprawling fantasy with many characters and enough manly derring-do to satisfy any fan of Conan. The story was devised and outlined by David Drake, a master of both military science fiction and an expert on Roman history, and the books were written by Eric Flint, who was a relatively new writer when he began the work. Drake plotted it as a trilogy, but Flint added depth and details that caused the doubled expansion. Trying to keep the historical details straight from the time-changed anachronisms became challenging, but I found the plots captivating throughout. I enjoyed checking to see which characters were fictional and which were taken from history. Flint diverged a bit from Drake's plot in the first book which caused some problems later on in the series, but it recovered quite satisfactorily. There's adventure and romance and philosophy and gritty military action and good (if occasionally rough) humor and I enjoyed it all immensely. I read the first five books back-to-back in 2001 (and the details have merged in my memory, which is why I'm using the same comments for all the book listings here), but I remember how impatient I was for the final volume and how much I enjoyed it after a five year wait. Good stuff!
December 22, 2009
I cried at the end of this. And also approved of the resolution for Valentinian. Highly.
July 16, 2018
The other books in this series are all 5 star. This book is at least twice as good as them. Superb.
May 28, 2023
I denna går författaren för långt. Det hände redan i den förra men särskilt i denna. Jag kan utan problem acceptera att Byzantinarna hade kunnat skapa bombarder, hakebössor och fältsjukhus. Att se hjulångare, minor, långdistansartilleri och telegraf är löjligt för den tidsperiod och den industriella bas som författaren valde.
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July 9, 2008The conclusion of the Belisarius Series, David Drake and Eric Flint conclude their alternate history involving the last great general of the Roman Empire and his fight against a cyborg from the future sent to change the past. With the help of Aide, a crystalline entity also from the future, Belisarius has maanged to corner the Malwa Empire and the final conflict for the ages has begun. The sixth book ties up the loose ends of the series.
The best part of this series is the authors extensive use of real historical individuals in their books. Belisarius really was the last great Roman General and under the orders of Emperor Justinian he recaptured the Western Roman Empire. Justinian makes an appearance along with Belisarius' wife Anotnia, Eon the King of the Axumites, Theodora the wife of Justinian, Skandaguptra, The Ye-Ti, Emperor Khosru of Perisa and many more. The interweaving of real figures with fictional ones makes the series read more like a Wouk or Mitchner book then science fiction. You truly care about these people and the authors keep the pace quick even over the 640+ pages of this installment. You are hard pressed to put it down.
The best part of this series is the authors extensive use of real historical individuals in their books. Belisarius really was the last great Roman General and under the orders of Emperor Justinian he recaptured the Western Roman Empire. Justinian makes an appearance along with Belisarius' wife Anotnia, Eon the King of the Axumites, Theodora the wife of Justinian, Skandaguptra, The Ye-Ti, Emperor Khosru of Perisa and many more. The interweaving of real figures with fictional ones makes the series read more like a Wouk or Mitchner book then science fiction. You truly care about these people and the authors keep the pace quick even over the 640+ pages of this installment. You are hard pressed to put it down.
December 2, 2013
A fine conclusion to the series. See, it can be done.
Quibble: the resolution of the time paradox between Belisarius' "present" and the future of the "new gods" is totally illogical, but necessary to give the reader closure. No worse than the pseudo-science regularly foisted on Star Trek fans.
A very good read.
Quibble: the resolution of the time paradox between Belisarius' "present" and the future of the "new gods" is totally illogical, but necessary to give the reader closure. No worse than the pseudo-science regularly foisted on Star Trek fans.
A very good read.
March 15, 2018
Hah! I had forgotten how 'strong' of a finish for this series this book was! I enjoyed reading it quite a bit. It moved fairly fast; the authors introduced a new wrinkle in this final book I had forgotten about. It is still pretty spread out for the various main characters. It also had "better" humor in it than the prior book had (which felt like it had very little humor at all). I did like the character development in it (more some of the peripheral and minor characters than the main ones, although Aide did get some good development at the end). It held my interest throughout. It was not all 'action' or 'battle scenes'; there was a lot of dialogue and scheming and inferences.
I thought some of the by-play was interesting, as well as how things turned out by the end of the novel (series). There were, essentially, two-to-three new "kingdoms" in the world, now, that would have a strong impact upon world history. It would be interesting to read some more books based on this series but further ahead "in time," as the world's history is no longer the same. In addition to new empires and kingdoms having been formed, the beginning stages of an industrial revolution of sorts have been introduced at a far earlier age, as well as some advanced medical procedures, scientific ideas, and manufacturing capabilities. One can only speculate on how far humanity might have gone (advanced), what with the Industrial Revolution and its accompanying advances having occurred a thousand years or so earlier than it had otherwised.
There were some good "one-liners" and whatnot in the book. I especially like "two moments" (or turn-of-the-phrases). The authors also had more of their "trademark" of using a particular line or phrase to end one section and then using that same exact line or phrase to start the next "section" (either in each chapter or from one chapter to the next). It was amusing at times, but it also made a nice "tying together" (of sorts).
As I have said, I really enjoyed reading this book. It held my interest; it moved at a good pace despite having a lot going on in it. It has some battles, but the battles are almost not as important as what else is going on (some of it behind the scenes, as it were). The physical battles have been replaced, to some extent, to scheming and manipulations and deception and "angles" (something Belisarius is said to have excelled at). It was fun to revisit this book, as it has been several years since I last read it. Also, it was equally enjoyable to actually read the books in sequential order, instead of starting with the fourth book, then reading the fifth and sixth books before going back to maybe read the third book (and not ever having read the first or second book "before now"). I actually read it straight through, from start to finish, and the last book was probably the best book of them all, to be honest.
I thought some of the by-play was interesting, as well as how things turned out by the end of the novel (series). There were, essentially, two-to-three new "kingdoms" in the world, now, that would have a strong impact upon world history. It would be interesting to read some more books based on this series but further ahead "in time," as the world's history is no longer the same. In addition to new empires and kingdoms having been formed, the beginning stages of an industrial revolution of sorts have been introduced at a far earlier age, as well as some advanced medical procedures, scientific ideas, and manufacturing capabilities. One can only speculate on how far humanity might have gone (advanced), what with the Industrial Revolution and its accompanying advances having occurred a thousand years or so earlier than it had otherwised.
There were some good "one-liners" and whatnot in the book. I especially like "two moments" (or turn-of-the-phrases). The authors also had more of their "trademark" of using a particular line or phrase to end one section and then using that same exact line or phrase to start the next "section" (either in each chapter or from one chapter to the next). It was amusing at times, but it also made a nice "tying together" (of sorts).
As I have said, I really enjoyed reading this book. It held my interest; it moved at a good pace despite having a lot going on in it. It has some battles, but the battles are almost not as important as what else is going on (some of it behind the scenes, as it were). The physical battles have been replaced, to some extent, to scheming and manipulations and deception and "angles" (something Belisarius is said to have excelled at). It was fun to revisit this book, as it has been several years since I last read it. Also, it was equally enjoyable to actually read the books in sequential order, instead of starting with the fourth book, then reading the fifth and sixth books before going back to maybe read the third book (and not ever having read the first or second book "before now"). I actually read it straight through, from start to finish, and the last book was probably the best book of them all, to be honest.
November 22, 2012
This is the sixth and final book in the Belisarius series. I read the first three books of this epic as e-books. For those of you who are not familiar with Baen, they are one of the most electronic -format friendly publishers in the genre. Several of their hardcovers contain a CD filled with goodies like cover art, screen savers, and totally free copies of selected works by the author of the book as well as others in a variety of reader formats (I chose Mobipocket since they didn’t have Palm Reader)
I liken it to a drug dealer, you get the first taste free, and then you’re hooked. In my case, I filled in the whole series in paperback except for this one. I also discovered John Ringo’s Posleen series this way and now have all of those as well.
As you would expect in any book or series from Eric Flint, it is heavy on the history. Dance of Time picks up the saga in 533 A.D., not long after the fifth book, Tide of Victory. Belisarius is a Roman general who forges alliances with several armies and kingdoms to fight the Malwa, whose empire covers northern India and what is now Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The science fiction aspect is the crystalline life form from the future Belisarius carries named Aide. Aide was sent by the Great Ones who have transcended physical bodies, to help Belisarius defeat the Malwa who are led by Link who is an A.I. sent to this time by the New gods to change the history of earth by having the Malwa empire take over the world and use eugenics to create ‘perfect’ humans.
The battle scenes are graphic and frequent but the story is much more than that. It effortlessly weaves the stories of the leaders, with people not on the front lines, all of whom find out about themselves and battle adversity to make a difference in the world.
One such character I loved is Anna, wife of Calopodius the Blind. At the tender age of nineteen, she ventures across India to join her husband. After being nearly raped and murdered, she hires two soldiers as bodyguards and manages to turn everyone in her path upside down, almost single-handedly turning the system of hospitals from maggot-ridden middens, to facilities that save the lives of the soldiers lucky enough to make it there.
Drake and Flint wrap up the saga in a very satisfying way, leaving no loose ends. The scene with Belisarius and Aide at the very end had me sobbing. That scene alone was worth reading all the books.
If you haven’t read any of the series yet, do start with An Oblique Approach and read the rest in order. The series takes a while to get into, especially if you are not a history fan, but by the end of the second book, In the Heart of Darkness, you’ll be glad you did.
I liken it to a drug dealer, you get the first taste free, and then you’re hooked. In my case, I filled in the whole series in paperback except for this one. I also discovered John Ringo’s Posleen series this way and now have all of those as well.
As you would expect in any book or series from Eric Flint, it is heavy on the history. Dance of Time picks up the saga in 533 A.D., not long after the fifth book, Tide of Victory. Belisarius is a Roman general who forges alliances with several armies and kingdoms to fight the Malwa, whose empire covers northern India and what is now Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The science fiction aspect is the crystalline life form from the future Belisarius carries named Aide. Aide was sent by the Great Ones who have transcended physical bodies, to help Belisarius defeat the Malwa who are led by Link who is an A.I. sent to this time by the New gods to change the history of earth by having the Malwa empire take over the world and use eugenics to create ‘perfect’ humans.
The battle scenes are graphic and frequent but the story is much more than that. It effortlessly weaves the stories of the leaders, with people not on the front lines, all of whom find out about themselves and battle adversity to make a difference in the world.
One such character I loved is Anna, wife of Calopodius the Blind. At the tender age of nineteen, she ventures across India to join her husband. After being nearly raped and murdered, she hires two soldiers as bodyguards and manages to turn everyone in her path upside down, almost single-handedly turning the system of hospitals from maggot-ridden middens, to facilities that save the lives of the soldiers lucky enough to make it there.
Drake and Flint wrap up the saga in a very satisfying way, leaving no loose ends. The scene with Belisarius and Aide at the very end had me sobbing. That scene alone was worth reading all the books.
If you haven’t read any of the series yet, do start with An Oblique Approach and read the rest in order. The series takes a while to get into, especially if you are not a history fan, but by the end of the second book, In the Heart of Darkness, you’ll be glad you did.
December 9, 2025
It is a fitting finish for this alternate history series. The first time I read it, I almost cried when Aide "died" if a sentient crystalline form could live and die. "He" had fulfilled "his" great mission, "his" purpose for coming, and perhaps one could say this book was about Aide and not Belisarius.
There were so many ripples in time caused by the change; the Industrial Revolution coming perhaps 1000 years earlier, preventing the plague in 541 that did sweep the Middle East, and in one throw-away line from Book 4, even preventing the rise of Islam. The changes include creating a much stronger Byzantine Empire which might presumably never fall, not with its fatal conflict with the armies of Islam and Persia.
There are two interesting scenes in this book that is a bookend to the first book. In the first book, Belisarius has known Rao personally for several years and considers him a friend. But because of the huge changes in the timeline, Belisarius and Rao meet personally for the first time after 9 years and are complete strangers. What do you say?
Antonina, Belisarius's wife, says something lame. Belisarius, having heard what his wife said, tries to avoid the same lame line except he has a lame one too. However, isn't that what you get when you mess with time? :)
Much of what we know about the lives of Justinian, Theodora, Belisarius, and Antonina come from a historian named Procopius. Procopius had served as a principal secretary, basically a government clerk, and had been given inside access to the lives of the Emperor, the Empress, and the General. Procopius wrote a Secret History of their lives after they died so they couldn't sue him for libel or worse, have him executed. The Secret History would make the modern tabloids look like high school newspapers. Procopius made them all sex fiends and cuckolds. Unfortunately for modern historians, Procopius is the sole source on these four which makes you think twice and read it with a grain of salt.
Because Procopius is the sole source, modern historians have to challenge his accuracy and most agree that Procopius does have a high accuracy rate when it comes to documenting historical events. But when it comes to the lives of Justinian et al., how much did Procopius repeat what others said (thus making it hearsay and rumors) and how much he actually observe?
Thus, Eric Flint's series comes nicely; Flint captures the intelligence but pettiness of Justinian, the ruthlessness of Theodora and also recognizing her very lower class roots, and the supreme capability of Belisarius, and Antonina's faithfulness and loyalty (the opposite of what Procopius protrayed).
There were so many ripples in time caused by the change; the Industrial Revolution coming perhaps 1000 years earlier, preventing the plague in 541 that did sweep the Middle East, and in one throw-away line from Book 4, even preventing the rise of Islam. The changes include creating a much stronger Byzantine Empire which might presumably never fall, not with its fatal conflict with the armies of Islam and Persia.
There are two interesting scenes in this book that is a bookend to the first book. In the first book, Belisarius has known Rao personally for several years and considers him a friend. But because of the huge changes in the timeline, Belisarius and Rao meet personally for the first time after 9 years and are complete strangers. What do you say?
Antonina, Belisarius's wife, says something lame. Belisarius, having heard what his wife said, tries to avoid the same lame line except he has a lame one too. However, isn't that what you get when you mess with time? :)
Much of what we know about the lives of Justinian, Theodora, Belisarius, and Antonina come from a historian named Procopius. Procopius had served as a principal secretary, basically a government clerk, and had been given inside access to the lives of the Emperor, the Empress, and the General. Procopius wrote a Secret History of their lives after they died so they couldn't sue him for libel or worse, have him executed. The Secret History would make the modern tabloids look like high school newspapers. Procopius made them all sex fiends and cuckolds. Unfortunately for modern historians, Procopius is the sole source on these four which makes you think twice and read it with a grain of salt.
Because Procopius is the sole source, modern historians have to challenge his accuracy and most agree that Procopius does have a high accuracy rate when it comes to documenting historical events. But when it comes to the lives of Justinian et al., how much did Procopius repeat what others said (thus making it hearsay and rumors) and how much he actually observe?
Thus, Eric Flint's series comes nicely; Flint captures the intelligence but pettiness of Justinian, the ruthlessness of Theodora and also recognizing her very lower class roots, and the supreme capability of Belisarius, and Antonina's faithfulness and loyalty (the opposite of what Procopius protrayed).
June 1, 2014
This book was a great end to a great series. I read all six books in the series one after the other. Since I don’t have a lot of spare time to read, this means I spent the past 52 days with these characters. I’m going to miss them. I almost don’t want to start my next book, because the characters I’ve grown attached to in this series won’t be there!
I was happy that we were given a few more answers about Link and Aide by the end of this book. It would have been interesting to get more details, but I think we were given what we needed. Although Link and Aide were the driving factors behind everything that was going on, they really weren’t the focus of the story so spending too much time on them might have hurt the pacing. As it was, in the last couple of books I started to feel like there were so many characters and plot threads that we didn’t get to spend enough time with each of the sets of characters. It wasn’t that I had trouble following the different plot threads, but rather that I just wanted to spend more time with each set of characters before moving on to the next group. I guess it’s a sign of a good book when you want more of it rather than less.
This series has been very consistent in terms of quality. I think, if somebody likes the first book, they can be pretty certain they’ll like the rest of the series. Normally, when I approach the end of a series, I worry about whether or not I’ll be satisfied with the ending. There’s nothing worse than reading a good series, investing all of that time and emotion into it, and then hating the way it ends. Enjoying the journey is important, but I care about the destination too. But I was never the least bit worried that I would hate the ending of this series. As I mentioned in a previous review, even the individual books within the series were wrapped up well. So, not surprisingly, I was happy with how all of the plot threads were tied up in this final book. While I wouldn’t have minded more time with all of the characters, I was satisfied with the way the series ended.
I was happy that we were given a few more answers about Link and Aide by the end of this book. It would have been interesting to get more details, but I think we were given what we needed. Although Link and Aide were the driving factors behind everything that was going on, they really weren’t the focus of the story so spending too much time on them might have hurt the pacing. As it was, in the last couple of books I started to feel like there were so many characters and plot threads that we didn’t get to spend enough time with each of the sets of characters. It wasn’t that I had trouble following the different plot threads, but rather that I just wanted to spend more time with each set of characters before moving on to the next group. I guess it’s a sign of a good book when you want more of it rather than less.
This series has been very consistent in terms of quality. I think, if somebody likes the first book, they can be pretty certain they’ll like the rest of the series. Normally, when I approach the end of a series, I worry about whether or not I’ll be satisfied with the ending. There’s nothing worse than reading a good series, investing all of that time and emotion into it, and then hating the way it ends. Enjoying the journey is important, but I care about the destination too. But I was never the least bit worried that I would hate the ending of this series. As I mentioned in a previous review, even the individual books within the series were wrapped up well. So, not surprisingly, I was happy with how all of the plot threads were tied up in this final book. While I wouldn’t have minded more time with all of the characters, I was satisfied with the way the series ended.
October 4, 2007
This is the last of the Belisarius series by Eric Flint and David Drake. The setting is in the 6th century AD, centered on the Byzantine empire during the reign of Justonion. Belisarius was one of the world's greatest generals, succeding even when not given resources for the task. In the setting of the books, two sides in a future war have sent emissaries to this time period, to change the course of history.
The principles in the story are, frankly, uninteresting. After reading the rest of the series, the main characters are merely fitting themselves into the plans that Belisarius has been spending the rest of the series building up to. All that is left is execution. And the subplots of secondary characters are almost comical, in that everything being done is becoming the stuff of legend. Having every scene involve something that will be known as 'an act of legend' gets rather silly after a while.
Topics in addition to the story about order vs. individuality are art vs knowledge (with those who can add art to knowledge being supreme), Duty and sacrifice, leaders who do (or do not) care about those whose lives they are effecting, the moral degradation of cruelty, the need for even good leaders to be ruthless at times for the greater good.
And many comments about romantic relationship. The relationships here are very practical ones, with the most attractive trait being the ability to act and be strong in the face of adversity. And the longing of a loved one waiting for his/her loved one to finish the task so they can be reunited, even as she/he is involved in their own great works.
The principles in the story are, frankly, uninteresting. After reading the rest of the series, the main characters are merely fitting themselves into the plans that Belisarius has been spending the rest of the series building up to. All that is left is execution. And the subplots of secondary characters are almost comical, in that everything being done is becoming the stuff of legend. Having every scene involve something that will be known as 'an act of legend' gets rather silly after a while.
Topics in addition to the story about order vs. individuality are art vs knowledge (with those who can add art to knowledge being supreme), Duty and sacrifice, leaders who do (or do not) care about those whose lives they are effecting, the moral degradation of cruelty, the need for even good leaders to be ruthless at times for the greater good.
And many comments about romantic relationship. The relationships here are very practical ones, with the most attractive trait being the ability to act and be strong in the face of adversity. And the longing of a loved one waiting for his/her loved one to finish the task so they can be reunited, even as she/he is involved in their own great works.
March 1, 2011
The sixth and last...sigh...of the historical, military science fiction series, Belisarius. Yes, Flint and Drake did a lovely job of ending it...even though I still want to know what happens next. How long do the reforms last? How long does Photius and his bride survive? Do the Indian kingdoms persevere? Does the reformed Persian empire take hold? How does Washi go on?
Be warned reader. Picking up each novel in this series, you will not be able to put it down until you have finished!
Dance of Time revolves between our young Calopodius as he strives to seek purpose in his life now that he's blind with his despising wife on her way to see him---wait'll you see what she gets up to!---and the variety of major policy and cultural changes occurring across the known world: some accomplished ruthlessly with, I suspect, a nod to the Crusades of our own history while most are a result of clear, decent thinking---hoping for a forever but not expecting it. I guess this is what the entire series boils down to---decent people wanting to set the world right for the average man and providing the reader with lots of adventure, battle, and intrigue while twisting a number of familiar backdrops.
Well-done, gentlemen!
Be warned reader. Picking up each novel in this series, you will not be able to put it down until you have finished!
Dance of Time revolves between our young Calopodius as he strives to seek purpose in his life now that he's blind with his despising wife on her way to see him---wait'll you see what she gets up to!---and the variety of major policy and cultural changes occurring across the known world: some accomplished ruthlessly with, I suspect, a nod to the Crusades of our own history while most are a result of clear, decent thinking---hoping for a forever but not expecting it. I guess this is what the entire series boils down to---decent people wanting to set the world right for the average man and providing the reader with lots of adventure, battle, and intrigue while twisting a number of familiar backdrops.
Well-done, gentlemen!
March 23, 2014
Read at least (3) times
I had lolz!! I also teared up a little. I remember reading the ending the first time I read it through the tears just streaming, *streaming* down my face and having to blink a lot so my eyes could focus through the liquid - IT WAS THAT GOOD. Not many books touch me so deeply, so THANKS!!!! David Drake and Eric Flint for being awesome and writing an awesome series that holds so many truths.
I'd love to know what happens after though, so if you ever write short stories about it or anything... XD
I had lolz!! I also teared up a little. I remember reading the ending the first time I read it through the tears just streaming, *streaming* down my face and having to blink a lot so my eyes could focus through the liquid - IT WAS THAT GOOD. Not many books touch me so deeply, so THANKS!!!! David Drake and Eric Flint for being awesome and writing an awesome series that holds so many truths.
I'd love to know what happens after though, so if you ever write short stories about it or anything... XD
May 18, 2015
(this is a review of the whole series)
Really, really gripping read. I almost forgot to sleep because of few of these books. They're well written, they have fun parts, and even though they get a bit long-winded and there are some weird parts (especially the electricity-related omissions are somewhat glaring), the books are probably one of the best of their kind. The story is also very plausible (although somewhat far from reality).
Really, really gripping read. I almost forgot to sleep because of few of these books. They're well written, they have fun parts, and even though they get a bit long-winded and there are some weird parts (especially the electricity-related omissions are somewhat glaring), the books are probably one of the best of their kind. The story is also very plausible (although somewhat far from reality).
November 9, 2012
I finished the story this morning. When it ended it ended. Antoina and Beliourious are two of my favorite couples because they really love each other. They also set a positive example for the ones around them.
June 19, 2019
This is a fine end to the Belisarius novels. It does leave things open to write about what happened after the war, as a lot of things had been set up to be put into play. There was one scene that had me in tears.
Read
May 28, 2008I have no objectivity about this series. I hate their approach to punctuation, but (and this is vanishingly rare for me) I don't care. It's JUST THAT AWESOME.
September 29, 2010
Fantastic ending to a great series.
July 12, 2011
read it a while ago. it was good.
April 12, 2013
Six books @ 600+ pages each. Phew!
But I finally finished a good epic tale.
Poignant at times.
Well written and edited, too.
Recommended.
But I finally finished a good epic tale.
Poignant at times.
Well written and edited, too.
Recommended.
July 28, 2013
Any series I re-read multiple times over the years gets 5 stars.
July 13, 2013
A good finish to a better than average series. Not one of the best alternative history series I've read but a worthwhile read.
March 10, 2025
The Dance of Time spends the first half of the page count detailing the story of two new characters, neither of whom are relevant to the finale. It allowed the author to show the world that had been changed by Belisarius's arrival, but given the expansive cast from five preceding books, I'm sure the author could have shown those scenes using a character we already liked. However, fundamentally it means that Belisarius is almost a side-character in the last novel. It's a terrible writing decision and I detest it.
That's offset by the second half, which does end the series enjoyably. There's a sheen of happily-ever-after, which everyone knows isn't the case and is regularly lampshaded by the cast themselves as they comment that their so-called clever solutions wouldn't survive a generation. Still, they are trying to get to world peace at a time when casus belli isn't even necessary. And most of the cast get well-written epilogues that makes one quite satisfied with the ending.
Recommended. Though the previous five books were clearly superior.
That's offset by the second half, which does end the series enjoyably. There's a sheen of happily-ever-after, which everyone knows isn't the case and is regularly lampshaded by the cast themselves as they comment that their so-called clever solutions wouldn't survive a generation. Still, they are trying to get to world peace at a time when casus belli isn't even necessary. And most of the cast get well-written epilogues that makes one quite satisfied with the ending.
Recommended. Though the previous five books were clearly superior.
September 20, 2023
This wildly entertaining book series has come to an end. The combination of Byzantine history and sci-fi was extremely well crafted and surprisingly well thought out. I will look for more books by these authors. The course of human history is now changed by the centuries early introduction of gun powder weapons and things like the telegraph and short wave radio. The story wraps up around 534AD. I highly recommend these books if you enjoy history and sci-fi. Why not combine the two?
October 28, 2019
Best alt history Series
I consider this to be one of the best series written by two of the best authors today. If you like alt histories or don't, read this series. Combining Byzantine characters with events from Persia to Ethiopia and India, it has enough characters an plot twists to keep you going through the six books.
I consider this to be one of the best series written by two of the best authors today. If you like alt histories or don't, read this series. Combining Byzantine characters with events from Persia to Ethiopia and India, it has enough characters an plot twists to keep you going through the six books.
May 25, 2017
A very good ending to this wonderful series.
May 14, 2019
Great end to the series, so wished for more as I didn't want it to end (a tribute to a well written series with engaging characters).
February 15, 2021
Excellent!
Fitting ending to the story...
Fitting ending to the story...
August 18, 2022
Should be called the dance of padding. The last couple books in the series just dragged on and on. The whole series was a waste a cool premise.
September 18, 2022
Great conclusion to a great series
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