Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Jan 2014
784 pages
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Publication Information
Rome was the center of the most powerful empire the world had ever seen, but that didn't stop it falling to Alaric the Goth, his horde of barbarian tribesmen and their wild spell-casting shamans. Having split the walls with their sorcery and slaughtered the inhabitants with their axes, the victors carved up the empire into a series of bickering states which were never more than an insult away from war.
A thousand years later, and Europe has become an almost civilized place. The rulers of the old Roman palatinates confine their warfare to the short summer months, trade flourishes along the rivers and roads, and farming has become less back-breaking, all due to the magic, bestowed by gods, that infuses daily life.
Even the barbarians' gods have been tamed: where once human sacrifices poured their blood onto the ground, there are parties and picnics, drinking and singing, fit for decent people and their children.
But it looks like the gods are going to have the last laugh before they slip quietly into ill-remembered obscurity...
"Starred Review. An engrossing rollercoaster of a plot winds up with a solidly satisfying climax that leaves the reader craving more." - Publishers Weekly
"Starred Review. An enthralling read for aficionados of intelligent, impeccably rendered fantasy." - Kirkus
"Vividly drawn characters, a compassionate understanding of medieval daily life, and the ability to combine action scenes with domestic and philosophic interludes make Morden's latest novel both an entertaining journey and a learning experience." - Library Journal
This information about Arcanum was first featured
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Dr. Simon Morden holds degrees in geology and planetary geophysics. He was born in Gateshead, England and now resides in Worthing, England. Find out more about Simon Morden atwww.simonmorden.com.
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