From archive (archive)
Subject: Byzantium's Crown
From: firth@sei.cmu.edu (Robert Firth)
Organization: Carnegie-Mellon University, SEI, Pgh, Pa
Date: 26 Mar 87 15:54:44 GMT




	** mild spoilers **

This is a new Questar book, written by Susan Shwartz,
with a cover by Rowena, who really should have read
the book first.

It is another alternative history, with the premise
that the Battle of Actium (Spengler's favourite
turning point, and one of mine too) went the other
way.  Some time later, Byzantine Prince Marric,
sold into slavery by his usurping stepmother Irene,
tries to regain his throne, with the help of Stephana,
"a silver haired slave girl of awesome powers" - and,
incidentally, one of the best characters in the
book.

Very little of the history since Actium is given,
but we have Varaingians, Huns, Arabs who yell
"there is no god but god" and wave green flags,
so some centuries have passed.  Centuries, moreover,
with negligible scientific or technical progress.

I found this a reasonable adventure yarn, with fewer
bloopers than usual (pirates sailing dromons? cotton
from India? theatrical performances in the Hippodrome?)
and some understanding of the period.  Correctly
labelled 'Fantasy'.  ISBN 0-445-20356-9, and costing
$3-50.

Watch out for the crocodiles.