Imperial Fire
Mar 2014 · Hachette+ORM
3.7star
7 reviews
Ebook
525
Pages
family_home
Eligible
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About this ebook
AN EPIC HISTORICAL QUEST SET AT THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF GUNPOWDER.
In the world after 1066, vast empires clamor for dominance.
From the Normans in the north to the Byzantines in the south, battles rage across Europe and around its fringes. But in the east, an empire still mightier stirs, wielding a weapon to rule the world: gunpowder.
Seeking the destructive might of this 'fire drug,' the mercenary Vallon -- a man made of grit and earth as much as of flesh and blood -- is sent by the defeated Byzantine emperor on a secret and near-impossible quest to the far off land of Song Dynasty China. Alongside a squadron of highly trained soldiers, Vallon is accompanied by the learned physician Hero, hermit-like tracker Wayland and a young, ego-driven upstart named Lucas. All have their own reasons for going, all have secrets.
It's a quest that will lead them across treacherous seas and arid desserts and into an uncharted land of mountains and plains beyond the Silk Road. Many will die. . .but the rewards could be extraordinary.
In the world after 1066, vast empires clamor for dominance.
From the Normans in the north to the Byzantines in the south, battles rage across Europe and around its fringes. But in the east, an empire still mightier stirs, wielding a weapon to rule the world: gunpowder.
Seeking the destructive might of this 'fire drug,' the mercenary Vallon -- a man made of grit and earth as much as of flesh and blood -- is sent by the defeated Byzantine emperor on a secret and near-impossible quest to the far off land of Song Dynasty China. Alongside a squadron of highly trained soldiers, Vallon is accompanied by the learned physician Hero, hermit-like tracker Wayland and a young, ego-driven upstart named Lucas. All have their own reasons for going, all have secrets.
It's a quest that will lead them across treacherous seas and arid desserts and into an uncharted land of mountains and plains beyond the Silk Road. Many will die. . .but the rewards could be extraordinary.
Ratings and reviews
3.7
7 reviews
David Berg
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July 6, 2014
Very similar to Lyndon's earlier book, Hawk Quest. Very good character development and this is an entertaining story but it seemed as if the last 1/4 of it was cut short and hurried to meet a deadline or word limit or something. The ending was not an ending at all, more like a violent collision and then nothing. Either the author wants a third volume , ( my personal belief ) or he just quit writing and ended it. Would have been 4 or 4 1/2 stars if the ending had not been so abrupt and unfinished. So many sub-plots left just hanging. Who ends a book literally in the middle of a paragraph with no actual conclusion?? Very disappointing....
1 person found this review helpful
John Hester
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May 16, 2014
Nice solid read. Ending is lacking though. Enjoyable but not as about as the first
1 person found this review helpful
About the author
Robert Lyndon has long been a keen student of history. Lyndon's novels are inspired by his own experiences as a falconer, climber and traveller in remote places. He has written many books and articles on history and exploration. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, he lives in Dorset.
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