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Title: EMPEROR |  |
In the same year that the Nazarene Jesus was born, in the western-most province of the Roman Empire, another child is born. The birth is not easy, and Nectovelin's arrival is accompanied by his mothers apparent ravings. But Cunovic has dealt with the Romans and knows that Brica is speaking Latin, a language she has no knowledge of, so Cunovic writes down the mysterious words, revealing a strange prophesy.
The prophesy speaks of emperors, gods and time's tapestry. It speaks of subjugation and of freedom, and calls for action. But Nectovelin carries around the prophesy, unable to read it, yet it offers him hope when the Romans send an expeditionary force to Britannia. The prophesy, however, appears to be for a future time, and not Nectovelin's present.
Through centuries and across the entire Roman Empire, the prophesy shapes Nectovelin's descendants, and follows both the family's and Rome's change in fortunes.
EMPEROR is the first book in the TIME'S TAPESTRY series and is Stephen Baxter at his best. The saga sweeps through history, bringing it alive in the process. There are hints to possible futures that make it clear where the story will travel in future books, but there are enough ambiguities and certainly enough scope to make the journey well worth while.
This is a very clever premise and in the hands of a master like Baxter results in a very readable and enjoyable book, and in the promise of more to come. I certainly will be looking out for future books in the TIME'S TAPESTRY series, and I'm sure other readers of EMPEROR will be doing the same.