Emperor

by Stephen Baxter

Book Overview

Inscribed in Latin, The Prophecy has resided in the hands of a single family for generations, revealing secrets about the world that is to come, and guiding them to wealth and power... It begins when a Celtic noble betrays his people at the behest of his mother's belief in The Prophecy and sides with the conquering Roman legions. For the next 400 years, Britannia thrives-as does the family that contributed to Rome's reign over the island with the construction of Emperor Hadrian's Wall and the protection of Emperor Constantine from a coup d'?tat. And even when the sun begins to set on the Roman Empire, The Prophecy remains. For those capable of deciphering its signs and portents, the future of Earth is in their hands

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0441014666
• ISBN13: 9780441014668
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Ace Books
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Solid, but not equal to Baxter's best

"Time's Tapestry" is a four-part series by sci-fi author Stephen Baxter in the "alternate history" genre, beginning in the year 4 B.C. and ending in the 1940s (or their equivalent years). "Emperor" is the first book in the series, and while it trends more towards historical fiction than alternate history, it remains an interesting book. "Emperor" begins in 4 B.C. in what is now central Britain, when a prophecy concerning the future is uttered in pure Latin - by a woman dying in childbirth who does not speak it. The novel then follows the story of this prophecy as its possessors divine its mysteries (as well as the mystery of its creator, whom they call "The Weaver") and attempt to use it to their own ends. Along the way, we see the progression of Great Britain through the characters' eyes from mere decades after Julius Caesar's conquest to the near-end of Britain's provincial status in the Roman Empire. This is not the first time that Baxter has written a novel that took place in Roman-era Britain, and it shows. The work is rich in historical detail, which creates some excellent imagery. The characterization is more mixed in value; Baxter "jumps" different spans of time, so each story arc is effectively self-contained (although he does try to show some familial or other connection between an arc and the one preceding it). Some arcs are done very well (Severa comes to mind), while others are little more than plot conveniences to move the prophecy forward. Much of the criticism of this novel has centered around the fact that it is, with the exception of the prophecy, virtually historical fiction. This is technically true; while it becomes clear, particularly near the end of the series, that this is alternate history, Emperor itself is almost an inverse of the typical historical fiction story. Rather than showing a past changed and moving outwards from there, it shows how the prophecy and attempts to follow it create the possibility for changing the future, whether or not that actually occurs.. Overall, it is a fairly solid work, although not one of Baxter's greatest books. I would recommend it for anyone interested in reading alternate history, as well as anyone interested in a reasonably short historical fiction novel set in the Roman-era Great Britain.

Ancient history buffs will like this.

From 4 BC to 418 AD, Baxter follows the legacy of two families from ancient Britannia led by a prophecy that proclaims from a "God-as-babe" birth to the dneath of an emperor. The brilliant interweaving of the lives of the characters and the relvance of the prophecy. As a history buff and a fellow writer of Roman Empire historical fiction, I recommend this book. Enjoy!

Interesting tour through History

What I like about this novel is the opportunity to experience a slice of history as the Romans conquer Britain and consolidate their presence, building Hadrian's wall, before the Empire recedes. The "prophecy" is simply a fictional device that threads together various generations of characters through the various novelletes of the book. Which brings me to what I dislike about the book, it is a collection of shorter stories, with a new cast of characters in each. We become engaged with the characters, only to be with them a short while before their scenes end and we move to another century. And there are few happy endings for most of the characters, some of whom simply have their short hour upon the stage before slipping into the past tense of the next character's genealogy. However, the book is a fast-paced read and I enjoy the tour through history. I will follow the series with interest.

Don't Understand all the Negatives

I don't understand all the negative reviews, I have read the first two books and will read the third. Sure it's not alternative history and yes the Latin is not so great but so what. Both books were page turners that kept me wanting to read on and I didn't find the endings disappointing.

Great Writing!

It's the first new hard cover novel I've bought from a physical bookstore in about 8 years! But for some reason, I was overcome by the need to read this book now and it's been worth every penny and then some! If you are in to Celtic and/or Roman history and how these peoples survived one another, and enjoy grand fiction and historical-based epics... this is a book on a grand scheme for sure!! It's a page turner, and the author is absolutely brilliant in creating many unforgettable scenes and fictional characters who operate within a realm of historical facts and interact with real historical figures - as if rewriting history. You will love one or more of his characters - if not, at least be moved by them. I think that the plot of the prophecy was a good way to move the two families of characters through time, bringing them back together generation after generation, rewriting history again and again, as if they were cursed. There are some parts of the book where Baxter tends to go on and on with description, but I can't see the book moving forward without some of those passages, and without them, we couldn't see what the characters saw. There was a couple times within the last 70 pages where I thought he might lose me, but I held on. The book is fast-paced, moves very quickly. I can't believe how adequately he moved through several generations of Romans and Brigantians ( & British) in just 300 pages, without losing a step. The second book is supposed to be coming out in July, 2007. I'll be looking forward to that. Happy Reading to you all!