Much Fall of Blood: N/A (4) (Heirs of Alexandria)

by Mercedes Lackey, Dave Freer, Eric Flint

Book Overview

Prince Manfred and his mentor and bodyguard, the deadly warrior Erik,survived dangers and enemies both natural and supernatural, and if they thoughtthat their new mission was going to be anything but... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1439134162
• Release Date: January 2011
• Publisher: Baen
• Length: 684 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.4" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Great ! Stands on its own.

Just finished reading the book and liked it immensely. And found an unexpected surprise... until I came to do this review, I did not know that this was the 3rd book in a series. Clearly I read the book without expectations and can say that it stands on its own without the need to have read the previous books (which I will now be ordering). The story has a slow start, it was a good read but until midway into the book, I wasn't hooked into the characters. Once I hit midway point, I was hooked, understood the characters and understood what was going on very well and could not put the book down. Up front, I was a little worried that with 3 co-authors the writing would be a bit disjointed. I found that once I was into the book, I completely forgot that there were 3 authors and was immersed in the story, enjoying the plot unfolding. Highly recommended.

excellent alternate history series

Third in the Heirs of Alexandria series, this book once again greatly expands the story of what is happening in the fringes of the Holy Roman Empire. Once again, Prince Manfred and his bodyguard Eric are sent on a diplomatic mission that goes far astray from its original purpose. Manfred and Eric are sent as escorts for an emissary who is traveling from Jerusalem to the Great Mongol Horde. As usual, things go badly wrong as betrayal and the actions of the local representatives of the Empire's enemies send everything awry. This is an excellent alternate history series, though not for anyone who hasn't read the first two books in the series. Unlike many series, each volume in this one adds new, memorable and sometimes historically familiar characters. The series is highly recommended for anyone who loves epic fantasy, or alternate history.

A fine addition to this series

Lackey, Flint and Freer are all competent novelists. However, their collaboration produces a work that equals or excels their individual work. Part action/adventure and part political thriller, the first two books in this series were set (mostly) in and around Renaissance Venice. The volume returns us to that world but follows some of the characters we were introduced to earlier and follows them in their travels in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. We meet some lively new members of the cast, too. From the random facts I've checked it seems that our authors have done their homework and remained true to the period. It's all a fine read. Highly recommended

Highly Recommended!

This isn't a genre I'd normally choose for myself but since I had read a couple other books by this author I thought I'd give it a shot. Even if you aren't familiar with the series, in only a short time the characters will become familiar to you. This includes the Kinght of the Three Crosses, the Khans of the Mogol Hordes, and Vlad, named after the infamous Impaler. There are shape-changers, witches and earth magic. At first you have three distinct stories which find themselves being woven together into one great story. This is a complex story of the Roman Empire desiring to make alliances with the Golden Horde and the exploits of a Prince and Princess Unknown; of a witch and a blood-thirsty baron who wants to conquer all. Mix in a few wyverns, gypsy shape-shifters and other fantastic characters and you end up with an epic tale of war, blood, betrayal and good versus evil. If you are already familiar with this series you won't need my recommendation. But if you haven't gotten into it yet and you love historical fantasy, let me highly recommend this - it is your kind of read!

Third book in the Heirs of Alexandria series

This is the third book in the Heirs of Alexandria series, a continuation of the alternate-history fantasy begun in The Shadow of the Lion (2001) and This Rough Magic(2005). Written by the Mistress of Fantasy- Mercedes Lackey and one of the Masters of Alternate History- Eric Flint, along with his co-author Dave Freer. This book is a worthy sequel, none of that "sequel-itis" that too often sets in. The story is just as vast and absorbing- Lackey, Flint and Freer continue the fantastic weaving of characters that they started- a tapestry of political intrigue, love, vengeance and blackest magic. This fantasy world is set in a well researched and lushly written alternate history that broke off from ours in A.D. 349 (when the Alexandrian Library was saved), Christian magic and song battles blackest sorcery. We have of course the great and well written villains-sadistic King Emeric of Hungary and Elizabeth, Countess Bartholdy, who is bathed into eternal youth by gallons of virgins' blood. The action starts in 1540, and never stops. This third book also brings in a fascinating historical-fantasy of Prince Vlad, who is both drawn to and afraid of the blood magic that is such a large part of this series. But this is a very silly review. What am I doing? If you have already read the first two, of course you already have this book on pre-order or at least your Wish List. If you haven't read the first two, and you're a Mercedes Lackey and/or a David Flint fan- then buy The Shadow of the Lion, right now! Note- Ms. Lackey says the three books are supposed to be able to "stand on their own" and I think she's right. But why would you want to deprive yourself of the pleasure of reading all three in order? Anyway, a great read. If you like these authors or this sort of book- buy it.