First in the Merquan Chronicles, a science fiction adventure of a revolt against tyranny in a postapocalyptic world from "a writer to watch closely" (Roger Zelazny). Earth has been devastated in a long-forgotten conflict. From the ashes of myriad nations and civilizations rose a martial state under the reign of a merciless dictator. Despite ruling most of the planet, the Monitor will not permit any competing population to threaten...