Burdens of the Dead
The Heirs of Alexandria series, Book 5
Mercedes Lackey & Eric Flint & Dave Freer
In an alternate 15th century where magic still is part of life, the Holy Roman Empire rules Europe. Constantinople is under siege by the Venetians and their allies. Hekate, Goddess of Crossroads, presides over the conflict and carnage as alternate visions of civilization collide. And since Constantinople is the crossroad city of east and west, and it is here that Italian captain Benito Valdosta must deal with the powerful magical manifestation of the Weeping Woman, a disguised Hekate, in order to save his daughter and to destroy the fleets of the Chernobog assembling in the Black Sea before they can cut into the soft underbelly of Europe.
With land battle, naval action, cunning assassinations, and heartbreak aplenty—not to mention the ongoing conflict between Lord of the Dead Aidonus and Benito for the love of a woman, civilization is at the crossroads and choices must be made that will bring victory and freedom for centuries to come—or a new Dark Age.
First published June 2013
Praise for the Heirs of Alexandria Series:
"The prolific Lackey and cohorts Flint and Freer whip up a luscious bouillabaisse of politics, intrigue, love and black magic set in an "Other-worldly, New-Age Venice . . ." The authors' use of contemporary American vernacular . . . instead of pompous period speech keeps the pages turning fast . . ." —Publishers Weekly
"[A] massive concoction of alternate history, high fantasy, and historical romance set in the sixteenth-century Venice of an alternate world . . . rich plotting, vivid characterization, and splendid evocation of Renaissance ethics and culture should make readers turn all the pages." —Booklist
“In this world, broken off from ours in A.D. 349 . . . Christian magic battles blackest sorcery. . . making for hours of old-fashioned reading fun . . . Lackey, Flint and Freer [are] mixmasters of nearly every heard-of myth.” Publishers Weekly
"[V]ast and absorbing . . . it is almost impossible to put it down while the tension remains high . . . Lackey and associates' areas of expertise, including naval history and classical mythology, are smoothly blended.”—Booklist
". . . a sweeping alternate history. . .The authors deftly wield the juxtaposition of fantasy and history into a finely crafted story." —Romantic Times
"[A] top pick . . . fast-paced action and complex, believable settings." —The Bookwatch