harrissg wrote:
The geopolitical map is difficult to understand because there is such a proliferation of empires, kingdoms, principalities, regions, and city-states, and it seems to be important to know which neighbors one which (and which includes which), but he doesn't provide a map or give any succinct description. I'm planning on rereading it again immediately with an eye towards taking notes so as to be able to get as clear a picture as I can. (Or maybe I should just call up Glen and ask if he has a map he'd be willing to share?) This being the first book of a trilogy, it would be Really Nice to have a sounder understanding of the geographical relationships for the forthcoming books.
Actually, I found the opposite: It's the med during the crusaides. Brothe is Roman. The Grail Empire is the Holy Roman Empire. The rich area Connec? The Albigensian area. Italy is broken into city states - as it was at this time. Maybe someone with time would like to do a translation guide of places?
Oh, yes: It's entrancing reading.
MINOR SPOILER WARNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I have a suspicion that this is the crucial element upon which the entire series may be built: The reason Cook is telling a story from this particular moment in his world is not only the baroque politics coming to a fore, but also a dramtic change in the way in which the fantastic impacts the mundane.
I agree. The Roman Empire... Er... Brothan Empire tamed the lands and their powers. The two big religious groups took this further - and poured this power to their idea of God. So the power isn't in circulation the way it should be, and the world is getting colder as an ice age hits at fantastic speed. Then someone appears that can allow a normal man to kill a god - and everything breaks loose. Richard