Band of Gypsys (edition 2005)

Absolutely gripping. I didn't even notice I'd been sucked whole-heartedly into it until I surfaced several hours later - and this on a re-read, too. ( )

Band of Gypsys seems to be somewhat of an interlude, until right near the end.

The Triumvirate have decamped to Paris, and are mostly happily hanging out there. Then they are talked into coming back to England to see what they can sort out.

As it turns out the current government has plans for them of the not so nice variety, and the rest of the world has plans for England.

Held as captive display ornaments, they are again together, until the government, desperate for magic weapons decides to have a crack at Sage's head. "You may not have realised this, but it is illegal to possess, or have in your possession, the precursors of weaponised magic.."

The rest of the UK wants nothing to do with the English nuts and is not going to share the technology.

Sage has done this to protect them. "...said Fiorinda, biting her lip. 'Because you went away, and he decided he was Superman and got his liver ripped out fighting a duel with my father. Now you see. You can't stop him either."

All this is moot, it appears, as the US and the Chinese have done a deal on what to do with the UK nuts.

Most of the book holding for what goes on in the next with the new state of the world, presumably.

http://superprose.blogspot.com/2007/03/king-arthur-4-rock-and-roll-reich-4.html ( )

http://tamaranth.blogspot.com/2005/09/81-band-of-gypsys-gwyneth-jones.html ( )