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The Malwa Empire has conquered 6th century India and is forging the subcontinent's vast population into an invincible weapon of tyranny. Belisarius, the finest general of his age, must save the world. Guided by visions from a future that may never be, he and a band of comrades penetrate the Malwa heartland, seeking the core of the enemy's power. And when Belisarius leads the forces of good, only a fool would side with evil.At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital show more Rights Management).
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I enjoyed this second book in the Belisarius series as much as I had enjoyed the first one, and for pretty much the same reasons. The characters were likeable (except the ones you weren’t supposed to like) and funny, and the story was interesting.
As with the first book, the characters are slightly over-the-top and without many shades of gray. However, there were a couple missteps here and there on the part of the good guys, as opposed to the first book where everything always went exactly as planned. I enjoyed that because it added a little more tension to the story.
The science fiction element is still mostly in the background story-wise, but we start to learn more about it in this book. I look forward to seeing how that aspect of show more things will develop and be further explained as the series progresses. This book tied up several major plot threads that had been woven throughout these first two books, so I also look forward to seeing what will happen in the next book. show less
As with the first book, the characters are slightly over-the-top and without many shades of gray. However, there were a couple missteps here and there on the part of the good guys, as opposed to the first book where everything always went exactly as planned. I enjoyed that because it added a little more tension to the story.
The science fiction element is still mostly in the background story-wise, but we start to learn more about it in this book. I look forward to seeing how that aspect of show more things will develop and be further explained as the series progresses. This book tied up several major plot threads that had been woven throughout these first two books, so I also look forward to seeing what will happen in the next book. show less
In the Heart of Darkness by David Drake & Eric Flint
Belisarius, a Roman general, goes to India to spy on the Malwa. His “magic” crystal informs him that the Malwa have their own “link” to the future. His adventures as a spy, turncoat and redeemer comprise the main plot line. The subplot of his wife, Irene the spymaster and Theodora the empress provide the corollary subplots.
Flint and Drake do a great job with heroes. They paint larger than life characters with noble characteristics. They also have no problem portraying strong, butt kicking female protagonists. I enjoy the empowerment of the female characters. The portrayal of ruthlessness as both positive and negative, depending on who is using it, causes one to ponder ethics show more in general.
I enjoyed the book, I recommend it. It is a good series and I intend to finish it. show less
Belisarius, a Roman general, goes to India to spy on the Malwa. His “magic” crystal informs him that the Malwa have their own “link” to the future. His adventures as a spy, turncoat and redeemer comprise the main plot line. The subplot of his wife, Irene the spymaster and Theodora the empress provide the corollary subplots.
Flint and Drake do a great job with heroes. They paint larger than life characters with noble characteristics. They also have no problem portraying strong, butt kicking female protagonists. I enjoy the empowerment of the female characters. The portrayal of ruthlessness as both positive and negative, depending on who is using it, causes one to ponder ethics show more in general.
I enjoyed the book, I recommend it. It is a good series and I intend to finish it. show less
The second in Flint and Drake's Belisarius series. Two supercomputers from the far future have travelled back to the ancient world. One, in India, is driving the Malwa empire to cruel world conquest. The other, in Justinian's Constantinople, is guiding the great general Belisarius to stand against them. War, mayhem, intrigue, and weapons development ensue.
The second in Flint and Drake's Belisarius series. Two supercomputers from the far future have travelled back to the ancient world. One, in India, is driving the Malwa empire to cruel world conquest. The other, in Justinian's Constantinople, is guiding the great general Belisarius to stand against them. War, mayhem, intrigue, and weapons development ensue.
A gripping tale. The characters are compelling and heroic. The story is imaginative and exciting.
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Baen Free Library
72 works; 2 members
Author Information
207+ Works 28,950 Members
Eric Flint was born in southern California in 1947. He received a bachelor's degree from UCLA in 1968 and did some work toward a Ph.D. in history, with a specialization in history of southern Africa in the 18th and early 19th centuries, also at UCLA. After leaving the doctoral program over political issues, he supported himself from that time show more until age 50 as a laborer, machinist and labor organizer. In 1993, his short story entitled Entropy and the Strangler won first place in the Winter 1992 Writers of the Future contest. His first novel, Mother of Demons, was published in 1997 and was picked by the Science Fiction Chronicle as a best novel of the year. He became a full-time writer in 1999. He writes science fiction and fantasy works including The Philosophical Strangler and the Belisarius series. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
269+ Works 34,928 Members
David Drake was born on September 24, 1945, in Dubuque, Iowa. He attended University of Iowa, where he graduated with a degree in History (with honors) and Latin. He then attended Duke Law School. He was drafted out of law school, served in the army for two years and then returned to school. He worked as an Assistant Town Attorney of Chapel Hill show more and then part-time as a city bus driver before he became a full-time writer. Drake is considered a master of Science Fiction and Fantasy. The Hammer's Slammers, military science fiction, was his first published series. His other titles include Northworld series, The Dragon Lord, Starliner, Ranks of Bronze, and Redliners. In recognition of his work, he won a World Fantasy award in 1976. He currently resides in North Carolina. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Some Editions
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Baen CD 01 Honorverse (Belisarius 2)
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- In the Heart of Darkness
- Original publication date
- 1998-08
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Statistics
- Members
- 527
- Popularity
- 56,488
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (4.12)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 6
