Alchemy of Fire
by Gillian Bradshaw
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Description
Constantinople, 672 ad. Ex-concubine Anna is attempting to raise her daughter well, but as an Arab invasion threatens and Kallinikos an alchemist working on a secret weapon to use in the seige comes into their lives, a secret about her daughter is forced into the open. Anna must accept huge upheaval, and recognize her feelings for Kallinikos . . .Tags
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Member Reviews
Alchemy of Fire by Gillian Bradshaw is a well researched historical drama about Anna, a single mother, and her teenaged daughter living in seventh-century Constantinople just before an invasion threatens the city and their lives. Anna is in a unique position as a woman shop-owner; she is a perfumer, distilling her own essences from local flowers and herbs. Interesting story with meticulous details describing life in Constantinople at that time.
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Bradshaw weaves a story of love, war, treachery, and magic set in seventh-century Constantinople. Anna, former concubine of the emperor's disgraced brother, Theodosius, has retired to a quiet life as a perfumer. The only token she has of her former life is her teenage daughter, Theodosia. But when handsome Syrian alchemist Kallinokos arrives in Constantinople, her life is turned upside down. show more Not only does Theodosia see Kallinokos as a dear friend but Anna finds herself falling in love with him. He is working on a secret weapon--unquenchable fire--that could save the city from the Arab fleet that might attack at any time. Unfortunately, his superior is an insecure man who fears Kallinokos may find favor with the emperor, so he arranges for Kallinokos to be jailed on trumped-up charges. When Theodosia seeks a personal audience with Constantine to plead Kallinokos' case, forces are set into play that change many lives forever. A gripping adventure with a dash of romance, a soupcon of suspense, engaging characters, and vivid historical detail make this genre bender a good choice for historical fiction collections. show less
added by cmwilson101
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Author Information
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Alchemy of Fire
- People/Characters
- Kallinikos; Anna
- Important places
- Constantinople, Byzantine Empire; Byzantine Empire
Classifications
- Genres
- Fiction and Literature, Historical Fiction, General Fiction, Romance
- DDC/MDS
- 813.54 — Literature & rhetoric American literature in English American fiction in English 1900-1999 1945-1999
- LCC
- PS3552 .R235 .A43 — Language and Literature American literature American literature Individual authors 1961-
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 50
- Popularity
- 603,414
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.47)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 3
