The latest entry in the multiple New York Times best-selling Ring of
Fire series created by Eric Flint. After carving a free state for itself
in war-torn 17th century Europe, citizens of the modern town of
Grantville, West Virginia go on a quest for the makings of medicines
that have yet to be invented in 17th century Europe.
The United States of Europe, the new nation formed by an alliance
between the Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus and the West Virginians
hurled back in time by a cosmic accident--the Ring of Fire--is beset by
enemies on all sides. The U.S.E. needs a reliable source of opiates for
those wounded in action, as well as other goods not available in Europe.
The Prime Minister of the U.S.E., Mike Stearns, sends a mission to the
Mughal Empire of India with the aim of securing a trade deal with the
Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan.
The mission consists of a mixed group of up-timers and down-timers,
including paramedics, a squad of soldiers with railroad-building
experience, a spy and a pair of swindlers. On reaching India the mission
finds a grieving emperor obsessed with building the Taj Mahal,
harem-bound princesses, warrior princes, and an Afghan adventurer
embroiled in the many plots of the Mughal court.
The emperor's sons are plotting against each other and war is brewing
with the newly risen Sikh faith. But in the midst of these intrigues,
the U.S.E. mission finds a ally: the brilliant and beautiful Jahanara
Begum, the eldest daughter of Shah Jahan. She is the mistress of her
father's harem and a power in her own right, who wishes to learn more of
these women who are free in a way she can scarcely comprehend.
When the Emperor learns of what befalls his empire and children in the
time that was, he makes every effort to change their fate. But emperors,
princesses, and princes are no more immune to the inexorable waves of
change created by the Ring of Fire than are the Americans themselves.
About Eric Flint's groundbreaking Ring of Fire series:
"This alternate history series is . . . a landmark..."--Booklist
About Eric Flint's best-selling Jao Empire series coauthored with K.D.
Wentworth and David Carrico:
"The action is fast and furious . . . a trimphant story . . . "--The
Midwest Book Review
"Building to an exhilarating conclusion, this book cries out for a
sequel."--Publishers Weekly
About Eric Flint's Boundary series, coauthored with Ryk E. Spoor:
". . . fast-paced sci-fi espionage thriller . . . light in tone and hard
on science . . ." --Publishers Weekly on Boundary
"The whole crew from Flint and Spoor's Boundary are back . . .
Tensions run high throughout the Ceres mission . . . a fine choice for
any collection." --Publishers Weekly on Threshold
"[P]aleontology, engineering, and space flight, puzzles in
linguistics, biology, physics, and evolution further the story, as well
as wacky humor, academic rivalries, and even some sweet romances."
--School Library Journal on Boundary
