Inscribed in Latin, The Prophecy has resided in the hands of a single family for generations, revealing secrets about the world that is to come,...
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reviews
Jan 08, 2012
Steve
rated it: 
Genre: Science Fiction/Alternative History[return]Setting: Roman Britain[return]No. of pages:[return]Part of a series: Yes, 1st book in Time's Tapestry Quartet.[return]Next book: Conqueror[return][return]A woman going through a difficult birth starts uttering words in latin, a language she doesn't know. It is a prophecy, a prophecy that will echo down the centuries...[return][return]This book is set mostly in Roman Britain, from before the Romans came to Britain to the fall of Rome. The book is
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Jul 01, 2009
Michaelbert
rated it:
Doh! I've been tricked again! This book isn't science fiction! It's not even fantasy, but historical fiction with a VERY little bit of speculation that a prophecy could be someone's attempt to change history from the future.
The discussion of the nature and symptoms of the collapse of the Roman empire was interesting. He even introspectively (half-jokingly?) suggests through one of his characters that every middle-aged man projects his own looming senescence on the world around him, s More...
The discussion of the nature and symptoms of the collapse of the Roman empire was interesting. He even introspectively (half-jokingly?) suggests through one of his characters that every middle-aged man projects his own looming senescence on the world around him, s More...
Jan 05, 2011
Betsy
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A historical novel following two indigenous families from the point of time the Romans expansion into Britain after Caesar through Constantine. The families are linked together by a prophecy. I found the book to be very entertaining if a bit shallow, particularly the dialog and story development. The leaps in time and space with the families continuing to find each other is a bit of a reach. It was particularly hard to believe that in one case, after one family had been doomed to 2 centuries
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Jul 20, 2011
Mel
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Set in Ancient Roman times, centered around the second invasion of Briton with Hadrian. Some may find redeemable qualities of this book; the attention to details here and there, the actual use of Latin in the text, and the building mysteries, however I found myself not even being able to read this one cover to cover. The plot is vague at first, as each chapter jumps ahead in time too many years to keep up with the characters given to said chapter. Character development is highly lacking, and the
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Aug 18, 2011
Ben
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This was a good book, especially in the way it detailed the building of Hadrian's wall and the decline of the Roman Empire, at least as it applied to Britain. My only complaint: I just didn't feel that the people who received this prophecy from the future (the mysterious "Weaver") would have received it as such. It would be far more likely to be taken as a message from one of their gods. And I am left with a question concerning who is actually sending these messages into the past, a
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Jan 10, 2012
Joshua
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This book stood out for me. It's historical fiction, and it's a great introduction to why "historical fiction" deserves it's own category. It complimented my world history classes very well. It painted a great picture of day to day life in ancient England. It focused on a historical event and made it interesting. The characters were believable but brief. The book seemed to be concerned with history and if it didn't have much to do with world event's, it kept things brief. That c
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Jan 19, 2010
Andrea
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This was one of the hardest books to finish, but I'm glad I did. The first 3 times I tried to read it I got caught up . This is an epic without the length. The story is about one families survival through the time of Rome's occupation of Britain. It starts with Agrippina and Cunella and their ill-fated love and it goes on through their two families through the next 400 or so years.
The story is told in parts which makes it easier to read once you get past the initial 60 pages which se More...
The story is told in parts which makes it easier to read once you get past the initial 60 pages which se More...
Mar 08, 2008
Topher
rated it:
Put it in time-travel, altrough its really an alternate history. If I read more alternate histories, maybe I'll add a shelf an fix that.
And, for that matter - the title of the book is Emporer. So, if I type that into the goodreads search box, why do I get back lots of books without emporer in their title first? I mean, I like 'quo vadis' but, if I'm searching on "emporer" I don't really mean that one. *sigh*
this one was interesting....a prophesy comes back to a More...
And, for that matter - the title of the book is Emporer. So, if I type that into the goodreads search box, why do I get back lots of books without emporer in their title first? I mean, I like 'quo vadis' but, if I'm searching on "emporer" I don't really mean that one. *sigh*
this one was interesting....a prophesy comes back to a More...
Jul 22, 2011
Bronwyn
rated it: 
While I finished this book, i won't be reading any others in the series. I found the lack of character development and the skipping over several centuries at a time quite annoying. This could have been a really good read if the author had developed this single novel into the whole series, properly developing the characters and feel for the different periods in Roman Britain. The historical research was excellent, I loved the way the feel of the towns and the different eras were conveyed, it r
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Dec 21, 2009
Trisha
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I came across this book at my local library and when I saw it was first of a series, grabbed it.
The story gives a good insight into the early days of Britain, with the return of the Romans - building of Hadrians Wall etc.
Running through the story is the people involved in the Prophecy of Nectovelin.
Just about to start the 2nd book called Conqueror which has the time period 1066.
The story gives a good insight into the early days of Britain, with the return of the Romans - building of Hadrians Wall etc.
Running through the story is the people involved in the Prophecy of Nectovelin.
Just about to start the 2nd book called Conqueror which has the time period 1066.
Jul 16, 2010
Mieke
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I really don't know what I was thinking when I picked this novel up at the library ~ but thoroughly enjoyed it! A pleasant blend of history and fantasy/sci fi, I found myself checking out the whole series to read in a weekend. Baxter has an easy reading style, he tosses in enough historical events to hold my interest, and I really wanted to see how the series finished.
Jul 30, 2011
A potentially interesting alternate(?) history series is somewhat hamstrung by the constant skipping ahead to later generations. Just as you get to know a group of characters, they all die and you're being introduced to some new characters from the previous batch's future. The series has potential, though, so we'll see where Baxter goes with it... 3/5 stars.
Jan 26, 2010
Martinxo
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I enjoyed this book although I became a little, tiny bit bored towards the end.
I think I'll persevere with the series, Baxter is a decent writer and the book has dramatically improved my knowledge of the Roman Empire in general and Roman Britain in particular, and that's always a good thing.
I think I'll persevere with the series, Baxter is a decent writer and the book has dramatically improved my knowledge of the Roman Empire in general and Roman Britain in particular, and that's always a good thing.
Jun 17, 2008
Sarah
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The book is several stories based around the time of the Romans which follows the progression of a prophecy through several generations and I found it an interesting way to tell a story.
Having read the book, I discovered it was "alternate history". Having very little knowledge of the Romans, I hadn't actually realised the book wasn't all 'fact' as all the bits I recognised from my distant days at school seemed to gel with the book. So, sadly, I have no idea which bits of th More...
Having read the book, I discovered it was "alternate history". Having very little knowledge of the Romans, I hadn't actually realised the book wasn't all 'fact' as all the bits I recognised from my distant days at school seemed to gel with the book. So, sadly, I have no idea which bits of th More...
Aug 05, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
it was a very slow read for me. i found it to be a big graphic as well, for something i found in the young adult section of the library. there were also a few too many homosexual references than i felt were necessary to prove the point. i found it thin with plot and thick with mundane details until the very last chapter.
Oct 02, 2008
Betsey
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it was good for the historical bent. he does a nice job of drawing parallels between modern life and Roman life in Britain. who knows how accurate it is! Baxter seems to be the type to be particular about accuracy, so it's probalby pretty good. I almost always enjoy ancient historical fiction, no matter how bad. and this wasn't that bad. The rest of it, however, was not so great. I have a particular hatred for stories that have personalities and intellects being hereditary. I just hate it
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Jan 30, 2010
Beau
rated it:
Sometimes it's a bit too abstract, but mostly it sets the stage for more books about somebody monkeying with the past. It's a quick, easy read. I'm ready to read a few more like it to get to the story.
Oct 28, 2007
Res
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The alternate history that begins with a prophecy in post-Roman Britain.
In fairness I must say that this is not at all my kind of thing. Alternate history is usually lost on me because my knowledge of actual history is so weak, and empires, wars, epic concerns of that sort simply don't interest me.
I do also think that the book is flawed, though; it's very tell-y, with more conversation than action -- I mean, even when a woman is screaming through a life-threatening birth More...
In fairness I must say that this is not at all my kind of thing. Alternate history is usually lost on me because my knowledge of actual history is so weak, and empires, wars, epic concerns of that sort simply don't interest me.
I do also think that the book is flawed, though; it's very tell-y, with more conversation than action -- I mean, even when a woman is screaming through a life-threatening birth More...
Oct 28, 2008
Brett
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Thoroughly enjoyed the details of Roman society. (I guess the HBO series Rome got me in the mood.)
I know some folks knock Baxter for limited character development, but I think his writing style is more an emphasis on human characters as events as opposed to people. Get that? What I'm saying is that he uses the characters more for their actions to define ideas than go into serious depth into the characters themselves. Anyway...
I liked the linking of each generation back to the 1st More...
I know some folks knock Baxter for limited character development, but I think his writing style is more an emphasis on human characters as events as opposed to people. Get that? What I'm saying is that he uses the characters more for their actions to define ideas than go into serious depth into the characters themselves. Anyway...
I liked the linking of each generation back to the 1st More...
Mar 01, 2011
Jan
rated it:
It's my first to read on our Kindle. I certainly like reading history to which I have never had exposure - Romans invading Britain, Hadrian's march, etc. The author has a real talent of making the historical facts very real. My only problem with it is I won't find out the Weaver until I read more of the books. Not very satisfying.
Aug 05, 2011
Alternative history series involving a prophecy that "weave's through the tapestry of time". Set in Britain during the Roman occupation. Fun read.
Jan 20, 2011
Dale
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This is my first time reading Baxter, so I cannot really compare it to anything he's written. However, it was interesting historical fiction. Interesting enough I'll continue the series.
Dec 04, 2009
Liviu
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I fast read through this book and its three sequels with their alt-hist conceit and there was nothing to hook me on the story; cannot say why but this type of fast-forward in time with vignettes in various historical periods, whether is in a city, a country, a culture, or a prophecy/alt-hist like here rarely excites me and this series is definitely not one such.
Still a decent Baxter and better, smoother writing than in earlier novels which were more interesting however...
Still a decent Baxter and better, smoother writing than in earlier novels which were more interesting however...
Oct 18, 2008
Rick
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Read this a few months ago. It's frigging great if you want to read a thoroughly entertaining historical novel that takes place during the Roman occupation of Britain, with a very slight (and very plausible) time travel element thrown in. I totally forgot the Romans where there for 400 years, and had influence there for another 200 years after they left. In other words, longer than the entire length of America from the Columbus to today. Well worth the read.
Aug 31, 2007
Jadon
rated it:
A good alternative to reading history textbooks. A little slow to get into, but after the first two chapters I got involved. This book deals with many events involving one family line as the Romans invade and occupy Britain in the first century. The story jumps ahead through several generations, and does a great job of conveying a sense of immense scale and impact the invasion had of ancient Britain. But it's also fiction, so therefore fun to read. I recommend it.
Jul 27, 2008
Tal
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Brica lives on the cold northern edge of the Roman Empire. As she struggles through a difficult childbirth, she begins to scream in a language she has never heard, much less spoken.
the prophecy she utters forms the basis of Stephen Baxter's trilogy which takes us through the history of Britain.
compelling and beautifully written as always, i recommend the trilogy!
the prophecy she utters forms the basis of Stephen Baxter's trilogy which takes us through the history of Britain.
compelling and beautifully written as always, i recommend the trilogy!
Dec 16, 2009
Chris
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This is supposed to be alternate history, but I guess I'm not knowledgeable enough about early Roman history to know which parts were alt. :-( Still, it was moderately interesting, and the epilogue leaves things wide open for book 2... which should be interesting.
May 26, 2008
Nikki
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Alternate history. Sadly, if you don't know Roman history well, you do not know what is alternate. OTOH, it was an easy read, moderately entertaining as historical fiction. I will not read any more in the series.
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