Krispos of Videssos

The Tale of Krispos #2

by Harry Turtledove

Against all expectations, Krispos has won the crown of Videssos. But how long could he hope to keep head and crown together?
For trouble was brewing in every quarter. Civil war erupted under Petronas, the late Emperor's uncle. A brilliant general and a canny politician, Petronas had a very personal score to settle against the upstart Krispos.
And even as rebel troops took the field against the untried Emperor, outland raiders swept down from the northlands in a tide of carnage. The power stemmed from foulest sorcery, and Videssos' wizards could not counter its evil curse.
Krispos' reign showed every sign of being brief - and very bloody...

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Alternate History, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

361 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 1991

About the author

Dr Harry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced a sizeable number of works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction.

Harry Turtledove attended UCLA, where he received a Ph.D. in Byzantine history in 1977.

Turtledove has been dubbed "The Master of Alternate History". Within this genre he is known both for creating original scenarios: such as survival of the Byzantine Empire; an alien invasion in the middle of the World War II; and for giving a fresh and original treatment to themes previously dealt with by other authors, such as the victory of the South in the American Civil War; and of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.

His novels have been credited with bringing alternate history into the mainstream. His style of alternate history has a strong military theme.

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first novel in the trilogy, I read several other books before coming back to the second. I was reluctant for some reason, perhaps I had temporarily lost interest having moved on to other genres. But I was happy to have returned to this series. I found it very entertaining, seeing Krispos' character development as Emporor and father. Without going into any spoilers, I was shocked to see the demise of several important characters. The story kept me going, anxious to see how thing would play out. I finished the book in only four short days (might have been less but you know....life and adult responsibilities sometimes get in the way of such things).

Now on to the conclusion of the trilogy

[Curtiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second volume of Harry Turtledove's "Tales of Krispos" Trilogy, which I found particularly entertaining for both the integrity displayed by its unlikely hero, and for Turtledove's use of fantasy-appropriate, but actual, vocabulary terms - one of the few authors who uses terms I feel compelled to look up in the dictionary or online. The other notable authors being Rex Stout and H.P. Lovecraft.

[The_J · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Growth of Man becoming husband, father, general - culminating to Caesar.

[Gaius Philippus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preferisco la Legione Perduta ma Krispos come protagonista è interessante

[Fantasy Literature · Rating 3 out of 5]

The opening chapter of The Tale of Krispos really sucked me in. There is realism, which I'm always a fan of, and there are hardly any wasted words. At least that's how it is at first — but more on that later. Harry Turtledove does a great job of describing what is going on by working the information you need into the narrative in natural ways rather than just straight-out telling you certain facts.

The three books that make up The Tale of Krispos — Krispos Rising, Krispos of Videssos, and Krispos the Emperor — are based on the life and times of Basil I, the founder of the Macedonian dynasty of Byzantium. As such, this story rests in the fantasy sub-genre of alternate history. There is a ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...

[L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book continues where the last one left off: Avshar is ravaging the eastlands and Krispos has to go stop him. As with the other books the danger isn't so much from what will happen to Krispos, but from the sheer uncertainty of any decision. Go east and the nobles could dethrone you back home. Send out armies under subordinates and they could be destroyed. Seek battle yourself and it could be even worse. There are never any good decisions, simply less bad ones. It's very Byzantine.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical fantasy type book but well written

[Brentman99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in an excellent series. Krispos continues his rise and more of the inner workings of the world of Videssos are revealed. I really enjoyed this series.

[Scott Gardner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor follow up to the first book