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Golden Reflections
An all-time great science fiction novel by a legendary master Fred Saberhagen bundled together with seven tales set in Saberhagen’s Masks universe—all written by a gathering of top-level authors including New York Times bestsellers David Weber and Harry Turtledove. These star contributors take on Saberhagen’s central idea: an ordinary human puts on an ancient mask and is transformed into a god—but is also taken over by the god’s personality for better and worse.
Mike Gabrieli's ne’er-do-well brother Tom has disappeared after mysteriously gaining possession of a priceless Aztec artifact. Now Mike sets out on a quest for Tom that takes him back in time to the dawn of the Spanish Conquest of South America. The descendants of the Incas have a plan to keep Pizarro and his conquistadors from overthrowing their ancestors’ empire. Mike is sympathetic, he now faces the very real possibility that, while creating an alternate world with the Incas ascendant, he may be wiping out his own future in the process.
In addition to Fred Saberhagen’s novel The Mask of the Sun, seven top writers have contributed stories set in the same universe. The contributors include New York Times best-selling authors David Weber and Harry Turtledove, as well as Walter Jon Williams, John Maddox Roberts, Jane Lindskold, and more, expanding on Fred Saberhagen’s concept and bringing their own perspectives to this volume of exciting alternate universe adventure.
Mike Gabrieli's ne’er-do-well brother Tom has disappeared after mysteriously gaining possession of a priceless Aztec artifact. Now Mike sets out on a quest for Tom that takes him back in time to the dawn of the Spanish Conquest of South America. The descendants of the Incas have a plan to keep Pizarro and his conquistadors from overthrowing their ancestors’ empire. Mike is sympathetic, he now faces the very real possibility that, while creating an alternate world with the Incas ascendant, he may be wiping out his own future in the process.
In addition to Fred Saberhagen’s novel The Mask of the Sun, seven top writers have contributed stories set in the same universe. The contributors include New York Times best-selling authors David Weber and Harry Turtledove, as well as Walter Jon Williams, John Maddox Roberts, Jane Lindskold, and more, expanding on Fred Saberhagen’s concept and bringing their own perspectives to this volume of exciting alternate universe adventure.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2011
83 people want to read
About the author
Fred Saberhagen
335 books496 followersFred Saberhagen was an American science fiction and fantasy author most famous for his ''Beserker'' and Dracula stories.
Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.
From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.
Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.
From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 23, 2011
“Golden Reflections” is an anthology of stories based on Fred Saberhagen’s “Mask of the Sun. “Reflections” also includes Saberhagen’s original “Mask”, while bringing together several well-known sci-fi/alternate history writers who build on “Mask’s” original premise and its’ original world.
"Mask of the Sun" is at times classic sci fi time travel, strong alternate history and richly woven historical fiction. The premise is based on the existence of certain goggles that allow the wearer to see events from the future. But it only works sometimes, and it's unclear what it chooses to show the wearer and why.
“Mask of the Sun” is a wonderful short novel where Saberhagen uses his time-travel/omnipotence concept to open a multi-centries-fun ride built around the early conquests of the New World.
After his brother discovers a mysterious jade mask near the Florida keys and then disappears, Mike Gabrieli is pulled into a sordid conspiracy and out of time into a far future world that pits 23rd century Incas against 23rd century Aztecs. The future-seeing goggles were turned into a religious artifact by the Aztecs before Montezuma sent it to Hernan Cortes as a gift, and then re-gifted it to Francisco Pizarro as a farewell charm on his way to conquer Peru. Gabrieli becomes part of a 20th century commando team training to defeat a 16th century Pizarro at his foundational battle with the Incas at Cajamarca shortly after he arrives in Peru.
The 23 century Incas and Aztecs are not the same as their 16th century counterparts. In a historic timeline in which Pizarro did not conquer Peru, the Incas grew to world prominence expanding their already vast South American empire, and not without a little help from superior technologies. The Incas and Aztecs are world empire adversaries. Each is able to pop through time to advance their respective causes. While each is certainly more advanced, the Aztecs still sacrifice individuals and share the sacrificial parts as food (although it's handled in a much more sanitary and efficient manner than in the past). It's a little unclear how "good" the new age Incas are, but they seem to be more good than the Aztecs.
Saberhagen's futuristic landscape is rich and imaginative and his historical descriptions are filled with well-documented details and fleshed out with a master's flair for color. Mike's commando team must learn the ways of 16th century Peru and incorporate their knowledge of history in their plans to change it.
For much of the time, the Mask gives Gabrieli only solitary and unmoving views that Saberhagen uses as foreshadowed clues to a future event. At other times, the Mask gives Mike a moments-ahead view that he uses to escape from one scenario and get to the next. Written poorly, it could leave readers very confused and turned around, but Saberhagen deftly provides an interesting visualization.
In this short novel (just over 200 pages), Saberhagen spends very little ink on the particulars of time travel - suffice it to say that he goes with a multiple timeline theory that provides for the existence of a world where Pizarro defeats the Incas and a world where he doesn't. I was reminded of Stephen Baxter's multiple timeline theories written in his "Time Machine" sequel - "Time Ships".
"Mask" contains spaceships and ray guns and there's no doubt about its’ sci fi core. However, there are lengthy battle scenes which pit Pizarro and his Conquistadors against the Incas, and post-conquest interactions between real and imagined Spaniards and Incas which provide more than a hint of historical fiction/alternate history. The thing that excites me the most is that Saberhagen places his action in the midst of two of the greatest cultures the World has ever known, and two which the worlds of sci fi and alt/historical fiction rarely touch. It's a bold and innovative world.
Walter Jon Williams brings Saberhagen’s mask into ancient Egypt in “The Fate Line”, where the displaced goggles are found in a pharaoh’s tomb. An Inca team is sent into Alexandria to eliminate the Mask's owner who ultimate leads Egypt to world dominance. This may be the only story in the world to string the following words together: "Peru and Egypt have no reason to go to war.”
While most of the stories in “Golden Reflections” are very war-centric, this strong story ends peacefully.
Daniel Abraham’s “Wax, Clay, Gold” is based in a slave-run metalworking factory during the timeframe when the Aztecs still held possession of the mask, and may be the strongest of the short stories. Abraham weaves a great multi-aspected story that evokes emotion, and builds a compelling tale in only a few pages while developing the myth of the mask’s existence and powers. In this story, the reader is left with a terrifically subtle "gotcha" ending.
“Remember” by Dean Wesley Smith, is primarily based in the Alamo. In this diverted timeline, the Aztecs have defeated the Spanish and now threaten to expand their power if they're not checked at the Alamo. Flashbacks leading up to the primary characters’ delivery to Texas are very emotional and provide a unique layer depth to the story.
Other short stories written in the “Mask” universe come from John Maddox Roberts, Harry Turtledove, Jane Lindskold and David Weber.
"Mask of the Sun" is at times classic sci fi time travel, strong alternate history and richly woven historical fiction. The premise is based on the existence of certain goggles that allow the wearer to see events from the future. But it only works sometimes, and it's unclear what it chooses to show the wearer and why.
“Mask of the Sun” is a wonderful short novel where Saberhagen uses his time-travel/omnipotence concept to open a multi-centries-fun ride built around the early conquests of the New World.
After his brother discovers a mysterious jade mask near the Florida keys and then disappears, Mike Gabrieli is pulled into a sordid conspiracy and out of time into a far future world that pits 23rd century Incas against 23rd century Aztecs. The future-seeing goggles were turned into a religious artifact by the Aztecs before Montezuma sent it to Hernan Cortes as a gift, and then re-gifted it to Francisco Pizarro as a farewell charm on his way to conquer Peru. Gabrieli becomes part of a 20th century commando team training to defeat a 16th century Pizarro at his foundational battle with the Incas at Cajamarca shortly after he arrives in Peru.
The 23 century Incas and Aztecs are not the same as their 16th century counterparts. In a historic timeline in which Pizarro did not conquer Peru, the Incas grew to world prominence expanding their already vast South American empire, and not without a little help from superior technologies. The Incas and Aztecs are world empire adversaries. Each is able to pop through time to advance their respective causes. While each is certainly more advanced, the Aztecs still sacrifice individuals and share the sacrificial parts as food (although it's handled in a much more sanitary and efficient manner than in the past). It's a little unclear how "good" the new age Incas are, but they seem to be more good than the Aztecs.
Saberhagen's futuristic landscape is rich and imaginative and his historical descriptions are filled with well-documented details and fleshed out with a master's flair for color. Mike's commando team must learn the ways of 16th century Peru and incorporate their knowledge of history in their plans to change it.
For much of the time, the Mask gives Gabrieli only solitary and unmoving views that Saberhagen uses as foreshadowed clues to a future event. At other times, the Mask gives Mike a moments-ahead view that he uses to escape from one scenario and get to the next. Written poorly, it could leave readers very confused and turned around, but Saberhagen deftly provides an interesting visualization.
In this short novel (just over 200 pages), Saberhagen spends very little ink on the particulars of time travel - suffice it to say that he goes with a multiple timeline theory that provides for the existence of a world where Pizarro defeats the Incas and a world where he doesn't. I was reminded of Stephen Baxter's multiple timeline theories written in his "Time Machine" sequel - "Time Ships".
"Mask" contains spaceships and ray guns and there's no doubt about its’ sci fi core. However, there are lengthy battle scenes which pit Pizarro and his Conquistadors against the Incas, and post-conquest interactions between real and imagined Spaniards and Incas which provide more than a hint of historical fiction/alternate history. The thing that excites me the most is that Saberhagen places his action in the midst of two of the greatest cultures the World has ever known, and two which the worlds of sci fi and alt/historical fiction rarely touch. It's a bold and innovative world.
Walter Jon Williams brings Saberhagen’s mask into ancient Egypt in “The Fate Line”, where the displaced goggles are found in a pharaoh’s tomb. An Inca team is sent into Alexandria to eliminate the Mask's owner who ultimate leads Egypt to world dominance. This may be the only story in the world to string the following words together: "Peru and Egypt have no reason to go to war.”
While most of the stories in “Golden Reflections” are very war-centric, this strong story ends peacefully.
Daniel Abraham’s “Wax, Clay, Gold” is based in a slave-run metalworking factory during the timeframe when the Aztecs still held possession of the mask, and may be the strongest of the short stories. Abraham weaves a great multi-aspected story that evokes emotion, and builds a compelling tale in only a few pages while developing the myth of the mask’s existence and powers. In this story, the reader is left with a terrifically subtle "gotcha" ending.
“Remember” by Dean Wesley Smith, is primarily based in the Alamo. In this diverted timeline, the Aztecs have defeated the Spanish and now threaten to expand their power if they're not checked at the Alamo. Flashbacks leading up to the primary characters’ delivery to Texas are very emotional and provide a unique layer depth to the story.
Other short stories written in the “Mask” universe come from John Maddox Roberts, Harry Turtledove, Jane Lindskold and David Weber.
November 23, 2022
The book remembers at a music piece - Variations about a theme by xyz. In this case, the theme is the classic time-travel-story "Mask of the Sun" (written 1975 by Fred Saberhagen) - who passed away in 2007. The Variations are the stories by 7 great authors, who took the theme story and added new facets to it. And the names of the contributors read like a "Who's Who" in SciFi and Fantasy: Harry Turtledove, Dean Wesley Smith, Walter Jon Williams, Jane Lindskold, David Weber, Daniel Abraham, John Maddox Roberts.
So, if you're interested in SciFi, Alternate History and Time Travel - this book is for you. Highly recommended!
So, if you're interested in SciFi, Alternate History and Time Travel - this book is for you. Highly recommended!
October 29, 2018
A library book sale purchase.
I wanted to like this more than I did. I'm a long time fan of Saberhagen's work having stumbled through it in my younger years. A lot of it holds up surprisingly well. The book itself is well-written with lots of detail and a bit of character development. I'm just not a big fan of alternative histories.
The accompanying short stories were about average, my favorite being "Remember."
This book definitely has its place as a piece of sci-fi history but I can't think of much else to recommend beyond that.
I wanted to like this more than I did. I'm a long time fan of Saberhagen's work having stumbled through it in my younger years. A lot of it holds up surprisingly well. The book itself is well-written with lots of detail and a bit of character development. I'm just not a big fan of alternative histories.
The accompanying short stories were about average, my favorite being "Remember."
This book definitely has its place as a piece of sci-fi history but I can't think of much else to recommend beyond that.
December 15, 2020
Interesting collection. Worth checking out if you're a Sci-Fi fan.
May 1, 2016
Golden Reflections is an anthology of stories based on Fred Saberhagen’s Mask of the Sun, the premise of which is the existence of certain goggles that allow the wearer to see events in the future. But it only works sometimes, and it's unclear what it chooses to show the wearer and why. Golden Reflections includes Saberhagen’s original Mask of the Sun while bringing together several well-known sci-fi/alternate history writers who build on his original concept and its world.
Mask of the Sun is classic sci-fi time-travel, strong alternate history, and richly woven historical fiction. After his brother discovers a mys... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Mask of the Sun is classic sci-fi time-travel, strong alternate history, and richly woven historical fiction. After his brother discovers a mys... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
December 11, 2015
I usually enjoy Saberhagen and really wanted to enjoy this book but it's such a product of it's time in its attitude toward women and sex. The (two dimensional) protagonist has sex with a 14 year old (in line with the mores of the society he's in but he himself shows no qualms despite being from 1980s America), and the female American character is treated as nothing more than a mannequin. Good ideas behind the book and an interesting setting, but disappointing. Saberhagen usually isn't as patriarchal as this (it's like reading Heinlein at his more mediocre moments).
July 17, 2015
If you're into time travel and alternate reality stories, I highly recommend this one. Both the initial story and most of the short stories written by different authors contribute to the rating I give it. There are a lot of well-written characters - including twists on historical figures - and convoluted plot twists to follow. I really enjoyed the entire book.
August 10, 2011
I really loved Fred Saberhagen's "Mask of the Sun" Story.
All the others were pretty good as well.
This was a very good theme based anthology.
The only reason it took me so long to read this book is because July was such a busy month for me this year.
All the others were pretty good as well.
This was a very good theme based anthology.
The only reason it took me so long to read this book is because July was such a busy month for me this year.
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October 31, 2015couldn't finish
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews