Customer Reviews

Fortune's Stroke (Belisarius)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
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If you've read the first three of these, you know the plot outline: Deadly with a blade, is Belisarius. Well, with an army, really. There are a couple nice little plot twists, which I'm not going to give away. There are a couple lightly romantic subplots, which I did enjoy.

There is, really, nothing seriously wrong with this book. It's fun, and I certainly don't regret buying it in hardbound.

You realize you are not hearing unqualified praise, here. The first two were unalloyed pleasure for me, and the third was pretty good. My problems have everything to do with what I'm beginning to classify as Eric Flint's verbal tics. I didn't before, because I hadn't enough acquaintance with his work to say. While David Drake has a certain grim, economical style of his own, Flint writes like a high school history teacher should speak, with both the enthusiasm and the weaknesses implied by that.

He is engaged with his material, he enjoys showing us how these people in the past, who were just as smart as we are, did things. He does fail on the same point that I've never really been able to get across to young people: they weren't like us. I'd put that in caps, except that I don't approve of shouting.

Furthermore, I noted this in Flint's 1632, I'm getting tired of certain characteristic phrases, like "mind you," and habits like, "tense. Tense. Tense." "Bad, bad move." And so on. In one character's mental voice, I could abide it. But have mercy! At least once a chapter, the thrice-repeated word? I started muttering, "And what I tell you three times is true."

Another verbal tic, and whose fault this is, I don't know, but the word "huge" must be excised from somebody's vocabulary. Using the adjective huge twice in one paragraph? Oh, dear. I am officially declaring this to be a dead word.

Perhaps it's simply the fact that I know that a complex series of maneuvers is going to lead to triumph for Belisarius, but the book just felt too predictable, and the neat details of armament, animal handling, and technology weren't there this time. Nor did the territory covered feel more than sketched in.

Yeah, I liked it. Yeah, I don't feel cheated. But I'd love to see the writers pay a little more attention in the next book, or I will feel disappointed.

This is the fifth Eric Flint book I've read. I suppose it's possible that some day he'll write a bad book, but I won't be able to review it because the shock will have killed me.

This one didn't disappoint me in the least. Belisarius doesn't figure as centrally in this one as in the previous three books, simply because Flint gives more room to the vitally-needed Rome-Axum alliance and to Shakuntala, Rhagunath Rao, and the Deccan Revolt. With the possible exception of Churchill, nobody has ever changed the course of a war single-handed, and even Belisarius can't manage this one alone. Fortunately, Belisarius has friends, without whose help he would find himself out on the end of a long tree limb, and find the Malwa standing behind him with chainsaws. Antonina, Eon, Ousanas, Shakuntala, Irene Makrembolitassa, Kungas, and Rhagunath Rao are all people well worth spending time with. I'd have liked to see a bit more of Byzantium and what's going on back there in this book, but that can wait. We'll be going back.

The really neat thing about this book is that Flint understands that, while wars aren't won without combat, the true battle is always in people's minds and souls. Two scenes in the book bring this out starkly. In one scene (no spoilers here) Belisarius does more damage to the Malwa in ten minutes with his wits, wisdom and words, than in the entire Battle of Charax. He did it so neatly that I didn't even realize the Malwa had been stabbed through the belly until the book was almost over. In the other scene, we encounter the *true* depths of the Malwa evil. The key section occupied only two paragraphs, but when I finished them, I felt as if somebody had dripped icewater down my spine. This is *writing*!

The book is, of course, part of a series, so we don't see how the whole story comes out, but the ending, like those of the earlier books, is both logically and emotionally satisfying. We are allowed to rejoice with our friends even as we realize that the REAL work lies ahead.

There are now three living authors whose new books I'm willing to buy sight unseen on the strength of their names. Poul Anderson, Lois McMaster Bujold, and now, Eric Flint. Once more, thank you Eric. I'm looking forward to the next Belisarius book, to "Rats, Bats and Vats" later this year, and "1633" next year. Peace and blessings.

Fortune's Stroke (2000) is the fourth novel in the Belisarius series, following Destiny's Shield. In the previous volume, the Malwa army lifted the siege of Babylon and pulled their troops back to Charax. Shakuntala had a discussion about her marriage prospects in Suppara, but Kungas recommended that she wait for further developments.

The Persians offered a bride to the Emperor of Rome. Photius was appalled at the idea until his friends pointed out the advantages to the common people of Rome. Then the emperor joined in the celebration and even got a little drunk.

In this novel, Belisarius faces Lord Damodara and the Rajputs in the Zagros mountains. He scouts out the terrain and almost gets caught by an ambush set for him by Rana Sanga, but Belisarius and his bodyguards elude the Rajputs. Belisarius certainly deserves the rebukes he receives from his friends for underestimating his opponents.

Sanga later inspects the scene and tells his subordinate that he had expected the ambush to fail. He also agrees with Pratap that there was no reason for following the Romans through the qanat and plenty of reasons not to do so. Both of them have a profound respect for the ability of Valentinian, not to mention the other Romans.

Antonina is getting a tour of the city of Axum with Eon while his father Kaleb is consulting with the imperial advisors about the proposals from Rome. They are returning to the royal compound when she sees three men -- one an Indian -- running away from the compound. Then Ousanas tackles both Eon and Antonina and takes them to the ground just as a huge explosion destroys the buildings.

The negusa nagast and his eldest son died in the explosion. Now Eon is the only remaining heir to the throne. After a brief -- and largely symbolic -- trial of the dawazz Ousanas, Eon is conferred with the title of negusa nagast. He immediately begins planning for revenge against the Malwa and their dupes.

In Suppara, Irene Macrembolitissa -- Roman ambassador to the rebels in southern India -- literally runs into Kungas in the halls of the palace. She has been briefed by Belisarius, but doesn't expect much from an illiterate barbarian. Then she learns a little more about him and gains ample respect for the man. He is certainly illiterate, but he is not a barbarian. So she starts teaching him to read.

Then Irene has a private meeting with Dadaji Holkar, Shakuntala's peshwa and the former slave of Belisarius. She is expecting his arrival. Irene now has an extensive network of spies and volunteers to search for Dadaji's wife, son and two daughters before he can even ask for her help.

In this story, Rana Sanga realizes that Belisarius is blocking them from turning to the south. Lord Damodara agrees and the two decide to continue to the north into whatever trap Belisarius has contrived. When the Ye-tai object to marching rather than attacking the pass, Damodara gives them the honor of leading the march. Let the Ye-tai bear the brunt of the next ambush.

Then Belisarius discovers that the Malwa army under Damodara has built its own armament industry in Marv using Kushan artisans. Now Damodara is not dependent upon the supply lines from northern India for powder, shot and rockets. Worse yet, the new rockets have venturi to control their flight and are much more accurate.

As the Malwa army attacks the Roman positions, the Rajputs force their way around the flank. The cataphracts counterattack and Belisarius is almost captured. Valentinian is cut off and finds himself in personal combat with Rana Sanga. After hours of swordplay -- with judicious rest periods -- Sanga breaks Valentinian's sword and takes him prisoner. Lord Damodara refuses to ransom Valentinian back to Belisarius.

Eon prepares to put down a revolt within his forces. Three regiments are supporting their own candidate for the negusa nagast. Garmat -- the only surviving advisor to Kaleb -- recommends that they concentrate on gaining the support of the Quraysh in Mecca. Ousanas agrees wholeheartedly with Garmat.

This tale takes Belisarius into a parlay with Rana Sanga where he privately reminds the Rajput to remember the exact words of his oath. Then Belisarius takes his army off the battlefield and pursues other plans. Meanwhile, Antonina is sailing for a rendezvous with her husband.

Aide has learned to mumble. Valentinian has mumbled for years in the service of his maddingly clever general and Aide has taken up the habit. Belisarius now hears mumbles in his head even while Valentinian is a prisoner of the Malwa.

The story has the Romans supplying cannons to the Axum navy as well as for their own ships. Belisarius gains more allies in his campaigns against the Malwa. And the Malwa face another setback in their plans. Enjoy!

Highly recommended for Drake & Flint fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of military and naval combat, political intrigue and a touch of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Eric Flint and David Drake make a great team. I thoroughly enjoed this book. I have read the three previous books in this series and this one continued the story very well. It was worth waiting for.

I love the characters and the plot is fascinating. I have always been interested in this time period, and this series has brought the cultures of this time and place to life for me. I think that I have learned more about india and the people who lived there than I ever did in school. In addition, the authors do a good job of introducing modern military hardware (rockets and guns) and tactics while adjusting them for the capabilities of the period. The military, political and social details in this book add considerable background and depth to the plot.

The only problem was that the book did not hold my interest as intensely as the earlier books did. There were also a few places where I would have been happier with a more detailed build up to a scene. I wanted to know more about what happened to the characters on the way; I wanted richer descriptions. I would have been thrilled if the book had been a hundred pages longer.

This is not a serious problem. The series as a whole is still a rich and enthralling alternative history and I am looking forward to the nect book.

Got it. Read it in one long sitting. Wasted a whole day. Except it wasn't a waste, because it's an excellent book. There's more action among the other characters, but Belisarius remains at the center of this story. Aide becomes more humanized (and occasionally a bit *too* cute), and the story continues. If you liked the earlier books, you'll like this one; it's every bit as good. Also, this book (very much like early Heinlein) is not only a great story, but one with a moral point. It's not heavy-handed, but it's there, and it's good. Bravo!

Let me begin by saying that I read a lot of books in many genres. I don't review most of them but I have to share my absolute pleasure in this series. Except for the Honor Harrington series, I don't read much military sf. I don't recall why I decided to try this series - my experience with Drake has been mixed - but I did. I can truly say that this series is fabulous! I can't remember the last time I finished a chapter in a book and said aloud "this is great stuff." There is hardly a flaw - even the history is accurate. The last time I knew I had something this enthralling was reading David Eddings. I am sure I'll be re-reading this series and sharing it with my friends.

In terms of this particular volume, I believe the authors handled their task well. The growing number of characters and their far-flung locations does slow the action a bit but makes up for it by introducing some interesting developments in terms of lives and romances. At my last count, we had 4 separate major action locations and plot lines. Frankly, that's enough or the books must be longer. This is a danger. As I said in reviewing another book, separate plot lines are fine, as long as they are plot lines and not sound bites. Otherwise, to the authors: keep up the good work and words! Wonderful Stuff! Read it. Now!

FORTUNE'S STROKE is the (action-packed) fourth installment of this series. This time around, Belisarius doesn't have such an easy time defeating the Malwa. The advance of Damodora places him up against Rana Sanga, a warrior he likes and respects. After their encounter in the mountains of Persia, he will respect him even more. Elsewhere, tragedy in Ethiopia spurs on the Axum-Roman alliance, and Antonina furthers her education in the ways of war.

Despite the sheer carnage that forms the center of the book, much of the focus is on human relationships. True Love blossoms for Eon, Shakuntala, Holkar, and Irene, while the devotion of Belisarius and Antonina is unshaken. Just as gratifying is the continued development of Aide into a character with a mind and voice of his own.

It can be taken for granted that the Malwa forces in Mesopotamia and India suffer tremendous losses in this installment. While it's not exactly a cliff-hanger, there is incentive to read the next book. The authors dangle a carrot at the end of the book in the form of the (imperial) ambitions of Narses, now firmly entrenched in the Malwa camp. (For that matter, when will we hear more about Photius and the Roman empire!?) I for one will be haunting the bookstores until THE TIDE OF VICTORY arrives to--well, tide me over.

Great, great, great book. I especially enjoy a great series since I sometimes read 2 to 3 books a week. Very engaging, the characters are real and well developed, the plot is very interesting. I generally do not go in for alternate history but this one draws me in for some reason.

Belisarius has pushed back the Malwa (Indian) invasion of Persia, but the threat remains. While the main Malwa army regroups in southern Persia, their main cavalry force is crossing the Zacros Mountains and threatening northern Mesopotamia. Even the smaller army is large enough to do great damage--and to force the defending Persians and Romans to divide their forces, allowing the main army to attack once more. Somehow, Belisarius must slow the best army the Malwa can bring--yet can even slowing that army do more than delay the inevitable conquest of the entire world by Malwa armies guided by a future intelligence--and equipped with future technology?

FORTUNE'S STROKE continues the BELISARIUS Series. Historically, Belisarius was the greatest general of the late ancient world--the man Byzantine Emperor Justinian relied upon in his reconquest of the Roman Mediterranian. In this alternative history, Belisarius is warned by a crystal intelligence of the destruction sought by the future entity Link, and Link's human servants. Using Roman technology and modern knowledge, Belisarius is able to build a small force of musketeers and develop combined arm tactics that combine the best of Robert E. Lee, and Wellington.

Although the series continues to be interesting, with engaging characters and vivid battle scenes, FORTUNE'S STROKE is not the strongest novel in the series. Although Belisarius and his allies repeatedly note that the first law of battle is that things get messed up (in stronger language), in fact, Belisarius's plans never actually get messed up (except a minor problem at the very beginning). He seems to have just the right future technology at just the right time to do maximum damage to his enemies. Worse, the most dangerous enemies he faces are clearly being set up to become future allies. I also felt disappointed by the 'clever' Belisarius plan at the end. The entire book led up to this--it seems to me that Flint and Drake could have come up with something a little more, uh, oblique.

Authors Eric Flint and David Drake deliver vivid characters along with detailed battle scenes. Although the interaction between Belisarius and Antonia is sometimes a little too precious, most characters become real--even the Malwa and their allies.

Fans of this series will definitely want to read FORTUNE'S STROKE as it details a critical period in the war between Rome and the Malwa, continues character development, and even--brutally but realistically--ends the lives of some characters. This book should not be read first--but fortunately, Flint and Drake offer the first three novels in the series for free from the Baen.com Library so this isn't a problem.

This book carries on the tradition of a fine series. It has strong character development and good continuity with the previous books in the series. Belisarius continues to vex the Malwa with the assistance of his loyal supporters and Aide(his crystalline guide from the future). It also expands the role of those supporters considerably, making Belisarius seem more human.