Gate of Fire [Paperback]

Thomas Harlan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 2000

The Gate of Fire continues Tom Harlan's remarkable fantasy epic, following the increasingly dangerous conflicts both military and sorcerous. The sorcerer Dahak plots from his hidden citadel to regain the Peacock Throne. Prince Maxian, having raised both Julius Ceasar and Alexander the Great from the dead, now considers how to use them to free Rome from the curse of the Oath. Thyatis has fled with the widowed Queen of Persia to a hidden island; Dwyrin's thaumaturgic unit is shattered as Zoe discovers the destruction of Palmyra and, as its new queen, vows revenge against Rome. And in Mecca, Ahmet's friend and Palmyra's lieutenant Mohammed receives a vision, and a command, and the power to strive against the forces of darkness.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This sequel to The Shadow of Ararat is the second book in the Oath of Empire series, set in an alternate Roman Empire circa A.D. 623. Prince Maxian, younger brother to Galen, Emperor of the Western Empire (Rome), and Heraclius, Emperor of the Eastern Empire (Constantinople), has returned to Rome to disrupt the magical power of the centuries-old oath of allegiance to the Emperor that all legionnaires take. Maxian believes the oath constrains citizens to a narrow path, stifling creativity as well as any thought of disobedience, and he intends to use all his sorcerous power--and the help of Alexander the Great and Gaius Julius Caesar, whom he has raised from the dead--to succeed. The Empire, meanwhile, is threatened by multiple enemies: The insane Persian necromancer Dahak is determined to raise an army by any means to regain the Peacock Throne toppled by the Empire. Zoë, niece of Palmyra's Queen Zenobia, and her ragged but determined followers plot revenge on Rome for allowing the Persians to sack and destroy their beloved city. And in the deserts of Iraq, a man named Mohammed is driven by a prophetic vision to build an army against the Empire. Harlan's attention to detail is impressive, at times overwhelming, as he fills the broad canvas of his hypothetical Roman Empire. Readers with the stamina to follow every thread of the multitudinous plot lines here will find a vigorously imagined, thought-provoking story. --Charlene Brusso --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

As Prince Maxian attempts desperate measures to free Rome from a powerful curse, his brother Galen, emperor of the Western Roman Empire, returns from the war with Persia to a trouble-filled city. In the East, a merchant prince known as Mohammed answers a divine call and gathers followers to his holy cause, while a sorcerer traffics in dark magics in pursuit of earthly power. Harlan's sequel to The Shadow of Ararat continues an epic tale of alternate history set in a seventh-century setting where the twin Empires of Rome rule the known world through might and magic. Strong storytelling and complex characters make this historical fantasy a good choice for most libraries.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; First Edition edition (May 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765336049
• ISBN-13: 978-0765336040
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,886,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Tucson, AZ of scientist parents, have always drawn or told or written stories of adventure. Have had one or two adventures myself, but none more exhausting than raising my kids!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Gate of Fire" is a spectacular sequel, May 30, 2000

By 

John Kuo (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gate of Fire (Oath of Empire, Book 2) (Hardcover)

Having read "Shadow of Ararat" and not contributed any comment, I definitely have to say something about "Gate of Fire." This is a stunning, almost overwhelming sequel to "Shadow." Considering the size of the tapestry and the many threads we were given in "Shadow," "The Gate of Fire" somehow manages to weave these ever more intricately, preserving threads we had thought cut, and adding new ones to boot.

In "Gate" we are introduced to a new character in the form of Nicholas, who wields his sword Brunhilde in his service as an agent of the Empire. He soon gains a sidekick who has, shall we say, a lycanthropic aspect. Other favorite characters we had thought lost are re-introduced. Necromancy abounds-I wonder if any character we love will really stay dead for long (although one of my favorites does appear to suffer a rather permanent demise). We learn that Mohammed (one of my favorite "Shadow" characters) may really be THE Mohammed of this world (although some small details insure that he can't really be the exact analog to our world's prophet of Islam). And so the threads of Jihad are now added to the weave...

There are battles a-plenty, on land and sea, both great and small. Thomas Harlan can put you in the middle of a pitched combat like no other author I know of. Each scene is captured in slow-motion detail that creates poetry from the chaos of the melee.

What about rest of the cast? Maxian still seeks to save Rome, but a great tragedy of timing and misunderstanding leads to one of the more ambitious climaxes and cliffhangers I've read. The survivors of Palmyra seek vengeance. More of Thyatis' history is revealed, and she is given a mission that may be the last of her career. In Persia, dark forces stir as Dahak's purposes are further revealed. The list goes on and on.

Other characters are coming into their own as well-Dyrwin proves a skilled and apt pyromancer, Shirin discovers talents of her own, Krista is torn between love and loyalty. And the goals of resurrected legends become clearer...

All I can say in conclusion is this: Thomas, hurry up and finish "Storm of Heaven!"

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than "Shadow of Ararat" and that was a good book!, May 4, 2000

By 

t.m. flores (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gate of Fire (Oath of Empire, Book 2) (Hardcover)

Gate of Fire is pretty terrific. The action is even better than in 'Shadow' and other than the slightly - well, silly - lesbian love scene with the tinkling of ankle bracelet bells on the beach (!), Gate of Fire has all the things you look for in a sequel - explosions! death! insanity! bands breaking up! betrayal! The author continues to mature as a writer, there are still an abundance of smarty-pants italicized words to keep the dead language mavens all giggly and happy, and the story grows more compelling with each page. New favorite character: Mohammed. Read it and you are likely to love him best too.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich Complex Believable, September 3, 2000

By 

Patrick Darden (Watkinsville, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Gate of Fire (Oath of Empire, Book 2) (Hardcover)

Right now, there are perhaps three series that are as rich, complex, and well written: George Martin's Song of Fire and Ice; Jordan's Wheel of Time; and Mary Gentle's Secret History of Ashe.

Harlan's writing is extremely skillful in that it never gets in the way, yet paints extremely complex portraits of characters and situations. He does not depend on devices such as deus ex to help him out, as he never paints himself into a corner--his plots are tight and well thought out and his characters are understandable and empathetic. They do not agree with eachother, they do not always get along, and life is not wonderful. This is a sophisticated work, with one of the main personalities gradually subverting to evil, although his intentions are the purest.

Gate of Fire is the second in the series, and it is as good as the first. Do yourself a favor. Read it.