King and Emperor (Hammer and the Cross) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Harry Harrison (Author) "High in the sky, small white clouds scudded before the strong wind from the south-west..." (more)
Key Phrases: red galleys, floating fort, leather carpet, Holy Lance, Emperor of the Romans, Saint Peter (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
From a veteran like Harrison, readers expect a well-researched historical fantasy full of challenging speculations about the growth and nature of technology. And that's just what they get in this final volume of the trilogy that also includes Hammer and the Cross and One King's Way. Set in an alternative Dark Ages, it continues the story of Shef, risen in the late 800s to kingship over England, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Shef's religion, the Way, which involves a worship of Norse gods, is gaining ascendance over Christianity. Meanwhile, his support for "new knowledge, or old knowledge recognized" illuminates the Dark Ages with developments such as paper, arithmetic, distilled alcohol, advanced armaments and even manned flight. The plot depicts war and political intrigue among Shef, the Greek Emperor Basil I, the Roman emperor, the Caliph of Cordova and the heretic Cathas, who may hold the secret of the Holy Grail. Supernatural forces seem to be involved in the play of events; the entertaining, intelligent play of the novel, however, stems from Harrison's natural talent, as evident here as in his first novel, Deathworld, published 36 years ago.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
In this alternate history, the Norseman Shef, a visionary and warrior, has risen to become a king in England during the Dark Ages. He now faces the might of the Roman Empire in 875 A.D. with the invention of the parasail kite to aid him. Harrison and Holm have created a richly drawn world, lush with historical detail. Though part of an ongoing series, this highly recommended fantasy can stand alone.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Tor Fantasy (June 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812536460
• ISBN-13: 978-0812536461
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #644,739 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In a different Universe, November 24, 2000

By	Maximiliano F Yofre "Maxi" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I've enjoyed this third volume of "Hammer & the Cross" saga greatly. First I want to point out how Harrison starts from an universe deeply rooted in early middle ages in the first volume and end in a completely different environment, created by the new facts and actions performed by Shef and his pals.

In "King and Emperor", the human dimension of each character grows and they are confronted with moral and ethical dilemmas. Shef, Svandis, Cwicca, Thorvin, Bruno, Brand and the rest (even the crooked Erkenbert) has to choose between different actions in order to proceed. Still is a novel full of action, adventure and entertainment. In my personal point of view, some aspects of Svandis cuasi Freudian dream explanations are out of context. I don't agree with other reviewers, in their appreciation of an abrupt and rash ending of the novel. The confrontation between Bruno and Shef is well paced and reach a "logical" ending.

The overall background of examining different religious beliefs is provoking, but each reader may extract it's own conclusions without being forced by the author to take sides or accept his points of view.
A great book!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Series, Pity about the ending though., February 27, 1999

By	Michael Akinde ([e-mail]) (Aalborg, Denmark) - See all my reviews

A pity that this book does not measure up to the rest of the series. Harrison gets obsessed with the "oppressiveness" of Christianity, and the story seems to end up more as a sermon, than a novel. The "Way", while an interesting read in alternate history, becomes increasingly unrealistic as the story progresses - and Shef's portrayal as a Christ figure increasingly obvious.

It's the ending that spoils the story, though. The wrap-up is short - and frankly, quite unrealistic. Harrison gets carried away by his vision of a different dark-ages world, and turns it utopian. Read it, if you read and liked the previous two novels - but don't expect it to measure up to the others.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of My Old Favorites, April 4, 2002

By	A. Holt "holtingar" (Pennsylvania, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love this trilogy, from the start of book one to the end of book three, the historical aspects are pointed out in a way that fits as part of the story and they don't overthrow the plot, lending the books a very authoritative tone. The Characters are great, (Brand is one of my favorites) and there's plenty of action. What I like best about these books is that Harrison really makes you feel inside the story, the way he handles the characters attitudes towards each other and their surroundings really makes you feel like you're right with them weather it's Anglo-Saxon England, Scandinavia, The Frankish Empire, Muslum Spain or what's left of Rome. As for character development, Harrison has a great way of using the third-person point of view in a way that can convey things unknown to the characters yet at the same time the tone of the narrative is flavored with the particular character's personality, culture and view of their surroundings, helping the reader understand more fully the motives and inhibitions of the people he describes. I read these back in high school and loved them then as much I still do now.