Archives: Book Reviews

     Stephen Baxter is best known for science fiction novels that range over millennia. Emperor (Time's Tapestry: Book One) (Gollancz, $32.95) is more historical novel, but I'm sure we can expect to see more science fiction as the series develops. The speculative angle in this novel comes from a prophesy that spills from the lips of women, at different periods, during childbirth. Baxter begins this series in Britain, it is 4 BC and the Roman's have been repelled for now. I must say Baxter has chronicled the lives of fiction's most lucky family. Members of the same family, at different times make attempts on the life of a Roman Emperor and they all survive. Remarkable luck. Was it Time's Tapestry helping them along?