"This is the final novel in a strong alternate history series"
In 625 AD, Augustus Galen knows the Roman Empire that he
rules is in deep trouble from the threat of Lord Dahak and
the Persian Empire. The star of Constantinople fell three
years earlier to Lord Dahak leaving the Eastern Roman
Empire teetering on the brink of collapse. Dahak's use of
forbidden sorcery like necromancy has led to a near
invincible force of living and deceased soldiers. With their forces led by General Shahr-Baraz, the Persians
target Aegyptus as the next strategic place to destroy
their rivals. Galen's younger brother Caesar Aurelian
leads the Roman forces, but the morale is low, as the
Persian militia seems invincible. Defeat here would cause
havoc on food supplies for Rome and the knowledge that
crossing the Mediterranean is probably the next focus of
the Persians. A besieged Galen sees a glimmer of hope in
his youngest brother, the strong sorcerer Caesar Maxian and
with an alliance with the Queen of Palmya and Mohammed
Al'Quraysh though both remember the treachery of the
Eastern Roman Empire. The final battle of the war to end
wars will determine who will rule earth for millenniums to
come. THE DARK LORD is the final novel in a strong alternate
history series, the "Oath of Empire". The fourth tale
provides closure to the key themes yet keeps the level of
complexities at stratospheric levels rarely found in this
sub-genre. However, readers, especially the adrenaline
crowd, will find that the intricacies of the plot require
time to develop and maintain. Still, Thomas Harlan
provides quite a coup with this triumphant conclusion to
Rome, circa seventh century AD. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted August 10, 2002
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