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Fiction Historical

The High City

by (author) Cecelia Holland

Publisher
Tom Doherty Associates
Initial publish date
Feb 2009
Category
Historical, General
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780765305596
    Publish Date
    Feb 2009
    List Price
    $28.95

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Description

It is the early years of the reign of Basil II, who became one most successful, and most feared, Byzantine emperors. But for now, Basil rules as a co-emperor with his brother Constantine, and makes war on a would-be usurper, Bardas Phokas, son of a General who Basil supplanted.

Basil’s most trusted troops are foreign mercenaries, the Varangian guard hired from the North. Rus and Norsemen, Viking raiders and wild horsemen from the steppes, they fall upon the elegant city of Constantinople like wolves on a garden party. Among them is the wily young son of an Irish slave, who comes to the notice of the emperor’s wife. But being noticed by an angry emperor is not safe at all.

About the author

CECELIA HOLLAND is widely acknowledged as one of the finest historical novelists of our time. She is the author of more than thirty novels, including The Angel and the Sword and The Kings in Winter. Holland lives in Humboldt County, in northern California, where she teaches creative writing. She is currently at work on a new historical novel.

Cecelia Holland's profile page