Synopsis
In the bestselling tradition of How the Irish Saved Civilization and Sarum comes an epic historical novel from the author of Taliesin.
BYZANTIUM tells of a band of Irish monks who journey on a pilgrimage to take The book of Keils as a gift to the Holy Roman Emperor in Constantinople. The hero. Aidan, one of the scribes who has created this incredibly valuable treasure, has a vision of his own death, in medieval Byzantium-a mystical vision that does come to pass, but not in the way he foresees it. This incredible tale of adventure follows Aidan's journeys from the Irish Sea, to Gaul, to the Viking kingdoms, down the Volga, and across the desert sands to Persia. He visits Constantinople not once, as he fears, but three times. Along his journey, he loses faith, finds romance, and discovers strengths in himself he never knew.
Born and raised in the United States.
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Review
"The narrative has the excitement of a good fantasy novel, a vivid historical setting and a lengthy, credible and satisfying plot -- just the elements, in fact, that have made Lawhead a commercial success time and again."--"Publishers Weekly""Engrossing with plenty of plot twists...Worthwhile for Lawhead regulars and historical-fantasy fans alike."--"Kirkus Reviews""Here, in the story of a great gift and an even greater journey, is summoned all the magic and splendor, the brutality and the innocence of a lost era -- the not-so-Dark Age when faith ruled men's hearts."--"Smash""Not merely a gripping yarn -- and it certainly is that -- this is also a novel about faith and the tests life plants in its way. Lawhead, author of the popular Pendragon cycle of fantasies, here makes a sure move into mainstream historical fiction."--"Booklist"
From the Back Cover
Although born to rule, Aidan lives as a scribe in a remote Irish monastery on the far, wild edge of Christendom. Secure in work, contemplation, and dreams of the wider world, a miracle bursts into Aidan's quiet life. He is chosen to accompany a small band of monks on a quest to the farthest eastern reaches of the known world. To the fabled city of Byzantium, where they are to present a beautiful and costly hand-illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells, to the Emperor of all Christendom. Thus begins an expedition by sea and over land, as Aidan becomes, by turns, a warrior and a sailor, a slave and a sly, a Viking and a Saracen, and finally, a man. He sees more of the world than most men of his time, becoming an ambassador to kings and an intimate of Byzantium's fabled Golden Court. And finally this valiant Irish monk faces the great trial that can confront any man in any age: commanding his own Destiny.
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