Ratings3
Average rating2.3
An Oblique Approach: In northern India the Malwa have created an empire of unexampled evil. Guided or possessed by an intelligence from beyond time, with new weapons, old treachery, and an implacable will to power, the Malwa will sweep over the whole Earth. Only three things stand between the Malwa and their plan of eternal domination: the empire of Rome in the East, Byzantium; a crystal with vision; and a man named Belisarius, the greatest commander Earth has ever known. In the Heart of Darkness: Having conquered sixth century India, the Malwa Empire is forging the subcontinent's vast population into an invincible weapon of tyranny. Belisarius, the finest general of his age, must save the world. Guided by visions from a future that may never be, he and a band of comrades penetrate the Malwa heartland, seeking the core of the enemy's power. And when Belisarius leads the forces of good, only a fool would side with evil.--From publisher description.
Reviews with the most likes.
Fictionalized history, especially with military intrigue, can be fun. But this book has an awful lot of rape. Discussed or just “off camera” but a lot. Gang rape by conquering armies too. The good guys don't rape, they whore. Except the extra good main character who is totally faithful to his hot older wife (a former whore.) It's accurate to the time but still. Yikes. Several mentions of pedophilia as well.
The sci fi aspects of the series don't get fleshed out in this book. There's a magic sentient rock that tells the future.
The author goes off on so many tangents. Often we hear all about a character's life long-term, then go back to the present when none of that has happened. I guess it's the precognisent rock effect but it gets tedious.
My husband really likes this series, it's just not my cup of tea.
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6 primary booksBelisarius is a 5-book series with 5 primary works first released in 1998 with contributions by David Drake and Eric Flint.