Empire of the East by Fred Saberhagen
One of the things I love most about reading on a Kindle is rediscovering books and authors I haven’t read in a long, long time. As I come across bargain books from my youth through ebook discount services like BookBub and Early Bird Books, I purchase them and put them on my ever-growing To-Be-Read list. That’s how I ended up re-reading one of my favorite books from the past, Empire of the East by Fred Saberhagen.
Empire of the East blends science fiction and fantasy in post-apocalyptic America.The story has that medieval fantasy feel, with sword-wielding warriors and spell-casting wizards; but every so often the characters will come across flashlights, hand grenades, and even tanks left over from the Old Days.
From the publisher:
In the distant future, society has crumbled. Dark forces now rule the land, keeping all humans under their oppressive thumbs.
In the darkness of the shadows and whispered on the winds, there is talk of a rebellion. In the swamps, a small band has formed. Determined to regain their freedom, the rebellion, heavily outnumbered, plans to overthrow an army of thousands . . . with the help of one incredible weapon.
It is only a legend, a story left over from the Old World before magic and the wizards came to the land. A weapon of technology. It is the mystical Elephant, and whoever masters it holds the key to freedom, or defeat.
One young man, determined to avenge the death of his family, sets out to join the rebellion and find Elephant. What he discovers will change everything.
Anyone who likes lighter heroic fantasy along the lines of David Eddings or Terry Brooks will probably feel right at home in Saberhagen’s world. Though the book doesn’t explore themes as profound as those in Saberhagen’s Berserker series, it does have its thought-provoking moments. Fantasy fans should definitely give this one a try.
Empire of the East by Fred Saberhagen
First edition New York: Ace, 1979
Kindle edition Macmillan, 2010
Print length: 512 pages
