Author:John Dickinson
There was once no greater advocate for revolution than Michel Wéry. No voice spoke louder, was more impassioned, on the need for a new order, for an end to disparity and injustice - not just in France but throughout the continent. Strange, then, that such a man should find himself in the employ of the Prince Bishop of Erzberg, as scout and spymaster for a regime at absolute odds with his ideals.
But time has taught Wéry harsh lessons: the Terror, the endless wrangling, the petty motivations of France's new ruling class, and the atrocities carried out in freedom's name - all have left their mark. Revolution has spawned a monster, and Wéry has vowed to thwart its march.
And with Paris' scheming now focused on the Prince Bishoprics, her armies poised to strike, it seems fate has thrown Wéry his chance. But just what is he prepared to sacrifice? Himself? surely. A city state? Perhaps. The life of the sister of his one true friend? The beautiful Maria Adelsheim who dances the Lightstep in mourning for a brother, and for a man whom might yet be saved...
Set against a backdrop of political thrust and counter-thrust, of lavish balls and shadowy cults, and to the rhythm of incessant canon-fire, The Lightstep is an epic story of love and honour, and a stunningly realised account of one of the defining moments in modern European history.
A great work of theatre and a true historical epic...John Dickinson writes with a light touch and an eye for detail. He has the ability to paint every scene and draw every character with just a few deft strokes...This is a gem of a novel
—— Historical Novels ReviewA young animal trainer for the gladiatorial games is plunged into the paranoid world of Emperor Caligula's court in this gripping Roman thriller
—— Scotland on SundayLight and dark in equal measure, colourful, thoughtful and bracing
—— Manda ScottJackson brought Rome alive for me, chilling, deadly and magnetic. A wonder filled novel from a master of his trade
—— Anne Berry, author of The Hungry GhostsExuberant...Wildly inventive
—— Michael Gove , The TimesThere are delightful moments aplenty ... Any author who has come up with the beautifully silly plan of melding a kung-fu epic with an Iraq-war satire and a Mad Max adventure has to be worth keeping an eye on
—— GuardianA debut novel of the kind that comes along only once every couple of years, overflowing with imagination yet powered by the kind of cleverly twisting plot that marks him out as a master storyteller ... A quirkily original writer
—— The ScotsmanHas the pace and action of an episode of 24 ... The agility of the narrative is one of the great strengths of this book ... Harkaway is robustly confident ... Particularly effective are his Matrix-like fight scenes, brought to life in meticulous yet flowing prose
—— The TimesA stunning debut ... By turns thrilling, silly, gripping, crazy, daring and outrageous. I loved every minute ... The Gone-Away World is brakes-off fiction
—— Scotland on SundayI loved it...exuberant, mind-bending science-fiction/fantasy adventure about truckers, weapons that wreck the very fabric of existence, foul-mouthed drill instructors, ninjas and stuff like that. But by golly it's well written, funny and enjoyable
—— Sam Leith , Daily MailWith his debut The Gone-Away World, Nick Harkaway has created a fictional universe that is out of this world
—— TatlerA big new book by a big new writer. Well done! Harkaway describes The Gone-Away World in words that whiz and ping like bullets ricocheting off the walls of the reader's mind. He's the real thing
—— Russell HobanA genuine panoramic, 3D, surround-sound, total-immersion, thrill-factor ten miracle - it is the kind of book that you just don't want to end! ... Engrossing, action-packed ... Very highly recommended
—— SFRevu
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