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Emperor (Time's Tapestry book 1) by Stephen Baxter
01/05/2007 . Source: Phil Jones 
pub: Gollancz. 300 page enlarged paperback. Price: £10.99 (UK). ISBN: 0-575-07433-7. pub: Gollancz. 300 page enlarged paperback. Price: £ 6.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-0-575-07922-9. Buy Emperor Time's Tapestry in the USA - or Buy Emperor Time's Tapestry in the UK  check out website: www.orionbooks.co.uk
Stephen Baxter is probably better known for hard SF than historical novels. 'Emperor' spans over 450 years and revolves around a prophecy shouted out by a woman in a language she could not known during a terrible storm. The Latin words are scribbled down. In labour, these words turn out to be her last as she gives birth to her son Nectovelin.
From her death, a mystery is formed around the prophecy. It tells of the upcoming Roman invasion of Britain of the emperor who will invade. The building of a great wall in the north. Also of the future and the freedom that Britain will have from the Romans.
The book follows Nectovelin from the invasion of Britain on to his descendants and their interaction with both Romans and the prophecy. The prophecy is lost but a small remnant is carried forward, although some family members fall into slavery. Finally, the meaning of the prophecy is pieced together.
This book covers a huge amount of time and with Baxter writing in a short sporadic almost episodic manner, it does feel like was only skimming the surface. We jump through time passing major events, mainly regarding Britain and its interaction with Rome. The events, dates and the like seem all present and correct and the characters and references seem to check out how you would expect. We have the usual politically wranglings from the princes and leaders trying to prevent the Roman invasion, to the political manoeuvring to get Hadrian's wall's design accepted and built.
It just all feels a bit, well, lacking. There is little in the way in depth with the characters. They go through all the right motions and machinations but that's about it. With the sheer speed we travel through time, there is just not enough space to let the characters breathe or develop. Even if you do find a character you like or start to get a feel for, you're whisked along knowing it's only going to be fleeting at best.
It does feel like the characters are there just to show the various social, economic and historical events. To some extent, they feel recycled as you move into the next portion of history. There is little or no discussion of the sociological impact of the Romans. The book feels very dry and a bit empty. A sort of 'that was ok, but that's it' kind of feeling.
The only true thread through the book is the prophecy and I just don't think there's enough to hold your interest. The writing itself is a bit weak at times and the clinical approach toward history just adds to the lack of belief and reality the book should present.
Phil Jones
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