Two millennia from now, there is no more electricity, wind engines are leading-edge technology, librarians fight duels to settle disputes, steam power is banned by every major religion, and a mysterious siren "Call" lures people to their watery graves. Nevertheless, a brilliant and ruthless leader intends to start an improbable war: a war against inconceivably ancient nuclear battlestations orbiting Earth. However, the greatest threat to humanity is not these ancient weapons but a demented and implacable enemy who has resurrected an obscene and evil concept from the distant past.

Author Biography

Sean McMullen is one of the leading Australian SF authors to emerge during the 1990s, having won more than a dozen national awards in his homeland. In addition, he has sold several dozen short stories to magazines such as "Analog, Interzone," and "Fantasy & Science Fiction," and was co-author of "Strange Constellations, a History of Australian SF." He established himself in the American market with the publication of the "Greatwinter trilogy" (comprised of" Souls in the Great Machine, The Miocene Arrow, "and" Eyes of the Calculor)." His fiction has been translated into Polish, French, and Japanese. The settings for Sean's work range from the Roman Empire, through Medieval Europe, to cities of the distant future. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from Melbourne University, and post-graduate diplomas in computer science, information science and business management. He is currently doing a PhD in Medieval Fantasy Literature at Melbourne University, where he is also the deputy instructor at the campus karate club, and a member of the fencing club. Before he began writing, Sean spent several years in student reviews and theatre, and was lead singer in three rock and folk bands. After singing in several early music groups and choirs, he spent two years in the Victorian State Opera before he began writing. He lives in Melbourne with his wife Trish and daughter Catherine.