Publishers Weekly
★ 04/30/2018
Prolific fantasist Stirling (the Emberverse series) packs a mighty wallop in this high-spirited alternate WWI history, starring redoubtable Cuban-Irish-American heroine Luz O’Malley Aróstegui. It’s 1916, and Luz’s honorary uncle, Teddy Roosevelt, is president. Adrenaline-charged Luz, a secret agent of the CIA-like Black Chamber, sails the Atlantic on a sumptuous dirigible, inveigling herself into the arms of handsome German spy Baron Horst von Dückler so she can pry out information about Germany’s horrifying plot to prevent America from entering the war. Throughout, Luz utilizes the prevailing underestimation of women to efficiently dispose of Parisian street fighters, demolish a German professor’s interpretation of Nietzsche, pilfer the German plans, and endure two weeks on a U-boat with Horst and lissome Ciara, Luz’s other romantic interest. Sterling’s lavish historical, linguistic, and cultural detail—including sly digs at real-life figures, such as a youthful J. Edgar Hoover—enhance well-rounded characters to make this a highly enjoyable espionage romp. (July)
From the Publisher
A rollicking spy thriller set in a familiar WW1, but with a 'what might have been' America racing to cope with a far deadlier, more desperate Germany.”—Taylor Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of River of Bones
“A slam-bang spy thriller with an engaging female protagonist.”—David Drake, author of Death's Bright Day
“Nobody carries a bigger stick in the alternate-history game than S. M. Stirling. As always, he comes up with inventive twists that keep your mind racing and the pages turning. Bravo!”—Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of Quantum Night
“Once again one of the best story-tellers in the world takes you on a wonderful ride. Great tale, great characters...love it.”—David Crosby, of the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash
“The nice thing about getting a Steve Stirling book in the mail is that you know for a few hours you can fly on dreams of wonder, travelling to a world so much more than this angry reality.”—John Ringo, author of Under a Graveyard Sky
“It's a great feeling being in the hands of an alternate history master. Black Chamber is a wonderfully fun transcontinental spy romp, and a great beginning to a new series.”—Django Wexler, author of The Infernal Battalion
“Stirling packs a mighty wallop in this high-spirited alternate WWI history…Stirling’s lavish historical, linguistic, and cultural detail...enhance well-rounded figures to make this a highly enjoyable espionage romp.”—Publishers Weekly
“Too many Alternate History stories have become sadly routine. Riding to the rescue is S. M. Stirling's Black Chamber. This novel provides a desperately needed infusion of courage and originality. How appropriate that Penguin, publisher of the James Bond novels, launches a hard edged new spy series with Stirling. How appropriate that Ace, famous for classic science fiction, is onboard for the adventure. Beware the Breath of Loki.”—Brad Linaweaver, Prometheus Award winning author of Moon of Ice
“Black Chamber is one mighty fine read—sexy, action-filled adventure in a thoughtful alternate history. Enjoy!”—Lawrence-Watt Evans
“Black Chamber is one of the most intriguing and entertaining adventures to come along in years. If you like alternate history, you will appreciate Stirling’s take on what Teddy Roosevelt could have accomplished if he had been allowed. If you like steam punk, you will enjoy elegant inventions that are firmly based on science. If you like derring-do, you will thrill to car chases and combats of all kinds ( there is one scene that anyone with acrophobia might want to avoid). And whatever your gender, if you like a feisty, sexy, intelligent heroine, meet Field Operative Luz O’Malley Arostegui!”—Diana L. Paxson, author of Sword of Avalon
“There’s something very exhilarating about watching somebody at the peak of his powers attempt something extremely difficult and pull it off with apparently ridiculous ease. This is a sheer joy of an alternative history, featuring probably the most interesting and talented President ever in a term he never served and a new and darker view of the First World War.”—Patricia Finney, author of Gloriana’s Torch
