Kingdom of the Wicked: Book One - Rules (Kingdom of the Wicked Series #1) | Dark Fantasy Novel for Adults | Perfect for Halloween Reading & Book Club Discussions

This is quite an astonishing book. I read a lot of alternative history, and I have to say that this is right up there with the very best. The point of divergences well explained in the appendix. Interestingly the point of divergence, which I will share here, has been discussed in economics blogs, and generally seen as being a reasonable point. In other words there is possibility about this. See here for further discussions : https://medium.com/@MarkKoyama/could-rome-have-had-an-industrial-revolution-4126717370a2 The characters are really well done, even the ones that are historical. There is a plausibility about dialogue, about their actions, and about their inner thoughts. There are some incredibly in magic writing in this, that makes is sit back and think. I have no doubt that the right-wing, the Christian evangelists, these will hate this book with a burning fiery passion. That in itself is a recommendation in my view… but even if you come from a Christian perspective this makes you sit back and think about the nature of people, about the nature of good and evil, and about the way in which we construct our views of the eternal. It takes on some really big questions. When, if ever, is torture allowable? How would you ensure, even if it was, that was effective in the sense of obtaining accurate information? When does somebody go from being a terrorist to being a national hero? How tolerant should we be of other religious or ethical viewpoints? Is chattel slavery worse than economic slavery? What is the nature of gender and sexuality? If colonization brings significant material and economic improvements is a good thing, or is it always bad?This book is the first part of a trilogy, and I for one cannot wait until the next instalment