In the Heart of Darkness

Written by David Drake and Eric Flint

Narrated by Pete Bradbury

The Malwa Empire has conquered 6th century India and is forging the subcontinent's vast population into an invincible weapon of tyranny. Belisarius, the finest general of his age, must save the world. Guided by visions from a future that may never be, he and a band of comrades penetrate the Malwa heartland, seeking the core of the enemy's power. And when Belisarius leads the forces of good, only a fool would side with evil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781980049814

David Drake

David Drake (born 1945) sold his first story (a fantasy) at age 20. His undergraduate majors at the University of Iowa were history (with honors) and Latin (BA, 1967). He uses his training in both subjects extensively in his fiction. David entered Duke Law School in 1967 and graduated five years later (JD, 1972). The delay was caused by his being drafted into the US Army. He served in 1970 as an enlisted interrogator with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, the Blackhorse, in Viet Nam and Cambodia. He has used his legal and particularly his military experiences extensively in his fiction also. David practiced law for eight years; drove a city bus for one year; and has been a full-time freelance writer since 1981, writing such novels as Out of the Waters and Monsters of the Earth. He reads and travels extensively.

Reviews for In the Heart of Darkness

[wbentrim · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In the Heart of Darkness by David Drake & Eric Flint Belisarius, a Roman general, goes to India to spy on the Malwa. His “magic” crystal informs him that the Malwa have their own “link” to the future. His adventures as a spy, turncoat and redeemer comprise the main plot line. The subplot of his wife, Irene the spymaster and Theodora the empress provide the corollary subplots. Flint and Drake do a great job with heroes. They paint larger than life characters with noble characteristics. They also have no problem portraying strong, butt kicking female protagonists. I enjoy the empowerment of the female characters. The portrayal of ruthlessness as both positive and negative, depending on who is using it, causes one to ponder ethics in general. I enjoyed the book, I recommend it. It is a good series and I intend to finish it.

[readinggeek451 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The second in Flint and Drake's Belisarius series. Two supercomputers from the far future have travelled back to the ancient world. One, in India, is driving the Malwa empire to cruel world conquest. The other, in Justinian's Constantinople, is guiding the great general Belisarius to stand against them. War, mayhem, intrigue, and weapons development ensue.

[tshare_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A gripping tale. The characters are compelling and heroic. The story is imaginative and exciting.