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Varangian Trilogy #1
Varangian: The Stone of Babylon
Bound by an ancient oath, Edric is protecting a powerful secret...
Anglo-Saxon Edric is a Varangian, the member of an elite military force in medieval Constantinople. Being part secret service agent, part imperial security detail, he is privy to all kinds of secrets and intrigues in a strategically significant city embroiled in wars as well as internal political turmoil. But Edric is taken by surprise, when he finds out that his friend, an alchemist from Persia, has given him superpowers and wants him to protect the Stone of Babylon - by any means necessary.
This task sends Edric on a mind-bending journey of epic proportions, full of exciting clashes with warriors and supernatural beings, dangerous alchemy, time travel, fantastical machines, and the acquaintances of strikingly beautiful members of the opposite sex (and not all of them seem to be concerned with his well-being). A journey that not only will reveal to him the purpose of the Stone of Babylon, but also show him his true strength. (This is the first book in a trilogy.)
Anglo-Saxon Edric is a Varangian, the member of an elite military force in medieval Constantinople. Being part secret service agent, part imperial security detail, he is privy to all kinds of secrets and intrigues in a strategically significant city embroiled in wars as well as internal political turmoil. But Edric is taken by surprise, when he finds out that his friend, an alchemist from Persia, has given him superpowers and wants him to protect the Stone of Babylon - by any means necessary.
This task sends Edric on a mind-bending journey of epic proportions, full of exciting clashes with warriors and supernatural beings, dangerous alchemy, time travel, fantastical machines, and the acquaintances of strikingly beautiful members of the opposite sex (and not all of them seem to be concerned with his well-being). A journey that not only will reveal to him the purpose of the Stone of Babylon, but also show him his true strength. (This is the first book in a trilogy.)
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
6 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Sabine K. Atkins
4Ìýbooks6ÌýfollowersBorn in the southern German state of Bavaria (that's the area with the Alps, Munich, beer, lederhosen and the Oktoberfest), I grew up listening to and reading old German fairy tales and folk stories. Then, in my early teens, I began to write down my own stories, first on an old mechanical typewriter I had found hidden away in my family's belongings.
I especially remember the times spent with my grandmother who never ran out of ghost stories and little anecdotes from the Bavarian province of Franconia, a picturesque area with the ruins of medieval castles, lush forests and rolling hills as well as hauntingly beautiful autumns and winters.
After immigrating to the US, I became a citizen in 2005. I now reside with my husband near Nashville in Tennessee. As a big fan of music (and hobby singer), I feel very fortunate to live so close to vibrant Music City.
Besides my work as a writer and music, I like hiking, mountain biking, swimming, art, history, movies, science and technology.
I'm interested in combining the folk tales of the old world with fast-paced modern storytelling driven by unique characters and the powerful imagery of US blockbuster movies.
I love to hear from my readers! If you have suggestions or questions about my work (or just want to say Hi) please feel free to contact me!
I'm also on Pinterest () and Twitter @SK_Atkins.
I also write under the author name:
S.K. Atkins
I especially remember the times spent with my grandmother who never ran out of ghost stories and little anecdotes from the Bavarian province of Franconia, a picturesque area with the ruins of medieval castles, lush forests and rolling hills as well as hauntingly beautiful autumns and winters.
After immigrating to the US, I became a citizen in 2005. I now reside with my husband near Nashville in Tennessee. As a big fan of music (and hobby singer), I feel very fortunate to live so close to vibrant Music City.
Besides my work as a writer and music, I like hiking, mountain biking, swimming, art, history, movies, science and technology.
I'm interested in combining the folk tales of the old world with fast-paced modern storytelling driven by unique characters and the powerful imagery of US blockbuster movies.
I love to hear from my readers! If you have suggestions or questions about my work (or just want to say Hi) please feel free to contact me!
I'm also on Pinterest () and Twitter @SK_Atkins.
I also write under the author name:
S.K. Atkins
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 13, 2011
I started as a mix of history and fantasy and turned into something different which I can't tell you without giving away too much of the story.
Edric is a fascinating character. The story is well done and I can't wait to see how the story will continue.
Great debut. Well done Sabine Atkins. You have a new fan.
Varangian: The Stone of Babylon is an absolutely great blend of history, fantasy, superpowers and time travel which blossoms in an adventurous roller coaster ride of a story starring Edric who is fascinating character because he is intelligent, powerful, honest, sometimes naive, shy and stubborn. He belongs to the kind of characters who are always true to themselves and which you sometimes want to kiss and to slap into the face at the same time.
Read my full review over at .
The full review will also be published over at Amazon DE, UK, US under hte nickname brienneselwyn.
Edric is a fascinating character. The story is well done and I can't wait to see how the story will continue.
Great debut. Well done Sabine Atkins. You have a new fan.
Varangian: The Stone of Babylon is an absolutely great blend of history, fantasy, superpowers and time travel which blossoms in an adventurous roller coaster ride of a story starring Edric who is fascinating character because he is intelligent, powerful, honest, sometimes naive, shy and stubborn. He belongs to the kind of characters who are always true to themselves and which you sometimes want to kiss and to slap into the face at the same time.
Read my full review over at .
The full review will also be published over at Amazon DE, UK, US under hte nickname brienneselwyn.
January 21, 2019
Book Review- Varangian: The Stone of Babylon by Sabine Atkins
Edrick is the member of an ancient guard that protects the emperor. However, he has been enhanced by Naheed. His character is strong and true. I liked him instantly. He did his job but knew what was right. However, the story was a bit lacking. I wish the author would have developed the characters wore. Edric was a good guy but his personality seemed a bit stilted. You weren’t sure what was really going on with him.
The storyline was filled with action and suspense, but it seemed to be different scenarios strung along without a lot of in between depth for characters to process. Carin was pulled in to this ordeal with Edric but was never really allowed by the author to truly react to the situations. Plus, the characters changed to easily. Renata changed completely later, and it was a total change in an instant. It was hard to relate to any of these characters in the sense we weren’t allowed to get to know them at all. I didn’t feel like I was part of the story. It felt like I was reading a report of details given by another person. It was too disconnected as I read though the story.
Then the whole idea of the story line was a bit confusing. The stone of Babylon was the item they sought and were sent of a wild chase to get. The author could have done a lot with the idea presented and could’ve developed into some complex personalities who participated in the search. I give this book a 2 out of 5.
Edrick is the member of an ancient guard that protects the emperor. However, he has been enhanced by Naheed. His character is strong and true. I liked him instantly. He did his job but knew what was right. However, the story was a bit lacking. I wish the author would have developed the characters wore. Edric was a good guy but his personality seemed a bit stilted. You weren’t sure what was really going on with him.
The storyline was filled with action and suspense, but it seemed to be different scenarios strung along without a lot of in between depth for characters to process. Carin was pulled in to this ordeal with Edric but was never really allowed by the author to truly react to the situations. Plus, the characters changed to easily. Renata changed completely later, and it was a total change in an instant. It was hard to relate to any of these characters in the sense we weren’t allowed to get to know them at all. I didn’t feel like I was part of the story. It felt like I was reading a report of details given by another person. It was too disconnected as I read though the story.
Then the whole idea of the story line was a bit confusing. The stone of Babylon was the item they sought and were sent of a wild chase to get. The author could have done a lot with the idea presented and could’ve developed into some complex personalities who participated in the search. I give this book a 2 out of 5.
October 11, 2012
The story began in Constantinople in the early 13th century when Edric and other members of the Varangian guard
protected the life of the emperor. About 40% through the book there was a "time travel" event and things really
changed.
This is the first book in a series and the book had a "cliff hanger" ending.
Some violence
no explicite sex
protected the life of the emperor. About 40% through the book there was a "time travel" event and things really
changed.
This is the first book in a series and the book had a "cliff hanger" ending.
Some violence
no explicite sex
April 12, 2012
So exciting. Mix of fantasy and history, action and romance. Love Edric but waiting to read more of Baldwin too. Hope they will become friends. Will definitely buy the book. Can't wait ro read the following one. Don't keep us in suspence too long.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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