THE WALLS OF BYZANTIUM. [THE MISTRA CHRONICLES.]

UK,thick 8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn. [Complete number line 10 - 1 descending.] FINE/FINE. No owner inscrptn and no price-clip to dw/dj.Bright,crisp,clean,matt,colour pictorial artwork by Alejandro Colucci,illustrated front panel of dw/dj,with embossed,capitalised white-lettered author name and other printed,capitalised white lettering,and embossed,capitalised gilt-lettered title,a dark spine/ backstrip with printed similarly coloured+lettered author name+title as front and publisher's capitalised white lettered and white illustrated colophon to foot of same, rear panel with dark ground to a dark illustration of a sword and a critic's white-lettered review and gold coloured-lettered prose extract. Negligible shelf-wear, bumping,creasing to edges and corners - no nicks,tears or splits present - head of spine/backstrip with minimal bumping and reciprocal creasing.Top+fore-edges generally bright and clean without foxing/spotting; contents bright,tight,clean,solid and sound - virtually pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corner tips,appears unread,other than my own collation. Publisher's bright,crisp,clean,sharp-cornered,original plain black cloth boards with bright,crisp,blocked gilt lettered spine/backstrip,and immaculate repeated Ottoman Empire coloured map illustrated endpapers. UK,thick 8vo HB+ dw/dj,1st edn,1-565pp [paginated] includes a Prologue, Pts 1-3 comprising 9,11,and 5 chapters respectively,and a Historical Note; plus [unpaginated] half-title+title pages,a dedication with a blank verso,contents list/table,double-page b/w Ottoman Empire and environs map,and individual b/w sword illustrated Pts separator pages. Visually the exterior appearance is exceptional,and even internally,the book is also in an exceptional condition/state of preservation and presentation for a book of its 10-year- old age. It really is an exceptional,exemplary copy for its cleanliness and brightness. This sweeping historical novel is shaped by the quest for a mysterious relic,guarded through generations,and by one man that might yet save the threatened Byzantine empire. 'THE WALLS OF BYZANTIUM' is set In an age of clashing empires,as dark forces from the east seem to be sweeping aside everthing in their path and endangering the first light of the western Renaissance. It is an age of ruthless rulers,divided churches,fractured dynasties and highly competitive,intrepid traders,fighting as fiercely for the monopoly of their commadities as any of today. It is an age of great cities like Venice and Constantinople; an age of conquerors like Tamerlane who will drown the world in blood; an age of conquerers like Tamerlane who will drown the world in blood; an age when only a hero of exceptional gifts can make a difference. Luke Magoris is that hero. Born the son of one of the Varangian guards who had sworn to keep the secret safe, he will find himself committed to a long journey to discover - and try to avoid - his destiny. He will travel from battle to trading fortune, from horse dealing to captivity,and to the love of three very different women and the unrelenting enmity of two remarkable men. 'The Walls of Byzantium' is the first of a series that will leave you impatient and longing for the next. Please contact seller,because of the heavier weight of this item,for correct shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas buyers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! ** N.B. ALL buyers please note,the stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order's receipt and before the order's despatch,especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included/FREE. ** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of a less expensive book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always.