Tomorrow We Will Know: A Novel of Imperial Constantinople 1453
In 1444 CE, Zoe, the vivacious eleven-year-old redhaired daughter of a Greek duke, is already smitten by Prince Constantine, who will later become the Emperor of the Christian Greek Roman Empire with its capital at Constantinople. Fast-forward to 1453, and Constantine, now ruler, stands on the defensive walls of the city under siege by a vastly larger invading army led by an ambitious Eastern sultan. For purely political reasons, Zoe and Constantine must keep their marriage a secret, yet she remains his one solace.
The Christian and Muslim royals share some things in common, including interfamilial rivalries and feuds among various factions of their own coreligionists. The Sultan Mehmet has his infant brother strangled to prevent any future challenges, while Constantine has problems with his own family, not to mention the need to reconcile the differences between the Eastern and Western Christian churches. When a Hungarian Christian inventor of humble origin finally receives a hurried audience with Constantine to discuss his concept for a revolutionary new cannon, he is dismissed as being mad. As the siege progresses, a noble visitor from the West arrives with help and impresses both Emperor and his secret Empress immensely. But is this too little, too late? Meanwhile, the Hungarian and his idea for an all-powerful bombard have been received with favor by Mehmet and the Turks, who immediately recognize merit over title.
Initially concerned this monumental historical event might be trivialized into some simple and common love story, I was delighted to be wrong. The author presents us with a memorable romance but also illuminates the reader on the geopolitical aspects of the time and, surprisingly, the tactical, technical, and operational details of medieval siege warfare. An outstanding historical novel which the reader will long remember. Strongly recommended.
