Frankenstein's Legions

By Dave Morris

Mystery & Thrillers

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Horror

Language: English Restricted (R)

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Overview Ratings & Reviews

Baron Frankensteinfashioned just one creature from the remnants of the dead, but the Governmentswho have hijacked his discoveries see the advantage of resurrection on anindustrial scale. What better way to fight their never-ending wars than witharmies of obedient undead soldiers, recycled from earlier battles? And howbetter to silence their own citizens who protest at ceaseless conflict andplundered graveyards?

Set in the 1830s,Frankenstein’s Legions details an alternative history in which Frankensteinianscience is a reality, revived after patchy prohibition by a second and evenmore fanatical French Revolution. The republican regime, inspired by zeal anddesperation, has swept over Europe, employing inexhaustible swarms ofzombie-like (or lazaran) troops. The remaining independent nations, includingEngland, are obliged to shed their scruples and likewise raise lazaran armies.

Across this crazed andGothic history stride Julius Frankenstein, soldier nephew of the notoriousscientist; Charles Babbage inventor of the Analytical Engine; and theHonourable Augusta Ada, Countess of Lovelace, genius daughter of Lord Byron.Pulling their strings – they believe – are the puppetmasters Talleyrand, Frenchstatesman par excellence and now arenegade in English employ; and Sir Percy Blakeney, sometime Scarlet Pimperneland current head of the British Secret Service.

Meanwhile, the French havebeen unwise enough to revive their recently deceased Emperor. The intention wassimply to pick the brain of history’s foremost military mind. However, therisen Napoleon is developing fresh ambitions of his own…

WARNING: CONTAINS ADULTCONTENT

The Story Behind This Book

In 1830, Victor Frankenstein’s procedures for reanimating the dead have become widely known. Europe is in the grip of a war that cannot end, as soldiers are dragged from the battlefield and reanimated to fight again another day. Neither side can gain ground. Every effort goes to maintain the engine of warfare. In France, a new revolution has occurred more brutal than the last. The ruling council, fanatics of reason, authorize experiments in which men and beasts are stitched together, creating ever more terrible hybrids for the generals to use in battle. The Emperor Napoleon, brought from his grave on St Helena, has been restored to life. His body having partially decayed, he floats inside a glass tank filled with preservative oils brought from Egypt. The revolutionary council consider Napoleon a state asset, an oracle they can consult on how to conduct the war. Napoleon considers himself the rightful Emperor. In Britain, hordes of resurrected war veterans flock to the cities. These are men who have been patched up and reanimated too often. Now they are of no use in battle but they cannot die, so they crawl and beg on the fringes of London’s slums. In places the stench of formaldehyde is overpowering. With the country’s economy weakened by war and disease, and the populace wary and fearful of the “lazarans” in their midst, the authorities maintain a strangling grip on control thanks to the British secret police headed by ruthless Lord Blakeney, the “Bloody Pimpernel”. The Frankenstein technology is unreliable. Restoring life is easy. A man can be made to breathe and speak walk again. But very often it comes at a price – gaps in the memory and a dulling of the intellect, which most count as a blessing. To clearly remember the moment of death would be hard enough. To be considered by others to be a walking, soulless monster and yet to understand your condition and still to feel love for your living family would be too much to bear. Some, like Napoleon, can be restored with their mind intact, but not usually with full vigor. Only a very few are raised from the dead healthy in both mind and body. These lucky accidents are studied by scientists looking to perfect the process, as each side seeks the breakthrough that will turn the war in their favor.

Praise and Reviews

PRAISE FOR JOHN WHITBOURN'S WRITING

“Whitbourn’s wit is both unforced and splendidly droll.” -The Daily Express

“Original and intriguing.” – Starburst

“He doesn’t cheat, and he doesn’t soften the edges.” – Mary Gentle

The Binscombe Tales

“These stories are not comfortable to read, but they still bring enjoyment of good company and the vicarious chill of a good fright at someone else’s expense, and as such are to be heartily recommended.” - Interzone

A Dangerous Energy

“A work of brilliance. Never was a prize more richly deserved.” – Starburst

“A terrifying story, marvellously inventive, written with great power.”
- The Times

The Royal Changeling

“The powerful, dark deviousness of Whitbourn’s world makes this novel most intriguing.” – Locus

“Gutsy, witty and time-twisting.” – The Daily Telegraph

“A great historical fantasy.” – The Bookseller

“A brisk-moving, exciting story, rich in humour and historical detail.” – SFX

Downs-Lord Dawn

“Witty, bawdy, action-packed and extremely clever.” – Waterstone’s SF magazine

“Pulled off with panache and no small amount of humour.” – The Daily Express

“If you’re looking for something entirely different from the run-of-the-mill, make this your first port of call.” – Ariel