Sabazel

First print-published by Ace Books, 1985

What if an Amazon queen had a love affair with Alexander the Great?

What if their son had to defend his lands from the Mongol Horde?

What if his sister was the priestess of a bull-cult on Crete?

What if her son started the Trojan War -- between India and Persia?

The Sabazel series, four alternate-history, gonzo-mythology epic fantasy novels: Sabazel, The Winter King, Shadow Dancers, Wings of Power.

In a world rooted in Mediterranean history and mythology, armies clash, magicks compete, and the gods set their pawns onto the gameboard. Danica, a warrior-queen, is forced to form a more-than-political alliance with Bellasteros, a warrior-king, making his enemies her enemies. When she rides into battle at his side, carrying his child, his friends become her enemies, too.

Trapped, with no choice but to play the game to the end, they begin to re-evaluate their loyalties. And as their worlds are torn apart by both the clash of arms and supernatural powers,
Danica and Bellasteros discover that only overcoming their old prejudices—and leading their followers into the same change—will save them and their child.

". . .I love this book. A functioning Amazonian society with a kickass queen, navigating the waters of political alliance and war? Sign my silly butt up. This is one of those books I read every few years, and I’m always pleasantly surprised by how good it is each time."---Lilith Saintcrow, author of the Dante Valentine series

“Sabazel is the first treatment of Amazon society that can be considering a major success. It has the first honest and convincing milieu with wholly believable characters. It's my idea of genuine heroic vision.”---Jessica Amanda Salmonson

“...a story told at many levels...a lot of thought-provoking conflict...what makes these books instructive...is the lessons they teach on the clash of cultures. What the author has to say is well worth reading.”---John T. Sapienza, jr, Different Worlds

“A marvelous sense of romantic adventure ... strong characterizations complimented by an
evocative magical poetry in the imagery.”—Robert Hadji, Borderland