«As the ruthless forces of Russia lay waste to the New World, English troops make landfall in the east, determined to reconquer the colonies. Trapped in between are the Native Americans, ex-slaves, and European refugees, led by Benjamin Franklin and the Choctaw shaman Red Shoes. But the balance of power rests with the French woman Adrienne de Montchevreuil, whose grasp of science is the equal of Franklin's, whose magic may be stronger than the Choctaw, and whose shocking secret may call into question where her true allegiances lie... Inventive and exciting, filled with clever details and high adventure, this brings to a close a sequence that seems likely to establish Keyes as one of the more significant and original new fantasy writers to appear in recent years — «Science Fiction Chronicle». Thrilling... The book builds to a climactic confrontation to see who will reshape the universe — «Publishers Weekly».»

Come on a journey sideways through time, and lose yourself in a world both deeply familiar and wondrously strange. In 1681, Sir Isaac Newton turns his restless mind to the ancient art of alchemy, and successfully unleashes Philosopher's Mercury, the key to manipulating the four elements. Powerful kings will battle to control it, till London itself is threatened with obliteration by a hellish device — unless a pair of unlikely geniuses can defuse it in time. This is a fantasy woven from the stuff of history, an enthralling quest whose outcome may raise humanity to unparalleled heights... or bring down the curtain of endless night.