Declare

Tim Powers is best known for his secret histories. Unlike alternate history, a secret history doesn’t change the publicly known facts of the past; instead, it tells a story hidden beneath those facts that may change their meaning.

Powers takes a strict approach to secret history that I admire and try to follow when I can: all the known historical details (who was where and when and what they were doing) must remain the same. His marvelous novel Declare applies this rule to the Kim Philby spy case. Powerful beings that have been dwelling among us provide the hidden motivations… show more.

I consider Tim Powers one of the greatest living authors. I pick up any of his books with caution, because I know I will inevitably ignore my responsibilities for several days until I can finish it. A recurring theme in his works is the complex and fault-ridden protagonist, who undergoes purifying torments through his encounters with the preternatural. In essence, Powers beats the evil out of his protagonists. In Declare, he presents perhaps his most comprehensive mythology of demons as the context for a fascinating Cold War espionage plot. Can a spy engage in a life of deceit without… show more.

A Cold War Era Spy Thriller that draws heavily on real historical events and persons, Declare ups the stakes enormously with the inclusion of Weird entities of devastating power. The spy game between East and West is often centered around new technological superweapons, but in this novel the weapons are literally apocalyptic.

In a world where no one is what they seem to be and allies may become enemies in the blink of an eye, Andrew Hale learns that not all of the players are human and that the real Great Game has been going on since the creation of… show more.