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The High City by Cecelia Holland is a short but action- and character-packed historical novel set in Constantinople in the reign of Basil II at the turn of the first millenium.


In the book it is the early years of the reign of Basil II, who became one most successful, and most feared, Byzantine emperors. But for now, Basil rules as a co-emperor with his brother Constantine, and makes war on a would-be usurper, Bardas Phokas, son of a General who Basil supplanted. Basil’s most trusted troops are foreign mercenaries, the Varangian guard hired from the North. Rus and Norsemen, Viking raiders and wild horsemen from the steppes, they fall upon the elegant city of Constantinople like wolves on a garden party.

Among them is Raef, the wiley son of an Irish slave, who was shipwrecked near the City on his roundabout way home. Raef is well-known to the Varangians, having fought with them before, but refuses to sign up as one of the Emperor's guards. Raef, however has come to the Emperor's notice because of his exceptional fighting skills and his gift of the sight. The Emperor insists that Raef go into enemy territory to retrieve the manipulative, vicious, and disloyal Empress. Will Raef succeed as the Emperor wishes? Will he escape from the seductive influence of the City, and the anger of the slighted Emperor, with his life?

Cecilia Holland is one of the most respected historical novelists in the world, and this book is incredibly well-written. It packs an awful lot in in a small space. Her writing is very economical and implies more than it says with great skill. The historical detail is very rich and well-researched. The depiction of the effete Byzantine court and the ravening Varangians is terrific! The book starts off really fast with a shipwreck and then a battle. The action is really good and sometimes horrific. The reader is also consumed with horror and awe as the psychotic and paranoid character of Basil is revealed.

What a pity that at the end of the book we don't know many details about Raef, only what we've been able to piece together. I was disappointed that there was no protagonist that I could get fond of.

In fact, it is hard to get fond of any character: many seem to have promise and then do disappointing, selfish, and vicious things. This jewel of a book allows just a glimpse through a prism into their lives and then moves on. Only the City remains.

Labels: Basil II - fiction, Cecelia Holland, Constantinople - fiction, High City, Vikings - fiction