In The Peshawar Lancers by S.M. Stirling, a post-apocalyptic alternate history unfolds as a meteor strike reshapes the world, leading to the British Empire relocating to India and rebuilding its power. The story follows the King family's struggles in this new empire, filled with intrigue, spies, and action, set against a backdrop of a steampunk world with airships and steam trains. The narrative is a blend of adventure, historical fiction, and speculative elements, keeping readers engaged with its unique world-building and compelling characters.

Characters:

Characters are a mix of classic adventure tropes with some individuality, especially in exploring gender roles.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is characterized by a mix of adventure and humor, richly describing a steampunk alternate world.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around an alternate history shaped by a meteor disaster in the 19th century, examining the power dynamics of the British Raj and other global actors.

Setting:

The setting features a richly imagined alternate world shaped by catastrophe, where Victorian influences persist in Indian culture.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally quick and engaging, with some unevenness toward the conclusion.

Captain Athelstane King rinsed out his mouth with a swig from the goatskin water bag slung at his saddlebow. Even in October this shadeless, low-lying part of the Northwest Frontier Province was hot; ...

Notes:

The novel is set in an alternate history where a meteor shower in 1878 devastates much of the northern hemisphere.

After the meteor strike, American civilization is wiped out and the British Empire relocates to India.

The British Raj becomes the dominant power, blending British and Indian cultures.

The story features a mix of elements from Victorian society and steampunk technology, including dirigibles and difference engines.

Religious elements are integrated as the Anglican Church adopts Hindu deities as part of the Trinity.

Stirling includes extensive world-building with five appendices explaining the alternate history.

The main character, Athelstane King, is a descendant of a character from Talbot Mundy's works.

Cultural and historical details are richly portrayed, providing depth to the story's setting.

The narrative blends adventure, psychological insight, and a love of history.

The story maintains a Kipling-like exploration of foreign places and cultures.

There are recurring themes of espionage, loyalty, and honor within the context of a powerful empire.

The book features characters of diverse backgrounds, including Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims, reflecting the hybrid culture of the Angrezi Raj.

Stirling's storytelling is enhanced by humor and tension between characters, particularly a mercenary named Ibrahim and a Sikh partner.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The content warnings for The Peshawar Lancers include medium level themes of violence, political intrigue, and darker elements like cannibalism and Satanic worship.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present in The Peshawar Lancers, with multiple romantic subplots intertwined with the main narrative.

From The Publisher:

In the mid-1870s, a violent spray of comets hits Earth, decimating cities, erasing shorelines, and changing the world's climate forever. And just as Earth's temperature dropped, so was civilization frozen in time. Instead of advancing technologically, humanity had to piece itself back together…

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Reader Stats (16):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (11)
Not Interested (2)

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About the Author:

S. M. Stirling is the author of many science fiction and fantasy novels, including the Novels of the Change and the Shadowspawn series. A former lawyer and an amateur historian, he lives in the Southwest with his wife, Jan.

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The Peshawar Lancers