Past Imperative
{4.5/5} “If a man is prophesied to die in battle and you poison him first at his dinner table, then you have invalidated the entire prophecy, you see? … If any one statement is clearly discredited, then the future described is no longer valid and none of the rest of the prophecy applies anymore. If the prophecy foretelling a man dying in battle also foretells a city being wrecked by an earthquake, then you by poisoning the man, you can prevent the earthquake.”
Past Imperative by Dave Duncan, published in 1995
Inspector Leatherdale is investigating the murder of a young man who was stabbed. The dead man’s friend, his only current suspect, had fallen down some stairs and was in the hospital.
In another world, the acting troupe of Trong Impressario is on its way to a festival when things go wrong for its youngest member. Eleal Singer is told at a temple that she must enter the service of the goddess.
This is the 1st book in the Great Game trilogy.
The part that takes place in our world is in 1914. Eventually you find out that the two worlds are connected through magical means.
It’s about trying to figure out what part you play in a prophecy, and what decision is the most honourable.
This is the 2nd book I’ve read by Duncan. I previously reviewed West of January.