Greatwinter Series by Sean McMullen

The great Calculor of Libris was forced to watch as Overmayor Zarvora had four of its components lined up against a wall and shot for negligence. Thereafter, its calculations were free from errors, and that was just as well-for only this strangest of calculating machines and its two thousand enslaved components could save the world from a new ice age. And all the while a faint mirrorsun hangs in the night sky, warning of the cold to come... moreThe great Calculor of Libris was forced to watch as Overmayor Zarvora had four of its components lined up against a wall and shot for negligence. Thereafter, its calculations were free from errors, and that was just as well-for only this strangest of calculating machines and its two thousand enslaved components could save the world from a new ice age. And all the while a faint mirrorsun hangs in the night sky, warning of the cold to come. In Sean McMullen's glittering, dynamic, and exotic world two millennia from now, there is no more electricity, wind engines are leading-edge technology, librarians fight duels to settle disputes, steam power is banned by every major religion, and a mysterious siren "Call" lures people to their death. Nevertheless, the brilliant and ruthless Zarvora intends to start a war in space against inconceivably ancient nuclear battle stations. Unbeknownst to Zarvora, however, the greatest threat to humanity is neither a machine nor a force but her demented and implacable enemy Lemorel, who has resurrected an obscene and evil concept from the distant past: Total War. Souls in the Great Machine is the first volume of Sean McMullen's brilliant future history of the world of Greatwinter less

In the Australia of the distant future computers live on, although electricity and even steam power have ceased to exist long ago. The mighty Calculor of Libris is about to be commissioned, but is making strange errors. A programmer has been assassinated and components are being shot for negligence. Time is running out and important questions must be answered... moreIn the Australia of the distant future computers live on, although electricity and even steam power have ceased to exist long ago. The mighty Calculor of Libris is about to be commissioned, but is making strange errors. A programmer has been assassinated and components are being shot for negligence. Time is running out and important questions must be answered. Will the trains run on time after the end of the world? Can a Battle Calculor still function while drunk? Was there an ice age in the 21st Century, and how long ago was the 21st Century anyway? less

In the distant future of Australia, the greenhouse effect is no longer a problem - until an ancient anti-greenhouse engine in space manages to switch itself on. Only the Highliber of Libris can devise a solution, with the aid of her mighty Calculor and her strange ally, the mysterious Abbess Theresla of Glenellen. Or can she? Across the deserts to the north, an escaped component has built a rival calculor, and a renegade librarian is organising an invasion... moreIn the distant future of Australia, the greenhouse effect is no longer a problem - until an ancient anti-greenhouse engine in space manages to switch itself on. Only the Highliber of Libris can devise a solution, with the aid of her mighty Calculor and her strange ally, the mysterious Abbess Theresla of Glenellen. Or can she? Across the deserts to the north, an escaped component has built a rival calculor, and a renegade librarian is organising an invasion. Which Calculor will win - or is there some quite new factor at work in the politics and battlefields of 40th century Australia? less

In a fortieth-century America of ancient kingdoms with opulent courts, hereditary engineering guilds, and rigid class distinction in warfare, a centuries-old balance of power is shattered by a few dozen Australian infiltrators. Against a rich backdrop of war, chivalry, conspiracy, and a diesel-powered arms race, a dangerous secret alliance has formed... moreIn a fortieth-century America of ancient kingdoms with opulent courts, hereditary engineering guilds, and rigid class distinction in warfare, a centuries-old balance of power is shattered by a few dozen Australian infiltrators. Against a rich backdrop of war, chivalry, conspiracy, and a diesel-powered arms race, a dangerous secret alliance has formed. Now the unlikely trio of an airlord, an abbess, and a fugitive are joined together in a desperate race against time to stop the ultimate doomsday machine from being launched: less

In Sean McMullen's glittering, dynamic, and exotic world two thousand years in the future, librarians fight duels to settle disputes, there is no electricity, fueled engines are banned by every major religion in Australica, humanity has split into two species, and intelligent cetezoids rule the oceans.In space, the enigmatic Mirrorsun has begun to spin... moreIn Sean McMullen's glittering, dynamic, and exotic world two thousand years in the future, librarians fight duels to settle disputes, there is no electricity, fueled engines are banned by every major religion in Australica, humanity has split into two species, and intelligent cetezoids rule the oceans.In space, the enigmatic Mirrorsun has begun to spin. Immense solar sails are pushing vast amounts of energy into its ancient orbital band, energy that could tear it apart--or be directed down at Earth. Already the hypnotic Call has ceased, and all electrical machines have been reduced to molten metal. A religious prophet has risen and is attempting to bring together the entire continent of Australica under her rule.Meanwhile, her diesel-powered sailwing shot down by religious fanatics, the American princess Samondel is forced to set aside her trade-seeking mission and disguise herself as a student. Her only friends are a disgraced monk who is a member of the secret police and a beautiful young librarian who is a dangerous and unstable psychopath. From these unlikely friendships she must form an alliance between two continents and two species, and prevent ultimate war.Fundamentally, unexpectedly, things are changing everywhere. As catastrophe looms and civilization begins to crumble, the Dragon Librarians of Australica have just one means left to hold their world together: to kidnap every numerate person on the continent and rebuild their out-of-date human-powered computer--the Calculor. less