Cirrus@Austlit

'Set in a far-future Australia where electricity has been outlawed and society is overviewed by human-powered computers (largely driven by librarians), restricted quasi-medieval guilds struggle for supremacy and to discover the secret of the past. This gradual understanding of past technologies, such as exploring the role of the orbiting space platforms, accelerates in the second volume (Colin Steele, SF Commentary No 77, p.53).

'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. 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?'

Source: Publisher's Blurb

'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. 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.'

Source: Publisher's Blurb

'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.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.