The second novel in Ian Tregillis‘s critically-acclaimed Milkweed Triptych, THE COLDEST WAR is out now in Czech. Published by Argo as NEJSTUDENĚJŠÍ VÁLKA, here’s the synopsis…

Druhý díl románového triptychu, ve kterém si Otčina Roberta Harrise podává ruku s Alanem Moorem.

Dvacet dva let po druhé světové válce panuje mezi britským impériem a SSSR jen křehká rovnováha sil. Sovětský svaz se táhne od Tichého oceánu po kanál La Manche a Britům už desítky let skýtají jedinou obranu jejich čarodějové – kteří však nyní za podezřelých okolností jeden po druhém umírají.

Z přísně tajného výzkumného střediska hluboko za Železnou oponou mezitím prchá dvojice sourozenců, kterou kdysi zvrhlý nacistický vědec obdařil nadlidskými schopnostmi. Cílem jejich útěku před Sověty, kteří se německý program pokoušejí v co nejrozsáhlejším měřítku napodobit, je Londýn. V britské metropoli totiž žije někdejší vyzvědač Raybould Marsh, s nímž má šílená vědma Gretel své plány. A jak Marsh záhy zjistí, když se nechá znovu zatáhnout do světa tajné organizace Milkweed, ani Británie své nejzlověstnější operace neuzavřela s koncem války. Jakou cenu bude ochoten splatit, aby ochránil vlast a královnu?

THE COLDEST WAR is published in the UK by Orbit Books, who also publish the first and final novels in the series — BITTER SEEDS and NECESSARY EVIL. BITTER SEEDS has also been published by Argo, as HOŘKÁ SETBA; NECESSARY EVIL is due to be published soon, as NUTNÉ ZLO.

Here’s the English-language synopsis…

Superhumans and magic collide in this a secret supernatural history of Twentieth Century events — the second book in this landmark series

For decades, Britain’s warlocks have been all that stands between the British Empire and the Soviet Union — a vast domain stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the shores of the English Channel. Now each wizard’s death is another blow to Britain’s national security.

Meanwhile, a brother and sister – the subjects of a twisted Nazi experiment to imbue ordinary people with superhuman abilities — escape from a top-secret facility deep behind the Iron Curtain. They head for England, because that’s where former spy Raybould Marsh lives. And Gretel, the mad seer, has plans for him.

As Marsh is once again drawn into the world of Milkweed, he discovers that Britain’s darkest acts didn’t end with the war. And while he strives to protect queen and country, he is forced to confront his own willingness to accept victory at any cost.

Here’s a selection of the critical acclaim THE COLDEST WAR has enjoyed…

‘The engrossing second book in Tregillis’s Milkweed Triptych… Tregillis ably mixes cold war paranoia with his mythology, also nicely expanding characters (particularly Gretel)… The monstrous, extra-dimensional Eidolons add a genuinely convincing menace that transcends the more banal evil motivations of the political game players, although Gretel’s more complicated motivations really drive the action. A few nice twists keep things interesting, and the cliffhanger ending sets up the concluding volume quite well…’ — Publishers Weekly

‘Marvellous plotting, immersive sense of place, and above all, wonderful characters… Tregillis’s oracle is one of the most chilling psychopath villains of literature, a delicious monster who drives the book forward… Tregillis is a major new talent in the field, and this is some of the best – and most exciting – alternate history I’ve read. Bravo.’ — BoingBoing

‘Tregillis is a master storyteller on top of his game… The pace is relentless as it hurtles towards the most epic conclusion. Whenever things can’t possibly get any worse for our heroes, Tregillis turns the ratchet up once more. There’s big superhero battles and taught psychological warfare. It’s The Avengers made up of Smiley’s People. There’ve been some amazing books this year but Tregillis has the top two places in my Best Of with BITTER SEEDS and THE COLDEST WAR. It’s going to be a long cruel wait until the final part of the Milkweed Triptych but I have no doubt Tregillis will blow my mind once more.’ — Fantasy Faction

‘Independently intelligible sequel to the dark fantasy BITTER SEEDS, something like a cross between the devious, character-driven spy fiction of early John le Carré and the mad science fantasy of the X-Men… Despite the jaw-dropping backdrop and oblique plotting, the narrative is driven by character and personal circumstance, the only possible drawback being certain important developments that annoyingly take place offstage. Grim indeed, yet eloquent and utterly compelling.’ — Kirkus (Starred Review, “Best of 2012”)

Ian’s latest series, the Alchemy Wars, is also published by Orbit Books in the UK, and has been received with great critical acclaim. The novels include: THE MECHANICAL, THE RISING and the upcoming THE LIBERATION.

Zeno represents Ian Tregillis in the UK/Commonwealth and in translation, on behalf of Kay McCauley at Aurous, Inc.