The Age of Silver and Steel

After Jean-François Champollion deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphs in 1822, the ancient gods of Egypt revealed themselves to the people. Since then, the world and history have changed. Christian and Muslim shrines dedicated themselves to other gods. People ceased to fear death. On the contrary, they now aspire to it — for only there, among the golden Fields of Reed, can one attain eternal life and bliss.

The aging gendarme Viktor Govorukhin, the young barber Alexas Ossmiy, and his resurrected beloved Ana find themselves caught up in a series of arsons, mysterious conspiracies, and terrible discoveries. Will they be able to stop those who have encroached upon the sacred — and stay alive? And who is really hiding behind the mask, lurking in the mirrors and calling himself the name of Sargon of Akkad?

Denis Lukyanov — a young writer and journalist, author of short stories, now makes his debut in major prose.