The story opens in the City of Peace, as Baghdad was once called. It is a fabulously wealthy city, receiving tribute from an empire that stretches from modern day Afghanistan to Spain. Abulhassan Ibn Thaher is an old pharmacist and alchemist who is an intimate friend of the Sultan. When the young prince of Persia falls in love with Schemselnihar, the Sultan's beloved mistress, they beg Abulhassan to help them elope. Even though it could mean death for all of them, Abulhassan relents and agrees to help. As rumor and gossip spread, different factions at court try to use the impending scandal for their own ends, and the story climaxes with the lovers' flight into the desert. With engaging characters and rich imagery drawn from alchemy, the Koran, and the early Islamic mystics, "The Angel with A Hundred Wings" is a literary masterpiece that captures all the magic and romance of the Middle East once upon a time. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

First-time novelist Horch offers a lively rendition of this tale from the Arabian Nights, set in 9th-century Baghdad, then called the City of Peace. Abulhassan Ibn Thaher, an elderly pharmacist and alchemist, is a confidant and chess partner of the sultan Harun al-Rashid. He finds himself in an impossible position when the prince of Persia falls madly in love with the sultan's favorite mistress, Shemselnehar, and asks the old man to help them run away. All three face certain death if the plot is discovered, and this is quite likely in a city and royal court full of spies, where everyone knows everyone else's business. Much like a chess match, the plot is driven by advances and retreats, surprising strategies and much suspense. The writing is evocative and the story fast-paced; memorable and truly likable characters enrich Horch's gripping adventure story. As the novel progresses, Abulhassan realizes that he has not lived his life as wisely as he could have; he has not treated his wife and children with the love and respect they deserve. Struck by remorse, he redoubles his efforts and risks everything to aid the young lovers. Woven throughout the book are fascinating asides about alchemy and Islamic mystics. An imaginative and vivid retelling, this novel should interest both Arabian Nights fans and newcomers looking for a diverting historical suspense tale.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Drawing inspiration from The Arabian Nights, Horch has penned a luminous first novel. Set in Baghdad during the Caliphate of Harun al-Rashid, this is a tale of the forbidden love between Abulhassan, prince of Persia, and the Caliph's favorite concubine, Schemselnihar. The narrator, a pharmacist, alchemist, and friend of the Caliph, agrees to abet their elopement and fears for his execution. While the story is replete with adventure, betrayal, miraculous escapes, and all the other attributes of a hair-raising thriller, Horch truly excels at portraying ninth-century Baghdad. With exquisite detail and vibrant color, he brings to life the wealth and beauty of the city, the greatest metropolis of its age. The author also infuses the wisdom of the Qur'an, the texts of Islamic mystics, and the alchemical treatises of the day into the narrative. At a time when an understanding of the historical context of Islam is so important, Horch has crafted an exciting tale in a beautiful package, one that informs as it engages. Highly recommended for fiction collections.-Andrea Kempf, Johnson Cty. Community Coll. Lib., Overland Park, KSCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Once upon a time, back when Baghdad was known as the City of Peace, there lived an alchemist named Abulhassan. Betraying his oldest and truest friend (who also happens to be the sultan of Baghdad), Abulhassan neglects his family and risks beheading to help a passionate young prince elope with the beautiful Schemselnihar, the sultan's favorite--unhappy--concubine. Getting the couple safely and secretly out of Arabia proves difficult, thanks to meddling courtiers, harem guards, and desert bandits. Rumors fly, spies spy, the sultan grows suspicious, and Abulhassan contemplates the failed alchemy of his own marriage while preparing to sacrifice his life for the young lovers' freedom. Equal parts adventure, romance, and philosophical meditation, Horch's debut is full of action and lush imagery and would probably stand on its own as a captivating Arabian Nights fairy tale even without musing about death, honor, love, mercy, and forgiveness. Infused with Koranic references and a sophisticated understanding of early Islamic mysticism, however, the story becomes a lavish Persian rug that will delight readers who like intellectually stimulating fairy tales. Brendan Driscoll. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.