The Hidden Family

“The Hidden Family is a festival of ideas in action, fast moving and often very funny, but underpinned by a rigorous logical strategy…. Stross’s breezy, almost Heinleinian mode of narration is on fine display.”

—Locus

“Miriam Beckstein, aka Countess Helge Thorold-Hjorth of the Clan, finds her own world to conquer in this fast-moving sequel to The Family Trade…. Stross continues to mix high and low tech in amusing and surprising ways…. [He] weaves a tale worthy of Robert Ludlum or Dan Brown.”

—Publishers Weekly

“English writer Charles Stross, whose books burst with pop-science ideas, intrigue, strong characters and even romance, continues his Merchant Princes series…. Stross is an energetic writer…who creates page-turning reads…. Readers will be relieved to learn that there is a lot to look forward to in The Hidden Family, including a finale that is all Gothic Romance: regrets, a ball and a happy reunion.”

—Bookpage

“These days, finding a science fiction or fantasy novel that doesn’t feature a kick-ass babe who is either cybernetically enhanced, a martial arts master or a trained ninja killer (or all three) can be hard work. The genres don’t lack for Buffyesque role models…But there’s something different about Miriam, the heroine of Charles Stross’ fantasy series ‘The Merchant Princes’…. It is a tribute to the budding powers of Stross, who works successfully in both the science fiction and fantasy genres, that he pulls off this feat in a fashion both amusing and gripping…Miriam is a terrific character, turning the tables on all who would attempt to manipulate her, and setting in motion events that promise to transform the evolution of no less than three separate worlds. For those of us who actually are journalists working on deadline, Stross gives us an escape fantasy that is most seductive, indeed.”

—Salon.com

Praise For The Merchant Princes Series

The Family Trade

“Charles Stross’s The Family Trade is an inventive, irreverent, and delightful romp into an alternate world where business is simultaneously low and high tech, and where romance, murder, marriage, and business are hopelessly intertwined—and deadly.”

—L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

“Quirky, original, and entertaining. The Family Trade could be The Godfather of all fantasy novels.”

—Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of A Forest of Stars

“The Family Trade is one of those rare delights—a book that is fun, intelligently written, and which leaves a reader breathlessly wondering what will happen next. Readers Beware: Stross weaves a tale that continually builds to an engrossing climax. Once you get into this, you’ll find yourself hooked.”

—David Farland

“The Family Trade shows that Charles Stross is no longer a beginner to watch, but a star to watch.”

—Mike Resnick