Neal Stephenson’s Zodiac is a science fiction novel set in Europe during the Roman Empire. It follows the characters of Simon Zarlino, a scientist and alchemist, and the mysterious witch Thalia. Simon is trying to build the greatest technological marvel of his time, a flying machine called the Zodiac. Meanwhile, Thalia is trying to undo a powerful curse that has been placed on her family by an evil sorcerer.
The novel begins with Simon’s attempt to construct a mechanical bird, the beginnings of his dream of a flying machine. He is aided by his uncle and fellow scientist, Pope Celestine I. It is Celestine who suggests that they combine elements of Roman mythology and the idea of the zodiac to design the machine. As Simon perfects his plans and begins to construct the Zodiac, he meets Thalia, a mysterious girl with exceptional flying abilities and a strange power to disrupt animals and people in her presence.
Soon, they discover that the Roman Empire is threatened by an evil sorcerer, Theolius, who has nine powerful demons at his command. Theolius has placed a curse on Thalia’s family and threatens to use the demons to take control of the Empire. To combat this threat, Simon and Thalia set out on a quest to build the Zodiac which, if completed in time, could prove to be the Empire’s only salvation.
Throughout their journey, Simon and Thalia face many obstacles, from the Emperor’s distrust of their quest and the intrigues of court politics, to the demons of Theolius and the local beliefs about witches and sorcery. They must rely on science and faith to overcome their enemies and build the Zodiac before Theolius’s dark forces can take over the Empire.
The novel is an action-packed adventure with a unique blend of history, mythology, science and fantasy. The characters are compelling, and their struggles are engaging and suspenseful. The themes of faith and science are woven throughout the narrative, and the story raises the idea of power and control through the use of technology.
Overall, Zodiac by Neal Stephenson is an exciting and thrilling adventure that explores many of the questions and issues raised by technological advancement. It is a captivating and imaginative story, and one that will appeal to readers of all ages.
