#1 New York Times Bestselling Author
From bestselling author Neal Stephenson and critically acclaimed historical and contemporary commercial novelist Nicole Galland comes a captivating and complex near-future thriller combining history, science, magic, mystery, intrigue, and adventure that questions the very foundations of the modern world
When Melisande Stokes, an expert in linguistics and languages, accidently meets military intelligence operator Tristan Lyons in a hallway at Harvard University, it is the beginning of a chain of events that will alter their lives and human history itself. The young man from a shadowy government entity approaches Mel, a low-level faculty member, with an incredible offer. The only condition: she must sign a non-disclosure agreement in return for the rather large sum of money.
Tristan needs Mel to translate some very old documents, which, if authentic, are earth-shattering. They prove that magic actually existed and was practiced for centuries. But the arrival of the scientific revolution and the Age of Enlightenment weakened its power and endangered its practitioners. Magic stopped working altogether in 1851, at the time of the Great Exhibition at London’s Crystal Palace — the world’s fair celebrating the rise of industrial technology and commerce. Something about the modern world “jams” the “frequencies” used by magic, and it’s up to Tristan to find out why.
And so the Department of Diachronic Operations — D.O.D.O. — gets cracking on its real mission: to develop a device that can bring magic back, and send Diachronic Operatives back in time to keep it alive... and meddle with a little history at the same time. But while Tristan and his expanding operation master the science and build the technology, they overlook the mercurial — and treacherous — nature of the human heart.
Written with the genius, complexity, and innovation that characterize all of Neal Stephenson’s work and steeped with the down-to-earth warmth and humor of Nicole Galland’s storytelling style, this exciting and vividly realized work of science fiction will make you believe in the impossible, and take you to places — and times — beyond imagining.
The series
In D.O.D.O., the lines between science and magic blur in an exhilarating tale that explores the intersection of history, technology, and the impossible. This ambitious series, co-created by Nicole Galland and renowned fantasy author Neal Stephenson, introduces readers to a world where magic is real, but its existence has been erased from history. What happens when this hidden world resurfaces, and the forgotten art of magic is rediscovered? The result is a mind-bending journey that seamlessly blends speculative fiction with historical intrigue.
Read full series description
At the heart of D.O.D.O. is an eclectic team of scientists, historians, and mystics, all working together to revive and control magic through the use of cutting-edge technology. The series is set in a world where secret government agencies like the Department of Diachronic Operations (D.O.D.O.) are tasked with controlling time and manipulating historical events, all while keeping their existence hidden from the public. It’s a complex dance of knowledge, power, and invention that raises the stakes in every turn.
The plot unfolds through a series of character-driven narratives, each one delving into the personal conflicts, ethical dilemmas, and high-risk endeavors that accompany the rediscovery of magic. Readers will encounter a diverse cast of characters—from reluctant heroes to ambitious antiheroes—each grappling with the implications of their actions as they unlock ancient secrets, explore different time periods, and navigate the tricky terrain between progress and destruction.
With D.O.D.O., Galland and Stephenson invite readers into a world of rich world-building, fascinating historical contexts, and mind-twisting technology that challenges the very fabric of reality. The series doesn’t just ask, "What if magic existed?" but rather explores the consequences of what happens when it becomes accessible—and exploitable—in a modern world driven by science.
With its seamless integration of historical fiction, speculative science, and thrilling adventure, D.O.D.O. offers an experience that is as intellectually stimulating as it is engaging. The series is a must for those who crave intricate plots, historical mysteries, and a touch of the fantastical—all served up with a side of intellectual curiosity and an ever-growing sense of intrigue. Each book adds a new layer to the puzzle, ensuring that the adventure never truly ends.
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