the field. Zoticus - An alchemist, once a young adventurer but now aged, who has discovered how to make living mechanical birds. He has given one to his daughter, Shirin, and another to Crispin. References to other novels This novel takes place in the same world as The Lions of Al-Rassan, The Last Light of the Sun, Children of Earth and Sky, and A Brightness Long Ago. As in the other novels, the three main religions of the Jaddites, Kindath and Asharites are presented based on Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, respectively. Events of the Sarantine Mosaic take place centuries before those of the other four set in the shared world. It is implied that Rustem is the ancestor of Rodrigo Belmonte from The Lions of Al-Rassan. Reception Reviewing Lord of Emperors, Charles de Lint praised both volumes, saying "Kay's books ring with authenticity. They are literate and imaginative, and work on many levels. History aficionados will delight in all the small and telling insights Kay brings to the era and its cultures, while other readers will simply delight in the grand sweep of the story, the rich characterization, and Kay's sheer gift with language." References Further reading </ref> External links The Sarantine Mosaic at Guy Gavriel Kay's Authorized Website. Sarantine Mosaic Sarantine Mosaic Novels set in the Byzantine Empire Novels set in the 6th century Cultural depictions of Justinian I Cultural depictions of Theodora I