The lost prince

The year is 1875, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire rules over Europe. A future of power, glory and wealth lies before Crown Prince Rudolf, the Empire's sole heir. But deep within him, a sense of emptiness gnaws at his heart. Then, a chance meeting between Rudolf and Isaac, son of Vienna's chief rabbi, changes both of their lives forever. Meanwhile, the Church threatens to remove newly gained freedoms from the Jewish community, stirrings of rebellion threaten the Empire, and mysterious enemies roam Schönbrunn Palace. Throughout it all, Rudolf and Isaac must unravel the most difficult question of all: Who they really are.--Back cover. ; "Nothing seems to change much after Prince Rudolph of the Austro-Hungarian Empire meets his long-lost brother, Eizik, who is now a budding talmid chacham living in Yerushalayim. But as doubts continue to gnaw in Rudolph's heart, the heir to the throne finds himself drawn powerfully to the beautiful life of a Jew. The Church notes this, however...and they are not happy. In the meantime, the Jews of Austria are facing their own impending disaster. Will mayoral candidate Karl Lueger win theelections? Will his anti-Semitic views affect their lives? King Franz Joseph struggles with a set of serious problems too, torn between the need to squash the Hungarian rebels while keeping the royal family safe from would-be assassins. Follow this cast of colorful characters as - with the help of little Shaya and Fanko the Squirrel, of course! - they bravely fight the Church, the rebels, and a host of other sinister enemies who try to steal the crown, kidnap the Jewish prince, and changethe course of history for the Jewish community. What is Yerushalmi Eizik doing in the Hungarian palace? Who will get to Prince Rudolph first? Whose side is Edgardo Mortara on? And who is the "third twin"? THE LOST PRINCE 1, sequence to THE LOST PRINCE 2, is a plot of suspense and intrigue that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end." -- vol. 2, back cover.