This is an alternate universe, where you can tell what a country's allegiance is by the technology they utilize... for the most part. The Ottomans were a special case, in between the two, but leaning more toward the mechs than the beasts (and had more german military presence there than in our Great War). Istanbul is the main location of the second book, Behemoth.



I hope this clears the air a little, and helps in some way. Have a good day.