I didn't find anything that said the answer, so i began forming some theories.
In 1936 the Glass Palace was burnt down...
That's how Nat died wasn't it?
The war against America would be a parallel to the economical rise of the USA, the one that began at 1920. This is due to the Second Great War, which let Europe damaged adn let the USA rise.
By this way, the AoS would begin at 1929 would't it?
Anyway, these are my ideas, say what you think.

This may sound really, really dumb, but I always thought it was between 1975ish and 1990 'cause in GE, Nat wears Italian suits and I always thought it would be either Armani or D&G (which were created around that time)

But I guess he could have gotten Italian suits from anywhere rite? *embarresed*

I thought there were computers though.

Although, it is kinda ambiguous, seeing as the whole story is alternative reality.

Jon actually already answered this already here

And he said:

wrote:The setting for the novel is essentially the present day - early-mid 2000s.

*sigh* That topic was over quick....

I added the link (kinda late)

Really?

*checks the answered questions*

Hmm, should this topic be in the General section?

wrote:In 1936 the Glass Palace was burnt down...

In our timeline, yes. In the Barti world, it didn't.

its safe to assume that the war of independance in America didn't happen when it did in our timeline, unless of course the Brits re-invaded or something we don't know about.

We don't know much about the war except that it was going on. So I think it could've been a reinvasion.

Why would they re-invade though? Britain and the US were seperate countries for so long.

And where's the Queen in Nat's world?

Disposed of by the magicians.

The US just consisted of Native American tribes until it became settled on.

And yes, have to agree. Magicians got rid of the royalty there. Couldn't have competition of power, could they?

Couldn't the royalty be magicians? I mean if they must have had some power to become royalty in the fist place.

Royalty has marriages and heirs though. Can't do that when magicians are forbidden to have children.

Says who? John seemed pretty eager to marry/date Jane and they were both magicians.

Marry Jane? I don't think so. It was just infactuation there.

And well, marriage is allowed I guess, but (and I could be wrong), but it seems the powerful magicians don't really marry at all.

And as for the children thing, yes that's how it is so the Monarchy system would have been a bit of a pain.

Edit: Whoops, Monarchy might be the wrong word, but you know what I meant, right?

I guess most of the powerful magicians don't trust thier spouse. And that leads to a break-down in their relationship.

And I always imagined that they'd have royalty somewhere for publicity and stuff. They could be commoners so that they could relate better to the people, but the magicians would be controling them

Perhaps the Monarchy never got re-instated after the English Civil War?

Well, I believe they had a duke. Does that count?

Or maybe Gladstone destroyed the monarchy?

It could mean something like "The Queen doesn't really has any power, the Prime Minister does".
Oh, and do you really believe that John would marry Jane? I know you like J/J, but they were both powerful, and they could easily be eager to take the power from the other one. I mean, Farrar doesn't seems exactly the kind of person Nat would marry and really have a relationship, she kinda hated him.