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The Alchemist Of Souls by Anne Lyle
Apr. 28th, 2013 11:14 pmThe Blurb On The Back:
When Tudor explorers returned from the New World, they brought back a name out of half-forgotten Viking legend: skraylings. Red-sailed ships followed in the explorers’ wake, bringing Native American goods – and a skrayling ambassador – to London. But what do these seemingly magical beings really want in Elizabeth I’s capital?
Mal Catlyn, a down-at-heel swordsman, is appointed to the ambassador’s bodyguard, but assassination attempts are the least of his problems. What he learns about the skraylings and their unholy powers could cost England her new ally – and Mal his soul.
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
Anne Lyle’s debut novel (the first in a trilogy) is an intricately plotted AU historical fantasy thriller that combines authentic period detail, a refreshing approach to sexuality and gender-bending characters filled with daring-do. If I have a complaint then it’s that the use of third person narration makes it a little difficult to fully connect with Mal or his situation (mainly because certain key events in his life are kept vague until the final quarter of the book) but nevertheless this was a solid first novel and I look forward to reading the next one.
When Tudor explorers returned from the New World, they brought back a name out of half-forgotten Viking legend: skraylings. Red-sailed ships followed in the explorers’ wake, bringing Native American goods – and a skrayling ambassador – to London. But what do these seemingly magical beings really want in Elizabeth I’s capital?
Mal Catlyn, a down-at-heel swordsman, is appointed to the ambassador’s bodyguard, but assassination attempts are the least of his problems. What he learns about the skraylings and their unholy powers could cost England her new ally – and Mal his soul.
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
Anne Lyle’s debut novel (the first in a trilogy) is an intricately plotted AU historical fantasy thriller that combines authentic period detail, a refreshing approach to sexuality and gender-bending characters filled with daring-do. If I have a complaint then it’s that the use of third person narration makes it a little difficult to fully connect with Mal or his situation (mainly because certain key events in his life are kept vague until the final quarter of the book) but nevertheless this was a solid first novel and I look forward to reading the next one.
