Category: historical fiction

book review · historical fiction

I Am Rome

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I Am Rome by Santiago Posteguillo
Genre: historical fiction
I read it as a(n): digital ARC
Length: 634 pp 
Her Grace’s rating: 5 stars

The end of the Roman Republic was a time of great strife and even greater corruption. Members of the ruling classes clashed with the regular population in terms of what taxes and rights each social class had. A prime example of this corruption was Gnaeus Cornelius Dolabella, close advisor to the dictator Sulla and governor of Macedonia. During his stint as governor, Dolabella abused his position to gain tremendous wealth, ignoring his duties in favor of abusing the people under his care and stealing taxes. He was charged in Rome with corruption, theft, and rape. However, since it was an age rife with general corruption, all of the jurors and judges were bribed to exonerate him. No one wanted to step into the role of prosecutor since doing so would not only effectively end a man’s political career but also very likely terminate his life. Except one young and inexperienced man decided he would do it. Gaius Julius Caesar was his name.

This novel was a 600+ page doorstopper – and I read it in just a few days. The story flowed rapidly and engaged my interest from page one. The novel’s structure was divided into sections dedicated to Dolabella’s trial mixed with flashbacks from various characters’ perspectives of events that led up to the trial over the course of many years. Readers are introduced to the main players and given glimpses into their motivations based on their experiences. 

The action-heavy scenes and battles are vividly depicted and exciting. This is definitely the novel’s strength. Many techniques the Romans were famous for, such as the testudo formation, are described here in detail, enhancing the action without slowing it down. The military strategies used throughout the novel would be familiar to students of Rome or military history. To the uninitiated, these details merely add to the excitement of the moment. 

The main drawback to Posteguillo’s novel is that there is little in the way of actual character development. Caesar largely remains the same throughout the book even though he is shown at various ages from childhood to early adulthood. Similarly, the dialogue is a little lacking and feels a bit stilted in places. It was great fun, though, to see Posteguillo’s young Caesar reflecting about how he will never be known as a military genius like his uncle Marius, or how he will never amount to anything if he loses the case against Dolabella. It is also always interesting when other real-life figures make appearances, such as Cicero here and there throughout the trial. 

I don’t usually look at any other reviews before I read a book, and I didn’t this time, either. I did, though, look at some after I finished. It seems that some readers felt the book was very inaccurate and played fast and loose with historical events. Normally I am a stickler for high fidelity in historical fiction since it will make historians happy and the rest of us won’t know any different. Perhaps this book is inaccurate, but I happily fall into the latter camp despite having taken 7 years of Latin throughout my college and grad school career. I just thought it was a great read and I would happily read more of Posteguillo’s works if they ever get translated into English. 

All in all, I thought this was a highly enjoyable novel, even if it had some flaws and inaccuracies. Definitely recommended. 

book review · fantasy · historical fiction

Unraveling the Intrigue in ‘Flights of Treason’ by Judith Starkston

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Flights of Treason (Tesha #4) by Judith Starkston
Genre: historical fantasy
I read it as a(n): digital ARC
Length: 522 pp 
Her Grace’s rating: 5 stars

Flights of Treason, the 4th and final book in Judith Starkston’s Tesha historical fantasy series, takes place about 3 years after the end of book 3, Of Kings and Griffins. Queen Tesha of Alpara and her husband, King Hattu, are facing off against Hattu’s corrupt and incompetent nephew, Great King Urhi. Adding to this already tense political situation is the fact that Traj, one of the griffin cubs from the previous book, has been lured to Hattusa where he was bound with evil magic and nearly killed. The griffin king is enraged by the harm to his son and vows to kill the sorceror who hurt Traj. Unfortunately, that sorceror appears to be Tesha and Hattu’s 4-year-old daughter, Arinnel. Magic, demons, griffins, and more converge into this exciting final novel in the Tesha series!

I loved this book so much! In the spirit of full transparency, Judith is a friend of mine. However, that doesn’t change the fact that this was an awesome read. The characters all have a great deal of growth throughout this book as well as the series overall. Tesha has tremendous guilt about her magic, which is powerful, but she refuses to use it to its full potential because of the inadvertent damage it did to Arinnel in the womb. (For that story, you’ll need to read book 2, Sorcery in Alpara.) Tesha tries to do what she can to help without using magic, and she has to work through her feelings of guilt and fear to become the queen she needs to be. Her reluctance to use her magic causes some tension with Hattu, particularly when it comes to using it to force his nephew, Urhi, to become a better king. I liked this because it felt like an actual issue that causes couples to get mad at each other in real life. It wasn’t Big Drama, it wasn’t hugely emotional or a cause to worry that Tesha and Hattu were going to call it quits. It was just one of those things that happens to any couple on occasion, and it made the novel feel that much more relatable. 

Tesha’s older, blind sister, Daniti, has a big role as well. Her previous bond with the griffins and her ability to speak telepathically to them over great distances plays a vital role in the conflict between humans and griffins. Arinnel shares her aunt’s telepathic abilities, a source of tremendous joy to both of them most of the time. Arinnel, though, has blocked Daniti out of her thoughts and, because of this, everyone fears that that little girl was, in fact, responsible for the grievous injuries the griffin cub Traj suffered. 

Marak, Hattu’s second in command and Daniti’s husband, has a slightly smaller role in this than he did in previous books, but his role remains important. He is almost as brilliant a military strategist as Hattu himself, and Marak’s diplomatic bonds with the Paskans comes into play in a very big way. I have a soft spot for Marak. He always strikes me as sort of a protective big brother who seems fierce but is all squishy around the edges. 

Flights of Treason is filled with exciting battles ranging from fighting with human armies, facing off against sorcerors, or making a stand against fantastical beasts. These scenes are all vividly depicted and they played out like a movie in my mind. 

Starkston absolutely excels at the historical details in this book, as she does in all her other books as well. The series might be marketed as historical fantasy, but it is solidly based in actual Hittite history. Many of the spells and incantations are actual documented parts of ceremonies and rituals found on clay tablets from the Hittite Empire. Her skill lies in taking those snippets of historical fact and weaving them into a fascinating new story that is both unique and also remains true to the remarkable, ancient people who provided the inspiration. 

I have said for years and years that sci-fi/fantasy is an ideal medium in which to discuss real-world issues. Flights of Treason is no different. I love the themes of fighting for one’s home, doing what needs doing even if it scares the crap out of you, and going through self-discovery to become who you are really supposed to be. These are all things that people in the real world need to do at one point or another. Maybe we don’t battle actual griffins in our life, but we sure as hell battle our own inner demons. We do things that scare us because we need to do them. We learn to define what “home” means to each of us, and then fight to keep it safe. There are so many things we do in real life that are explored in fantasy novels, barely hidden beneath the veneer of magic. In a well-written fantasy such as this, it is easy to find ourselves in the pages even as we get lost in the story.

One more thing that I really loved about this book was actually the ending. Starkston did what I wish more authors of series could do: she gave a satisfying ending with no loose threads left, didn’t make those endings feel like an afterthought by rushing through them, and yet still left openings to return to the series later if she decides to. I honestly am not sure of any other authors that I have personally read who managed to pull that off so well! Because I am a selfish creature, I want MORE Tesha books, but if such is not meant to be, then the way this one ended is the ideal way to conclude the series. 

As with the three preceding books in the series, I highly recommend Flights of Treason for the amazing world-building, complex characters, and fascinating historical details woven into every page. You will not be sorry you read this!

historical fiction

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall

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Baskerville HallThe Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish
Genre: historical fantasy/YA
I read it as a(n): ARC
Length: 336 pp
Her Grace’s rating: 2 out of 5 stars

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish mingles elements of the historical Arthur Conan Doyle and his most famous series, Sherlock Holmes into a steampunk-influenced adventure that’s reminiscent of a jaunt through Hogwart’s. A young Arthur Conan Doyle, living hand to mouth with his sisters, mother, and alcoholic father in Edinburgh, jumps at the chance to improve his family’s fortunes when he is offered a spot at an exclusive boarding school, Baskerville Hall. When he arrives – by airship! – Doyle settles in and quickly establishes himself as one of the most promising students currently in residence. When a series of break-ins, thefts, and threatening appearances by shadowy figures occur, events conspire to put Doyle’s education and life at risk.

This book will surely appeal to many young readers, but adult readers will wonder how the fuck Sherlock Holmes ended up in Hogwarts. At times, it felt as though the author were merely replacing names from Harry Potter with ones from Sherlock Holmes and dusting her hands off afterward. While that Potteresque aspect of the book might be forgiven since a lot of fantasy is pretty derivative anyway, it is harder to overlook the fantasy aspects as a whole. “Fantasy” isn’t usually what readers expect from anyone with the name Sherlock Holmes attached to it, so this book felt very out of alignment. The Sherlock Holmes series lends itself well to steampunk, no argument with that at all, and author Ali  Standish does a good job incorporating components of that genre into this novel. However, I was expecting a logic book. Where’s my damn logic book? In other words, it lacks the investigative style and logic that is associated with Sherlock Holmes and expected in any retelling of the great detective’s stories. 

To give credit where it is due, the story is filled with interesting and well-crafted characters. Real people such as Doyle himself mingle with his fictional characters such as Dr. Watson, creating an intriguing cast. I loved the diversity in the people the best. They’re not all homogenous and bland; they are vivid and have personalities that are deeply developed, given the relative shortness of the book and its targeted age level.

Younger readers will no doubt be thrilled with this story, but I don’t think it would appeal very much to many well-read adults.

This was originally published on the Historical Novels Review website. That review was nicer, though it said basically the same thing as here.

book review · historical fiction

Daughter of Black Lake

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daughter of black lake

Daughter of Black Lake by Cathy Marie Buchanan

Genre: historical fiction

I read it as a(n): hardback

Length: 320 pp

Her Grace’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Set in the 1st century CE, Daughter of Black Lake centers on a small village to the northwest of Londinium. The Roman invasion is in process, though the villagers don’t really seem to care much. Most see it as an opportunity to make some money by trading with a nearby outpost town. When an unhinged Druid, Fox, comes along, trying to incite the tribesmen to band together and rise against the Romans, things get dangerous. One woman, Devout, and her daughter, Hobble, find themselves in the middle of a power struggle between the Druid and the leader of the village, in part because of Hobble’s ability to See the future. Devout, though, also has secrets of her own that may destroy the peace of the village and doom Fox and the rest of the Druids’ plans to overthrow the perceived shackles of their oppressors. 

At first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book. It felt like a lot of not much was happening. But the characters were deeply developed and I got invested in their stories. Then Fox came along and I wanted to see what would happen with him. He was a hateful character, which was weird for me since I usually really like Druid characters. Of course, the Druid figures in other stories I’ve read were more like Merlin or Gandalf, so naturally I would like them. Fox, not so much. He was a fundy zealous dick. 

I liked Hobble a great deal. She was a healer, like her mother, and had vast knowledge for such a young girl. I cared less about her ability to see the future, especially since it was never really explained why she had the ability. Fox wanted to use her ability to help rally the tribes to the Druids’ cause and go to the aid of the Iceni queen, Boudicca, but Hobble couldn’t do that. She could see that the Romans were going to kick their asses. And historically, they did. Boudicca came damn close to winning but in the end, she didn’t. 

I really liked the writing style. It was almost dream-like. It felt similar to The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro, but I didn’t care for that story and I did like Daughter of Black Lake. Maybe comparing it to The Mists of Avalon would be more accurate. At any rate, I really liked this one. It’s certainly making my favorite books of 2023 list. 

book review · historical fiction

Bookshop Cinderella

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bookshop cinderella

Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke
Genre: Victorian romance
I read it as a(n): digital galley
Length: 336 pp
Her Grace’s rating: 3 out of 5 stars 


Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke is a delightful Victorian romance that will have readers of the genre swooning with its charming rags-to-riches storyline. Evie Harlow is a strong and independent woman, which is a source of consternation to her family and society in general. She took over the ownership and management of her father’s rare books store when he died and has been happily ensconced in that ever since. She has no need of male companionship beyond a dear childhood friend and can’t imagine herself in any sort of long-term relationship. It simply doesn’t fit in with her daily life. Although she occasionally longs for a happily ever after for herself, she’s mostly given up on the thought and does her best to enjoy the life she has. So you can imagine how flustered she is when she finds herself in the acquaintance of Duke Maximillian of Westbourne. Introduced mainly by a random mutual acquaintance, Max initially intends only to use Evie’s talents at research to help with a fancy dinner party he’s been put in charge of. It soon changes when Max’s young proteges mock Evie for her lack of fashion and beauty and propose a scheme to Max. Max is determined to win a bet that proves Evie can become a debutante and take the London Season by storm.

The basic cast of characters are developed well and have plenty of interesting personality quirks, which is what I think really helps move a plot forward in a romance novel. The chemistry between Evie and Max is palpable, and the author does an excellent job of developing their relationship in a way that feels natural and authentic. Evie and Max are both imminently likeable characters in their different ways, and even secondary characters feel like actual people and not placeholders needed to fill a crowd. There was a lot of slow building passion between Evie and Max, which made the anticipation a pleasant ride. 

My one real quibble is that there wasn’t much resolution with regard to the villain in the story. His motivations felt a bit contrived and the ending for his part of the story was rushed and felt incomplete. I would have liked more closure on that. I confess, I wanted to see a proper comeuppance, but instead, that part of the story just ended! Totally unsatisfied with that. 

The book is filled with banter, a few hilariously biting remarks about the aristocracy, and romantic moments that are sure to please readers. Gurhke’s writing style is engaging and immersive, readers were treated to some details about daily life among the peerage and the working classes, and the end result was everything it needed to be. It’s a quick and easy read that is perfect for anyone looking for a light romance. 

book review · historical fiction · Medievalism

The Good Wife of Bath

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good wife of bath

The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks

Genre: historical fiction

I read it as a(n): paperback

Length: 541 pp

Her Grace’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Eleanor is the daughter of a brogger, the mediaeval term for broker, in 1380s England. Her mother dies when Eleanor is a baby and her father when she is about ten. She goes into service for the local gentlelady and from there, proceeds to have men ruin her reputation, her joy, and her sense of self. She’s married off when she’s 12 to a man who is in his 60s and, to modern audiences, it goes downhill from there. However, Eleanor finds her joy in her many marriages and the found family she gains in her long life. Her friendship with a man of the merchant class, one Geoffrey Chaucer, ensures that she remains known and beloved for all time, living as his (in)famous Wife of Bath.

Or at least, this is the fictional take on how a real-life woman might have become the Wife of Bath. 

Replete with vivid images, sights, and sounds of mediaeval England, The Good Wife of Bath takes readers on a pilgrimage through this turbulent period of history seen through the eyes of an equally turbulent character! 

It’s been a long time since I read The Canterbury Tales, but this made me want to read them again. It would have been fun to do a side-by-side readalong sort of thing. Eleanor is, of course, modelled on the Wife of Bath, but other figures in the story are also modelled on other characters from the Tales. A new interpretation of them would be fun for this book nerd.

I loved the insights we got into Eleanor’s character in the chapters that were written as letters to Chaucer while she was on one pilgrimage or another. We got to see glimpses of this woman throughout the book anyway, but much of that was the public mask she put on. Her letters revealed her innermost thoughts and they were quite something! She would be fun to have drinks with for sure. The letters showed an irreverent, irrepressible person who found a way forward regardless of what misfortunes came her way and took absolutely zero shit in the process. She really took to heart the idea that if life gives you lemons, then squirt the juice into the eyes of your enemies! 

The differences in her various marriages were really intriguing, more so because of how Chaucer’s actual Wife was written. Brooks’s Eleanor marries three times for convenience and twice for love. The love matches were hot, stinking garbage fires of a relationship and the marriages of convenience were the ones that actually resulted in a good and pretty happy life for her. In particular, I loved her first husband, Fulk Bigod, and third, Mervyn Slynge the best. The second, Turbot Gerrish, was ok in the end, though he himself was a ridiculous caricature of a man. But Fulk allowed her to tell him what to do and as a result, they got significantly wealthier. Mervyn became a genuine friend to her and, although he had other issues, was a wonderful husband. I sometimes wish a kind old rich gay man wanted to marry me for beaver cover and then leave me all his piles of money when he died. 

Her convenient marriages allowed her to have the control over her own choices that she desired. Her love marriages were far more restrictive and made her a slave in more than one way. She had far less freedom in those. It’s an interesting point and one that would make for an excellent group discussion.

Ultimately, what I think Chaucer’s Wife wanted wasn’t control, or mastery, as he wrote it, over men. What she wanted was control over her own choices, her ability to choose for herself. Sovereignty over one’s choices, one’s body, one’s relationships, one’s money, was not something most women had in 1300s Europe. Really, it is a pathetic commentary on men and modern society that a very great many women still lack these things. The ones who do have them are either single, managed to find a truly feminist partner, or are old, rich, and widowed. Not a whole lot has changed in the 700 years since Chaucer wrote the Tales. Stop the ride, I want off. 

Overall, I highly recommend this to anyone who loves mediaeval historical fiction, and especially to those of us who hold a special place in our hearts for Chaucer.

wife-of-bath-British Library

book review · historical fiction

Everfair

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everfair

Everfair by Nisi Shawl

Genre: fantasy

I read it as a(n): audiobook

Narrator: Allyson Johnson

Length: 12:44:00

Her Grace’s rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Everfair by Nisi Shawl is a steampunk alternative history novel that presents a fascinating premise: the people of the Congo discovering steam power before they were invaded by Belgium. Afro-Victorian Steampunk? Hell, yes! Alas, while the concept is intriguing and offers great potential, the execution of the story leaves much to be desired. There is a plethora of characters and an overly ambitious narrative, so the book struggles to maintain a cohesive and engaging plot in my opinion.

One of the main issues with Everfair is the overwhelming number of characters. While a large cast can add depth and variety to a story, Shawl’s approach feels excessive and convoluted. With so many characters competing for attention, I never really could invest emotionally in any one individual. The lack of a clear focal point or well-developed protagonists hampers the overall cohesion of the plot and makes me care a lot less about their individual story arcs.

Another drawback is the sheer number of ideas and themes that Shawl attempts to explore within the confines of a single book. From political intrigue to social revolution, colonization to racial tensions, and the development of steam-powered technology, the novel feels…crowded. Really, really crowded. Like a college dorm room crowded. The result is a fragmented narrative that lacks the necessary depth and exploration to do justice to any of the ideas presented. The overarching story gets muddy and confusing and fails to provide a satisfying resolution for any of the themes introduced.

While the premise of an alternate Congo with steam power is undeniably captivating, the execution of the story falls flat. The pacing is uneven, with long stretches of slow development punctuated by sudden jumps in time and perspective. This disrupts the flow of the narrative and makes it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the world Shawl has created. 

It’s obvious that Shawl did a shitton of research and has a genuine passion for the subject matter, particularly in her exploration of the impact of colonization on the Congolese people. However, the execution of the story fails to translate that passion into a compelling narrative. The book’s potential is undermined by its disjointed structure and a lack of focus.

At the end of the day, Everfair by Nisi Shawl presents a fascinating premise that I really wanted to love so much, but it was just too much. It was a disappointing and tedious read.

book review · fantasy · historical fiction

The Heavenly Sword

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the heavenly sword

The Heavenly Sword by Alice Poon 

Genre: fantasy

I read it as a(n): digital ARC

Length: 390 pp

Her Grace’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Alice Poon delivers the first of a duology epic fantasy based in Chinese mythology and kung fu. In this first novel, Sai’er is a simple village girl training in the ancient arts of kung fu. Thanks to a helpful sprite, she learns she is the reincarnation of the goddess Chang’e. She must go on a quest to stop the wicked Sky Wolf, who is reincarnated as the Ming Dynasty Emperor Zhu Di. Aided by her foster brother Binhong and several other friends, both mortal and supernatural, Sai’er embarks on an adventure rivaling any in the fantasy genre. 

I enjoyed this, as I did Poon’s earlier books. She does a terrific job of blending fantasy, mythology, and real history all together to make a credible story. I would almost categorize this book magical realism rather than fantasy simply because the elements of magic are so closely woven into the factual parts of the story. They just…belong. Of course Sai’er has a sprite friend. Of course she is an immortal sent to earth. It could be no other way. There isn’t any suspension of disbelief while reading this, it’s just the way things are in Sai’er’s life. So that is particularly well done on the author’s part.

I did have a little trouble, mostly in the earlier parts of the book, with the pacing. This is a very fast-paced story (which is fine, it adds to the kung fu feel of the plot for me), but sometimes I felt like I overlooked something when, for example, I thought we were in one place and then the narration kicked us over to a different place. For example, Sai’er and Binhong were traveling and one minute they were on a very steep staircase carved into a cliff and the next they were surrounded by imperial guards and there was a courtyard. The text hadn’t indicated any other setting prior to that so it was a little jarring to change settings like that. But then I got used to the pacing and it was fine after that.

I think for someone like me, whose experience with wuxia/kung fu extends to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and a handful of Jackie Chan films, this is a very good introduction to the genre. Poon talks about her lifelong love of wuxia (Chinese martial arts/kung fu novels), and references Jin Yong. I had never heard of him before so now I am tempted to read some of his works. Apparently, he’s big in the genre… I never would have learned about him had I not read this book. I always appreciate a book that teaches me something! 

I don’t think this necessarily has to be an adult novel, either. Yes, there’s some sex and gore, but I don’t think it was gratuitous or anything inappropriate for a teen to read. Maybe that’s just my Gen X showing. My parents had no clue what I was reading – or where I was, really – most of the time. So maybe take it with a grain of salt, but this read-all-of-Stephen-King’s-and-V.C.-Andrews’-then-published-works-by-the-time-I-was-12 GenXer thinks it’s totally fine for teen readers as well.

book review · historical fiction

Dark Stars

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Dark Stars by CS Quinn

Genre: historical mystery

I read it as a(n): audiobook

Narrator: Steve West

Length: 12:23:00

Her Grace’s rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Set a few weeks after the events of Fire Catcher, this third installation in The Thief Taker series centers around a killer who is leaving mutilated corpses to wash up around the port town of Deptford. The bodies are all marked with astrological signs that indicate a catastrophe will soon descend upon England. Charlie Tuesday teams up with Lily Bosworth to find the person responsible for the murders. In the process, he discovers that he is connected to the killer in ways beyond their shared astrological fate.

OK. So I didn’t care much for this book. I felt that the characters were surprisingly one-dimensional, especially considering that it was the 3rd book in the series. The good guys were very good, the bad guys were very bad. There were a couple others who were a little more shades of grey, but they were secondary characters that didn’t really add anything super important to the plot.

Speaking of adding to the plot – I’m sorry, but everything involving the court was basically irrelevant. What information we did learn from court could easily have been included elsewhere instead, like a rumor or intercepted letter. The side plot with the king’s mistresses and court politics was just kind of boring and didn’t, in my opinion, add anything vital to the overall story. I do not care at all about his primary mistress, Lady Castlemaine, nor the innocent young girl he fixates on later. The entire book could have been written without them in it at all, and if the rest of the court intrigue stuff had to be included, then probably 75% of it could be cut and still have retained what relevance was necessary. 

SPOILERS BELOW!

Continue reading “Dark Stars” →
Oswald the Thief
book review · historical fiction · Medievalism

Oswald the Thief

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Oswald the Thief by Jeri Westerson
Genre: historical mystery
I read it as a(n): paperback
Length: 270 pp
Her Grace’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Oswald is a half English, half Welsh charming bastard thieving tinker who gets trapped by a corrupt noble into doing a burglary. He only has to break into The Tower and steal the Crown Jewels. So that shouldn’t be too hard, right?

This was a really fun mediaeval caper. Westerson, as always, did a great job with the research of early 14th century London. She has the map of the Tower in the front of the book along with a brief list of terms, both of which are helpful for readers who may be new to her stories. The sights, sounds, smells (ugh), and social rules of mediaeval London shine through in every page.

Similarly, the characters are well crafted and complex. An honest thief? A corrupt noble? A man with the mind of a child but the skill to pick any lock in front of him? Check, check, and check. All the characters in this book are thoughtfully detailed and never one dimensional.

One thing I really like about this book – and actually about all of Westerson’s historical fiction – is that her characters are not all just nobles, royals, or church people. They’re mainly just regular people, the Pastons instead of the Plantagenets. They’re actually people most readers can identify with in ways we cannot with those of higher rank.

I think it’s a fucking tragedy that Westerson couldn’t get a traditional publisher to pick this book up. It was intended to be the first in a new series and I really hope we will get to read more about Oswald and his adventures in the future. It was a lot of fun and it should get more attention than it has.

I highly recommend this, as I do all of Westerson’s books. They’re well researched, the writing is fast paced, and they’re all witty and funny.