The silver skull of Mark Chadbourn

the silver skull This is the first book in a new series. Swords of Albion. Author Mark Chadbourn gets off to a sensational start with a fearless hero battling the Faerie Kingdom in an alternate Elizabethan England. Chadbourn, has twice won the British Fantasy Award. A former journalist, he has written eleven novels as well as non-fiction. This is the first book of his that I have read. It won’t be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining historical fantasy adventure.

Will Swyfte is the greatest of Lord Francis Walsingham’s spies and some wonder why a spy would want to be so well known. But it’s just a front so people have a hero to look up to and Will can cover up his true duty and the true purpose of the spy ring. But now England is threatened by a supernatural force that seeks to eradicate the human race. Beneath the Thames, a procession of lights moves toward the impregnable Tower of London, where a special prisoner and a powerful artifact have been held for twenty years. The building is breached, the guards are killed, and the prisoner, a powerful doomsday weapon, is released. Now England’s greatest spy must battle the darkness before the nation is destroyed. He has sworn to protect his queen and her country from a secret enemy, the Fae, who associate with Spain. He has another reason to hate Faerie forces. When he was younger his true love was stolen from him and he can’t forget her. If Will cannot prevent the enemy from acquiring three magical artifacts, the Skull, the Key, and the Shield, England will fall.

The historical detail in this book sets up a believable backdrop for a spy who could pass for a fantastic James Bond. Will Swifte, adventurer, swordsman, rakehell and the greatest spy is a larger than life character. James Bond has the Q for him and Will has Dr. John Dee, a member of the secret service. He provides the amazing gadgets for Will and the other spies. I thought all the characters were well developed and likeable. Tension abounds and the fear factor is high as they face supernatural threats and a bit of horror in a paranormal England of the late 16th century. Chadbourn sets a fast pace with lots of twists and turns. Nothing is what it seems. It is an excellent read. I am looking forward to the next in the series.

Publisher: Pyr (November 24, 2009)

ISBN: 978-1-59102-783-6

Paperback: 425 pages

Price: $16.00