Anyone here readnig Anne Lyle's "The Alchemist of Souls"?
I know there's a review on the front end of chronicles by Stephen Palmer:
http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/2012/05/29/review-alchemist-of-souls-by-anne-lyle/
but I'm currently reading this and greatly enjoying it.
While it's been slow to develop so far, that's not a problem because the world of Elizabethan England - albeit with a fantasy twist (Elizabeth I married, is a widow, and has grown sons) - has been recreated extremely vividly.
As the review points out there's no fat - there's no sense of ambling through the daisies with peripheral characters for the sake of it - and the attention to detail is stunning.
When we walk through London, it feels very real - we turn left, we turn right, the houses are different in every district.
And the backdrop involves the threatre of the time, with Shakespeare's actors and Christopher Marlowe very much a part of the tapestry. As someone with an interest in theatre, I really get the references, but even more so, enjoy them.
The whole experience suggests infinite care and research has gone into making this book, but more than that, she doesn't even labour on it.
I've just read a piece on the lead character riding out with a group from London to meet with Queen Elizabeth herself, and the writing remains tight and extremely effective. And retains an appropriate level of tension. It's only seven pages, including dialogue, but it's highimpact.
I haven't finished the book yet, so I'll need read anything below prefaced "Spoilers!" if they're posted before I've read it.
The main reason for this post is:
1. I'm really enjoying how well written this piece is;
2. Is anyone else reading this as well?
I know there's a review on the front end of chronicles by Stephen Palmer:
http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/2012/05/29/review-alchemist-of-souls-by-anne-lyle/
but I'm currently reading this and greatly enjoying it.
While it's been slow to develop so far, that's not a problem because the world of Elizabethan England - albeit with a fantasy twist (Elizabeth I married, is a widow, and has grown sons) - has been recreated extremely vividly.
As the review points out there's no fat - there's no sense of ambling through the daisies with peripheral characters for the sake of it - and the attention to detail is stunning.
When we walk through London, it feels very real - we turn left, we turn right, the houses are different in every district.
And the backdrop involves the threatre of the time, with Shakespeare's actors and Christopher Marlowe very much a part of the tapestry. As someone with an interest in theatre, I really get the references, but even more so, enjoy them.
The whole experience suggests infinite care and research has gone into making this book, but more than that, she doesn't even labour on it.
I've just read a piece on the lead character riding out with a group from London to meet with Queen Elizabeth herself, and the writing remains tight and extremely effective. And retains an appropriate level of tension. It's only seven pages, including dialogue, but it's highimpact.
I haven't finished the book yet, so I'll need read anything below prefaced "Spoilers!" if they're posted before I've read it.
The main reason for this post is:
1. I'm really enjoying how well written this piece is;
2. Is anyone else reading this as well?