James Alistair Henry. Moonflower Books, (321p) ISBN: 9781916678019. Science Fiction, read 19/01/26, Paperback ★★★★☆
Pagans
I noticed this when it came out in hardback but as always I have such a large amount of books to read I put it on the maybe list.
Coming out in paperback soon, this is set in an alt-present Britain where the nations never ‘united’. North of the heavily fortified wall is the Democratic Republic of Scotland (tech and money), to the West are the tribal lands (Picts), and the Saxons still rule the Kingdom of England.
With this there was no British colonialism and technology developed elsewhere, power and cultural centres are elsewhere, especially in the Pan-African region and the Caliphates.
The twist on dominant cultures and religions are fascinating and gives the killer real depth.
This is a fascinating look at an alternative history and really gives flavour to the world that the story is set in, but the murder and police procedural would stand even without this I think, though motive would have to change slightly.
I’m not usually a fan of crime thrillers but this was excellently written and plotted out using the flavour of it’s own world whilst mirroring part of the tensions and politics that are happening in our world now.
I read this through in two sittings it was that gripping, Aedith and Drustan are well fleshed out characters as are the minor characters.
My only disappointment was that it was very light on any real fantasy or mysticism and I’m hoping more of that comes out in book 2.
