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Swords of Albion #3
The Devil's Looking Glass
The third swashbuckling, supernatural adventure featuring Elizabethan England's answer to James Bond, the dashing swordsman and spy, WIll Swyfte.
1593: The dreaded alchemist, black magician and spy Dr John Dee is missing... Terror sweeps through the court of Queen Elizabeth, for in Dee's possession is an obsidian mirror, a mysterious object of great power which legend says could set the world afire. And so the call goes out to celebrated swordsman, adventurer and rake Will Swyfte -- find Dee and his feared looking-glass and return them to London before disaster strikes. But when Will discovers the mirror may help him solve the mystery that has haunted him for years -- the fate of his lost love, Jenny -- the stakes become acutely personal. With a frozen London under siege by supernatural powers, the sands of time are running out. Will is left with no choice but to pursue the alchemist to the devil-haunted lands of the New World -- in the very shadow of the terrifying fortress home of England's hidden enemy, the Unseelie Court.
Surrounded by an army of these unearthly fiends, with only his sword and a few brave friends at his back, the realm's greatest spy must be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice -- or see all he loves destroyed.
1593: The dreaded alchemist, black magician and spy Dr John Dee is missing... Terror sweeps through the court of Queen Elizabeth, for in Dee's possession is an obsidian mirror, a mysterious object of great power which legend says could set the world afire. And so the call goes out to celebrated swordsman, adventurer and rake Will Swyfte -- find Dee and his feared looking-glass and return them to London before disaster strikes. But when Will discovers the mirror may help him solve the mystery that has haunted him for years -- the fate of his lost love, Jenny -- the stakes become acutely personal. With a frozen London under siege by supernatural powers, the sands of time are running out. Will is left with no choice but to pursue the alchemist to the devil-haunted lands of the New World -- in the very shadow of the terrifying fortress home of England's hidden enemy, the Unseelie Court.
Surrounded by an army of these unearthly fiends, with only his sword and a few brave friends at his back, the realm's greatest spy must be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice -- or see all he loves destroyed.
420 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2012
About the author
Mark Chadbourn
60 books205 followersA two-time winner of the prestigious British Fantasy Award, Mark has published his epic, imaginative novels in many countries around the world. He grew up in the mining community of the English Midlands, and was the first person in his family to go to university. After studying Economic History at Leeds, he became a successful journalist, writing for several of the UK's renowned national newspapers as well as contributing to magazines and TV.
When his first short story won Fear magazine's Best New Author award, he was snapped up by an agent and subsequently published his first novel, Underground, a supernatural thriller set in the coalfields of his youth. Quitting journalism to become a full-time author, he has written stories which have transcended genre boundaries, but is perhaps best known in the fantasy field.
Mark has also forged a parallel career as a screenwriter with many hours of produced work for British television. He is a writer for BBC Drama, and is also developing new shows for the UK and US.
An expert on British folklore and mythology, he has held several varied and colourful jobs, including independent record company boss, band manager, production line worker, engineer's 'mate', and media consultant.
Having travelled extensively around the world, he has now settled in a rambling house in the middle of a forest not far from where he was born.
When his first short story won Fear magazine's Best New Author award, he was snapped up by an agent and subsequently published his first novel, Underground, a supernatural thriller set in the coalfields of his youth. Quitting journalism to become a full-time author, he has written stories which have transcended genre boundaries, but is perhaps best known in the fantasy field.
Mark has also forged a parallel career as a screenwriter with many hours of produced work for British television. He is a writer for BBC Drama, and is also developing new shows for the UK and US.
An expert on British folklore and mythology, he has held several varied and colourful jobs, including independent record company boss, band manager, production line worker, engineer's 'mate', and media consultant.
Having travelled extensively around the world, he has now settled in a rambling house in the middle of a forest not far from where he was born.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 3, 2012
1593: The dreaded alchemist, black magician and spy Dr John Dee is missing…
Terror sweeps through the court of Queen Elizabeth, for in Dee’s possession is an obsidian mirror, a mysterious object of great power which legend says could set the world afire.
The call goes out to celebrated swordsman, adventurer and rake Will Swyfte: find Dee and his feared looking-glass and return them to London before disaster strikes. But when Will discovers the mirror may help him solve the mystery that has haunted him for years – the fate of his lost love, Jenny – the stakes are intensely personal.
With a frozen London under siege by supernatural powers, the sands of time are running out. Will is left with no choice but to pursue the alchemist to the devil-haunted lands of the New World – in the very shadow of the terrifying fortress home of England’s hidden enemy, the Unseelie Court.
Facing an army of these unearthly fiends, with only his sword and a few brave friends at his back, England’s greatest spy must be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice – or see all he loves destroyed…
Will Swyfte continues to be an audacious a character as ever. Fearless to the point of recklessness, he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Still haunted by events in his past, Swyfte is willing to follow Dr Dee to the very ends of the Earth if it means he will get some answers. So driven by his inner demons there are times when Swyfte almost comes across as arrogant or unfeeling. It’s nice to find a main protagonist who is not 100% perfect. He has flaws and his battle to overcome the Fay of the Unseelie Court is, at least in some part, a battle to overcome his own failings.
As the plot unfolds Swyfte’s brothers in arms get some exciting plot developments of their own. The dynamic between John Carpenter and Robert, the Earl of Launceston, that has been one of my favourite elements of the trilogy, takes an unexpected turn and their relationship is forever changed. In the previous novels, there has always been very defined roles for both of these two men. If you have read books one and two, you will appreciate why, but desperate circumstances lead to desperate measures and in turn something entirely new. I always enjoy when a writer throws me a curveball and does something that defies my expectations. As an aside The Earl of Launceston remains my favourite character from the entire series. He works perfectly within the confines of the story and has some of the most memorable moments.
Irish spy Red Meg O’Shee also reappears in this novel and it is still a pleasure to find she is more than capable of holding her own against Swyfte, their ongoing battle of wits is a constant delight. O’Shee and Swyfte may work for different governments but there is a begrudging respect for one another as well as a never-ending game on one upmanship.
My only minor criticism relates to a new character called Bloody Jack Courtney, a ship’s captain, who helps Swyfte in his journey to the New World. Unfortunately, he only appears in a handful of scenes but I loved his manic attitude, it was infectious. I have to be honest and admit that once he appeared I found myself hoping for more. Perhaps I can convince Mr Chadbourn to write a novel based around Red Meg and Bloody Jack’s exploits, I’d have difficulty putting into words how much I’d love to read that.
I wouldn’t dream of posting anything too spoilery but I think it is fair to say that this novel’s ending will most likely leave fans wanting more. Those that have read Mark Chadbourn’s previous work, specifically The Age of Misrule, will appreciate that the Swords of Albion is already part of something much larger and I hope that there is more left still to explore. I got to the final page of the book and was hoping to see, like the end of a James Bond movie, that Swyfte will return.
When I reviewed book two in the series, The Scar Crow Men, I confidently made the following statement -
If you are looking for a novel that contains just the right amount of swash with an added dash of buckle then look no further. There are swords fights and chases aplenty and the action is perfectly balanced with the intrigue and conspiracies of Elizabeth’s court.
Now that I have read book three I’d liked to amend that slightly. Never mind a book, if you are looking for a trilogy that will more than adequately swash your buckle look no further. Betrayal, treason and trickery with just the right amount of unworldly magic all come together to create a fast paced, character driven action fantasy.
Terror sweeps through the court of Queen Elizabeth, for in Dee’s possession is an obsidian mirror, a mysterious object of great power which legend says could set the world afire.
The call goes out to celebrated swordsman, adventurer and rake Will Swyfte: find Dee and his feared looking-glass and return them to London before disaster strikes. But when Will discovers the mirror may help him solve the mystery that has haunted him for years – the fate of his lost love, Jenny – the stakes are intensely personal.
With a frozen London under siege by supernatural powers, the sands of time are running out. Will is left with no choice but to pursue the alchemist to the devil-haunted lands of the New World – in the very shadow of the terrifying fortress home of England’s hidden enemy, the Unseelie Court.
Facing an army of these unearthly fiends, with only his sword and a few brave friends at his back, England’s greatest spy must be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice – or see all he loves destroyed…
Will Swyfte continues to be an audacious a character as ever. Fearless to the point of recklessness, he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Still haunted by events in his past, Swyfte is willing to follow Dr Dee to the very ends of the Earth if it means he will get some answers. So driven by his inner demons there are times when Swyfte almost comes across as arrogant or unfeeling. It’s nice to find a main protagonist who is not 100% perfect. He has flaws and his battle to overcome the Fay of the Unseelie Court is, at least in some part, a battle to overcome his own failings.
As the plot unfolds Swyfte’s brothers in arms get some exciting plot developments of their own. The dynamic between John Carpenter and Robert, the Earl of Launceston, that has been one of my favourite elements of the trilogy, takes an unexpected turn and their relationship is forever changed. In the previous novels, there has always been very defined roles for both of these two men. If you have read books one and two, you will appreciate why, but desperate circumstances lead to desperate measures and in turn something entirely new. I always enjoy when a writer throws me a curveball and does something that defies my expectations. As an aside The Earl of Launceston remains my favourite character from the entire series. He works perfectly within the confines of the story and has some of the most memorable moments.
Irish spy Red Meg O’Shee also reappears in this novel and it is still a pleasure to find she is more than capable of holding her own against Swyfte, their ongoing battle of wits is a constant delight. O’Shee and Swyfte may work for different governments but there is a begrudging respect for one another as well as a never-ending game on one upmanship.
My only minor criticism relates to a new character called Bloody Jack Courtney, a ship’s captain, who helps Swyfte in his journey to the New World. Unfortunately, he only appears in a handful of scenes but I loved his manic attitude, it was infectious. I have to be honest and admit that once he appeared I found myself hoping for more. Perhaps I can convince Mr Chadbourn to write a novel based around Red Meg and Bloody Jack’s exploits, I’d have difficulty putting into words how much I’d love to read that.
I wouldn’t dream of posting anything too spoilery but I think it is fair to say that this novel’s ending will most likely leave fans wanting more. Those that have read Mark Chadbourn’s previous work, specifically The Age of Misrule, will appreciate that the Swords of Albion is already part of something much larger and I hope that there is more left still to explore. I got to the final page of the book and was hoping to see, like the end of a James Bond movie, that Swyfte will return.
When I reviewed book two in the series, The Scar Crow Men, I confidently made the following statement -
If you are looking for a novel that contains just the right amount of swash with an added dash of buckle then look no further. There are swords fights and chases aplenty and the action is perfectly balanced with the intrigue and conspiracies of Elizabeth’s court.
Now that I have read book three I’d liked to amend that slightly. Never mind a book, if you are looking for a trilogy that will more than adequately swash your buckle look no further. Betrayal, treason and trickery with just the right amount of unworldly magic all come together to create a fast paced, character driven action fantasy.
March 21, 2015
I read this to finish the series. Although I enjoyed Doctor Dee turning into a badass, I was vaguely disappointed with the rest of the book. Felt a bit hackneyed like a 70s superfriends comic book plot.
June 28, 2013
Not one of Chadbourns's best, but he is still fantastic with myth and faerie lore.
September 29, 2019
Not as good as previous books, and the ending feels quite rushed.
June 30, 2012
C2012. FWFTB: 1593, mirror, ocean, fortress, Unseelie. Keeping up the exploits of Will Swyfte, this is the next in the Swords of Albion adventure. I felt this this was much better than the previous book in that there was a little more understandable action and some of the holes in the backstory filled in. “England lurches from crisis to crisis, as always, but we stand and we abide. This will pass.”Mr Chadbourn has a really interesting website and provides quite a bit of the background regarding his research. Realms of Fantasy thought “Smart, fun, at times surprisingly moving and occasionally downright shocking..impossible to put down”..close enough.Cover photograph by Jonathan Ring who does not seem to have a huge website presence. Recommended?Yes – as long as the normal crew can remember the previous 2 books. FCN: Will Swyfte (spy extraordinaire), Doctor John Dee, Earl of Launceston, Carpenter, Jenny. 'And then it will be too late,' Carpenter snapped. 'We will never see Dee again, and this land will be overrun by the things that walk with printless feet and cast no shadows on this earth. And then you, you red-headed puttock, will know what it is like to thrash in the throes of a nightmare from which you can never wake.'
January 20, 2013
As an adventure story this is quite good so long as you don't think about it too hard. It works well as an alternate history with a supernatural element but fails to describe or explain the magic properly.
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August 7, 2012
Swyfte and his fellow spies head off to rescue Dr Dee from the duplicitous Red Meg. More scuffles with the Fay and some resolutions to the problems plaguing our intrepid hero. Fun and entertaining.
January 17, 2013
Disappointing after how much I enjoyed the previous two.
July 15, 2014
Well, it borrows heavily from "the Tempest," but still a decent read
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews