Reviewed: October 29th, 2023
Released: June 30th, 2021
Genre: MM Historical Fantasy
Silas Mercer is a dead man walking.
And the mysterious Order of the Golden Dawn have big plans for their newest ankou and his deathly bandalore.
Life as a servant of death has its challenges. But the biggest one of all is Silas’s daemonic guardian, Pitch. He may look like heaven, but he’s making Silas’s life all kinds of hell.
The daemon is arrogant, egotistical and his appetite for violence and tea cakes is fast outgrowing the small village where they have been recuperating since their run-in with Black Annis.
Now, the increasingly unstable Blight is causing new havoc, and fresh monstrosities are emerging. Pitch and Sickle are back in the saddle, and on their way to the haunted Forest of Dean. But can Silas rely on his guardian’s protection? Or will Pitch prove to be the most dangerous encounter of all?
Helen’s thoughts: 5/5
The more I read of this series the more I love Pitch and Sickle, and I am only on book 2 of 8, so loads more slow burn angst between these two men and still many secrets to be uncovered, though I have an inkling who Pitch is, though not what happened to him as yet. Can’t wait to find out, nor how Silas will play a part, which I have no doubt he will.
In Book Two Silas is off to save The Verderer, the spirit of the forest, with his reluctant guardian in tow. We learn a little more about both men, and Silas learns a surprising amount from the normally reticent Pitch which reveals an ever growing mythical world and a few crack’s in Pitch’s guard. It seems Silas is finding a way to tame his wayard daemon, for a little while at least, as he slowly grows into his role as an Ankou, or a pale horseman. The number of names or titles these characters have keeps growing, which can get a bit confusing at times, but Pitch/Tobias/Daemon and Sickle/Silas/Ankou are no doubt just the start.
I love the relationship these guys have with their horses. Lalassu is so lovely and it’s nice to see Pitch doesn’t always get things his way, even if he scoffs all the shortcake, Sanu has his number.
Another beautifully written tale, with plenty of emotion, action and missed opportunities. On to book three, The Skriker.
Purchase The Verderer via Amazon
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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