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 fighting against the Fairy 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 nonfiction. This is the first book of his that I read. It won’t be the last. I really 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 facade so that 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 wants 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 is released, a powerful doomsday weapon. Now England’s greatest spy must fight the darkness before the nation is destroyed. He has sworn to protect his queen and her country from a secret enemy, the Fae, who are associated 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 can’t stop the enemy from acquiring three magical artifacts, the Skull, Key, and Shield, England will fall.

The historical detail in this book sets a believable backdrop for a spy who could pass for a fantastic James Bond. Adventurer, swordsman, rake, and greatest spy, Will Swifte is a larger-than-life character. James Bond has the Q on him and Will has Dr. John Dee, a member of the secret service. He provides the awesome gadgets for Will and the other spies. I thought all the characters were well developed and likeable. Tension is running high and the fear factor is high as they are faced with 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’m looking forward to the next one in the series.

Publisher: Pyr (November 24, 2009)

ISBN: 978-1-59102-783-6

Paperback: 425 pages

Price: $16.00