The Alchemist of Souls / Anne Lyle
“In her debut, The Alchemist of Souls, Anne Lyle creates an alternate Elizabethan England done right. A world where history meets fantasy in the streets, and where neither emerges unscathed. With a twisting plot, endearing characters, fast-paced action, and truly unique and alien “fey”, Lyle steps up and gives notice to the genre. No wilting faerie queens and tortured knights here: this is how historical fantasy gets dirty. A great first installment in a promising new series.”
— Douglas Hulick, author of Among Thieves
“In her terrific debut novel, Anne Lyle conjures up a magical Elizabethan England of seedy glamour, long shadows, pulsating romance and heart-stopping adventure. The Alchemist of Souls is the calling card of a great new talent in the fantasy field.”
- Mark Chadbourn, author of The Sword of Albion
About the Book:
When Tudor explorers returned from the New World, they brought back a name out of half-forgotten Viking legend: skraylings. Red-sailed ships followed in the explorers’ wake, bringing Native American goods – and a skrayling ambassador – to London. But what do these seemingly magical beings really want in Elizabeth I’s capital?
Mal Catlyn, a down-at-heel swordsman, is seconded to the ambassador’s bodyguard, but assassination attempts are the least of his problems. What he learns about the skraylings and their unholy powers could cost England her new ally – and Mal Catlyn his soul.
File Under: Fantasy [ Midsummer Magic | Skraylings | Double Trouble | Comedy of Terrors ]
THE ALCHEMIST OF SOULS (Night’s Masque vol.1)
Fantasy
Cover: Larry Rostant at Artist Partners
More Praise…
“…gives Shakespeare’s London an alternate-history twist … A lively, readable debut.”
- David Langford, Telegraph.co.uk
“Anne Lyle’s fluid writing brilliantly evokes the heady and gritty atmosphere of her alternate Shakespearean London – from the day-to-day life of theatre troupes to the pomp of official ceremonies.”
– Aliette de Bodard
“Anne Lyle’s Alchemist of Souls teems with intrigue and magic worthy of the Bard himself, all set against the backdrop of Elizabethan London. The attention to historical detail brings the time and place alive and peoples it with characters I could instantly empathize with. An outstanding debut!”
– Lynn Flewelling, author of the Tamir trilogy
“Murder, mayhem and intrigue at the court of Elizabeth I. All this and magic too makes for a great read.”
- Mike Shevdon, author of Sixty-One Nails
“With an effective mix of espionage, backstage drama, and mystery, Lyle provides compelling drama in an intriguing setting.”
“It’s always a pleasure to encounter a debut fantasy novel that combines storytelling verve with inventive turns of phrase.” Four Stars.
- SFX Magazine
“A rich historical setting, some gloriously ambiguous characters, and a whole lot of unexpected surprise collide to make this unmissable for any fan of historical fantasy.”
- Jacob Topp-Mugglestone, Drying Ink
“Lyle is a superb talent, one I think everyone should be reading. The Alchemist of Souls is very highly recommended.”
- Stefan Fergus, The Alchemist of Souls
“A fantastic, original piece of historical fantasy that makes Lyle a début author to watch out for in 2012.”
- Bane of Kings, The Founding Fields
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