Fantasy Fiction, Alternate Realities - Fiction, Christian Fiction & Literature

The Devil in Green (Dark Age Series #1)

Name: The Devil in Green (Dark Age Series #1)
Author: Mark Chadbourn
ISBN: 9781616141981

by Mark Chadbourn

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Overview

Humanity has emerged, blinking, from the Age of Misrule into a world substantially changed: cities lie devasted, communications are limited, anarchy rages across the land. Society has been thrown into a new Dark Age where superstition holds sway. The Tuatha De Danaan roam the land once more, their terrible powers dwarfing anything mortals have to offer. And in their wake come all the creatures of myth and legend, no longer confined to the shadows. Fighting to find their place in this new world, the last remnants of the Christian Church call for a group of heroes: a new Knights Templar to guard the priesthood as they set out on their quest for souls. But as everything begin to fall apart, the Knights begin to realize their only hope is to call on the pagan gods of Celtic myth for help...

Synopsis

Humanity has emerged, blinking, from the Age of Misrule into a world substantially changed: cities lie devasted, communications are limited, anarchy rages across the land. Society has been thrown into a new Dark Age where superstition holds sway.

The Tuatha De Danaan roam the land once more, their terrible powers dwarfing anything mortals have to offer. And in their wake come all the creatures of myth and legend, no longer confined to the shadows.

Fighting to find their place in this new world, the last remnants of the Christian Church call for a group of heroes: a new Knights Templar to guard the priesthood as they set out on their quest for souls. But as everything begin to fall apart, the Knights begin to realise their only hope is to call on the pagan gods of Celtic myth for help...

Publishers Weekly

British Fantasy Award-winner Chadbourn (The Silver Skull) returns to a contemporary England overrun by magic, first presented in his Age of Misrule novels. Fabulous beasts fly over the countryside, while humans huddle together and struggle to comprehend the new world. Cynical atheist Mallory joins the newly reformed Knights Templar for the promise of “food, drink, and shelter” and meets supernaturally gifted Sophie Tallent, whose nomadic Wiccan group is uneasily allied with the Christians. Sophie and Mallory soon discover their own greater destiny as Brother and Sister of Dragons, the core of a new group of five heroes who must join to thwart a threat against reality itself. Despite some cinematic scenes, much of the material feels like setup for the rest of the series, and the central mystery of Mallory's past remains frustratingly intact through the muddled conclusion. (May)

About the Author, Mark Chadbourn

A two-time winner of the British Fantasy Award, Mark Chadbourn is the critically-acclaimed author of sixteen novels and one non-fiction book. A former journalist, he is now a screenwriter for BBC television drama. His other jobs have included running an independent record company, managing rock bands, working on a production line, and as an engineer's 'mate'. He lives in a forest in the English Midlands. Visit him online at markchadbourn.net.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

SFX

Pushes the usual fantasy envelope and voyages into some serioulsy unexpected directions. Written with plenty of energy and vigour, Chadbourn's original take on the fantasy epic packs in plenty of action and incident.

SFSite

Chadbourn does a fine job of showing how religion can easily become corrupted by the agendas of unstable fundamentalists, and that blind faith in leaders — or anything — will get you killed.

Children's Literature

In the aftermath of the resurgence of magic and supernatural forces, the destruction of almost all modern technology and a war that decimated the population, what happens when the devil comes to town? British Fantasy Award-winner Chadbourn returns to the world he created in the "Age of Misrule" series with the first in the new "Dark Age" trilogy that follows Mallory, a cynical, sarcastic, and well-educated man with a mysterious past through his journey upon joining the newly re-formed Knights Templar. With Christianity barely holding on against superstition and old gods, the remaining Church elders create a stronghold at Salisbury Cathedral as a launching pad for the reestablishment of the religion, but they are not the only ones to sense the power in the land. Led by a witch named Sophie, a Pagan camp dedicated to creating a new Celtic Nation has set up outside the cathedral walls. Mallory and his fellow knights Miller, an optimist and idealist; Daniels, good-humored, sophisticated and gay; and Gardener, a hard-line believer with a gruff exterior form a bond of friendship through their time spent in training, on missions and then later trapped in the cathedral compound that survives even after harsh betrayals. Ultimately, Sophie and Mallory discover their futures are intertwined as a Sister and Brother of Dragons. Rich, dense, and full of dry, sarcastic humor, the text adeptly deals with discussions of and commentary on comparative religion, the corruption of power, philosophy of the spirit, and the nature of evil all within the framework of the plot line. As the first in a series, the open ending is to be expected; however, the story of what has occurred in Mallory's past is not fully revealed, which may leave some readers slightly frustrated. Though fitting for the characters, be aware that there is violence and a small amount of swearing and sex as part of the story. Reviewer: Karin Suni

Library Journal

The modern world has given way to a nightmare realm in which creatures from myths and legends roam the land. A resurgent Christian Church has resurrected both the Knights Templar and the Inquisition to battle evil, yet they lack the resources possessed by only one group—the practitioners of an older religion. From the ranks of the Templars, a cynical mercenary becomes the first of five champions to carry on the battle against the darkness despite his unbelief. Chadbourn's series opener continues where his "Age of Misrule" trilogy left off, introducing a new group of champions to continue the fight for humanity in a world left to the mercy of the gods. VERDICT This powerful, well-informed epic fantasy based on Celtic legends should appeal to a wide readership.