Anne Lyle

Larry Rostant’s Renaissance cover art has once again persuaded me to take a punt on a novel: a compelling blend of fantasy and gritty historical fiction, populated by players, spies, noblemen, and swordsmen who are down on their luck. This is London, in the fading days of Elizabeth I’s reign, but not as you know it. The queen tarries at Nonsuch, mourning her late husband Robert Dudley, while the reins of power are in the hands of her elder son Prince Robert. The capital seethes not only show more with religious strife, but also racial tension, for the discovery of the New World has brought Europe into contact with the skraylings: human-like and yet not human; great craftsmen, traders and warriors. And the imminent arrival of the first skrayling ambassador to the Court of St James may well be the spark that ignites the blaze. Imagine Shakespeare in Love seasoned with grit, intrigue and more than a hint of otherworldly magic...

For the full review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2018/02/07/the-alchemist-of-souls-anne-lyle/ show less

I'm surprised to find that this series isn't well known. It's world building, characters, and language are historically accurate while still written in a style that's accessible to modern audiences. There were a couple of sections on the book that left me feeling a little lost that might have benefited from more context but overall I consider it one of the best examples of realistic historical fantasy I've ever come across.

The inclusion of LGBT themes with a touch of romance makes it the show more perfect mix of all of my favorite genres. Basically, all I could ask for in a book of this type! show less

This is the first book of The Night's Masque trilogy. In this book, the author has created an alternate history in which Queen Elizabeth I has married Robert Dudley and given birth to two sons. However, the Queen is not a main character; the alternate history backdrop is simply there to set the scene as far as I can tell. The main story revolves around Mal and Coby. Mal is hired on as a body guard for a skrayling ambassador. Skraylings are mystical human-like creatures who have the ability show more to be reborn (guise) as humans and also they are able to walk through people's dreams.

As of the time of writing this review, I have already read the second book in the series, so I am trying to be careful to not confuse the two stories or give away any plot points in the books. Anyway, the skraylings are fascinating, and they are very reminiscent of a type of Native American mysticism. Kiiren, the skrayling ambassador, was delightful in that he was tied to the old ways of his skrayling brethren, but also excited and wanting to learn more about human customs and society.

Coby was the other main character. She is a girl who is working with a theatre troupe undercover as a boy for her own safety. She is wonderfully head strong in the way that is typical of the feminine hero in today's literature. Other than the character of Ned (Mal's friend and comedic sidekick), Coby was far and away my favorite character in this book. I especially loved the details of the behind-the scenes Shakespeare-era theatre.

Mal and Coby come together because Coby is fluent in trade-speak with the skraylings, and she is to teach Mal this language in preparation for his duties as the ambassador's body guard. Coby falls head-over-heels for Mal, but there is the tension of her masquerading as a boy that keeps the story interesting. Also, I enjoyed that Lyle was able to have Coby convincingly lust after Mal without making it the sole aspect of her personality. Coby maintained a distinct personality and humor outside of her "romance" with Mal which I appreciated.

The story was fascinating and a relatively quick read. It definitely left me anxious to read the second book. And as a side note, after reading the second book, I am looking forward to the third. I am curious to see if Ms. Lyle has any other stories to tell after the Night's Masque is concluded, because I feel she is an intelligent, humorous writer, and I would love to hear more from her. show less

A sweeping story that engrossed me on many levels, THE ALCHEMIST OF SOULS kept me guessing with nuanced characters, unexpected world building, and a fascinating blend of real and imagined history. The switching view points expertly kept several plots in the air at once, and I would be hard pressed to choose which of the several charming lead characters emerged as my favorite overall.

Mal and Coby are both admirable and vulnerable by turns, but the author never betrays their soft spots for show more cheap emotional thrills. I had little hope for Coby's girlish crush, and no one could be more thrilled (and surprised) than I at the triumphant close to this book, and the enticing start to what I would love to see as a series. Mal himself is so evenhanded and capable he's almost anachronistic, observing and respecting all manner of minority races and alternative sexual orientations at a time when "tolerance" was barely in the dictionary. The author does a great job weaving this strength back to the world building without making Mal any less compelling as a character. Though there are plausible magics that may have influenced his development as a man, he is no less charming of a man for them.

A mix of mystery, historical fiction, and pure fantasy, THE ALCHEMIST OF SOULS will definitely appeal across many genres. For Urban Fantasy fans, those who appreciate Harry Dresden's quixotic charm will certainly find a lot to love in Mal's band of brothers.

Sexual Content: References to sex and prostitution, scenes of brief sensuality and kissing. show less