- ASIN : B0B3W9SX8Z
- Publisher : Anywhere But Here Publications; 1st edition (11 Jun. 2022)
- Language : English
- Print length : 322 pages
- Genre : Medieval Historical Fiction
The BookViral Review:
A rousing Medieval Historical Fiction adventure and a delightfully confident novel from Isard who delivers a read with densely packed intrigue The Guild of Salt and the King’s Messenger proves a powerful debut.
Underpinned by a tightly plotted and nicely crafted narrative, Isard is certainly suited to the Historical Fiction genre with a genuine appreciation for how the best action and adventure stories should play out.
With plenty of momentum, there’s riveting attention to detail that creates an overall sense of suspense and an authentic feel to his medieval period setting as he pulls readers into an ever-immersive storyline and an intricate tapestry of events.
Demonstrating a finely tuned ear for dialogue and an ability to create wonderfully vibrant characters that all but leap off the page he effortlessly captures the social nuances of his settings in flowing prose as his characters evolve.
First and foremost amongst these are the young acolyte Ralph and the Lady de la Haye Esmé who find their paths intrinsically linked and it’s through them that Isard ably translates historical fact into a fiction that manifests a palpable sense of time and place.
There’s action, danger, nail-biting escapes and shadowy characters with dubious morals but they’re not stereotyped or unrealistic and are so well portrayed that they loom large in the imagination. And though readers will find themselves hoping against the odds for a happy ending Isard isn’t quick to give the game away and ably manages to keep readers on tenterhooks to his closing chapters, with a refreshing absence of loose ends.
A genuine page-turner that’s sure to find favour with Historical Fiction fans, The Guild of Salt and the King’s Messenger makes for an enthralling read and is highly recommended.