The Coronation
By Justin Newland
Publication Date: 28th January 2019. Publisher: Matador. Page Length: 216 Pages.Genre: Historical Fantasy, Supernatural Thriller.
It is 1761. Prussia is at war with Russia and Austria. As the Russian army occupies East Prus-sia, King Frederick the Great and his men fight hard to win back their homeland.
In Ludwigshain, a Junker estate in East Prussia, Countess Marion von Adler celebrates an ex-ceptional harvest. But it is requisitioned by Russian troops. When Marion tries to stop them, a Russian captain strikes her. His lieutenant, Ian Fermor, defends Marion’s honour and is stabbed for his insubordination. Abandoned by the Russians, Fermor becomes a divisive figure on the estate.
Close to death, Fermor dreams of the Adler, a numinous eagle entity, whose territory extends across the lands of Northern Europe and which is mysteriously connected to the Enlightenment. What happens next will change of the course of human history…
Book Rating:
📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million
📚📚📚📚📚 = I could not put this book down. I Highly Recommend it.
📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.
📚📚📚 = It was enjoyable.
📚📚 = It was okay.
📚 = Um...! 😕
My Review
The Coronation
📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.
Historical fantasy, especially when grounded in a historical fiction world can sometimes be very hit and miss, and for that reason, I am always a little wary about reading a historical fiction novel with an edge of fantasy to it. But the blurb of this novel was very enticing and I thought, why not?!
This novel’s opening was captivating. What started out as an innocent celebration ends with a frightening encounter with the Imperial Russian cavalry that leaves a man fighting for his life. And it is in this moment that all the fates of the main characters in this novel became carefully interwoven. Set during the Seven Year War and the period that became known as the siècle des Lumières (the century of Enlightenment) this novel depicts a time when, despite the terrible war, there was a sort of revolutionary development where reason, instead of religious ideology, became central to many lives. And this book touches upon this. The depiction of the two-headed eagle, the Adler, represents a different future, a coronation, it is a "what if?" idea which I found incredibly appealing.
There are several characters in this novel that caught my eye, but I thought Marion Gräfin von Adler was a wonderfully drawn character, who despite her aristocratic heritage, is incredibly down to earth. Her defiance in the face of huge odds, and her compassion, and fear for those who are under her care made her the kind of character that was very easy to like. Likewise, I thought the depiction of Ian Fermor was also wonderfully depicted.
I am so glad I took a chance with this novel. I think it will appeal to an audience who enjoys quality historical fantasy.
You can pick up your copy of this book at the following bookstores: Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon CA, Amazon AU, Barnes and Noble, Waterstones, Kobo, Author Website (buyers can enter a dedication to be signed by the author), Publisher’s Website, Wordery (UK), Bookswagon (India), Booktopia (Au), Saxo (Dk), Exclusive Books (SA)
His Books
The Genes of Isis is a tale of love, destruction and ephemeral power set under the skies of Ancient Egypt. A re-telling of the Biblical story of the flood, it reveals the mystery of the genes of Isis – or genesis – of mankind. ISBN 9781789014860.
“The novel is creative, sophisticated, and downright brilliant! I couldn’t ask more of an Egyp-tian-esque book!” – Lauren, Books Beyond the Story.
The Old Dragon’s Head is a historical fantasy and supernatural thriller set during the Ming Dynasty and played out in the shadows the Great Wall of China. It explores the secret history of the influences that shaped the beginnings of modern times. ISBN 9781789015829.
‘The author is an excellent storyteller.” – British Fantasy Society.
Set during the Great Enlightenment, The Coronation reveals the secret history of the Industrial Revolution. ISBN 9781838591885.
“The novel explores the themes of belonging, outsiders… religion and war… filtered through the lens of the other-worldly.” – A. Deane, Page Farer Book Blog.
His latest, The Abdication (July, 2021), is a suspense thriller, a journey of destiny, wisdom and self-discovery. ISBN 9781800463950.
“In Topeth, Tula confronts the truth, her faith in herself, faith in a higher purpose, and ulti-mately, what it means to abdicate that faith.”
V. Triola, Coast to Coast.
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