The Alchemist of Souls

Night's Masque, Book 1

By: Anne Lyle

Narrated by: Michael Page

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 appointed 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 his soul.

©2012 Anne Lyle (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Pretty good.

If you are looking for an action packed romp, this isn't the book for you. It is a pretty decent story set to a fairly interesting fantasy background.

You'll note that almost every review remarks on the homosexual relationships in the book. I only think it's notable that this is the first book I've ever seen with them front and center. This was far far less sexual or graphic than many heterosexual encounters described in countless other books in the genre. It really is only 3 gay characters and 1 bi.

In the end, it past the time. It lost my interest a bit at the end. And I haven't gone on to the sequel. But I may at some point.

I liked it, but why are half the men gay?

What made the experience of listening to The Alchemist of Souls the most enjoyable?

Engaging characters, compelling action, a little mystery, and hilarious English slang, a great combination making for a great listen.

What does Michael Page bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Michael Page is amazing. I've listened to seven or eight books he's read and I've not been disappointed yet.

Any additional comments?

Really though, there were like more gay men than straight men... I just really don't enjoy listening to a dude talk about how nice an ass another guy has.

Alternate History and Reincarnation

This was an interesting story, and I enjoyed the way the differences that this version of history dribbled out at unexpected times. Everything would seem normal for a while, and then something would be revealed that would make me back up and listen again to see if I heard what I thought I'd heard.

Mal was a good protagonist, struggling to make his way through a lot of mystery and confusion. He was a likable character, very protective of his twin brother and doing his best to follow the orders that he was given. Street tough, noble, and a good caretaker for his brother.

Sandy was intriguing. He starts out in an asylum, suffers from seizures, and gradually we come to realize that something very strange is going on in his head.

Coby was a twit. I can understand her need to stay hidden in order to protect herself, but her puritan zeal and judgmental hypocrisy just made me want to smack her upside the head more than once.

The Skreylings were quite a unique twist to the story. Amber eyes, white mane, tails, tattooed faces, and the magic that they brought from the new world all combined to make them

Ned and Gabriel were great. I liked them, and the homophobic readers are missing out on enjoying a nice part of the story. I like characters who are loyal and caring to each other, though Gabriel seemed like the trope of a flighty actor.

Enjoyable Read/Listen!

I enjoyed the book quite a lot. It's a historical-fantasy based in London with a bit of magic etc and a good amount of mystery and action to keep it interesting.

Quite similar to the Locke Lamora books in terms of the type of fantasy novel.

The book does have a gender-role breaking sub-theme but the protagonist is not part of it and it is definitely not what the book is about.
The book has a grand total of TWO gay characters. The other reviewer who mentions every second character being gay is exaggerating quite a lot...

But even if there were more than two gay characters, it's hardly a reason to read or not read the book. The problems you would face reading it are no different than if a hetro guy was reading a book with a straight female protagonist...

Overall there is very little explicit details gay or straight. A few scattered sentences is about it.

Given the price ($8 when I bought it), this book is DEFINITELY worth a read. Very very cheap for 15 hours of solid entertainment!

I was sad that book 2 isn't here or isn't written yet.

Unusual in a good way

I really enjoyed this story, historically it was fascinating. Not as much magic in it as I usually like in a book though, but enough fantasy to keep me interested. I really liked the heroine, she is really original and I liked her a lot. Each character was really interesting in their own way too. Not sure if I'm interested enough to go the second book though, for some reason. Maybe because I like more fantasy and magic?