Son of the Night (Banners of Blood)
This is the second book in the Banners of Blood historical fantasy series. Set in 1346 in the aftermath of the battle of Crecy during the Hundred Years War, the novel follows a large cast of characters, very loosely based on actual historical figures, from both sides of the conflict. Fighting alongside Philip VI of France and Edward III of England are armies of angels, demons, devils and ‘ymps’. Not having read the first book, I initially found this one hard going. In fact I was so mystified by the alternative ‘theology’ Alder has created, I had to stop and Google the plot of the first book for enlightenment. (To give you a taste of its complexity: a jealous God has imprisoned Jesus, or Lucifer, to stop him establishing a Kingdom of Earth where all men are equal. Lucifer’s jailors are Satan and his devils, whilst Lucifer’s foot-soldiers are demons.)
Whilst much of the novel is fantastical, its characters often look at life from a medieval perspective. The nobility actively seek God’s support to win the war. They also despise the poor and are fearful of their growing support for the Luciferian movement. The story is told from multiple points of view, and some work better than others. Charles of Navarre is a heartless, snobbish delight who will stop at nothing to gain the throne of France. A swaggering half-cat, he enjoys eating mice, “all flip-flop on his tongue.” Alder’s sharp, witty humour casts welcome light upon often bleak portrayals of war and looting, famine and plague. I particularly liked Osbert the Pardoner: when he is thrown off the parapet of a castle, rather than plunging to his death, he floats gently to the ground, thanks to an angel feather hidden in his trousers. This highly unusual novel will appeal to fans of historical fantasy in general, and George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones in particular.
