The Box of Death (Tales of Castle Rory)
Book 1 in the Tales of Castle Rory is set in 1263. The people of Hambrig and the Celtic tribe (the “Nahvitch”) living across the River Hurogol both stake claim to the land that Lord Rory’s castle presides over. A lost prince of the Nahvitch who was raised in Hambrig, Sammy, unexpectedly returns to his people, and a mysterious box is given in exchange as a gift. The riddle that accompanies the box promises death to any who dare open it. Soon, word reaches the castle that the Nahvitch are raising an army in hopes of retaking Hambrig by force. Time is short, and Lord Rory will need to find a way to prevent war before everything he’s worked for is destroyed.
I enjoyed the mystery, the characters, and the places explored. Marsden adds a woman or two in the castle guard, which I found to be a delight. I applaud this thoughtful injection of women into the storyline (as there are accounts of women as leaders and warriors in medieval times). My only concern was the subplot regarding Rory’s lost love from his past. It felt a bit much for a plot already quite rich with tension. Despite Rory showing a lot of growth by the end, in the moment when he confronts another man about his lost love, it prompts Rory into unsettling actions. Otherwise, this is a well-written character exploration of a young lord trying to overcome the shadows of the past in an ever-changing world with light fantasy elements. The clash of cultures, the immersive setting detail, the enigmatic characters, and the search for a missing treaty will captivate readers.
