The Devil in Green

March 29, 2010
British Fantasy Award–winner Chadbourn (The Silver Skull
) returns to a contemporary England overrun by magic, first presented in his Age of Misrule novels. Fabulous beasts fly over the countryside, while humans huddle together and struggle to comprehend the new world. Cynical atheist Mallory joins the newly reformed Knights Templar for the promise of “food, drink, and shelter” and meets supernaturally gifted Sophie Tallent, whose nomadic Wiccan group is uneasily allied with the Christians. Sophie and Mallory soon discover their own greater destiny as Brother and Sister of Dragons, the core of a new group of five heroes who must join to thwart a threat against reality itself. Despite some cinematic scenes, much of the material feels like setup for the rest of the series, and the central mystery of Mallory's past remains frustratingly intact through the muddled conclusion.

May 15, 2010
The modern world has given way to a nightmare realm in which creatures from myths and legends roam the land. A resurgent Christian Church has resurrected both the Knights Templar and the Inquisition to battle evil, yet they lack the resources possessed by only one groupthe practitioners of an older religion. From the ranks of the Templars, a cynical mercenary becomes the first of five champions to carry on the battle against the darkness despite his unbelief. Chadbourn's series opener continues where his "Age of Misrule" trilogy left off, introducing a new group of champions to continue the fight for humanity in a world left to the mercy of the gods. VERDICT This powerful, well-informed epic fantasy based on Celtic legends should appeal to a wide readership.

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.