The Angels want to usher in Revelation, and what better way than through the creation of the British Empire? Infamous swordswoman Captain Lament Evyngar awaits execution in the Tower of London, charged with heresy and attempted regicide, but all is not as it seems. Unwittingly entangled in the schemes of the Angels, she recounts her tale to the Queen’s sorcerer, Dr Dee, who is more than a little responsible for her predicament. Dr Dee has designs for a British Empire that will dominate the world for ages to come, and with the aegis of the Angels, he has the power to make it a reality. But, two elements are missing, and through blackmail and occult ritual, Lament and her giant Dutch comrade are forced to journey to the war-ravaged Spanish Netherlands on a quest that will reveal the truth about strange entities that use humans to fight out their eternal conflicts and in doing so alter the course of history forever. So, a bargain is made, a child is created, and death is no longer an option for Lament as she is swept back and forth through time and space, her identity suddenly made fluid until she can at last return to the London of Queen Elizabeth I and face the cosmic horror that is unveiled in the royal court. This is really nice. We love our sword and sorcery books, adventure books, swordplay, action, and grim combat, and this book has all of the above. Also, when we think about sword and sorcery, it has all the key components of a classic sword and sorcery novel. What is it about sword and sorcery that makes sword and sorcery what it is? You've got morally ambiguous protagonists, and I think it's fair to say that Lament and Pieter, by their own admission, have engaged in fairly horrific activities in their pursuit of war across the continent because, of course, this is set during Elizabethan times, during the 80 Years' War or events during the 80 Years' War. It's that complicated European history of conflict around turf wars between warring States, but what we have in this book, which is lovely, is that it's overlaid with not only the complications and religious upheaval of the Calvinists versus the Protestants versus the Catholics. But it's actually overlaid with this kind of supernatural, almost Moorcockian cosmological construct to add even more layers of psychedelic madness, death, carnage, and destruction. You see the cosmology, but most of it is left unexplained. That's great for me because we love all those sword and sorcery and fantasy and sci-fi books from the '60s and '70s, you know, good quality, roaring pulp adventure, and this fits right into that niche for me, and the reason why I enjoyed it so much is that it doesn't over-explain everything. I think there's a temptation with more modern audiences that, and you see it in films as well, the way they spell everything out, spell out everybody's motivations. So, we've not only got the magic that's weird and dangerous, which I think originates earlier on in the story with John Dee. But we very quickly come across it from other angles as well. We've got magical McGuffins that they need to go essentially on a quest to find, which is a sword and sorcery staple component. We've got wizards and witches, fights, and horror elements, and it is all set in a really, really dangerous world with complex cultures and cultural motivations. And when you think about that period of history in which it's set, well, what a perfect world and environment to actually set this kind of tale. Breakfast in the Ruins Podcast The Blade in the Angel's Shadow is the kind of book that punches through genre boundaries with a flaming sword in one hand and a bottle of alchemy in the other. Lament Evyngar is a phenomenal lead, sharp-tongued, tragic, and unforgettable. The mix of historical fiction, sword & sorcery, grimdark, and cosmic horror is masterfully done. Think Elizabethan England meets Lovecraft meets a heavy metal concept album and yet, it all works. The story sweeps through time, war-torn Europe, occult politics, and divine manipulation, but never loses sight of its gritty, human core. Andy Darby has created a world that's brutal, beautiful, and unafraid to ask big questions about identity, power, and fate. Highly recommended for fans of grimdark fantasy, weird fiction, or anyone craving something bold, brutal, and brilliantly written. Olivia Thompson If you love: Grim, gloriously violent sword and sorcery adventure - Rich historical settings with occult overtones - Reluctant heroes forced into supernatural maelstroms - Pulp horror, cosmic stakes, and moral ambiguity ...then The Blade in the Angel's Shadow is a dark gem you can't afford to miss. Meet Andy, psychonaut, lover of heavy metal, cat dad, singer of sword songs and dreamer of the fantastic. He writes fantasy, sword & sorcery, weird tales, and grimdark, he also has a bit of an obsession with historical fiction. Andy lives on the north coast of Cornwall in the UK.