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A review by tasmanian_bibliophile
Master of Shadows by Neil Oliver
3.0
‘Among [Constantinople]’s defenders was a man cloaked in shadow. He is mentioned in accounts of the siege, but only in a few lines here and there.
Some writers described him as German, but in fact he was a Scot, and his name was John Grant.’
I picked this novel up for two reasons. First, it featured John Grant, an engineer who played a key role in the fall of Constantinople in 1453 but about whom little is known. Secondly, I’m a huge fan of Neil Oliver and wanted to see whether his fiction is as good as his non-fiction.
The story shifts between Scotland and Constantinople, between a number of characters, including John Grant, Prince Constantine and a mysterious woman known as Lena. Mr Oliver weaves a complex story (yes, I was hearing him narrate it as I read) and I enjoyed most of it. But is it historical fiction, or alternative history? I don’t want to spoil the novel for anyone who has yet to read it. I will say, though, that I found it easier to read past a certain point if I regarded the novel as presenting an alternative history. Otherwise, the identity of one particular character would have had me closing the book and throwing it at the wall.
I liked the depiction of John Grant, and I found Badr Khassan intriguing. Under Badr Khassan’s guidance, John Grant grows from a boy with a mysterious past, surrounded by secrets, into an effective mercenary. John Grant has unusual abilities, and a sense of honour. His life becomes a quest to keep a death-bed promise, and he meets some interesting people along the way.
As the action moved to Constantinople, to the siege, I found myself less concerned about historical accuracy and more interested in how this particular story was going to end. I read that a sequel is planned for release later this year. Yes, I’ll be looking to read it. I want to know how John Grant’s story will continue.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Some writers described him as German, but in fact he was a Scot, and his name was John Grant.’
I picked this novel up for two reasons. First, it featured John Grant, an engineer who played a key role in the fall of Constantinople in 1453 but about whom little is known. Secondly, I’m a huge fan of Neil Oliver and wanted to see whether his fiction is as good as his non-fiction.
The story shifts between Scotland and Constantinople, between a number of characters, including John Grant, Prince Constantine and a mysterious woman known as Lena. Mr Oliver weaves a complex story (yes, I was hearing him narrate it as I read) and I enjoyed most of it. But is it historical fiction, or alternative history? I don’t want to spoil the novel for anyone who has yet to read it. I will say, though, that I found it easier to read past a certain point if I regarded the novel as presenting an alternative history. Otherwise, the identity of one particular character would have had me closing the book and throwing it at the wall.
I liked the depiction of John Grant, and I found Badr Khassan intriguing. Under Badr Khassan’s guidance, John Grant grows from a boy with a mysterious past, surrounded by secrets, into an effective mercenary. John Grant has unusual abilities, and a sense of honour. His life becomes a quest to keep a death-bed promise, and he meets some interesting people along the way.
As the action moved to Constantinople, to the siege, I found myself less concerned about historical accuracy and more interested in how this particular story was going to end. I read that a sequel is planned for release later this year. Yes, I’ll be looking to read it. I want to know how John Grant’s story will continue.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith