I Read Books: The Dragon Waiting

The Dragon Waiting

It’s the fifteenth century but they don’t call it that; Julian the Apostate succeeded in reducing Christianity to the same status as other religions. The Byzantine Empire threatens most of medieval Europe, involving itself in the machinations of the Italian city states, divided France and the fractious state of England.

The Byzantine Empire still exists because of vampires. But that’s not what sets things in motion; that’s a Welsh wizard who knows that they are using Wales in an attempt to overthrow the English king, Edward IV. He gathers around him a German artillery expert (and vampire) a Byzantine mercenary and a Florentine doctor. They find themselves caught up in various plots around Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

This isn’t a simple tale, nor is it one that ignores the brutality of the period. Yet it’s one with magic and wonder, perhaps the last time it could be (as noted in the back, the English Renaissance is often dated to the end of Richard III’s reign, so perhaps the magic hasn’t yet drained away with the medieval spirit). As a historical fantasy that plays fast and loose with religion and history it is remarkably true.

Read This: A clever, deeply interesting novel of fantasy Europe
Don’t Read This: Vampires sure, but widespread paganism?