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Product Description
Product Description
England, 1321
Welcome to the Dark Ages
In the heart of the countryside lies an isolated village, where pagan Owl Masters rule through fear, superstition and murder.
When a group of religious women ill-advisedly settles outside the village, they awaken dangerous jealousies. Why do their crops succeed? How do their cattle survive the plague? Are they concealing a holy relic which protects them from harm?
The Owl Masters cry 'Witchcraft' and sharpen their talons. As torment and hellfire rain down, the women must look to their faith to save them from the darkness spreading across the land.
Fear is a question of what you believe.
And death alone the answer.
About the Author
Karen Maitland lives in Lincolnshire and is the author of Company of Liars.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having loved 'Company of Liars', I was determined to read this book, and, after ordering, can cofess was very excited about it arriving. I had to wait until evening, after work, to read it and so the apprehension just gathered ever greater. Initially, I was immediately intrigued by the events of the prologue, and then the first section. Then, I was a little wary of the fact that this was going to be told by lots of different characters in first person narrative rather than just the one. I thought this might make the story seem fractured and I'd lose interest as it switched between viewpoints.
This prooved to be a false belief.
As I continued to read, I became use to 'seeing' through each character's eyes, finding one no less interesting than another. Indeed, I began to enjoy the tale as much as I had enjoyed 'Company of Liars'.
Pagan and christian ways intermingle beautifully in some ways and clash spectacularly in others, all the way through. There's mystery, tragedy, suspense and a rather satisfying, though ambiguous, ending. And, of course, the notes at the end of the book aren't just worth reading, showing how much care is taken by the author in her research, but they are a joy to read. Truly, Karen Maitland knows how to write what she's interested in. And such enthusiasm shows through her pages, making her work a real joy to read.
This prooved to be a false belief.
As I continued to read, I became use to 'seeing' through each character's eyes, finding one no less interesting than another. Indeed, I began to enjoy the tale as much as I had enjoyed 'Company of Liars'.
Pagan and christian ways intermingle beautifully in some ways and clash spectacularly in others, all the way through. There's mystery, tragedy, suspense and a rather satisfying, though ambiguous, ending. And, of course, the notes at the end of the book aren't just worth reading, showing how much care is taken by the author in her research, but they are a joy to read. Truly, Karen Maitland knows how to write what she's interested in. And such enthusiasm shows through her pages, making her work a real joy to read.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My Boyfriend bought me this after I had read Company of Liars and loved it - and this was just as good.
It's so difficult to find a book/novel that uses a multiple narrative voice so flawlessly and that deals with so many different issues, social magical and otherwise in such a way that it doesn't feel forced, but like you really are in the middle of an isolated village in the 1300's.
The women in the beguinage is an interesting aspect of history too, but it doesn't read like a textbook like many historical fiction novels do. It's also interesting to read a fiction novel about a time early on when "Paganism" really was at odds with Christianity in Britain, as Christianity tried to loosen the hold the "old beliefs" had on those who lived before Christianity arrived, or those further out from the towns who needed to rely on local wise women rather than having access to more "modern" services...
There are so many different lives woven into this story and yet every one is played out smoothly and interwoven in a very unobtrusive and enjoyable way. The other upside to the swapping between narratives is that the chapters are relatively short, meaning you can dip into it a few times a day if you're busy and still feel like you're getting somewhere!
Would definitely recommend this book, especially if you're a fan of historical fiction, or the supernatural!
It's so difficult to find a book/novel that uses a multiple narrative voice so flawlessly and that deals with so many different issues, social magical and otherwise in such a way that it doesn't feel forced, but like you really are in the middle of an isolated village in the 1300's.
The women in the beguinage is an interesting aspect of history too, but it doesn't read like a textbook like many historical fiction novels do. It's also interesting to read a fiction novel about a time early on when "Paganism" really was at odds with Christianity in Britain, as Christianity tried to loosen the hold the "old beliefs" had on those who lived before Christianity arrived, or those further out from the towns who needed to rely on local wise women rather than having access to more "modern" services...
There are so many different lives woven into this story and yet every one is played out smoothly and interwoven in a very unobtrusive and enjoyable way. The other upside to the swapping between narratives is that the chapters are relatively short, meaning you can dip into it a few times a day if you're busy and still feel like you're getting somewhere!
Would definitely recommend this book, especially if you're a fan of historical fiction, or the supernatural!
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is Karen Maitland's second novel which is set in a village near Norfolk called Ulewic, this village is being terrorised by a sinister group called the Owl Killers.
The Owl Killers reign by using pagan superstition and blackmail against the villagers who then denounce each other. Added to this is the arrival of a group of religious women who set up a religious house or (Beguinage) outside the community. This disturbs the status quo and when crops begin to fail and the religious community give refuge to a young martyr who dies a gruesome death, it's not hard to see where suspicion will fall.
What ensues is witchcraft and heresy, but always in the background is the presence of the malevolent, shadowy, predatory Owl Killers.
I loved the novel, the author puts across the sense of what it must have been like to live in such a community where the medieval mind was ruled by religion and superstition. All this makes for a very atmospheric novel.
The novel is narrated through five different voices who are all interesting and bring something to the story and plot. Maitland certainly knows how to write a novel and this one is just as good as the first. For the keen eyed there is even a cameo from a character of the first novel.
The Owl Killers reign by using pagan superstition and blackmail against the villagers who then denounce each other. Added to this is the arrival of a group of religious women who set up a religious house or (Beguinage) outside the community. This disturbs the status quo and when crops begin to fail and the religious community give refuge to a young martyr who dies a gruesome death, it's not hard to see where suspicion will fall.
What ensues is witchcraft and heresy, but always in the background is the presence of the malevolent, shadowy, predatory Owl Killers.
I loved the novel, the author puts across the sense of what it must have been like to live in such a community where the medieval mind was ruled by religion and superstition. All this makes for a very atmospheric novel.
The novel is narrated through five different voices who are all interesting and bring something to the story and plot. Maitland certainly knows how to write a novel and this one is just as good as the first. For the keen eyed there is even a cameo from a character of the first novel.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
medieval thriller
A macabre calendar of brutally murdered saint's days lead us through a troubled year in the attempt to found a beguinage in Norfolk. Read more
Published 1 month ago by newnatbooks
Very Dark Ages
Karen Maitland's second novel is a dark, gripping and powerful tale set in an isolated Norfolk village in the early 14th century. Read more
Published 5 months ago by J. Burt
Medieval Gothic Horror
I did not like this book. None of the characters were particularly attractive or interesting. The plot was difficult to follow and at the end of the book I felt that the denoument... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Henry George
The Dark Ages Lightened
It is said that the past is a foreign country, and Karen Maitland's novel of the Dark Ages opens the door to a world that is both strange and oddly familiar. Like a trip to Europe. Read more
Published 6 months ago by malkhut10
An Unusual and Different novel
This is my first Karen Maitland novel and on balance, I will probably seek out more of here work. On the plus side, she invokes the squalor, superstitions and cruelty of the early... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. David Ball
Interesting, but slightly strange historical novel
This is the second Medieval historical novel I have read by this author. In a number of places, it feels more like fantasy or horror, rather than historical fiction, as there are... Read more
Published 10 months ago by John Hopper
Give it a try
If like me you loved Karen Maitland's first novel Company of Liars, then give this a try. Totally different subject matter, but nevertheless really interesting.
Published 10 months ago by M. Jones
Gripping
I highly recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction who also enjoy a good thriller. Multiple narrators relate this 14th century story of a group of women who settle... Read more
Published 10 months ago by koibrush
Not as good as expected
I bought this one eagerly having really enjoyed 'Company of Liars'. It's a fairly enjoyable read but very confused and complicated without the strong narrative structure of 'Liars'... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Miss Smith
Not the same quality as 'Company of Liars'
I bought this book after reading 'Company of Liars', which was a great book. Alas, the 'Owl Killers' has turned out to be a big disappointment. Read more
Published 17 months ago by wildgunman999
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