The Serpent’s Mark is set in 1591 and follows Nicholas Shelby - a grieving and discredited physician, and Bianca Merton - an Italian Catholic who runs the Jackdaw tavern and adjoining apothecary, as they become embroiled in a plot which threatens religious war in Protestant England. It is a really interesting period in history, and the book is well researched and full of historical detail to make it convincing. The pace in the second half is also quick as lots of things happen and the stakes are high.
This is actually the second Nicholas Shelby book, the first being The Angel’s Mark, which I have not read. This first book is referenced several times, and the relevant points explained which is helpful for anyone who hasn’t read the first book. Maybe this is also a useful reminder of key points for anyone who has, though I’m not sure if the references of things people already know might be irritating. It felt a bit awkward when the references entered into the narration a couple of times. I don’t think it’s important to have read the first book to enjoy the second, as the plot is completely separate (it sounds like the first one was about catching a murderer). The only thing is the characters and their relationships have already been developed in the first book. People who like completion should consider reading The Angel’s Mark first.
As with a lot of good historical fiction, the setting is detailed. The book is description heavy in earlier chapters, and this is an immersive experience. It took me a while to orientate to the time and place, but by the second half of the book when the pace increased I was there, and this in part was through the careful details throughout. It never felt like an overwhelming amount of detail, and was always interesting.
This was overall a good read. However I personally struggled to get into it for the first half of the book, and it has taken me a while to finish. This is in part because I just didn’t feel excited to pick it up, but I think this was down to a slump in me as a reader rather than a problem with the book, so it has not reflected on my rating. I am currently struggling with brain fatigue and this book took rather a lot of concentration to read and absorb. Normally this would not be a problem, and I would likely have enjoyed the book more. For someone who struggles with concentration, or wants a quick and non-draining read, this may not be a good choice. But for someone who likes historical detail, without losing the pace and plot of a crime fiction, this is a book to consider.
This is actually the second Nicholas Shelby book, the first being The Angel’s Mark, which I have not read. This first book is referenced several times, and the relevant points explained which is helpful for anyone who hasn’t read the first book. Maybe this is also a useful reminder of key points for anyone who has, though I’m not sure if the references of things people already know might be irritating. It felt a bit awkward when the references entered into the narration a couple of times. I don’t think it’s important to have read the first book to enjoy the second, as the plot is completely separate (it sounds like the first one was about catching a murderer). The only thing is the characters and their relationships have already been developed in the first book. People who like completion should consider reading The Angel’s Mark first.
As with a lot of good historical fiction, the setting is detailed. The book is description heavy in earlier chapters, and this is an immersive experience. It took me a while to orientate to the time and place, but by the second half of the book when the pace increased I was there, and this in part was through the careful details throughout. It never felt like an overwhelming amount of detail, and was always interesting.
This was overall a good read. However I personally struggled to get into it for the first half of the book, and it has taken me a while to finish. This is in part because I just didn’t feel excited to pick it up, but I think this was down to a slump in me as a reader rather than a problem with the book, so it has not reflected on my rating. I am currently struggling with brain fatigue and this book took rather a lot of concentration to read and absorb. Normally this would not be a problem, and I would likely have enjoyed the book more. For someone who struggles with concentration, or wants a quick and non-draining read, this may not be a good choice. But for someone who likes historical detail, without losing the pace and plot of a crime fiction, this is a book to consider.