Mark Alder Reads from His Highly Anticipated Son of the Morning

I first heard about Son of the Morning at a convention back in 2012. It was, as is so often the case, one of those moments where your instant reaction is, “Argh! Why didn’t I think of that!?” The author explained the premise to me as a historical fantasy novel set during the Hundred Years War between France and England but with angels and devils getting involved – instantly I was intrigued and the blurb that was released a few months back proved my excitement was well placed:

In the 14th century, the nations of Europe rose up against each other. The Hundred Years War raged, and angels and demons stalked the earth.

Edward the Third stands in the burnt ruin of an English church. He is beset on all sides. He needs a victory against the French to rescue his Kingship. Or he will die trying.

Philip of Valois can put 50,000 men in the field. He has sent his priests to summon the very angels themselves to fight for France. Edward could call on God for aid but he is a usurper. What if God truly is on the side of the French?

But for a price, Edward could open the gates of Hell and take an unholy war to France.

Mark’s editor, Simon Spanton, gives his take on the book:

“Mark has taken the facts of the Hundred Years War, the characters from history and the beliefs of the age and has written a rip-roaring (no other word for it) historical fantasy. The religious beliefs of the time fit the idea and he brings it all to vivid and believable life. There are characters from history who would appear OTT in Game of Thrones – Mark lets them loose on the page. The details are wonderful – this journey through the England and Europe of the 14th century feels so vivid, so real you’ll be profoundly grateful you didn’t live then but deliriously happy to get to visit with Mark as your guide.”

What about the angels and demons? Well, Spanton continues, “His angels are creatures of light, utterly alien and seemingly a little insane. And in a fight you’d really want one on your side. Or failing that a devil.”

Today we are lucky enough to have Mark Alder stop by and give us a reading of his novel. To set the scene a little for you, this is very early on in the novel and was even considered to be the opening at one point (it therefore does not contain any spoilers).

Mark explains, “It’s the introduction of the character of the Pardoner – a person licensed to sell remissions for sins. These were a very low sort of churchmen and were often accused of fraud.”

Son of the Morning is out on 17th April 2014. If the reading above wasn’t enough, you can read the prologue and chapter one here, also courtesy of Gollancz.

Print Friendly