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Мистичният трилър на Пол Дохърти - един от самостоятелните романи на маестрото на историческите мистерии.
Средновековните предания разказват, че ако магьосник успее да изтръгне сърцето на жертвата си, преди тя да издъхне, магьосникът ще има власт над душата на убития...
Черен маг извършва злодеянията си по пътищата на Англия – кралица Елизабет изпраща по следите му един от най-доверените си хора, но страховитите му умения са събудили интереса и на турския султан, а и цар Иван Грозни търси начин да привлече магьосника на своя страна.
Следите на мага водят към селцето Дънмоу, където живее Ребека Ленъкс, дъщеря на бивш свещеник. Съселяните й се боят от нея и й се присмиват, считат я за прокълната, защото е родена със заешка устна, а се говори, че има и ясновидски способности. Когато в селцето се появява един млад католически свещеник, Ребека като че ли най-сетне намира близък човек. Майкъл явно не се отвращава от дефекта й, но самият той се укрива от преследвачи, които са вече по петите му.
Скоро кървави убийства разтърсват покоя на селцето, някой насочва омразата на обезумелите от страх селяни към набедената за вещица Ребека...
Младият свещеник и Ребека се изправят сами срещу вековно зло. Преследването на черния маг ги отвежда чак в далечна Русия – и те ще трябва да заплатят за победата си над него с непоносимо тежка жертва...
Средновековните предания разказват, че ако магьосник успее да изтръгне сърцето на жертвата си, преди тя да издъхне, магьосникът ще има власт над душата на убития...
Черен маг извършва злодеянията си по пътищата на Англия – кралица Елизабет изпраща по следите му един от най-доверените си хора, но страховитите му умения са събудили интереса и на турския султан, а и цар Иван Грозни търси начин да привлече магьосника на своя страна.
Следите на мага водят към селцето Дънмоу, където живее Ребека Ленъкс, дъщеря на бивш свещеник. Съселяните й се боят от нея и й се присмиват, считат я за прокълната, защото е родена със заешка устна, а се говори, че има и ясновидски способности. Когато в селцето се появява един млад католически свещеник, Ребека като че ли най-сетне намира близък човек. Майкъл явно не се отвращава от дефекта й, но самият той се укрива от преследвачи, които са вече по петите му.
Скоро кървави убийства разтърсват покоя на селцето, някой насочва омразата на обезумелите от страх селяни към набедената за вещица Ребека...
Младият свещеник и Ребека се изправят сами срещу вековно зло. Преследването на черния маг ги отвежда чак в далечна Русия – и те ще трябва да заплатят за победата си над него с непоносимо тежка жертва...
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
24 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doherty
236 books609 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 5, 2022
Molto storico, poco thriller.
L’ambientazione nell’Inghilterra del 1500, tra terrore e pratiche magiche, ha un fascino indiscutibile. Ma anche i personaggi, tra cui lo stesso Ladro di anime, Henry Frogmore, descritto come un uomo a metà via fra il mago e il diavolo, tanto crudele quanto capace di cose incredibili, che lasciano a bocca aperta, la giovane Rebecca, umile, coraggiosa, bella (nonostante la presenza del labbro leporino, che il mondo dell’epoca indentifica con la stregoneria) e il gesuita Michael St Clair, deciso ad ogni costo ad affrontare il Ladro di anime anche con l’aiuto di Rebecca.
Insomma, si respira un’affascinante atmosfera di magia e malefici, di fughe e duelli con spada, di profezie e antiche credenze popolari di un mondo lontano.
Tuttavia, la parte “thriller” risulta moscia e poco consistente, se non fosse per qualche passaggio in cui Doherty descrive gli atti delittuosi del Ladro di anime, degni di un romanzo d’avventura un po’ pepato, ma nulla di più. Manca una vera e propria caccia all’assassino, un’indagine, una scoperta, una scia di suspense che possa definire “Il ladro di anime” quel thriller che si presenta in copertina.
In conclusione a mio parere va letto come un discreto romanzo d’avventura, senza cercarvi nulla di più.
L’ambientazione nell’Inghilterra del 1500, tra terrore e pratiche magiche, ha un fascino indiscutibile. Ma anche i personaggi, tra cui lo stesso Ladro di anime, Henry Frogmore, descritto come un uomo a metà via fra il mago e il diavolo, tanto crudele quanto capace di cose incredibili, che lasciano a bocca aperta, la giovane Rebecca, umile, coraggiosa, bella (nonostante la presenza del labbro leporino, che il mondo dell’epoca indentifica con la stregoneria) e il gesuita Michael St Clair, deciso ad ogni costo ad affrontare il Ladro di anime anche con l’aiuto di Rebecca.
Insomma, si respira un’affascinante atmosfera di magia e malefici, di fughe e duelli con spada, di profezie e antiche credenze popolari di un mondo lontano.
Tuttavia, la parte “thriller” risulta moscia e poco consistente, se non fosse per qualche passaggio in cui Doherty descrive gli atti delittuosi del Ladro di anime, degni di un romanzo d’avventura un po’ pepato, ma nulla di più. Manca una vera e propria caccia all’assassino, un’indagine, una scoperta, una scia di suspense che possa definire “Il ladro di anime” quel thriller che si presenta in copertina.
In conclusione a mio parere va letto come un discreto romanzo d’avventura, senza cercarvi nulla di più.
September 14, 2022
Love an Evil !
Wow I think this might be one of the best books Paul Doherty has ever wrote. An I have just about read them all. When it comes to his endings in his series or a single, he would just leave you hanging you go what the*****. This story is about evil, love, lies, an deception. You have a hair flip virgin an fighting albino an a priest. There doing all they can to chase after an kill a human demon spawn with powers to match all. They end up in Russia fighting for there lives. A great English tail. A damn fine read.
Wow I think this might be one of the best books Paul Doherty has ever wrote. An I have just about read them all. When it comes to his endings in his series or a single, he would just leave you hanging you go what the*****. This story is about evil, love, lies, an deception. You have a hair flip virgin an fighting albino an a priest. There doing all they can to chase after an kill a human demon spawn with powers to match all. They end up in Russia fighting for there lives. A great English tail. A damn fine read.
August 24, 2016
I first read this brilliant novel 15 years ago and have never forgotten the story or its complex characters. And so I recently bought a new copy of 'The Soul Slayer' and once again immersed myself in this rich tale of good versus evil with many grey areas in between.
In this Elizabethan mystery, three mismatched people join forces to pursue an evil warlock who possesses the souls of the people he murders. The heroes of the story are a Jesuit priest who is more than he seems, an albino agent of the sinister Office of the Night, and an inn-keeper's daughter who is considered disfigured because she has a harelip. As the story develops, we realise that each of them possesses their own inner beauty, despite their appearance. And working together, they become a formidable team.
The main characters in this novel have real depth - I developed an intense loathing for the despicable warlock and a bit of a crush on the Jesuit!
Each scene of this page-turner is described in just enough detail to allow the imagination to fill in the blanks, which I personally prefer. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I became so engrossed in this book that I didn't want it to end. For me, this second reading was even better than the first!
In this Elizabethan mystery, three mismatched people join forces to pursue an evil warlock who possesses the souls of the people he murders. The heroes of the story are a Jesuit priest who is more than he seems, an albino agent of the sinister Office of the Night, and an inn-keeper's daughter who is considered disfigured because she has a harelip. As the story develops, we realise that each of them possesses their own inner beauty, despite their appearance. And working together, they become a formidable team.
The main characters in this novel have real depth - I developed an intense loathing for the despicable warlock and a bit of a crush on the Jesuit!
Each scene of this page-turner is described in just enough detail to allow the imagination to fill in the blanks, which I personally prefer. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I became so engrossed in this book that I didn't want it to end. For me, this second reading was even better than the first!
May 24, 2017
This is my second read of the Soul Slayer, I first read and very much enjoyed it 10 years ago. Is it still good, well, yes! Doherty knows how to make you feel a sense of time and place. He conjures up a believable medieval world in which he weaves subtle powers of the darkness. This novel had acertain epic feel to it than most of Doherty's medieval books.
June 11, 2024
Έχει περάσει σχεδόν ένας χρόνος από τότε που βρέθηκα τελευταία φορά στο "Παζάρι Του Βιβλίου" που κάθε χρόνο λαμβάνει χώρα στην πλατεία Κλαυθμώνος, στην Αθήνα. Πάντα βρίσκω ενδιαφέροντα και αξιόλογα βιβλία ανάμεσα σε εκείνα του σωρού όμως μπορώ να πω με βεβαιότητα, ότι η τελευταία μου επίσκεψη, ήταν και η πιο δύσκολη. Κανένας τίτλος δεν κατάφερε να προσελκύσει το ενδιαφέρον μου, μέχρι που πριν φύγω απογοητευμένη, με την άκρη του ματιού μου εντόπισα το ιστορικό, όπως αυτοχαρακτηρίζεται, μυθιστόρημα του Βρετανού καθηγητή Πανεπιστημίου, Paul Doherty. Δεν τον είχα ακουστά ωστόσο, η ειδίκευσή του και οι σπουδές του πάνω στην ιστορία με προέτρεψαν στο να δώσω τελικά μια ευκαιρία στο βιβλίο του αυτό, κάτι που μετά την ανάγνωσή του, δεν μετάνιωσα καθόλου.
Βρισκόμαστε στην Αγγλία του 1564 και ξεκινάμε ένα ταξίδι στην εποχή εκείνη, από τις επαρχίες της Μεγάλης Νήσου, μέχρι την Τουρκία και τη Ρωσία. Ουσιαστικά ξεκινάμε ένα κυνήγι, εκείνο που θα μας οδηγήσει στον δολοφόνο των ψυχών, έναν άνθρωπο που πούλησε, όχι και τόσο φτηνά, την δικιά του ψυχή στον Δαίμονα, προκειμένου να αποκτήσει ανυπέρβλητη δύναμη αλλά και διάρκεια ζωής. Με το πέρασμα των αιώνων, η ανάγκη του για εξουσία αυξάνεται και μαζί με αυτήν, αυξάνεται και το χρέος του απέναντι στις σατανικές δυνάμεις στις οποίες και ορκίστηκε υποταγή. Κυκλοφορεί στη γη σκοτώνοντας ανθρώπους, αποσπώντας με βίαιο τρόπο την καρδιά από το σώμα τους και θυσιάζοντάς την στις σκοτεινές δυνάμεις που διψάνε για αίμα, έτσι ώστε να γίνει ακόμα πιο ισχυρός, έτσι ώστε να έρθει η μέρα που κανείς και τίποτα να μην μπορεί να του αντισταθεί.
Τίποτα όμως δεν είναι για πάντα. Έτσι τουλάχιστον μας μάθανε από τότε που ήμασταν παιδιά ακόμα και γι' αυτό, ο φόβος του τέλους κυριεύει τον δολοφόνο. Μια νεαρή παρθένα, η Ρεβέκκα, μια λαγώχειλη, σημάδι που οδήγησε στο να την κατακρίνουν, ακόμα και να την φοβούνται, μια ζωή οι συγχωριανοί της, είναι το κλειδί για το τέλος του δολοφόνου. Είναι εκείνη που έχει στα χέρια της μια άγνωστη σε εκείνη δύναμη, είτε να τον αφήσει να ζει και να δρα ανεξέλεγκτος μέσα στο άπειρο του χρόνου, είτε να τον οδηγήσει στον οριστικό του θάνατο, συναντώντας την τραγικότητα την οποία επέλεξε. Στο δρόμο της θα βρεθεί ένας νεαρός Ιησουίτης ιερέας, ο Μιχαήλ Σεν Κλερ και εκείνη, από λατρεία απέναντι στον άγιο του οποίου το όνομα φέρει, δεν διστάζει να τον βοηθήσει και τελικά, να τον ακολουθήσει σε ένα ταξίδι που ίσως να μην έχει γυρισμό.
Ο Doherty συνθέτει ένα μυθιστόρημα που παντρεύει με μαεστρία και εξαιρετική δεξιοτεχνία τα ιστορικά στοιχεία μιας γοητευτικής αλλά και αμφίβολης, σκοτεινής εποχής, με το μεταφυσικό το οποίο όμως βασίζεται σε θρησκευτικές και βαθύτερες ανθρώπινες πεποιθήσεις και λατρείες. Είναι ένα χρονοδιάγραμμα γύρω από την ιστορία και τη θρησκεία του τόπου του, τις ιστορικές αλήθειες που εμπλέκονται σε ένα γαϊτανάκι ψευδαισθήσεων, μύθων αλλά και μιας συγκαλυμμένης πραγματικότητας που μπορεί να φοβίζει τους περισσότερους από εμάς. Ο τρόπος που χρησιμοποιεί την πένα του είναι γλαφυρός, συνθέτει με αληθοφάνεια όλα εκείνα που θα μπορούσαμε να δούμε με τα ίδια μας τα μάτια αν ήμασταν μάρτυρες της ιστορίας και που όμως, καταφέρνουμε να τα δούμε με τα μάτια της ψυχής και της φαντασίας μας. Ζωντανεύει την Αγγλία του 15ου αιώνα και μαζί με αυτή, ζωντανεύει και ο φόβος και οι ανησυχίες των ανθρώπων εκείνων που έζησαν σε μια ταραγμένη εποχή.
Ξεκινώντας από την επαρχία της Αγγλίας, μας ταξιδεύει στο Λονδίνο και από εκεί, μας περνάει από απέραντες θάλασσες και ακτές για να μας οδηγήσει τελικά στην `αλλά και την Ρωσία, δύο χώρες επίσης αμφίβολες, δύο χώρες που την εποχή εκείνη προκαλούσαν τον φόβο και τον τρόμο, όχι μόνο λόγω της ανελέητης φύσης των αρχών του τόπου τους αλλά, και εξαιτίας της απανθρωπιάς και του εγωισμού, της δίψας για αίμα που χαρακτήριζε τους άρχοντές τους. Και εμείς βρισκόμαστε εκεί, αγωνιούμε και τρέχουμε μαζί με τους πρωταγωνιστές της ιστορίας να ξεφύγουμε από τα δίχτυα της δολοπλοκίας και της δίψας για εξουσία. Μπλέκουμε σε μια σειρά ξέφρενων καταστάσεων που μας κόβουν την ανάσα και που αποδεικνύουν ότι τίποτα δεν είναι όπως φαίνεται και πως δεν μπορείς να έχεις εμπιστοσύνη σε κανέναν αφού, ο καθένας που προσφέρεται να σε βοηθήσει μπορεί να είναι εχθρός σου και εκείνος που νομίζεις ότι σε καταδιώκει, να είναι ο μυστικός βοηθός και λυτρωτής σου.
Το μυθιστόρημα του Doherty, είναι ένα υπέροχο, γοητευτικό, σκοτεινό και αιματοβαμμένο παραμύθι που ζωντανεύει την ιστορία, την θρησκεία και που ταράζει όλους εκείνους που αγαπάνε τον θεό αλλά και εκείνους που αγαπάνε να τον μισούν. Είναι μια ιστορία για την μαγεία, την ανεξέλεγκτη ροή της δίψας για εξουσία και την αιώνια ζωή αλλά μέσα της ζει ένα βαθύτερο μήνυμα, εκείνο της ελπίδας και της αγάπης. Γιατί η ανολοκλήρωτη αγάπη μπορεί να είναι πιο δυνατή, μπορεί να είναι εκείνη που θα καθοδηγήσει τις πράξεις μας και μέσα από την απώλεια και τον πόνο, να μας οδηγήσει στην σωτηρία και την λύτρωση. Αν θέλετε να ταξιδέψετε σε έναν κόσμο που έχει όλα τα παραπάνω, τότε "Ο Δολοφόνος Των Ψυχών" σας προσκαλεί να τον κυνηγήσετε και να αναρωτηθείτε τι είναι αυτό που αξίζει τελικά περισσότερο στη ζωή και ποια μπορεί να είναι πιο ισχυρή δύναμη από την πίστη σε έναν σκοπό κι ένα όραμα.
Βρισκόμαστε στην Αγγλία του 1564 και ξεκινάμε ένα ταξίδι στην εποχή εκείνη, από τις επαρχίες της Μεγάλης Νήσου, μέχρι την Τουρκία και τη Ρωσία. Ουσιαστικά ξεκινάμε ένα κυνήγι, εκείνο που θα μας οδηγήσει στον δολοφόνο των ψυχών, έναν άνθρωπο που πούλησε, όχι και τόσο φτηνά, την δικιά του ψυχή στον Δαίμονα, προκειμένου να αποκτήσει ανυπέρβλητη δύναμη αλλά και διάρκεια ζωής. Με το πέρασμα των αιώνων, η ανάγκη του για εξουσία αυξάνεται και μαζί με αυτήν, αυξάνεται και το χρέος του απέναντι στις σατανικές δυνάμεις στις οποίες και ορκίστηκε υποταγή. Κυκλοφορεί στη γη σκοτώνοντας ανθρώπους, αποσπώντας με βίαιο τρόπο την καρδιά από το σώμα τους και θυσιάζοντάς την στις σκοτεινές δυνάμεις που διψάνε για αίμα, έτσι ώστε να γίνει ακόμα πιο ισχυρός, έτσι ώστε να έρθει η μέρα που κανείς και τίποτα να μην μπορεί να του αντισταθεί.
Τίποτα όμως δεν είναι για πάντα. Έτσι τουλάχιστον μας μάθανε από τότε που ήμασταν παιδιά ακόμα και γι' αυτό, ο φόβος του τέλους κυριεύει τον δολοφόνο. Μια νεαρή παρθένα, η Ρεβέκκα, μια λαγώχειλη, σημάδι που οδήγησε στο να την κατακρίνουν, ακόμα και να την φοβούνται, μια ζωή οι συγχωριανοί της, είναι το κλειδί για το τέλος του δολοφόνου. Είναι εκείνη που έχει στα χέρια της μια άγνωστη σε εκείνη δύναμη, είτε να τον αφήσει να ζει και να δρα ανεξέλεγκτος μέσα στο άπειρο του χρόνου, είτε να τον οδηγήσει στον οριστικό του θάνατο, συναντώντας την τραγικότητα την οποία επέλεξε. Στο δρόμο της θα βρεθεί ένας νεαρός Ιησουίτης ιερέας, ο Μιχαήλ Σεν Κλερ και εκείνη, από λατρεία απέναντι στον άγιο του οποίου το όνομα φέρει, δεν διστάζει να τον βοηθήσει και τελικά, να τον ακολουθήσει σε ένα ταξίδι που ίσως να μην έχει γυρισμό.
Ο Doherty συνθέτει ένα μυθιστόρημα που παντρεύει με μαεστρία και εξαιρετική δεξιοτεχνία τα ιστορικά στοιχεία μιας γοητευτικής αλλά και αμφίβολης, σκοτεινής εποχής, με το μεταφυσικό το οποίο όμως βασίζεται σε θρησκευτικές και βαθύτερες ανθρώπινες πεποιθήσεις και λατρείες. Είναι ένα χρονοδιάγραμμα γύρω από την ιστορία και τη θρησκεία του τόπου του, τις ιστορικές αλήθειες που εμπλέκονται σε ένα γαϊτανάκι ψευδαισθήσεων, μύθων αλλά και μιας συγκαλυμμένης πραγματικότητας που μπορεί να φοβίζει τους περισσότερους από εμάς. Ο τρόπος που χρησιμοποιεί την πένα του είναι γλαφυρός, συνθέτει με αληθοφάνεια όλα εκείνα που θα μπορούσαμε να δούμε με τα ίδια μας τα μάτια αν ήμασταν μάρτυρες της ιστορίας και που όμως, καταφέρνουμε να τα δούμε με τα μάτια της ψυχής και της φαντασίας μας. Ζωντανεύει την Αγγλία του 15ου αιώνα και μαζί με αυτή, ζωντανεύει και ο φόβος και οι ανησυχίες των ανθρώπων εκείνων που έζησαν σε μια ταραγμένη εποχή.
Ξεκινώντας από την επαρχία της Αγγλίας, μας ταξιδεύει στο Λονδίνο και από εκεί, μας περνάει από απέραντες θάλασσες και ακτές για να μας οδηγήσει τελικά στην `αλλά και την Ρωσία, δύο χώρες επίσης αμφίβολες, δύο χώρες που την εποχή εκείνη προκαλούσαν τον φόβο και τον τρόμο, όχι μόνο λόγω της ανελέητης φύσης των αρχών του τόπου τους αλλά, και εξαιτίας της απανθρωπιάς και του εγωισμού, της δίψας για αίμα που χαρακτήριζε τους άρχοντές τους. Και εμείς βρισκόμαστε εκεί, αγωνιούμε και τρέχουμε μαζί με τους πρωταγωνιστές της ιστορίας να ξεφύγουμε από τα δίχτυα της δολοπλοκίας και της δίψας για εξουσία. Μπλέκουμε σε μια σειρά ξέφρενων καταστάσεων που μας κόβουν την ανάσα και που αποδεικνύουν ότι τίποτα δεν είναι όπως φαίνεται και πως δεν μπορείς να έχεις εμπιστοσύνη σε κανέναν αφού, ο καθένας που προσφέρεται να σε βοηθήσει μπορεί να είναι εχθρός σου και εκείνος που νομίζεις ότι σε καταδιώκει, να είναι ο μυστικός βοηθός και λυτρωτής σου.
Το μυθιστόρημα του Doherty, είναι ένα υπέροχο, γοητευτικό, σκοτεινό και αιματοβαμμένο παραμύθι που ζωντανεύει την ιστορία, την θρησκεία και που ταράζει όλους εκείνους που αγαπάνε τον θεό αλλά και εκείνους που αγαπάνε να τον μισούν. Είναι μια ιστορία για την μαγεία, την ανεξέλεγκτη ροή της δίψας για εξουσία και την αιώνια ζωή αλλά μέσα της ζει ένα βαθύτερο μήνυμα, εκείνο της ελπίδας και της αγάπης. Γιατί η ανολοκλήρωτη αγάπη μπορεί να είναι πιο δυνατή, μπορεί να είναι εκείνη που θα καθοδηγήσει τις πράξεις μας και μέσα από την απώλεια και τον πόνο, να μας οδηγήσει στην σωτηρία και την λύτρωση. Αν θέλετε να ταξιδέψετε σε έναν κόσμο που έχει όλα τα παραπάνω, τότε "Ο Δολοφόνος Των Ψυχών" σας προσκαλεί να τον κυνηγήσετε και να αναρωτηθείτε τι είναι αυτό που αξίζει τελικά περισσότερο στη ζωή και ποια μπορεί να είναι πιο ισχυρή δύναμη από την πίστη σε έναν σκοπό κι ένα όραμα.
July 30, 2014
I was given this book as a present when I was still in high school. Maybe that's why I remember it being overwhelmingly awesome even though the way everything sort of gravitated around religion has never really suited my tastes. Still, the gore and the dynamic pace (or so I remember it, there was never a moment's respite) more than make up for that.
I can't say I remember the plot with all the details, but there was your typical demon/soul snatcher thing, and the female heroine that starts without a single clue about her value and ends up a very long way (bonus points for NOT being a MarySue).
All in all, even as an adult, I'd say it's a nice read for leisure time, for any historical fiction/fantasy horror lover.
Even though by now it's more my sentimental attachment speaking than anything else.
Still, it was nice.
I can't say I remember the plot with all the details, but there was your typical demon/soul snatcher thing, and the female heroine that starts without a single clue about her value and ends up a very long way (bonus points for NOT being a MarySue).
All in all, even as an adult, I'd say it's a nice read for leisure time, for any historical fiction/fantasy horror lover.
Even though by now it's more my sentimental attachment speaking than anything else.
Still, it was nice.
February 2, 2018
Doherty has written several books that I have enjoyed because of their historical settings, well thought mysteries, and good character development as well as being well written. This particular book started well with an interesting story line. As it progressed I began to wonder if someone else had taken over the writing of the book. The style changed with more emphasis on the female character and less on the actual story. By the conclusion, the story read like a romance with no substantial detailing of the other characters or much on the storyline. The end of the book had degenerated to being silly. I was disappointed, to say the least.
June 1, 2015
Any medieval history lover would love any books by this author.
November 20, 2021
Interessante trama, finale toccante :,)
May 25, 2021
Starts as an interesting historic novel, flips into some kind of weird romance and then into an exceedingly gory tale with a hint of the supernatural, and then it sort of fizzes out. Very odd and not really worthy of Paul Doherty. And if I hear the term "tavern wench" one more time I am going to cry. All the other characters are given their names, only Rebecca is the "tavern wench" on 9 out of 10 occasions. Funny though, the most unbelievable thing I found was that an 18/19-year old English "tavern wench" could possibly be considered an exceedingly good cook - in Italy of all places. Oh yes, the English cuisine must have been much better in the 16th century. LOL
December 22, 2017
Historical Novel ?¿
Dreadful "horror" story set in Elizabethan times. Has no history in its pages and I have doubts about Mr Doherty's historical "facts" in most of his other fictional works and his misuse of words
that were often two or three hundred years before their time. Even words that cannot be traced in an Old English Dictionary which goes back to Saxon times. Prolific he is. Accurate? Read, research and come to your own conclusions. Also
Remember Queen Mary? "Bloody Mary" who executed a large number of her Protestant subjects.
Dreadful "horror" story set in Elizabethan times. Has no history in its pages and I have doubts about Mr Doherty's historical "facts" in most of his other fictional works and his misuse of words
that were often two or three hundred years before their time. Even words that cannot be traced in an Old English Dictionary which goes back to Saxon times. Prolific he is. Accurate? Read, research and come to your own conclusions. Also
Remember Queen Mary? "Bloody Mary" who executed a large number of her Protestant subjects.
August 19, 2019
... страхотна и ненатоварваща средновековна приказка за борбата между доброто и злото. Ненатоварваща, но за сметка на това със солидна доза пролята кръв по доста интересни начини. Подейства ми супер отрезвяващо и надъхващо към края на отпуската. Прочетох я бързо и с огромно удоволствие. Без баластра и излишъци. Отнех една звезда, заради романтичния финал. Можеше и иначе да завърши. Препоръчвам, ако желаете бързо лит сношение 😜😁
December 29, 2019
The first novel by Paul Doherty I ever read, loved his style and the historical details in his work.
Without this particular one I would never have continued with any historical novels.
I love the imagery and atmosphere he is able to create, and I love the accurate historical language used. I find them very informative too.
Without this particular one I would never have continued with any historical novels.
I love the imagery and atmosphere he is able to create, and I love the accurate historical language used. I find them very informative too.
March 4, 2023
Only got half way through and gave up. Can’t understand the positive reviews. It started well, good story, history and mystery. Then it got increasingly strange with long passages about religion, bullying and the supernatural. Plus, it’s just not that interesting. I love Paul Doherty’s books, I’ve read so many of them and not a stinker in the bunch. Until now that is.
June 9, 2024
The Soul Slayer
by : PAUL DOHERTY
5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An easy five stars. This is my first P. Doherty novel. and after finishing this.... I automatic ordered 5 more of his books 🤩🤩 Page turner, explosive ideas beautiful Catholic dynamism 🤩🤩🤩 I picked this book with zero knowledge about the author... the story whatsoever 🥰🥰🥰🥰 this is the beauty of reading. From zero author to Auto buy author 🥰🥰🥰🥰
by : PAUL DOHERTY
5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An easy five stars. This is my first P. Doherty novel. and after finishing this.... I automatic ordered 5 more of his books 🤩🤩 Page turner, explosive ideas beautiful Catholic dynamism 🤩🤩🤩 I picked this book with zero knowledge about the author... the story whatsoever 🥰🥰🥰🥰 this is the beauty of reading. From zero author to Auto buy author 🥰🥰🥰🥰
August 26, 2018
Good book.
A good but complicated story. Lots of violence. Fantasy but belevable. The end was a bit disapointing. Will look for another of his books.
A good but complicated story. Lots of violence. Fantasy but belevable. The end was a bit disapointing. Will look for another of his books.
July 3, 2022
I loved this book. The ending brought tears to my eyes. Another excellent read.
April 22, 2023
Non è il genere di che preferisco. Dovrebbe essere un thriller medievale ma in realtà è una storia di azione. Non ho trovato la lettura molto scorrevole.
February 23, 2024
Not my kind of book. Dragged on and on for me. The ending seemed forced and abrupt.
April 27, 2020
A long time favourite I discovered during my Bookcrossing days and a book I return to again and again.
England, 1564. Rebecca Lennox is the daughter of the publican of the The Silver Wyvern in a village in Essex. When she helps a hunted Catholic priest, Michael St Clair, she ends up nearly burnt at the stake. She is rescued by one of Walsingham's men, William Cowper, the albino spy and agent. But both priest and spy are hunting the same man, Frogmore - a man who has sold his soul to the Devil and received unearthly powers as a result. Frogmore is 400 years old and kills in order to carry out rituals to maintain his life. He knows that Micheal, William and especially Lennox are the ultimate threat to his existance and he has no compunction about using both the insane Tsar, Ivan the Terrible, or the mighty Suleiman the Great, the Turkish Potentate, about accomplishing his goal to destroy them. Rebecca and the two men are soon fleeing England for Russia in pursuit of Frogmore to face terrifying experiences in their quest to destroy Frogmore.
England, 1564. Rebecca Lennox is the daughter of the publican of the The Silver Wyvern in a village in Essex. When she helps a hunted Catholic priest, Michael St Clair, she ends up nearly burnt at the stake. She is rescued by one of Walsingham's men, William Cowper, the albino spy and agent. But both priest and spy are hunting the same man, Frogmore - a man who has sold his soul to the Devil and received unearthly powers as a result. Frogmore is 400 years old and kills in order to carry out rituals to maintain his life. He knows that Micheal, William and especially Lennox are the ultimate threat to his existance and he has no compunction about using both the insane Tsar, Ivan the Terrible, or the mighty Suleiman the Great, the Turkish Potentate, about accomplishing his goal to destroy them. Rebecca and the two men are soon fleeing England for Russia in pursuit of Frogmore to face terrifying experiences in their quest to destroy Frogmore.
July 26, 2016
La mia recensione completa la trovate qua
http://katiusciarigogliosi.blogspot.i...
Libro preso in prestito dal moroso, in quanto ultimamente la mia libreria in camera scarseggia di titoli nuovi.
In copertina c'è scritto che è un thriller storico, ma di thriller non ha nulla e di storico men che meno.
La storia - ambientata inizialmente nell'Inghilterra del 1500 - ruota attorno a Frogmore, un uomo che vive da 400 anni e che ha fatto un patto col diavolo: in cambio della vita eterna lui gira il mondo strappando cuori e formando un esercito con le anime delle sue vittime.
A dargli la caccia ci sono il gesuita St. Clair, la vergine col labbro leporino Rebecca e l'albino soldato della Regina Cowper. Inseguiranno il ladro di anime fino a Mosca, alla corte di Ivan il terribile.
Riusciranno a farlo fuori, ma cosa dovranno sacrificare in cambio?
http://katiusciarigogliosi.blogspot.i...
Libro preso in prestito dal moroso, in quanto ultimamente la mia libreria in camera scarseggia di titoli nuovi.
In copertina c'è scritto che è un thriller storico, ma di thriller non ha nulla e di storico men che meno.
La storia - ambientata inizialmente nell'Inghilterra del 1500 - ruota attorno a Frogmore, un uomo che vive da 400 anni e che ha fatto un patto col diavolo: in cambio della vita eterna lui gira il mondo strappando cuori e formando un esercito con le anime delle sue vittime.
A dargli la caccia ci sono il gesuita St. Clair, la vergine col labbro leporino Rebecca e l'albino soldato della Regina Cowper. Inseguiranno il ladro di anime fino a Mosca, alla corte di Ivan il terribile.
Riusciranno a farlo fuori, ma cosa dovranno sacrificare in cambio?
December 29, 2012
Starting in Dunmow, ending in Rome by way of Russia.
A fast-moving, often gory, tale of religious fanatics and the supernatural.
An engaging, vigorous style makes this an easy, if occasionally uncomfortable read.
A fast-moving, often gory, tale of religious fanatics and the supernatural.
An engaging, vigorous style makes this an easy, if occasionally uncomfortable read.
March 23, 2024
this book is VERY underrated
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