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The Devil Lancer
Captain Elliott Parrish of Her Majesty’s 17th Lancers cavalry division finds most details about his assignment in the Crimean peninsula insufferable. Rampant cholera, missing supplies, and inept planning start the British war effort against the Russian Czar’s expansion into Turkish territory on poor footing.
What should have been a swift and decisive summer victory soon drags into a harrowing winter campaign, and Elliott must rally disheartened men through sickness, battle, and starvation. But when he is assigned the additional task of spying on a fellow officer, the inscrutable Cornet Ilyas Kovakin, he finds himself disconcerted and fascinated by both the work and the man.
Rumors surround Ilyas Kovakin, the half-Russian officer who reports to none in his division. People say they’ve seen snakes slithering into his tent at night, that he has another face visible only in certain light, and a penchant for violent acts carried out in darkness, alone. But the truth that Elliot soon discovers is much more dangerous then mere superstition.
For Ilyas, his return to Crimea is colored with the horrors of his past.
Once a mercenary, he has made a terrible mistake and inherited horrifying powers that he can barely control. He feels his hold over his humanity slipping away daily, and fears that salvation may already lay beyond him when the cheerful Captain Parrish catches his attention. Among men who hate him and superiors who covet his brutal power, Ilyas finds the young captain’s charming company almost irresistible.
But Ilyas knows that the closer he is drawn to Elliot the more he will endanger them both.
What should have been a swift and decisive summer victory soon drags into a harrowing winter campaign, and Elliott must rally disheartened men through sickness, battle, and starvation. But when he is assigned the additional task of spying on a fellow officer, the inscrutable Cornet Ilyas Kovakin, he finds himself disconcerted and fascinated by both the work and the man.
Rumors surround Ilyas Kovakin, the half-Russian officer who reports to none in his division. People say they’ve seen snakes slithering into his tent at night, that he has another face visible only in certain light, and a penchant for violent acts carried out in darkness, alone. But the truth that Elliot soon discovers is much more dangerous then mere superstition.
For Ilyas, his return to Crimea is colored with the horrors of his past.
Once a mercenary, he has made a terrible mistake and inherited horrifying powers that he can barely control. He feels his hold over his humanity slipping away daily, and fears that salvation may already lay beyond him when the cheerful Captain Parrish catches his attention. Among men who hate him and superiors who covet his brutal power, Ilyas finds the young captain’s charming company almost irresistible.
But Ilyas knows that the closer he is drawn to Elliot the more he will endanger them both.
314 pages, ebook
First published October 7, 2014
13 people are currently reading
1005 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
July 10, 2014
God damn, that hit the spot.
Excellent historical setting, really vivid and well realised and so compelling on the incredible stupidity with which the Crimean War was conducted. Terrific fantasy elements, really scary at points. A tender romance (weirdly enough, since one guy was possessed by a devil, but hey, it worked) with some very hot moments.
That was basically *exactly* what I wanted to read right at this moment. And I read it. Win!
The pacing could have been a tad tighter - it's a big book, it could take it - and I'd have been tempted to cut the epilogue, but on this scale of hugely readable historical fantasy, I'm nitpicking. I really went for this.
Excellent historical setting, really vivid and well realised and so compelling on the incredible stupidity with which the Crimean War was conducted. Terrific fantasy elements, really scary at points. A tender romance (weirdly enough, since one guy was possessed by a devil, but hey, it worked) with some very hot moments.
That was basically *exactly* what I wanted to read right at this moment. And I read it. Win!
The pacing could have been a tad tighter - it's a big book, it could take it - and I'd have been tempted to cut the epilogue, but on this scale of hugely readable historical fantasy, I'm nitpicking. I really went for this.
July 1, 2019
I truly loved Astrid Amara's The Devil Lancer. The novel is a very exciting combination of great characters, historical accuracy and supernatural occurrences that conjure up a book that is in turns compelling, scary, moving and even, on some occasions, unexpectedly amusing.
Captain Elliott Parrish and Cornet Ilyas Kovakin - the devil lancer of the title - are two amazing characters, full of nuances and with very nicely layered personalities. Apparently opposed - Elliott with his intellectual pursuits and rationality and Ilyas, dark and passionate - the two MCs complement each other and provide the story with a very well portrayed sense of progression in their mutual trust and relation.
The supernatural element in the story, a dark tale of 'ghost coffins' and demonic possessions, is perfectly weaved through the historical reality of the Crimean War, with the tragic Charge of the Light Brigade and the siege of Sevastopol taking centre stage and giving to the plot a solid anchor.
Despite some changes and a few factual liberties, listed by the author in her Afterword, the novel is infused with a beautiful sense of time and location and the hardship of life on the frontline through the merciless Crimean winters and summers is so vividly depicted to be almost palpable.
I really loved Amara's writing style, elegant, relentless and moving and thus perfectly suited to a plot full of unexpected events.
Highly recommended!
The Charge of the Light Brigade (Richard Caton Woodville, 1895)
Captain Elliott Parrish and Cornet Ilyas Kovakin - the devil lancer of the title - are two amazing characters, full of nuances and with very nicely layered personalities. Apparently opposed - Elliott with his intellectual pursuits and rationality and Ilyas, dark and passionate - the two MCs complement each other and provide the story with a very well portrayed sense of progression in their mutual trust and relation.
The supernatural element in the story, a dark tale of 'ghost coffins' and demonic possessions, is perfectly weaved through the historical reality of the Crimean War, with the tragic Charge of the Light Brigade and the siege of Sevastopol taking centre stage and giving to the plot a solid anchor.
Despite some changes and a few factual liberties, listed by the author in her Afterword, the novel is infused with a beautiful sense of time and location and the hardship of life on the frontline through the merciless Crimean winters and summers is so vividly depicted to be almost palpable.
I really loved Amara's writing style, elegant, relentless and moving and thus perfectly suited to a plot full of unexpected events.
Highly recommended!
The Charge of the Light Brigade (Richard Caton Woodville, 1895)
September 10, 2014
Magic and romance set amongst the carnage and boredom of the Crimean War.
Fantastic sense of of place, which is both good and bad. Especially when the place is disease-ridden muddy fields that either swelter or are frozen. Daily life of a cavalry soldier is well documented here. Moderately pace. This is a war story with mystery and a romance in that order. A nice mix of superstition and religion woven into this Victorian period piece featuring Russian moles, lifelong soldiers and the futility of the war. It does a good job of valorizing individuals and highlighting the utter nonsense of the act.
Ilyas carries a heavy burden. Half Russian, Half English he is mistrusted by both sides, but he rides for the British. Not favoring either side, but reveling in the carnage of war he's victorious on the front lines and behind them. Ilyas has a dangerous secret.
Elliot is drawn to Ilyas. It's more than his mysterious good looks, but he wants to succumb to the urges plaguing him. A lifetime soldier he knows the dangers of both his profession and his obsession of Ilyas.
Their story is one of pain, suffering, and celebration. In each other, they find something more than they hoped for.
I found the stark reality and their furtive movements successful in finding a way to have a relationship under the circumstances. The mystery and supernatural element of the story was really well done and evidences research. I found it engaging and added intrigue to a military story that didn't revolve around espionage. Not that it isn't present--what kind of war would it be without spies?
There were a couple times when this definitely touched me, and while tears weren't necessary I certainly felt the tragedy and suffering. The charge of the Light Brigade was as horrible as I imagined, like many of the military actions before it and just futile and illogical.
Overall, worthwhile read if one is the patient sort and can handle the less savory aspects of war.
Favorite quote:
For those interested:
Lord Alfred Tennyson's "Charge of the Light Brigade"
~~A copy was provided to me for a No Glitter Blown review~~
~~~Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews~~~
Fantastic sense of of place, which is both good and bad. Especially when the place is disease-ridden muddy fields that either swelter or are frozen. Daily life of a cavalry soldier is well documented here. Moderately pace. This is a war story with mystery and a romance in that order. A nice mix of superstition and religion woven into this Victorian period piece featuring Russian moles, lifelong soldiers and the futility of the war. It does a good job of valorizing individuals and highlighting the utter nonsense of the act.
Ilyas carries a heavy burden. Half Russian, Half English he is mistrusted by both sides, but he rides for the British. Not favoring either side, but reveling in the carnage of war he's victorious on the front lines and behind them. Ilyas has a dangerous secret.
Elliot is drawn to Ilyas. It's more than his mysterious good looks, but he wants to succumb to the urges plaguing him. A lifetime soldier he knows the dangers of both his profession and his obsession of Ilyas.
Their story is one of pain, suffering, and celebration. In each other, they find something more than they hoped for.
I found the stark reality and their furtive movements successful in finding a way to have a relationship under the circumstances. The mystery and supernatural element of the story was really well done and evidences research. I found it engaging and added intrigue to a military story that didn't revolve around espionage. Not that it isn't present--what kind of war would it be without spies?
There were a couple times when this definitely touched me, and while tears weren't necessary I certainly felt the tragedy and suffering. The charge of the Light Brigade was as horrible as I imagined, like many of the military actions before it and just futile and illogical.
They broke clear of the smoke for a moment and Elliott saw several wounded, riderless horses running perfectly in formation as if still commanded by men.In the end, a war might have a winner, but everyone loses something.
Overall, worthwhile read if one is the patient sort and can handle the less savory aspects of war.
Favorite quote:
They had learned the language of each other’s ardor, and yet each time Ilyas found himself marveling at the newness of this—this coupling without restrictions, this open, carnal honesty.
For those interested:
Lord Alfred Tennyson's "Charge of the Light Brigade"
~~A copy was provided to me for a No Glitter Blown review~~
~~~Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews~~~
November 18, 2014
The Devil Lancer is an interesting retelling of the Crimean war with a paranormal/fantasy twist. Some things worked for me, but others didn't. Overall, it was a good distraction from the present.
The overall world building is excellent. The author really, REALLY did her research in terms of the setting and the events of the war. Unfortunately, my knowledge of this specific war and time period was pretty much non-existent and I ended up having to Google a LOT. To the point that it actually started feeling tiresome and I would just quit doing so. There were a few major battle scenes that were also difficult for me to visualize since I had to do some research on the terminology, which kind of detracted from my enjoyment. However, I feel this is just a "me" thing, and I wouldn't have the author really change her writing or "dumb" it down as it would also take away from the authenticity of this era.
In terms of plot, The Devil Lancer is a story about demonic possession. It wasn't until I was halfway through the book that I realize I don't really like possession stories outside of fanfiction (oops!). The story also took quite a lot of setup time. It wasn't until about 25% into the book that I felt the story picking up. While the story did pick up midway into the book, pacing was probably my biggest complaint. I felt like the story was moving very slowly, regardless of the time jumps from one chapter to another. A good amount of the story could have probably been tightened or removed in my opinion.
I also felt like the story didn't really provide the emotional punch I was looking for. There were certain events that happened that I felt like didn't leave the impression it should have. For example, However, the relationship between Ilyas and Elliot was a nice build up, even if the start was kind of slow.
So despite all my complaints, The Devil Lancer definitely had its moments. I liked the one-on-one fight scenes in the book, most of the paranormal/fantasy aspect of the plot, and Elliot's character. The sex scenes, while brief, was tastefully done (or as much so for a war story in the mid-1800s). Over all, if you are looking for an immersive historical fantasy/paranormal war romance, give The Devil Lancer a shot.
The overall world building is excellent. The author really, REALLY did her research in terms of the setting and the events of the war. Unfortunately, my knowledge of this specific war and time period was pretty much non-existent and I ended up having to Google a LOT. To the point that it actually started feeling tiresome and I would just quit doing so. There were a few major battle scenes that were also difficult for me to visualize since I had to do some research on the terminology, which kind of detracted from my enjoyment. However, I feel this is just a "me" thing, and I wouldn't have the author really change her writing or "dumb" it down as it would also take away from the authenticity of this era.
In terms of plot, The Devil Lancer is a story about demonic possession. It wasn't until I was halfway through the book that I realize I don't really like possession stories outside of fanfiction (oops!). The story also took quite a lot of setup time. It wasn't until about 25% into the book that I felt the story picking up. While the story did pick up midway into the book, pacing was probably my biggest complaint. I felt like the story was moving very slowly, regardless of the time jumps from one chapter to another. A good amount of the story could have probably been tightened or removed in my opinion.
I also felt like the story didn't really provide the emotional punch I was looking for. There were certain events that happened that I felt like didn't leave the impression it should have. For example, However, the relationship between Ilyas and Elliot was a nice build up, even if the start was kind of slow.
So despite all my complaints, The Devil Lancer definitely had its moments. I liked the one-on-one fight scenes in the book, most of the paranormal/fantasy aspect of the plot, and Elliot's character. The sex scenes, while brief, was tastefully done (or as much so for a war story in the mid-1800s). Over all, if you are looking for an immersive historical fantasy/paranormal war romance, give The Devil Lancer a shot.
September 27, 2016
This book melds two of my favorite genres, a fascinating historical set in the mismanaged debacle that was the Crimean war, and a paranormal fantasy with some bite to it.
The war dominates the landscape, and the day-to-day lives of the two main characters. Elliott is a Captain of the British Lancers, a good horseman, a good man, and a decent leader. Unfortunately he's under the command of the same oblivious, petty, wasteful and inept leadership as everyone else in that battle zone. It's impossible not to feel for him - not to ache and rage, and recognize the huge losses that come when a wealthy leadership plays petty power games with the lives of those they control.
Elliott has to hold back his men when they might have saved other soldiers from slaughter, and then send them forward on futile charges under heavy fire with no good objective. He has to watch his subordinates and his friends (and his beloved horses) die of cholera, of wounds gone bad, and freezing, and starvation, while the top brass retire to their luxury quarters to complain about the quality of their beef. He hangs onto the shreds of a belief that following orders is a point of honor and that somehow, someone will get it right enough to bring them through this horror of a war.
The author made me feel the despair, the bitter cold, the aching bones when men and horses are asked to go beyond their strength. There's an amazing strength in Elliott, who maintains his integrity despite the conditions and who has an open heart and mind. He at least also has a good friend from childhood - Henry - and a fine horse, and a young servant boy who does his best. And his secret and best consolation, and most puzzling enigma, becomes Ilyas.
Ilyas is half British, half Russian, once a bandit of sorts in the company of his Russian half-brother and friends. Until a chance encounter infected the whole bandit company with demons. Ilyas was left for dead, and tried to escape via Britain. But his demon self was considered a potential tool of war, and his mother was quickly taken as a hostage for his good behavior by the British high command. Now he's trapped between the ravening demands of the demon growing stronger within him, the pull of his brother's company amid the enemy, and the British Army's orders to locate more demons for their use.
The only thing that still makes him feel human, and in some kind of control, is his attraction to a good-natured, handsome, blond English Captain. He should fight that attraction with all his might. All he can bring Elliott is danger - danger from the demon getting loose, danger from the men Ilyas must deal with, danger of being caught in the act of sodomy. And yet, he can't make himself walk away from the only person who sparks the man he once was inside his demon-possessed soul.
This book was fascinating, gripping and intense. The picture of men at war was bleak and real - all too familiar a situation. The resolution was satisfying, despite losses along the way. I had a bit of a format issue with the B&N copy, and much appreciate the author eventually sending me a free replacement for it. I recommend this for readers who appreciate both authentic historical settings, and a dark paranormal with a happy ending.
The war dominates the landscape, and the day-to-day lives of the two main characters. Elliott is a Captain of the British Lancers, a good horseman, a good man, and a decent leader. Unfortunately he's under the command of the same oblivious, petty, wasteful and inept leadership as everyone else in that battle zone. It's impossible not to feel for him - not to ache and rage, and recognize the huge losses that come when a wealthy leadership plays petty power games with the lives of those they control.
Elliott has to hold back his men when they might have saved other soldiers from slaughter, and then send them forward on futile charges under heavy fire with no good objective. He has to watch his subordinates and his friends (and his beloved horses) die of cholera, of wounds gone bad, and freezing, and starvation, while the top brass retire to their luxury quarters to complain about the quality of their beef. He hangs onto the shreds of a belief that following orders is a point of honor and that somehow, someone will get it right enough to bring them through this horror of a war.
The author made me feel the despair, the bitter cold, the aching bones when men and horses are asked to go beyond their strength. There's an amazing strength in Elliott, who maintains his integrity despite the conditions and who has an open heart and mind. He at least also has a good friend from childhood - Henry - and a fine horse, and a young servant boy who does his best. And his secret and best consolation, and most puzzling enigma, becomes Ilyas.
Ilyas is half British, half Russian, once a bandit of sorts in the company of his Russian half-brother and friends. Until a chance encounter infected the whole bandit company with demons. Ilyas was left for dead, and tried to escape via Britain. But his demon self was considered a potential tool of war, and his mother was quickly taken as a hostage for his good behavior by the British high command. Now he's trapped between the ravening demands of the demon growing stronger within him, the pull of his brother's company amid the enemy, and the British Army's orders to locate more demons for their use.
The only thing that still makes him feel human, and in some kind of control, is his attraction to a good-natured, handsome, blond English Captain. He should fight that attraction with all his might. All he can bring Elliott is danger - danger from the demon getting loose, danger from the men Ilyas must deal with, danger of being caught in the act of sodomy. And yet, he can't make himself walk away from the only person who sparks the man he once was inside his demon-possessed soul.
This book was fascinating, gripping and intense. The picture of men at war was bleak and real - all too familiar a situation. The resolution was satisfying, despite losses along the way. I had a bit of a format issue with the B&N copy, and much appreciate the author eventually sending me a free replacement for it. I recommend this for readers who appreciate both authentic historical settings, and a dark paranormal with a happy ending.
September 22, 2020
My guilty pleasure is, apparently, paranormal historical m/m romance. Except that I don’t care to feel guilty about it at all ^^
This genre just ticks a lot of the boxes that I find uncomplicated and enjoyable. I’m intrigued by a historical setting, especially anything Victorian England age has my full attention, or in other examples it’s educational and I learn about events or cultures I wouldn’t normally read about. There’s a supernatural element, too, humans with certain skills, or demons and humans mingling, or mythological gods, and lastly there’s a human connection that I apparently really want to see portrayed, if portrayed well.
There is a *lot* of crap in this genre, so I haven’t actively sought it out, knowing it is likely full of Twilight replicas and YA which I avoid like corona vira. Just browsing book covers within the genre makes me want to throw up my lunch.
In any case, Astrid Amara nails every aspect perfectly. It takes place during the Crimean war which I personally knew nothing about until this made me google everything. She utilizes real people and places, of course in her own creative way, where the British army is actively recruiting people to be vessels of ancient demons to win this war (why do humans think this is a good idea???). She manages to create interesting main characters whose attraction is palpable, you like them and root for them and you like their friends, and even their impossible family. Not a lot of authors can pull it off, so I’m always happy when someone succeeds.
I’m definitely going to read more by this author!
This genre just ticks a lot of the boxes that I find uncomplicated and enjoyable. I’m intrigued by a historical setting, especially anything Victorian England age has my full attention, or in other examples it’s educational and I learn about events or cultures I wouldn’t normally read about. There’s a supernatural element, too, humans with certain skills, or demons and humans mingling, or mythological gods, and lastly there’s a human connection that I apparently really want to see portrayed, if portrayed well.
There is a *lot* of crap in this genre, so I haven’t actively sought it out, knowing it is likely full of Twilight replicas and YA which I avoid like corona vira. Just browsing book covers within the genre makes me want to throw up my lunch.
In any case, Astrid Amara nails every aspect perfectly. It takes place during the Crimean war which I personally knew nothing about until this made me google everything. She utilizes real people and places, of course in her own creative way, where the British army is actively recruiting people to be vessels of ancient demons to win this war (why do humans think this is a good idea???). She manages to create interesting main characters whose attraction is palpable, you like them and root for them and you like their friends, and even their impossible family. Not a lot of authors can pull it off, so I’m always happy when someone succeeds.
I’m definitely going to read more by this author!
January 3, 2016
Enjoyed this so much. Loved her writing as always, loved the amount of research that clearly went into this, loved the mix of historical fantasy, and most of all, loved Ilias and Elliot together.
This would have been five stars but for the long sections about the ongoing war and battles-reading accounts of all the unending deaths, misery, and losses from such inept leadership was painful and frustrating to read.
*Also, this book is on sale for only $1.99 for a limited time! It's a pretty lengthy book (475 pages, but it flew by in a day because I was so engrossed) so I think it's def worth it. 1/2/15
This would have been five stars but for the long sections about the ongoing war and battles-reading accounts of all the unending deaths, misery, and losses from such inept leadership was painful and frustrating to read.
*Also, this book is on sale for only $1.99 for a limited time! It's a pretty lengthy book (475 pages, but it flew by in a day because I was so engrossed) so I think it's def worth it. 1/2/15
July 20, 2014
Loved it.
The slowly built bleakness of war, interwoven with a paranormal aspect was nicely done. I was expecting to be completely depressed, and while it was sad and miserable in parts it was occasionally uplifting. I think this was down to Elliot. He was such a great character. Ilyas was magic too and appealed to my love of tall, dark and broody. There were definitely parts that were a bit hard to read, re war and battle. But it fit within the context of the story. I am a compete sap for an epilogue, this was had me rather warm and fuzzy.
I read another review that mentioned pacing, and I would have to agree. However, for me this was not a deal breaker. I read fast, so long books suit me to read. I feel like I've gotten bang for my buck. It reminded me of the length of The Archer's Heart... Perhaps not quite as long!
So, great book by one of my auto by authors that ticked all the boxes of a great mid winters read.
The slowly built bleakness of war, interwoven with a paranormal aspect was nicely done. I was expecting to be completely depressed, and while it was sad and miserable in parts it was occasionally uplifting. I think this was down to Elliot. He was such a great character. Ilyas was magic too and appealed to my love of tall, dark and broody. There were definitely parts that were a bit hard to read, re war and battle. But it fit within the context of the story. I am a compete sap for an epilogue, this was had me rather warm and fuzzy.
I read another review that mentioned pacing, and I would have to agree. However, for me this was not a deal breaker. I read fast, so long books suit me to read. I feel like I've gotten bang for my buck. It reminded me of the length of The Archer's Heart... Perhaps not quite as long!
So, great book by one of my auto by authors that ticked all the boxes of a great mid winters read.
April 10, 2021
I thought the paranormal plot worked well, but man was this bleak. The Crimean War is not something we learn much (if anything??) about in American schools, so mostly I was just blown away by the amount of people dying for no other reason than horrifyingly incompetent leadership. It kind of overshadowed everything else for me, even though I really liked the slow-burn romance.
November 6, 2023
I thought this was a really well-written historical, which takes place during the Crimean War--not a time period/event I read much of! It does take place on the battlefront, and it's appropriately gritty, dark, and gruesome. Characters and animals die of injury, disease, and the elements, including ones we come to care for. There's also a supernatural element involving, essentially daemon possession, which was interesting, though it did feel like there was a LOT going on, and ultimately I think I'd have preferred if the supernatural angle had been ditched. It wasn't poorly done, but it did leave me feeling like the author was trying to do too much. Still, I appreciated this look at what life might have been like during this time, and the author doesn't pull any punches--but we get our happy ending.
February 15, 2015
Review can be read at It's About The Book
I’ve known for a few years Astrid Amara was writing a book about the Crimean War. My first thoughts upon hearing that were, “I’ll be skipping that one,” and, “But I want another Hanukkah book.” Yes, I’m a greedy reader. I only have the consolation I didn’t say those things out loud. As we got closer and closer to release of the book my interest increased. By the time I had it in my hot little hands I was really hoping no one else would want to review it, yet I was still wary. I’m not really a fan of military fiction, nor am I a fan of historicals. So, after years of waiting and having run the emotional gamut of disinterest to excitement, I can now concretely say I have reached the point of being stunned with how fantastic this book was.
Captain Elliot Parrish finds he really doesn’t understand the logic behind the actions of a lot of the commanding officers’ orders. They don’t necessarily seem to be in the best interests of the men, the horses, or the war effort itself. And everyone pretty much agrees Cornet Ilyas Kovakin is a little creepy. Well, Elliot thinks he’s a little sexy, too. Elliot finds himself interested in Cornet Kovakin, not only for his looks, but he wants to know what a Russian man is doing fighting for the British and why he seems to be under the direct command of the spymaster. Ilyas Kovakin is a mystery. Elliot really likes mysteries. Ilyas has a bit more on his plate than he can really handle. He’s charged with finding ancient artifacts that house daemons. He’s doing so on behalf of the British government. He’s also desperately trying to maintain control of his own body as he’s been possessed by one of the very daemons the British are trying to collect. Of course, it would be far too easy if he were the only one looking to collect the artifacts, which are small boxes. A band of men, who are also possessed by daemons, are also trying to find them all. The big complication is the band of men are his friends being led by his brother, Alisher.
Elliot knows languages and puzzles. It makes command happy to have Elliot working with Ilyas to solve the mystery of the boxes as he can also oversee Ilyas’ actions and report back to him anything that could be amiss. Elliot doesn’t particularly like spying on the spy. His fascination for both the boxes and Ilyas quickly make working with Ilyas easier. Eventually, Elliot learns just how far the British government is going to control Ilyas. Coupled with the disasters in tactics he’s been seeing throughout the war, Elliot finds it pretty easy to begin the process of shifting his allegiances to Ilyas. The men continue to work together as well as fight in the Crimean War. Ultimately, Elliot does the right thing.
As I was reading this I found I really cared about the Crimean War. I actively hated Lords Cardigan, Raglan, and Lucan. I began to refer to them by derogatory nicknames. Lord Cardigan was “The Sweater Guy” and Lord Raglan was “The Sleeve Dude.” I can see that America played no part in the Crimean War and it was completely over, but I cared about what was happening to these men and animals. Whereas the story was about two men coming together under extraordinary circumstances and against all odds, it was told fantastically against the backdrop of a very real and very horrible situation. In many ways, Elliot had it easy. He was British amongst the British and only had to fight the war while watching his men and horses die all around him from exposure, disease, and starvation. Ilyas was a stranger, fighting a daemon, fighting his brother, and literally going to war against his own homeland and people, all while being cruelly manipulated by the British government.
The paranormal aspect of this book was well balanced with the romance and military aspects. Elliot and Ilyas very much had to deal with the daemons just as they very much found themselves falling in love and fighting a war. They also had to figure out what the Greater Good really was. Lives were at stake. Either civilians or servicemen were going to die, and possibly very many of them, if Elliot and Ilyas made the wrong choices. Amidst a backdrop of a continual stream of wrong choices from the commanding officers, Elliot and Ilyas found themselves in pivotal situations that would drastically change the outcome not only of the Crimean War, but future wars as well. Their choices and sacrifices make for very good reading.
This is an excellent book. It’s not merely an excellent book for historical, or paranormal, or military fiction. Hands down this book is excellent. I would absolutely recommend this to any reader despite their reservations about the subject matter. Yes, old battles can be told in interesting ways. History can be exciting. Running out of your bedroom and yelling, “Chapter 12 just started and the Light Brigade is about to charge!” kind of exciting.
I’ve known for a few years Astrid Amara was writing a book about the Crimean War. My first thoughts upon hearing that were, “I’ll be skipping that one,” and, “But I want another Hanukkah book.” Yes, I’m a greedy reader. I only have the consolation I didn’t say those things out loud. As we got closer and closer to release of the book my interest increased. By the time I had it in my hot little hands I was really hoping no one else would want to review it, yet I was still wary. I’m not really a fan of military fiction, nor am I a fan of historicals. So, after years of waiting and having run the emotional gamut of disinterest to excitement, I can now concretely say I have reached the point of being stunned with how fantastic this book was.
Captain Elliot Parrish finds he really doesn’t understand the logic behind the actions of a lot of the commanding officers’ orders. They don’t necessarily seem to be in the best interests of the men, the horses, or the war effort itself. And everyone pretty much agrees Cornet Ilyas Kovakin is a little creepy. Well, Elliot thinks he’s a little sexy, too. Elliot finds himself interested in Cornet Kovakin, not only for his looks, but he wants to know what a Russian man is doing fighting for the British and why he seems to be under the direct command of the spymaster. Ilyas Kovakin is a mystery. Elliot really likes mysteries. Ilyas has a bit more on his plate than he can really handle. He’s charged with finding ancient artifacts that house daemons. He’s doing so on behalf of the British government. He’s also desperately trying to maintain control of his own body as he’s been possessed by one of the very daemons the British are trying to collect. Of course, it would be far too easy if he were the only one looking to collect the artifacts, which are small boxes. A band of men, who are also possessed by daemons, are also trying to find them all. The big complication is the band of men are his friends being led by his brother, Alisher.
Elliot knows languages and puzzles. It makes command happy to have Elliot working with Ilyas to solve the mystery of the boxes as he can also oversee Ilyas’ actions and report back to him anything that could be amiss. Elliot doesn’t particularly like spying on the spy. His fascination for both the boxes and Ilyas quickly make working with Ilyas easier. Eventually, Elliot learns just how far the British government is going to control Ilyas. Coupled with the disasters in tactics he’s been seeing throughout the war, Elliot finds it pretty easy to begin the process of shifting his allegiances to Ilyas. The men continue to work together as well as fight in the Crimean War. Ultimately, Elliot does the right thing.
As I was reading this I found I really cared about the Crimean War. I actively hated Lords Cardigan, Raglan, and Lucan. I began to refer to them by derogatory nicknames. Lord Cardigan was “The Sweater Guy” and Lord Raglan was “The Sleeve Dude.” I can see that America played no part in the Crimean War and it was completely over, but I cared about what was happening to these men and animals. Whereas the story was about two men coming together under extraordinary circumstances and against all odds, it was told fantastically against the backdrop of a very real and very horrible situation. In many ways, Elliot had it easy. He was British amongst the British and only had to fight the war while watching his men and horses die all around him from exposure, disease, and starvation. Ilyas was a stranger, fighting a daemon, fighting his brother, and literally going to war against his own homeland and people, all while being cruelly manipulated by the British government.
The paranormal aspect of this book was well balanced with the romance and military aspects. Elliot and Ilyas very much had to deal with the daemons just as they very much found themselves falling in love and fighting a war. They also had to figure out what the Greater Good really was. Lives were at stake. Either civilians or servicemen were going to die, and possibly very many of them, if Elliot and Ilyas made the wrong choices. Amidst a backdrop of a continual stream of wrong choices from the commanding officers, Elliot and Ilyas found themselves in pivotal situations that would drastically change the outcome not only of the Crimean War, but future wars as well. Their choices and sacrifices make for very good reading.
This is an excellent book. It’s not merely an excellent book for historical, or paranormal, or military fiction. Hands down this book is excellent. I would absolutely recommend this to any reader despite their reservations about the subject matter. Yes, old battles can be told in interesting ways. History can be exciting. Running out of your bedroom and yelling, “Chapter 12 just started and the Light Brigade is about to charge!” kind of exciting.
March 5, 2020
5 stars
Elliott is part of the unit sent over to Crimea to win the war. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things standing in the way of their assured victory, such as a ready amount of supplies, proper planning, sickness, etc. The army settles in for a long, cold winter. As well as being an officer in charge, Elliott is given an additional task by his superior of spying on a fellow soldier. Ilyas is half Russian, and Elliott is given to understand that the British army is worried about him playing a doubles game.
Ilyas had a hard childhood, and is returning to Russia against his will. He is charged with a secret mission for the army, which has to do with why he seems more strange than might be normal.
As winter progresses and things get more difficult for the army, since just surviving is becoming a major goal, Elliott gets to know Ilyas a little at a time, and wants to help him.
So, I LOVED this book. I liked the story, the characters, the way things slowly unfolded, the adherence to history (with the exception of the supernatural). I could feel the cold of the winter, the despair of not having enough to eat, the disgust/resignation that the superiors didn't seem to know how to resolve things. But I'll be honest. I can't remember much of the book at all, because "The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Lord Tennyson lies like a white miasma over top of my memory of reading it, since I recited it in my head for pretty much the entire time it took me to read the book. In fact, I keep repeating "half a league, half a league, half a league onward" and "not though the soldier knew someone had blundered. Theirs not to make reply, theirs not to reason why" while I'm thinking of what to write for this review.
Elliott and Ilyas are such differentpeople characters (since I know they aren't real people, although they seemed real) and they come at things from their different trails in life, but they just work together as a couple, and as co-workers. They come to respect one another and what the other brings to the table. I'll also note that once I was done reading this book, I spent about half a day reading about the war, especially that futile charge.
So, in conclusion, if you want well written, memorable characters, with a realistic depiction of what the war actually felt like, and the inclination to learn more about the events taking place in this book, this book is for you! (And if "The Charge of the Light Brigade" happens to get stuck in your head while reading... Well, you can't say that you weren't warned.)
Elliott is part of the unit sent over to Crimea to win the war. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things standing in the way of their assured victory, such as a ready amount of supplies, proper planning, sickness, etc. The army settles in for a long, cold winter. As well as being an officer in charge, Elliott is given an additional task by his superior of spying on a fellow soldier. Ilyas is half Russian, and Elliott is given to understand that the British army is worried about him playing a doubles game.
Ilyas had a hard childhood, and is returning to Russia against his will. He is charged with a secret mission for the army, which has to do with why he seems more strange than might be normal.
As winter progresses and things get more difficult for the army, since just surviving is becoming a major goal, Elliott gets to know Ilyas a little at a time, and wants to help him.
So, I LOVED this book. I liked the story, the characters, the way things slowly unfolded, the adherence to history (with the exception of the supernatural). I could feel the cold of the winter, the despair of not having enough to eat, the disgust/resignation that the superiors didn't seem to know how to resolve things. But I'll be honest. I can't remember much of the book at all, because "The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Lord Tennyson lies like a white miasma over top of my memory of reading it, since I recited it in my head for pretty much the entire time it took me to read the book. In fact, I keep repeating "half a league, half a league, half a league onward" and "not though the soldier knew someone had blundered. Theirs not to make reply, theirs not to reason why" while I'm thinking of what to write for this review.
Elliott and Ilyas are such different
So, in conclusion, if you want well written, memorable characters, with a realistic depiction of what the war actually felt like, and the inclination to learn more about the events taking place in this book, this book is for you! (And if "The Charge of the Light Brigade" happens to get stuck in your head while reading... Well, you can't say that you weren't warned.)
September 9, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
The Devil Lancer was a wonderful novel. Or rather it was two wonderful novels. Let me explain. The author has done an excellent job of integrating the hellish nightmare of the Crimean War with an epic fantasy. However, there were times when I would have preferred the author pick one path or the other. The historical context is exceptionally rendered and the reader is quickly drawn into the brutal hell of a senseless war. Most people have heard about the Charge of the Light Brigade, but fewer realize this was part of a wider conflict that was so mismanaged on the part of the British and French that it’s a wonder anyone survived. I could sense Elliot’s desperation as he becomes the hapless pawn of bungling commanders. His devotion to his country, to his men, and to the horses that carry him to battle is painfully elegant and utterly heartbreaking. This part of The Devil Lancer was so well done it was incredibly easy to become swept up in the action and the agony of Elliot’s fierce determination to survive.
Though he also serves as a solider, Ilyas is dealing with an even greater foe. The demon that resides inside him is slowly destroying his self-control and the end result is a creature that lusts for blood and destruction and little else. Desperate to escape the demon’s clutches, Ilyas hopes that Elliott’s love of cryptology will help him decode a complex language that may offer clues to his situation. This aspect of The Devil Lancer was also extremely well done and just as interesting as the history. Ilyas, like Elliott, is a prisoner of his situation. He is as intense and brooding as Elliott is cheerful. The two are a natural fit and you can’t help but enjoy the brief moments of happiness they carve out of the chaos. But as good as both the historical and fantastical elements of The Devil Lancer are, sometimes I felt as though the one detracted from the other. Just as I settled into the historical groove, I was pulled out of the moment and set on the fantasy path. This was a little frustrating, but only a little. It really was small issue and it didn’t excessively detract from my overall enjoyment, but did prevent me from giving it a perfect rating.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
The Devil Lancer was a wonderful novel. Or rather it was two wonderful novels. Let me explain. The author has done an excellent job of integrating the hellish nightmare of the Crimean War with an epic fantasy. However, there were times when I would have preferred the author pick one path or the other. The historical context is exceptionally rendered and the reader is quickly drawn into the brutal hell of a senseless war. Most people have heard about the Charge of the Light Brigade, but fewer realize this was part of a wider conflict that was so mismanaged on the part of the British and French that it’s a wonder anyone survived. I could sense Elliot’s desperation as he becomes the hapless pawn of bungling commanders. His devotion to his country, to his men, and to the horses that carry him to battle is painfully elegant and utterly heartbreaking. This part of The Devil Lancer was so well done it was incredibly easy to become swept up in the action and the agony of Elliot’s fierce determination to survive.
Though he also serves as a solider, Ilyas is dealing with an even greater foe. The demon that resides inside him is slowly destroying his self-control and the end result is a creature that lusts for blood and destruction and little else. Desperate to escape the demon’s clutches, Ilyas hopes that Elliott’s love of cryptology will help him decode a complex language that may offer clues to his situation. This aspect of The Devil Lancer was also extremely well done and just as interesting as the history. Ilyas, like Elliott, is a prisoner of his situation. He is as intense and brooding as Elliott is cheerful. The two are a natural fit and you can’t help but enjoy the brief moments of happiness they carve out of the chaos. But as good as both the historical and fantastical elements of The Devil Lancer are, sometimes I felt as though the one detracted from the other. Just as I settled into the historical groove, I was pulled out of the moment and set on the fantasy path. This was a little frustrating, but only a little. It really was small issue and it didn’t excessively detract from my overall enjoyment, but did prevent me from giving it a perfect rating.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
February 3, 2016
*4.25 stars*
This was well-written, intense and vast in scope. I would classify it as a historical with an m/m romance (there was a depth to the historical aspects that isn't always found in a typical historical m/m romance) ... and there's also a paranormal thread running through this. The author's depiction of life for the British soldiers and officers in the Crimean war seemed very real: fighting under inept leadership in a harsh and unforgiving climate with poor supplies and pervasive sickness. I felt so much for these poor guys.
The romance is between Elliott, a British captain, and Ilyas, who is half-Russian and half-British. Ilyas has been struggling with a daemon that has come inside him (I can't even begin to explain this part of the plot!). Elliott is fascinated by, and attracted to, Ilyas from the beginning and it's fortuitous that his superiors have asked him to keep an eye on Ilyas. Their relationship develops slowly (which I always like) and after some initial distrust they start working together and needing more from each other -- companionship, friendship and intimacy. They have to get through a huge amount (the war and fighting off the other daemons) before they can get their HEA. The HEA certainly felt well deserved and believable for the times.
I recommend this if you enjoy history, military history, historical m/m or paranormal historicals. The two things that kept this from being a 5 star read were that it felt a little long and I would have preferred a tad more focus on the romance, otherwise I really enjoyed this.
This was well-written, intense and vast in scope. I would classify it as a historical with an m/m romance (there was a depth to the historical aspects that isn't always found in a typical historical m/m romance) ... and there's also a paranormal thread running through this. The author's depiction of life for the British soldiers and officers in the Crimean war seemed very real: fighting under inept leadership in a harsh and unforgiving climate with poor supplies and pervasive sickness. I felt so much for these poor guys.
The romance is between Elliott, a British captain, and Ilyas, who is half-Russian and half-British. Ilyas has been struggling with a daemon that has come inside him (I can't even begin to explain this part of the plot!). Elliott is fascinated by, and attracted to, Ilyas from the beginning and it's fortuitous that his superiors have asked him to keep an eye on Ilyas. Their relationship develops slowly (which I always like) and after some initial distrust they start working together and needing more from each other -- companionship, friendship and intimacy. They have to get through a huge amount (the war and fighting off the other daemons) before they can get their HEA. The HEA certainly felt well deserved and believable for the times.
I recommend this if you enjoy history, military history, historical m/m or paranormal historicals. The two things that kept this from being a 5 star read were that it felt a little long and I would have preferred a tad more focus on the romance, otherwise I really enjoyed this.
April 22, 2023
3.5/5 stars. The Crimean War is not your typical historical romance setting, and the author did an excellent job establishing that setting and conveying the frustration, futility, and horror of that war, not to mention the massive toll taken by cholera and other illnesses. Some details were fudged to make the romance work (which Amara readily admits in the author’s note), but this still felt more factual and grounded than your average historical. And I commend the author for writing a historical where the characters’ military careers are actually shown instead of just vaguely alluded to as an excuse to give them trauma. The paranormal aspects were also creative and compelling, and watching that mystery/crisis unfold was probably my favorite part of the book.
I liked both characters but wish they had been developed much more. I particularly appreciated that Ilyas wasn’t the typical surly loner you might have expected when he was first introduced. He was conflicted and vulnerable, which made his situation more interesting and his relationship with Elliott more believable.
However, I kept hoping I’d connect more deeply with the characters, and also feel a deeper connection between them, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. Both characters’ emotions and reactions are very muted, and although there are some in-story reasons for this, I think it was also a writing issue at times, because there was a mismatch in intensity between what was told and what was shown. The writing was spare and often not very descriptive, and although I think that worked for some aspects of the story (for example to convey how Elliott used detachment as a coping mechanism), it flattened out the characters and took away some opportunities for depth and nuance.
I was also frustrated with the pacing – it’s not a short book by any means, but the conclusion was incredibly rushed and key moments happened off-page. The writing also didn’t help here, because the action was described in such a low-key way that much of the tension was lost.
Overall, there’s a lot to like in this book and I recommend this to people looking for a historical romance that doesn’t have your typical setting or plot (though be warned, it’s about a cavalry unit so there’s a lot of animal illness, injury, and death on-page). However, the romance was one of the weaker aspects so if you’re hoping for a deep, swoony love story this probably isn’t the right book for you.
I liked both characters but wish they had been developed much more. I particularly appreciated that Ilyas wasn’t the typical surly loner you might have expected when he was first introduced. He was conflicted and vulnerable, which made his situation more interesting and his relationship with Elliott more believable.
However, I kept hoping I’d connect more deeply with the characters, and also feel a deeper connection between them, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. Both characters’ emotions and reactions are very muted, and although there are some in-story reasons for this, I think it was also a writing issue at times, because there was a mismatch in intensity between what was told and what was shown. The writing was spare and often not very descriptive, and although I think that worked for some aspects of the story (for example to convey how Elliott used detachment as a coping mechanism), it flattened out the characters and took away some opportunities for depth and nuance.
I was also frustrated with the pacing – it’s not a short book by any means, but the conclusion was incredibly rushed and key moments happened off-page. The writing also didn’t help here, because the action was described in such a low-key way that much of the tension was lost.
Overall, there’s a lot to like in this book and I recommend this to people looking for a historical romance that doesn’t have your typical setting or plot (though be warned, it’s about a cavalry unit so there’s a lot of animal illness, injury, and death on-page). However, the romance was one of the weaker aspects so if you’re hoping for a deep, swoony love story this probably isn’t the right book for you.
August 22, 2018
I never reviewed this because I read it in the days before I wrote reviews, but I felt inspired today to write something and say that this is an amazing, brilliant book. Astrid Amara completely knocks it out of the park with this one. It's a Crimean War romance with a fantasy twist and it's absolutely brilliant. This is a big meaty book about the horrors of the Crimean War, but it's also very much a love story and that romance is so lovely and magical. This book is vivid and rich and intense and well researched and full of depth and like nothing I've ever read. Elliott and Ilyas are wonderful and fascinating characters who earn their HEA the really hard way--through surviving the Crimean War. Historical fantasy is arguably my favourite genre of all and this is one of my favourites. It's fascinating and completely compelling. Astrid Amara writes such stunning spec fic (The Archer's Heart! Song of the Navigator!) and it's always such a treat to read. I read this almost exactly four years ago according to GR, and it's still reasonably fresh in my mind after all that time because it made such an impression. I think I should re-read this, and soon.
Want to read
October 8, 2014Sweet! This is now officially released on Blind Eye Books, Amazon, etc. Looking forward to reading this. (Just need to find the time to settle into a solid fantasy read...)
March 12, 2019
Author Astrid Amara proves two things with this novel:
1.) I knew nothing about the Crimean War before I started reading it
2.) Contrary to the disrespect frequently lobbed at the romance genre by some people for being vacuous fluff, those people should read this book and then enjoy being wrong
The saying “war is hell” applies to The Devil Lancer, though it doesn’t necessarily apply to the act of battle itself. While Amara admits to taking certain liberties with dates and the timing of certain events for the sake of her storytelling, what remains authentic is the descriptions of the setting, the conditions under which the men served, the hardships they and their horses suffered, and that the Ottoman alliance against the Russian Empire was woefully and grossly mismanaged, to the point that the story was frequently eloquent in its pathos. Cholera, dysentery, and outright starvation beleaguered the troops, a majority of whom didn’t die of battle wounds but of disease and the lack of food. Amara paints every scene in substantive detail to allow readers to become immersed in sympathy for what the characters were enduring for the sake of their service and loyalty to the cause, and she does it while introducing a relationship that is far from the norm.
The devil in The Devil Lancer isn’t figurative. It isn’t a metaphor for a soldier who is fierce in battle or who is being tormented by the horrors of war. These are literal demons that influence this story. They are named and they are being pursued as weapons of war. And it is a demon, Kydoimos, that has taken up residence under Ilyas Kovakin’s skin. A demon which Captain Elliott Parrish is determined to exorcise. What begins as Elliott being ordered to spy on the spy, evolves into something more. Elliott inadvertently becomes a champion in the fight to save Ilyas’ very being; the true battle that between loving someone and the prospect of losing them to something that seems impossible to defeat, a foe that fights dirty, is older than time, and has the advantage of power and to instill fear in its enemies. And caught between the battle for survival, serving with honor and dignity, and attending to this man who is at once tender and passionate, but who also simmers with a nearly uncontrollable rage and fights his demon for control, Elliott must reconnoiter, calculate his odds, and strategize when he realizes where his true loyalty lies—with Ilyas.
The devil is in the details, as the saying goes, and it applies in Elliott and Ilyas’ quest. There are scenes of intense action, although I wouldn’t call the story action-packed. There are deeply romantic scenes between Elliot and Ilyas, but I wouldn’t call this novel a strict category romance. It’s a historical novel, it’s a paranormal fantasy, it’s a blend of military fact and fiction, and tying all of it together, what is intrinsic to its success, is the hope that Elliott and Ilyas will defy the odds and overcome the almost insurmountable fight they face. The end is, without a doubt, deeply romantic.
Colorful characters, evocative detailing, and more than a bit of history go hand-in-hand with the mythology that completes the story and delivers an entertaining read.
1.) I knew nothing about the Crimean War before I started reading it
2.) Contrary to the disrespect frequently lobbed at the romance genre by some people for being vacuous fluff, those people should read this book and then enjoy being wrong
The saying “war is hell” applies to The Devil Lancer, though it doesn’t necessarily apply to the act of battle itself. While Amara admits to taking certain liberties with dates and the timing of certain events for the sake of her storytelling, what remains authentic is the descriptions of the setting, the conditions under which the men served, the hardships they and their horses suffered, and that the Ottoman alliance against the Russian Empire was woefully and grossly mismanaged, to the point that the story was frequently eloquent in its pathos. Cholera, dysentery, and outright starvation beleaguered the troops, a majority of whom didn’t die of battle wounds but of disease and the lack of food. Amara paints every scene in substantive detail to allow readers to become immersed in sympathy for what the characters were enduring for the sake of their service and loyalty to the cause, and she does it while introducing a relationship that is far from the norm.
The devil in The Devil Lancer isn’t figurative. It isn’t a metaphor for a soldier who is fierce in battle or who is being tormented by the horrors of war. These are literal demons that influence this story. They are named and they are being pursued as weapons of war. And it is a demon, Kydoimos, that has taken up residence under Ilyas Kovakin’s skin. A demon which Captain Elliott Parrish is determined to exorcise. What begins as Elliott being ordered to spy on the spy, evolves into something more. Elliott inadvertently becomes a champion in the fight to save Ilyas’ very being; the true battle that between loving someone and the prospect of losing them to something that seems impossible to defeat, a foe that fights dirty, is older than time, and has the advantage of power and to instill fear in its enemies. And caught between the battle for survival, serving with honor and dignity, and attending to this man who is at once tender and passionate, but who also simmers with a nearly uncontrollable rage and fights his demon for control, Elliott must reconnoiter, calculate his odds, and strategize when he realizes where his true loyalty lies—with Ilyas.
The devil is in the details, as the saying goes, and it applies in Elliott and Ilyas’ quest. There are scenes of intense action, although I wouldn’t call the story action-packed. There are deeply romantic scenes between Elliot and Ilyas, but I wouldn’t call this novel a strict category romance. It’s a historical novel, it’s a paranormal fantasy, it’s a blend of military fact and fiction, and tying all of it together, what is intrinsic to its success, is the hope that Elliott and Ilyas will defy the odds and overcome the almost insurmountable fight they face. The end is, without a doubt, deeply romantic.
Colorful characters, evocative detailing, and more than a bit of history go hand-in-hand with the mythology that completes the story and delivers an entertaining read.
November 4, 2014
If there is one trend in genre I love it gained more steam lately it's this historical romance with paranormal elements mash up. :)
Historical setting of The Devil Lancer is not very common to come across in fiction, especially of romantic kind. It covers the events of The Crimean War (October 1853 – February 1856), war Britain and allies fought against Russia. I had to mention setting first because the harsh soldier life left the biggest impression on me. There is actually very few large action sequences like battles which I love to read usually, but in this book it's the camaraderie, mud, pitiful conditions soldiers were as they were marching toward Sevastopol through turkish land and incompetence of their superior officers what grabbed my attention. Clearly, Amara did her research- it was written so good and detailed it became an integral part of main plot.
Our characters are soldiers in her Majesty's service, part of 17th Lancers regiment. Elliot Parrish is a cavalry officer and Ilyas Kovakin is a cornet. Elliot is a proper english gentleman with excellent social skills, but the best thing about him is his positive attitude and bravery. He is attracted to lonely soldier everyone avoids like plague because they think he is cursed and who often goes on mysterious assignments out of camp. Elliot has definitely the best lines in novel and I loved the way he was thinking- he has strong sense of duty, but he's not compromising his morals, so he juggles between his feelings and his orders and he does it masterly. One of my favorite things was also a great relationship he has with his best friend Henry. It was so genuine and real and as best friends in novels go, Henry was great, he was not just there to establish Elliot's virtues, he was a strong side character on his own.
Ilyas is british on mother's side, but his father is Russian, so he is somewhat of a black sheep in regiment. He is also possessed by demon with terrible hunger for violence and blood. Character of Ilyas is deeply tortured- he is blackmailed to work for british intelligence and he constantly fights for control with demon inside of him, so he is not easy to be around. We are a lot in his head, since before he gets closer to Elliot he is really lonely and nobody talks to him. Bloodthirsty demon on top of general misery of war doesn't make him very cheerful guy.
As Elliot's and Ilyas's attraction grows to something more they are joined together in a fight against evil that gives enemy on the other side powers of destruction and immortality.
Fantasy plot was pretty interesting. I actually thought it's sardonic paranormal element is of "unholy, ungodly" kind since Crimean War had religious dispute as casus belli. :) I especially liked the different ways demon possession changed Ilyas's life- some changes were evident like mental control, but other were more subtle like the fact snakes were drawn to him. In that way possession acted like a disease, slowly consuming his mind and body. Very cool.
Romance was just great. Sex scenes were hot and steamy, but I liked it because there was no stupid misunderstandings and lack of communication. Once they became an item, they were on the same side, together discussing everything and making plans.
Stars were chucked off because plot was stalling in some parts... especially in chapters prior Elliot and Ilyas made a stronger connection, beyond just a soldier and his superior. Also some actions of villain I found illogical and inconsistent with his character.
All in all, great read.
March 14, 2017
This was clearly a meticulously researched piece of work, but it just didn't work for me. I love fantasy book with battle scenes, wars etc but here I was just bored. Maybe because there were so many failures on the British side? The pacing was so slooow. Things didn't really pick up for me until Chapter 17. The book just seemed overly long for no reason. Storylines would pick up with a bit of excitement and then veer off into something else. I did read to the end because I was interested to see how the curse would be broken, and I was happy that the characters got their happy ending but yeah, won't be a book I'll re-read. Sorry.
I keep expecting to come away from this author's books with the sheer joy and awe that I did after reading 'The Archer's Heart' and so far, it's a no go.
I keep expecting to come away from this author's books with the sheer joy and awe that I did after reading 'The Archer's Heart' and so far, it's a no go.
December 7, 2014
Well researched, brilliant historical with a dash of supernatural. I couldn't put it down. Also the relationship between Elliott and Ilyas is absolutely satisfying and believable. Warmly recommended to people liking historicals, but not only to them...
October 11, 2014
Sadness, lots of horror (from war and monsters) and a great romance.
May 7, 2019
The Devil Lancer: or,
Where The Charge of the Light Brigade meets Supernatural
Wow! What an excellent book! Astrid Amara did some serious research and brought it all to horribly vivid life. I say horrible, because the conditions endured by the soldiers (and their horses) were terrible; you felt their misery. Adding to the agony, the leadership was atrocious. Not just the fictional characters, but the real historical generals were completely inept and out of tune with the needs of their soldiers. (Perhaps that's why you can no longer buy a commission.)
Elliot Parrish was a wonderful character, the epitome of the gentleman officer, tough when he needed to be, relaxed and joking when not, always charming, and always caring.
Elliott had a good feeling about him, despite what Chisholm’s wife might say. Then again, Elliott’s good feelings toward men had gotten him in plenty of hot water in the past.A natural leader, soldiers gathered at his tent to share their meager meals, and the army banter was simultaneously humorous and serious, debating such things as the uselessness of lances and the impracticality of rifles.
The author really got the feel and rhythm of the military right. As well as the horror of war. Yet even with such an awful subject, she managed to inject humor.
“You all right?” Elliott whispered.
Henry cracked an eye. “Taking a nap. Wake me when he commits treason.”
[Elliot] stepped from his tent and discovered that, once again, his horse Whisky had masterminded an escape, using his teeth to untie the knot securing him to the picket, and broke free in the middle of the night.
However, the ending bothered me. Unlike the fabulous K.J. Charles, I was grateful for the epilogue. Had we not had it, all sorts of (more) awful things could have befallen our heroes..
This is the second book I've read by Astrid Amara, and I'm anxious to read more. Her writing is excellent, her story-telling is compelling, and her world-building highly enjoyable.
Oops. I forgot to mention I read this for the TBR Knockout Challenge. Now I have to find another book to take its place in the 6x6 grid. Yippee! (Really!)
April 11, 2021
4.25 stars. SCREECHES IN UNDERRATED INDIE NOVELS THAT NEED MORE LOVE!!!
First of all, ignore that cover and whatever genre you think this is based on the Goodreads page. This is foremost a historical military fantasy with an m/m romance subplot. So if you don't want to read 400 pages of soldiers fighting in battle, better skip it. But if you DO want to read it, then please do, because this was PURE DELIGHT.
It's a harrowing story about the tragedy, bleakness, and uselessness of war (the Crimean War in particular). Neither side is romanticized here; there's only death, pain, and the men finding ways to march on despite it. Inept generals, fire-forged friendships, questioning the worth of duty and sacrifice for your nation when it decides that lives are cheap... Just brilliance and excellent research all around.
Elliot is your standard gentleman hero: charming, cheerful, and a good leader to his men. Ilyas is the mysterious, dark and broody half-Russian half-British soldier with a secret mission. But Elliot is immediately drawn to him, and while he's originally commanded to keep an eye on this man on a leash, his attraction wins out and they soon fall in love. A secret and forbidden romance set against the tragedy of the battlefield? Finding the smallest moments of love and comfort to keep you going in a hopeless world? Check and check.
The only reasons I'm not rating it a full 5 stars are the following: first, the pacing. It's a really long novel and could have been shortened at some parts, especially near the end. Second, the historical/military aspect is very strong, but the paranormal/fantasy aspect, not so much. Ngl I was bored when we shifted focus to the paranormal plotline, especially since it's very obvious how it will end.
Still, this is fantastic and really needs more credit. Highly recommended!
First of all, ignore that cover and whatever genre you think this is based on the Goodreads page. This is foremost a historical military fantasy with an m/m romance subplot. So if you don't want to read 400 pages of soldiers fighting in battle, better skip it. But if you DO want to read it, then please do, because this was PURE DELIGHT.
It's a harrowing story about the tragedy, bleakness, and uselessness of war (the Crimean War in particular). Neither side is romanticized here; there's only death, pain, and the men finding ways to march on despite it. Inept generals, fire-forged friendships, questioning the worth of duty and sacrifice for your nation when it decides that lives are cheap... Just brilliance and excellent research all around.
Elliot is your standard gentleman hero: charming, cheerful, and a good leader to his men. Ilyas is the mysterious, dark and broody half-Russian half-British soldier with a secret mission. But Elliot is immediately drawn to him, and while he's originally commanded to keep an eye on this man on a leash, his attraction wins out and they soon fall in love. A secret and forbidden romance set against the tragedy of the battlefield? Finding the smallest moments of love and comfort to keep you going in a hopeless world? Check and check.
The only reasons I'm not rating it a full 5 stars are the following: first, the pacing. It's a really long novel and could have been shortened at some parts, especially near the end. Second, the historical/military aspect is very strong, but the paranormal/fantasy aspect, not so much. Ngl I was bored when we shifted focus to the paranormal plotline, especially since it's very obvious how it will end.
Still, this is fantastic and really needs more credit. Highly recommended!
November 28, 2019
Ughhhhh so good.
I honestly didn’t even realize I was at the end till I was AT the end of it. I looked at my progress and went 😳 “It’s already almost OVER?!”
I’ve never heard of the Crimean War so this was like reading a history book—which I’m absolutely okay with because I love learning about history. And I honestly didn’t even read the blurb that closely (or even all of it) when I tackled this book so you can imagine my surprise when I discovered MAGIC at play hereeee! I was so delighted. Perfect combination of history and sorcery I didn’t know I needed ‘til nowww.
Ah and Elliott and Ilyas, ahhhhh the development of their relationship was so beautifully and smoothly done. Proooops. And their relationship AHHH SO PRECIOUS!
I REALLY DEFINITELY RECOMMEND! GO READ THIS NOW GO GO GOOO
I honestly didn’t even realize I was at the end till I was AT the end of it. I looked at my progress and went 😳 “It’s already almost OVER?!”
I’ve never heard of the Crimean War so this was like reading a history book—which I’m absolutely okay with because I love learning about history. And I honestly didn’t even read the blurb that closely (or even all of it) when I tackled this book so you can imagine my surprise when I discovered MAGIC at play hereeee! I was so delighted. Perfect combination of history and sorcery I didn’t know I needed ‘til nowww.
Ah and Elliott and Ilyas, ahhhhh the development of their relationship was so beautifully and smoothly done. Proooops. And their relationship AHHH SO PRECIOUS!
I REALLY DEFINITELY RECOMMEND! GO READ THIS NOW GO GO GOOO
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July 25, 2024🚨🚨 i did not read this book i spent a week reading a fanfiction that i think has the same word count maybe not but it was a phenomenal fanfic and it has changed my life shout out rollercoastwords
March 6, 2016
The Devil Lancer took me forever to finish, mostly because of two reasons. One is how painful it was to be a powerless witness to so much incompetence. British forces made many blunders that cost thousands of lives and, despite being a captain, our main character could do almost nothing to improve the situation. Many times I had to put the book away because it was just too frustrating.
The second reason is that the other main character - the tall, dark, handsome and scary man with some supernatural powers, who is thought to be a warlock, who everybody is afraid of - is named Ilyas Kovakin.
Ilyas. Kovakin.
Sorry, I still can't. Yeah, yeah, his name is in the blurb, and I knew what I was getting myself into, but people with good taste were raving about this book, and I guess I overestimated my ability to keep a straight face.
Every time I saw "cornet Kovakin" I wanted to burst out laughing. His last name just has the unfortunate fate of both sounding really silly and being only one letter away from the name of the petty antagonist of a very popular Russian YA book. For English readers - it's as if the love interest of your serious novel was named Pablo Durssley or something.
Names aside, most of the book is good, just like reviews promised. Elliott was a great character - being both an outgoing, loyal officer and an intellectual without seeming too perfect. I loved him and his clever servant Sparrow. And of course his dangerous romance with Ilyas that had moments of high tension.
Astrid Amara also took history seriously, and the book is a well-researched historical novel that cleverly incorporates magic into real events of Crimean War (at least what I remember of it). For instance, there really was a big storm that sunk a lot of British ships that carried winter uniforms and other necessities, and right before the winter, but here this storm is caused by magical means - as I said, clever!
And seeing how much work and effort was put into the historical authenticity, it's even more frustrating what a botched-up job was made of the most of things Russian. Incorrect spellings of words and even locations. Several phrases in Russian that were clearly made with Google Translate. Names, of course. Thankfully, no man was graced with a female name, but there were no diminutives (well, one, but according to author, it was invented by a character), so all conversations and fights between, essentially, thugs always carried that note of polite formality.
And for some reason half the Russians had Uzbek or other Central Asian names. I guess they're meant to be Tatar, but then why both Ilyas and his half-brother Alisher are named like this when their father is called Leo?
I do realize that such things won't bother most of the readers, but it really spoiled the book for me.
The second reason is that the other main character - the tall, dark, handsome and scary man with some supernatural powers, who is thought to be a warlock, who everybody is afraid of - is named Ilyas Kovakin.
Ilyas. Kovakin.
Sorry, I still can't. Yeah, yeah, his name is in the blurb, and I knew what I was getting myself into, but people with good taste were raving about this book, and I guess I overestimated my ability to keep a straight face.
Every time I saw "cornet Kovakin" I wanted to burst out laughing. His last name just has the unfortunate fate of both sounding really silly and being only one letter away from the name of the petty antagonist of a very popular Russian YA book. For English readers - it's as if the love interest of your serious novel was named Pablo Durssley or something.
Names aside, most of the book is good, just like reviews promised. Elliott was a great character - being both an outgoing, loyal officer and an intellectual without seeming too perfect. I loved him and his clever servant Sparrow. And of course his dangerous romance with Ilyas that had moments of high tension.
Astrid Amara also took history seriously, and the book is a well-researched historical novel that cleverly incorporates magic into real events of Crimean War (at least what I remember of it). For instance, there really was a big storm that sunk a lot of British ships that carried winter uniforms and other necessities, and right before the winter, but here this storm is caused by magical means - as I said, clever!
And seeing how much work and effort was put into the historical authenticity, it's even more frustrating what a botched-up job was made of the most of things Russian. Incorrect spellings of words and even locations. Several phrases in Russian that were clearly made with Google Translate. Names, of course. Thankfully, no man was graced with a female name, but there were no diminutives (well, one, but according to author, it was invented by a character), so all conversations and fights between, essentially, thugs always carried that note of polite formality.
And for some reason half the Russians had Uzbek or other Central Asian names. I guess they're meant to be Tatar, but then why both Ilyas and his half-brother Alisher are named like this when their father is called Leo?
I do realize that such things won't bother most of the readers, but it really spoiled the book for me.
November 4, 2014
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
For the full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-3mg
From that review: "What an absolutely stunning story! Astrid Amara combines the heartbreak and history of the military campaign in the Crimea War with romance and magic to arrive at The Devil Lancer, a story so huge in scope and impact that it goes beyond genre into something that can't be restricted by categories or boxes. The story opens on May 1854 on board ships crossing the Bay of Biscay France. The voyage is harrowing, the men and horses sick and sometimes dying. Through descriptions so vivid and raw, we feel every wave, every squeal of the frightening horses tossing about below deck, and the fear that all must have felt becomes real. And once they land at Varna in the Ottoman Empire, the men find themselves and their horses thrown into hellish conditions that few will escape from.
Each chapter moves the story and campaign forward as the men march into Crimea. By Chapter 4 its August 1854 in a war that will last a little over two years. Here history isn't dry but alive and writhing with the everyday horrors of sickness, starvation, arrogance and death that war brings, especially to the enlisted men. And into this nightmare of geography, hysterical national fervor, and strategy, Astrid Amara weaves a tale not only of romance but of ancient malevolent magic let loose once more."
For all reviews, author interviews, book contests and tours, visit/follow http://ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords...
December 13, 2014
First off, WARNING FOR ANIMAL HARM. If you can't cope with animal harm, give this one a pass. It's not my particular issue, but even I got sniffly.
That said, what a great book! Meticulously researched history, compelling supernatural aspects, and a simmering, deep romance. The realities of war and death are depicted so brutally that I was squirming in discomfort for a lot of the second half of the book. In romance, you're used to some form of comfort or oasis (a warm inn! a kind relative! a mysteriously well-stocked shepherd's croft!) showing up to give you a break, but that doesn't happen here. It's not a light and fluffy read by any means, but that's not a criticism!
If you're looking for something different, something that will stick with you for a long time, definitely give this one a try.
That said, what a great book! Meticulously researched history, compelling supernatural aspects, and a simmering, deep romance. The realities of war and death are depicted so brutally that I was squirming in discomfort for a lot of the second half of the book. In romance, you're used to some form of comfort or oasis (a warm inn! a kind relative! a mysteriously well-stocked shepherd's croft!) showing up to give you a break, but that doesn't happen here. It's not a light and fluffy read by any means, but that's not a criticism!
If you're looking for something different, something that will stick with you for a long time, definitely give this one a try.
February 21, 2016
Oh wow. This story was epic! I loved it as much as I hated to read about the bleakness and futility and mismanagement of the Crimean War. I loved Elliot and Illyas, two very strong characters in an impossible situation. The magical parts were brilliantly integrated with the historical facts. Great book!
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