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The Dark Apostle #3
Elisha Rex
E.C. Ambrose's gritty, sharp historical fantasy series, The Dark Apostle, follows Elisha Barber through a magical reimagining of 14th-century England
Elisha was a skillful barber-surgeon, cutting hair and stitching wounds for poor peasants like himself in 14th century London. But that was before catastrophe ruined his family. Before he was falsely accused of murder, and sent to die in an unjust war. Before he discovered his exceptional potential for a singularly deadly magic, and was forced to embrace his gifts and end that war...by using his newfound abilities to kill the tyrannical king.
Elisha is no longer the lowly barber he was, but it is hard to tell exactly who he is now. The beautiful witch Brigit, his former mentor, claims him for the magi, all those who have grasped the secrets of affinity and knowledge to manipulate mind and matter, and who are persecuted for it. Duke Randall, the man who first rose against the mad King Hugh, has accepted him as a comrade and ally in the perilous schemes of the nobility. Somehow, he has even become a friend to Thomas, both the rightful king and, something rarer, a good man.
But he is still a regicide, and in order to solidify Thomas’s authority among the restive barons, he had to let the new king sentence him to a horrific public execution. With Thomas’s covert aid, Elisha faked his death and went into hiding, but the peasants of London are beginning to call it a martyrdom, as legends of Elisha’s spectacular “miracles” in the service of his country have spread. Yet Elisha is finally beginning to understand the dreadful power within him, and he has never felt less holy—or more terrified.
Because there is another force at work in the world, a shadowy cabal beyond the might of kings and nobles, that sees its opportunity in the chaos of war and political turmoil—and sees its mirror in Elisha’s indivisible connection with Death. For these necromancers, Elisha is the ultimate prize, and the perfect tool.
When the necromancers’ secret plans begin to bear black fruit, England teeters on the brink of a hellish anarchy that could make the previous war look like a pleasant memory, and it appears Elisha is the only man who can stop it. But if he steps forward and takes on the authority he is offered to save his nation once again, is he playing right into the mancers’ hands?
Why does it seem like his enemies are the ones most keen to call him Elisha Rex?
Elisha was a skillful barber-surgeon, cutting hair and stitching wounds for poor peasants like himself in 14th century London. But that was before catastrophe ruined his family. Before he was falsely accused of murder, and sent to die in an unjust war. Before he discovered his exceptional potential for a singularly deadly magic, and was forced to embrace his gifts and end that war...by using his newfound abilities to kill the tyrannical king.
Elisha is no longer the lowly barber he was, but it is hard to tell exactly who he is now. The beautiful witch Brigit, his former mentor, claims him for the magi, all those who have grasped the secrets of affinity and knowledge to manipulate mind and matter, and who are persecuted for it. Duke Randall, the man who first rose against the mad King Hugh, has accepted him as a comrade and ally in the perilous schemes of the nobility. Somehow, he has even become a friend to Thomas, both the rightful king and, something rarer, a good man.
But he is still a regicide, and in order to solidify Thomas’s authority among the restive barons, he had to let the new king sentence him to a horrific public execution. With Thomas’s covert aid, Elisha faked his death and went into hiding, but the peasants of London are beginning to call it a martyrdom, as legends of Elisha’s spectacular “miracles” in the service of his country have spread. Yet Elisha is finally beginning to understand the dreadful power within him, and he has never felt less holy—or more terrified.
Because there is another force at work in the world, a shadowy cabal beyond the might of kings and nobles, that sees its opportunity in the chaos of war and political turmoil—and sees its mirror in Elisha’s indivisible connection with Death. For these necromancers, Elisha is the ultimate prize, and the perfect tool.
When the necromancers’ secret plans begin to bear black fruit, England teeters on the brink of a hellish anarchy that could make the previous war look like a pleasant memory, and it appears Elisha is the only man who can stop it. But if he steps forward and takes on the authority he is offered to save his nation once again, is he playing right into the mancers’ hands?
Why does it seem like his enemies are the ones most keen to call him Elisha Rex?
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 7, 2015
4 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
E.C. Ambrose
13 books64 followersI passed a peripatetic childhood reading way too many books, and eventually writing my own little stories, either inspired by my life (such as it was) or by whatever I was reading at the time. I thought I would grow up to be an archaeologist which explains why I read The Last Days of Pompeii at the age of nine. I was fortunate to have a few teachers early on who encouraged my literary tendencies—including one who let me stay inside to read during recess.
When I discovered the Society for Creative Anachronism, a medieval recreation group, I delved more deeply into medieval history, becoming enthralled with the dark castles, bloodsports and social expectations of the period. I nearly went to Fordham University for Medieval Studies, but chose Stanford instead—then withdrew as soon as humanly possible (before I ever started, as a matter of fact).
By this time, my stories accumulated rejection slips faster than the DOW was rising, yet I continued to hope my writing would be the answer. I started work on a first novel during a summer writing workshop, and finally finished it some years later, while depending on the refuge of aspiring writers everywhere: working customer service and living with family.
A second novel, begun with a notebook full of world-building concepts and great ambitions, lies dormant in a file my computer can no longer read. But when I met Elisha Barber, I knew I was on to something. I have to thank a local workshop with Dan Brown (slightly before he became THE Dan Brown) for my approach to the new project.
Now I find that once I start reading history, science, sociology, I discover a dozen different stories hiding in the details. . .
I live quietly in New England with my family, where I have just found the right dog to defend the new apple trees from the local whitetail deer population.
When I discovered the Society for Creative Anachronism, a medieval recreation group, I delved more deeply into medieval history, becoming enthralled with the dark castles, bloodsports and social expectations of the period. I nearly went to Fordham University for Medieval Studies, but chose Stanford instead—then withdrew as soon as humanly possible (before I ever started, as a matter of fact).
By this time, my stories accumulated rejection slips faster than the DOW was rising, yet I continued to hope my writing would be the answer. I started work on a first novel during a summer writing workshop, and finally finished it some years later, while depending on the refuge of aspiring writers everywhere: working customer service and living with family.
A second novel, begun with a notebook full of world-building concepts and great ambitions, lies dormant in a file my computer can no longer read. But when I met Elisha Barber, I knew I was on to something. I have to thank a local workshop with Dan Brown (slightly before he became THE Dan Brown) for my approach to the new project.
Now I find that once I start reading history, science, sociology, I discover a dozen different stories hiding in the details. . .
I live quietly in New England with my family, where I have just found the right dog to defend the new apple trees from the local whitetail deer population.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 4, 2015
Ambrose has never shied away from the brutality of the medieval period. Here in the third book, it fully lives up to the 'dark' in dark fantasy. Elisha has been a sympathetic and heavily flawed character from the start, a man blessed and cursed with power he doesn't want. His magic has evolved from healing to power over death itself, but his many enemies may have a greater power yet through their combined strength.
Elisha goes through sheer hell in these pages. It was one of those books where I felt the need to read faster, faster, faster, because it was so intense I needed to get it over with and see how things turned out. It's the full GRRM effect (but better, really, because this is more focused). The ending was full of surprises.
Elisha goes through sheer hell in these pages. It was one of those books where I felt the need to read faster, faster, faster, because it was so intense I needed to get it over with and see how things turned out. It's the full GRRM effect (but better, really, because this is more focused). The ending was full of surprises.
January 14, 2016
I am enjoying this series, but the dark emotions whose almost soul crushing power made it difficult for me to read this book quickly. Its well-written, but the heaviness kept me from giving this 4 stars. I hope the next book has a bit more light and ass-kicking in it.
July 7, 2018
Elisha has such strong ethics, and is in constant battle with himself over this. It's his weakness. His Royal Highness King Rex, boy hasn't Elisha come far from his barber/surgeon roots. From discovering his magical abilities, discovering that his abilities quite possibly stretch beyond being a Magi, a mix of the living and dead.
King Thomas and Queen Rosalyn are missing and no one can find them. The country is in a turmoil of great proportions. Elisha has been named King and is doing his best to bring England back together and protect her from an impending attack.
Bridget come back into the picture and complicates things much further.
Just when you think that Elisha has finally run out of luck, he somehow manages to redeem himself. Ever finding himself in the thick of things and most always alone leaves us readers on the edges of our seats.
If you have come this far as to read a review on book three, then you must have enjoyed the first two books, or heck, are on the fence about the series. Let me tell you that book three definitely does not disappoint! E.C. Ambrose grabs you from the get go and keeps that pace to the very end.
A 9 out of 10 on this reviewers scale!
King Thomas and Queen Rosalyn are missing and no one can find them. The country is in a turmoil of great proportions. Elisha has been named King and is doing his best to bring England back together and protect her from an impending attack.
Bridget come back into the picture and complicates things much further.
Just when you think that Elisha has finally run out of luck, he somehow manages to redeem himself. Ever finding himself in the thick of things and most always alone leaves us readers on the edges of our seats.
If you have come this far as to read a review on book three, then you must have enjoyed the first two books, or heck, are on the fence about the series. Let me tell you that book three definitely does not disappoint! E.C. Ambrose grabs you from the get go and keeps that pace to the very end.
A 9 out of 10 on this reviewers scale!
June 11, 2017
"...I always get sucked into Elisha's world and share in his disappointment and grief. He is ever the underdog that never gets a break. Of course much of it is his moral code in the midst of crooked people. Because he has to do the right thing, he always get the short end of the stick. There are always misunderstandings that separate him from his friends and leave him struggling against insurmountable odds ever alone.
Thankfully, although he has much strife and struggle he does have some happiness from time to time."~HCHarju
"Copyright Night Owl Reviews".
For the entire review got to nightowlreviews.com
Thankfully, although he has much strife and struggle he does have some happiness from time to time."~HCHarju
"Copyright Night Owl Reviews".
For the entire review got to nightowlreviews.com
July 31, 2020
The story continues with Elisha involved with a cabal of necromancers who focus on influencing the kingdom and their enemies. The beginning of the story picks up quickly. The story is fast and exciting. Then about halfway through it became more difficult to read. It almost moved too quickly where events and decisions didn't make sense. I wasn't a fan of this book and will likely not finish this series.
August 6, 2016
This review was first published on Kurt's Frontier.
Synopsis:
Elisha was a barber-surgeon of some skill in 14th Century London. He is also a master of a magic based on death and dangerously close to becoming a necromancer. When his friend, King Thomas, was forced to sentence him to death, Elisha escaped with the King’s covert help. He has been in hiding ever since and learning about his power.
Now his friends, King Thomas and Queen Rosalynn have vanished, and England is close to anarchy. He returns to London to initiate a search for his friends and finds that the necromancers have been at work. He is remembered as a saint by the peasants he has helped. Brigit, who mentored him when he first learned of his powers, seems to be in league with them.
Elisha is offered the crown. Is this an opportunity to save the kingdom from dark forces, or is it a trap set so he plays into the necromancers’ hands.
Review:
The third book in E. C. Ambrose’s Dark Apostle series, sees the one time barber-surgeon continue his battle against the deadly necromancers. Betrayal and treachery are always a heartbeat away in the 14th Century politics of the time. Add in the period’s paranoia when it comes to magic, and it becomes clear why any practitioner of magic must tread lightly. Elisha Rex continues the story with the kidnapping of Elisha’s friend the king. As a death magus, Elisha draws power from death. He kills only with great reluctance, where the necromancers kill for power.
The story tends to be a dark one when you consider the type of magic that is most prominently featured. Magic duels come alive in E. C.’s story as a magus must reach for their affinity and make connections with their enemies. All this is set against the grim backdrop of 14th Century England as it recovers from civil war. While E. C. catches the flavor of the period, the language is graspable, and the story is well paced. The ending leaves the reader eager to see what happens next.
Synopsis:
Elisha was a barber-surgeon of some skill in 14th Century London. He is also a master of a magic based on death and dangerously close to becoming a necromancer. When his friend, King Thomas, was forced to sentence him to death, Elisha escaped with the King’s covert help. He has been in hiding ever since and learning about his power.
Now his friends, King Thomas and Queen Rosalynn have vanished, and England is close to anarchy. He returns to London to initiate a search for his friends and finds that the necromancers have been at work. He is remembered as a saint by the peasants he has helped. Brigit, who mentored him when he first learned of his powers, seems to be in league with them.
Elisha is offered the crown. Is this an opportunity to save the kingdom from dark forces, or is it a trap set so he plays into the necromancers’ hands.
Review:
The third book in E. C. Ambrose’s Dark Apostle series, sees the one time barber-surgeon continue his battle against the deadly necromancers. Betrayal and treachery are always a heartbeat away in the 14th Century politics of the time. Add in the period’s paranoia when it comes to magic, and it becomes clear why any practitioner of magic must tread lightly. Elisha Rex continues the story with the kidnapping of Elisha’s friend the king. As a death magus, Elisha draws power from death. He kills only with great reluctance, where the necromancers kill for power.
The story tends to be a dark one when you consider the type of magic that is most prominently featured. Magic duels come alive in E. C.’s story as a magus must reach for their affinity and make connections with their enemies. All this is set against the grim backdrop of 14th Century England as it recovers from civil war. While E. C. catches the flavor of the period, the language is graspable, and the story is well paced. The ending leaves the reader eager to see what happens next.
October 19, 2015
I found this series entirely by accident and am very glad I did. I read all three books back-to-back and can't wait for the next book.This was one of the few books I read lately that has action from start to finish.The main character really can't catch a break and I found myself sympathetic to his plight.This series combines fantasy elements with a setting that echoes elements of historical england. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the Temeraire series.
August 13, 2015
Very well written, and tension inducing entry into this saga.I enjoyed it from start to finish.
December 15, 2015
Briliant.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews