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Banners of Blood #2
Son of the Night
Following on from the success of Son of the Morning, which saw him compared to both Bernard Cornwell for the flair of his historical writing and to George RR Martin for his gripping plotting, Mark Alder takes his history of the 100 years war into France as the war between Heaven and Hell swallows up the ambitions of both the French and English crowns.
As the armies mass around Crecy the rivalries between Lucifer, Satan and God become ever deeper and more violent. Combining a cast of larger than life (yet real) characters and a truthful, deeply researched take on the religious beliefs of the time Mark Alder is embarked on a truly unique historical fantasy that will ensure you never see the 100 Years War and the history of medieval Europe in the same way again.
As the armies mass around Crecy the rivalries between Lucifer, Satan and God become ever deeper and more violent. Combining a cast of larger than life (yet real) characters and a truthful, deeply researched take on the religious beliefs of the time Mark Alder is embarked on a truly unique historical fantasy that will ensure you never see the 100 Years War and the history of medieval Europe in the same way again.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2017
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329 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 23, 2025
Review for book 1: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
(1) To be honest I have no idea what the historical Battle of Crecy is about.😅
(2) Okay after one book, this Montague guy is growing on me a bit. Damnation helps!
(3) I can't believe it but where are the angels? why are they not in the story much?
(4) the ending is quite interesting, I also like to see the closures of some main characters too.
(5) What I still need to wait for the next book!?
(1) To be honest I have no idea what the historical Battle of Crecy is about.😅
(2) Okay after one book, this Montague guy is growing on me a bit. Damnation helps!
(3) I can't believe it but where are the angels? why are they not in the story much?
(4) the ending is quite interesting, I also like to see the closures of some main characters too.
(5) What I still need to wait for the next book!?
September 22, 2017
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Utterly stupendous. Captivating to the last word.
This continues on from Son of Morning, following the aftermath of war and the outbreak of plague. New lines are drawn, old loyalties are tested and everything seems to be heading for a very grisly end.
I love how Alder weaves fantasy, alternate history and fabulous world building into a tale of angels, demons and hell on earth for humans. His prose is spellbinding and the plot twists and turns before ending in a very satisfactory conclusion.
Highly recommend.
Utterly stupendous. Captivating to the last word.
This continues on from Son of Morning, following the aftermath of war and the outbreak of plague. New lines are drawn, old loyalties are tested and everything seems to be heading for a very grisly end.
I love how Alder weaves fantasy, alternate history and fabulous world building into a tale of angels, demons and hell on earth for humans. His prose is spellbinding and the plot twists and turns before ending in a very satisfactory conclusion.
Highly recommend.
August 3, 2017
Son of the Night is a wonderful sequel to the Son of the Morning.
We start from where the previous book ended - the big battle is over, the dragon destroyed the angels. So step by step we meet again all the main characters from the last book. Who's been taken prisoner and has to work with enemies, who has started to regret the things they done after they seen the destruction of angels, and who's plotting a revenge for their loss or gives up in all this loss and destruction and brings out something much worse than war.
The land is weak from the war and so the plague takes it to its festering bosom. The grim reaper does not only take most of medieval Europe it also reaps many of the main characters from the first book. And if they had the luck to survive the plague there is always some ill wishing rival.
The history of Europe is bloody, but Mark Alder has a knack to make it even more horrific with demons and angels and hell ... it's just wonderful read. The story goes through historic places and people and events ... and yes, sometimes it is bit confusing, but that gives an extra layer and coloring to the story.
It was just wonderful read.
We start from where the previous book ended - the big battle is over, the dragon destroyed the angels. So step by step we meet again all the main characters from the last book. Who's been taken prisoner and has to work with enemies, who has started to regret the things they done after they seen the destruction of angels, and who's plotting a revenge for their loss or gives up in all this loss and destruction and brings out something much worse than war.
The land is weak from the war and so the plague takes it to its festering bosom. The grim reaper does not only take most of medieval Europe it also reaps many of the main characters from the first book. And if they had the luck to survive the plague there is always some ill wishing rival.
The history of Europe is bloody, but Mark Alder has a knack to make it even more horrific with demons and angels and hell ... it's just wonderful read. The story goes through historic places and people and events ... and yes, sometimes it is bit confusing, but that gives an extra layer and coloring to the story.
It was just wonderful read.
July 4, 2018
A fantastic second installment from Mark Alder and the Banners of Blood series! Certainly one of my favourite series that I am reading at the moment. I absolutely devoured it.
The plots for all the major characters thickened with many twisted in directions I certainly did not see coming, most notably for Isabella. Alder does a great job at entwining his own diabolic/demonic storytelling with real life events.
I was surprised, though not at all disappointed by, the reduced page space given to Dow (nominally the protagonist), in favour of characters like Osbert and Charles (arguably the most enjoyable characters to read). I did not realise until the end that this may well be (in the case of Charles) due to the fact that he is the titular 'Son of the Night' (though a part of me thinks that the excerpt at the end could also relate to the Black Prince?) I have never got into the character of Dow. I think he suffers a little from being 'the Chosen One' and the less exciting storylines/character development that often comes with that role.
The book often made me laugh out loud which is incredibly rare. I truly love the character of Osbert and I foresee an even greater destiny ahead of him in the next book (whether he will be willing to take it is another matter!) Is he the Joker crucified along with Christ and the Thief?
I also felt that this book had a bit more of a pace behind it than the first one did, no longer constrained by explaining the differences between all the different factions and splitting the theological hairs that had to be done in the first book. As the second book, I think this is right and avoids the second book's plot becoming either too unimportant or potentially uninteresting.
There was also expansion of smaller characters from the first book, le Comte d'Eu and Philippa, Edward's wife. I think these characters were built up very well. New characters were also introduced as well, including Charles of Navarre's siblings and his new rival, La Cerda.
In terms of things that I wasn't too keen on I just, firstly, want to put a massive ******SPOILER ALERT*********** up before anyone continues without having read/finished the book.
What I find a bit odd with both the first and second book, considering they take place during the Hundred Years War, is how little actual 'war' there is. It is not necessarily a criticism because I thoroughly enjoyed the plots of all the characters. Yet, I feel there is a missed opportunity here. War is constantly mentioned and alluded to yet very little page space is given to the Battle of Poitiers. Even the very short description of the Battle of Crécy in the first book was considerably more in-depth. I just feel, with cool battle angels and devils, a bit more of an emphasis could be placed on this, especially given the time period of the book. Conflict is constantly referenced and is in the background, as it should be, but it, in my opinion, could be brought to the fore a bit more.
My biggest qualm with the book would have to be the character arc of Dow himself. As I mentioned, not my favourite character. A bit of an unavoidable necessity (to paraphrase Isabella herself). However, I find him leaping into a Grim Reaper-like character, giving up on the goodness of humanity and deciding to cleanse the world of it a bit of a big leap from only one real confrontation with difficult followers after a year long siege. Even if the ultimate goal was to flood Hell with inmates, this doesn't seem like his primary motive to unleash the Great Plague, at least at the beginning. Too much for not much cause, in my opinion.
Which leaves me to the most regrettable plot line curveball of the story, the death of Montagu. Given potentially two lines max for his death, as one of my favourite characters from the first book, I found this immensely sad. So much more that could have been explored there. I agree that it adds an element of 'grit' to the story, and perhaps a bit of reality as well. I felt there was a lot of wasted story line potential in his death. Perhaps, in away, it was seemly that he died to the Plague. A symbol of all the potential swiftly and cruelly taken from us. However, I hope, and there were vague references after his death that it may happen, that we have not seen the end of him and his glorious sword, Arondight. Another grudge I hold against Dow for the time being though...
To sum up, I truly enjoyed this book and was never bored. A perfect second book which did not fall under the 'curse of the second book' with intriguing plot lines and great character development. I cannot wait for the next book, though I worry it may be a while coming. The plot is brilliantly set up for it and I look forward to see who will finally end up on top!
The plots for all the major characters thickened with many twisted in directions I certainly did not see coming, most notably for Isabella. Alder does a great job at entwining his own diabolic/demonic storytelling with real life events.
I was surprised, though not at all disappointed by, the reduced page space given to Dow (nominally the protagonist), in favour of characters like Osbert and Charles (arguably the most enjoyable characters to read). I did not realise until the end that this may well be (in the case of Charles) due to the fact that he is the titular 'Son of the Night' (though a part of me thinks that the excerpt at the end could also relate to the Black Prince?) I have never got into the character of Dow. I think he suffers a little from being 'the Chosen One' and the less exciting storylines/character development that often comes with that role.
The book often made me laugh out loud which is incredibly rare. I truly love the character of Osbert and I foresee an even greater destiny ahead of him in the next book (whether he will be willing to take it is another matter!) Is he the Joker crucified along with Christ and the Thief?
I also felt that this book had a bit more of a pace behind it than the first one did, no longer constrained by explaining the differences between all the different factions and splitting the theological hairs that had to be done in the first book. As the second book, I think this is right and avoids the second book's plot becoming either too unimportant or potentially uninteresting.
There was also expansion of smaller characters from the first book, le Comte d'Eu and Philippa, Edward's wife. I think these characters were built up very well. New characters were also introduced as well, including Charles of Navarre's siblings and his new rival, La Cerda.
In terms of things that I wasn't too keen on I just, firstly, want to put a massive ******SPOILER ALERT*********** up before anyone continues without having read/finished the book.
What I find a bit odd with both the first and second book, considering they take place during the Hundred Years War, is how little actual 'war' there is. It is not necessarily a criticism because I thoroughly enjoyed the plots of all the characters. Yet, I feel there is a missed opportunity here. War is constantly mentioned and alluded to yet very little page space is given to the Battle of Poitiers. Even the very short description of the Battle of Crécy in the first book was considerably more in-depth. I just feel, with cool battle angels and devils, a bit more of an emphasis could be placed on this, especially given the time period of the book. Conflict is constantly referenced and is in the background, as it should be, but it, in my opinion, could be brought to the fore a bit more.
My biggest qualm with the book would have to be the character arc of Dow himself. As I mentioned, not my favourite character. A bit of an unavoidable necessity (to paraphrase Isabella herself). However, I find him leaping into a Grim Reaper-like character, giving up on the goodness of humanity and deciding to cleanse the world of it a bit of a big leap from only one real confrontation with difficult followers after a year long siege. Even if the ultimate goal was to flood Hell with inmates, this doesn't seem like his primary motive to unleash the Great Plague, at least at the beginning. Too much for not much cause, in my opinion.
Which leaves me to the most regrettable plot line curveball of the story, the death of Montagu. Given potentially two lines max for his death, as one of my favourite characters from the first book, I found this immensely sad. So much more that could have been explored there. I agree that it adds an element of 'grit' to the story, and perhaps a bit of reality as well. I felt there was a lot of wasted story line potential in his death. Perhaps, in away, it was seemly that he died to the Plague. A symbol of all the potential swiftly and cruelly taken from us. However, I hope, and there were vague references after his death that it may happen, that we have not seen the end of him and his glorious sword, Arondight. Another grudge I hold against Dow for the time being though...
To sum up, I truly enjoyed this book and was never bored. A perfect second book which did not fall under the 'curse of the second book' with intriguing plot lines and great character development. I cannot wait for the next book, though I worry it may be a while coming. The plot is brilliantly set up for it and I look forward to see who will finally end up on top!
September 20, 2017
Not quite as good as the first one, and I now suspect this is a series not even a trilogy, but a great, fun read. I love his take on the middle ages and I reckon that he is spot on with everyone's attitudes which is one of the best things for me. TBH I get a bit confused (like Osbert) as to who is on what side and who, if anyone, is a good guy but I don't find that matters, the story just rolls me on.
I did a bit of Wiki reading on the subject and I can't wait to see Mark's take on Charles of Navarre's death (died by being burned to death accidentally apparently which was by all accounts thoroughly deserved).
Recommended if you like battles, the Middle Ages, humour and a bit of fantasy.
I did a bit of Wiki reading on the subject and I can't wait to see Mark's take on Charles of Navarre's death (died by being burned to death accidentally apparently which was by all accounts thoroughly deserved).
Recommended if you like battles, the Middle Ages, humour and a bit of fantasy.
August 26, 2018
Comfortably 3 stars (maybe shading 4?) if written as a stand alone book with a conclusion, but as part of series it feels stretched to meet its word count. Demonstrates some prowess in world-building with its depictions of Hell but ultimately easily forgettable.
September 18, 2020
This was a hard rating to give, and a hard book to finish. Neither of these are bad things necessarily.
I fell in love with Son of the Morning, from the well done medieval world, to the excellent crafting of historic characters, to the amazing and well crafted take on angels and demons. Son of the Night had a very hard act to follow, and while I do generally love the book, its flaws hit pretty hard for me.
What I loved is that it is largely a solid sequel to Son of the Morning. All the story threads are continued and the characters evolve well through it. A particular thing I loved was his female characters, especially Queens Isabella and Philippa. I have a weakness for dastardly women, but Alder did an excellent job of making Isabella compelling and complex. I was also a little leery when Philippa began appearing more, as I've read so many motherly characters that fall flat, but I absolutely love her evolution through the book and wish that more time had been spend with her. The lore was also expanded, but in general it didn't overreach or become overly complicated as I've noticed with some fantasy sequels.
What I didn't like... All sort of ties together. In general, I felt the book was too short, much to the detriment of certain plotlines and ideas. I think it would have benefitted from more of Dow and Butcher (though I have spent a couple years of my life researching and writing on the Black Death so I am incredibly biased there) and on Aude and Good Jacques. As well as Philippa but I don't think she was hugely disadvantaged by the number of chapters she was given.
There were also a couple of decisions that didn't sit very well with me, and bothered me enough to hamper some of my enjoyment.
In general, it felt more rushed than Son of the Morning. That is a problem I've noticed with a number of sequels, that sometimes they seem to exist just to bridge the gap between the grand, beautiful stories of the first and final books in a series. Which is unfair, as Son of the Morning had tremendous potential.
However, I am being harsh. I do think this book did live up to a lot of its potential. Despite bumps, I did enjoy it, and it took me so long to read a comparatively short book because I didn't want it to end. It's a strong, if imperfect follow up to Son of the Morning, and I look forward to rereading it when I revisit the series. I do highly recommend reading it for anyone who enjoyed Son of Morning. And I highly, highly recommend the series to anyone even vaguely thinking about reading it.
Son of the Night set up a third book, though I can't find any information on when it will be published. I waited six years for Libba Bray to finish her Diviners series, but I'm not sure I can wait that long for the next Banners of Blood book
I fell in love with Son of the Morning, from the well done medieval world, to the excellent crafting of historic characters, to the amazing and well crafted take on angels and demons. Son of the Night had a very hard act to follow, and while I do generally love the book, its flaws hit pretty hard for me.
What I loved is that it is largely a solid sequel to Son of the Morning. All the story threads are continued and the characters evolve well through it. A particular thing I loved was his female characters, especially Queens Isabella and Philippa. I have a weakness for dastardly women, but Alder did an excellent job of making Isabella compelling and complex. I was also a little leery when Philippa began appearing more, as I've read so many motherly characters that fall flat, but I absolutely love her evolution through the book and wish that more time had been spend with her. The lore was also expanded, but in general it didn't overreach or become overly complicated as I've noticed with some fantasy sequels.
What I didn't like... All sort of ties together. In general, I felt the book was too short, much to the detriment of certain plotlines and ideas. I think it would have benefitted from more of Dow and Butcher (though I have spent a couple years of my life researching and writing on the Black Death so I am incredibly biased there) and on Aude and Good Jacques. As well as Philippa but I don't think she was hugely disadvantaged by the number of chapters she was given.
There were also a couple of decisions that didn't sit very well with me, and bothered me enough to hamper some of my enjoyment.
In general, it felt more rushed than Son of the Morning. That is a problem I've noticed with a number of sequels, that sometimes they seem to exist just to bridge the gap between the grand, beautiful stories of the first and final books in a series. Which is unfair, as Son of the Morning had tremendous potential.
However, I am being harsh. I do think this book did live up to a lot of its potential. Despite bumps, I did enjoy it, and it took me so long to read a comparatively short book because I didn't want it to end. It's a strong, if imperfect follow up to Son of the Morning, and I look forward to rereading it when I revisit the series. I do highly recommend reading it for anyone who enjoyed Son of Morning. And I highly, highly recommend the series to anyone even vaguely thinking about reading it.
Son of the Night set up a third book, though I can't find any information on when it will be published. I waited six years for Libba Bray to finish her Diviners series, but I'm not sure I can wait that long for the next Banners of Blood book
April 10, 2020
I liked the first book but that had its problems: characters without depth or that we’re even likeable, but the strength of the ideas in the book carried it. I also felt tricked that this was a multi-volume tale as the book didn’t indicate it was until the end.
I bought the second book with some reservations, which proved well founded as the characters proved just as unlikeable and seemed to have little purpose. There are huge gaps in some stories - how and why did Dow get that plague monster; why would Isabella suddenly decide to be a nun? None of this is adequately portrayed through development of the characters.
This really feels like an author struggling to make a word count. His original ideas have gone and now he’s cranking through the story trying to find an ending, without success as more volumes are implied.
The story is crowbarred in alongside real history, which at first seemed clever but now seems trite and laboured - too many characters called Charles, for example.
At least the book is short, though this isn’t reflected in the price, but is still a chore to read. Disappointing.
I bought the second book with some reservations, which proved well founded as the characters proved just as unlikeable and seemed to have little purpose. There are huge gaps in some stories - how and why did Dow get that plague monster; why would Isabella suddenly decide to be a nun? None of this is adequately portrayed through development of the characters.
This really feels like an author struggling to make a word count. His original ideas have gone and now he’s cranking through the story trying to find an ending, without success as more volumes are implied.
The story is crowbarred in alongside real history, which at first seemed clever but now seems trite and laboured - too many characters called Charles, for example.
At least the book is short, though this isn’t reflected in the price, but is still a chore to read. Disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2018
Finally got to read the second book after what seemed like an eternity after the first in the series. Excellent characters, a rich plot with plenty going off.
Only one slight criticism is that it is quicker than the what I remember from the first. Trying to follow all the characters was a bit difficult through the jumping forward in time. But this was made up for in cheering on some of the people and the amazing way in which the story was brought to light (or darkness).
Now I patiently wait for the 3rd instalment. sigh.....
Only one slight criticism is that it is quicker than the what I remember from the first. Trying to follow all the characters was a bit difficult through the jumping forward in time. But this was made up for in cheering on some of the people and the amazing way in which the story was brought to light (or darkness).
Now I patiently wait for the 3rd instalment. sigh.....
March 2, 2019
I cannot fathom myself coming up with all the twists and turns this book has taken me. A very good sequel, and I seriously cannot wait for the next book.
May 10, 2019
I LOVED THIS!!!!! Is there a 3rd? Is it out yet? JUST TAKE MY MONEY!.....and bring back Montague. Thx.
July 13, 2024
Not much more to add
This book continued on in the same vein, quality and style of the first book. It is a very consistent sequel. Therefore if you enjoyed the first book then I'll wager you will enjoy this one. Though considerably shorter and a lot of the side plots brought into one central one, it kept its momentum, style and tone very level with its predecessor.
Naturally if you didn't love or even actively disliked the previous instalment I don't think this one will really change your mind. This sequel felt more like a direct continuation of book one and was only a separate instalment because of page count.
I don't have much more to add in regards to this book because my feelings in regards to plot, writing and setting (all of which I enjoyed), as well as characterisation, authenticity and logic (things that didn't quite work for me), remain remarkably unchanged.
This book continued on in the same vein, quality and style of the first book. It is a very consistent sequel. Therefore if you enjoyed the first book then I'll wager you will enjoy this one. Though considerably shorter and a lot of the side plots brought into one central one, it kept its momentum, style and tone very level with its predecessor.
Naturally if you didn't love or even actively disliked the previous instalment I don't think this one will really change your mind. This sequel felt more like a direct continuation of book one and was only a separate instalment because of page count.
I don't have much more to add in regards to this book because my feelings in regards to plot, writing and setting (all of which I enjoyed), as well as characterisation, authenticity and logic (things that didn't quite work for me), remain remarkably unchanged.
November 15, 2021
Great book. Just as good as the first one.
Hopefully part 3 comes out soon.
Hopefully part 3 comes out soon.
March 5, 2018
Excellent, though not as good as the first volume. It suffers the usual problem with these sprawling epics: i had forgotten a lot of the action in the first one by the time i got to read this volume. It also has the classic problem of the middle book of a trilogy: no proper climax, but mainly setting things up for the final.
Still it had lots of action involving the best characters from the first novel, especially Charles of Navarre and Osbert. The magical elements also seemed to be darker and at times the book took on the tones of a horror novel. The depictions of hell felt like they popped straight of the the mind of Hieronymus Bosch.
I can't wait for the third installment, and might end up rereading the whole lot.
Still it had lots of action involving the best characters from the first novel, especially Charles of Navarre and Osbert. The magical elements also seemed to be darker and at times the book took on the tones of a horror novel. The depictions of hell felt like they popped straight of the the mind of Hieronymus Bosch.
I can't wait for the third installment, and might end up rereading the whole lot.
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