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Die Schwarzen Musketiere #1
Book of the Night
In this thrilling adventure by bestselling author Oliver Pötzsch, thirteen-year-old Lukas has been trained as a swordsman by his father, a nobleman who was once a famed Musketeer. When the threat of war and accusations of witchcraft spread across the land, Lukas’s life is forever changed. He flees his home and vows to find his missing sister. Surviving as an outcast, Lukas encounters thieves and mercenaries, a strange astrologer, and a master swordsman. He also meets three other fencers―Giovanni, Paulus, and Jerome. Each brings a special talent to their team that leads them to the Black Musketeers, the best fighters in the army. But living with the black-armored Musketeers is nothing like they imagined. In his quest to find his sister, Lukas learns of a legendary book that holds powerful magic. As he fights to keep the Book of the Night out of the hands of his greatest enemy, Lukas discovers the secrets of his own family and what it really means to be a Musketeer.
304 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2015
813 people are currently reading
1692 people want to read
About the author
Oliver Pötzsch
39 books2,192 followersOliver Pötzsch is a German writer and filmmaker. After high school he attended the German School of Journalism in Munich from 1992 to 1997. He then worked for Radio Bavaria. In addition to his professional activities in radio and television, Pötzsch researched his family history. He is a descendant of the Kuisle, from the 16th to the 19th Century a famous dynasty of executioners in Schongau.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
October 8, 2016
This is the story of Lukas Lohenfels, whose family is driven apart by an evil monk, intent upon finding a relic of power. Along the path to revenge and redemption, Lucas makes some friends, some enemies, and discovers that magic may be realer than he imagined.
Who are the Black Musketeers anyway?: "The Black Musketeers were the best fighters in the Reich," he began, "trained in the use of all sorts of weapons and fear by everyone. They served as bodyguards to the Imperial General Wallenstein ... We fought and shot like the devil, with swords, pikes, daggers, muskets, and pistols, and drove the Danes and their allies back across the Elbe River." loc 129, ebook. This is the 1600's Germany, a land of princes and shifting alliances. The war has been going on for a very long time.
Lukas is forced to grow up quickly, not only because of what happens to his family, but also because of the unending war: "Lukas thought of the dreadful stories he'd heard about the war. Last year in Magedeburg, twenty thousand citizens had been slaughtered by mercenaries, who then completely destroyed the city. Similar things had happened in other parts of the Reich. Whenever the troops passed by, no matter which side they were on, they left behind death, destruction, hunger, and disease. When he was young, Lukas had always imagined war as something heroic. ... but for some time now, he had understood that war was not an adventure, but left horror and misery in its wake." loc 1112, ebook.
A moment of homage to the classic, The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas: "If you have something to tell me or the others," Gionvanni said softly, in order not to waken the other sleeping boys, "please don't hesitate. We're always here for you, do you understand?" He smiled. "One for all and all for one. I heard those words somewhere before, and they apply to us as well." loc 1148, ebook.
I liked how Lukas and his friends were never entirely certain about the existence of magic until it entered their lives in a very real way: "Nonsense," Paulus muttered. "Magic is humbug! I only believe things I can see and fight with my sword." "It's said there are certain vapors and gases that make people sick and can even cause the plague," Giovanni replied matter-of-factly. "Can you see them, Paulus? No. But still they're there, invisible, all around us. Perhaps there's lots more out there that we simpleminded little men can't even imagine." loc 1428, ebook.
I saw the name, Oliver Pötzsch, and snapped up this book from NetGalley, not realizing that Book of the Night is intended for a young adult audience. It is very well written and I had a lot of fun reading it but, the Book of the Night isn't very sophisticated nor are there any true surprises within its pages. But, it is perfect for anyone in the 12 to 16 age group, who enjoys an adventure with some magical undertones. Some magical/coming of age young adult read alikes: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace, and Jackaby by William Ritter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Crossing Publishing for a free digital copy of this book!
Who are the Black Musketeers anyway?: "The Black Musketeers were the best fighters in the Reich," he began, "trained in the use of all sorts of weapons and fear by everyone. They served as bodyguards to the Imperial General Wallenstein ... We fought and shot like the devil, with swords, pikes, daggers, muskets, and pistols, and drove the Danes and their allies back across the Elbe River." loc 129, ebook. This is the 1600's Germany, a land of princes and shifting alliances. The war has been going on for a very long time.
Lukas is forced to grow up quickly, not only because of what happens to his family, but also because of the unending war: "Lukas thought of the dreadful stories he'd heard about the war. Last year in Magedeburg, twenty thousand citizens had been slaughtered by mercenaries, who then completely destroyed the city. Similar things had happened in other parts of the Reich. Whenever the troops passed by, no matter which side they were on, they left behind death, destruction, hunger, and disease. When he was young, Lukas had always imagined war as something heroic. ... but for some time now, he had understood that war was not an adventure, but left horror and misery in its wake." loc 1112, ebook.
A moment of homage to the classic, The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas: "If you have something to tell me or the others," Gionvanni said softly, in order not to waken the other sleeping boys, "please don't hesitate. We're always here for you, do you understand?" He smiled. "One for all and all for one. I heard those words somewhere before, and they apply to us as well." loc 1148, ebook.
I liked how Lukas and his friends were never entirely certain about the existence of magic until it entered their lives in a very real way: "Nonsense," Paulus muttered. "Magic is humbug! I only believe things I can see and fight with my sword." "It's said there are certain vapors and gases that make people sick and can even cause the plague," Giovanni replied matter-of-factly. "Can you see them, Paulus? No. But still they're there, invisible, all around us. Perhaps there's lots more out there that we simpleminded little men can't even imagine." loc 1428, ebook.
I saw the name, Oliver Pötzsch, and snapped up this book from NetGalley, not realizing that Book of the Night is intended for a young adult audience. It is very well written and I had a lot of fun reading it but, the Book of the Night isn't very sophisticated nor are there any true surprises within its pages. But, it is perfect for anyone in the 12 to 16 age group, who enjoys an adventure with some magical undertones. Some magical/coming of age young adult read alikes: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace, and Jackaby by William Ritter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Crossing Publishing for a free digital copy of this book!
October 23, 2018
Interesting book.. but I have so many questions!
First off, why is this mysterious book (which is in the damn title) only really mentioned towards the end of the book? Second, why was the musketeer presence lacking in this book? Third, what the hell kind of ending was that?
Yeah, so I have questions and this book didn't really answer a whole bunch of them. In the Book of the Night, you will meet Lucas. He's pretty young when he watches both of his parents get murdered. From that moment, he was on the run. Now he's trying to save his own neck while trying to find his sister.
Now if you remember any musketeer movie ever made, you will probably find some similarities in this book. Lucas ends up joining a gang of orphans in order to survive better off in the world. However, that's short lived because he leaves them high and dry when they decide to kill innocent people. Somewhere along the way, he ends up joining the army of the Black Musketeers.
Throughout the book you see that he's trying to find his sister. Once he finally does, that's when this whole book come into play. Apparently these two kids were a freaking key to finding this book. Again, I had questions people! Overall, it was an interesting book to listen to and I might dive into the second book just to see if I will get more musketeer-ness or more information about this book.
First off, why is this mysterious book (which is in the damn title) only really mentioned towards the end of the book? Second, why was the musketeer presence lacking in this book? Third, what the hell kind of ending was that?
Yeah, so I have questions and this book didn't really answer a whole bunch of them. In the Book of the Night, you will meet Lucas. He's pretty young when he watches both of his parents get murdered. From that moment, he was on the run. Now he's trying to save his own neck while trying to find his sister.
Now if you remember any musketeer movie ever made, you will probably find some similarities in this book. Lucas ends up joining a gang of orphans in order to survive better off in the world. However, that's short lived because he leaves them high and dry when they decide to kill innocent people. Somewhere along the way, he ends up joining the army of the Black Musketeers.
Throughout the book you see that he's trying to find his sister. Once he finally does, that's when this whole book come into play. Apparently these two kids were a freaking key to finding this book. Again, I had questions people! Overall, it was an interesting book to listen to and I might dive into the second book just to see if I will get more musketeer-ness or more information about this book.
February 11, 2017
This was a great book for a 12 year old boy but it was not really meant for me. I gave it a try because I love The Hangman's Daughter series. This was not a bad book but I do not recommend this for adult women.
February 8, 2021
I’ve become a real fan of Oliver Pötzsch lately, and when I saw that he had written an action/adventure set during the Thirty Years’ War I got really excited. The discovery that it was a Young Adult novel didn’t bother me; I read those all the time. So it with a complete lack of trepidation that I started on this book.
Whoops.
The big problem with this book is that it feels far too childish for a young adult novel and far too adult for a children’s novel. It never fully feels like either. The book seems to be aimed at early teens, but it’s as if the author wrote a book for preteens and a book for adults and then averaged them together and voila: teenagers! I can sympathize with that sort of problem. Modulating for a narrow audience like that can be a challenge. But when you get a tonal mismatch like that it’s hard to ignore. And the way it changes plotlines every chapter or two so the kids don’t get bored and turn on the TV doesn’t help.
The childish aspects of the book are the ones that don’t work for me. And that’s not just me saying I prefer this era to be gritty. I’ve read books set in the English Civil War (about twenty years later) which manage to be good by simply sidestepping around unpleasant realities. But this takes us right through the heart of darkness (there’s a rape, shockingly) while simultaneously pretending nothing’s wrong. When the plot is based on childlike conflicts like the unstoppable power of true friendship and the setting full of ravaged villages and starving children killing to survive it can’t help but feel off. And that means neither the darkness nor the heroism are ever really able to connect.
Another issue for me is that the dialogue is awkward. Much more so than in his other books. I wondered if it might be the translator, but it’s the same guy who translated the Hangman’s Daughter series. Is it because this is childish dialogue and that translates poorly between languages? The few moments I felt were awkward in the Hangman’s Daughter were when children spoke. Or is this an authorial issue that exists in the German text as well? Not everyone can write child after all. Or maybe the translator struggles to write childish dialogue and so is more literal than usual? Either way, it’s noticeable and annoying.
I do have to commend this book for its setting. The Thirty Years’ War is an interesting time and I could imagine a better book doing something with it. A young adult book that treated it like a disaster more than action/adventure perhaps. Or ignored the problematic issue of the war’s armies and made it a fight to defend their home from the Swedes. Heck, The Three Musketeers does basically that, and with all the references to “all for one and one for all” that’s certainly what this book is aiming to be. But you can’t have it both ways – either it’s a dark journey or a lighthearted adventure. It really can’t be both. Pötzsch is still a good author though. I’d check out some of his other work and skip this.
Whoops.
The big problem with this book is that it feels far too childish for a young adult novel and far too adult for a children’s novel. It never fully feels like either. The book seems to be aimed at early teens, but it’s as if the author wrote a book for preteens and a book for adults and then averaged them together and voila: teenagers! I can sympathize with that sort of problem. Modulating for a narrow audience like that can be a challenge. But when you get a tonal mismatch like that it’s hard to ignore. And the way it changes plotlines every chapter or two so the kids don’t get bored and turn on the TV doesn’t help.
The childish aspects of the book are the ones that don’t work for me. And that’s not just me saying I prefer this era to be gritty. I’ve read books set in the English Civil War (about twenty years later) which manage to be good by simply sidestepping around unpleasant realities. But this takes us right through the heart of darkness (there’s a rape, shockingly) while simultaneously pretending nothing’s wrong. When the plot is based on childlike conflicts like the unstoppable power of true friendship and the setting full of ravaged villages and starving children killing to survive it can’t help but feel off. And that means neither the darkness nor the heroism are ever really able to connect.
Another issue for me is that the dialogue is awkward. Much more so than in his other books. I wondered if it might be the translator, but it’s the same guy who translated the Hangman’s Daughter series. Is it because this is childish dialogue and that translates poorly between languages? The few moments I felt were awkward in the Hangman’s Daughter were when children spoke. Or is this an authorial issue that exists in the German text as well? Not everyone can write child after all. Or maybe the translator struggles to write childish dialogue and so is more literal than usual? Either way, it’s noticeable and annoying.
I do have to commend this book for its setting. The Thirty Years’ War is an interesting time and I could imagine a better book doing something with it. A young adult book that treated it like a disaster more than action/adventure perhaps. Or ignored the problematic issue of the war’s armies and made it a fight to defend their home from the Swedes. Heck, The Three Musketeers does basically that, and with all the references to “all for one and one for all” that’s certainly what this book is aiming to be. But you can’t have it both ways – either it’s a dark journey or a lighthearted adventure. It really can’t be both. Pötzsch is still a good author though. I’d check out some of his other work and skip this.
June 30, 2017
I'd like to start with something that has NOTHING to do with the book...I had no idea until I listened to this audiobook that I was horribly butchering the author's last name. It literally sounds nothing like its spelled.
Aside from that disturbing revelation, I enjoyed this book.
I listened to this with my daughter, and this is most definitely YA. Neither of us were offended in anyway, and when they said the word "ass" once, my daughter giggled for about 10 minutes. To the point, this is NOT the Hangman's daughter series, its much more "light and airy" and prototypical in its story-telling.
There is still the underlying fear and contempt for religious fervor that tends to be a recurring theme in Oliver's books (I no longer trust myself to even write his last name). which I personally love.
Narration was....ok. Not the best, but definitely not the worst.
Story: entertaining, and YA.
Aside from that disturbing revelation, I enjoyed this book.
I listened to this with my daughter, and this is most definitely YA. Neither of us were offended in anyway, and when they said the word "ass" once, my daughter giggled for about 10 minutes. To the point, this is NOT the Hangman's daughter series, its much more "light and airy" and prototypical in its story-telling.
There is still the underlying fear and contempt for religious fervor that tends to be a recurring theme in Oliver's books (I no longer trust myself to even write his last name). which I personally love.
Narration was....ok. Not the best, but definitely not the worst.
Story: entertaining, and YA.
October 12, 2018
Lucas watches while his parents are killed by an Inquisitor and his sister is taken away. He runs for his life and for a year has a hard time surviving while searching for his sister. First, he joins a gang of orphans but leaves when they intend to kill innocent people; then he joins a group of traveling performers before eventually joining the army in the Black Musketeers regimen. The war between the Germans and Swedes is the backdrop for Lucas's search for his missing sister, but there is also a battle being waged by the Inquisitor (Schonborn) who has black magic and the white witches who use magic for good. He is relentless in his search for the Book of the Night and he believes that Lucas and his sister are the keys to finding it.
I'm not sure if it is the result of being translated, or if this book is intended for middle grades or what, but it seemed immature to me despite having some dark aspects. The way all the problems are solved in the book was simplistic - locked in a dungeon? oh, your friends manage to get the key. Evil sorcerer and his invincible soldiers about to kill everyone? Oh, let's get mad and for the first time in the book, cast a spell that transports everyone hundreds of miles away. Plus I was really annoyed that the damn book that this book is titled after didn't even come into play until the 80% mark. Nor did the Black Musketeers really have much to do in this book (even though the series is named after them). I am disappointed. The synopsis gave me high hopes - sword fighting, magic books, a group of honorable friends....it had all the ingredients for a great tale. I felt it underdelivered.
I'm not sure if it is the result of being translated, or if this book is intended for middle grades or what, but it seemed immature to me despite having some dark aspects. The way all the problems are solved in the book was simplistic - locked in a dungeon? oh, your friends manage to get the key. Evil sorcerer and his invincible soldiers about to kill everyone? Oh, let's get mad and for the first time in the book, cast a spell that transports everyone hundreds of miles away. Plus I was really annoyed that the damn book that this book is titled after didn't even come into play until the 80% mark. Nor did the Black Musketeers really have much to do in this book (even though the series is named after them). I am disappointed. The synopsis gave me high hopes - sword fighting, magic books, a group of honorable friends....it had all the ingredients for a great tale. I felt it underdelivered.
September 18, 2016
I enjoyed this book - thank you NetGalley for approving my request to read it. as all the Hangman's Daughters books it was well written and captivated me from the start, and lasted the entire book. Characters that I care about and look forward to the next book about them as I believe the ending left open for a continuation, I recommend this book.
started_finish_later
August 18, 2016way too juvenile
March 26, 2017
I gave it three stars as this book was certainly more suited to a young adult readership.
It is set in the midst of the Thirty Years' War - a period in which the famed Black Musketeers were active. Fredrich von Lohenfels recounts his days as one of the Musketeers to his young son Lukas, who has trained in the martial arts.
When the Inquisition arrives,Lukas' mother is taken by the Spanish allies of the Kaiser to Heidelberg as a suspected witch. What Lukas does not know, is that the Inquisitor - Waldemar von Schonborn - needs both Lukas and his sister Elsa to locate a mysterious Grimoire.
Following the death of both parents and the capture of his sister, Lukas flees his enemy and joins a band of urchins then a travelling troupe of entertainers before joining the army of General Wallenstein and his Black Musketeers in Bavaria. Here the story picks up and cannons towards its conclusion.
The author portrays the hardships and realities of war, the horror of battle, and the religious persecution of the times convincingly. Whilst a little slow in places - no doubt to add a little background to events - it does finish off nicely.
It is set in the midst of the Thirty Years' War - a period in which the famed Black Musketeers were active. Fredrich von Lohenfels recounts his days as one of the Musketeers to his young son Lukas, who has trained in the martial arts.
When the Inquisition arrives,Lukas' mother is taken by the Spanish allies of the Kaiser to Heidelberg as a suspected witch. What Lukas does not know, is that the Inquisitor - Waldemar von Schonborn - needs both Lukas and his sister Elsa to locate a mysterious Grimoire.
Following the death of both parents and the capture of his sister, Lukas flees his enemy and joins a band of urchins then a travelling troupe of entertainers before joining the army of General Wallenstein and his Black Musketeers in Bavaria. Here the story picks up and cannons towards its conclusion.
The author portrays the hardships and realities of war, the horror of battle, and the religious persecution of the times convincingly. Whilst a little slow in places - no doubt to add a little background to events - it does finish off nicely.
December 26, 2017
Definitely YA fiction, with some difficult themes; but also some common recurring tropes that are easily recognisable. Another translates work (that makes three today!) so a little wooden but not too badly so.
June 9, 2019
Not as good as the Hangman series, just ok
May 19, 2018
Started off interesting but took a weird turn. I probably should have read reviews before starting this one.
July 6, 2017
Inhalt
„Die Schwarzen Musketiere“ ist das erste Jugendbuch des Bestsellerautors Oliver Pötzsch.
Fechten, Reiten, auf die Jagd gehen – das Leben des jugendlichen Grafensohns Lukas ist wie ein großes Abenteuer. Doch von einem Tag auf den anderen ist nichts mehr, wie es war: Der Inquisitor Waldemar von Schönborn lässt Lukas‘ Mutter verhaften, um sie als Hexe zu verhören – und Lukas‘ Vater stirbt beim Versuch, sie zu befreien. Lukas selbst flüchtet, doch seine kleine Schwester Elsa gerät in die Gewalt des Inquisitors.
Mittellos und auf sich allein gestellt ist Lukas nur von einem Gedanken getrieben: Er muss Schönborn finden und Elsa befreien! Doch der Inquisitor ist mächtig und sein Einfluss reicht weiter, als Lukas sich das vorzustellen vermag.
Gegen einen derart übermächtigen Gegner hätte Lukas keine Chance – doch zum Glück hat er ein großes Talent: Er ist ein begnadeter Degenkämpfer. Und er findet echte Freunde; mit Jerome, Paulus und dem schlauen Giovanni an seiner Seite wagt er sich in das größte Abenteuer seines Lebens …
Charakter
Lukas ist ein sehr hartnäckiger und sturer Junge. Er ist sehr anspruchsvoll, aber gibt sich auch mal mit nicht so viel zufrieden, wenn es nicht anders geht. Außerdem will Lukas alles immer sehr genau wissen und ist auch sehr neugierig. Des Weiteren ist es sehr fürsorglich und beschützend. Für seine Freunde und seine Familie würde er alles machen. Lukas ist auch sehr besorgt. Außerdem ist er sehr aufgeweckt und schlau.
Meine Meinung
Der Schreibstil war am Anfang ein wenig gewöhnungsbedürftig, aber ich bin ziemlich schnell in die Geschichte gekommen und es war sehr angenehm zu lesen. Es ist sehr detailliert, was es auch einfacher macht sich in der Geschichte zurecht zu finden. Mich hat es auch sehr fasziniert, da es einfach in einer anderen Zeit spielt.
Der Inhalt ist auch sehr interessant. Es spielt ungefähr zu der Zeit, in der der 30 Jährige Krieg stattfand und passend zu der Zeit geht es viel um die Kirche, Ketzer und Hexen. Des Weiteren geht es auch um den 30 Jährigen Krieg.
Zum Autor
Oliver Pötzsch, geboren 1970, war jahrelang als Filmautor für den Bayerischen Rundfunk tätig. Heute widmet er sich ganz dem Schreiben. Er lebt in München. Seine historischen Romane um den Schongauer Henker Jakob Kuisl haben ihn weit über die Grenzen Deutschlands bekannt gemacht. 2015 erschien sein erstes Jugendbuch im bloomoon Verlag.
Empfehlung
Jungs ab 10 Jahren würde ich das Buch definitv empfehlen!
„Die Schwarzen Musketiere“ ist das erste Jugendbuch des Bestsellerautors Oliver Pötzsch.
Fechten, Reiten, auf die Jagd gehen – das Leben des jugendlichen Grafensohns Lukas ist wie ein großes Abenteuer. Doch von einem Tag auf den anderen ist nichts mehr, wie es war: Der Inquisitor Waldemar von Schönborn lässt Lukas‘ Mutter verhaften, um sie als Hexe zu verhören – und Lukas‘ Vater stirbt beim Versuch, sie zu befreien. Lukas selbst flüchtet, doch seine kleine Schwester Elsa gerät in die Gewalt des Inquisitors.
Mittellos und auf sich allein gestellt ist Lukas nur von einem Gedanken getrieben: Er muss Schönborn finden und Elsa befreien! Doch der Inquisitor ist mächtig und sein Einfluss reicht weiter, als Lukas sich das vorzustellen vermag.
Gegen einen derart übermächtigen Gegner hätte Lukas keine Chance – doch zum Glück hat er ein großes Talent: Er ist ein begnadeter Degenkämpfer. Und er findet echte Freunde; mit Jerome, Paulus und dem schlauen Giovanni an seiner Seite wagt er sich in das größte Abenteuer seines Lebens …
Charakter
Lukas ist ein sehr hartnäckiger und sturer Junge. Er ist sehr anspruchsvoll, aber gibt sich auch mal mit nicht so viel zufrieden, wenn es nicht anders geht. Außerdem will Lukas alles immer sehr genau wissen und ist auch sehr neugierig. Des Weiteren ist es sehr fürsorglich und beschützend. Für seine Freunde und seine Familie würde er alles machen. Lukas ist auch sehr besorgt. Außerdem ist er sehr aufgeweckt und schlau.
Meine Meinung
Der Schreibstil war am Anfang ein wenig gewöhnungsbedürftig, aber ich bin ziemlich schnell in die Geschichte gekommen und es war sehr angenehm zu lesen. Es ist sehr detailliert, was es auch einfacher macht sich in der Geschichte zurecht zu finden. Mich hat es auch sehr fasziniert, da es einfach in einer anderen Zeit spielt.
Der Inhalt ist auch sehr interessant. Es spielt ungefähr zu der Zeit, in der der 30 Jährige Krieg stattfand und passend zu der Zeit geht es viel um die Kirche, Ketzer und Hexen. Des Weiteren geht es auch um den 30 Jährigen Krieg.
Zum Autor
Oliver Pötzsch, geboren 1970, war jahrelang als Filmautor für den Bayerischen Rundfunk tätig. Heute widmet er sich ganz dem Schreiben. Er lebt in München. Seine historischen Romane um den Schongauer Henker Jakob Kuisl haben ihn weit über die Grenzen Deutschlands bekannt gemacht. 2015 erschien sein erstes Jugendbuch im bloomoon Verlag.
Empfehlung
Jungs ab 10 Jahren würde ich das Buch definitv empfehlen!
September 6, 2016
I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book. Oliver Potzsch has written a story that surrounds the reader with magic and swashbuckling adventure.
Lukas is the son of a nobleman who fought with the musketeers in service to the Kaiser. Now he has turned thirteen and has learned the art of swordsmanship from his father. It is 1631 and Waldemar Von Schonborn, the grand inquisitor, is responsible for the death of his father and the accusation of witchcraft against his mother. With the destruction of his home and family, he sets out on a quest to find his young sister, who was taken by the inquisitor.
Lukas has to grow up quickly and use all of his skills to survive. On the verge of starving, he is taken in by a group of traveling entertainers. Among the performers is a trio of young swordsmen, trained by a former musketeer. A solid bond forms between the young men, who join Lukas on his quest.
Potzsch allows his characters to grow and mature as they travel. It is a time of war with Swedish mercenaries, and he portrays the hardships of camp life and the horrors of battle. There is also an element of magic that flows through the book. While he successfully concludes the story of Lukas' quest, he leaves it open to future adventures. It is a story to immerse yourself in and I am hoping to see more of Lukas and his musketeers.
Lukas is the son of a nobleman who fought with the musketeers in service to the Kaiser. Now he has turned thirteen and has learned the art of swordsmanship from his father. It is 1631 and Waldemar Von Schonborn, the grand inquisitor, is responsible for the death of his father and the accusation of witchcraft against his mother. With the destruction of his home and family, he sets out on a quest to find his young sister, who was taken by the inquisitor.
Lukas has to grow up quickly and use all of his skills to survive. On the verge of starving, he is taken in by a group of traveling entertainers. Among the performers is a trio of young swordsmen, trained by a former musketeer. A solid bond forms between the young men, who join Lukas on his quest.
Potzsch allows his characters to grow and mature as they travel. It is a time of war with Swedish mercenaries, and he portrays the hardships of camp life and the horrors of battle. There is also an element of magic that flows through the book. While he successfully concludes the story of Lukas' quest, he leaves it open to future adventures. It is a story to immerse yourself in and I am hoping to see more of Lukas and his musketeers.
October 19, 2016
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book for review.
I have read several of this author's other books in the Hangman's Daughter series and have enjoyed them, and this one didn't disappoint either. The setting is quite bleak - I'm not sure how anyone lived back in those days - war, famine, pestilence - and sometimes I don't like historical fiction for that reason. But the characters in this book (and in his others) make up for it - well developed and interesting. I enjoyed learning more about the German history in this book, and for me the addition of magic adds to the story. Lots of adventure and Musketeer-style sword fighting. The translation was done well. A good historical adventure novel if you enjoy those types of books - and maybe a good way to get into the genre if you haven't read much before.
I have read several of this author's other books in the Hangman's Daughter series and have enjoyed them, and this one didn't disappoint either. The setting is quite bleak - I'm not sure how anyone lived back in those days - war, famine, pestilence - and sometimes I don't like historical fiction for that reason. But the characters in this book (and in his others) make up for it - well developed and interesting. I enjoyed learning more about the German history in this book, and for me the addition of magic adds to the story. Lots of adventure and Musketeer-style sword fighting. The translation was done well. A good historical adventure novel if you enjoy those types of books - and maybe a good way to get into the genre if you haven't read much before.
April 8, 2022
I read this because I enjoyed the Hangman's Daughter, but I almost couldn't finish it. Characters were one dimensional, the dialogue awful, the historical setting vague and full of anachronisms. But the worst was despite almost everything being fairly straightforward and easily figured out, the author had to make sure to point at each reveal and mansplain it to the reader as if we are too dumb, or his plot twists to subtle (they are not) for us poor readers to comprehend without hanging a sign on it.
I debated giving it 1 star since that is the "I didn't like it" rating, and I mostly didn't like it. But I gave an extra star since it kept me just interested enough to keep going until the end.
I debated giving it 1 star since that is the "I didn't like it" rating, and I mostly didn't like it. But I gave an extra star since it kept me just interested enough to keep going until the end.
July 9, 2023
༺𝔻𝕚𝕖 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕨𝕒𝕣𝕫𝕖𝕟 𝕄𝕦𝕤𝕜𝕖𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕣𝕖: 𝔻𝕒𝕤 𝔹𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕕𝕖𝕣 ℕ𝕒𝕔𝕙𝕥 (𝔹𝕕.𝟙)༻
DAS BUCH DER NACHT ist der Auftakt der fantastischen Jugendbuch-Trilogie des Bestsellerautors Oliver Pötzsch. Eine wunderschön gestaltete Landkarte lässt die Lesenden Lukas' Reise durch Deutschland blendend verfolgen. Ergänzt wird diese Informationsquelle durch einen Anhang, der über historische Begrifflichkeiten, Ereignisse, Personen sowie die Fechtkinst aufklärt. Man merkt, wie viel Mühe im Detail und wie viel Recherchearbeit hinter dem Werk steckt! Ich persönlich finde es immer super, wenn man bei einem Roman gleich noch etwas Interessantes lernt 🤓 Die Sogkraft und Authentizität der Handlung, der Figuren und vor allem des Settings ließen mich fühlen, als wäre ich Teil der Erzählung und live vor Ort 🤭
Die Geschichte startet fesselnd mit der Verurteilung der Mutter als Hexe, dem Mord am Vater und der Entführung der kleinen Schwester durch den Inquisitor. Letztere gilt es nun zu finden, wobei sich Lukas als Held, Kämpfer und Freund beweist. Liebevoll erarbeitete Charaktere, fabelhaft ausgearbeitete Plot Twists und magische Elemente im Hintergrund einem historischen Settings begeistern bis zur letzten Seite.
Themen wie der 30jährige Krieg, reale historische Figuren und Orte, aber auch Hoffnung, die Ängste eines Jungen, der alles verloren hat, Familienwerte, Magie, besonders aber unerschütterlicher Zusammenhalt der Figuren machen den ersten Band der Reihe zu etwas ganz Besonderem und definitiv Lust auf mehr.
Insgesamt handelt es sich um einen wirklich fesselnden, aber auch berührenden, und vor allem super spannenden Auftakt des Jugendbuchs Oliver Pötzschs für Lesende ab 14 und jung gebliebene Erwachsene.
Klare Leseempfehlung! 💙
DAS BUCH DER NACHT ist der Auftakt der fantastischen Jugendbuch-Trilogie des Bestsellerautors Oliver Pötzsch. Eine wunderschön gestaltete Landkarte lässt die Lesenden Lukas' Reise durch Deutschland blendend verfolgen. Ergänzt wird diese Informationsquelle durch einen Anhang, der über historische Begrifflichkeiten, Ereignisse, Personen sowie die Fechtkinst aufklärt. Man merkt, wie viel Mühe im Detail und wie viel Recherchearbeit hinter dem Werk steckt! Ich persönlich finde es immer super, wenn man bei einem Roman gleich noch etwas Interessantes lernt 🤓 Die Sogkraft und Authentizität der Handlung, der Figuren und vor allem des Settings ließen mich fühlen, als wäre ich Teil der Erzählung und live vor Ort 🤭
Die Geschichte startet fesselnd mit der Verurteilung der Mutter als Hexe, dem Mord am Vater und der Entführung der kleinen Schwester durch den Inquisitor. Letztere gilt es nun zu finden, wobei sich Lukas als Held, Kämpfer und Freund beweist. Liebevoll erarbeitete Charaktere, fabelhaft ausgearbeitete Plot Twists und magische Elemente im Hintergrund einem historischen Settings begeistern bis zur letzten Seite.
Themen wie der 30jährige Krieg, reale historische Figuren und Orte, aber auch Hoffnung, die Ängste eines Jungen, der alles verloren hat, Familienwerte, Magie, besonders aber unerschütterlicher Zusammenhalt der Figuren machen den ersten Band der Reihe zu etwas ganz Besonderem und definitiv Lust auf mehr.
Insgesamt handelt es sich um einen wirklich fesselnden, aber auch berührenden, und vor allem super spannenden Auftakt des Jugendbuchs Oliver Pötzschs für Lesende ab 14 und jung gebliebene Erwachsene.
Klare Leseempfehlung! 💙
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2024
Der Erzählstil von Oliver Pötzsch ist leicht und flüssig zu lesen und gleichzeitig spannend. Die Mischung aus historischem Hintergrund und Fantasieelementen hat mir gut gefallen. Im Hintergrund tobt ständig der 30-jährige Krieg. Es werden reale Personen genannt wie die Feldherren Wallenstein und Tilly oder der Schwedenkönig Gustav-Adolf.
Man ist bei einigen Schlachten dabei. Erlebt wie der Krieg im Land tobt. Es werden einige Begriffe aus der Fechtkunst verwendet die im Anhang erklärt werden.
Der junge Lukas ist ein interessanter Charakter. Er durchlebt in der kurzen Zeitspanne des 1. Bands eine enorme Entwicklung. In Giovanni, Jerome und Paulus findet er drei Freunde die mit ihm durch dick und dünn gehen.
Trotzdem finde ich das man mehr aus der Story hätte machen können, dass Buch ist sehr Dünn und die Orte, Magie und Menschen sind meist nur oberflächlich beschrieben. Gerne hätte ich mehr über den Charaker von Giovanni, Jerome und Paulus gelesen.
⚠️Achtung Spoiler Klappentext⚠️
Als Lukas’ Mutter als Hexe angeklagt wird und sein Vater beim Versuch, sie zu retten, stirbt, ändert sich alles. Während er selbst vor dem Inquisitor Waldemar von Schönborn fliehen kann, bleibt seine kleine Schwester Elsa zurück. Auf sich allein gestellt, hat der junge Grafensohn nur noch ein Ziel: seine Schwester zu finden und Schönborn zur Rechenschaft zu ziehen.
Auf dem Weg durch ein zerstörtes Deutschland findet Lukas neue Freunde und ein neues Ziel: Zusammen wollen sie die sagenhafte Fechttruppe seines Vaters um Hilfe bitten – die Schwarzen Musketiere. Doch um die mutigste Kampftruppe Wallensteins zu finden, müssen sie direkt an die vorderste Kriegslinie …
Man ist bei einigen Schlachten dabei. Erlebt wie der Krieg im Land tobt. Es werden einige Begriffe aus der Fechtkunst verwendet die im Anhang erklärt werden.
Der junge Lukas ist ein interessanter Charakter. Er durchlebt in der kurzen Zeitspanne des 1. Bands eine enorme Entwicklung. In Giovanni, Jerome und Paulus findet er drei Freunde die mit ihm durch dick und dünn gehen.
Trotzdem finde ich das man mehr aus der Story hätte machen können, dass Buch ist sehr Dünn und die Orte, Magie und Menschen sind meist nur oberflächlich beschrieben. Gerne hätte ich mehr über den Charaker von Giovanni, Jerome und Paulus gelesen.
⚠️Achtung Spoiler Klappentext⚠️
Als Lukas’ Mutter als Hexe angeklagt wird und sein Vater beim Versuch, sie zu retten, stirbt, ändert sich alles. Während er selbst vor dem Inquisitor Waldemar von Schönborn fliehen kann, bleibt seine kleine Schwester Elsa zurück. Auf sich allein gestellt, hat der junge Grafensohn nur noch ein Ziel: seine Schwester zu finden und Schönborn zur Rechenschaft zu ziehen.
Auf dem Weg durch ein zerstörtes Deutschland findet Lukas neue Freunde und ein neues Ziel: Zusammen wollen sie die sagenhafte Fechttruppe seines Vaters um Hilfe bitten – die Schwarzen Musketiere. Doch um die mutigste Kampftruppe Wallensteins zu finden, müssen sie direkt an die vorderste Kriegslinie …
April 25, 2020
I gave the “Book of the Night” a try because I greatly enjoyed “The Hangman's Daughter” (recommended by Paul, an old College Friend!). Compared to “The Hangman's Daughter,” "Book of the Night" is more a Young Adult book as many other reviewers suggest. Regardless, Oliver Pötzsch is a masterful storyteller. No matter which audience, his plots are carefully crafted, his characters are dynamic and well developed, and the local color adds believability. “Book of the Night” is an interesting tale of a young boy coming of age during the Thirty Years' War in Germany.
Set in the midst of the Thirty Years' War - a period in which the famed Black Musketeers were active – we encounter our protagonist Lucas Lohenfels who watches while his father is killed and his mother and sister parents are taken away by an Inquisitor. Lukas runs for his very life from the soldiers of an evil monk who is intent upon finding a relic of power.
The “Book of the Night” was well written and captured my attention from the start. There were characters about whom I cared. YA or not, I liked the main character, his sister, and his young friends. I recommend this book for its great story and writing. Although a YA book, I have already purchased the next one in the series, “The Sword of Power” (US Edition) [in German: “Das Schwert der Macht”].
Set in the midst of the Thirty Years' War - a period in which the famed Black Musketeers were active – we encounter our protagonist Lucas Lohenfels who watches while his father is killed and his mother and sister parents are taken away by an Inquisitor. Lukas runs for his very life from the soldiers of an evil monk who is intent upon finding a relic of power.
The “Book of the Night” was well written and captured my attention from the start. There were characters about whom I cared. YA or not, I liked the main character, his sister, and his young friends. I recommend this book for its great story and writing. Although a YA book, I have already purchased the next one in the series, “The Sword of Power” (US Edition) [in German: “Das Schwert der Macht”].
January 29, 2017
I don't even know how to start this review because unlike other reviewers I didn't like this book. In fact I only read 3/4ths of the book. In the past, I would never stop reading a book unless I was totally disgusted with the book and even then, I tried hard to finish. Starting in 2017, I decided my free time is limited and no longer do I hang on to reading books I just can't get into. This is where I am with Book of the Night.. I stopped reading it. Perhaps I will pick it up later and finish it, but I doubt it. I found I didn't care about the main character(s) and really didn't care what happened as each chapter passed.
Being a huge fan of historical fiction, I thought Book of the Night was a perfect fit for me. But I didn't see the character development I was looking for as well as the drab adventures of Lukas. Now I loved the series Hangman's Daughter. Oh what a wonderful adventure it was to read through the series. Just felt this book did not quite meet up to my expectations from Mr. Potzsch.
Being a huge fan of historical fiction, I thought Book of the Night was a perfect fit for me. But I didn't see the character development I was looking for as well as the drab adventures of Lukas. Now I loved the series Hangman's Daughter. Oh what a wonderful adventure it was to read through the series. Just felt this book did not quite meet up to my expectations from Mr. Potzsch.
January 30, 2021
"Tenemos el Corazón en el Sitio y el arma en la mano".
"El Destino nos ha unido, tú me ayudarás y to te ayudaré".
Los Mosqueteros Negros: El Libro de la Noche" nos relata el periplo emprendido por Lukas a lo largo de la Nación para conseguir sus dos objetivos: Rescatar y vengar. Sin embargo, nos identificaremos con el protagonista por su diario sentir y su autodeterminación a desarrollarse. Los acontecimientos transitan con gran celeridad que me he dejado sumergir en la algarabía y el trajín inmerso en la lectura; realmente me ha gustado, es bastante adictivo, especialmente el desenlace. Me he creído todos los sucesos. Entre los personajes que acompañaremos se encuentran: Lukas, Sophie, Friedrich y Elsa von Lohenstein; el temible Waldemar von Shönborn; los próceres Jerome, Paulus y Giovanni; Zoltan , Seni, Tilly y Wallenstein; así como Tabea, Sara, Baltazar, Dietmar von Sherendigen, Iwan, entre otros.
Una lectura sencilla y entretenida, con tintes históricos ¡Recomendada!
July 2, 2021
This is a young adult novel that can be read by adults as well as teenagers. The story line might interest a younger person, but there is perhaps too much graphic violence.
I enjoyed the story with some good character development. Compared to the Hangman's Daughter tales the story is shorter which I liked and oddly less gruesome. I suppose the gritty nature has been toned down for a younger audience, something that is almost amusing considering the story is set in the thirty years war, one of the worst events in the last few hundred years.
On the negative side, I felt the story didn't end very well leaving the reader hanging with only a brief stop on the way. I also found the writing somehow choppy, perhaps due to having to translate from the German.
Overall, a good story, but I am not sure I will continue to read the series.
I enjoyed the story with some good character development. Compared to the Hangman's Daughter tales the story is shorter which I liked and oddly less gruesome. I suppose the gritty nature has been toned down for a younger audience, something that is almost amusing considering the story is set in the thirty years war, one of the worst events in the last few hundred years.
On the negative side, I felt the story didn't end very well leaving the reader hanging with only a brief stop on the way. I also found the writing somehow choppy, perhaps due to having to translate from the German.
Overall, a good story, but I am not sure I will continue to read the series.
July 19, 2023
I think this was the author's shot at writing a YA adventure set in his favorite place and time period - Germany in the Thirty Years War. I love his "Hangman's Daughter" mystery series, set in the same time and place, so reading seemed a no-brainer. I was disappointed. It's not bad, and probably a good book for a young YA reader to have an adventure in a very unfamiliar time and place and learn about them, but it's not for me. The plot was simple and predictable (there's some magic involved that makes it more than just a true-to-time fiction, which I didn't expect), there was a lot of "inspiration" from the Three Musketeers, and the writing + translation were a little too tedious for my taste. So, good on Oliver for making a book I would recommend to a middle-schooler who would see everything as fresh, but it wasn't my cup of tea.
March 26, 2017
I wave my orb of discernment over this volume, the cover changes and I see a name appear, Rafael Sabatini. Yes, we have the young, ever so good and moral master swordsman, none of Alexandre Dumas' riff-raff for this tale. Revenge! Yes that monster Schonborn killed his parents and abducted his little sister. Trusty comrades are met along the way. Wait, we are missing Romance, Rafael would be displeased.
This book has been updated from those old fashioned swashbuckler tales, there's one strong female character and the prose is at worst pale lavender. While marketed as an adult book, the age of the characters make it feel YA. A decent read, but Dumas still is my main man for this genre.
This book has been updated from those old fashioned swashbuckler tales, there's one strong female character and the prose is at worst pale lavender. While marketed as an adult book, the age of the characters make it feel YA. A decent read, but Dumas still is my main man for this genre.
August 10, 2018
I enjoyed this book a great deal. Having said that, I will agree with other reviewers that this is a book meant for a YA audience. Compared to the Hangman's Daughter series, "Book of the Night" is decidedly less substantial. The main characters are all in the age range of 10-15 or so, which should make this plenty appealing to younger readers. I thought the dialogue and characterization was well done, and as always, Oliver Pötzsch does an amazing job of taking the reader to a particular time and place. I also liked the way these characters reflected their originals in "The Three Musketeers" and thought it was a lovely homage to Dumas. I would recommend this book to young readers or anyone who enjoys YA fiction and is looking for something fun and light.
October 6, 2015
Vielen Dank an den Bloomoon Verlag, dass ich bei der Leserunde dabei sein durfte!
Leider habe ich mich mit dem Buch recht schwergetan. Der Einstieg mit dem Prolog verrät uns, dass es ein Objekt, vermutlich das im Titel angesprochene Buch gibt, dass von Nonnen versteckt wird. Doch das Versteck ist nicht länger sicher, da jemand es unbedingt in seinen Besitz bringen will.
Kurz darauf begegnen wir Lukas, einem 12-Jährigen, der an einem schicksalshaften Tag seine Familie verliert. Sein Vater wird vor seinen Augen erschossen, die Mutter als Hexe angeklagt und die Schwester entführt. Sein eigenes Leben steht auf dem Spiel, doch er kann glücklicherweise entkommen und will alles dafür tun, seine Mutter und seine Schwester zu retten.
Das klingt zunächst nach einem sehr spannenden Einstieg. Tragisch, düster aber eben auch sehr spannend. Nur fand ich es leider nicht ganz so gut. Der Autor sagt selbst, dass er mehr wert auf die Handlung als auf die Gefühle gelegt hat – etwas, das ich nur zu gut verstehen kann, da ich beim Schreiben die gleiche Haltung vertrete. Allerdings war es für mich unverständlich, wie der Junge einfach so zusehen konnte, wie sein Vater von Armbrustbolzen durchbohrt wurde. Er zuckt nicht einmal mit der Wimper, der Schock tritt erst einige Zeit später ein, aber Lukas fasst sich immer ziemlich schnell.
Und mit immer meine ich wirklich jedes Mal, wenn jemand stirbt, was recht oft der Fall ist. Dadurch kommt man nicht wirklich gut an den Jungen heran. Ich habe auch gemerkt, dass ich irgendwann nicht mehr mit ihm leiden konnte, da er es selbst nur in geringem Umfang tut. Man stumpft durch (oder mit) der Figur ab und nimmt die Tode z.B. als gegeben hin.
Das fand ich zum einen aber nicht allzu tragisch. Das Buch spielt im Dreißigjährigen Krieg und stellt die damalige Situation wirklich schonungslos zur Schau. Es wurde nicht darauf Rücksicht genommen, irgendetwas für die jungen Leser schön zu reden – das gefiel mir tatsächlich. Es war eben keine schöne, ruhige Welt, sondern ein düsteres Zeitalter.
Dass sich der Autor zu seiner Darstellung entschlossen hat, mag bei einigen aufstoßen. Immerhin ist es ja ein Jugendbuch. Aber da sollten lieber die Eltern aufpassen, was ihre Kinder lesen und wie sie damit zurechtkommen, statt den Autor zu verteufeln.
Dennoch bin ich nicht mit allem Einverstanden. Die vielen Tode haben mich tatsächlich etwas gestört, einfach weil es so distanziert wirkte. Insgesamt bauen die Charaktere nicht allzu viel Nähe auf, was nicht heißt, dass sie nicht gut umrissen sind. Trotzdem habe ich mich nicht wirklich mit ihnen verbunden gefühlt.
Ein Faktor, der mich am meisten gestört hat, war die Zeit. Lukas will seine Schwestern unbedingt retten, hat aber keine Ahnung wo sie ist. Das ist ein schlechter Start für eine Suche und man kann verstehen, dass er ziemlich hilflos ist. Dennoch verstreicht einfach immer wieder immens viel Zeit, in der gar nichts passiert. Auch gibt es diverse Episoden, die ich einfach sinnlos fand und meiner Meinung nach hätten gestrichen werden können.
Es wird sich einfach nicht konsequenter um die Schwester gekümmert. Ab und an taucht sie mal wieder in seinen Gedanken auf, mehr tut sich aber nicht! Das konnte ich nicht wirklich nachvollziehen. Dadurch hatte ich das Gefühl, als warte er darauf, dass ihm ein Hinweis vor die Füße fällt – so war es dann auch ungefähr.
Es hat mich einfach nur frustriert. Die Abenteuer von Lukas waren nicht unspannend, dennoch hatte ich die ganze Zeit die Schwester im Hinterkopf. Irgendwann habe ich dann auch gedacht, dass sie sich bedanken wird, wenn ihr Bruder nach Jahren (!) zu ihr kommt. Ich hätte gelacht, wenn sie sich in der Zeit selbst befreit hätte.
Der Stil hat mir schon gut gefallen. Es geht recht flott voran, alles wird ziemlich gut aber nicht zu ausschweifend beschrieben und ich habe mich, bis auf die bereits erwähnten Sachen, gut einfinden können. Die Abenteuer waren echt spannend und wenn mich die Zeit nicht so genervt hätte, hätte ich durchaus mehr mitfiebern können.
Spoiler!
Gegen Ende hin bot das Buch auch noch einige Überraschungen, die ich zum Teil erahnt hatte, die aber gut eingewoben waren. Leider hat mir das eigentliche Ende dann nicht mehr so gut gefallen. Es gibt viel Action und eine große Kampfszene und dann ist es plötzlich vorbei. Einfach so, weil Lucas und seine Freunde an einem anderen Ort auftauchen. Da hatte ich dann auch das Gefühl, dass Wallenstein egal war. Er war keine unmittelbare Bedrohung mehr und die Burg aufzubauen hatte jetzt Priorität. Nein, wirklich, da war ich ziemlich enttäuscht von.
Die Charaktere waren, wie schon beschrieben, gut gezeichnet. Allerdings mochte ich Lucas' Freunde mehr als ihn. Sie waren mir einfach allesamt sympathischer, vermutlich habe ich von ihm auch etwas mehr erwartet.
Gut fand ich aber auch, dass sie sich nicht sofort alle super mochten, sondern eben erst noch Freundschaft schließen mussten. Das wirkte realistischer als bei anderen Büchern.
Besonders ans Herz gewachsen ist mit ja Giovanni. Er ist ziemlich clever und hat meist den richtigen Riecher. Aber auch Jerome und Paulus sind ganz lustig und mir gefiel, wie gut die Vier miteinander harmonierten.
Fazit:
Wer Abenteuer und Action mag, dabei auf eine starke Gefühlswelt verzichten kann, ist hier an genau der richtigen Stelle. Es geht schnell voran, es passiert sehr viel und man merkt, dass sich der Autor in seinem Metier und der Epoche auskennt.
Für mich gab es leider zu viele Kleinigkeiten, die mich gestört haben und meine Lust am Buch ließ immer mehr nach.
Aus diesem Grund gibt es nur 3 von 5 Herzen.
Leider habe ich mich mit dem Buch recht schwergetan. Der Einstieg mit dem Prolog verrät uns, dass es ein Objekt, vermutlich das im Titel angesprochene Buch gibt, dass von Nonnen versteckt wird. Doch das Versteck ist nicht länger sicher, da jemand es unbedingt in seinen Besitz bringen will.
Kurz darauf begegnen wir Lukas, einem 12-Jährigen, der an einem schicksalshaften Tag seine Familie verliert. Sein Vater wird vor seinen Augen erschossen, die Mutter als Hexe angeklagt und die Schwester entführt. Sein eigenes Leben steht auf dem Spiel, doch er kann glücklicherweise entkommen und will alles dafür tun, seine Mutter und seine Schwester zu retten.
Das klingt zunächst nach einem sehr spannenden Einstieg. Tragisch, düster aber eben auch sehr spannend. Nur fand ich es leider nicht ganz so gut. Der Autor sagt selbst, dass er mehr wert auf die Handlung als auf die Gefühle gelegt hat – etwas, das ich nur zu gut verstehen kann, da ich beim Schreiben die gleiche Haltung vertrete. Allerdings war es für mich unverständlich, wie der Junge einfach so zusehen konnte, wie sein Vater von Armbrustbolzen durchbohrt wurde. Er zuckt nicht einmal mit der Wimper, der Schock tritt erst einige Zeit später ein, aber Lukas fasst sich immer ziemlich schnell.
Und mit immer meine ich wirklich jedes Mal, wenn jemand stirbt, was recht oft der Fall ist. Dadurch kommt man nicht wirklich gut an den Jungen heran. Ich habe auch gemerkt, dass ich irgendwann nicht mehr mit ihm leiden konnte, da er es selbst nur in geringem Umfang tut. Man stumpft durch (oder mit) der Figur ab und nimmt die Tode z.B. als gegeben hin.
Das fand ich zum einen aber nicht allzu tragisch. Das Buch spielt im Dreißigjährigen Krieg und stellt die damalige Situation wirklich schonungslos zur Schau. Es wurde nicht darauf Rücksicht genommen, irgendetwas für die jungen Leser schön zu reden – das gefiel mir tatsächlich. Es war eben keine schöne, ruhige Welt, sondern ein düsteres Zeitalter.
Dass sich der Autor zu seiner Darstellung entschlossen hat, mag bei einigen aufstoßen. Immerhin ist es ja ein Jugendbuch. Aber da sollten lieber die Eltern aufpassen, was ihre Kinder lesen und wie sie damit zurechtkommen, statt den Autor zu verteufeln.
Dennoch bin ich nicht mit allem Einverstanden. Die vielen Tode haben mich tatsächlich etwas gestört, einfach weil es so distanziert wirkte. Insgesamt bauen die Charaktere nicht allzu viel Nähe auf, was nicht heißt, dass sie nicht gut umrissen sind. Trotzdem habe ich mich nicht wirklich mit ihnen verbunden gefühlt.
Ein Faktor, der mich am meisten gestört hat, war die Zeit. Lukas will seine Schwestern unbedingt retten, hat aber keine Ahnung wo sie ist. Das ist ein schlechter Start für eine Suche und man kann verstehen, dass er ziemlich hilflos ist. Dennoch verstreicht einfach immer wieder immens viel Zeit, in der gar nichts passiert. Auch gibt es diverse Episoden, die ich einfach sinnlos fand und meiner Meinung nach hätten gestrichen werden können.
Es wird sich einfach nicht konsequenter um die Schwester gekümmert. Ab und an taucht sie mal wieder in seinen Gedanken auf, mehr tut sich aber nicht! Das konnte ich nicht wirklich nachvollziehen. Dadurch hatte ich das Gefühl, als warte er darauf, dass ihm ein Hinweis vor die Füße fällt – so war es dann auch ungefähr.
Es hat mich einfach nur frustriert. Die Abenteuer von Lukas waren nicht unspannend, dennoch hatte ich die ganze Zeit die Schwester im Hinterkopf. Irgendwann habe ich dann auch gedacht, dass sie sich bedanken wird, wenn ihr Bruder nach Jahren (!) zu ihr kommt. Ich hätte gelacht, wenn sie sich in der Zeit selbst befreit hätte.
Der Stil hat mir schon gut gefallen. Es geht recht flott voran, alles wird ziemlich gut aber nicht zu ausschweifend beschrieben und ich habe mich, bis auf die bereits erwähnten Sachen, gut einfinden können. Die Abenteuer waren echt spannend und wenn mich die Zeit nicht so genervt hätte, hätte ich durchaus mehr mitfiebern können.
Spoiler!
Gegen Ende hin bot das Buch auch noch einige Überraschungen, die ich zum Teil erahnt hatte, die aber gut eingewoben waren. Leider hat mir das eigentliche Ende dann nicht mehr so gut gefallen. Es gibt viel Action und eine große Kampfszene und dann ist es plötzlich vorbei. Einfach so, weil Lucas und seine Freunde an einem anderen Ort auftauchen. Da hatte ich dann auch das Gefühl, dass Wallenstein egal war. Er war keine unmittelbare Bedrohung mehr und die Burg aufzubauen hatte jetzt Priorität. Nein, wirklich, da war ich ziemlich enttäuscht von.
Die Charaktere waren, wie schon beschrieben, gut gezeichnet. Allerdings mochte ich Lucas' Freunde mehr als ihn. Sie waren mir einfach allesamt sympathischer, vermutlich habe ich von ihm auch etwas mehr erwartet.
Gut fand ich aber auch, dass sie sich nicht sofort alle super mochten, sondern eben erst noch Freundschaft schließen mussten. Das wirkte realistischer als bei anderen Büchern.
Besonders ans Herz gewachsen ist mit ja Giovanni. Er ist ziemlich clever und hat meist den richtigen Riecher. Aber auch Jerome und Paulus sind ganz lustig und mir gefiel, wie gut die Vier miteinander harmonierten.
Fazit:
Wer Abenteuer und Action mag, dabei auf eine starke Gefühlswelt verzichten kann, ist hier an genau der richtigen Stelle. Es geht schnell voran, es passiert sehr viel und man merkt, dass sich der Autor in seinem Metier und der Epoche auskennt.
Für mich gab es leider zu viele Kleinigkeiten, die mich gestört haben und meine Lust am Buch ließ immer mehr nach.
Aus diesem Grund gibt es nur 3 von 5 Herzen.
May 27, 2017
Interesting tale of a young boy coming to age in a time of war. After his father and mother are murders, and his sister is kidnapped, Lukas barely survives the mercenaries after him. He flees and finds good friends. During his adventures, he finds friends that he can count on and joins the regiment of the Black Musketeers while he searches for his missing sister as he promised his white witch mother. There is lots of sword fighting and magical events in the story. It was a good read, but Lukas was thirteen to fourteen in the story and it was hard to relate this teenager as he took on adventures that grown men couldn't handle. Overall, a good book and it was enjoyable.
February 17, 2019
Action and magic
Having been a fan of Oliver Pötzsch since the Hangman's Daughter series, the Book of the Night was filled with swashbuckling action, die-hard friendship and a dose of sinister evil countered by a white witch. All in all a fun read. The only reason for the one star markdown was Pötzsch's choice of narrator. Thoroughly American, he was incapable of even a trace of any convincing German accent, including the total butchery of German names and places. He even spoke the German letter ß as a "b" when it is actually a double "s" sound. Made me feel at times that the story took place in the Midwest. So read it; don't bother with Audible.
Having been a fan of Oliver Pötzsch since the Hangman's Daughter series, the Book of the Night was filled with swashbuckling action, die-hard friendship and a dose of sinister evil countered by a white witch. All in all a fun read. The only reason for the one star markdown was Pötzsch's choice of narrator. Thoroughly American, he was incapable of even a trace of any convincing German accent, including the total butchery of German names and places. He even spoke the German letter ß as a "b" when it is actually a double "s" sound. Made me feel at times that the story took place in the Midwest. So read it; don't bother with Audible.
August 9, 2019
Lukas's family is attacked by a witch hunter. His parents are killed, and Lukas goes on the run. But why does the evil Waldemar von Schonborn kidnap Lukas's sister, and what secret does he pursue? Luckily, Lukas finds friends to help him overcome the odds.
This novel is about magic, but it covers real-life history from the 1600's like battles in Germany during the Thirty Years War. Also, there is tons of sword-fighting and rescues and creeping around secret libraries and dungeons--all the good stuff. Besides, "All for one and one for all!" could totally be the motto of the Dudes!
This is the first book in The Black Musketeers series.
This novel is about magic, but it covers real-life history from the 1600's like battles in Germany during the Thirty Years War. Also, there is tons of sword-fighting and rescues and creeping around secret libraries and dungeons--all the good stuff. Besides, "All for one and one for all!" could totally be the motto of the Dudes!
This is the first book in The Black Musketeers series.
January 7, 2023
No question that this author can craft an intriguing story; I've purchased many of his books. It's unfortunate that, in this book, the prose lacks the same intrigue as the storyline. Seems like it comes down to the translator's word choice, and this one was "meh". The second book in this series has a different translator, and I'm hoping that the prose is richer.
I'll continue to buy this author's books as I do enjoy his creative stories. If you're new to this author, a better choice to start with is "The Hangman's Daughter" series; and my favorite, the two books covering the retelling of the Faust legend: "Master's Apprentice" and "Devil's Pawn".
I'll continue to buy this author's books as I do enjoy his creative stories. If you're new to this author, a better choice to start with is "The Hangman's Daughter" series; and my favorite, the two books covering the retelling of the Faust legend: "Master's Apprentice" and "Devil's Pawn".
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