Master of Shadows

by Neil Oliver

In fifteenth-century Constantinople, Prince Constantine saves the life of a broken-hearted girl. But the price of his valour is high. John Grant is a young man on the edge of the world. His unique abilities carry him from his home in Scotland to the heart of the Byzantine Empire in search of a girl and the chance to fulfil a death-bed promise. Lena has remained hidden from the men who have been searching for her for many years. When she's hunted down, at last she knows what she must do. With an army amassing beyond the city's ancient walls, the fates of these three will intertwine. As the Siege of Constantinople reaches its climax, each must make a choice between head and heart, duty and destiny.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Medieval, War, Unfinished

512 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2015

About the author

Neil Oliver is a Scottish archaeologist, historian, broadcaster and writer who has become widely known as the presenter of BBC television's series A History of Scotland and Coast.

His first fiction novel, Master of Shadows, is published by Orion in September 2015.

He lives in Stirling with his wife and three children.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts with a historical note about 1453 and the advance of the Ottomans on the eastern Christian empire of Constantinople. Rumoured to be among the city’s defenders was a Scot called John Grant. Neil Oliver, historian and TV presenter, takes the real life Grant and fictionalizes him in this, his debut novel; a novel rich in detail, historical context, colours and smells.
It starts with disparate snapshots: a boy lies in a meadow and feels invisible; a stranger arrives at a Scottish village; a woman, chopping wood, feels threatened; a young girl leaps from a high wall, expecting to die.
A Moorish solider, tall and imposing with his curved blade, arrives in Scotland at the castle of a Lord. Secretly he is seeking a specific woman. He had fought in wars alongside her husband and promised to keep her and their son safe if he should die. Badr becomes a surrogate father to the boy and teaches him everything he knows, later they fight side-by-side in battle. Leña lives amongst nuns. Given her name - which means ‘firewood’ in Spanish - I thought was a Spanish woman but in the memories of her childhood we learn she, too, has been to Scotland, and speaks French. So the mystery continues.
The storylines are many and intriguing and for a long time I puzzled over how they connected. It is a story about the connections of blood, the duty owed to family. It is a long book (448 pages) but never seemed so long to be off-putting. There were passages a little too ‘history heavy’ for me, but I’m sure some readers will gobble it up.
All-in-all, a great debut. Not all historians can tell a page-turning fictional story, for some it takes three or four novels before they hit their stride, so I’m looking forward to Oliver’s next novel.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...

[lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master of Shadows is an enthralling historical novel which brings to life a fascinating period of great violence in our world history. A fictional account of the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman empire.

It is also the engaging story of soul twins John Grant and Constantine.

In 15th century Constantinople a grief stricken girl Yaminah jumps to certain death. However her fall is broken and life saved by Prince Constantine, heir to the Byzantium throne. In this act of selflessness Prince Constantine is left crippled.

In the scottish borders at this time a young man John Grant, with special mysterious abilities, is rescued from death by a powerful Moor, Badr Khassam.

The book culminates several years later, during the siege of Constantinople in 1453 as John and Constantine meet. By this time John Grant is a mercenary for hire, trained in the arts of warfare by Badr.

John Grant is a character full of light and shade, and jumps right off the page. He has the supernatural ability to feel the world move and sense the people around him. He is a ruthless killer who despatches his enemies with ease, but is a personable hero full of heart and courage. Although fictional his story is based on the real John Grant a scotsman who was employed by the Byzantine Empire at the fall of Constantinople in 1453, whose use of counter-tunnelling prevented the Turks from weakening or invading Constantinople from under the walls. Perhaps the real John Grant did not have the powers of Neil Oliver's and relied more on his scots engineering skills. But I love Neil Oliver's twist.

Who was the master of shadows? For me it was both John and Constantine, two souls as one.
"He made no noise as he drifted into the darkness, all but floating over the ground as he felt for each step. His breath trailed noiselessly from his open mouth. With his eyes closed he summoned his consciousness and sent it out ahead of him, further into the void."
"Like a loved one, the darkness took him in her arms."
John is so light and a shadow himself and seamlessly merges into the darkness. While Constantine is a real master of shadows, of the shadow puppets he creates to engage with the world and enrich his crippled existence.

The middle section of the book lost me briefly as I found the transition between the different times and places on occasion confusing. However the story came together again quickly. I then got absorbed again in the characters and their story and read the last half in one go.

A particular reward was the locations, not just the fervour of Constantinople at war, but for me the interest was in the scottish borders and Isle of Islay locations which I am familiar with and where my ancestors lie.

This book is highly recommended. I am liking Neil Oliver's well written debut fictional endeavor as much as his factual books such as Vikings. His knowledge, expertise and passion is evident in Master of Shadows. I anticipate further novels. John Grant is a keeper and worthy of further writing and exploration.

- Received from publisher Orion on netgalley for honest review thank you

[Brittany Wouters · Rating 1 out of 5]

What in the name of the Creator was this nonsense?! It started off well, but then seemed to divert between present sequences and past- at one point I was concerned the protagonist's father was hanging around as a ghost, and quite frankly...I couldn't finish this. I got up to the scene with the excrement, and then quit. I can't take any more of this weirdness.
Master of Shadows appears to be a book in shambles, rapidly flicking from one timeline to another, and it's very difficult to keep up- it's even more difficult to imagine Joan of Arc as a 39 year old woman, and I can't applaud Oliver's alternate universe at all, given that it feels so very disconnected to the rest of the novel (not that it's especially coherent anyway, but...)
Another point of contention is his treatment of women; barring Joan, the only women on the scene as far as I read were the mother, and she died like a dozen pages after nearly being gangbanged, and the unamed tavern wench, who was suddenly perceived as full of flaws by our ever so chaming protagonist after he'd gotten what he wanted.
What utter rubbish...

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough that I wanted to finish it, but it sure was a bit of a slog at times.

[R.M.F. Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Won in a Goodreads' giveaway

Whenever I review a work of modern, historical fiction, I'm always reminded of the wonderful spirit of adventure in The Three Musketeers, or Conan Doyle's eccentric, but swashbuckling saga, The White Company.
When monks are too the fore, the natural comparison is The Name of The Rose, and when reviewing any work of historical fiction based in Scotland, then Sir Walter Scott is a useful reference point.

It may strike people as grossly unfair that I should compare The Master of Shadows to such luminaries, but Neil Oliver, gifted TV presenter, and excellent academic, has clearly demonstrated a talent for writing.

But does that talent transfer across to fiction?

Sadly, it does not. The plot, that transports us from the wilds of the Scottish Borders, to the dying days of the Byzantines, and their doomed capital, Constantinople, is a decent premise, allowing plenty of time for the main character to undergo the customary bildungsroman, a key component of any protagonist in modern literature.

The characters themselves are plausible, grounded in reality, and given Oliver's archaeological background; everything has been, unsurprisingly, meticulously researched.

Unfortunately, these great strengths are hobbled by clunky sentence construction and stilted descriptions, that kills any tension and disrupts the smooth flow of text from page to page, that most people fail to notice when constructed by a skilled author such as Hilary Mantel or Patrick O'Brian.

The Master of Shadows promised a lot, delivered in parts, but ultimately, was let down by poor execution.

[Liviu · Rating 4 out of 5]

For this one I was alternating between - "outrageous, over the top, throw it at the wall" and "really interesting" - even now cannot really make my mind which is it - a two star or a five star but overall I think that eliciting emotions and keeping my interest was a positive - the twists (again cannot decide between "col" and "outrageous") and one's reading experience in books about the 1453 siege (for me this was among the weakest from that point of view) will determine how one enjoys/appreciates the novel; enough good stuff to keep an eye on what the author publishes next

[Bard Groupie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, fantastic book and I was sad to get to the end. I wanted more. Perhaps there might be a volume 2 in the future?
For those of us who are visual thinkers, I found myself in the thick of it throughout the book. While reading it is easy to imagine so many possibilities in history. I just wish I had read this book before visiting Turkey.
Looking forward to more from this author.

[Liz Titley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow I just couldn't engage with the characters, I don't know why.

[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this paperback copy from the publisher via Goodreads in exchange for an honest review
I had seen and enjoyed Neil Oliver’s history programmes on TV, and was eager to see what he could bring to fiction. I expected enthusiasm and historical content, but what I did not expect was such wonderful prose with vivid imagery – from the start of the prologue and throughout the book.
It has one of my all time favourite, empathetic images of a loved one suffering from dementia: “Old age had taken Ama’s stories along with so much else. She embodied Isabella’s past but had access to none of it. Her stories had too departed one by one, like guests leaving a party in the wee small hours; time to go. She existed now in a warm haze of confusion”. Ama is not one of the main characters, though intrinsically moulds the world view of Yaminah, but her finger-bone has a very important part to play near the end.
The stories of the John Grant (Scottish), Lena (French) and Yaminah (Byzantine) are skilfully interwoven with historical fact, European geography and a touch of fantasy. John Grant has inherited some form of Gaelic “second sight”, Lena believes herself touched by, and on a mission from, God, and Yaminah survives physical and psychological trauma that would kill a normal human being, but remains eternally positive and caring.
The second tier of characters such as Badr Khassan, Sir Robert, Prince Constantine, Douka and Helena are almost as well drawn as the three main characters. They each have their flaws and (except Sir Robert) their redeeming features, and are all fully believable. And then there is Armstrong, who is an implacable, superhuman fighting machine, who appears when you least expect him and reigns death all around.
If you read the book as just an historical novel, you will probably be disappointed, as the great historian Neil Oliver does not stick to the acknowledged facts. But read it as the wonderful work of fantasy (with a solid historical backbone) that it is, and you cannot help but be impressed. The book spans Europe, but historically only covers about 30 years – however it was a very eventful 30 years that changed European history forever.
I recently read “The Lost World of Byzantium” by Jonathon Harris which is a brilliant factual book on the history of whole Byzantine empire. And many years ago read the Guy Gavriel Kay’s Byzantine fantasy “Sailing to Sarantium” which first piqued my interest in Constantinople (and mosaics). The latter book has a lot in common with “Master of Shadows”, and I would recommend it to any one who has enjoyed Neil Oliver’s book.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Among [Constantinople]’s defenders was a man cloaked in shadow. He is mentioned in accounts of the siege, but only in a few lines here and there.

Some writers described him as German, but in fact he was a Scot, and his name was John Grant.’

I picked this novel up for two reasons. First, it featured John Grant, an engineer who played a key role in the fall of Constantinople in 1453 but about whom little is known. Secondly, I’m a huge fan of Neil Oliver and wanted to see whether his fiction is as good as his non-fiction.

The story shifts between Scotland and Constantinople, between a number of characters, including John Grant, Prince Constantine and a mysterious woman known as Lena. Mr Oliver weaves a complex story (yes, I was hearing him narrate it as I read) and I enjoyed most of it. But is it historical fiction, or alternative history? I don’t want to spoil the novel for anyone who has yet to read it. I will say, though, that I found it easier to read past a certain point if I regarded the novel as presenting an alternative history. Otherwise, the identity of one particular character would have had me closing the book and throwing it at the wall.

I liked the depiction of John Grant, and I found Badr Khassan intriguing. Under Badr Khassan’s guidance, John Grant grows from a boy with a mysterious past, surrounded by secrets, into an effective mercenary. John Grant has unusual abilities, and a sense of honour. His life becomes a quest to keep a death-bed promise, and he meets some interesting people along the way.

As the action moved to Constantinople, to the siege, I found myself less concerned about historical accuracy and more interested in how this particular story was going to end. I read that a sequel is planned for release later this year. Yes, I’ll be looking to read it. I want to know how John Grant’s story will continue.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give it 4.5 stars, but goodreads doesn't allow me to do that. It's a really great first novel - much much better than most freshman efforts and this is likely due to the fact that he is an absolutely natural storyteller. The only critical thing I'd say - and honestly, I liked the book so much and I like Neil Oliver so much that I'm loathe to hurt his feelings in any way, but it was something that stood out for me so I feel I must mention it - is that we stayed with John for so long in the beginning, that when he changed gears and POV characters, I didn't feel as connected to any of the subsequent characters as much, except possibly Yaminah - but I cannot explain precisely why it was her more than the others without spoiling a great reveal. I would have liked to stay with John more, when I wasn't following him, I missed him. So really, bravo on creating a very magnetic and likable protagonist!

What I would say is that whatever else he writes, I'll read that as well. I read it fast, in just a week, it was great pacing and entertaining overall. I would also add that he can write quite well, and what I mean by that is language use; it's quite beautiful, so that was a pleasure. Far and above most novelists these days and economic. He is knowledgable of the power of words and language and so uses them wisely.

(review also written on Amazon.com)

[Bryn Shutt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been looking forward to Scottish historian Neil Oliver's debut novel for quite some time and was not at all disappointed ... or perhaps I was.

The plot, the research, the storytelling style - all were perfect (of course, the dialogue must be imagined in Oliver's charming Scottish accent), and the characters themselves were brilliant and engaging. The storyline did jump around in time a little, but was simple enough to follow. Oliver took a period of history that I have not spent much time on and explored and enriched it in an enchanting blend of fact and fantasy.

My only complaint (and it's a strong one) with the novel was the maturity and frankness of a few subjects I prefer left out of stories ... or this would most certainly have a five star book for me. The main love story in Master of Shadows was one of the most beautiful I've encountered in years, but the other times romance was handled was far too mature and open for my tastes. Language was absent from the story for the most part and violence is just to be expected in a story about war and betrayal.

In the end, Oliver did not disappointed in that he proved to be just as much a master at writing down the facts and then mixing them fiction as he is at presenting just the plain, bare facts.

[Helen Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as a historian who is familiar with the other end of the history of Christian Constantinople/Byzantium, and of course with Neil's work as a history presenter. I was interested in learning more about the transfer of power from Christian to Muslim rule, but too busy/lazy to do the research!
I found it interesting, but not as rich a story as I had hoped. Part of the problem in reviewing this book is not knowing enough to tell what resources Neil had available to him, and which of them he used. As a novel rather than a historical work, there was no reference to any source material. And since it didn't cover the consequences of the change of power, it didn't give me what I was looking for.
That said, I enjoyed the drawing together of the main characters and their very different backgrounds. The story conveys a sense of the differing cultures and beliefs that mixed and clashed in the eastern empire at the time, though not with the impact of some other historical novels that have been set in and around the city.
If I was asked for a recommendation for a historical novel that captured the feel of Byzantium, I would still go for an earlier era and suggest Robert Graves' Count Belisarius or for younger readers, Peter Dickinson's The Dancing Bear.

[Rosie Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy watching any documentary that Neil Oliver is involved with, his passion for history and archaeology very obvious in his presentation. This novel was no different, his depth of research and delight in the narrative clear in this fascinating tale, set in an era of history I know little about.

The twists and turns keep you turning the pages and the characters are cleverly shaped, the author offering snippets here and there which eventually build up to form an intriguing picture of how their lives connect and intertwine for good or for bad and one that draws the reader in. The main protagonist, John Grant, comes across as an eminently great guy; reliable, trustworthy and someone you would want as a friend. I was immediately vested in him and hoped against hope that he would survive the ensuing madness.

It took me a little longer to read than I expected, as occasionally I found it hard to work out where I actually was in the plot line. However that in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the story. Recommended to anyone who likes their fiction to be based on historical fact, blended with a vivid imagination, a touch of fantasy and very believable characters.

[Philip Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neil Oliver is an engaging TV presenter with bags of enthusiasm & twinkly Celtic charm. This is his first novel, a historical epic culminating in the siege of Constantinople (this description alone, plus the classy cover, had my interest). It's certainly a grand adventure with swordplay, despicable villains and a young hero with a mysterious past. The action moves from 15th century Scotland to Spain, and the Constantinople siege is brought to vivid gory life. There are twists, lots of authentic period detail and an appearance by a Famous Historical Figure who is v. much the kick-ass heroine.

Four stars is a tad generous. The numerous flashbacks are a bit confusing and the style a little flowery: we see some of the events through the eyes of a vulture, or rather a 'lammergeier' (?), and I honestly thought our hero was in group dance for four pages before realising it was a battle. Our hero's family secrets are all a bit 'Mills & Boon'- we're still getting 'big reveals' late into the book. Still, it's a debut novel so we'll cut him some slack. It's a fun ride and I'll be back onboard for the next.

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been a fan of Neil Oliver since 'Two Men in a Trench', I was eagerly looking forward to seeing if his seemingly effortless presenting style and knack for making even the mundane seem interesting would translate into historical fiction. I was not disappointed. I found that it was easy to become completely immersed in the world brought to life by the author.

As someone who is interested in history and archaeology, I appreciated the attention to detail and I found the descriptions of the places and people to be vivid and it was easy to picture them in my mind. Always a sign of a good book, in my view. Some historical fiction can be a bit like easy listening music - easily forgotten - but I found that this book has actually piqued my interest in learning more about fifteenth century Byzantium.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable reading experience, the book jacket is absolutely gorgeous, and I will definitely keep a look out for any further fiction books by the author.

[Snoakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously Neil Oliver's first novel was always going to be a bit of a historical epic - and this doesn't disappoint. The story sweeps from 15th century Constantinople to Scotland and back again. But don't expect a dry, factually accurate tome - Mr Oliver has definitely got his storytelling head on. History purists beware though as the identity of one key character may make you squirm. But remind yourself that this is a novel based in history with a gilding of romance and fantasy and you will have a lot of fun (especially if like me you cannot help but hear the prose in his Scottish mellifluous tones. I do hope he read his own audio book). The story zooms along like all good page turners do with great characters and plenty of action. Apparently a sequel is in the pipeline and I shall certainly look forward to that. I also rather hope that in the future he gives full reign to his imagination and writes a full-on fantasy novel.

[Lorraine Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

n fifteenth-century Constantinople, Prince Constantine saves the life of a broken-hearted girl. But the price of his valour is high.

John Grant is a young man on the edge of the world. His unique abilities carry him from his home in Scotland to the heart of the Byzantine Empire in search of a girl and the chance to fulfil a death-bed promise.

Lena has remained hidden from the men who have been searching for her for many years. When she's hunted down, at last she knows what she must do.

With an army amassing beyond the city's ancient walls, the fates of these three will intertwine. As the Siege of Constantinople reaches its climax, each must make a choice between head and heart, duty and destiny.
This book exceeded my expections - A really enjoyable novel - look forward to future novels from this author.

[Judith Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. I asked for it as a Christmas present and was not disappointed.
A fascinating historical read, begins in Scotland then France then Constantinople. A place I know very little about historically. It sets the scene well.
The story is interesting and characters well drawn. I wanted to know more about them all and the author reveals all slowly and keeps the mystery about all the relationships going.
One note jarred with me though - Neil Oliver is a historian/ archaeologist so I was surprised to find him referring to tomatoes at one point. The book is set in the early to mid 1400s; Columbus didn't sail the ocean blue till 1492 and tomatoes came from the Americas. I checked.
I am curious now to find out more about the siege of Constantinople so I do hope I don't find any more historical bloomers.

[Angie Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neil Oliver is a well known Scottish Archacologist,Historian and TV presenter, having written factual books, this is first novel, and what a novel!
Set in Scotland and Constantinople , it tells of John Grant a young man, who has a gift, that he calls "The Push" , it enables him to "feel" things before they happen, he cam also feel the gravitational pull of the Earth. It is this gift that saves him, more than once,
With a great array of characters, this is a book, with everything, you could wish for, Magic, Romance, Heroic Men, and Women,
It is a book of great adventure,the perfect book, to escape into. The only thing wrong with it? It finished!!

[Sarah Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d concur with what others have said and I almost gave this 3 stars because it was hard going at times: some sections seemed a bit repetitive and like exercises in creative writing and other sections where the author’s love of history took over a bit! However, in the end it was a fun story based (very loosely) on some interesting culture and history and the various threads and themes were actually pulled together quite cleverly in the end.

[Karyn Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed the story arc - made all the better by hearing it in my head being read to by Neil Oliver!
enough history to feel authentic but enough suspense, drama and interest to lead you through its twists and turns. Finished and felt that disappointment that you feel the characters were in many ways just beginning on a new story - so hope for more to come.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad story from Scotland to Constantinople.
Ending was a little, eh...

Highlight of the book: Modern day Istanbul is Constantinople!!! 25 years and I didn't know that!
Fascinating to learn a little more about the 1400's and the Byzantines (East Roman Empire) and the Ottoman Empire with their Sultans.

Neil Oliver would be proud.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The story was one I am not familiar with and the characters were well rounded out. The writing style was easy to read and I hope Neil does some more historical novels. I certainly learned some new facts as well as some new words. Great writing, great storytelling.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thrilled when I discovered that I had won this book in the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway, as I usually love this genre.

I never write a synopsis of what a story is about for fear of spoiling for others. All I will say is that this was an ok read and that I did finish the book.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Neil Oliver and he didn't disappoint . The historical plot lost its way slightly
in the middle of the novel but gained momentum for the ending which looks like more to follow
Neil researches his work and tries to intermingle fact with fiction and if works well.

[Lauren White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a long, and slightly too gory in places, but I loved loved loved it. The characters were all great, I had no idea what would happen next, and no one died unecessarily. Definitely recommend

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real rip-roaring historical adventure.

If you like Bernard Cornwall's Archer books then you will like this.

Fascinating bringing threads of history together and spinning a fantastic yarn

Well done Mr Oliver for a 1st book

[Omelia Legg · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a first novel this is rather good :-) The only parts I didn't like were the torture scenes which made me feel sick and weepy as they were very graphic! Fab description throughout, I really felt like I was there at times and was very emotionally attached to the characters :-)

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written. i enjoyed it.