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The Dark Apostle #4
Elisha Mancer
E.C. Ambrose's gritty, sharp historical fantasy series, The Dark Apostle, follows Elisha Barber through a magical reimagining of 14th-century England
Elisha was once a skilled barber-surgeon, but healing is no longer his finest art. After discovering his exceptional potential for a singularly deadly magic, Elisha has slain a king, stopped a war, and even had the regency thrust upon his own commoner’s head until he could rescue the true heir, Thomas.
With Thomas back on the throne of England, Elisha must now work on his king’s behalf to fight an even greater threat than civil war: the specter of the necromancers, a shadowy cabal that has already corrupted priests and princes, and that may have even grander, darker plans.
Elisha travels to the continent to warn England’s allies of the mancer threat, as well as to discover the full extent of the mancers’ plans. But it soon becomes clear that if he is to have any hope of stopping those plans from coming to fruition, he must forge new alliances in unexpected places—as well as embrace the terrifying magical abilities in his possession, a move he fears will make him into just the kind of man he strives against.
Elisha was once a skilled barber-surgeon, but healing is no longer his finest art. After discovering his exceptional potential for a singularly deadly magic, Elisha has slain a king, stopped a war, and even had the regency thrust upon his own commoner’s head until he could rescue the true heir, Thomas.
With Thomas back on the throne of England, Elisha must now work on his king’s behalf to fight an even greater threat than civil war: the specter of the necromancers, a shadowy cabal that has already corrupted priests and princes, and that may have even grander, darker plans.
Elisha travels to the continent to warn England’s allies of the mancer threat, as well as to discover the full extent of the mancers’ plans. But it soon becomes clear that if he is to have any hope of stopping those plans from coming to fruition, he must forge new alliances in unexpected places—as well as embrace the terrifying magical abilities in his possession, a move he fears will make him into just the kind of man he strives against.
- GenresFantasy
392 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2017
4 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
E.C. Ambrose
13 books64 followersI passed a peripatetic childhood reading way too many books, and eventually writing my own little stories, either inspired by my life (such as it was) or by whatever I was reading at the time. I thought I would grow up to be an archaeologist which explains why I read The Last Days of Pompeii at the age of nine. I was fortunate to have a few teachers early on who encouraged my literary tendencies—including one who let me stay inside to read during recess.
When I discovered the Society for Creative Anachronism, a medieval recreation group, I delved more deeply into medieval history, becoming enthralled with the dark castles, bloodsports and social expectations of the period. I nearly went to Fordham University for Medieval Studies, but chose Stanford instead—then withdrew as soon as humanly possible (before I ever started, as a matter of fact).
By this time, my stories accumulated rejection slips faster than the DOW was rising, yet I continued to hope my writing would be the answer. I started work on a first novel during a summer writing workshop, and finally finished it some years later, while depending on the refuge of aspiring writers everywhere: working customer service and living with family.
A second novel, begun with a notebook full of world-building concepts and great ambitions, lies dormant in a file my computer can no longer read. But when I met Elisha Barber, I knew I was on to something. I have to thank a local workshop with Dan Brown (slightly before he became THE Dan Brown) for my approach to the new project.
Now I find that once I start reading history, science, sociology, I discover a dozen different stories hiding in the details. . .
I live quietly in New England with my family, where I have just found the right dog to defend the new apple trees from the local whitetail deer population.
When I discovered the Society for Creative Anachronism, a medieval recreation group, I delved more deeply into medieval history, becoming enthralled with the dark castles, bloodsports and social expectations of the period. I nearly went to Fordham University for Medieval Studies, but chose Stanford instead—then withdrew as soon as humanly possible (before I ever started, as a matter of fact).
By this time, my stories accumulated rejection slips faster than the DOW was rising, yet I continued to hope my writing would be the answer. I started work on a first novel during a summer writing workshop, and finally finished it some years later, while depending on the refuge of aspiring writers everywhere: working customer service and living with family.
A second novel, begun with a notebook full of world-building concepts and great ambitions, lies dormant in a file my computer can no longer read. But when I met Elisha Barber, I knew I was on to something. I have to thank a local workshop with Dan Brown (slightly before he became THE Dan Brown) for my approach to the new project.
Now I find that once I start reading history, science, sociology, I discover a dozen different stories hiding in the details. . .
I live quietly in New England with my family, where I have just found the right dog to defend the new apple trees from the local whitetail deer population.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 7, 2018
In the beginning...
We find Elisha on his way to Brussels. He needs to find Emperor Ludwig, the father of King Thomas's first wife. Elisha needs to reach and warn him about the mancers and their plans.
Elisha finds much, much more than he had anticipated and as usual he is seemingly in this alone. He finds himself in the home of the Emperor and in the service of Ludwig's very pregnant wife. She insists that he accompany her on her pilgrimage to the salt mines, one of her country's most valuable assets. Elisha discovers that the salt inhibits his magical abilities, as it also does to the mancers that he knows are all around.
Along the way Elisha collects talismans of all sorts, ones that open up points of travel for him that he did not have before. He can use the Valley as his highway, however the most valuable one was a piece of the cross. Yes, that cross. He heads to Rome in his continued battle against the mancers.
I finished this book just as book five and the last book of the series came out. When I picked up book one I have to be honest, it took me a few chapters to get "into" it. Once I was drawn in, I was in to the end. I can not even begin to guess how Elisha's story will end but I intend to find out. I am hoping that you all are enjoying his journey as much as I am.
We find Elisha on his way to Brussels. He needs to find Emperor Ludwig, the father of King Thomas's first wife. Elisha needs to reach and warn him about the mancers and their plans.
Elisha finds much, much more than he had anticipated and as usual he is seemingly in this alone. He finds himself in the home of the Emperor and in the service of Ludwig's very pregnant wife. She insists that he accompany her on her pilgrimage to the salt mines, one of her country's most valuable assets. Elisha discovers that the salt inhibits his magical abilities, as it also does to the mancers that he knows are all around.
Along the way Elisha collects talismans of all sorts, ones that open up points of travel for him that he did not have before. He can use the Valley as his highway, however the most valuable one was a piece of the cross. Yes, that cross. He heads to Rome in his continued battle against the mancers.
I finished this book just as book five and the last book of the series came out. When I picked up book one I have to be honest, it took me a few chapters to get "into" it. Once I was drawn in, I was in to the end. I can not even begin to guess how Elisha's story will end but I intend to find out. I am hoping that you all are enjoying his journey as much as I am.
October 10, 2017
This review was first published on Kurt's Frontier.
Synopsis:
Once a skilled barber-surgeon, Elisha has discovered his potential for the magic of death. He has rescued King Thomas, his friend. Now, he must work on his king’s behalf to stop the shadowy cabal of necromancers. They have already corrupt priests and princes. Now he must journey to Europe to warn England’s allies and foil the necromancers’ plans.
With his friends thousands of miles away, Elisha must decide whom he can trust. But, how can he recognize friend from foe when he no longer recognizes himself. Each person he saves risks the success of his mission. Every time he uses his terrible power, he strikes a blow to his own humanity.
Review:
E. C. Ambrose’s Dark Apostle follows the story of Elisha, a barber-surgeon in 14th-century England. The fourth installment finds Elisha far from home, hunting the necromancers that have threatened his homeland and his king. Now they threaten Christian Europe by attempting to rot it from within. He is seeking the Holy Roman Emperor Ludwik. However, the Pope has declared another Emperor in his stead. With civil war brewing throughout Europe, Elisha struggles to control his terrible power as he journeys between Germany, Rome, and the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
As with her previous books, the story is interesting. The way magic works is believable. Sorcerers have certain affinities, such as with elements. Some have affinities with death: necromancers. Elisha has a powerful affinity with death. The magical battles were exiting. That said, it took some time to get through this book. While I can confess some distractions in my private life, the book did not provide an irresistible draw to get back to it.
The book is a fitting continuation of the series and an enjoyable read.
Synopsis:
Once a skilled barber-surgeon, Elisha has discovered his potential for the magic of death. He has rescued King Thomas, his friend. Now, he must work on his king’s behalf to stop the shadowy cabal of necromancers. They have already corrupt priests and princes. Now he must journey to Europe to warn England’s allies and foil the necromancers’ plans.
With his friends thousands of miles away, Elisha must decide whom he can trust. But, how can he recognize friend from foe when he no longer recognizes himself. Each person he saves risks the success of his mission. Every time he uses his terrible power, he strikes a blow to his own humanity.
Review:
E. C. Ambrose’s Dark Apostle follows the story of Elisha, a barber-surgeon in 14th-century England. The fourth installment finds Elisha far from home, hunting the necromancers that have threatened his homeland and his king. Now they threaten Christian Europe by attempting to rot it from within. He is seeking the Holy Roman Emperor Ludwik. However, the Pope has declared another Emperor in his stead. With civil war brewing throughout Europe, Elisha struggles to control his terrible power as he journeys between Germany, Rome, and the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
As with her previous books, the story is interesting. The way magic works is believable. Sorcerers have certain affinities, such as with elements. Some have affinities with death: necromancers. Elisha has a powerful affinity with death. The magical battles were exiting. That said, it took some time to get through this book. While I can confess some distractions in my private life, the book did not provide an irresistible draw to get back to it.
The book is a fitting continuation of the series and an enjoyable read.
June 11, 2017
"...Again Elisha is alone on his journey with enemies all around. He continues to try to do the right thing but it seems fate is determined to put obstacles in his way. He makes a few friends along the way but they may not be able to help him in the long run. Things get pretty dark and there are some drastic and awful moments. He loses friends and innocent lives are lost. He can't win for losing, but somehow he is able to overcome some very difficult odds"~HCHarju
"Copyright Night Owl Reviews".
For the entire review go to nightowlreviews.com
"Copyright Night Owl Reviews".
For the entire review go to nightowlreviews.com
July 9, 2017
Originally I thought this series was a trilogy. However there will be 5 books, it seems. This being book 4, and somewhat the middle/not-quite-the-end of the story, it did seem to lag a bit. I struggled to get through it, once I reached about the middle, and did wish an editor had suggested a trimming of the story. But the ending did revive my interest is the series and I am wanting to read the final installment when it comes out. I am hoping the final book will be better paced.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews