Betrayal of Angels

Illyria #1

by Armin Shimerman

The Queen’s conjurer, Doctor John Dee is an Elizabethan mathematician, cryptographer, and mystic, commissioned by Her Majesty’s spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, to suss out a noble Count who governs an island in the English Channel. Dee’s mission? Uncover treason, reveal terrorists, and unveil threats to The Crown.

Embarking, Dr. Dee is accosted by an eager acolyte. The unknown teen playwright, William, has just endured his first flop—Prince Amleth. Will solicits the renowned scholar’s mentorship.

A winter tide sees these unlikely collaborators set sail for the Channel Islands to sleuth out sedition on Protestant England’s strategic outpost. On Illyria, clues appear as Dee comes to rely on the surprising ingenuity of his young companion. Clandestine powers collide as Queen Elizabeth’s spy tracks each slim lead. When Dee is brought to the brink of destruction, can his incipient discovery of Count Orsino’s recusants and loyalists be thwarted?

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

440 pages, Paperback

First published November 5, 2020

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Armin Shimerman brings his extensive knowledge of Elizabethan England and Shakespeare to life in this fascinating work of historical fiction that puts “Shakespeare in Love” to shame. Shimerman’s ability to weave references from the bard’s work into this imagined (yet believable) mystery is as delightful as it is impressive. I’m looking forward to part two!

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Armin's new book Illyria. Enjoyed it very much! Written in the Elizabethan Style, not fast paced but not slow either and written in such a way that makes you think, consider, and enjoy the story. Shakespeare meets Sherlock with a bit of Baldacci thrown in.

[Sebastian Hagedorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. I couldn't get into it. The writing style rubs me the wrong way. I don't like that it's told in the present tense, and while I guess it's OK to have the dialogue in Elizabethan-style English, I think it's too much of an affectation to use it elsewhere as well.

[haley / halyonix · Rating 3 out of 5]

got about 100 pages in and quit not because of the writing but just because i'm not interested in victorian england genre

[Stephen Hamilton · Rating 2 out of 5]

The underlying story is interesting enough, but the book is overwritten and suffers from an excess of adjectives and a dearth of likeable characters.

[Lisa Lemelin]

Dnf - did not understand

[Jennifer Nanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place in Elizabethan England. The primary character is John Dee who is some sort of an occultist or mystic as he tries to communicate with angels and dabbles in "dark arts ". He is sent on a spy mission to IIyria to investigate possible treachery. His sidekick is a young Will Shakespeare who is learning his writing craft.

I appreciated learning who the main character was who is based on a real person. I appreciate his love of books and willingness to explore different elements of religious faith in order to communicate with angels.

I like the writing. The writing has a interesting blend of Shakespeare style writing but modern enough that the reader can understand.

I have a feeling that there were a lot of allusions to elements of Shakespeare stories I am just not well versed in Shakespeare enough to pick up on them.

This is part one. The team getting together, getting the orders to go and getting there is pretty much the main point of this book. Hopefully I can pick up book two and find out what happens.

[Han-Ching Joyce Chiu · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first 10% of the book I struggled with adapting to the Elizabethan English. After I got used to it, I was able to feel intrigued and looked forward to the rest at around 30% of the book.

But then the book meandered and at 75% I started thinking that this is going to be a very abrupt end.

As it turned out, it didn’t wrap up at all.

This annoyed me to no end.

A sequel is fine, but I expect a book to have a contained story. Otherwise it’s all pointless self indulgence. A waste of my time.

[Amber Massey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many actors are known for passing the time between scenes by reading or knitting or doing needle point, Armin Shimerman has spent his time writing these historical novels set during Elizabethan England. I have enjoyed this first book in the series and look forward to the next.