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This Thing Of Darkness
Shakespeare fakes his own death and flees to the New World in this gripping historical fantasy adventure. Desperate to escape a failed marriage and the suffocating weight of fame, the Bard encounters a land of paranoid settlers, mercurial tribes, and a legendary monster. This reimagined history is a high-stakes journey of survival that will either kill him or define his legacy. Perfect for fans of Hamnet or the genre-bending thrills of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, the award-winning This Thing of Darkness is a must-read for lovers of literary thrillers and alternate history.
224 pages, Paperback
Published May 3, 2022
3 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Allan Batchelder
10 books194 followersAllan is a professional actor, educator and former stand-up comedian. In addition to Steel, Blood & Fire, he's also written plays, screenplays, online articles, dialogue for computer games, greeting card sentiments and more. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a Master's in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University. He is a huge fan of Shakespeare, Steven Erikson, Joe Abercrombie, Glen Cook, George R.R. Martin, Tad Williams, and R. Scott Bakker. Allan lives in Seattle with his wife and son, where he enjoys walks on the beach, reading in the garden and puttering around on his computer. Oh, and naps. He LOVES naps.
Allan is a professional actor, educator and former stand-up comedian. In addition to Blood, Steel & Fire, he's also written plays, screenplays, online articles, dialogue for computer games, greeting card sentiments and more. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a Master's in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University. He is a huge fan of Shakespeare, Steven Erikson, Joe Abercrombie, Glen Cook, George R.R. Martin, Tad Williams, and R. Scott Bakker. Allan lives in Seattle with his wife and son, where he enjoys walks on the beach, reading in the garden and puttering around on his computer. Oh, and naps. He LOVES naps.
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Allan is a professional actor, educator and former stand-up comedian. In addition to Blood, Steel & Fire, he's also written plays, screenplays, online articles, dialogue for computer games, greeting card sentiments and more. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a Master's in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University. He is a huge fan of Shakespeare, Steven Erikson, Joe Abercrombie, Glen Cook, George R.R. Martin, Tad Williams, and R. Scott Bakker. Allan lives in Seattle with his wife and son, where he enjoys walks on the beach, reading in the garden and puttering around on his computer. Oh, and naps. He LOVES naps.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 24, 2022
This had a very cheesy look to it. It made me expect something along the lines of Will Shakespeare, the Monster Slayer. I’ve never heard of the author, the official description of the book was minimalistic and the cover is…well, kinda corny, isn’t it?
Which is to say, there was absolutely nothing to prepare me for how good of a read this turned out to be and how much fun.
So, what’s a man to do in the early 1600s when he gets tired of it all…the fame, the creditors, the married life? Why, set off for a new world, of course. With an illegitimate son by a black prostitute in tow, no less. At the very least, it’ll be an adventure.
Along the way, Will acquires a companion named Margaret, a very large and strong man leading life as a woman.
The unusual, by local standards anyway, trio arrives in Jamestown and proceeds to set up a life, only to find it threatened on several ends…by angry locals, Powhatans Natives and a strange carnivorous creature that stalks the land. That’s like Jack Reacher amounts of crap, too much to deal with for an aging and tired bard and yet…to the occasion he shall rise.
This is that story. Well told. With terrifically engaging characters rendered with warmth and surprising realism, where descending into caricatures would have been so easy. With vivid descriptions and humorous banter and bookboombastic action scenes. Such a good story. Way to make colonial America exciting. This book was tons of fun. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
Which is to say, there was absolutely nothing to prepare me for how good of a read this turned out to be and how much fun.
So, what’s a man to do in the early 1600s when he gets tired of it all…the fame, the creditors, the married life? Why, set off for a new world, of course. With an illegitimate son by a black prostitute in tow, no less. At the very least, it’ll be an adventure.
Along the way, Will acquires a companion named Margaret, a very large and strong man leading life as a woman.
The unusual, by local standards anyway, trio arrives in Jamestown and proceeds to set up a life, only to find it threatened on several ends…by angry locals, Powhatans Natives and a strange carnivorous creature that stalks the land. That’s like Jack Reacher amounts of crap, too much to deal with for an aging and tired bard and yet…to the occasion he shall rise.
This is that story. Well told. With terrifically engaging characters rendered with warmth and surprising realism, where descending into caricatures would have been so easy. With vivid descriptions and humorous banter and bookboombastic action scenes. Such a good story. Way to make colonial America exciting. This book was tons of fun. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
February 19, 2022
THIS THING OF DARKNESS by Allan Batchelder is a high concept novel if I've ever heard one: What if William Shakespeare faked his death and tried to make a new life in Jamestown? It's an interesting promise that I am arguably spoiling a bit of a reveal but is the chief reason to pick up this fascinating novel. Its title and events certainly give this the appearance of a horror novel but it also works very well as a character study. I am happy to recommend it without further bringing any elements of its plot in on the basis of its research and authenticity of human feeling. Which is not something I normally say about a monster stalking a bunch of English settlers.
The premise, as quirky as it may be, is something that is grounded by "William Kemp" whose true identity is something that the story eases into but leaves plenty of clues to from the beginning. William has his reasons for wanting to fake his death and flee England that we gradually discover through the judicious use of flashbacks but the point is that he is not someone who easily fits into the ranks of the new colony.
Partially due to the reasons that he fled, partially due to his high intellect, his irreligiosity (mostly expressed in a lack of interest in regular churchgoing--a horrible offense then), and his fear of being discovered, he lives at the edge of the community. He makes association with other outcasts, though, and forms his own little community that leaves him content for a time.
There is something out there in the woods, though, and William's imagination draws parallels between Grendel and his own Caliban, especially when signs that it's a kind of cannibalistic monster. Is it a werewolf, 16th century serial killer, troll, or something wholly new? The locals, as you can imagine, are quick to blame the local Powhatan. Even William is skeptical of his own mind at work when he notes that a perhaps more likely explanation is some of the released criminals at work in the colony combined with the victims' bodies being feasted on by animals postmortem.
If I were to make an odd comparison, this reminds me a bit of the John Cussack Edgar Allan Poe movie, The Raven, except much better. That movie suffered from making its titular celebrity the center of the murders as well as forced into their investigation. Here William is a reluctant detective and doesn't have any skill at it but is moved by the fact it personally threatens him as well as those people he cares about. I appreciate all the effort Allan Batchelder takes to humanizing the Bard with his regrets over his failed marriage, relationship with a prostitute named Luca, and the jokes of plagiarism made about him.
This is the rare book I state is just extremely good from start to finish and is one that benefits extremely from its prose. While not William Shakespeare himself, he manages to create a believable enough man that could theoretically come up with England's greatest plays. A somewhat roguish man but never so much as to be unbelievable for the time period. A somewhat darker and more morose version of SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE's take on the Bard perhaps. The supporting cast is solid too and I cared enough about them to want to see whether they became monster chow.
Highly recommended.
The premise, as quirky as it may be, is something that is grounded by "William Kemp" whose true identity is something that the story eases into but leaves plenty of clues to from the beginning. William has his reasons for wanting to fake his death and flee England that we gradually discover through the judicious use of flashbacks but the point is that he is not someone who easily fits into the ranks of the new colony.
Partially due to the reasons that he fled, partially due to his high intellect, his irreligiosity (mostly expressed in a lack of interest in regular churchgoing--a horrible offense then), and his fear of being discovered, he lives at the edge of the community. He makes association with other outcasts, though, and forms his own little community that leaves him content for a time.
There is something out there in the woods, though, and William's imagination draws parallels between Grendel and his own Caliban, especially when signs that it's a kind of cannibalistic monster. Is it a werewolf, 16th century serial killer, troll, or something wholly new? The locals, as you can imagine, are quick to blame the local Powhatan. Even William is skeptical of his own mind at work when he notes that a perhaps more likely explanation is some of the released criminals at work in the colony combined with the victims' bodies being feasted on by animals postmortem.
If I were to make an odd comparison, this reminds me a bit of the John Cussack Edgar Allan Poe movie, The Raven, except much better. That movie suffered from making its titular celebrity the center of the murders as well as forced into their investigation. Here William is a reluctant detective and doesn't have any skill at it but is moved by the fact it personally threatens him as well as those people he cares about. I appreciate all the effort Allan Batchelder takes to humanizing the Bard with his regrets over his failed marriage, relationship with a prostitute named Luca, and the jokes of plagiarism made about him.
This is the rare book I state is just extremely good from start to finish and is one that benefits extremely from its prose. While not William Shakespeare himself, he manages to create a believable enough man that could theoretically come up with England's greatest plays. A somewhat roguish man but never so much as to be unbelievable for the time period. A somewhat darker and more morose version of SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE's take on the Bard perhaps. The supporting cast is solid too and I cared enough about them to want to see whether they became monster chow.
Highly recommended.
June 9, 2022
How to avoid the biggest spoiler in the book and write a review that does it justice? I’ll give it a crack.
The core concept is original, I’ve not seen the idea presented for the historical figure in question, which given the other conspiracy theories surrounding them, is a little strange. It means that the concept works, albeit some elements require more of a suspension of disbelief than others. With such a high concept novel, it could so easily have fallen to being trashy or absurd if executed poorly. That’s where the quality of the writing comes in. The characters are believable for the time, and for who they are supposed to be, albeit there is perhaps some wish fulfilment as to the morality of the historical figure mentioned above. Maybe he would have held views which would seem to be an anachronism, maybe his humanity was such that those views would be inevitable. Your own politics will determine which way you judge this, I bought it but if you didn’t it wouldn’t ruin things for you. Why not? Well, the author’s politics are never rammed down your throat and whether you agree with them or not, you’ll find the characters are so well drawn and the pacing so tight, you won’t really be worried about such issues as tension mounts. In short, the story, the characters, and the plot come before any question of theme. Seems to me that’s the right order for a good novel. And this is. Very, very good indeed. The attention to historical detail is a match for any historical novel I’ve read and it’s great to see such effort put into a story which straddles the line between historical novel and dark/horror fantasy. I’ve recommended it to several friends, including one who is a university lecturer on the works of the historical figure. The book really is that good.
Absolutely top marks for a great read.
The core concept is original, I’ve not seen the idea presented for the historical figure in question, which given the other conspiracy theories surrounding them, is a little strange. It means that the concept works, albeit some elements require more of a suspension of disbelief than others. With such a high concept novel, it could so easily have fallen to being trashy or absurd if executed poorly. That’s where the quality of the writing comes in. The characters are believable for the time, and for who they are supposed to be, albeit there is perhaps some wish fulfilment as to the morality of the historical figure mentioned above. Maybe he would have held views which would seem to be an anachronism, maybe his humanity was such that those views would be inevitable. Your own politics will determine which way you judge this, I bought it but if you didn’t it wouldn’t ruin things for you. Why not? Well, the author’s politics are never rammed down your throat and whether you agree with them or not, you’ll find the characters are so well drawn and the pacing so tight, you won’t really be worried about such issues as tension mounts. In short, the story, the characters, and the plot come before any question of theme. Seems to me that’s the right order for a good novel. And this is. Very, very good indeed. The attention to historical detail is a match for any historical novel I’ve read and it’s great to see such effort put into a story which straddles the line between historical novel and dark/horror fantasy. I’ve recommended it to several friends, including one who is a university lecturer on the works of the historical figure. The book really is that good.
Absolutely top marks for a great read.
Read
October 22, 2022DNF at 70%, but I started skimming at like 40%
I don't have any problems with this book, I think it could work well for a lot of people. Early Jamestown colony dealing with a monster and early contact with the indigenous peoples, plus the MCs dealing with bigotry from the colony. It's a good set up.
But I just could not force myself to care about anything going on, or wanting to continue at all. The writing style is very minimal and I kept being confused about where we were in space and time (because there are intermittent flashbacks) not necessarily because the book itself was unclear, but because the way it was written made it easy to miss these details.
I don't have any problems with this book, I think it could work well for a lot of people. Early Jamestown colony dealing with a monster and early contact with the indigenous peoples, plus the MCs dealing with bigotry from the colony. It's a good set up.
But I just could not force myself to care about anything going on, or wanting to continue at all. The writing style is very minimal and I kept being confused about where we were in space and time (because there are intermittent flashbacks) not necessarily because the book itself was unclear, but because the way it was written made it easy to miss these details.
March 12, 2024
A really good little historical fantasy, asking what if Shakespeare faked his death and moved to America. I really like the way the story handled the themes of bigotry, and I love the growing horror of what ever the beast is. I really enjoyed our found family crew of Will, Margaret and Xander, and I loved the way it handled trans and mixed race life in a new world with old world prejudices. I also like the way the book handled an older character. Will has a lot of issues due to age related health, but at the same time he learns to adapt.
My only real issue the pacing, I felt it just kinda fired along which sadly meant the ending didn't land as well as I'd like, however I will definitely read more from this author as it was really fantastic.
Also I will say the audio was also excellent, I read via physical and audio and both were great.
My only real issue the pacing, I felt it just kinda fired along which sadly meant the ending didn't land as well as I'd like, however I will definitely read more from this author as it was really fantastic.
Also I will say the audio was also excellent, I read via physical and audio and both were great.
April 2, 2022
I liked this reimagining of Shakespeare's life so much that I want it to be true! The premise of the book is quite unique, we go on a journey with an overweight, feeling-his-age, Shakespeare who has faked his own death in order to start again in the New World. He is reluctant to write but instead wants a farming life with two unlikely companions: a trans woman, and the dark complexioned son of the prostitute who was the love of his life. Things are complicated by the reactions of the community to his friends, and a wild beast that has a habit of ripping people apart.
Allan Batcheldor creates a version of Shakespeare that wants to discover and experience the freshness of life before he truly does shuffle off this mortal coil. Despite the hostile elements of settling in an unknown landscape this is a warm and heartening portrayal of a man who is aware of his failings but also still has a great capability to love and an openness when approaching the world.
I hope this will become a series as I would adore spending more time with these characters and see how their lives develop.
Allan Batcheldor creates a version of Shakespeare that wants to discover and experience the freshness of life before he truly does shuffle off this mortal coil. Despite the hostile elements of settling in an unknown landscape this is a warm and heartening portrayal of a man who is aware of his failings but also still has a great capability to love and an openness when approaching the world.
I hope this will become a series as I would adore spending more time with these characters and see how their lives develop.
June 22, 2022
What a fantastic read! Without giving too much away, this is a Shakespearean take on Beowulf. A small family makes a new life near Jamestown in the 1600s. They are shunned and even attacked. So, Will takes it upon himself to set things straight. This is a tale of monster-hunting mixed with a revenge twist that was brilliant and satisfying to watch unfold. As with Batchelder's Immortal Treachery series, This Thing of Darkness is so well written I felt like I was there with the characters. It moves along at a good clip and held my attention all the way through. Highly recommended!
February 27, 2022
Despite the deliciously absurd premise (Shakespeare, having faked his death in England, goes to the Virginia colony and, with a black teenager and a transgender woman, fights a monster in the woods), this book was wonderfully lovable. Batchelder, like Shakespeare, knows that one of the key tips to writing a good story is to create well-rounded and relatable characters, and he does so with excellence here. Everyone from Will, with his poetic turns of phrase and his long-held regrets, to the most minor of side characters felt like a living individual. I especially loved Margaret, the strong-muscled yet softhearted transgender woman, and how easily Will accepted her as a friend and eventually as found family. After all, if anyone from 1600-ish England would be cool with people not adhering to gender roles, surely it would be Shakespeare!
The horror aspect of the monster in the woods was effectively creepy without being too gory for me, and I liked how Will and his companions approached the threat as a mystery to solve and a trap to set rather than just an all-out battle. Shakespeare fans will appreciate Batchelder's many references to lines from plays and sonnets—probably there were far more of them than I even detected—and fans of historical fiction will savor the richness of the setting, the Virginia colony that was still almost entirely native territory and beautiful wilderness.
This would be a good read for YA or maybe even MG on up, as long as teens or parents don't mind a smattering of curse words (though really, it's nothing they haven't already heard on the internet). An exciting and endearing story!
The horror aspect of the monster in the woods was effectively creepy without being too gory for me, and I liked how Will and his companions approached the threat as a mystery to solve and a trap to set rather than just an all-out battle. Shakespeare fans will appreciate Batchelder's many references to lines from plays and sonnets—probably there were far more of them than I even detected—and fans of historical fiction will savor the richness of the setting, the Virginia colony that was still almost entirely native territory and beautiful wilderness.
This would be a good read for YA or maybe even MG on up, as long as teens or parents don't mind a smattering of curse words (though really, it's nothing they haven't already heard on the internet). An exciting and endearing story!
May 3, 2022
Historical Fiction submerged in, shall I say a thrilling fantasy or a fantastical thriller, makes quite the mix and that is the bait, which I feel, gives this author's work a good hook to lure young teenage readers to peruse its pages. A monster or monsters are thrown in for good measure - who would have thought it or they, mixed well with the history of true life events! The niche in time of history takes us back to April 1619 and a voyage from London and the landing upon New World soil in Jamestown, Virginia, with a few glitches back to recent-ish years leading up to this voyage and scenario.
Unusual bedfellows are Will - the dead man, Margaret - the man dressed as a woman, and Will's supposed son Xander of African gene pool descent. Life in the New World was not easy but it was a varietable, unending, of almost more-than-one-could-chew adventure, what with Powahtans on one side, a monster or more, and enemies of unknown number or face, lurking, just plain survival of the fittest, was essential. The characters never knew what would descend upon them next. Will had a few aces up his sleeve though and with Margaret and Xander as co-conspirator cohorts, they just might stand a chance.
It may be wise to have some parental guidance due to some gruesome descriptions of death and carnage. Much of the story is believeable except of course, the monster bits. Ha, ha. Then, again, I felt hints of allegory in the prose that could well relate to human nature with this thing of darkness casting a foreboding aura of prescence. That could just be me. Others may have other interpretation or just read the book at face value. Give it a go and see for yourself.
Another thing I'm happy about is that the author mentions, through Will, how appalling and unpardonable slavery is and how unthinkable that such practices had reached the New World.
The end of the book has some mention of the real facts regarding the voyage of the George and other true events and people of those times, which I find good to know especially when reading Historical Fiction. Being able to know which is actual fact and which is fiction at least gets one to learn something from reading a book, yet in a more exciting manner.
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
February 2022
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.
Unusual bedfellows are Will - the dead man, Margaret - the man dressed as a woman, and Will's supposed son Xander of African gene pool descent. Life in the New World was not easy but it was a varietable, unending, of almost more-than-one-could-chew adventure, what with Powahtans on one side, a monster or more, and enemies of unknown number or face, lurking, just plain survival of the fittest, was essential. The characters never knew what would descend upon them next. Will had a few aces up his sleeve though and with Margaret and Xander as co-conspirator cohorts, they just might stand a chance.
It may be wise to have some parental guidance due to some gruesome descriptions of death and carnage. Much of the story is believeable except of course, the monster bits. Ha, ha. Then, again, I felt hints of allegory in the prose that could well relate to human nature with this thing of darkness casting a foreboding aura of prescence. That could just be me. Others may have other interpretation or just read the book at face value. Give it a go and see for yourself.
Another thing I'm happy about is that the author mentions, through Will, how appalling and unpardonable slavery is and how unthinkable that such practices had reached the New World.
The end of the book has some mention of the real facts regarding the voyage of the George and other true events and people of those times, which I find good to know especially when reading Historical Fiction. Being able to know which is actual fact and which is fiction at least gets one to learn something from reading a book, yet in a more exciting manner.
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
February 2022
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.
July 19, 2022
Fun read! I love “What if” stories, and this one tied Shakespeare and American history together. Very enjoyable!
May 5, 2022
Batchelder has gleefully worked out another highly inventive yarn!
July 30, 2023
This is a cracking, unusual read with an intriguing premise which is brilliantly executed.
Allan Batchelder pulls off the concept of William Shakespeare faking his death in England in 1616 and becoming William Kemp to start a new life in the infant colony of Virginia in the New World.
The story reveals how the Bard adjusts to life on the other side of the world, inter-acting with the other settlers and native Powhatans but remaining somewhat of an outsider on the fringes of society.
This is mainly because of his companions, two interesting characters whose identities I won't spoil in this review.
As well as being a fascinating portrayal of life in the very early days of the colony, an element of fantasy is added with a taught plot line involving a legendary monster which is terrorising the area.
The book contains many references to Shakespeare's work and the author displays a great command of language with his own witticisms and clever prose.
I loved the book, which is a fairly short read, and raced through it.
The historical setting, enjoyable plot, superb characterisation and brilliant language make it a five star review from me.
Allan Batchelder pulls off the concept of William Shakespeare faking his death in England in 1616 and becoming William Kemp to start a new life in the infant colony of Virginia in the New World.
The story reveals how the Bard adjusts to life on the other side of the world, inter-acting with the other settlers and native Powhatans but remaining somewhat of an outsider on the fringes of society.
This is mainly because of his companions, two interesting characters whose identities I won't spoil in this review.
As well as being a fascinating portrayal of life in the very early days of the colony, an element of fantasy is added with a taught plot line involving a legendary monster which is terrorising the area.
The book contains many references to Shakespeare's work and the author displays a great command of language with his own witticisms and clever prose.
I loved the book, which is a fairly short read, and raced through it.
The historical setting, enjoyable plot, superb characterisation and brilliant language make it a five star review from me.
January 31, 2025
The concept of this book was really interesting, and I think Batchelder's concept was both ambitious and unique. By pushing modern sensibilities within an Elizabethan/Jacobean historical context, This Thing of Darkness views events of the past through a new lens, passing new judgments and posing new theories. The primary supporting characters provided much of this, and were the most rewarding pieces of the book. Despite this, several elements drew me out of the story. I believe a more thorough round of content edits would have helped This Thing of Darkness be the greater book that it almost was.
Margaret, a trans woman (perhaps a crossdresser - without modern definitions and terminologies, it's not quite clear what was intended) provided an interesting look into Batchelder's world. She was treated poorly - very poorly - but found solace in her place with Will and Xander. Because she was a large, biologically male person, Margaret often performed tasks that Will and Xander couldn't, and this was remarked upon. It was different than most representations of trans women in that I really couldn’t tell what exactly was intended by Margaret, but I also thought the book did a good job letting that not matter. The characters didn’t have definitions for her sex or gender status, and so Margaret pursued the life and actions she wanted, not necessarily pursuing the identity she best fit. Without medical options available, Margaret had only a few things she could do to fulfill this identity, and that difficulty was palpable. I don’t know how politically correct this representation was, but I did find it interesting regardless. I also thought Margaret felt like a real character with her own dreams separate from Will's.
Xander, on the other hand, was a bit less straightfoward. I found him strangely more aloof than Margaret, and I do wish there had been a bit more description of what had happened while he was with the Powhatans. To me, his visit with the Powhatans primarily gave time and place for more characterization of Margaret. I also found the decision to make Xander black prudent – possibly too coincidentally so – given the story takes place in 1619 Jamestown. Because of how the 1619 project and opposition toward it has poisoned the atmosphere for several years now, I knew what was coming and wasn’t sure how Batchelder was going to use it. I’m glad he did interweave the arrival of Black slaves into his story, but I’m not sure the association with Xander was the best way to do so. It felt purposeful, but perhaps a bit forced. It assumed that Xander, who was not entirely of African descent and had never been on the African continent, could be easily associated with the newly stolen arrivals. Xander served better as a foil for Hamnet and a way of showcasing Will’s growth and rise from his sadness. Some of these qualities, however, contributed to the feeling that Xander’s race forced an issue into the book. He served purposes primarily in the context of political statements or in relationship to other characters, unlike Margaret who had her own drive and was a more fully-fleshed character (even if she served a political purpose in her own right).
The primary issue I had with the book was that it often lost the forest for the trees. A substantial portion of the wordcount is dedicated to the exploration of Will’s relationship with Margaret and Xander, and there are multiple chapters in a row where it feels like this is the case. Small progress is made toward the two main goals: finding and bringing to justice those who hurt Margaret, and determining what is going on with this monster (“Grendel”). The time taken to build Will’s relationship with Margaret and Xander often did not contribute or connect directly to the plot, and some of the discussions regarding backstory felt unnatural. Margaret and Will sharing a bed on the first night in Jamestown didn’t feel consistent within the world, setting, or character of Will as we’d known him so far. The scene where Will helped Margaret shave her face was probably the most awkward to me; it felt intimate on a level they hadn’t insinuated prior. Because of this, there were sections of the book that read more slowly than the others. The ending, as well, felt somewhat sudden, possibly because of the languishing on character building.
A smaller issue I had with the book was that several anachronisms kept popping up. The most common one was the use of gold or the pound sterling as something either akin to modern currency or currency in D&D/medieval RPG settings. The silver bullion shortage and rules regarding export of the pound during the 17th century made for a much more dynamic and frustrating coexistence with money that, I personally theorize, directly led to the Revolution. However, I don’t expect most people in the world think about 17th century currency very often, so it shouldn’t be a wider issue. It may not have even been as big an issue as I'm remembering given that it was early in the 17th century. However, there were several smaller anachronisms sprinkled throughout. One of them was a reference to Webster’s dictionary. Webster wrote his first dictionary in 1806, and his more substantial dictionary was published 27 years later – both of them focused on American English. An additional editor or a reader specifically trained in history of the time would have been helpful and improved this book, though it was unclear to me what sort of editing budget and timeframe the publisher may have had.
Margaret, a trans woman (perhaps a crossdresser - without modern definitions and terminologies, it's not quite clear what was intended) provided an interesting look into Batchelder's world. She was treated poorly - very poorly - but found solace in her place with Will and Xander. Because she was a large, biologically male person, Margaret often performed tasks that Will and Xander couldn't, and this was remarked upon. It was different than most representations of trans women in that I really couldn’t tell what exactly was intended by Margaret, but I also thought the book did a good job letting that not matter. The characters didn’t have definitions for her sex or gender status, and so Margaret pursued the life and actions she wanted, not necessarily pursuing the identity she best fit. Without medical options available, Margaret had only a few things she could do to fulfill this identity, and that difficulty was palpable. I don’t know how politically correct this representation was, but I did find it interesting regardless. I also thought Margaret felt like a real character with her own dreams separate from Will's.
Xander, on the other hand, was a bit less straightfoward. I found him strangely more aloof than Margaret, and I do wish there had been a bit more description of what had happened while he was with the Powhatans. To me, his visit with the Powhatans primarily gave time and place for more characterization of Margaret. I also found the decision to make Xander black prudent – possibly too coincidentally so – given the story takes place in 1619 Jamestown. Because of how the 1619 project and opposition toward it has poisoned the atmosphere for several years now, I knew what was coming and wasn’t sure how Batchelder was going to use it. I’m glad he did interweave the arrival of Black slaves into his story, but I’m not sure the association with Xander was the best way to do so. It felt purposeful, but perhaps a bit forced. It assumed that Xander, who was not entirely of African descent and had never been on the African continent, could be easily associated with the newly stolen arrivals. Xander served better as a foil for Hamnet and a way of showcasing Will’s growth and rise from his sadness. Some of these qualities, however, contributed to the feeling that Xander’s race forced an issue into the book. He served purposes primarily in the context of political statements or in relationship to other characters, unlike Margaret who had her own drive and was a more fully-fleshed character (even if she served a political purpose in her own right).
The primary issue I had with the book was that it often lost the forest for the trees. A substantial portion of the wordcount is dedicated to the exploration of Will’s relationship with Margaret and Xander, and there are multiple chapters in a row where it feels like this is the case. Small progress is made toward the two main goals: finding and bringing to justice those who hurt Margaret, and determining what is going on with this monster (“Grendel”). The time taken to build Will’s relationship with Margaret and Xander often did not contribute or connect directly to the plot, and some of the discussions regarding backstory felt unnatural. Margaret and Will sharing a bed on the first night in Jamestown didn’t feel consistent within the world, setting, or character of Will as we’d known him so far. The scene where Will helped Margaret shave her face was probably the most awkward to me; it felt intimate on a level they hadn’t insinuated prior. Because of this, there were sections of the book that read more slowly than the others. The ending, as well, felt somewhat sudden, possibly because of the languishing on character building.
A smaller issue I had with the book was that several anachronisms kept popping up. The most common one was the use of gold or the pound sterling as something either akin to modern currency or currency in D&D/medieval RPG settings. The silver bullion shortage and rules regarding export of the pound during the 17th century made for a much more dynamic and frustrating coexistence with money that, I personally theorize, directly led to the Revolution. However, I don’t expect most people in the world think about 17th century currency very often, so it shouldn’t be a wider issue. It may not have even been as big an issue as I'm remembering given that it was early in the 17th century. However, there were several smaller anachronisms sprinkled throughout. One of them was a reference to Webster’s dictionary. Webster wrote his first dictionary in 1806, and his more substantial dictionary was published 27 years later – both of them focused on American English. An additional editor or a reader specifically trained in history of the time would have been helpful and improved this book, though it was unclear to me what sort of editing budget and timeframe the publisher may have had.
June 24, 2022
Having faked his death in 1616, an aging Shakespeare flees for the New World with his illegitimate son where he faces a monster out of legend that is slaughtering pilgrims. What a concept! This book, however, completely surpassed my expectations and was such an absolute and genuine pleasure to read.
I've covered plenty of Shakespeare but in all honesty, I was here for the monster, and the setting is one I find really fascinating. But so much of this book's charm comes from Shakespeare and his companions adjusting to life on the frontier and engaging with their new surroundings. The monster plot is almost an afterthought, but one that is weaved consistently throughout the story and provides plenty of tense and gruesome moments.
In a book like this, obviously you expect it to be peppered with references to the Bard's works. But Batchelder goes far beyond mere quotation, he engages with Shakespearean language and wit, playing with words constantly and to a much, much greater degree than expected - it is exactingly crafted and the writing absolutely sparkles as a result.
I've covered plenty of Shakespeare but in all honesty, I was here for the monster, and the setting is one I find really fascinating. But so much of this book's charm comes from Shakespeare and his companions adjusting to life on the frontier and engaging with their new surroundings. The monster plot is almost an afterthought, but one that is weaved consistently throughout the story and provides plenty of tense and gruesome moments.
In a book like this, obviously you expect it to be peppered with references to the Bard's works. But Batchelder goes far beyond mere quotation, he engages with Shakespearean language and wit, playing with words constantly and to a much, much greater degree than expected - it is exactingly crafted and the writing absolutely sparkles as a result.
February 11, 2022
It might not be a Shakespeare play, but it certainly is entertaining. A father, his dark-skinned bastard son, and a transgender woman find themselves as allies as they travel from England to the new world. There they find that their so precious new beginning will not be as easy as they thought. Besides the monsters inside each of their neighbors, a creature hunts the land. A hungry beast hunting anyone who would stay outside after dark.
The book certainly offers an interesting view of the Virginia colony. And how a non-puritan with his ideas and newfound family could not live as carefree as they would want. A fantastic tale about love, family, and the power to be willing to do whatever is necessary to protect your happiness.
The book certainly offers an interesting view of the Virginia colony. And how a non-puritan with his ideas and newfound family could not live as carefree as they would want. A fantastic tale about love, family, and the power to be willing to do whatever is necessary to protect your happiness.
August 29, 2023
This book shows how a good story doesn't need to have epic proportions. To me it felt like a love letter to Shakespeare within a horror mystery.
One of the things that I enjoy the most in a book is great prose, and Allan's is top notch. I loved his writing voice, wit, and pace. His characters are believable, and their relationships are one of the biggest highlights of the book.
As soon as I finished it, I jumped to his other books right away (which I'm also really enjoying!). Highly recommend it.
One of the things that I enjoy the most in a book is great prose, and Allan's is top notch. I loved his writing voice, wit, and pace. His characters are believable, and their relationships are one of the biggest highlights of the book.
As soon as I finished it, I jumped to his other books right away (which I'm also really enjoying!). Highly recommend it.
August 12, 2022
This Thing of Darkness by Allan Batchelder is a wonderful tale of Shakespeare (incognito) coming to Jamestown in 1619 and having to contend with brigands and a Grendel-like monster who enjoys gorging himself on settlers. Batchelder has a gift for words and historical details that brings the period to life. He also keeps things moving at a brisk pace which makes for an exciting read. Excellent
May 3, 2025
This one boils up some fun trouble!
What happens when you take a folklore legend, a historical legend trying to live a new life, and you mix some pre-colonial mayhem: you get This Thing of Darkness.
This book got me right from chapter one where we see William Shakespeare take an Indiana Jones moment. (You really gotta read and find out)
I love the dialogue choices, and setting and entire premise. Will is a gentleman of old world class venturing into a new life in the new world, where there’s more need for farming and building than there is for literary genius. Quick to establish his own found family in a world where prejudice is a powerful undercurrent that does not apologize, it adds another level of danger to the already lethal backdrop of contending with an ancient legend.
This will be a delight to review on my YouTube Channel!
What happens when you take a folklore legend, a historical legend trying to live a new life, and you mix some pre-colonial mayhem: you get This Thing of Darkness.
This book got me right from chapter one where we see William Shakespeare take an Indiana Jones moment. (You really gotta read and find out)
I love the dialogue choices, and setting and entire premise. Will is a gentleman of old world class venturing into a new life in the new world, where there’s more need for farming and building than there is for literary genius. Quick to establish his own found family in a world where prejudice is a powerful undercurrent that does not apologize, it adds another level of danger to the already lethal backdrop of contending with an ancient legend.
This will be a delight to review on my YouTube Channel!
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