I am over the moon to be able to bring you my review for The Mark of The Salamander by Justin Newland. Thanks to Hygge Book Tours and the author for my gifted ebook to take part.
1575: Nelan Michaels is a young Flemish man fleeing religious persecution in the Spanish Netherlands. Settling in Mortlake outside London, he studies under Queen Elizabeth’s court astrologer, conjuring a bright future – until he’s wrongly accused of murder. Forced into the life of a fugitive, Nelan is dramatically pressed into the crew of the Golden Hind.
Thrust into a strange new world on board Francis Drake’s vessel, Nelan sails the seas on a voyage to discover discovery itself. Encountering mutiny, ancient tribes and hoards of treasure, Nelan must explore and master his own mystical powers – including the Mark of the Salamander, the mysterious spirit of fire.
The Mark of the Salamander is the first in The Island of Angels series: a two-book saga that tells the epic story and secret history of England’s coming of age during the Elizabethan era.
I have read the majority, if not all of this authors books. When I saw The Mark of The Salamander was going on tour, I promptly accepted my invitation!
Justin Newland always writes novels that draw my attention. Every book I have read by him has plunged me back to historical eras that I find fascinating. This book is set in Elizabethan times and follows Nelan, a young Flemish man who has fled religious persecution in the Spanish Netherlands. He goes to England and ends up studying under Queen Elizabeth’s court astrologer. He finds himself wrongly accused of murder and subsequently pressed into the crew of the Golden Hind. On this voyage, he discovers mystical powers that he has to explore and master.
I was so caught up in Nelan’s life that I devoured this novel. The historical research creates a rich and vivid read that sparks my imagination. Every character he writes is always brought to life with an intensity that sweeps me up and connects me to them.
The fact that Nelan is crewing on Francis Drake’s ship, the Golden Hind, was wonderful to read about. I always say I enjoy historical fiction because it educates and entertains me. Any novel I have read by this author does exactly that and much more. The research is always clearly evident, and how he recreates history with his own remarkable fantastical elements is superb.
To say I sped through this novel is quite an understatment. I did wonder if I would be as captivated by The Mark of The Salamander as I was with every other novel I have read by Justin Newland. All I can say is I was addicted to this one, and the English history was such a highlight!
Book Links
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199139776-the-mark-of-the-salamander
Buy Links https://mybook.to/marksalamander-zbt
Author Bio
JUSTIN NEWLAND’s novels represent an innovative blend of genres from historical adventure to supernatural thriller and magical realism. His stories explore the themes of war and religion, and speculate on the human’s spiritual place in the universe.
Undeterred by the award of a Doctorate in Mathematics from Imperial College, London, he conceived his debut novel, The Genes of Isis (Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies.
The historical thriller, The Old Dragon’s Head (Matador, 2018), is set in Ming Dynasty China in the shadows of the Great Wall.
The Coronation (Matador, 2019) was another historical adventure and speculates on the genesis of the most important event in the modern world – the Industrial Revolution.
The Abdication (Matador, 2021) is a mystery thriller in which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means to abdicate that faith.
The Mark of the Salamander (Book Guild, 2023) is the first in a two-book series, The Island of Angels. Set in the Elizabethan era, it’s an epic tale of England’s coming of age.
His WIP is the second in the series, The Midnight of Eights, the charting of the uncanny coincidences that led to the repulse of the Spanish Armada. Author, speaker and broadcaster, Justin appears on LitFest panels, gives talks to historical associations and libraries and enjoys giving radio interviews and making podcasts.
Born three days before the end of 1953, he lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.
Justin’s Links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjustinnewland/
Website https://justinnewland.com/
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