Review: The Mark of the Salamander by Justin Newland
Today, I'm delighted to welcome historical fiction author and broadcaster, Justin Newland, back to Ruins & Reading. We're promoting his new novel, The Mark of the Salamander, set during the adventurous days of seafaring exploration under Queen Elizabeth I of England.
The Mark of the Salamander is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find enticing excerpts and really fascinating guest posts about the era (and about angels!) here!
The Mark of the Salamander
Justin Newland
In The Mark of the Salamander, we are thrown straight into the action, and the pace doesn't slow down.
We meet 17-year-old Nelan, the son of a Flemish immigrant who had to flee the Netherlands after the invasion by the Spanish. As Protestants, their lives were in danger under the new Spanish inquisition that punished their new subjects harshly.
Nelan is a small boy for his age, and thus easy prey for the more bolshy pupils at his school at Westminster. He's a quick learner, having studied maths and languages, but a fighter he is not. When he is bullied by the two sons of an important Spanish courtier at the court of Queen Elizabeth, he can't easily defend himself. But little did he know that the brothers' hatred would go as far as trying to kill him, through fire. Watching the inferno, Nelan his hit by a vision of a woman at a stake. Is it a memory or a nightmare? He doesn't know, and when he comes to, fingers point at him. The assassination attempt backfires, but Nelan ends up being blamed for the incident – and a resulting death.
When his neighbour, famous astronomer, mathematician, and adviser to the queen, John Dee – in whose work Nelan is very interested – warns him of his fate, he flees his home and delves into the bustling life in London, ending up as an apprentice to a blacksmith. There, he realises his fascination for fire. As a fire sign (Sagittarian), he recognises and admires its deadly force. But he fears it too. For the next couple of years, he is happy there, living with fire every day. And after he saves a family from a fire in their home, he is drafted into the local fire watch.
But when he attends a fire at his old home, he is being recognised and he ends up in gaol. Yet it seems his fate is not to end at the gallows when he finds himself abducted, and on board a vessel bound for England's south coast. With a little luck (or fate intervening?), he joins Francis Drake's new endeavour, and Nelan's real adventure is only about to begin...
After this breathtaking start to the novel, we follow Nelan's journey further, but I won't reveal any more. Just read the novel!
Nelan is your typical anti-hero. Not a swashbuckling man like Drake, but a boy looking for answers: What happened to his mother? Why can he see ghosts? What is the mark of the salamander? And why does he have this uncanny connection to fire?
As a fellow Sagittarian, I can well understand the latter. Ours is a fire sign, and if you believe in astronomy, you can see how planets influence life on earth, and behavioural patterns begin to emerge. Like Nelan, I love fire and find it soothing and scary at the same time. This is a fascinating part of this novel, which trails the influence and knowledge John Dee possessed at the time.
Nelan grows up during the course of the story, and I loved the way he's developing. He's first and foremost a nice lad trying to survive in a world full of dangers. One false word or action could see you persecuted – and if you're unfortunate, tortured in the many ways they practiced in those days. He's a survivor who, after Dee's pronouncement early on, firmly believes in his fate, and fate always looks out for him.
The research is impeccable, and Justin Newland creates a truly authentic image of life in the late 16th century, both in London and overseas. He doesn't shy away from portraying the grimier side, the poverty, dirt, ambition and greed. This adds a strong, realistic element to the setting.
The Mark of the Salamander is not airbrushed history. It's rough, unforgiving, and at times brutal, but also showing respect and recognition where it's earned. You won't want to stop reading, as the pace keeps you engaged in this riveting plot.
Some readers may not be keen on the paranormal elements in the novel, but I found they added a sense of there being 'something else' out there, fitting nicely into an era of discovery and learning.
The novel is told from Nelan's point of view, but there is some head-hopping at times, which can be a little confusing, but it never lasts long before we're back with our hero.
Gripping, fast-paced, and firmly set in its time, The Mark of the Salamander is an absorbing historical adventure that takes you to the High Seas during the reign of the most illustrious of the Tudors, Elizabeth. Highly recommended.
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Hey Cathie, thanks for an honest and comprehensive review. Glad you enjoyed the novel, and for some constructive criticisms too. Thanks also for hosting this stop on the blog tour, and for organising a great tour!
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