It is rare and wonderful to discover a writer who is able to combine heart, mind and poetic skill in a way that engages, challenges and charms. For me, Guy Gavriel Kay does just that.

Kay is a new writer to me, yet he has a long and celebrated writing career. Although I am reviewing this novel as a novice to his work, I will certainly be spending many happy hours exploring Kay’s extensive back catalogue.

'Written on the Dark' is inspired by fifteenth century France and is loosely based on the life of François Villon. The setting is brilliantly evoked and, although not strictly purporting to be historical fiction, the places and atmosphere of late medieval France are brought vividly to life. The novel opens in the depths of a freezing winter and the impact of the seasons on daily life is a central and developing theme throughout the entire story-line. We also experience the dangers and delights of medieval Paris: the taverns, the religious sanctuaries, the opulent palaces and the dark shadow cast by the Chȃtelet, the police headquarters where dark interrogations and judicial punishments take place. There is also a strong sense of the contrast between the noisy, dirty city and the serene countryside (although dangers also lurk there in the form of a band of outlaws).

I love the way that Kay develops his narrative, with hints and allusions before the story unfolds. The plot itself is largely based not just on Villon’s life but on historical events of that time, particularly the reign of the ‘Mad King’, (Charles VI in history, King Roch here), and the political instability that came from this weakness, all taking place against the broader canvas of the Hundred Years’ War. Indeed, the story opens with the murder of the Duke de Montereau, again loosely based on the assassination of the Duc d’Orléans, recreated with all the horror and awe that the murder of such an important personage would inspire. And the events that follow stem from this, with all the characters caught up in one way or another with the political and personal ramifications. This is not, though, a novel for historical purists; Kay makes full use of his artistic licence to challenge our expectations. We follow the events of the Hundred Years’ War – the invasion of Henry V and Agincourt, the appearance of Joan of Arc – but not always quite as we know them.

The characterisation is superb. I loved all the main characters and wanted to see how their stories unfolded. This is true not only of the main protagonists, but also of minor characters and special mention here should be made of Medor Colle and his strangely androgynous uncle, Gauvard Colle. While the religion of Jad and his pious sanctuaries are the sanctioned means of worshipping the deity, a darker, twilight world also exists in parallel, a world that ultimately takes us to Sarantium (Constantinople) and alternative, heretical, ways of thinking and living.

The writing is often poetic in its intensity, but also tells a good story as is to be expected of a master wordsmith. Villar/Villon’s short philosophical interludes are utterly beautiful and always illuminate rather than obstruct the narrative. For example, Part II ends with the following:

'It seems to me that most moments in life can be called interludes: following something, preceding something. Carrying us forward, with our needs and nature and desires, as we move through our time. It also seems to me that it is foolish to try to comprehend all that happens to us, let alone understand the world.'

This could serve as an epigraph for the whole book. I loved this novel from start to finish and devoured it in every spare minute. Thank-you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC – but I will now buy my own copy to treasure! My only dilemma now is: should I read it again or read another from Kay’s oeuvre?

A new Guy Gavriel Kay novel is always a treat, something to savour for the lyrical prose, the wise eye, and the compassionate characterisation. This one returns us to the world of Sarantium, albeit around a thousand years on from those books, around the time of the Hundred Years War, or it’s equivalent in the Kayverse (I just made that term up and I hate it already).
It’s a briefer book than some of his best, and I missed the opportunity to wallow in the world and the characters. The shorter length means you don’t get under the skin of anyone apart from the lead in quite the same way as you do his longer works, but it also fits the fancy that this is a recounting of something that actually happened long ago. It’s like the best history lecture you ever went to, and Kay is still probably our greatest living fantasy writer.

Please see the attached link for the full review.

I’ve reviewed Written on the Dark for book recommendation and sales site LoveReading.co.uk. I’ve chosen this title as both a Liz Pick of the Month for June, and a LoveReading Star Book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I am not usually a fan of historical fantasy, but was curious about the author. I did enjoy this one overall, mainly because the book is crafted beautifully and the writing style is very immersive. If there had been more fantasy elements, this would have easily been a 5 star for me.