Book Report: A.D. 999
A.D. 999
By Jadrien Bell
ACE Books
309pp - $5.99
Raiting: ***1/2 (out of 5)
The war between Heaven and Hell rages on in this smart, quick , fun and very well-researched piece of historical fiction. Set against the backdrop of the end-of-the-world fervor that took place at the end of the first millennium, author Jadrien Bell (who is really prolific Star Trek writer Christie Golden) chooses not draw parallels between people’s irrational fear at that time with the Y2K madness that was sweeping the globe when the book was released. Instead, she chooses to actually validate that fear and weaves fictional characters, Pagan mythology, historical events and real people into a story about Satan trying to bring the world to an early end.
Alwyn is a young devout monk with a deformed, useless hand. Kennag nic Beathag is a pagan midwife from the Highlands. They can’t stand each other, yet they are thrown together by their respective gods to stop Satan from bringing about the Apocalypse before God’s anointed time.
The plot is very interesting: Satan is using the world population’s fears and anxieties about the ending of the first millennium as fuel to exert control over the major power brokers of the day. His main thrusts occur after he usurps power in England by manipulating the weak king Ethelred Unraed. He also tricks Loki and the Unseelie Court into helping him fulfill the prophecies in the Book of Revelation.
The death, destruction and devastation caused by raging hordes of Viking raiders, plagues and natural disasters are described just vividly enough to be disturbing but not so much that it makes you blanch. This is not small accomplishment. For the tension to ratchet up, there needs to be a feeling that bad things are happening and that people have a right to be scared. Thankfully, a nice epilogue at the end of the book allows the author the chance to tie up all of the horrific events in a way that makes sense.
Alwyn and Kennag’s characters are explored nicely and it is a pleasant journey hat they are on as they struggle with their faith, their motivations and each other. In fact, it is probably the brightest part of the book, even if it is a touch frustrating because they are such products of their times.
Smartly, Bell stays away from the heavy-handed religiosity that has bogged down similarly-themed tales. In his world, the God of Abraham & Mohammed co-exists quite peacefully with the Norse and Celtic deities. In fact, it is each strain’s greatest champions who must unite to defeat Satan.
Only once does one of the Celtic gods refer to the Christian God as “The One,” and even then it is not clear if it is in a tone of reverence or submission. Furthermore, at the end of the book, the same character talks about the “different paths to the sacred” and says that the new religion’s dominance in the world is just a natural part of human evolution.
Scripture too plays a part here and it is both extolled as vital and accurate, and derided as hopelessly confused. The entire plot of the book hinges on the fact that the prophecies of the Book of Revelations are Truth, yet time and time again, Kennag points out to Alwyn by word and deed that some of the Bible is clearly mis-interpreted or has been deliberately twisted. (Satan takes great pains to use Bible verses to manipulate the king and his court.)
It seems that the only religious stance taken is that God exists and He/She/It can work in many ways via many forms. The rest is left open to the reader.
There is fantasy here to be sure, but at just over 300 pages you can put this puppy down in a weekend. There is just enough real history inserted for it to be called “informative,” though not accurate. It is very thoughtful but fun enough that you don’t feel like you’re working too hard while you explore the ideas being conveyed. Check it out if you're looking for a treat... Highly recommended for anybody who enjoys historical fiction or fantasy.
By Jadrien Bell
ACE Books
309pp - $5.99
Raiting: ***1/2 (out of 5)
The war between Heaven and Hell rages on in this smart, quick , fun and very well-researched piece of historical fiction. Set against the backdrop of the end-of-the-world fervor that took place at the end of the first millennium, author Jadrien Bell (who is really prolific Star Trek writer Christie Golden) chooses not draw parallels between people’s irrational fear at that time with the Y2K madness that was sweeping the globe when the book was released. Instead, she chooses to actually validate that fear and weaves fictional characters, Pagan mythology, historical events and real people into a story about Satan trying to bring the world to an early end.
Alwyn is a young devout monk with a deformed, useless hand. Kennag nic Beathag is a pagan midwife from the Highlands. They can’t stand each other, yet they are thrown together by their respective gods to stop Satan from bringing about the Apocalypse before God’s anointed time.
The plot is very interesting: Satan is using the world population’s fears and anxieties about the ending of the first millennium as fuel to exert control over the major power brokers of the day. His main thrusts occur after he usurps power in England by manipulating the weak king Ethelred Unraed. He also tricks Loki and the Unseelie Court into helping him fulfill the prophecies in the Book of Revelation.
The death, destruction and devastation caused by raging hordes of Viking raiders, plagues and natural disasters are described just vividly enough to be disturbing but not so much that it makes you blanch. This is not small accomplishment. For the tension to ratchet up, there needs to be a feeling that bad things are happening and that people have a right to be scared. Thankfully, a nice epilogue at the end of the book allows the author the chance to tie up all of the horrific events in a way that makes sense.
Alwyn and Kennag’s characters are explored nicely and it is a pleasant journey hat they are on as they struggle with their faith, their motivations and each other. In fact, it is probably the brightest part of the book, even if it is a touch frustrating because they are such products of their times.
Smartly, Bell stays away from the heavy-handed religiosity that has bogged down similarly-themed tales. In his world, the God of Abraham & Mohammed co-exists quite peacefully with the Norse and Celtic deities. In fact, it is each strain’s greatest champions who must unite to defeat Satan.
Only once does one of the Celtic gods refer to the Christian God as “The One,” and even then it is not clear if it is in a tone of reverence or submission. Furthermore, at the end of the book, the same character talks about the “different paths to the sacred” and says that the new religion’s dominance in the world is just a natural part of human evolution.
Scripture too plays a part here and it is both extolled as vital and accurate, and derided as hopelessly confused. The entire plot of the book hinges on the fact that the prophecies of the Book of Revelations are Truth, yet time and time again, Kennag points out to Alwyn by word and deed that some of the Bible is clearly mis-interpreted or has been deliberately twisted. (Satan takes great pains to use Bible verses to manipulate the king and his court.)
It seems that the only religious stance taken is that God exists and He/She/It can work in many ways via many forms. The rest is left open to the reader.
There is fantasy here to be sure, but at just over 300 pages you can put this puppy down in a weekend. There is just enough real history inserted for it to be called “informative,” though not accurate. It is very thoughtful but fun enough that you don’t feel like you’re working too hard while you explore the ideas being conveyed. Check it out if you're looking for a treat... Highly recommended for anybody who enjoys historical fiction or fantasy.
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