Review: Fascinating and well-written tale in a disparate genre
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 5, 2014
This book immediately brought back a memory of reading Robert McCammon's "The Wolf's Hour" over twenty years ago. In both novels, werewolves are cast in a historical setting. McCammon's story takes place in World War II Germany while Reade's "Faustus Lupus" is set in ancient Rome.In addition to the solid and nuanced writing style, I was immediately struck by the detailed historical research that went into this book to lend authenticity to the setting. Reade is to be commended for adhering to an old-school work ethic that I wish more new authors would emulate. This book was an absolute delight for a history buff, such as me, and it is sure to hold appeal for fans of dark fantasy as well. In a select few places, the historical depth might prove a bit overwhelming for readers who know little of Roman history, but that should not detract from the enjoyment of a well-crafted plot that contains plenty of action.Indeed, the action scenes are another of this book's strengths as Reade's rapid pacing and spicy verbs create action sequences that even the most demanding adrenaline junkie will devour. As good as they are, they could be even better with more reactions from the characters that help the reader to feel the depth of their pain and condition.Overall, this was a strong effort and an exciting story in a disparate genre that few authors would have the courage or skill to tackle. Reade shows that he has both in this smart, gutsy, and thrilling tale.