Holes by Louis Sachar is one of my favourite books, so I was very excited to learn that the author had written a fantasy novel for adults.
The main character tells the story, beginning in the present day, but looking back to his youth in the 15th century working as magician to the king in a European castle, so we know that he is either a time traveller or an immortal.
The historical story is fun enough, if well trodden – the princess is betrothed to a powerful ally but instead falls in love with a poor servant boy – the magician is charged with making potions for them to forget each other and for the princess to actually fall in love with the prince who turns out to be a proper bad ‘un so the magician tries instead to help the star crossed young lovers, and accidentally makes himself immortal in the process.
It was fine – I didn’t hate it, but I was not blown away which was quite disappointing.
Sarah Wray Writer 