🩸 Horror Fiction

Son of the Night

✍️ Mark Alder
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$29.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A historical novel about Charles the Bad using demonic forces for revenge.

The story follows Charles the Bad after the French defeat at Crecy. With his allies gone, he turns to dark magic to claw back power. Alder writes a tale of political desperation mixed with supernatural horror. The plot focuses on Charles's internal struggle and his external maneuvers against enemies who cast him aside. It is a character driven narrative about a man willing to sacrifice his soul for the crown.

Key Themes
Charles the Bad Battle of Crecy Heaven and Hell
Literary Context

The book is set in France following the Battle of Crecy, where the nobility was killed or captured. It deals with the political landscape of Navarre and the struggle for the French throne during this specific period of medieval history.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Guy Gavriel Kay · Anne Rice · Mervyn Peake · Clive Barker
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Gollancz 📅 2018 📖 432 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780575115217

📝 Description: Son of the Night

Mark Alder presents a historical narrative centered on Charles the Bad of Navarre during the aftermath of the Battle of Crecy. The text examines how France faced collapse as its nobility fell to English forces. Charles finds himself isolated and blamed for this defeat, prompting him to seek revenge against those who betrayed him. He attempts to manipulate both heavenly and hellish powers to regain influence over the French throne. This work draws on medieval European history, specifically focusing on the political turmoil in France and Navarre. Alder structures the story around Charles's desperate alliances with supernatural entities. The narrative covers the immediate consequences of the battle and the subsequent power struggles. It suits readers interested in dark historical fiction where real figures interact with gothic elements. Those preferring strictly factual accounts may find the supernatural aspects distracting. The book offers a gritty look at ambition and despair in fourteenth century Europe.

💎 Our verdict on Son of the Night

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Mark Alder delivers a compelling character-driven narrative that examines Charles the Bad's internal struggle against external political enemies. The author successfully merges historical detail with supernatural horror, creating a tense atmosphere of desperation. This approach suits readers interested in dark historical fiction where real figures interact with gothic elements. The text effectively highlights the political turmoil in France and Navarre while exploring themes of betrayal and revenge. While those preferring strictly factual accounts may find the supernatural aspects distracting, fans of cosmic and psychological horror will appreciate the depth of Charles's moral decay. Alder’s prose captures the grit of ambition, making this a notable entry in the genre for those who enjoy complex protagonists navigating dark alliances.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a gritty exploration of ambition and despair in fourteenth-century Europe will find this narrative compelling. It is ideal for those who enjoy historical fiction where real figures interact with gothic elements, offering a unique perspective on political desperation. The book appeals to individuals interested in how supernatural horror can illuminate human psychological struggle during times of collapse. Those who appreciate character-driven stories about men willing to sacrifice their souls for power will gain much from this text. It provides a distinct alternative to strictly factual accounts by weaving dark magic into the fabric of historical events, satisfying fans of cosmic and psychological horror grounded in medieval settings.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Mark Alder delivers a compelling character-driven narrative that examines Charles the Bad's internal struggle against external political enemies. The author successfully merges historical detail with supernatural horror, creating a tense atmosphere of desperation. This approach suits readers interested in dark historical fiction where real figures interact with gothic elements. The text effectively highlights the political turmoil in France and Navarre while exploring themes of betrayal and revenge. While those preferring strictly factual accounts may find the supernatural aspects distracting, fans of cosmic and psychological horror will appreciate the depth of Charles's moral decay. Alder’s prose captures the grit of ambition, making this a notable entry in the genre for those who enjoy complex protagonists navigating dark alliances.

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