The Dark Thorn
By: Shawn Speakman
About This Book
"The Dark Thorn is one exciting book. From start to finish, there arestrong characters, dangers lurking around every corner and cliffhangersthat will leave you breathless. A fine tale by a talented writer." --Terry Brooks Beneath the streets of Seattle, a long-forgotten war is about to be renewed... RichardMcAllister, a spiritually destitute homeless man and Knight of the YnSaith, protects one of seven portals linking his world to that of Annwn,where the fey Tuatha de Dannan of antiquity have been relegated by along-running religious war. Unknown to Richard though, powerfulforces are aligning against him and all he stands to keep safe. In thewilds of a discarded world, Philip Plantagenet, son of Henry II, movesto claim a birthright nine centuries in the making, one that drives himto eliminate the Tuatha de Dannan--at any cost to both worlds. Inthe halls of Vatican City, Cardinal Vicar Cormac Pell O'Connor schemesto control the Heliwr--the Unfettered Knight--one who possesses the greatpower known as the Dark Thorn. The three men are on a collision course with history--and their futures. For in the wilds of Annwn, death comes as easily as magic. Hauntedby a past he can't forget and a knightly responsibility he can't shun,Richard is drawn into levels of machinations--and two worlds--far darkerthan any he has prepared for.
AI Overview
Overview of "The Dark Thorn" by Shawn Speakman
"The Dark Thorn" is the first book in the Annwn Cycle series by Shawn Speakman. The story is an urban fantasy that deeply incorporates elements of Arthurian legend, Celtic mythology, and the Catholic Church.
Key Themes
Spiritual Conflict: The novel explores themes of spiritual destitution and the struggle between faith and power. Richard McAllister, the protagonist, is a spiritually destitute homeless man who is also a Knight of the Yn Saith, highlighting the internal conflict between his knightly responsibilities and his current state of being.
Power and Control: The book delves into the struggle for power and control, particularly through the characters of Philip Plantagenet and Cardinal Vicar Cormac Pell O’Connor. These characters seek to claim or control the great power known as the Dark Thorn, which is possessed by the Heliwr, the Unfettered Knight.
Religious War: The novel is set against the backdrop of a long-running religious war between the world of Annwn and the world of humans. This conflict has relegated the Fae (Tuatha de Dannan) to a discarded world, Annwn.
Machinations and Convergence: The story revolves around the convergence of three men—Richard McAllister, Philip Plantagenet, and Cardinal Vicar Cormac Pell O’Connor—each with their own agendas and motivations that are set to collide in a catastrophic manner.
Plot Summary
The story centers around Richard McAllister, a spiritually destitute homeless man who is also a Knight of the Yn Saith. He is tasked with protecting one of seven portals linking his world to that of Annwn, where the Fae of antiquity have been relegated by a long-running religious war.
Unbeknownst to Richard, powerful forces are aligning against him and all he stands to keep safe. Philip Plantagenet, son of Henry II, moves to claim a birthright nine centuries in the making, which drives him to eliminate the Fae at any cost to both worlds. Meanwhile, Cardinal Vicar Cormac Pell O’Connor schemes to control the Heliwr—the Unfettered Knight—who possesses the great power known as the Dark Thorn.
As these characters move towards their respective goals, they are drawn into a complex web of machinations that threaten both their worlds. Richard, haunted by his past and his knightly responsibilities, finds himself in a situation far darker than he has ever prepared for.
Critical Reception
Goodreads: The book has received mixed reviews on Goodreads, with some readers praising its unique blend of Arthurian legend and Celtic mythology, while others have criticized its pacing and character development.
Fantasy Book Critic: The review by Cindy on Fantasy Book Critic notes that the book is an urban fantasy story with a profound basis in Arthurian legend and Celtic mythology. The reviewer praises the book's intricate world-building and complex characters but notes that it may not be to everyone's taste.
BackerKit: The description on BackerKit highlights the book's unique setting and the convergence of powerful forces, emphasizing the dark and magical elements of the story.
Overall, "The Dark Thorn" is a complex and engaging urban fantasy that explores themes of spiritual conflict, power struggles, and the intersection of different worlds. While it has received mixed reviews, it is clear that the book offers a rich and immersive reading experience for fans of fantasy and mythology.