I was able to join in the tour for Justin Newlands new book, The Mark of the Salamander, through IRead Book Tours. There is a giveaway included with this tour so stick around to see more about that. This is a historical fiction read with some magical realism.

Book Description:


1575.

Nelan Michaels is a young Flemish man fleeing religious persecution in the Spanish Netherlands. Settling in Mortlake outside London, he studies under Queen Elizabeth’s court astrologer, conjuring a bright future – until he’s wrongly accused of murder. Forced into the life of a fugitive, Nelan hides in London, before he is dramatically pressed into the crew of the Golden Hind. Thrust into a strange new world on board Francis Drake’s vessel, Nelan sails the seas on a voyage to discover discovery itself. Encountering mutiny, ancient tribes and hordes of treasure, Nelan must explore and master his own mystical powers – including the Mark of the Salamander, the mysterious spirit of fire.

THE MARK OF THE SALAMANDER is the first in The Island of Angels series: a two-book saga that tells the epic story and secret history of England’s coming of age during the Elizabethan era.

** My Review **

I think if you enjoy historical fiction reads (like myself) you’ll enjoy reading this book. I was hooked from the beginning. The author wasted no time letting us know there was a problem when Nelan was accused of murder, he goes on the run, and I like we get to see Nelan start over with his life and this is when we start to see his relationship with fire. His past does catch up with him leading Nelan to have a new adventure while on the run again.

Now this is when the book did start to slow down for me, but I am glad I stuck with it because the story did pick up with more interesting adventures in his current one. I do wish the story had a little bit more “magic” to it, other reviews mention history + supernatural but I don’t believe there is enough to really mention supernatural. What little there is, however, is great. I enjoyed the overall plot of the story and like that the ending has readers wanting to know what happens next.

***I gave this book three stars on Goodreads***

Buy The Book:

Book Guild Amazon (US) ~ Amazon.uk​ ~ WHSmith  Bookshop.org ~ Brownsbfs ~ LoveReading 
Waterstones ~ Google Books ~ Agenda Bookshop  add to goodreads

Meet the Author: Justin Newland

JUSTIN NEWLAND’s novels represent an innovative blend of genres from historical adventure to supernatural thriller and magical realism. His stories explore the themes of war and religion, and speculate on the human’s spiritual place in the universe.

Undeterred by the award of a Doctorate in Mathematics from Imperial College, London, he conceived his debut novel, The Genes of Isis (Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies.

The historical thriller, The Old Dragon’s Head (Matador, 2018), is set in Ming Dynasty China in the shadows of the Great Wall.

​The Coronation (Matador, 2019) was another historical adventure and speculates on the genesis of the most important event in the modern world – the Industrial Revolution.

The Abdication (Matador, 2021) is a mystery thriller in which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means to abdicate that faith.

The Mark of the Salamander (Book Guild, 2023) is the first in a two-book series, The Island of Angels. Set in the Elizabethan era, it’s an epic tale of England’s coming of age.

His work in progress is the second in the series, The Midnight of Eights, the charting of the uncanny coincidences that led to the repulse of the Spanish Armada.

Author, speaker and broadcaster, Justin appears on LitFest panels, gives talks to historical associations and libraries and enjoys giving radio interviews and making podcasts. Born three days before the end of 1953, he lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.

Connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ pinterest ~ bookbub ~ goodreads

Enter The Giveaway:

THE MARK OF THE SALAMANDER Book Tour Giveaway https://widget.gleamjs.io/e.js

Join us for this tour from Nov 1 to Nov 27, 2023!
Book Details:

​Book Title:  The Mark of the Salamander by Justin Newland
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  246 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction and Magical Realism 
Publisher:  The Book Guild
Release date:  September 2023
Formats Available for Review: print (softback) (internationally), ebook (MOBI (for Kindle), EPUB, PDF)
Tour dates: Nov 1 to Nov 27, 2023
Content Rating: PG-13 +M. Mild sex and cruelty. Mature themes.