The Devil's Band

by Richard Anderton

Thomas Devilstone is on the run. The spells and charms he cast for Henry VIII have failed to produce the promised royal heir and now the king's former favourite faces a cruel and hideous death for practising witchcraft. Thomas' only hope is to flee abroad and join the desperate Yorkist rebels plotting to overthrow the Tudor tyrant, but first he must help an unfrocked priest, an unscrupulous mercenary and a deposed African prince escape from London's deepest dungeon...

430 pages, Paperback

Published November 2, 2015

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are the start of the adventures of Thomas Devilstone. Unmasked as a fradualent astrologer to Henry VIII, he hopes to make his way to the camp of Richard de la Pole, pretender to the English throne. What could possible go wrong.
An enjoyable romp.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not exactly what I expected when I picked it up. I knew that it involved Richard de la Pole, an important part of the Plantagenet remnant who has not been largely novelized. I thought that this 'Devil's Band' was going to be a group of soldiers in his service. Well, let's just say, that's not exactly what goes on.

Thomas Devilstone is in trouble as soon as we meet him (as you may have guessed by his name), and he continues to get in deeper throughout the novel. In a sort of implausible late medieval adventure, he and his unlikely band of brothers somehow manage to slither out of each death defying situation they find themselves in. The characters, especially our Thomas, are not lovable or admirable, but I found myself rooting for him just the same - sort of like when reading about Bernard Cornwell's Uhtred. He is irreverent, impetuous, and willing to try anything.

If you are looking for an exciting read that takes you from London to Pavia, you should consider giving this indie novel a try.