The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies

by Simon Webb

This book tells the fascinating story of the origin of our ideas about wizards, witches and fairies. We all have a clear mental image of the pointed hats worn by such individuals, which are based upon actual headgear dating back 3,000 years to the Bronze Age. Carefully sifting through old legends, archaeological evidence and modern research in genetics, Simon Webb shows us how our notions about fairies and elves, together with human workers of magic, have evolved over the centuries.

This exploration of folklore, backed by the latest scientific findings, will present readers with the image of a lost world; the one used as the archetype for fantasy adventures from The Lord of the Rings to Game of Thrones. In the process, the real nature of wizards will be revealed and their connection with the earliest European cultures thoroughly documented.

After reading this book, nobody will ever be able to view Gandalf the wizard in the same light and even old fairy tales such as Beauty and the Beast will take on a richer and deeper meaning. In short, our perception of wizards, witches and fairies will be altered forever.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2022

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book doesn’t come out until January 2022, though it appears perfectly themed for nonfiction October pick. That’s what this advanced copy was for me, anyway, so now I’m the first person to rate and review it. Even had to create a listing for it on GR.
So, let’s talk about the book…first off, it’s really good. The publisher tends to specialize in military themes, but lately they’ve been going off the beaten path and veering in all sorts of (to me) much more interesting and entertaining directions. Like this book. To be fair, the tone of it isn’t quite the jocularly charming one of their traditional diversions, but it’s nowhere near pedantic. What you get is a well-informed, well-presented and, despite the numerous digressions all of which with a purpose, pleasingly concise book that offers exactly what the title promises.
Since proverbially there’s nothing new under the sun, it shouldn’t surprise you to find out that the modern ideas we have of wizards, witches and fairies are actually based on centuries of historical past (some factual, some invented) and have profound and elaborate sociocultural bases. It is these winding paths that the author so expertly travels in this book from prehistoric constructs to much more recent ideas.
Pointy hats (or horned helmets) and magic wands will be explained, fairies will be linked to long-gone ancestorial branch, witches will be culturally contextualized. And, because of the excellently meandering ways of this book, it’ll take you from the beginning of civilization to present day and span an impressive variety of subjects, continents, eras, etc. A most striking accomplishment for such a slender tome, this book will not only educate and entertain, it’ll actually give you an entire new and informed framework for thinking about the cultural history of things we find ubiquitous in modern culture, be it fantasy tales or October window decorations and customs. Excellent read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/

[Amanda Hupe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, Simon Webb, and Pen & Sword Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. It releases, today, January 30th, 2022.

I was so excited to dive into this non-fiction book, The Origins of Wizards, Witches, and Fairies by Simon Webb. I studied history in college and I loved studying the structure of different cultures which usually revolved around religion and the belief system. So I took many classes on Fairytales, Folklore, and Mythology and it never felt like enough. It is something that I am still fascinated by all these years later after graduating. My focus was on European history and one of the things that always drew my attention was the Witch Hunts. So when I was given this book, I thought this book would dive into the societal behaviors that led to stereotypes and lore that we associate with wizards, witches, and fairies today. Unfortunately, this book does not go into that. It focuses on media and how wizards, witches, and fairies are presented in the media.

One example that is brought up a lot is Gandalf from Lord of the Rings. One would think I would be overjoyed, as Tolkien’s Legendarium is one of my favorites…but the author didn’t fully grasp Tolkien’s invented history. In fact, there were actually many spelling errors when referring to the Maiar and Numenor. Then there is a reference to Game of Thrones…the show. But before the show, there were books and I felt that his argument would have been better had he referred to A Song of Ice and Fire, rather than the TV show that it is based on.

I did like the mention of Boudica. But again, even the history was very surface level. I felt that the “origins” concept was actually never answered. The structure felt very unorganized and repetitive. There was way too much focus on stereotypical objects like cauldrons, wands, and wide-brimmed, pointed hats. Again, the book barely skimmed the surface and was not at all what I was anticipating. Great cover, though! Overall, I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was super interesting. I would like to thank Pen & Sword for providing me with an advance readers copy via access to the galley for free through the NetGalley program. Anyone looking for a comprehensive telling of wizards, witches, and fairies in how they came about in their true form, how portrayal in pop culture compared the the past has evolved, as well as how perception and characterization has changed over time. Would be a good resource book for anyone needing reference and for anyone interested in such topics.

The Story
I enjoyed the commentary on preservation of oral history, context, meaning, application, conduct, as well as proposed theories about such beings and how they were portrayed in literature and pop culture today.

I would have liked to have seen a bit more related to how such characters are portrayed and used in other media, such as the fairies in The Legend of Zelda and other video games, but that’s just personal preference for my curiosity when it specifically comes to fairies.

Etymology was interesting and the book went into detail of the symbolism in their clothing, decor, flutes, and horns. There were some aspects that were incredibly informational where it was less persuasive and what was more persuasive had less information, which was pleasant to read through without being dry, but also in some ways I think that came down to overall tone and maybe more an objective of the book than oversight.

The Writing
It’s a very approachable book.

I received an ARC so I won’t comment on the organization as I think it was still being refined and I deeply appreciated the topics it touched upon no matter the order.

A lot of research in this shows the depth of date and place reference accuracy, originating concept, and overall depiction. Some presuppositions that make you feel like you’re on the bandwagon, other times there were questions particularly related to Christianity, that I think were answered with certain historical figures and references rather than overall concept or message. As a result, at times there was lot of opinion, commentary, personal tone that I found to be interesting but came with more questions than answers, particularly how Christianity is mostly the sole contrast to the examples that were given. One to argue with rather than from point of discovery and possible relationship. Mentioned religious appropriation of other cultures but I would wonder if overall it proposes the question of asking if law and formalities preceded nature and behavior, or the other way around? Of which speculation that no one could ever confer as a hijacking of Christianity, not as a title of religion, but overall relationship which is something you can't ignore both in value and principle, but I appreciated reading about such thoughts nonetheless.

Illustrations
These were super beautiful and interesting.

Blog post

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever wondered why we think things like Gandalf's pointed, floppy-brimmed hat in LOTR or why fairies are live under the hill and come out to steal milk and produce are "just how things are", Simon Webb's book on the origin of our contemporary knowledge of wizards, witches and fairies is a wonderful summary of why we think the things we think.

Drawing on resources from archeology, ancient cave paintings and oral traditions, this book traces the origins of many of the things we, in 21st century life, have assimilated as part of a general cultural knowledge. I particularly enjoyed the tracing of the Merlin/Gandalf story back in time through Odin, as well as fast-forwarding to our current view of Santa Claus and St. Nicholas. Most of the preconceptions we have about what a wizard looks like, or what powers a witch has are rooted in centuries, even millenium-old traditions and stories, many of which have a base in historical fact. I also have a fascination with bog bodies, so the tie-ins to ritual sacrifices and how these traditions were tied into the beliefs of various cultures from Celtic to Indo-Europeans was of particular interest to me. I had a lot of "aha!" moments throughout the book and stopped to read my husband passages that resonanted really strongly with me.

My one criticism of the book is that the book felt a bit disorganized. I felt that there was a lot of jumping around to different topics, rather than carrying through one concept from start to finish in terms of an historical perspective. I wound up having to bookmark and reference back to a few sections, just to pick up the narrative thread.

I can see this book having a strong appeal for readers who want to know more about the origins of some of their favorite contemporary fantasy characters, as well as those who appear throughout literature of the past, including fairy tales and even casual superstitions like throwing coins into a fountain that continues today.

[Bengali Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to get a chance to read this book as I am very keen on anything supernatural and their origins.
But as I read I found the conversation to be circular and didn't quite explain the origins.

There were multiple references to popular depictions of wizards, witches, and fairies. I am assuming that it done to make the content more relatable. However, it didn't quite do it for me.

It did read like a reference book which perhaps is the goal, but it didn't work for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Pen and Sword History for giving me the opportunity to read this.

#TheOriginsofWizardsWitchesandFairies #NetGalley.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading about the origin of anything fascinates me but the origins of the idea of wizards, witches and fairies, I couldn't resist. The origins of why we throw coins into fountains, the number 3 that pops up everywhere, the aesthetics of how we view a wizard (long white beard) or a witch (pointy hats and brooms) are just a few items discussed.

I really enjoyed and also was horrified by a lot of the stories of witches or should I write "witches". Women and men that were unfortunate enough to be around when cattle got sick or crops died. Wow, people are still pretty weird but they don't blame people for that just cause they stood near them, right?

This is a great source of information and history on where our modem traditions and visuals derived from and the evolution and religious impact throughout.

Thank you Pen and Sword Books and @netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review. 

[Ellie's · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so thrilled to be granted this wish that I do not know how to explain what happened.

I will just state that this book was no made for me. I don't know why I expected something different.

Thank you so much for granting the wish.

[Robert Neil Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite living in a sophisticated, scientific world, or perhaps because of it, we are still enchanted by stories of wizards, witches, and fairies. They are deeply embedded in our culture, in movies, books, art, and some aspects of our everyday lives. But have you ever wondered where these stories come from? If so, Simon Webb has some answers in his latest book.
Webb notes that the fantasy world from which wizards, witches, and fairies emerge are recognisable but with imagined elements. That is because most of them are ingrained in folk memories and folk tales, many of which we can trace into prehistoric art and oral stories passed down through the generations. Webb argues that much of this goes back to the Yamnaya people’s expansion through Europe about 3000 BCE. In that era, religion and magic were fused into the natural world that included our ancestors. There we find shaman, the first wizards, and the horned gods pursuing souls in the ‘wild hunt’. Fairies date back to the Yamnaya too, though they were not the gossamer-winged, slightly mischievous wee people we all love but, argues Webb, nasty, stunted humans with a penchant for thievery and destruction, ‘a deadly menace’. The advent of organised religion, particularly Christianity, divided the world into good and evil, which traces a direct path to the infamous 17th Century witch trials and ritual sacrifice, the last of which, Webb recounts, took place in 1945 England with the strange death of Charles Walton. Nevertheless, the modern world, beginning with the Victorians, has popularised these fantasy people, and we continue to do so today in stories such Harry Potter and The Game of Thrones. Webb concludes with an alternative annual construction based on magic and pagan festivals.
The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies is an entertaining and informative read aimed squarely at a public, non-academic readership. That helps the flow but is frustratingly free of footnoted references for those that might want to dig further. Webb also writes in a chatty style, but his habit of asking rhetorical questions in his text could be an annoying distraction to some readers. Those quibbles aside, most readers curious about the foundations of the fantasy world will enjoy Webb’s book.

[cleo ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

received from NetGalley, with thanks to Pen and Sword Books and the author; my review is entirely my honest thoughts

This was a super interesting read! I went into it thinking it would be a tale of magic, but it provides a very grounded, well-researched historical perspective on how common archetypes of wizards, witches and fairies came to be, and how it has permeated into our common cultural consciousness from 4000-5000 years ago to today. It illuminates how ubiquitous all these archetypes are in our daily lives, yet we never stop to wonder at its origins - well, this book delves into it. I loved how it incorporated many recent pop culture references as well, such that a reader will be able to relate what is said to something they are familiar with. At the same time, it espouses enough history in an accessible way that a reader unfamiliar with history (like myself) is able to understand. And a little bonus that made my Linguistics student heart pitter-patter with excitement: There's some discussion on linguistics!

I came away really feeling like I truly learnt something, and it really enriches my understanding of wizards, witches and fairies. While the conjectures postulated in this book are more grounded in reality, debunking much of the mysticism surrounding wizards, witches and fairies, it doesn't necessarily take away from the mysticism; instead, I felt like I got a deeper appreciation for how these myths and folklore came to be, and the power of human imagination and the oral tradition, to have endured for so long and morphed into what it is today. Truly fascinating!

I also really appreciated the inclusion of pictures/illustrations, although in the e-ARC I received, the pictures were all included at the end of the book, so it did make it kind of hard to see what the author was referring to during the book, since I would have had to scroll all the way down to do so and then scroll all the way back up, so I only saw the illustrations once I finished the book.

[Jurga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given the copy of this book in exchange to the honest review via Netgalley.

I was intrigued and curious indeed when I saw this book. After I read it, I thought that it somewhat reminded me of The Great Cat Massacre by R. Darnton, especially the bit about the fairy tales and reasons behind it. It's a fogotten real truth and face of those modernized fairy tales everybody seem to love!
The topic is really interested indeed, although I haven't learned much new from this book. However I do like the ties with most recent movies and events, which just shows how this topic is still relevant these days.
I do have to say, that at times book feels somewhat repetative, which can be both annoying and a good thing, as it's easier to remember the things from previous chapters in order to tie them all in. However, I would prefer it be less repetative. I am glad to see the various examples from all over the Europe, particularly Baltic states, which tend to be often forgotten. This being said, the appendix "The Magical Year" looks a bit rushed. If it would have been specifies that it is solely based on Western, more like British Isles traditions, it would be easier to pass as such. Except that it isn't. It briefly mentions other countries and regions for comparisons on random dates and somehow forgets Summer Solstice traditions in most of the Europe, especially Eastern and North-Eastern side of it, where it is actually a very big thing and has interesting ties with folklore...
Despite all of this, I think this book is good introduction to the topic for the people who are entirely unfamiliar with it, it is well written, easy to read, is well paced and keeps reader's interest.

[Vasilis St. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Superficial treatment of a significant even entertainment subject. In spite of a promising title we have only one chapter about the origins of fairies who offers little new information and in many places not very convincing. For instance there is some discussion about the meaning of the number three in tradition. Among some examples from mythology the author mentions Cerberus the dog who guarded Hades "all such creatures had three heads and never any more or fewer". In fact descriptions of Cerberus vary, including the number of his heads. In the earliest description Cerberus has fifty heads, while other writers gave him one hundred heads. Also in art Cerberus is most commonly depicted with two heads and occasionally with only one. The same can be said when he argues "Horns or antlers are traditionally associated with masculine strength. We hear an echo of such primitive beliefs to this day when we think of the ‘stag parties’ of unmarried young men. Horns on the human head are a symbol of virility and sometimes divinity". We all know the meaning of horns from ancient times, it's a symbol for infidelity when it refers with deceitful partners in a marriage. In my opinion near the end of the book the author is flirting with absurdity. He writes: "How many readers have been involved in the strange ceremony of exchanging part of their body for wealth? Everybody who has ever left a tooth under their pillow in childhood and woken in the morning to find coins have been left by the fairies in exchange for it will know what we are talking about here!" If it was an in-joke I didn't get it.

[J Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies by Simon Webb is a concise and well-researched bringing together of the many strands of both the stories themselves and the various ways of tracing their origins.

From research specifically tracing the "family lines" of the many stories to using archaeological findings to posit ideas about how much of the fiction is based, minus the supernatural aspect, on real (or believed to be real) entities. That isn't to say those at the time didn't ascribe a supernatural power to some of the people and creatures but that in looking back we are seeing very real precursors to what later became fantasy characters.

The writing is engaging and keeps the narrative of the history moving right along. It may not be thriller-reading exciting but you are compelled to keep reading because the information is so interesting.

While definitely of interest to those who read a lot of fantasy it is also just as interesting for those who like literary history as well. It isn't just the fantasy genre that has been built on this foundation.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoyed the fantasy genre ever since I was a kid. From reading the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, I watched the Disney movies as well as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and of course I always found the mythology of King Arthur and the wizard Merlin fascinating. Mythology is one of my favourite subjects. I always thought wizards and witches were fictional characters or perhaps just exaggerated tales of people that were passed down from generation to generation. However, there is a darker truth to the latter that you would never suspect. I am also a history enthusiast. This book separates the facts from the fiction and shines light on the recent evidence surrounding them.

I won't spoil it for you but this book explains not only the origins but how the images of the wizards and witches we are familiar with were formed in our minds.

Everything we've been reading in magical fantasy lands is based on real life that goes as far back as the Bronze age, thousands of years ago! Every chapter will give you a "Wow" and an "A-ha!" moment as soon as you discover how everything falls into place and why we do the things we do.

From why we throw coins into fountains to the process of how we kill vampires. It's all there.

Although this is mostly Eurocentric, it is well researched, and an enjoyable read. If you like fantasy and history, you will love this book. I highly recommend.

[Pat House · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies" is a fascinating and entertaining romp through the world's folklore, myths, and legends. From Boudicca to Cinderella, from Julius Caesar to King Arthur, these well-known and loved stories are explained and examined.

You will recognize stories from your childhood, now seen through adult eyes. This book is extremely well-researched and presented in an easy-to-follow layout. The author draws interesting parallels between ancient mythology and our current fascination with all things magical. I especially liked the chapter on cauldrons and wands.

I found enjoyment in reading a chapter or two at a time -- that gave me time to ruminate on what I had just learned. This book would be a wonderful reference and foundation for all spinners of yarns. I highly recommend this book for any adult with an interest in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating look at the origins of many fantasy elements. I love fantasy but admittedly had never given much thought to the common fantasy framework. Why do many fantasy stories feel like they take place in a shared universe? Why is iron harmful to fairies? Why do witches wear pointy hats? The author offers plausible non-supernatural explanations for the origins of our modern ideas of fantasy and this shared framework. I learned a lot in this book and will definitely be thinking of fantasy differently from now on.

This is very based in Western, particularly British, folk memory, which makes me very curious about similarities and differences across cultures, so I'll be on the lookout for similar books about different regions.

Recommend for fans of fantasy.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Paulina M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for enjoyment

I am to read more nonfiction this year and Occult is definetely one of my interests. I love it in fiction and I am fascinated by its manifestations in "real life."

My fascination with the magical and folkish side of the occult and supernatural has been a part of me for as long as I can remember and Simon Webb's The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies was amazing. The cover is absolutely stunning and I enjoyed how the chapters were separated and it will definitely be one of those coffee table / conversation starters for likeminded friends.

I do wish it had more illustrations and that more global magical folk had been represented.

Disclaimer: In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to Pen & Sword History, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies.

[Amanda Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my humble opinion, this book is best taken cum grano salis.

Pros: Great jumping-off point into Indo-European anthropology. Definitely sparked my curiosity and I’m eager to learn from more focused, scientific texts.

Cons: Editor missed quite a few blatant errors. The book seems aimed at the layperson (which is fine!) but doesn’t seem to credit the reader with well-developed critical thinking skills or a very long attention span (perhaps a harsh but fair attitude?). For the significant claims made, citations were scarce. I think a better compromise could have been made between a book for the layperson and a scientifically-minded text with plentiful evidence carefully presented and cited.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Origins of Wizards, Witches and Fairies" is chock full of ideas that have you rolling your eyes at yourself, because they seem so obvious once they've been pointed out to you! This is a very, very interesting read that's written well and has clearly been researched thoroughly. I enjoyed it a lot, but now I feel like I have to reread a lot of fairy tales to see what else I missed!

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

[Reece · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC from NetGalley

2.5 stars

DNF @32%

There is some interesting information in this book, but it is presented in a way that is far too wordy and circular to be engaging. It reads like a thesis. I often found myself skimming to see if the author would eventually get to the point. I wasn't expecting a novel, but I was expecting something that wouldn't be a chore to read. There were bits that I enjoyed, but I keep on procrastinating opening it back up again, and it's time to just let it die.

[wonderfullyweird88 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this book thinking it would delve into the origins of folklore however it comes across as more of a comparison of fantasy fictional characters.

If I had been expecting a book on how authors developed characters by adapting mythology to their story then I would have enjoyed this book.

Because I went into this expecting something different my enjoyment of it was impacted. It’s an interesting read but not as described.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of interesting information. I saw this recommended as further reading material following a visit to a witchcraft exhibition in my local area and it certainly did the job. However, the book is quite "meaty" and overloaded at times. The book might have been a bit better with more links to the modern day as the last chapter was one of the strong points of the book.

Overall though, I learned a lot of information from this book and makes a good starting point to anyone who wants to learn more about the subject. A solid read.

Somewhere between 3-3.5 ☆

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. If you are looking for some of the beginnings, and how we end up with the views that we have now - go no further.

The author takes on a journey through past stories and pairs with with archaeological evidence. He carefully weaves through the oral stories, and the way we view things today, showing how we ended up with these myths and legends.

It was a well rounded book, with a lot of great information. I enjoyed reading through it and the archaeological pieces were icing on the cake.

[Tasmin Bradshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was granted a early copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

Let me first off just say I wasn't expecting this book to be in such a novel set up. I've been reading quite a few witchy books and they all have this layer out that makes them easier to read in a way. With beautiful pics. This was not like that.
I still enjoyed it. And as someone doing research on fairies it has helped.
It was alot of information. But it was alright.

[Marina]

I was super excited to have the opportunity to read this book. Unfortunately, I was expecting something different from it. I couldn't finish it, I gave up around 75% in. There was some very interesting information in the book. However, I found the writing very repetitive and at times I got too bored to continue with it.

Thank you Netgalley and Pen & Sword History for giving me the opportunity to read this!
#TheOriginsofWizardsWitchesandFairies #NetGalley

[Catarina Prata · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Copy provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

A non-fiction book about the historical origins of witches, wizards and fairies. Well, it had everything to be amazing but, sadly, it was not. I believe that for lovers of the topics provided, it gave nothing new to reflect upon and provided mostly known and tiresome information. However, for those that are just starting on the path of historical fantastical knowledge it might be a good start. Sadly, I wanted more.

[Annalisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very intriguing. It is a very comprehensive guide to the creatures in a hidden realm. Learn about the origins of wizards, witches, and fairies. This book is very engaging and hard to put down. I was very interested in the witches and the fairies, although the wizards are quite fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I definitely recommend to all who are curious about the origins of witches, wizards, and fairies.

[Ruslan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the advanced copy!

I didn't realize that I needed such a reading! The book speaks in a scientific, anthropological way about childhood stories, giving them meaning and reflection that many may not realize. Of course, a major theme for wizards and their image, but there is much more. I recommend.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise, informative, well researched and interesting book that made me learn something new.
It was a fascinating read as it goes back in time and made us learn how we came to tell some stories or some myths came into being.
Even if it's a concise read there're plenty of information.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Carol Keogh (Goodfellow) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read, Simon Webb gives a wonderful overview of the origins of the stories spread over time and the steadfastness of the oral traditions handed down over the centuries. I enjoyed the writing style which has a light hand. Very enjoyable. My thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the Author for an ARC of this vital and refreshing book.

[Michelle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An utterly intriguing and painstakingly well researched book. Mr. Webb has compiled all of his research into this book and gifted readers with a fantastic resource that dives deep into history and folklore.

Thanks to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for an eARC of this title. Opinions shared are influenced by nothing other than my reading experience.