Book Review: All Night Awake

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

All Night Awake     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Sarah A. Hoyt
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Historical
Ace, Oct 2001, $21.95, 304 pp.

In Arden Grove near Stratford-On-Avon lies the hill that is the heart of fairy. Once Sylvanus ruled the fey but his evil ways caught up with him and he was doomed to spend eternity as one of the Hunter’s dogs. Through trickery and guile, Sylvanus plays upon the sympathies of the new king of the elves, his brother Quicksilver, into using the power of the hill to free him from his bondage.

Sylvanus, as evil as ever, makes his way to London, spreading carnage, death and illness as he passes. Realizing what he’s done, Quicksilver travels to London to find a way to defeat his brother and restore the natural order of the world. Quicksilver, in his alter ego of Lady Silver, tracks down William Shakespeare to warn him to leave London for those who have been touched by fairy are forever marked and Sylvanus will be able to use him for his foul purposes. Kit Marlowe, a courier of Elizabeth I, wants Shakespeare in London as a sacrifice to those of the Queen’s council who want a traitor. Sylvanus finds Marlowe more than adequate for his purposes, leaving it up to others to defeat the evil Sylvanus.

ALL NIGHT AWAKE is an entertaining blend of historical facts with fantasy lore. Readers learn how Shakespeare obtained his muse, the fate of Kit Marlowe, and the court intrigues that center on Queen Elizabeth I. The antagonist is one of the most odious creatures to grace the pages of a book so the reader wants him defeated. Sarah A. Hoyt’s prose has lyrical feel that adds to a wonderful work.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner