The Dark-Haired Man, Or, the Hieromonk's Tale: A Romance of Nova Europe

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Summary: The Dark-Haired Man...Bloody Brilliant !
Review: I mean it,this is brilliant stuff ! Mr. Reginald has done his homework and proves himself a master of all things medieval with this first tale set in Nova Europa. His grasp of history playing itself out in a dark and bloody alternate Middle Ages and his subtle introduction of fantasy elements to the mix, earmark this as a series to follow closely in the months and years ahead. Im hoping that we are treated to maps in future volumes since the various tales are set in different areas of Nova Europa and at different times in history.Speaking with Ariadne Press,the second novel,The Exiled Prince will be arriving soon in Amazon warehouses and the third novel Questiones is due to be released in September.
May this author live to be a hundred !

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Summary: DHM: An Intriguing Fantasy Novel
Review: In "The Dark-Haired Man, or A Hieromonk's Tale" Rob Reginald has created an intriguing blend of fantasy, history, romance, and mystery. Fascinating characters, from the tragic to the humorous populate in medieval world of Nova Europa. I especially like the strong female characters who use their brains, feminine wiles, magic, and their political connections to change their world. These women operate within the constraints of their roles as queens, princesses, and noblewomen but exhibit every bit as much power as men, without dueling with swords. Several forms of magic work in Nova Europa, sometimes in opposition to each other. Mysteries, from the overarching questions of Afanasy's parentage and the evil one's identity, to the small questions about magical dolls, increase the suspense. Amusing situations, witty dialogue, and sarcastic comments keep the reader laughing just enough to offset the sorrow over the horrific battle scenes and the death's of major characters. Although quite different from most fantasy worlds, Nova Europa is a delightful place to visit and I look forward to Rob Reginald's future fantasy novels.

Rating:
Summary: DHM: An Intriguing Fantasy Novel
Review: In "The Dark-Haired Man, or A Hieromonk's Tale" Rob Reginald has created an intriguing blend of fantasy, history, romance, and mystery. Fascinating characters, from the tragic to the humorous populate in medieval world of Nova Europa. I especially like the strong female characters who use their brains, feminine wiles, magic, and their political connections to change their world. These women operate within the constraints of their roles as queens, princesses, and noblewomen but exhibit every bit as much power as men, without dueling with swords. Several forms of magic work in Nova Europa, sometimes in opposition to each other. Mysteries, from the overarching questions of Afanasy's parentage and the evil one's identity, to the small questions about magical dolls, increase the suspense. Amusing situations, witty dialogue, and sarcastic comments keep the reader laughing just enough to offset the sorrow over the horrific battle scenes and the death's of major characters. Although quite different from most fantasy worlds, Nova Europa is a delightful place to visit and I look forward to Rob Reginald's future fantasy novels.

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Summary: The Dark-Haired Man - A stunning achievement
Review: It was with a degree of trepidation that I set out to read THE DARK-HAIRED MAN. 600 pages! I'm a strong admirer of Robert Reginald's short stories (see my Amazon review) but not a big fantasy fan. And the first few chapters were indeed not so easy. All those funny half-familiar names, for instance. Granted, there is a useful glossary at the back of the book for quick reference, and in any case that half-familiarity is the whole key to Reginald's Nova Europa. Nova Europa is how the world might have developed if the Roman emperor Julian, known to us as "Julian the Apostate", had not been killed in the year 363 in battle with the Persians (or perhaps at the hand of a Christian enemy - according to one tradition the martyr St. Mercurius, who returned from the dead to finish off the wicked pagan emperor). In this alternative vision of history Julian survived, to become "Julian the Great", and the following centuries worked out rather differently. The trick is not original, but Reginald carries it off most elegantly. Once the reader has grasped what the situation is, the novel zooms along in great style. I actually found it difficult to put down, and I read it through to the end in two late evening reading sessions each of which followed a long working day. THE DARK-HAIRED MAN is one of the most exuberant books that I've ever read. There is a wide-range of distinctively-drawn characters, the writing is atmospheric, the "fantasy elements" - the things I normally hate - are plausible within their frame of reference, and the main source of evil in the story is immediate, psychologically convincing and chillingly spiteful (which is more than can be said for Tolkien's Sauron, for example). Hats off to Mr. Reginald for a fine piece of work! The second novel in the series, THE EXILED PRINCE, has already appeared, and there are apparently further novels on their way. If they can match the quality of this one, we shall be witnessing the creation of a major literary phenomenon.

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Summary: THE DARK-HAIRED MAN - Postscript
Review: P.S. The novel is very funny too.