"This wonderfully compelling and uniquely satisfying medieval tale battles superstition and dark folklore as it spirals through power, corruption, determination, and hope."
A glory of darkness, unearthly creatures, and vile magic twists into the most achingly exquisite tale which offers hope where there is none to be found. Once-Was-Willem gives voice to the oppressed and damaged, to those who need protection and support. He rises from the dead to find himself shunned, something entirely different, yet empathy, kindness, and trust keep him company. It took me a few pages to settle into this story, to feel and understand the rhythm that plays as the pages are turned. I loved how M. R. Carey turns belief on its head and allows the otherness to take centre stage. This is one story and many as it twists and turns through the known and unknown of humanity and beyond. I adored the seven champions, railed against the corrupt, and found compassion in unexpected places. For the surprises it offers and beauty to be found, this just had to be a Liz Pick of the Month as well as a LoveReading Star Book. Once Was Willem is a tale of light and dark and the shade that plays between them. Highly recommended.
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
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From the bestselling M. R. Carey comes an enthrallingly dark medieval tale - a story of twisted folklore, macabre magic and the strangest of found families. This is the tale of Once-Was-Willem.
Eleven hundred and some years after the death of Christ, in the kingdom that had but recently begun to call itself England, I, Once Was Willem, rose from the dead to defeat a great evil facing the humble village of Cosham. The words enclosed herein are true.
I speak of monsters and magic, battle and bloodletting, and the crimes of desperate men. I speak also of secret things, of that which lies beneath us and that which impends above. By the time you come to the end of this account you will know the truth of your own life and death, the path laid out for your immortal soul, your origin and your inevitable end.
You will not thank me.
Once Was Willem features in the following genres: Book Club Recommendations, Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Historical fantasy, Medieval style, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss, Narrative theme: Journeys and voyages, Folk, Folkloric styles
Once Was Willem is available in Paperback, Hardback
Once Was Willem was written by M. R. Carey and published by Orbit an imprint of Little, Brown
Once Was Willem has 296 pages
£8.99
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