The Shadow of Albion

by Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill

Book Overview

Young Sarah Cunningham is ripped from the present day and thrust into a volatile alternative Europe of 1805 where King Henry IX rules over the English Empire, America has no revolution, and Napoleon... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312864272
• ISBN13: 9780312864279
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 350 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

very fresh read

This book was so diffrent from the sexy-al-the-same fantasy novels. It was fresh and new and i love this book the writing i also very good.Wesex and sarahs romance was cute as well as toching.

A Maryland Tomboy in King Henry's Court

The Shadow of Albion (1999) is the first novel in the Carolus Rex series. This story takes place in an alternate reality in which magic is very possible. In England, Charles II has proclaimed his lawful marriage to Mistress Waters and has accepted Charles, the Duke of Monmouth, as his heir. Upon the death of his father, the Duke became King Charles III and the Stuart dynasty has since reigned over England. The American colonies have remained reasonably content with Stuarts on the English throne, although the thirteen colonies are blocked from expansion by the French lands to their west. In this novel, it is 1805 and Napoleon Bonoparte rules in France. Sarah, Marchioness of Roxbury, is dying of galloping consumption and Dame Alecto Kennet arrives to confront Roxbury with her dereliction of duty, for she has no heir. They look into the timelines for one to take her place and find Sarah Cunningham from Maryland sailing to England. Roxbury rides to the Saracen Stones to effect the change. Sarah Cunningham is a child of the new Republic, spending her childhood years between Baltimore and the deep woods. She has grown up among the Cree indian lodges, hunting, fishing, and cooking the game on an open fire. Then, when she is 25, her parents die of cholera and she is taken in by a distant cousin of her mothers. Sarah Cunningham is aboard ship because a Madame Alecto Kennet has come to America as an agent of the Dowager Duchess of Wessex and Sarah is called to England to right a wrong done to her family. Unfortunately, Madame Kennet dies at sea. Sarah leaves the ship at Bristol and catches the mail coach to London. On the way, they colllide with a strange spidery chariot driven by herself. Sarah falls through the coach window and loses consciousness. When Sarah again becomes aware of her surroundings, she finds everyone treating her as the Marchioness of Roxbury. She also discovers that she is betrothed to Rupert St. Ives, Duke of Wessex. Gradually, she find out that her fiance is a secret agent of the White Tower and then things start to become really exciting. This novel is a Regency romance in a timeline that has no Regency. However, it does have Napoleon Bonaparte, Talleyrand, and a strangely effective, but still cruel, Marquis de Sade. Moreover, it does have magic, both white and black. Recommended for Norton fans and anyone who enjoys romantic adventure in a fantasy setting.

Carla Kelly & now Norton & Edghill Keeping the Regency Alive

The regency romance is in a state of decline except for some huge talents who are managing to breathe new life into it. This literary form was begun by Jane Austen with "Pride & Prejudice." Carla Kelly is one of the huge talents making this genre worth pursing and the second can be found on the sci-fi-fantasy book aisle with authors Andre Norton (a woman) and Rosemary Edghill. Edghill was formerly known as a romance writer whereas Norton has always been in sci-fi-fantasy. This duo creates an alternate regency world that is absolutely fascinating. In this world, there is never a Revolutionary War, the Indians are not abused in America, slavery is abolished because of England's opposition to it and England remains in power and control. This all came about because the English throne never passes to the German line but remains with the Stuarts in this alternate regency world. This world also allows sorcerers and magicians and makes that a big part of accepted life. Two love stories are played out against this new world. One is between colonial Sarah with the English Duke of Wessex and the other is between Louis, the lost King of France (dauphin) and Mariel. Some readers felt that "Leopard in Exile," the sequel to this book, was not as good. I think the story only got better as we moved into the second book. If you need rejuvenation in the wide world of the regency romance, you will find it here.

An immensely Fun Alternative World Fantasy

And now, as the Monty Python intro says, for something completely different. I have just finished 'The Shadow of Albion' by Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill (TOR) and I am absolutely enchanted. I hope there is going to be a sequel. It's an alternative world fantasy set in a world where the Stuarts retained the throne of England, there was no American Revolt and where there are still vestiges of the Arts Magickal. The year is 1805 and Bonaparte threatens to engulf the world. England stands against him. The young Lady Sarah Roxbury is dying due to her own folly and with a important task unfinished. She summons from our mundane world her double, Sarah Cunningham, to take her place and finish what needs to be done, including marriage to the Duke of Wessex, a secret agent in the service of the Stuart throne. The authors obviously had a lovely time with this book. Beau Brummell in this world is a valet to the young, impetuous Prince James Stuart, heir to the throne of England. There's a nod to "The Scarlet Pimpernel" in the pseudonym of Citizen Orczy used by the Duke in one of his trips across France-- "The Scarlet Pimpernel" was written by Baroness Orczy, and one of the members of a dinner party given by Madame de Stael in the prison town of Verdun is 'a Belgian Devine named Poirot'. Let us know forget another dinner guest, Sir John Adams from the northern colonies of America who misses his wife Abby very much! Add the missing Dauphin, the wonderfully villainous Marquis de Sade, a missing Danish Princess, a dungeon and loads of hair raising escapes. No sex, but some strong emotion. Unfortunately it's not in paperback yet but if you like alternative world fantasy with a nice ironic touch I cannot recommend this book too highly

Great blending of fantasy, intrigue, and romance

On an alternate earth where much remains similar, plenty of different individual events have occurred. For instance, on his deathbed, Charles II admits that he married his mistress. This makes the Duke of Monmout the king as opposed to Charles' brother James. Other examples include the Stuart line continues to rule, magic exists, and the American colonies remain part of the British Empire. One major similarity between the two Earths is on both orbs Napoleon plans to rule Europe. The Marchioness of Roxbury is near death, but still has a crucial role in the future of England. Practitioners of the magic arts manage to switch Roxbury's body with that of Sarah Cunningham, a colonial residing on our Earth. Sarah forgets her past life, believing she is Roxbury. England's spymaster, the Duke of Essex, reluctantly plans to marry her because he needs a Duchess to help him with the bride to be of the Prince Regent. The duo goes from complete indifference to strong passion, but their future is in jeopardy, as they must travel through the heart of the lands controlled by their hated enemy. THE SHADOWS OF ALBION melds the incredible talents of tow great authors to produce a novel deemed to be a classic. Fantasy, intrigue, and romance merge in a spectacular way that will elate fans of all three genres and fiction lovers in general. Readers will want more novels starring the delightful couple in future adventures. There is a newtalent abroard and Rosemary Edgehill is her name. She is a worthy successor to Andre Norton as well as a brilliant storyteller in her own right.Harriet Klausner