The style isn't what I'd call strong, and frankly there were a couple of times I considered abandoning reading this--because they style isn't strong and it seemed to be running along predicable lines. It may also have been the fault of a nasty cold that's shot my ability to really concentrate to hell that made it hard to initially connect with the book. Ultimately the book wasn't so predictable though, and in a way that's hinted at before you ever read the first line of the prologue, hinted at in the dedication where Snodgrass calls this an "anti-fantasy" and at the very title.

This is both alternate fantasy and historical fantasy, with a mix of historical figures and fictional characters. The central character is William of Orange, the man who later in life would become half of William and Mary after marrying the future Queen of England. At the start of the book he's days away from his 18th birthday, studying at the feet of the great philosopher Baruch Spinoza and dark forces are gathering that threaten his land, Holland. Magical forces at that, and this is where the book first seems to tread very familiar formulaic territory as William gains companions on a quest to gather magical talismans. And where things begin to veer off the line of history. Ultimately though, I did very much like where Snodgrass went with all this, how she fit all the pieces, and her Prince William is certainly an appealing hero. And after all, this book does what good historical fiction is supposed to do. It makes me want to learn more about the real William of Orange--and the real Baruch Spinoza. (And the glimpses with get of Merry Charles II of England and Louis XIV the "Sun King" of France are intriguing too.) ( )