The Alchemist in the Shadows
Pierre Pevel
PYR, Apr 26 2011, $16.00
ISBN 9781616143657

French Cardinal Richelieu knows his country's greatest threat does not come from other nations though he does not ignore their danger. The biggest risk to France's current sovereignty is the Black Claw, a Spanish-based secret group functioning with immunity out of bigger European kingdoms.

When Italian spy La Donna offers information on a plot against the throne; the Captain La Fargue, leader of the Cardinal's Blades, accepts her terms in the name of His Excellency. She offers to bring their lethal enemy the Alchemist from out of the shadows that conceal his deadly activities and La Donna insists she can provide details. In exchange for information France needs to keep weak King Louis XIII safe, His Excellency must grant her immunity from arrest and especially protect her from the Black Claw assassins.

The second Blades historical fantasy is a terrific blending of political intrigue in early seventeenth century France with draconic magic. The cast is powerful as each of the Blades has different personalities while their enemies especially the shadowy Alchemist seems like a perfect match. Although it helps to have read The Cardinal's Blades to better understand Pierre Pevel's paranormal Paris, readers will enjoy this exhilarating twisting thriller.

Harriet Klausner