I am a fan of this addictive series and am currently rereading it. And I really like the genre of Gothic novels and Gothic romance, which, while they may have elements in common, are distinct from the horror genre. I like spooky and suspenseful, not graphic. And to me, the most effective of these books create a powerfully haunted atmosphere set in the evocative landscape of the West Midlands and the Welsh Marches, densely layered with folklore, village life and ongoing battles between the forces of preservation and development, religion and secularism, Christianity and Paganism, the traditional and the modern. But characters you care about and their dilemmas are what make the series especially readable.
Preferred but not necessary...you will read references to events in earlier books that may confuse/intrigue you (not spoilers per se)--and the relationships between characters changes over time so you'll miss those progressions if you read out of order.
I am a fan of this addictive series and am currently rereading it. And I really like the genre of Gothic novels and Gothic romance, which, while they may have elements in common, are distinct from the horror genre. I like spooky and suspenseful, not graphic. And to me, the most effective of these books create a powerfully haunted atmosphere set in the evocative landscape of the West Midlands and the Welsh Marches, densely layered with folklore, village life and ongoing battles between the forces of preservation and development, religion and secularism, Christianity and Paganism, the traditional and the modern. But characters you care about and their dilemmas are what make the series especially readable.
Thank you for your comments. Do you find it necessary to read the series in order of publication?
Best,
Jay
Preferred but not necessary...you will read references to events in earlier books that may confuse/intrigue you (not spoilers per se)--and the relationships between characters changes over time so you'll miss those progressions if you read out of order.
I am a devoted fan of Phil Rickman. I have reread these books more than once. In fact, I'm ready to start again.
Thanks so much for contributing! Keep in enjoying.
Sounds very alluring to this voracious reader. If the price is not too dear, I will bite. Thanks.
They are widely available at public libraries too. Thanks for comment, always.