What people have said about The Micklegate Series:
Lots of love and laughter.
I was absorbed by these misfit characters and cannot wait to read book 2.
I chose to read this (twice!) on our break to York and really enjoyed seeking out the buildings, streets and locations referred to in the book. I so love the city anyway but this added a thrilling dimension with little imagination needed to transport me back in time and walk alongside Silas and his friends. I miss them already.
I would highly recommend as an enjoyable contrast to the usual Tudor novels.
In places it is a farce and yet in others there is some really interesting historical research here. Be prepared for 'different.' I particularly liked the unravelling of murder mysteries.
This is a slow burner but, whilst you’re working it all out, you will laugh at the grumpy protagonist and his sidekicks. I also thought this interpretation of Henry V111 was light and multi-faceted (he’s ruthless, sick and angry but also vulnerable) and the sketches of the fictional characters were expert.
If you like British/surreal humour you will love this. There are elements of Blackadder’s dry wit and Monty Python and the Holy Grail type humour and I was just glad it wasn’t too serious, too many Tudor novels can become a dirge. Altogether a very intelligent piece of work that doesn’t pretend to be anything except a complex mystery with lot of fun. It is a slow burner but whilst you’re working it all out you will laugh at the grumpy protagonist and his sidekicks. I also thought this interpretation of Henry V111 was light and multi-faceted (he’s ruthless, sick and angry but also vulnerable) and the sketches of the fictional characters were expert and enjoyable.
A truly wonderful story, which explores how individual souls can become a band of heroes, whatever life they are born into, '1541: The Cataclysm' is a genius work of historical science fiction I cant recommend it highly enough. Stepping up to the stage, we find a group of diverse characters, united by the power of knowing right from wrong, and galvanised into collective action. The adventure factor is high as, in the face of adversity, each character impacts upon the other to become far greater than their sum of parts. With most of the action conveyed through the eyes of a compelling narrator with his own amazing twist, the stories are nested beside one another and expertly interwoven towards a thrilling conclusion. The turbulent historical backdrop is masterfully painted too, with a socio-political scenario which, in many ways, feels strangely relevant to our own uncertain times. Above all, theres such a truth to these offbeat characters that youre left wanting more; imagining their friendship reborn across centuries, styles, genres and situations past, present and future. I cant wait to read the next in the series. Bravo!
This is a quirky book - horrible histories (Tudors) meets assassin's creed (as in conceit for person to go back in time) meets Ratatouille (albeit a mouse not a rat!). However it thankfully doesn't take itself seriously and some of the writing is very funny
The going back in time element to this is not very deeply explored - it could almost not be there - and like assassin's creed no-one really cares and just wants to play in the historical setting(s).
The locations and characters are well drawn, this could have been a car crash but the writing holds it all together.
For such a strange concept you'd have expected a more divisive set of reviews, the fact that they are mainly positive tells you something.
An intriguing and compelling series by an author I havent encountered before.
I particularly liked the layout of the book and the way we met different characters in the chapters. In addition, the range of characters from all social classes was interesting as was their personalities which were expanded upon throughout the novel. A good mix of true historical characters with credible fictional ones too who all seemed to come to life.
The historical settings appealed to me and I was able to get a clear picture of these locations as I have visited many of them.
The plot was engaging and it kept me interested as I was keen to find out the outcome.
The author included humorous responses between some of the characters which were very amusing and had me laughing out loud.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series
Every novel needs a hero. Or maybe more than one. Or maybe several, who have no idea how remarkable they could potentially be. It's not until they are brought together to try and avert the Cataclysm, that any of them begin to see the magnitude of their own capabilities. But these are not your obvious superheroes. They are people just like you and I, in fact, exactly like you and I. For although they lived in another time (some literally, as they are based on real people), they face the same difficulties and struggles that we and those around us do today. Everyone is a combination of nature and nurture, but situations change in fundamental ways that people never will. The novel is set predominantly in York in 1541. Henry VIII is married to Catherine Howard and is frankly as about as unpopular in York and the North as he could conceivably be five years since the Northern rebellion against the Reformation, and its consequences. And yet he is on his way on his summer progress, and it is everyone's duty to bow and scrape to their king. However, his visit to the Minster is part of a much bigger plan, known to those working against it as The Cataclysm. Uncovered by chance by two monks tortured at the Tower of London, the conspiracy threatens to destroy the fabric of England's faith. Whilst York is the centre of the plot, our faithful are bought together to then be temporarily separated on their own missions, taking them across England, confused and vulnerable. As they rise - sometimes accidentally - to their challenges, you cannot help but resonate with their spirits. You will meet many Tudor characters you know only too well, but trust when I say a couple of them will surprise you as you find yourself warming to them. So will the team manage to prevent the Cataclysm? That's for me to know and you to read! And I really recommend you do. This book was so heartwarming in places, even whilst revealing some of the horrors of the reality of Tudor England (the smells!). It was light and easy to read, and I did laugh out loud in places. This is a very different type of Tudor novel, but that's a very good thing, as it can be hard to find something new that inspires you to want to read more. I also have a copy of the second book, '1542: The Purge', and I can't wait!
An excellent literary experience with places and names you'd probably recognize from history but with a heady mix of fictional characters to transport you to Tudor England all brought together by the 'Micklegate mouse' or the Little King Harry as he is also known...
This is a Sixteenth Century whodunnit with a modern approach
Who says history is dull. I need to go back to York and take yet another look
Entertaining and an easier read than Wolf Hall!
My husband loved this book.
Bloody rubbish. Don't Bother!
An inspiring and cleverly written historical novel with believable, original and sometimes amusing characters from diverse backgrounds that you will warm to. The plot is complex, which I liked, and the reveals are worth the wait. For me an enjoyable thinking persons story.
I purchased all 3 in the set for my wife. She read them in no time at all so the must have been good.
Have read all 3, really enjoyed them.
Just reading book . Absolutely wonderful reading. So different from anything else, history, humour and science fiction rolled into one.
Thoroughly enjoyed these. Interesting and unique work
It was light and easy to read, and I did laugh in places, but it also touched my heart. This is a very different type of Tudor novel, but that's a very good thing, as it can be hard to find something new that inspires you to want to read more.
Just finished book4, brilliant and gripping read
Wonderful glimpse of York through different eyes with a novel look at "historical" events.
Clever surreal plot. Witty characters. Imaginative prose. A pleasant surprise amongst the thousands of Tudor historical fiction novels.
A truly wonderful story, which explores how individual souls can become a band of heroes, whatever life they are born into, '1541: The Cataclysm' is a genius work of historical science fiction – I can’t recommend it highly enough. Stepping up to the stage, we find a group of diverse characters, united by the power of knowing right from wrong, and galvanised into collective action. The adventure factor is high as, in the face of adversity, each character impacts upon the other to become far greater than their sum of parts. With most of the action conveyed through the eyes of a compelling narrator with his own amazing twist, the stories are nested beside one another and expertly interwoven towards a thrilling conclusion. The turbulent historical backdrop is masterfully painted too, with a socio-political scenario which, in many ways, feels strangely relevant to our own uncertain times. Above all, there’s such a truth to these offbeat characters that you’re left wanting more; imagining their friendship reborn across centuries, styles, genres and situations – past, present and future. I can’t wait to read the next in the series. Bravo!
I’m slightly biased as I went to school with the author and bought the book as much out of curiosity as out of interest with the period. It’s very well written, obviously well researched and transports you back to days of strange turmoil on English History. I love this period. Civilisation of England was collecting momentum and the seeds of modern society were being sown. Well done to Robert for painting a vivid canvas, part fact, part fiction, that allows the reader to immerse themselves very quickly into this era. If you love History you’ll love 1541.
I am passionate about history in general but can find some historical novels a bit dry and lacking interest, but not this one. It's not often I read a book with a street map next to me to really understand how the places in York relate to each other, and on further checking the "fictional" characters find that some really had lived there. The plot is well developed and believable with a generous dose of humour and twists enough to keep the reader guessing.
Another year on and there is now more for the Agents to do, this time with extra characters. As with 1541, the historical aspect combined with the combination of humour and pathos makes for a fascinating story well told. This is a Sixteenth Century whodunnit with a modern approach. Looking forward to the third in the series.