THE YEAR IS 1460 AND ALL SIGNS POINT TO IT BEING THE END OF THE WORLD.
Accused of heresy and expelled from his monastery, Luca Vero is recruited by a mysterious stranger to record the end of the days. His first mission takes him to a nunnery where the women are showing terrible signs of possession under an imprisoned Lady Abbess – Isolde.
Thrown together by danger, Luca and his true friend Freize, alongside Isolde and her companion Ishraq, embark on a daring journey across Europe, as they uncover the secrets of Order of Darkness, racing to stay ahead of the end of the world.
Dive deep into the world of medieval legends and disentangle reality from fear: read the first three books in the Order of Darkness series from the internationally renowned author of historical fiction Philippa Gregory.
This book was previously published individually as Changeling (2012), Stormbringers (2013) and Fools' Gold (2014).
The series has its own website – www.orderofdarkness.com – where you'll find more information about the books, the characters and the history of the period.
Released in 2017
My first three books in the Order of Darkness series which proved to be a really liberating experience. The series opens in 1460 and the circumstances of the novels are authentic history but the characters are completely invented and their adventures are imaginary. This gives me a chance to be more novelist than historian and I have loved this series and the way that the completely fictional characters are free to develop.
Book opens in 1460
In Italy, the renaissance is gaining momentum and Italians are becoming increasingly interested in learning and understanding classical thinking and philosophy. Despite this growing focus on intellectual curiosity, there remains a strong loyalty to the Catholic Church and belief in magic, mysticism and superstition is rife. In order to retain its control, the Church must identify which phenomena can be rationally explained and which may really be magic.
Reviews
"Exciting first title in a new series… with attractive characters, several layers of mystery and, as one might expect, meticulously researched historical detail."
Daily Mail Full Review
"The plot is deftly conceived … and the setting richly detailed."
The Daily Telegraph on Changeling Full Review
"I loved Changeling because of the strength of the core quartet of characters, and their relationships, but if anything this is even better in that regard....brings the time period to life vividly....A strong recommendation for all"
The Bookbag Full Review
"one of the most enthralling historical series of recent years, with Gregory's descriptions bringing 15th century Venice vividly to life"
The Bookbag Full Review
"The plot is deftly conceived…and the setting richly detailed."
The Daily Telegraph Full Review
"Exciting first title in a new series … with attractive characters, several layers of mystery and, as one might expect, meticulously researched historical detail."
Daily Mail on Changeling Full Review
"The meticulous historical research that Gregory is known for in her adult fiction work can be seen here too as she invites the reader to share in her medieval world through colourful descriptions and thought-provoking dialogues. Many aspects of medieval life and thought are explored, some of which are still of concern today even if under different guises....a powerful story"
Inis Magazine Full Review
"thrilling romantic adventure... Gregory brings 15th century Venice brilliantly to life - she's not labelled the "
Young Post Full Review
"Oh how I loved this book! I read it in two sittings and struggled to put it down in between … I can seriously see this as a TV series. The characters are just bursting out of the book, desperate to appear in real life."
Serendipity Reviews Full Review
"Oh how I loved this book! I read it in two sittings and struggled to put it down in between … I can seriously see this as a TV series. The characters are just bursting out of the book, desperate to appear in real life."
Serendipity Reviews on Changeling Full Review
"fast-paced....Teens will find themselves drawn to the characters in this novel as they navigate questions of faith, loyalty, friendship, and love in a brave and forthright manner."
Historical Novel Society Full Review
"If you have read the previous two, then I highly suggest you grab hold of Fools' Gold and read it as soon as possible - I promise you won't regret it... just enough action, and romance"
YA Madness Full Review
"pleasingly dark ... a pacey and enjoyable read, with the promise of more unusual adventure and darker plotlines as the series moves on."
We Love this Book' from The Bookseller on Changeling
"pleasingly dark....a pacey and enjoyable read, with the promise of more unusual adventure and darker plotlines as the series moves on."
We Love this Book' from The Bookseller Full Review
"a rich and dramatic adventure series"
Lovereading Full Review
"The second in this epic series, Order of Darkness, from the Queen of Historical Fiction. Stormbringers is a dramatic adventure, with a hint of romance....Philippa Gregory excels in this new area of writing for a YA audience."
Lovereading Full Review
"Best-selling Philippa Gregory’s first book for teenagers is a thrilling story of malice and betrayal, courage and passion ... a spellbinder of a story."
Lovereading on Changeling (June 2012 New Gen Book of the Month) Full Review
"Best-selling Philippa Gregory’s first book for teenagers is a thrilling story of malice and betrayal, courage and passion....a spellbinder of a story."
Lovereading (June 2012 New Gen Book of the Month) Full Review
"Gregory brings the Europe of the 15th century thrillingly to life, capturing the time period perfectly ... would highly recommend"
The Bookbag on Changeling Full Review
"Gregory brings the Europe of the 15th century thrillingly to life, capturing the time period perfectly....would highly recommend"
The Bookbag Full Review
"hypnotic ... Gregory creates an immersive medieval world"
Publishers Weekly on Changeling Full Review
"hypnotic....Gregory creates an immersive medieval world"
Publishers Weekly Full Review
"I loved Changeling because of the strength of the core quartet of characters, and their relationships, but if anything this is even better in that regard ... brings the time period to life vividly ... A strong recommendation for all"
The Bookbag on Stormbringers Full Review
"The meticulous historical research that Gregory is known for in her adult fiction work can be seen here too as she invites the reader to share in her medieval world through colourful descriptions and thought-provoking dialogues. Many aspects of medieval life and thought are explored, some of which are still of concern today even if under different guises ... a powerful story"
Children's Books Ireland on Stormbringers Full Review
"fast-paced ... Teens will find themselves drawn to the characters in this novel as they navigate questions of faith, loyalty, friendship, and love in a brave and forthright manner."
Historical Novel Society on Stormbringers Full Review
"The second in this epic series, Order of Darkness, from the Queen of Historical Fiction. Stormbringers is a dramatic adventure, with a hint of romance ... Philippa Gregory excels in this new area of writing for a YA audience."
Lovereading on Stormbringers Full Review
"one of the most enthralling historical series of recent years, with Gregory's descriptions bringing 15th century Venice vividly to life"
The Bookbag on Fools' Gold Full Review
"thrilling romantic adventure ... Gregory brings 15th century Venice brilliantly to life - she's not labelled the "
Young Post on Fools' Gold Full Review
"If you have read the previous two, then I highly suggest you grab hold of Fools' Gold and read it as soon as possible - I promise you won't regret it ... just enough action, and romance"
YA Madness on Fools' Gold Full Review
"a rich and dramatic adventure series"
Lovereading on Fools' Gold Full Review
