The Chancels of Mainz by Russell Hemmell

I would like to thank Francesca from Luna for an advance copy of this novella in exchange for a fair and honest review

Publisher – Luna Press

Published – 8/2

Price -£7.99 paperback £3.99 Kindle ebook

In late 16th century Germany, the witch-hunt trials are engulfing the country.

Young, brilliant, and eager to prove himself, Inquisitor Hermann De Vylt is hellbent on his holy war against the forces of evil.

But when his world is turned upside down by the death of a noblewoman accused of witchcraft and the encounter with the mysterious Namtar in the Cathedral of Mainz, Hermann is forced to reconsider his allegiances.

If you read a lot you start to spot certain story paths. Ah I see that this is coming of age; this is a locked room mystery or yes that mysterious family secret is going to be revealed at last. This is not a criticism I love all those stories and its how the story is delivered is then the fun part. A familiar song can by a talented singer be changed into something similar and yet new. But there is a joy into reading something and thinking oh I so know where this is going and then being completely bamboozled and getting something else that is both surprising and extremely well delivered. That was the joy of reading The Chancels of Mainz by Russell Hemmell a tale of witch hunts, religious war and politics, magic and repressed desire. Its one of the most interesting reads so far this year!

The tale takes place in late 16th century Germany. The Vatican is concerned about the rise of the Protestant faith and the threat to their power, but young and zealous member of the Inquisition Hermann De Vylt is far more concerned about the threat of witchcraft near the city of Mainz. Hermann has concerns that a new coven is gaining power. His superiors are far more interested in the threat of a rival church than what they feel is likely just superstition and do not give him authority to bring the power of the Inquisition. Hermann is frustrated and foolishly imprisons the wealthy daughter of a powerful woman who is trying to negotiate her brother’s release. She will die in his custody and   Hermann’s life is about to change quite dramatically.

Oh this is a ride and a treat! I will be circumspect on the plot here but if you are coming up with things like Witchfinder General plots you’re going to be surprised. This is not quite horror, not quite historical fiction, not quite folk tale but a mixture of everything. What it is though is a fascinating slice of fantasy that manages to subvert our expectations of the inquisition, gives us a slice of 16th century life and politics and then an encounter with a strange entrancing and unknowable magical force.

Historically I loved how this tale challenges the idea of the Inquisition we tend to see in fantasy as witchcraft obsessed. It does indeed torture and kill but its far more concerned with protecting the Vatican’s power base so the struggle with Protestants is the big driver. WE also see that Hermann is finding himself falling into power games reminding us of the wealthy families sitting their relatives in the church for influence. Hermann is initially quite an unlikeable puritan-style character, but the story puts him through the mincer unpeeling his soul, challenging and questioning his own beliefs and when he does encounter the supernatural, he finds something stranger, more entrancing and more seductive than he ever expected. By the end I don’t think I still want to be friends; but I understand and perhaps pitied him in the end which is a fairly impressive piece of character work

Hemmell gives us a tale that is at terms enlightening, erotic, disturbing and familiar. Their historical knowledge is evident, and I think gives the reader more insight into the time than you’d expect. It also looks at the idea of faith and gods across the centuries and the conflict of church and other beliefs is handled in a way I really didn’t see coming. Prepare for a ride and I cannot wait to hear your thoughts afterwards. I am trying very hard not to give you too many spoilers here Gentle Reader, so you get to be surprised as much as I was! I care I really do. Safe to say of the six great novellas I’m looking at from Luna this year this one is my favourite. Strongly recommended!