A Chalice Argent: The Story of William Neilson, Volume 2

William Neilson is a Scottish soldier and a reluctant Jacobite agent who is on a mission to transport a precious jewel to the exiled James Stuart, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He meets adventure, love stories, and sinister threats to his life while traveling from the Sologne to Venice and Rome. The novel is full of color, rich research, and swashbuckling fiction and is a must-read for readers of the genre.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 09 November 2023
Publisher: Welbeck Publishing Group

William Neilson, a character portrayed by the author, continues to exhibit a remarkable set of virtues. He is portrayed as brave, stoical, generous, truthful, constant, protective towards the weak, and honorable to a fault. However, what sets him apart is his undeniable likeability, making him an endearing and captivating figure.

The nearest series to this remarkable character can be found in the works of Patrick O'Brian, particularly his Aubrey-Maturin cycle. In these novels, O'Brian showcases a similar blend of virtues and qualities in the character of Captain Jack Aubrey, a naval officer and gentleman. Aubrey is known for his bravery, stoicism, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to his friends and principles.

John Burnside, a prominent writer from The Times, has hailed William Neilson as one of the finest writers of his time. In a review published on New Year's Eve, 1746, Burnside praises Neilson's storytelling abilities and the vividness of his characters. He describes Neilson's work as a "New Year's gift" that brings joy and entertainment to readers.

The novel begins on New Year's Eve, 1746, with William Neilson on the move. He is a Scottish soldier and a reluctant Jacobite agent, tasked with transporting an exquisite and precious jewel to the exiled James Stuart, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Before embarking on his mission, Neilson has a more personal ambition: to see, for one last time, the woman he has loved for more than half his life. The woman in question is Mary, a young and beautiful Scottish woman who has captured Neilson's heart since their childhood.

As Neilson travels from the vast and marshy lands of the Sologne to the chaotic and disorderly houses of Venice and the desolate court-in-exile of the King in Rome, he encounters a series of adventures and encounters. He engages in sword fights, rescues damsels in distress, and participates in musical performances. Throughout his journey, Neilson faces numerous threats to his life, from those determined to thwart him at every turn. These threats range from treacherous enemies to political intrigues and even supernatural forces.

The tales of William Neilson are filled with color, rich detail, and meticulous research. The author has done an impressive job in bringing the historical setting of the French Revolution, the Jacobite rebellion, and the court-in-exile of the King in Rome to life. The reader is transported to these different worlds with vivid descriptions and a sense of authenticity.

What sets A Street Shaken by Light, the first novel in the William Neilson series, apart is its tight and bright romp of a read. The author's prose is elegant and witty, capturing the essence of the era and the characters with finesse. The novel ranges widely across the world, taking in the French Revolution, the Jacobite rebellion, love affairs, duels, general skullduggery, and much more besides. Neilson's rollicking romp is a testament to his adventurous spirit and his ability to create compelling stories that keep readers engaged from start to finish.

Readers have expressed their delight and admiration for the William Neilson series. One reviewer, who gave the novel a perfect rating of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, described it as a "tight and bright romp of a read." They praised Neilson's ability to create compelling characters and his witty prose, stating that the novel was a "rollicking romp that ranges widely across the world, taking in the French Revolution, the Jacobite rebellion, love affairs, duels, general skullduggery, and much else besides, in prose as elegant as it is witty."

Another reviewer, who gave the novel a rating of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, praised Neilson's ability to create a vivid and captivating world. They described the novel as a "tight and bright romp of a read" and noted that it was filled with adventure, romance, and intrigue. The reviewer concluded by stating that the novel was a "must-read for readers of swashbuckling fiction."

In conclusion, William Neilson is a remarkable character, portrayed with a set of virtues that make him an endearing and captivating figure. The series of novels that follow his adventures, written by the talented author James Buchan, are filled with color, detail, and adventure. Whether you are a fan of historical fiction, swashbuckling adventure, or simply a lover of well-crafted storytelling, the William Neilson series is a must-read for anyone seeking an epic voyage worth taking.

Weight: 324g
Dimension: 143 x 202 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914495618