I liked this tale but it would have been better as a short story as opposed to a 300+ page novel. Nicholas has crafted a story that blends into several different genres. As fantasy, it is rather formulaic with a traveling troupe that includes a mistress with hidden mage powers, a valiant knight totally devoted to defending his troupe, and a young, male orphan apprentice who transforms from boy to man. That defines most of the story- this troupe traveling back and forth from one refuge to another until the climax. It is historical fiction only in the sense that it is set in the 11th century. There are no historical references in the book. As horror, the Something Red is a creature stalking the troupe and leaving mutilated corpses in its wake. Slow at times, hard to read at others, Something Red is the little story that could. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can get through to the ending but ultimately it is a nice little historical horror fantasy.
This is the best fantasy/horror book I've read in years - although I'm not sure you could set it firmly in any genre. Set in what seems to be medieval England, it starts as a story about a band of travelers heading for safety in winter. Each character, even the ox that pulls their wagon, is so finely drawn you feel you know them. The historical detail is fantastic. Then a sense of menace and foreboding creeps up gradually, escalating into violence; you can't turn the pages fast enough. This book is so good.
