Book Review: Our Lady of Holy Slaughter
Naturally, when I think of the Crusades, I think of the dry desertous Holy Land. I think of Jerusalem, Baibars, Saladin, and Richard the Lionheart. I think of the red and white crosses of the Knights Templar, or the Black and white heraldry of the Knights Hospitaller. I do not think of swamps, the Baltics, pagans, or Germany.
But that's where this short story occurs. Our Lady of Holy Slaughter by S.J Shank is a medieval horror tale that takes us to a lesser known, to me at least, aspect of the Crusade time period. We readers find ourselves in Germany in 1236, following a ragtag band of knights known as the Livonian Brothers of the Sword in the aftermath of their loss to the Semigallians, a Baltic tribe that lived in what is now known as Lithuania, in the Battle of Saule.
Shank's tale follows Gaidis, a Semigallian turned squire for the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. We find this band of not very good brothers on the brink of dehydration, trapped in a swamp, covered in mud, muck, and mosquitoes. Hiding from the Semigallians. They are torn between escaping the swamp with their lives or trying to reunite with their commander and carry on the fight. Gaidis, being Semigallian, is untrusted by the Knights he serves and is treated roughly. Well, let's be blunt; he is abused. This story is gritty, dark, atmospheric, and very well written.
I love a good medieval historical fiction read. If you're looking for a straight historical fiction read like that of Dan Jones or Bernard Cornwell, this isn't it. Our Lady of Holy Slaughter reminded me of Christopher Buehlman’s Between Two Fires or pretty much anything written by Karen Maitland, her Owl Killers or Company of Liars in particular. Superstition and folklore blended with a touch of supernatural horror.
Good stuff.
Shank’s prose does an excellent job of blurring the lines of what is real and what is imagined in the minds of our main characters. We never truly know if the spookier parts of what we are reading are actually happening, or if a lack of water, food, and a dry place to sleep is causing our young Gaidis to hallucinate.
If you are intrigued by an atmospheric medieval horror story, this one is for you.
Thank you NetGalley, Carthago Nova Press, and S.J. Shank for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this short story in exchange for my honest opinion. I really enjoyed it.
I’m Justin. I write about librarianship, leadership, public service, and books. If you found this piece relatable, leave me a like or send me an email. Subscribe if you want more of what’s bouncing around in my head. If you found this article helpful, consider buying me a coffee.
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