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Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite
The Skull of Wenceslas by Marion Deland revolves around Kat Schneider, a medieval literary expert, who is trying to move forward after the loss of her beloved Oma. She gets the change she needs when she travels to Prague to translate an ancient manuscript. However, it seems like the city has other plans for her. Spirits and ghosts that no one else can see roam about the city, but for Kat, this isn't entirely new. She was born with the Sight, a gift she believes she inherited from her Oma that allows her to see and communicate with the supernatural. As her gift pulls her deeper into centuries-old intrigues, she finds herself caught between past and present, history and magic, in a world where legends are far from dead.
Kat Schneider is an interesting main character. With her background as a scholar, I was even more intrigued by the historical and literary mysteries at the heart of the plot. As for the setting, Prague already feels like a fantasy city before any magic is added, and this novel treats the city itself as part of the story. The mix of historical fantasy and adventure had me hooked. The thought that ghosts, saints, and legends are real, and only a select few can see them, made the story much more interesting to follow. The pace was perfectly suited to explore the layered cast of characters and the unique plot. I liked that the narrative took time to let the characters develop and the mysteries unfold in a way that felt natural and easy to follow. The writing delivers, and it was a fascinating ride through the streets of Prague and even across the country, where anything could happen. The Skull of Wenceslas by Marion Deland will appeal to readers who like a novel infused with atmosphere, historical mystery, and where place and history are as important as the characters themselves.
