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Anatomy of a Heretic

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I couldn’t finish this book. I have an extremely strong stomach but the pure senseless was just too much.

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I am a huge fan of this author but this book was a bit too explicit for my taste. It is well written as his books are, but this one was not exactly for me.

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Rating: 3.5/5 stars
First of all, I wanted to thank Netgalley for sending me an ARC of Anatomy of a Heretic, by David Mark, in exchange for an honest review.

If I’m being honest, I think this book was not for me. I’m not saying this because I find it bad or lacking in any way; in fact, I have to say Anatomy of a Heretic is a good historical fiction novel. Its word building is vivid, descriptive, visceral, dark (sometimes I even found it too dark for my taste), it explores the lengths of the character’s darkness making use of a rich prose.

It took me awhile to get used to the author’s style and the story itself since the novel is pretty descriptive (too much at times), but once I got a hold on it my reading speed increased considerably. Nevertheless, I had to put the book down since it became too gruesome for me.

I think Anatomy of a Heretic might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but even if I didn’t finish it I can reckon it is a good novel, it’s simply not for me. Who knows, maybe one day I revisit it with a clearer head and change my mind. I’ll definitely keep an eye on David Mark’s future work.

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This book is well written and its the basis for the two starts as I really struggled to finish it. Its gory, cruel and some of the descriptions of the behaviour of the characters were disgusting but this wasn't the reason I didn't enjoy the book I actually found it tedious. The overly long descriptions, and nothing actually happening for most of the first half of the book bored me. I only kept reading as its well written and I held out some hope it would get better. All I can say is that it had a satisfactory ending.

It hasn't put me off trying some of the authors other books though.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

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Thank you Netgalley and Head of Zeus for a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Two assassins go head-to-head on the open seas in this gripping new historical thriller from Sunday Times bestselling author David Mark.
London, 1628.

This was my first novel by David Mark. I will be looking into his other series after reading this gritty, historical fiction novel. The tension and violence in this story really amplified the good vs evil between the main characters.

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1628 and a group of passengers are all travelling on the Batavia, a ship belonging to the VOC. Some are there because they work for the company, some to escape, some for revenge but all with an eye for making a fortune in the East Indies. Not all will make it
I suppose the inklings were there from the start that this would be quite a violent historical fiction and perhaps I should have heeded the warning. As the book progressed I found myself liking it less and less as the violence, horror and generally gruesome descriptions increased. I think there's a good story here but it was too much for me.

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I absolutely loved David Mark’s last historical novel, The Zealot’s Bones, so I was really keen to read his new foray into that genre. I was not disappointed. I love this writing, though do be warned, this is graphic, gory stuff which is visceral and horrifying, so do not go into this expecting a gentle story.

Indeed. If you can get past the most gruesome of murders in the prologue, you’ll probably be able to stomach the rest. Mark revels in both the gruesome and the grotesque. This is highly descriptive fiction where you can smell the sweat on the unwashed bodies even of noblemen, albeit covered up with a sickly, cloying scent. This story is also based in part on historical facts; on real people and is very well researched and historically fascinating.

Jeronimus Cornelisz is a dangerous man. It is Haarlem, Holland in 1628. Badly disfigured in his early life he has learned how to charm, dissemble and lie in order to get his way and bring him closer to his aim of great wealth and standing. His skin is suppurating, his face scarred like snakeskin and he coughs up blood every morning. He is unpleasant to look at, but yet there is something mesmerising about him that brooks no dissent. An apothecary to trade, he knows what potions will unleash the darkest desires of men and enslave them to their lustful urges. A small man with jerking limbs, he is the possessor of a massive God complex. He is the titular antagonist.

Nicolaes de Pelgrom is newly released from gaol. He is lamenting the loss of his mentor and inspiration, Dr. Lambe, who has been brought down by a crowd unable to contain their anger and resentment over Lambe’s association with the King’s right hand man, the reviled Duke of Buckingham. Nicolaes is Villiers’ man – an assassin and spy. Buckingham tasks him with serving as an assassin to a grieving widow – Mariam Towerson – whose husband Gabriel, a merchant with the East India Company, was executed at Amboyna, Indonesia by agents of the Dutch East India Company, on accusations of treason.
The Batavia

Masquerading as a soldier, Nicolaes sets sail on the Batavia, bound for Java. Built in Amsterdam in 1628 as the company’s new flagship this is her maiden voyage for Batavia, capital of the Dutch East Indies. Sailing is hell on water. The ship is rat-infested, filthy, disease ridden and dangerous. Also on board is Cornelisz, hired to escort valuable cargo to the Indies, sailing with Commander Francisco Pelsaert, and Captain Ariaen Jacobsz. Cornelisz has his own plans for the Batavia, however, and his cultivation of the Commander and Captain is no more than a ruse designed to cover his real ambitions. He sets about fuelling dissent between the two; a job not difficult as it builds upon an already present animosity,

Also on board is a beautiful woman who has recently buried the last of her brood of young children. Creesje Janszdochter is now sailing to join her husband and it is through her letters to him that we learn a great deal of what is going on. With her is Zwaantie, a maid whose lustful promiscuity knows no bounds.

With both Cornelisz and de Pelgrom on board the Batavia, the scene is set for a brutal and deadly battle on a journey that will prove to be brutal, dangerous and deadly.

David Mark’s rich, descriptive writing is bold and audacious and he immerses you in the horror and brutality of a sea voyage you hope never to have to experience, though this comes as close to that as you’ll ever want. Nicolaes and Cornelisz will face each other in a battle from which only one can emerge victor, and the reader is left in no doubt as to which is the better man.

Verdict: Anatomy of a Heretic is utterly riveting storytelling. Dark, brutal, and gloriously repellent in its descriptions, this is a grotesque and fabulous read that immerses you in deadly intrigue. Visceral and depraved, I loved wallowing in its depths. It’s also a well written, immersive story based on real events . It has many surprises and as long as you have a strong stomach, I think you’ll love it! But do have both emergency kittens and fluffy penguins on hand after you’ve finished. Currently available at a bargain price, this is one not to miss!

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I've read a few of this author's books and have really enjoyed them. This one was tough going for me. In fact, I actually took a few attempts at starting it before I eventually managed to get to a place where it all started to make enough sense for me to carry on. It's not a book to be read when you haven't got a clear head and a healthy chunk of time to dedicate to it.
I do have to admit that, had I not been already interested in George Villiers then I would probably have sacked the book off. But I live in the city he was assassinated in, I walk past that house regularly and know the story well... That was enough to keep me going...
Be warned though, as well as needing a clear head to get to grips with this book, you also need a bit of a strong stomach. It's very visceral and, well, nasty and no punches are pulled with descriptions of gruesome and gore... We start off with a dissection and that pretty much sets the tone for what follows.
We follow our two main characters, pretty much in alternating chapters. Apothecary Jeronimus Cornelisz is a bit of a horror story in himself. Disfigured with a god complex, he's silver tongued and believes he is set for greater things. His part in the story is that he is tasked with accompanying valuable cargo aboard the ship Batavia. Meanwhile Nicolaes de Pelgrom is hated for his association to Villiers and is fearing for his life. He too is set to travel on the Batavia but as a hired assassin.
Life on the ship is squalid and there is already trouble brewing without the addition of our gruesome twosome. And it isn't long before trouble strikes and it all becomes a bit more convoluted and visceral...
I said that this book was a bit hard work for me. Well, it was up to a point. My perseverance, grit and determination did get paid off in the end as I was rewarded with one of the most brutal and richest books, full of what I can well believe to be accurate historical information that not only entertained but also educated me. I forget where I was in the book when it all just started to fall into place but when it did, it switched from me having to make an effort to the words pretty much reading themselves off the page for me.
My only fear is that too many people will fall by the wayside along the way. If you are one of these, please do try and get through the beginning, you will be rewarded come the end.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

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Jeronimus Cornelisz: a murderous apothecary who is offered freedom in exchange for accompanying and safeguarding a mysterious woman aboard a ship headed to the Indies. However, once aboard, he begins to have much grander schemes.

Nicolaes de Pelgrom: a gentleman, assassin, and spy tasked with hunting down all of those involved with the torture and murder of a grieving widow's husband.

Their deadly paths cross on the sea, but only one man will succeed with his mission.

Anatomy of a Heretic by David Mark paints a grisly and gripping historical thriller that’s diabolically good.

I do have to admit though, this was a bit of a different story than I had originally expected from the blurb. I thought that this was going to be more of a cat and mouse game with the two main characters facing off throughout. However, they don’t go toe-to-toe until much later on in the story.

Regardless, I still immensely enjoyed it. The characters in this book are complex and well-fleshed out, and Cornelisz, in particular, stole the show for me. He falls within a certain brand of manipulative and overambitious weasel along the lines of Iago and Little Finger (whom I adore). Are they morally irreprehensible? Absolutely, but a small part of me still can't help but root for them.

Overall, Anatomy of a Heretic is a compelling and richly-woven thriller filled with backstabbing and intrigue, and I can’t recommend it enough if you love darker historical fiction.

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I simply couldn't finish this book. I consider myself to be a reader with a pretty tough stomach. But this writer seems to revel in scene after scene of disagreeable and morbid events. The writer doesn't seem to understand that true impact comes from using gore sparingly rather than piling up the cadavers. Add to this the underlying simplistic approach to both spies, one is clearly good the other is clearly bad, and I entirely found myself losing the motivation to continue reading.

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3,5 rounded to 4
I don't know if something like grim-dark historical fiction exists but that's the definition for this book. I like dark and gritty story but this one was sometimes a bit too much and it's not a favorite even if I love this author's books.
It's gripping and you cannot stop reading, it's a good historical thriller but it's a bit too violent and graphical in some parts.
Not for everyone and not always my cup of tea, even if I had fun
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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Anatomy of a heretic by David Mark.
London, 1628.
Nicolaes de Pelgrom, assassin and devoted servant of George Villiers, will do whatever his master asks of him – even if that means enduring the perilous voyage to the Indies to exact a grieving widow's revenge. Making that same journey is Jeronimus Cornelisz, a conniving apothecary determined to escape the backstreets of Amsterdam and become rich beyond imagination. Hired by a criminal mastermind to escort precious cargo to the Indies, he will kill anyone who stands in his way. When these assassins clash, so too do their missions. One cannot succeed without killing the other. In this deadly game, who will triumph and who will die? And are they even the only players?
A good read with good characters. Likeable story. 3*.

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DNF @ 48%. I don't think this novel is for me.

After getting about half way through the book, I was still unsure about the point of this story. Nothing has really gripped my attention. I should be either intrigued by the plot or care what happens to the characters by this point in the book. Neither has happened. I also did not enjoying the way women are written in this novel, so I can only hope that this book finds the right audience.

Thank you to Head of Zeus for an advanced reading copy!

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Thank you NetGalley and Zeus Publishing for the eARC.
I have loved every book of David Mark's, especially his standalones, but this book was too dark for me. Starting with the horrifically descriptive dissection of a female body in Haarlem, Holland, the book continues in the same vein, not letting up on the visceral horror. I'm afraid it was too much for me and I had to skip so many scenes that I didn't even finish the book.
The writing, as usual, is exquisite and I'm sure readers and fans with a stronger stomach will love this historical adventure, I'm just too squeamish! I will just have to wait for Mr. Mark's, hopefully lighter, book.

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Robert McCammon's Matthew Corbett series rekindled my love of historical thrillers. Dawid Mark proved the genre could be darker than most grimdark books.

Anatomy of a Heretic is as good as it is gritty. The story follows two assassins whose paths cross and lead to a bloody finale. The disfigured Jeronimus Cornelisz has big plans, and he will destroy anyone who stands in his way. Nicolaes de Pelgrom, assassin and devoted servant of George Villiers, will do whatever his master demands. Both find themselves on the same ship sailing to India.

The blurb suggests an exciting and bloody battle between two assassins, which is somewhat misleading. The first part of the book introduces the protagonists and their circumstances. The second part follows their perilous sea voyage. At this point, however, they have little contact. Without giving too much away, Jeronimus is busy planning a mutiny. Nicolaes tries to hide his identity and bring justice to others.

Mark's writing style is descriptive and literary. He impressed me with its richness. Vivid descriptions immersed me in the time and place. His primary and secondary characters are three-dimensional and fit into the world.

Cornelisz believes there is no good, no bad and that evil within us must have been put there by God. He can not fight, but he can kill. He knows how to manipulate people and their weaknesses. He has a pathological need to win. Many readers will find his chapters, personality, and reasoning disturbing. They should! And yet, through it all, I never felt he was a caricature.

Nicolaes is likable. He wants to atone as much as he can before his time comes. There are other impressive characters, but it's best to discover their storylines without hints or spoilers.

As mentioned at the beginning, Anatomy of a Heretic contains disturbing content. It's suspenseful and exciting, but also violent and bloody. The opening chapter delivers one of the most terrifying murder scenes I've ever read. Not gratuitous, but so cruel and cold and terrifying that it shook me to the bone.

Fans of dark historical fiction will be delighted by it.

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*A big thank-you to David Mark, Head of Zeus, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Historical fiction that offers well-researched period and characters who develop and transform - these two aspects always make a book good to read.
The struggle between the good and the evil is at the core of the plot, and at times descriptions of it are most gruesome and gory for even the toughest of readers like myself. There were moments I wanted to give up on this novel, fortunately I continued and was rewarded with a story tha held my interest.
The year is 1628 and an agent to George Villiars is tasked with an act of revenge that will take him on the Batavia set for Java. What he goes through is a true prilgimage for him.

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A dark violent and utterly enthralling 17th century tale of what starts as a revenge mission against Dutch criminal acts in the Far East and ends with an horrific sea voyage. An English/Dutch assassin is one of two lead characters, the other a disfigured heretical zealot are both on the same ship after the initial chapters outline their history with the story of conditions aboard vividly described and the shocks in store never cease. Gloriously atmospheric this top horror story is recommended and it even manages a shock ending as well!

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Author David Mark makes ample use of the "good versus evil" scenario between the main characters of Nicolaes and Jeronimus, which only serves to amplify the ever increasing tension that exists on the already claustrophobic environment that is "The Batavia".

full review @ Melisende's Library

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As a huge fan of David Mark and his Aector McAvoy books, I’d not read any of his standalones until I read this historical chiller.

This story is a deeply macabre, gloomy , dark and dingy tale, a story full of down right horrible characters, a plot that’s cleverly done, I felt like i was on board and down below with the sadly unfortunate crew of a doomed ship…

It’s bleak, grim and moody, it’s savage and very brutal, and a quite superb read with a stunning conclusion.

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David Mark's 17th century viseral historical horror is not for the faint hearted, it begins as it means to continue with the dissection of a female body in Haarlem in Holland in 1628. A man to make your flesh crawl, the serpent Jeronimus Cornelisz is hideously disfigured with suppurating flesh, an apothecary with the gift of total recall, and the ability to manipulate, beguile and entice, dangerously delusional, he is the God of Flame. He believes it is his destiny to become wealthy beyond imagination, a messiah to be worshipped and followed, encouraging men to indulge in their darkest desires, to sin to their heart's content with their debauchery and blood lust. He is hired by a criminal to escort valuable cargo to the Indies on the Batavia, laden with a fortune, where he will serve as the undermerchant, sailing with Commander Francisco Pelsaert, and Captain Ariaen Jacobsz.

In London, Nicolaes de Pelgrom endures the loss of Dr Lambe, he had been unable to protect him from being torn to pieces by a crowd inflamed by his association with the most hated man in England, the King's favourite, George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham. Serving as Villiers spy and assassin, his latest mission is to travel undercover as a soldier on the Batavia, to carry out well rewarded assassinations for a grieving widow intent on avenging the death of her husband. The beautiful high born Lucretia 'Creesje' Janszdochter intends to join her husband, after the loss of all her children, she is a passenger on the dangerous Batavia, the ship setting off on a perilous nightmare journey into the heart of hell, where a malignant brew of intrigue, death and brutality flourish as the devil grows ever stronger.

Nicolaes finds the terrors on the Batavia ameliorated by the strong friendship he forms with Otto, and he is going to need all that he can muster as he finds himself going head to head with the monstrous Cornelisz, but is his assassination mission all that it appears to be? This is an atmospheric and all too vibrant piece of historical fiction, with larger than life characters, particularly the deplorable Cornelisz, depicting the worst of depraved humanity. This is for fans of Mark and those with a strong stomach for horror. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

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