''Light Perpetual'' is a
historical novel with
fantasy elements, written by
Andrzej Sapkowski
Andrzej Sapkowski (; born 21 June 1948) is a Polish fantasy writer, essayist, translator and a trained economist. He is best known for his six-volume series of books '' The Witcher'', which revolves around the eponymous "witcher," a monster-hun ...
, the last part of the ''
Hussite Trilogy
The ''Hussite Trilogy'' (, ) is a historical fantasy series of novels by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. It consists of three books: ''The Tower of Fools'', '' Warriors of God'' and '' Light Perpetual''. It is set in the Lands of the Bohemian Cr ...
''. Its events take place in
Bohemia,
Silesia
Silesia (, also , ) is a historical region of Central Europe that lies mostly within Poland, with small parts in the Czech Republic and Germany. Its area is approximately , and the population is estimated at around 8,000,000. Silesia is split ...
and
Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populou ...
, during the time of
Hussite Wars
The Hussite Wars, also called the Bohemian Wars or the Hussite Revolution, were a series of civil wars fought between the Hussites and the combined Catholic forces of Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, the Papacy, European monarchs loyal to the Cat ...
. Its action takes place from 1429 until the
Battle of Lipany
The Battle of Lipany (in Czech: ''Bitva u Lipan''), also called the Battle of Český Brod, was fought at Lipany 40 km east of Prague on 30 May 1434 and virtually ended the Hussite Wars. An army of Moderate Hussite (or Calixtine) nobility ...
(fall of the
Taborites
The Taborites ( cs, Táborité, cs, singular Táborita), known by their enemies as the Picards, were a faction within the Hussite movement in the medieval Lands of the Bohemian Crown.
Although most of the Taborites were of rural origin, the ...
).
The trilogy is published by Orbit in the US in 2022 and Gollancz in the UK, who have purchased the rights, with the translator being David French, translator of several Sapkowski's
''Witcher'' books.
Plot
In Silesia, at the beginning of 1429. Reinevan is looking for his beloved Nikoletta, who was imprisoned by the people of the papal inquisition. He goes to Wrocław , where he tries to intimidate Father Felicjan, hoping that this altar boy will give him information about where his beloved is being held. At the same time, he is publicly cursed by Bishop Konrad
for collaborating with the Hussites and killing Prince Jan Ziębice . Soon, Reinmar is recognized and kidnapped, and then ends up in the hands of militants led by Urban Horn. Among the prisoners is one of the black riders whose call is "Adsumus..."
They go together to Prague under guard, but on the way Reinmar is freed by his old friends: Szarlej and Samson Miodek. He is also assisted by a young Jewish woman, Rixa Cartafila de Fonseca, a spy in the service of Władysław Jagiełło, King of Poland. At this time, Nikoletta, or Jutta de Apolda, is kept in a convent. Together with another young woman, Weronika, they plan an escape, which succeeds on the occasion of a visit by Nicholas of Cusa to the headquarters of the women's convent. Both travel in war-torn areas until they meet a Hussite agitator in the person of Tybald Rabe, who is Reinmar's friend. Traveling in three, they encounter black riders led by Grellenort. Jutta is captured and wounded with a poisoned item by a sorcerer. Soon Reinevan finds her, but her health is terrible
. The infection spreads throughout the body and even Reinmar's medical skills are unable to help - Jutta dies in his arms. A distraught Reinevan along with Szarlej and Samson joinraids . While conquering one of the cities, Samson Miodek decides to help a group of children in a burning house
. The wounds sustained prove fatal. Further fate directs Reinmar to Poland, where he meets a group of friends
who plan to attack Jasna Góra . Although Reinevan personally saves the miraculous painting , he is taken prisoner, where he remains until 1434.
References and notes
External links
*
Andrzej Sapkowski's official page'
Polish historical novels
Polish fantasy novels
Novels set in the 1430s
2006 novels
Novels set in the 15th century
21st-century Polish novels
Hussite Trilogy
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