by Trevanian
First published 1975
The year 1339 brings death and uncertainty to a world balanced on the edge of catastrophe. In this medieval setting, ordinary people face extraordinary challenges as plague threatens their communities and traditional ways of life crumble around them. The protagonist navigates a landscape where survival depends on wit, courage, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Social hierarchies shift as disease spreads indiscriminately through castle and hovel alike. Characters must choose between self-preservation and loyalty to others as familiar structures of authority break down. The story explores how individuals respond when faced with forces beyond their control, revealing both the fragility and resilience of human nature during times of crisis.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, 21st-century
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: social-collapse, survival
Period: 1339
168 pages · Paperback · Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
Content warnings: death