The fifth book in the highly enjoyable Blackthorn Key series, The Traitor’s Blade, is wonderfully engaging as the reader is reunited with Christopher, Tom, and Sally as they finally arrive home in London, following the events of the previous book.

It’s now March 1666, and their lives are about to change again, as they find themselves invited to the palace to meet (again) with King Charles II. There they are set upon new paths, Sally is made a ward of the King, Tom is given an opportunity, and Christopher is introduced to a new master, not an apothecary, but the king’s spymaster.

And it may be just in time, as Christopher starts to receive puzzling letters filled with clues and murders begin to happen around the palace, which points at an assassination attempt on the king!

Once again, Sands, brings Christopher’s world to life brilliantly, delivering a fast-paced tale that keeps the pages turning as the group finds themselves trapped between the Templars and a group called the Covenanters who are seeking vengeance on the King.

It’s heavy subject matter, but Sands keeps it entertaining and has developed the central characters so well that you can delight in their banter, and their needling of one another. There’s a lot of fun had at Christopher’s expense because of his developing feelings for Sally, and the fact that everyone around him sees it.

I loved this glimpse into history. I knew nothing about the Covenanters until Sands revealed them in the narrative. Marrying their cause with Christopher’s narrative and wrapping it up along with the Templar mystery makes for a great story.

Sands has created a fantastically readable series, filled with relatable characters, grounded in the reality of the time, and combining it with actual historical events. These books are just so much fun. They’re smart and I love the way the characters shine.

Yes, the characters are still teenagers, but at the time, that didn’t seem to make a lot of difference, all that mattered was your knowledge, ability, and your social status.

All of the story plays out with a lightning speed, and Christopher realizes there may be a connection to his nemesis, the Raven. Will Christopher figure out what is going on? Will he and his friends be able to save the king?

And what will be the ultimate plan laid out by the Raven?

The Blackthorn Key books can be picked up one by one, or in a gorgeous six book hardcover collection available now from Simon & Schuster Canada. These are wonderful and incredibly enjoyable reads, check them out, and lose yourself in puzzles, mysteries, and history. Pick them up for yourself, or for the reader in your life.

I really enjoyed this one, and I can’t wait to see how the finale plays out as I dive into the final novel, The Raven’s Revenge!