Wormwood

A Dark and Dazzling Tale of Prophecy and Peril

Wormwood by G.P. Taylor, published in 2004 by Faber and Faber, is a richly imagined historical fantasy filled with mystery, danger, and apocalyptic visions. Set in a shadowy, 18th-century London teetering on the brink of disaster, this gripping novel weaves together elements of adventure, theology, and the supernatural in a style that has drawn comparisons to Philip Pullman and C.S. Lewis.

The story follows Dr. Sabian Blake, an astronomer and scholar who comes into possession of the ancient and powerful Nemorensis, a book that foretells doom for the city. As a comet ominously approaches the Earth, strange events begin to unfold. Dark forces stir beneath the surface of society, and only Blake—along with a brave young servant girl named Agetta—can hope to uncover the truth and stop the devastation.

With atmospheric prose and a hauntingly vivid setting, Wormwood explores themes of redemption, fate, and the eternal battle between light and darkness. Taylor’s background as an Anglican priest adds a spiritual depth to the narrative, enriching the high-stakes fantasy with moral and philosophical undertones.

Ideal for fans of gothic adventure and thought-provoking fantasy, this novel is a thrilling journey into a world where science, prophecy, and faith collide.