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Astray

Astray

Dark FantasyFantasy
Pages
120
Published
2004
Language
English

Synopsis

In Victorian England, siblings William and Tamara Swift have inherited the role of Protectors of Albion after their grandfather was killed in a supernatural battle and their father was possessed by a demon. Summoned to the remote village of Blackbriar by Dr. Nichols, they investigate a horror: babies born to the village's young, unwed girls are being replaced by demon children. Accompanied by the ghost of the warrior-queen Bodicea - one of several spirits dwelling in their family home - the Swifts travel to Blackbriar, where they cross a seductive warrior's shade and a vengeful fairy queen determined to keep the mystery buried. A novella in the Ghosts of Albion franchise that Amber Benson and Christopher Golden created, which began as a BBCi online animated serial.

Prose complexity
4/10

Vibe

DarkAtmosphericAdventurousTense
Found FamilyQuestSacrificeMentor Figure

Genres

Dark Fantasy Fantasy Gothic Historical Fiction

Authors

C
Christopher Golden

Christopher Golden (born July 15, 1967) is a New York Times bestselling author of horror and dark fantasy who has been called 'the king of the horror-thriller.' Born and still living in Massachusetts and a graduate of Tufts University, he is best known for novels including the Bram Stoker Award-winning Ararat, Snowblind, Road of Bones, All Hallows and Red Hands, and for his debut vampire series the Shadow Saga. He works across media: with Mike Mignola he co-created the comics 'Outerverse' - home...

Characters

William SwiftProtagonist

One of two siblings who inherit the role of Protector of Albion; he channels newly awakened magic.

Tamara SwiftProtagonist

William's sister and co-Protector, who takes the lead investigating the Blackbriar hauntings.

BodiceaSupporting

The warrior-queen ghost who dwells with the Swifts and accompanies them as a guardian.

Dr. NicholsSupporting

The village physician who summons the Swifts to Blackbriar after the demon-child births.

All characters in Astray

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Astray a standalone or part of a series?

    It belongs to Ghosts of Albion, the Victorian-set supernatural series Amber Benson and Christopher Golden created. The franchise began as a BBCi online animated serial before expanding into prose.

  • How was Astray originally published?

    It first ran as an online novella and was later issued as a signed, limited Subterranean Press edition of 750 numbered copies.

  • Who are William and Tamara Swift?

    They are siblings who become the Protectors of Albion after their grandfather is killed in a supernatural battle and their father is possessed by a demon.

  • How did Benson and Golden come to work together?

    Amber Benson played Tara on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Golden wrote numerous Buffy tie-in novels; their Ghosts of Albion collaboration grew out of that shared background.

  • Did the Ghosts of Albion animated series win any recognition?

    Yes - the online series received a Special Commendation at the 2003 Prix Europa awards.