Oliver Potzsch is a brilliant writer. His writing is equal parts stylish and entertaining. Having finally completed “The Master’s Apprentice” I shall be returning to those “other” books in my digital library authored by Mr. Potzsch and settling in for a great read!

I have been a big fan of Potzsch work with The Hangman's Daughter series, and this new series is no different. He has a way of creating such a rich world that I love being immersed into. He also doesn't shy away from some of histories ugly shortcomings which gives it an authentic feel. Faust was both an endearing and villainous character. He constantly wounded the ones he love for his selfish reasons, but there was just something about him that had me rooting for him anyway. He does recognize his shortcomings, but really only after the fall out from his selfish decisions.

This was a journey I enjoyed and just can't wait so see what else Potzsch will give us.

First, let me start this by saying that I have yet to read The Hangman's Daughter series. However, after reading The Master's Apprentice, that series has skyrocketed onto my list. I absolutely loved this book. The atmosphere was eerie and perfect for a fall evening read. The characters were incredibly engaging and I was absolutely entranced by their interactions and their takes on the world. The descriptions of the time and the world were wonderful. They really aided in adding to the unsettling feeling that I had throughout the book and I was hooked more and more as I read further.

I have read several retellings and homages to the Faust legend, but this one might be my favorite. It was engaging and never felt too academic. I was interested in the characters on a human level, not just as an intellectual exploration of this story. The translation was wonderful for this, and I can't wait for more. I will highly recommend this book to many people

It was an interesting read with a new kind of take on Faust. The story proceeded in a manner that had me turning pages till the last one. It was a quick read and definitely recommend!

My review of this book appears in Historical Novels Review issue 93 (August 2020):
Pötzsch’s popular Hangman’s Daughter series of historical mysteries has reached eight volumes, but the prolific author switches gears in this novel to tackle his childhood obsession, the legend of Johann Georg Faustus. The sorcerer/scholar/con artist is the German equivalent of Robin Hood, figuring in countless songs, legends, and Faustbücher (medieval superhero comics). He apparently lived from about 1480-1540, although there is little historical evidence of his actual life. His most famous literary appearances are in Christopher Marlowe’s 1593 play, The Tragicall History of Dr. Faustus, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s 19th-century drama, Faust
Pötzsch recounts in an afterword his youthful first encounter with the Goethe play and his lifelong fascination with the mysterious man who received amazing powers from the devil in exchange for his soul. However, successful writers who choose childhood heroes as subjects often create projects that are clearly labors of love, but not necessarily compelling novels. The Master’s Apprentice is a very long, often repetitive meander through the details of life in 15-century Germany in the company of an unpleasant, narcissistic genius who, for all his brilliance, is not able to see the coming crises that are obvious from the start even to readers who don’t know the two plays. Setting the fantastical tale of Faust in the realistic world of the dawn of European humanism is a potentially brilliant idea that bogs down in too-detailed descriptions of Faustus’ crisscrossing wanders around middle Europe, pursued by a cartoonish villain. The breezy translation that renders the dialogue into colloquial modern English also lessens the emotional impact of what should be a psychologically gripping tale. The research is faultless, however, and readers finish the novel (which is apparently the first of a series) feeling fully immersed in the sights and particularly the smells of real life in medieval Germany.

Pötzsch has been on my “to read” list for years, and I can’t imagine a better title to have started with, despite his catalogue.
An incredible reimagining of the Faust tale, this book consumed all of my attention. Richly told, you don’t feel like you’re in the world in the story- you are.

im unfamiliar with the original story so not sure how different it is from the original but Ive read the hangman daughters series and I loved it so knew I wanted to read this and it was long but good!

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. The chronological context was really brought alive with the pitch perfect details of the period. Faustus is a maddening character but that makes him more human. Despite all this realism however, Potzsch gives you a constantly sinister feeling. Well done!

Having read or listened to all of the hangman’s daughter series, I was curious how another book by this author would stack up. Mr. Potzsch writes a passable good book. I believe this may be the first in a series? I do tend to get attached to characters which is why I think I didn’t like this book as well as the others. Having said that, I would probably read the next one if he were to write one. I do like his books are set in Germany in many places that I have traveled. A few years ago I did a river cruise and visited Nuremberg which is one of the sites utilized in the book. I felt like I had a sense of the place from having been there and was taken there again via the book.

This was a creepy read for me, but enjoyable nonetheless. I throughly enjoyed the storyline and at times was terrified! Great read!

*Many thanks to Oliver Potzsch, AmazonCrossing and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
A good, atmospheric HF set in the 15th century in German lands, aimed at retellig the story of with Doctor Faustus and Margarethe. Rather creepy and interesting, held my attention, however, I would say Book 1 is designed for YA.

A sinister read!

The hairs stood up on the back of my neck as soon as I started, although I had no idea of the dark route the story would travel. Aiding these feelings were the descriptive notes of the places and times, ringing all too true.
In the prologue we're located in Germany in the"Knittlingen, in the Kraichgau 27 October, AD 1486." Further we're told that, "In the fall that the children disappeared, the jugglers came to town." And as the young Margarethe says to her childhood friend Faustus, “jugglers and musicians are children of the devil?...That’s what the church says. Whoever dances to their music they lead straight to hell...“Perhaps they took the children, too. I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Makes one wonder what's coming!
Even in those beginning pages one knows Tonio is more than an itinerant palm reader / astrologer. Later he declares he's "a master of the seven arts and keeper of the seven times seven seals! ...a doctor of the university of black magic in Krakow,” or as Margarethe mutters, a sorcerer!
Eight years on the magician returns. We know there's something foul about him. Faustus, whose suffered at the hand of the village bullies, is sucked into that darkness.
Missing children and Tonio's appearance seem to coincide, along with the disappearance of his lame brother, and the silence of Margarethe who has turned in upon herself. All is startling and unreal. Tragedies keep piling up.
Faustus finds himself escaping the confines and disappointments of his village life, and on the road to studying and practicing the arcane arts, but with what consequences?
In the Historical foreword Pötzsch tells us, Johann Georg Faustus "the symbol of the ambitious, [is a] restless individual who is prepared to make a deal with the devil to gain fame and fortune—but ultimately pays with his soul...This is his true story."
Mmm!Weighty!
As the story unfolds I was struck by the selfishness of Faust. Is that who he truly is or is this the influence of darkness growing inside him? Can he break free?
I also could not stop flashing back to Johnny Cash's song the "Devil Went Down to Georgia", (which I kept mentally singing BTW) which is as far away from medieval Europe as you could get, but then the Faustus archetype still resonates.
(p.s. I took a break from reading, changed gears, and watched the movie!)
A gothic, masterful work if at times challenging!

An Amazon Crossing ARC via NetGalley

The Master's Apprentice by Oliver Potzsch is a saga about a man who carries many burdens, some of which he doesn't understand. In many ways, it is a coming of age story in which Johann comes of age several times. It is a metaphor for most lives but in some ways Johann's problems are more concrete, even when he doesn't understand them. It basically starts off when he is sixteen although there are glimpses of his life before that. He has always felt different in his home. His mother loves him; his father doesn't. After his mother dies, he, his friend, Margarethe, and his younger brother take off to the woods for a day. He and Margarethe spend some time exploring one another in a secluded cave. When they come out, his brother is gone. While he searches for his brother, Margarethe disappears. He runs to town for help. Eventually they find Margarethe who has been traumatized and is talking nonsense, but his brother is never found. That day is father tells him he is not his father at all and asks him to leave. After several days he runs into a traveling magician who he had met before and they team up. So begin his adventures, of which he has many.

This is a complicated book, as one might assume the story of a man's life might be. People love, die, hate, despair, and help each other. His life is written in segments, clear and distinct. The story takes place before and after the year 1500 and mostly in Germanic states, not that that necessarily makes a difference. He runs into the inquisition, torture, devil worship, itinerant entertainment, higher education and so much more. Johann is a good man who makes mistakes, gets involved with the wrong people, and looks for redemption. It is a compelling and beautifully written story. Johann learns to love and to trust, which are necessary lessons, as well as to take happiness where one can find it. I recommend this book. It is not an easy read. There are things some may find offensive. Much of it is frightening and sad, but worthwhile.

I received a free ARC of The Master's Apprentice from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #themastersapprentice

A good story, well told, which painted a realistic landscape of life in 15/16th century.

Faust was portrayed as a magician and the moral question of whether he is evil or not rests with the reader. He was interesting, but I found him iritating. Other readers may not have the same reaction.

All in all a good read which I will round up to 4 stars, but more so a 3.5.

The atmosphere was creepy, dark and gripping. The plot was great and I enjoyed the writing so much that I finished the book in 3 sittings.
However I had an issue with Johann's decision-making and character description. He's this super smart guy, but he behaves daft and cannot put 2 and 2 together when it comes to the situation around him. I was quite frustrated at times (he traveled with Tonio for a long time and clearly knew the 2 crows and one Raven and when he sees them following and watching him he just pushed the thoughts away and can't make the connection).
So 3 stars for an entertaining and readable book. As native German speaker, I must say the translator did a good job even with the children's rhymes and songs.

An interesting retelling of the Faust story both engrossing and entertaining.
It's enthralling and I loved how Faust was a well developed and interesting characters.
The historical background is well researched and vivid.
I loved the mix of elements and I couldn't put it down.
An excellent read, strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

An interesting take on Faust with a story that keep me guessing until the end and interesting characters

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this new Oliver Pötzsch book; it made me redouble my efforts to finally get my husband to read « The Hangman’s Daughter ». Compares to most of the author’s other books, the atmosphere in this one felt light (it is still pretty dark) while keeping the same winning characteristics of his other works, like interesting and compelling characters, an insight into a time/area little considered by English-language historical fiction and a good storytelling rhythm. I also didn’t know that Faust was a likely real historical person, so it was an interesting tidbit of German history.

I don’t think it’s quite as strong as his other standalone novel, but I would heartily recommend it.

An excellent historical novel with an engaging plot and fascinating characters. This is a sophisticated tale with elements of mystery and an interesting ending. Recommended.

Thank you very much for the ARC for review!!

Johann Georg was born as a result of a treste between his beautiful mother and a stranger. His father hated him. His mother called him Faustus (the lucky one) born under a lucky star. His father despised him and gave him no fatherly love. At eight years he meets our villain, Tonio, and his life is forever cursed by this devil personified.

Oliver Pötzsch has captured the essence of life in the middle ages and the turmoil that was Europe. His translation of the writing regarding Faust is laudable. His translator, Lisa Reinhardt, makes the German language come to life in English.

Europe is a cesspool of intrigue and disease. How anyone survived is totally a mystery. Devil worship abounds and the church with its’ Inquisitors does it’s best to stamp out any but the “true religion.” Johann is blessed with a great mind and tremendously inquisitive instinct. The devil knows that he will be a great addition to his earthly realm.

Cannibalism and vampires have nothing on this story! Become engrossed in a life of struggle, travel which is near impossible, and villains of the first magnitude. Weep with the characters in this story as they overcome enormous hardships to they struggle through life. Does good always triumph over evil? Dive into this narrative and seek the answer. 4.5/5 CE Williams