Reviewed by Andy Long

Minstrel is an allegorical fantasy in which author Steve Rowe, best known as bassist and vocalist with Australian death metal band Mortification, examines some of the conflicts in his life at the time when he had to decide between a career in teaching or in music. The story revolves around two young men, Errol and Austin, from a strict Christian village, who are drawn to a nearby pagan village out of curiosity and discover a plot to overthrow their home. They befriend a minstrel and a harlot and Austin begins to study the musician's instruments. There are many conflicts and mistakes along the way, but eventually the boys realise that the pagans need evangelising and the evil plot is eventually foiled. The writing style is fairly simplistic and the underlying allegorical intent is plain to see. It's a short, light read and the good guys win!

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