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Return of the Death's Heads, Part I: The King's Command: Roger of Huntley and the French Invasion of England
To save the woman he loves, Roger must help the king he hates.
1216. Prince Louis of France has invaded England, invited by rebels against King John, who have proclaimed Louis the new king. The French have captured a large part of the kingdom, and it appears as though John’s tyrannical reign will soon end.
In desperation, John turns to a man he imprisoned, Roger of Huntley, the famous crusader and friend of Richard the Lionheart. John orders Roger to go to the Weald, in southeast England, and harass the French supply lines. As surety for Roger’s performance, John takes Roger’s wife, Ailith, hostage. Should Roger fail in his mission, John will have Ailith put to death.
Roger supports the rebels, but he has to help King John or Ailith will die. He’ll need to do just enough to keep John happy while not damaging Louis’ chance for success. Meanwhile, Ailith is so overwhelmed by John’s amorous advances that she contemplates killing herself.
Then Roger meets Wynflaed . . .
1216. Prince Louis of France has invaded England, invited by rebels against King John, who have proclaimed Louis the new king. The French have captured a large part of the kingdom, and it appears as though John’s tyrannical reign will soon end.
In desperation, John turns to a man he imprisoned, Roger of Huntley, the famous crusader and friend of Richard the Lionheart. John orders Roger to go to the Weald, in southeast England, and harass the French supply lines. As surety for Roger’s performance, John takes Roger’s wife, Ailith, hostage. Should Roger fail in his mission, John will have Ailith put to death.
Roger supports the rebels, but he has to help King John or Ailith will die. He’ll need to do just enough to keep John happy while not damaging Louis’ chance for success. Meanwhile, Ailith is so overwhelmed by John’s amorous advances that she contemplates killing herself.
Then Roger meets Wynflaed . . .
- GenresHistorical Fiction
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2024
101 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 5, 2025
OK - This is available in Trade Paper and is therefore not a review of a stupid Kindle version. However, Goodreads doesn't acknowledge the fact its available as a real book, preferring instead to push Amazon's Kindle as the only way to get the book. False. Untrue. None Of The Above.
This is the continuation, via a new series, of Broomall's series about the Death's Heads which started with an earlier trilogy about Richard the Lionheart. Yeah, you have to read that a couple of times for it to make sense - sorry.
We're re-introduced to an old friend, Roger of Huntley who is imprisoned, but offered his freedom by King John (arguably the worst King in British history until Charles III) if he will help drive the French out of England. If he fails in his task, John will have his wife, Ailith, executed. There's nothing like a little incentive to get you to do your best. And, of course, there's a rebel band he needs to hook up with since one man can't do that task by himself.
In the hopes of succeeding, there's plenty of action and bloodshed, just like you'd expect to find in a book about this period. Fun read and it reads fast. One complaint: The publisher never publicizes the release of these books, so unless you just accidentally come across it, a new book might have been out for the better part of a year before you know it!
This is the continuation, via a new series, of Broomall's series about the Death's Heads which started with an earlier trilogy about Richard the Lionheart. Yeah, you have to read that a couple of times for it to make sense - sorry.
We're re-introduced to an old friend, Roger of Huntley who is imprisoned, but offered his freedom by King John (arguably the worst King in British history until Charles III) if he will help drive the French out of England. If he fails in his task, John will have his wife, Ailith, executed. There's nothing like a little incentive to get you to do your best. And, of course, there's a rebel band he needs to hook up with since one man can't do that task by himself.
In the hopes of succeeding, there's plenty of action and bloodshed, just like you'd expect to find in a book about this period. Fun read and it reads fast. One complaint: The publisher never publicizes the release of these books, so unless you just accidentally come across it, a new book might have been out for the better part of a year before you know it!
March 5, 2025
This appears to be an add-on to the Death's Heads series. This new installment should have been released alongside the forthcoming book. The King's Command seems a bit light.
The King's Command follows Roger of Huntley, Tatwine (from the Death's Heads) and a host of newcomers. Some of the latter are interesting, but will be short-lived (pun intended). The new Death's Head book is about 20 years after the third book of the first installment ended. Roger is dragged out of prison to hear King Jon's demand: harass the supply lines and pick off troops loyal to French King Louis. The catch: John holds Roger's wife Ailith captive and if Roger fails she will be executed.
Broomall makes John into a caricature, a fat, lascivious tyrant who threatens to assault Ailith, and who is reprehensible in every fashion.
Given the above, the book is still a good read, and I'll probably delve into the second part when it is published.
The King's Command follows Roger of Huntley, Tatwine (from the Death's Heads) and a host of newcomers. Some of the latter are interesting, but will be short-lived (pun intended). The new Death's Head book is about 20 years after the third book of the first installment ended. Roger is dragged out of prison to hear King Jon's demand: harass the supply lines and pick off troops loyal to French King Louis. The catch: John holds Roger's wife Ailith captive and if Roger fails she will be executed.
Broomall makes John into a caricature, a fat, lascivious tyrant who threatens to assault Ailith, and who is reprehensible in every fashion.
Given the above, the book is still a good read, and I'll probably delve into the second part when it is published.
February 14, 2025
But for the form
But for the money scrubbing spect of buy the next if you want to know what happens, this would have been5 solid stars.
But I can't tolerate authors who, not confident in their saleable talent, leave a reader hanging unless they're willing to pay for a decent ending.
It's rude and shows disrespect for a readership that most likely would happily have purchased anything because we enjoy great storytelling.
I'm not going to finish this series unless I find it for free.
I hate being taken advantage of, by anyone.
But for the money scrubbing spect of buy the next if you want to know what happens, this would have been5 solid stars.
But I can't tolerate authors who, not confident in their saleable talent, leave a reader hanging unless they're willing to pay for a decent ending.
It's rude and shows disrespect for a readership that most likely would happily have purchased anything because we enjoy great storytelling.
I'm not going to finish this series unless I find it for free.
I hate being taken advantage of, by anyone.
March 13, 2025
So the Deaths Head continues
When I started this book in the series my thought was it's going to be slow. I was pleasantly surprised when the action picked up and the ending left me surprised and looking forward to the next novel. Well worth the read!
When I started this book in the series my thought was it's going to be slow. I was pleasantly surprised when the action picked up and the ending left me surprised and looking forward to the next novel. Well worth the read!
April 9, 2025
Well Mr. Broomall, I enjoyed this book. It took me some time to read thru it though..but I loved the way you weaved in John's reign and death with the story and his ending seems quite plausible and fits in well with history...An excellent read!
December 16, 2024
A good beginning
It kept me interested as I was reading. It followed a good story line with fighting and what happens between battles lol
It kept me interested as I was reading. It followed a good story line with fighting and what happens between battles lol
January 7, 2025
Not as good as other books of this serie
Read more like an outline to a book. Language was too modern especially concerning the relationships between women and men.
Read more like an outline to a book. Language was too modern especially concerning the relationships between women and men.
June 27, 2025
Fast Paced
Keeps story moving with just the right action. Doesn’t get too wordy or bogged down in unnecessary descriptions. Highly recommend.
Keeps story moving with just the right action. Doesn’t get too wordy or bogged down in unnecessary descriptions. Highly recommend.
August 22, 2025
Great historical fiction
I love how talented authors can bring history to life! I really enjoy reading historical fiction because it gives you a glimpse of what life was like.
I love how talented authors can bring history to life! I really enjoy reading historical fiction because it gives you a glimpse of what life was like.
November 21, 2024
I always enjoy this Author. It is as usual a good read. Bromall play a little fast and lose with history but the continuing story is really good
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews