A Clash of Lions

The Hundred Years' War #2

by A.J. MacKenzie

1346: Sent back to England in the wake of the tremendous victory at Crécy, Simon Merrivale is at once caught up in a new emergency as a powerful Scottish army sweeps into northern England. Joining up with the Archbishop of York , Lord Percy and their army mustering in the north, Merrivale discovers a new hotbed of treason, as merchants, landowners and soldiers on both sides of the border play off one side against the other. Uncovering foreign agents in the English camp, he realises the gravity of what is about to unfold. As the Scottish army continues its relentless march, Simon will have to use all his wit and guile to uncover a spy operation so powerful that no throne in Europe is safe... Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, S.J. Parris and Matthew Harffy, this is an exceptional historical espionage thriller, as rich in detail and research as it is in intrigue, suspense and action.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

413 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2021

Reviews

[Angie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it’s close on midnight, I’ve just finished a 12 hour working day and I’m due in work at ridiculous o’clock tomorrow; yet here I am, frantically scouring the web to find out when the next book in this series is coming out. That, right there, should tell you what I thought of this book. I love the main character, I like the supporting cast, I’m enjoying learning about the role of heralds and the story is captivating, vividly written and, at times, heartbreakingly poignant. The only jarring thing for me and the only reason I’m withholding star number five is that every so often there is a bit of discordant phrasing or a thought process described which jars against the overall coherence. This is, however, trivial and will not stop me devouring book three when it comes along.

[Mieczyslaw Kasprzyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think this is as well-written as "Flight of Arrows" - it's a bit episodic with quite short incidents, almost like notes waiting to be developed further, interspersed with more developed sections. The story is still reasonably gripping but I may have over-egged the 4 stars. Looking back on it... well the villains are like something out of James Bond... even some of the lines are out of the movies ("I expect you to die, Mr Bond).
As I'm writing this review I'm feeling less and less positive about the book but it was a reasonably good read and kept me going... so why do I feel disappointed?

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

The second ofAJ MacKenzie three 100 Years War novels following the exploits of the Herald Simon Merrivale, which - this time - moves the setting from France across to the Scottish border.

I'm also finding this a little bit hard to rate: whilst the *story* was interesting, as was the history, I found the prose itself to be a little bit too dry; never really grabbing me and sucking me in the way a, say, Bernard Cornwell might.

I'll still read the next in the series, though.

[John Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A crazy ride.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this 2 book series. I wasn't sure I would initially.
Simon Merrivale is a fascinating character and being a herald can only carry a blunted sword for protection. Which is as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike. I knew nothing about heralds or how they operated. In fact I didn't know they existed. They are both great reads and I hope the author writes more.
10 out of 10 for me.

[d sheldrake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent boys own stuff!

After the first book, I had to continue with the story and just cannot wait for the next episode!
The story is very well written, the characters inspire the full spectrum of emotions and the baddie ultimately gets what he deserves. How much more can you ask for in a story!
These two books were my introduction to the author(s). I will certainly search for more of their tales.
Thoroughly recommended!

[mark long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good read

Overall I enjoyed reading this story which is woven into historical events. However, it was a little disappointing that the focus is exclusively on the main character with all the rest, as a result, being rather one dimensional. Also the use of many modern idioms is at times a little jarring.

[J.A. Ironside · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[F.Hagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

clash of Lions

Excellent reading,made more pertinent in the fact it was set a lot in
The area I grew up in,the Tyne.

[wally walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very interesting story of a sideline to the 100 years war

[Shirley Buckingham]

As with book 1, fast paced and enjoyable

[Jane Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

remarkably detailed

A good read but sometimes confusing with a host of characters coming and going, makes for slow going but good

[Adrian Rabet · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic medieval detective story

At times romantic but with brutality and gore whilst the hero tries to uncover a plot to overturn the established monarchies - I want more!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not impressed, but readable. Now I have to read the final book just to see how Merrivale fares.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed the medieval saga by this author, its a great trilogy, read all three together.