What do you think?
Rate this book
Matthew Hervey #10
Warrior
In South Africa, Matthew Hervey clashes with the Warrior King of the Zulus.
1828: The stability of the Cape Colony has been threatened by Xhosa tribesmen who have been making incursions across the borders. And when Hervey is told by his old friend, Sir Eyre Somervile, that the Zulu warrior king, Shaka, is about to make war on neighbouring tribes in the south of the country, he knows that matters are perilous indeed. Leaving his new wife and young daughter in England, Hervey speeds to his friend’s aid.
He and Somervile journey to meet the Zulu king, but Shaka’s royal kraal is a horrifying place. The sentinels at the gates are corpses, and it soon becomes apparent that Shaka has slaughtered thousands of his own people. Into this febrile atmosphere ride Hervey, Somervile and their escort of dragoons and mounted rifles. But the sudden death of the Zulu king plunges the region into civil war, and Hervey and his men into terrible danger.
Yet worse is to come. As Hervey leads Shaka’s queen across the veldt to safety, he knows he must cross an alien landscape where they will be hunted by wild animals — and deadly warriors.
From the Hardcover edition.
1828: The stability of the Cape Colony has been threatened by Xhosa tribesmen who have been making incursions across the borders. And when Hervey is told by his old friend, Sir Eyre Somervile, that the Zulu warrior king, Shaka, is about to make war on neighbouring tribes in the south of the country, he knows that matters are perilous indeed. Leaving his new wife and young daughter in England, Hervey speeds to his friend’s aid.
He and Somervile journey to meet the Zulu king, but Shaka’s royal kraal is a horrifying place. The sentinels at the gates are corpses, and it soon becomes apparent that Shaka has slaughtered thousands of his own people. Into this febrile atmosphere ride Hervey, Somervile and their escort of dragoons and mounted rifles. But the sudden death of the Zulu king plunges the region into civil war, and Hervey and his men into terrible danger.
Yet worse is to come. As Hervey leads Shaka’s queen across the veldt to safety, he knows he must cross an alien landscape where they will be hunted by wild animals — and deadly warriors.
From the Hardcover edition.
432 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2008
28 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Allan Mallinson
44 books87 followersBrigadier Allan Lawrence Mallinson is an English author and was an officer in the British Army.
Mallinson is best known for writing a series of novels chronicling the (fictional) life of Matthew Hervey, an officer serving in the (fictional) British 6th Light Dragoons from the late Napoleonic Wars through subsequent colonial conflicts in India, North America and south Africa.
Mallinson is best known for writing a series of novels chronicling the (fictional) life of Matthew Hervey, an officer serving in the (fictional) British 6th Light Dragoons from the late Napoleonic Wars through subsequent colonial conflicts in India, North America and south Africa.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 8, 2021
Read this book in 2008, and its the 10th instalment of the wonderful "Matthew Hervey" series.
This tale is set in the year AD 1828, and Matthew Hervey finds himself once again in Cape Colony.
The stability in Cape Colony is threatened by the Xhosa tribesmen, and when Hervey is told by Sir Eyre Somervile that the Zulu King Shaka is planning war in the south of the country, he will eet that danger head on.
When he and Somervile set out to the Zulu King Shaka, his kraal is a devastating place, with many deaths, and the knowledge that Shaka has slaughtered his own people, apart from his Queen, who has survived somehow.
With the Zulu King dead and a land in civil war, Hervey and his men must cross a very dangerous land with King Shaka's queen in tow, and in this while making that crossing they will encounter many dangers, whether they are animals or native warriors.
What is to follow is a terrific historical tale about the war in Cape Colony, with very dangerous circumstances and life changing adventures, and one that is brought to us in a most believable and lifelike manner by the author, to make this book such an imposing read.
Highly recommended, for this is another fabulous addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Mighty Impressive Warrior"!
This tale is set in the year AD 1828, and Matthew Hervey finds himself once again in Cape Colony.
The stability in Cape Colony is threatened by the Xhosa tribesmen, and when Hervey is told by Sir Eyre Somervile that the Zulu King Shaka is planning war in the south of the country, he will eet that danger head on.
When he and Somervile set out to the Zulu King Shaka, his kraal is a devastating place, with many deaths, and the knowledge that Shaka has slaughtered his own people, apart from his Queen, who has survived somehow.
With the Zulu King dead and a land in civil war, Hervey and his men must cross a very dangerous land with King Shaka's queen in tow, and in this while making that crossing they will encounter many dangers, whether they are animals or native warriors.
What is to follow is a terrific historical tale about the war in Cape Colony, with very dangerous circumstances and life changing adventures, and one that is brought to us in a most believable and lifelike manner by the author, to make this book such an imposing read.
Highly recommended, for this is another fabulous addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Mighty Impressive Warrior"!
September 4, 2017
It's refreshing to read a series where the books seem to get better as they go along. In Warrior, Hervey is posted again to South Africa to protect his friend Somervile, governor general, as he undertakes an embassy to treat with warrior king Shaka Zulu. The tale is an exciting one, and the back story of Hervey's family developments and career aspirations is deftly woven into the mix. As usual, Mallinson's research and historical detail are impressive. Great stuff.
May 17, 2017
The usual wonderful mix of history, travel, military, danger, friendship, humour and excellent writing. This book is number 10 in the series. They can be read individually but some of the asides are more understandable if read in order, like the friendships and Hervey's rise through the ranks. Looking forward to reading the next one.
May 15, 2019
Everything I love about the other Matthew Hervey novels, I love about this one. However, It does have a long desert survival portion (I hate survival stories!) and I got completely lost with the Zulu names.
September 9, 2019
Good Story. Cant believe i have read all the last 10 books
December 16, 2024
Shaka had no Queen, nor was she escorted anywhere after he was assassinated. Not worth finishing.
December 25, 2013
Aunque escrito con mayor conocimiento personal de causa por parte del autor, la novela no tiene la fluidez de narración que se ve en otros autores (como Scarrow). El tema es interesante por lo exótico (las guerras internas de poder entre los zulús), y porque se engarza dentro de la maquinaria de guerra imperial de Inglaterra post Waterloo.
September 2, 2012
I forget what the precious Mr hervey was up to. He hasn't grown much as a character. But still, much better than either David Saul or Harry Sidebottom. Those two should stick to their lecturing. Mallinson at least was a soldier (maybe Saul was otoo, I don't know)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews