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Defender of the Realm #1
Defender of the Realm
A sweeping medieval adventure! The castle-town of Dansford is poised on the edge of the Welsh frontier in 12th century England. During a daring night attack, a simple merchant inadvertently becomes a hero and is taken on a journey of self-discovery to find the courage within him that he never knew he possessed. With new friends and a mistaken identity he is thrust into a world of nobility and manners where one wrong slip of the tongue could be the death of him.
Defender Of The Realm is an exciting and often humorous ride through England of old that breaks down the social barriers of class distinction by examining what truly makes one noble. It's the adventure of a lifetime!
Defender Of The Realm is an exciting and often humorous ride through England of old that breaks down the social barriers of class distinction by examining what truly makes one noble. It's the adventure of a lifetime!
358 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2009
6 people are currently reading
751 people want to read
About the author
Corey Holst
4 books25 followers I spent most of my life in southern California, and worked behind the scenes in live theatre for over 40 years. I am now retired and living in the woods outside of Port Angeles, Washington, feeding deer, and making wizard wands.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 19, 2010
I'm not good with words, but this book is so good I'm going to try and share my feelings.
The book starts with great visual descriptions and just enough background information to solidly ground the story.
The action starts right away and continues to carry you into the storyline with well described characters and personalities. The many storylines are kept in sequence with just enough decriptions to keep you from getting lost, yet you need to pay attention to keep everyone straight. I loved that, it kept me enthralled and I even snapped at my husband because he interupted me in a crucial scene. (he didn't speak to me for 24 hours after that)
Even though this is basicly a historical action/adventure, there is romance, human interest and battle detail to interest just about anyone.
I have to say, I was so moved, I even shed tears at the end. I know - corny- but the best books do that to me when they end.
I am looking forward to the further adventures of James and Allyn. Please don't keep me waiting too long.
The book starts with great visual descriptions and just enough background information to solidly ground the story.
The action starts right away and continues to carry you into the storyline with well described characters and personalities. The many storylines are kept in sequence with just enough decriptions to keep you from getting lost, yet you need to pay attention to keep everyone straight. I loved that, it kept me enthralled and I even snapped at my husband because he interupted me in a crucial scene. (he didn't speak to me for 24 hours after that)
Even though this is basicly a historical action/adventure, there is romance, human interest and battle detail to interest just about anyone.
I have to say, I was so moved, I even shed tears at the end. I know - corny- but the best books do that to me when they end.
I am looking forward to the further adventures of James and Allyn. Please don't keep me waiting too long.
April 18, 2010
I must admit that I do not usually read historical fiction set in the medieval period. However, reading Corey Holst's Defender of the Realm made me rethink my reading preference. My interest in history initially pulled me in. However, as the story unfolded, I found so much more than a historical account of the period.
The novel mixes adventure, action, and even humor in just the right combination. The rich detail and compelling narrative drew me in and didn't let me go. In the process, I was treated to an adventurous trip that took me through the struggles of daily life to the heroic battles of the period; through castles, and fields and towns. Highly recommended for readers looking for an engaging story and richly-drawn characters.
The novel mixes adventure, action, and even humor in just the right combination. The rich detail and compelling narrative drew me in and didn't let me go. In the process, I was treated to an adventurous trip that took me through the struggles of daily life to the heroic battles of the period; through castles, and fields and towns. Highly recommended for readers looking for an engaging story and richly-drawn characters.
June 11, 2010
I found this book off of amazon as a recomendatiom and I am really glad that I found it. I really liked this storys character development and it's surroundings of the middle ages in England. This book was very fast paced and I found myself wanting to read it when I was at school. I finished it in two days and found myself wanting a sequel! I fully reccomend this book to anyone who loves adventure, castles, and action. Great Read !
March 26, 2011
12TH CENTURY ENGLAND COMES TO VIVID LIFE DUE THE THE TOP TIER LITERARY SKILLS OF COREY HOLST-BATTLE SCENES ARE EXPERTLY DRAWN AS ARE CHARACTERIZATIONS AND THOSE SMALL PERIOD DETAILS THAT SEPARATE THE GREAT FROM THE ORDINARY. READ AND TRAVEL BACK IN TIME!
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
September 4, 2010
The book defender of the realm, by Corey Holst is not only a wonderful glimpse into a historical period and culture, a time when legends were made, but is also a great story. The book started off interestingly enough, giving me a taste of castles and kings, great characters and adventurous tales set in the middle ages. Then as it warmed up it pulled me deeper and deeper, and I had a hard time setting it down. By about half way through, I just plain had to finish it.
The characters in the story were well developed, and so interesting that I now want to know what the rest of their lives were about. It left me satisfied, and yet wanting more. The story was full of exciting times, tense suspenseful events, romance, and humor, and yet also people that you just want to get to know. I am by nature a people watcher, because people are just plain entertaining, and Holst’s book allows us to get to know a cast of characters that both come alive and invade our hearts as if they were loved personalities in our own lives. I almost hated to turn the last page, as if to say goodbye to new friends, and am looking forward to any sequel or series that Holst may write, so I can read more about them.
It’s been a while since I read a book that left me ignoring the phone, email, and TV, but this was just good plain fun to read. My son, who also loves a good adventure tale, has let me know, having seen me trapped within the pages of this book, that he has dibs on it next.
The characters in the story were well developed, and so interesting that I now want to know what the rest of their lives were about. It left me satisfied, and yet wanting more. The story was full of exciting times, tense suspenseful events, romance, and humor, and yet also people that you just want to get to know. I am by nature a people watcher, because people are just plain entertaining, and Holst’s book allows us to get to know a cast of characters that both come alive and invade our hearts as if they were loved personalities in our own lives. I almost hated to turn the last page, as if to say goodbye to new friends, and am looking forward to any sequel or series that Holst may write, so I can read more about them.
It’s been a while since I read a book that left me ignoring the phone, email, and TV, but this was just good plain fun to read. My son, who also loves a good adventure tale, has let me know, having seen me trapped within the pages of this book, that he has dibs on it next.
May 16, 2010
My thoughts on this book are rather complicated.
The premise was interesting and fresh: not many writers have tried to take on the perspective of a layman from this period, and it was a bold move. Holst's style is very modern and approachable, and he has an amazing depth and breadth of knowledge of medieval tactics, society, and weapons, all of which he relates with enthusiasm and narrative composition is choppy, shifting from action sequences to background information and back again. These transitions are rather abrupt and, while informative, cause the story to progress rather haltingly. Likewise do the characterizations progress: one moment humble and apprehensive, the next, jocular and bold.
Overall, it was an entertaining novel. While the narrative flow could be improved, it was both entertaining and informative.
The premise was interesting and fresh: not many writers have tried to take on the perspective of a layman from this period, and it was a bold move. Holst's style is very modern and approachable, and he has an amazing depth and breadth of knowledge of medieval tactics, society, and weapons, all of which he relates with enthusiasm and narrative composition is choppy, shifting from action sequences to background information and back again. These transitions are rather abrupt and, while informative, cause the story to progress rather haltingly. Likewise do the characterizations progress: one moment humble and apprehensive, the next, jocular and bold.
Overall, it was an entertaining novel. While the narrative flow could be improved, it was both entertaining and informative.
January 5, 2010
Fantastic read. Great modern style of writing dialog, but with all the historical background settings and events. Characters are vivid and real: the ones you love and the ones you love to hate! Very exciting and visual battle scenes. Feels like you're watching a movie while reading the book. Great for anyone who likes historical fiction, action/adventure. Perfect for young adults.
June 25, 2025
I learned about life in early England. The author really did his homework. When I watched "The Tudors" on HBO, I heard many of the same terms used, and saw a lot of the same war strategies used. The personal lives of the characters really drew me in. I loved this story.
June 29, 2010
This was a joy to read and not because I know the author. I love to be teleported to places I would, otherwise, have no chance of visiting. A great read!
July 27, 2010
Adorable story. Lent my copy to a friend. Highly recommended.
September 15, 2015
Defender of the Realm is the story of an unlikely hero at the turbulent English/Welsh border in the year 1172. Overnight guard duty along the city wall at the small English castle town of Danford is the duty of every able bodied man and this is what brings the town cobbler James to be in the right/wrong place at the right/wrong time when dawn brings a surprise attack from Welsh separatists.
James fights for his life and in doing so helps to save the castle and hence the town attached to it. James is catapulted from the humble village cobbler, a simple tradesman/merchant of middling status as he owns his own shop-home, into a celebrity- a status that he neither sought nor relished.
The story of James goes on with fast friendships, mistaken identities, near death adventures, travel, battles and more. The story reads like a well told tale and just when you thought that you had figured out what would happen next the tale takes a twist in a different direction.
This book is a good read. While it may not be as polished as other authors telling tales in this genre the tale makes up for this with a story so well crafted as to often be so riveting that it is difficult to put the book down without knowing what is awaiting the main characters next. The action and twists continue even to the end as anticlimax builds to the final climax and resolution of a tale that opens a door into a world where more tales are hinted to follow.
If you enjoy tales set into a historical time/place and taken from there into an alternate universe this book is an enjoyable look into one of those worlds.
I enjoyed the tale of James the cobbler and I am looking forward to what tells are to come in this new series of tales from Corey Holst on the Defender of England.
September 23, 2015
What can I say? It's my book, so of course I'm going to give it 5 stars! It goes without saying that it is EXACTLY the kind of book I like to read. I love stories that transport you to another time, or another world; stories that spark your imagination and provide enough imagery for you to be able to see the whole thing in your mind's eye. Defender of the Realm is a fun medieval adventure full of castles, sword play, a damsel in distress and unlikely heroes.
If you want to know more go to www.coreyholst.com Read the reviews, watch the video, and order a copy for yourself. I bet you like it.
If you want to know more go to www.coreyholst.com Read the reviews, watch the video, and order a copy for yourself. I bet you like it.
May 4, 2011
I won this book from Goodreads. This is not a book I would have picked out for myself but was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It took me about 50 pages to really get into it but once I did I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen all the way up to the last page. I enjoyed all the characters especially James and Allyn. Some of the fight scenes were a little brutal but nothing I couldn't handle. Can't wait to read the next book.
February 18, 2014
A GoodReads First Reads Winner book.
Okay, didn't finish it. Gave it to the library for the book sale.
Okay, didn't finish it. Gave it to the library for the book sale.
June 26, 2011
Great read! Fast-paced action. Good humor. Awesome characters. Well done!
May 8, 2017
Really good story. This is a page turner.
November 9, 2014
I've just started reading this book and find it enjoyable; however it sounds more like a prank than anything else, for the moment. The style is a bit too modern for 12th century England.The background is strange and I was very surprised to read about a meal with baked potatoes, when it is well-known that potatoes weren't introduced to Europe till the 16th century. People eat on plates, instead of the trenchers or slices of bread that were used at the time. Thus I wouldn't say that the novel provides excellent insight into life in the Middle Ages. Nevertheless, it's a nice story. I may change my review when I finish the book; but I am disappointed.
October 14, 2015
An interesting enough story line. There was a lot of battles/action going on, and the narrative was somewhat choppy, changing to someone's memories of an earlier time. Some of the words used seemed out of place for a medieval story. Maybe my husband/son would enjoy this more than I did.
September 13, 2015
This was a really well put together story which I had a great time reading.
June 3, 2012
Juvenile,
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews