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Charles Cordell

Goodreads Author


Born
in The United Kingdom
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Influences
C.S. Forester, Alexander Kent, Patrick O'Brian, Bernard Cornwell, Wins ...more

Member Since
April 2022

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Charles Cordell is the author of historical military fiction series Divided Kingdom, set within the English Civil War - "writes with bravura confidence" - The Times

A former soldier on the ground in the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa, his writing draws on time spent in the fraying margins of civilisation, as well as a deep study of The General Crisis of the 17th Century and its parallels today.

"Stirring. A great read! You can almost hear the roar of cannon and the thunder of hooves." - Ben Kane, Sunday Times bestselling author, The Forgotten Legion and Lionheart

"Heart-pounding action, heart-breaking loss as a nation tears itself apart. You can smell the sweat of fear.… Not to be missed." - David Gilman, award-winning author of
...more

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Charles Cordell Toni, thank you so much for this and for your great review! I am sorry I did not spot this earlier - I have had my head down trying to finish book #2.…moreToni, thank you so much for this and for your great review! I am sorry I did not spot this earlier - I have had my head down trying to finish book #2. It is almost there! Just a couple more chapters to crack. I really hope you and others will enjoy it as much as the first.

If you are interested, there is also a short story (free) on the website that aims to help fill the gap between the two books.

Thank again for the feedback - it really makes a difference.

Charlie(less)
Charles Cordell The publisher is Myrmidon at: https://myrmidonbooks.com/

I hope this helps.…more
The publisher is Myrmidon at: https://myrmidonbooks.com/

I hope this helps.(less)
Average rating: 4.38 · 82 ratings · 29 reviews · 3 distinct worksSimilar authors
God's Vindictive Wrath (Div...

4.40 avg rating — 42 ratings — published 2022 — 2 editions
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The Keys of Hell and Death ...

4.32 avg rating — 25 ratings2 editions
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Desecration: Winchester 164...

4.40 avg rating — 15 ratings — published 2024
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* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

God's Vindictive Wrath Desecration: Winchester 1642 The Keys of Hell and Death
(3 books)
by
4.38 avg rating — 81 ratings

Yorkshire in the ...
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The Massacre: The...
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Charles’s Recent Updates

Charles Cordell wrote a new blog post

17th��Century Historical Fiction – real,��relatable & relevant

This post 17th��Century Historical Fiction – real,��relatable & relevant by Charles Cordell appeared first on CHARLES CORDELL.Europe's 'Golden Age' of Read more of this blog post »
The Harpy Knight by Sara Omer
" Review originally on JamReads

Last year, I was gladly impressed by The Gryphon King, Sara Omer's debut novel that featured a rich South Asian inspired world building and an impressive character work, especially around Bataar and his conquest campa" Read more of this review »
The Wolves of War by John Gwynne
"Outstanding!
Halia Wolf-Heart 🐺❤ you are my hero! I would fight for you ⚔

Head & Heart!"
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
"i finally got around to reading the epic Moby Dick. I'll keep this short there are so many epic review on Goodreads. it is a must read! for all be it i now know too much about whales after reading it. it really is an epic american tale! "
The Knife Maker of Venice by David Gilman
" May wrote: "Ooooh!! I think I’m hooked already. Great review!!"

Thank you!
...more "
Charles Cordell rated a book it was amazing
The Knife Maker of Venice by David Gilman
The Knife Maker of Venice
by David Gilman (Goodreads Author)
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Utterly gripping! An absolute thriller. David Gilman is a master storyteller.

The pace is breakneck, the narrative heart-wrenching. The breadth and depth of research is astonishing, the historical detail steely sharp, glistening with gems, studded wi
...more
The Road to Middle-Earth by Tom Shippey
" 'Excellent stuff' - thank you! ...more "
Charles Cordell is currently reading
Yorkshire in the Civil Wars by Jack Binns
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Charles Cordell added a status update: If anyone happens to be in the South West of England on Sunday 10 May - and would like to join me - I will be leading a battlefield walk of the Battle of Stratton 1643.

Charles Cordell rated a book really liked it
The Northumbrians by Dan    Jackson
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We so often forget that Northumbria remained a Celtic nation - despite Viking invasion and settlement in Yorkshire. This is a really good insight into the history and psyche of Northumbrians - how and why they are distinct.
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Quotes by Charles Cordell  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“Bible in one hand, pistol in the other, the preacher sat astride a horse, his voice lifted to God’s light and a clear sky.”
Charles Cordell, God's Vindictive Wrath

“Only the poor remained, those who had no money and nowhere else to go. Another governor, more merchants and soldiers would come to take the place of those that left. But the poor always stayed. They always stayed put. And they always stayed poor.”
Charles Cordell, The Keys of Hell and Death

“Grenville's line of Cornishmen swayed and lurched, a low growl running through the ranks like a storm far out at sea, the boulders grinding as the waves built. And then it burst, men yelling, shaking their weapons in the air, the pikes clashing, thumping the ground, shouting, demanding, exclaiming, 'Kernow vedn keskerras!' Cornwall will march!”
Charles Cordell, The Keys of Hell and Death

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
English Civil War...: Why the English Civil War? 8 19 Feb 21, 2025 08:39AM  
Ancient & Medieva...: English Civil War (1642 - 1651) 130 273 Feb 21, 2025 09:30AM  
1666 And All That: Hello! - introduce yourself 51 31 Mar 04, 2025 06:34AM  
Historical Fictio...: How did you get into writing Historical Fiction? 346 761 Jul 25, 2026 12:56PM  
Goodreads Authors...: * Open Author Interviews 451 4330 Aug 03, 2026 02:23AM  
Historical Fictio...: So, tell us what inspired your historical novel? 111 265 Aug 09, 2026 12:46AM  
Goodreads Authors...: * Author List 7919 21808 Aug 11, 2026 12:31AM  
Charles Cordell, a former soldier, writes with bravura confidence.”
The Times

“Do not miss this evocative account of the English Civil War, and the ordinary men caught up in it." - God's Vindictive Wrath by Charles Cordell
Ben Kane

“The ground shudders from cavalry attack and cannon fire. You can smell the sweat of fear." - The Keys of Hell and Death by Charles Cordell
David Gilman

“Straight into the action, fast-paced and authentic. This story captures all the confusion, fear and excitement of battle. It will appeal to anyone who enjoys historical adventure novels." - God's Vindictive Wrath by Charles Cordell
Michael Arnold

“I have been waiting for this second novel - The Keys of Hell and Death by Charles Cordell - and am not disappointed. Once again he evokes the experience of the Civil War soldier more vividly than ever before.”
Ronald Hutton

26989 Goodreads Authors/Readers — 57312 members — last activity 6 hours, 20 min ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more
22454 Historical Fictionistas — 16401 members — last activity 2 hours, 41 min ago
Welcome to Historical Fictionistas! We want to experience all different kinds of HF with all different kinds of people. The more diverse, the better. ...more
54239 Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction — 6208 members — last activity Aug 09, 2026 12:51AM
The focus of this group is historical fiction set in Ancient and Medieval eras(with some post Medieval), in any geographical location. Preference is g ...more
25x33 English Civil War fiction — 18 members — last activity Dec 31, 2025 08:32AM
This is a group for the discussion of fiction set in and around the civil war in England which will also encompass novels concerning the civil war in ...more
207685 1666 And All That — 52 members — last activity Mar 04, 2025 06:34AM
A group for lovers of historical works set in the 17th century. We welcome authors publicising their own new works - within reason! - and we LOVE re-e ...more
83241 Military Professional Reading — 779 members — last activity Aug 11, 2026 06:34AM
This group is primarily intended for active, reserve, retired or military veterans. This serves as a forum to discuss professional reading for militar ...more
978473 Early Modern History, 16th-18th Century — 49 members — last activity Jun 18, 2022 11:43AM
This is a group for all those with an interest in Early Modern history (roughly from 1500-1800, though the 15th century is also fair game). My own int ...more
156619 Charles I - II - 17th-18th century! — 20 members — last activity Jan 08, 2026 05:35PM
A group for books set within the reign of Charles I, English Civil Wars, Interregnum, Charles II (Restoration)to James II, and throughout the Stuart e ...more
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