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Ironfire

David Ball

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Sep 26, 2015 Nikki rated it it was amazing

During my first trip to Malta some years ago I was woefully unaware of the story of the Knights of St.John and the Great Siege of 1565. But I needed a new book to read on the flight home and picked up Ernle Bradford's book about the siege at the airport shop. Now I was finally heading back to Malta for some proper sightseeing and thought it would be nice to read some historical novels that were set during/around the siege.

It was this one I chose and another one (The Religion, by Tim Willocks, w During my first trip to Malta some years ago I was woefully unaware of the story of the Knights of St.John and the Great Siege of 1565. But I needed a new book to read on the flight home and picked up Ernle Bradford's book about the siege at the airport shop. Now I was finally heading back to Malta for some proper sightseeing and thought it would be nice to read some historical novels that were set during/around the siege.

It was this one I chose and another one (The Religion, by Tim Willocks, which I'll review separately) based on their ratings on Amazon. Can I just say I consider myself lucky that I read this one first while I was still in Malta?

The books have some similarities. Both feature a Christian/Western hero who spents some years among the Turks before finding themselves on the Christian side during the siege and both feature a Catholic priest as a baddie. Sure, the church is always an easy target - perhaps too easy, but at least Ball succeeds in giving his baddie Salvago a human side, making his actions if not forgiveable, then at least to some extent understandable.

Overall I found Ball's characters far more interesting and well-crafted, especially Maria, the plucky Maltese heroine, who always remains realistic and never the usual over-the-top female superheroine or damsel in distress that seem par for the course in historical novels. I also 'bought' the young French knight Christien although it seemed a bit far-fetched that his father would so oppose him becoming a doctor while pushing him to be a Knight of St. John, an order based on taking care of the ill and sick. Ah well. Maria's brother Nico was another interesting character, the boy abducted to spend years in Constantinople, rising through the ranks thanks to his photographic memory. The love story was a bit silly and unbelievable, but since it didn't take up much room, I didn't mind it either. Overall, I cared for these characters and everything - the island of Malta itself, life at court in Constantinople and finally the siege - were well-described with an eye for detail without becoming boring.

If anyone is looking for a good historical novel to read on a holiday in Malta, this is definitely the one to read. ...more

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Jan 23, 2021 Wes F rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Loved this book by Ball that gives fresh insights into life & death & hardships in the days of the Ottoman Empire. Great story & characters & development.

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Feb 20, 2010 Gaijinmama marked it as to-read

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Mar 02, 2025 Wajeeha rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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