Very slow and at times very confusing. Didn't make me feel that I was in the period. I did read it all the way through and the ending was OK and clearVery slow and at times very confusing. Didn't make me feel that I was in the period. I did read it all the way through and the ending was OK and clearly sets the scene for a follow up tale....more
The pace picked up over the previous book. Quite a few characters and plots running in parallel so an interesting read. Not as good as the Rift War SaThe pace picked up over the previous book. Quite a few characters and plots running in parallel so an interesting read. Not as good as the Rift War Saga but still entertaining...more
I loved this ending. i have been perhaps harsh in the star rating throughout this series, but I have very fond memories of the series. Crowner John's I loved this ending. i have been perhaps harsh in the star rating throughout this series, but I have very fond memories of the series. Crowner John's relationship with his wife is amazing throughout (I would have killed her in book 1 - not a spoiler as you will find out). This book ties up lose ends nicely. His description of England at the time is phenomenal and far better than most authors of historical fiction. The only downside is the pace, which is plodding. Having said that, a slow pace really suits the times. People didn't race around motorways and life was dawn to dusk - often without a lot happening other than performing life's daily chores and work, of course. ...more
Got to page 188 and gave up. The characterisation was poor and very confusing with endless numbers of minor characters and seemingly no major ones??! Got to page 188 and gave up. The characterisation was poor and very confusing with endless numbers of minor characters and seemingly no major ones??! Endless talk and no action. One chap had two names, Roman and tribal - which is fine, but for some reason I didn't pick that up until halfway through the book. Lots of examples of this and generally confusing or poorly explained story. For example, same chap was accused of crime, sentenced to death, reprieved by an emperor, sentenced to death by legions, reprieved by another emperor and then set upon by legions and managed to talk his way out of trouble. At this point I just gave in. The plot was thin and not entertaining....more
Not in the same league as Scarrow. The tale is from the perspective of Rufus, keeper of the Emperor's war elephant. OK tale but a bit laborious and doNot in the same league as Scarrow. The tale is from the perspective of Rufus, keeper of the Emperor's war elephant. OK tale but a bit laborious and doesn't quite get the period to feel right...more
A long lost sword holds a dark secret. A Dan Brown type tale but lacking his impact. OK tale that is a bit contrived with a hero that can do almost evA long lost sword holds a dark secret. A Dan Brown type tale but lacking his impact. OK tale that is a bit contrived with a hero that can do almost everything. ...more
Predictable tale with an upper class hero. Captain Rawson is the exact opposite of Sharp in Bernard Cornwell's books. Rawson knows how to at in politePredictable tale with an upper class hero. Captain Rawson is the exact opposite of Sharp in Bernard Cornwell's books. Rawson knows how to at in polite society and is a true officer, despite not quite agreeing with the views of weaker officers. Whereas Sharp adds gritty realism to books, Rawson seems somehow more out of place. The language and his manners are too polite. The love interest too perfect. Rawson is still an OK character and the tale is OK rather than great....more
Lots of travelling back and forth across Tudor England. Shakespear's brother, John, is a lawyer recruited by Walsingham to investigate unrest in the hLots of travelling back and forth across Tudor England. Shakespear's brother, John, is a lawyer recruited by Walsingham to investigate unrest in the heart of the country. A little slow at times as the plot thickens. Mary Queen of Scots is at the center of the intrigue. A good tale is laid bare after quite a long tale....more
Undercover tale featuring Dan Shepherd. Deliberately non-PC and hard hitting and makes for an interesting read. Perhaps too any sub-plots along the waUndercover tale featuring Dan Shepherd. Deliberately non-PC and hard hitting and makes for an interesting read. Perhaps too any sub-plots along the way but nicely written and very readable....more
Two SAS type heroes called in to rescue damsel in distress. Good action but very contrived at times and dialogue all very proper. Not a bad read thougTwo SAS type heroes called in to rescue damsel in distress. Good action but very contrived at times and dialogue all very proper. Not a bad read though. Set around Mayan and Aztec empires...more
Great fun throughout and the ending certainly impresses. There are some nice twists to the plot and how Sigurd builds his army is great fun. The authoGreat fun throughout and the ending certainly impresses. There are some nice twists to the plot and how Sigurd builds his army is great fun. The author has a devious mind. I really enjoyed the series and the description of the period felt very real. Life was hard and those that went Viking, raiding, certainly lived on a knife edge. It was very easy to raid poor farmers at little cost to life and limb, but the rewards were clearly limited, so Vikings had to aim higher. This comes across very well in this tale and I particularly liked it when Sigurd's crew raided a poor farmstead and then ended up defending him against a more malevolent crew.
The ending is not clear cut and the fighting is very hard which makes for a good tale....more
Book 1 ended with Sigurd's depleted crew having achieved a significant aim in their quest for vengeance. There are some really good characters in thisBook 1 ended with Sigurd's depleted crew having achieved a significant aim in their quest for vengeance. There are some really good characters in this novel and they all seem to have a part to play. The period comes alive with a very imaginative description of Viking times. Some readers have complained about the fight sequences being unrealistic in that bodies cannot be cut in half but forget that, the battle scenes are highly enjoyable and leave you on the edge of your seat. I have handled a Dane axe and have watched documentary programmes about these, and they can do serious damage, however, the period is a little early for these monsters of destruction.
Sigurd gets into many scrapes and manages to get out of these by being Odin favoured. The nice thing about that is it is just words, but Sigurd unsettles his enemy just by the stating he is Odin favoured and the more scrapes he survives the bigger the legend. Sigurd goes to extremes to ensure his reputation as being Odin favoured is increased.
The tale is a little slow to start with and then progresses nicely. This is fun writing and great tale. ...more
Well written with an easy to read narrative. I really enjoyed this tale. Book 1 is full of woe and everything goes wrong in Sigurd's life and he swearWell written with an easy to read narrative. I really enjoyed this tale. Book 1 is full of woe and everything goes wrong in Sigurd's life and he swears vengeance against a King and a Jarl (Danish chief) for the betrayal of his father and clan. The description is very grim and bloody with a lot of action followed by a relatively slow period. The writing style is sufficiently good to keep the reader engaged. The author's knowledge of the period is good enough to give a convincing read. The Vikings are driven by Odin/Thor to the exclusion of all else. That may be unrealistic in normal life but with the blood oath it certainly makes a good read. Great fun....more
By comparison to his other books this was a bit of a let down. The Secret can be guessed and is long drawn out. Still an interesting read but certainlBy comparison to his other books this was a bit of a let down. The Secret can be guessed and is long drawn out. Still an interesting read but certainly lacked the impact of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code....more
These books are beautifully written and I love the main characters patience with a wife in need of a good strangling. The theme is outlaws and althougThese books are beautifully written and I love the main characters patience with a wife in need of a good strangling. The theme is outlaws and although they feature in other books they are much more dominant here. They are pawns in a greater scheme but an interesting read none-the-less...more
Enjoyable romp at a now familiar slow pace, having read several of his books. The witchcraft theme prior to the hysteria of the 1400s etc is quite intEnjoyable romp at a now familiar slow pace, having read several of his books. The witchcraft theme prior to the hysteria of the 1400s etc is quite interesting and novel and begs the question why did it take off in later years as much as it did. Enjoyable read....more
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