Great narrative...dreadfull dialogue..., 20 Nov 2008
This pains me..... Anyone who has met Bernard Cornwell at a book signing would I am sure agree with me when I say that he is a smashing bloke. I have many of his novels personaly signed and always buy his latest hardback.
Cornwell's 'hero' Hook is like so many other Cornwell hereos, so like Sharpe in fact and also Hookton.The dialogue between characters is repetative and boring and there are only so many ways you can insult the French!
Cornwell's discriptive narrative is always good though, and he paints great landscapes of blood, gore and battle with his usual sense of flair.
Most of the novels action does not take place at Agincourt but at Harfleur and the march towards the field of battle.
This was an effort to get through, mainly because of the one dimensional characters. His slowest and dullest book since another 'stand alone' novel, 'Stonehenge'
Cornwell's historical notes at the end of the book were of more interest and more insightful than the novel itself.
And now to really upset him.... BRING BACK STARBUCK!!!


Solid, but lacks something, 17 Nov 2008
Or Agincourt as it was when I was at school!
The Battle of Agincourt was a King Henry V led English victory against a larger French army during the Hundred Years' War (1415). In addition to a great deal of luck (ground conditions, poor French tactics) this was a battle where the power of the English archer (okay, a few Welsh as well) reigned supreme.
In typical Cornwall style he gives us a character (Nicholas Hook an English archer) against which to tell the tale and politics of the events leading up to, and the battle itself.
Cornwall's skill is in the blend of character, action and history. The Sharpe novels are obviously the perfect mix, and perhaps the blend was wrong with the Starbuck novels set in the US Civil War. In this novel it `almost' works but not quite. Hook is a talented fighter who hears voices (a Saint giving him advice) but his character felt lacking. On the march to Azincourt he suffers a personal tragedy, yet seems over it by morning!
The historical elements are, as always, excellent but the rest of this novel lacks that perfect blend that we have come to expect.


Disapointment, 14 Nov 2008
As a big fan of Bernard Cornwell I was disapointed with this latest work. The characters were dusted off versions from his 'Grail' series, the plotline unimaginative and unconvincing. To make it work It was necessary for the hero to start hearing the voices of saints, who would tell him what to do - hardly the convincing narrative we're used to. The only saving grace was the descriptions of the siege of Harfleur and the Battle of Agincourt itself. Well researched and excitingly told. Did Mr Cornewell succumb to the siren song of the Christmas Market and rush this one out? It certainly feels like it.

not yet available in Nice, 12 Nov 2008
WHY is the book called AZINCOURT? The famous battle was fought at AGINCOURT but the French, having lost the battle, changed the name of the village to AZINCOURT. The U.S. edition of this book reverts to the original name. One-up to the Yanks!

Hmmmmmm, 07 Nov 2008
I really expected more from Cornwell. This was my first read of his stuff and he came highly recommended by my brother, who just doesn't read but was transfixed by some other books from the great BC.
However, I found that the narrative centred on a few pretty well known facts, such as the French men-at-arms getting heavily bogged down in the mud, and the privations of the English army compared with those of the French. There was much hacking and slashing, obviously, but I thought it was all written with an air of casual detachment that did nothing to make me understand what it must have been like to have been in the midst of such a harrowing scene. The fear that must have been in these souls' bellies at the prospect of fighting against such withering odds must have been palpable, yet we are not treated to this terrifying suspense beyond flutters of doubt followed by the odd line rolled out from Shakespeare ('wish not one more man...' etc etc). Also the use of Hook as a framing device starts well but then blunders away with his relationship with Melisande. She is unnecessary, unbelievable, and the silly sub-plots surrounding her involvement add nothing to the main storyline, the atmosphere, or the reader's enjoyment.

Great narrative...dreadfull dialogue..., 20 Nov 2008
This pains me..... Anyone who has met Bernard Cornwell at a book signing would I am sure agree with me when I say that he is a smashing bloke. I have many of his novels personaly signed and always buy his latest hardback.
Cornwell's 'hero' Hook is like so many other Cornwell hereos, so like Sharpe in fact and also Hookton.The dialogue between characters is repetative and boring and there are only so many ways you can insult the French!
Cornwell's discriptive narrative is always good though, and he paints great landscapes of blood, gore and battle with his usual sense of flair.
Most of the novels action does not take place at Agincourt but at Harfleur and the march towards the field of battle.
This was an effort to get through, mainly because of the one dimensional characters. His slowest and dullest book since another 'stand alone' novel, 'Stonehenge'
Cornwell's historical notes at the end of the book were of more interest and more insightful than the novel itself.
And now to really upset him.... BRING BACK STARBUCK!!!


Solid, but lacks something, 17 Nov 2008
Or Agincourt as it was when I was at school!
The Battle of Agincourt was a King Henry V led English victory against a larger French army during the Hundred Years' War (1415). In addition to a great deal of luck (ground conditions, poor French tactics) this was a battle where the power of the English archer (okay, a few Welsh as well) reigned supreme.
In typical Cornwall style he gives us a character (Nicholas Hook an English archer) against which to tell the tale and politics of the events leading up to, and the battle itself.
Cornwall's skill is in the blend of character, action and history. The Sharpe novels are obviously the perfect mix, and perhaps the blend was wrong with the Starbuck novels set in the US Civil War. In this novel it `almost' works but not quite. Hook is a talented fighter who hears voices (a Saint giving him advice) but his character felt lacking. On the march to Azincourt he suffers a personal tragedy, yet seems over it by morning!
The historical elements are, as always, excellent but the rest of this novel lacks that perfect blend that we have come to expect.


Disapointment, 14 Nov 2008
As a big fan of Bernard Cornwell I was disapointed with this latest work. The characters were dusted off versions from his 'Grail' series, the plotline unimaginative and unconvincing. To make it work It was necessary for the hero to start hearing the voices of saints, who would tell him what to do - hardly the convincing narrative we're used to. The only saving grace was the descriptions of the siege of Harfleur and the Battle of Agincourt itself. Well researched and excitingly told. Did Mr Cornewell succumb to the siren song of the Christmas Market and rush this one out? It certainly feels like it.

not yet available in Nice, 12 Nov 2008
WHY is the book called AZINCOURT? The famous battle was fought at AGINCOURT but the French, having lost the battle, changed the name of the village to AZINCOURT. The U.S. edition of this book reverts to the original name. One-up to the Yanks!

Hmmmmmm, 07 Nov 2008
I really expected more from Cornwell. This was my first read of his stuff and he came highly recommended by my brother, who just doesn't read but was transfixed by some other books from the great BC.
However, I found that the narrative centred on a few pretty well known facts, such as the French men-at-arms getting heavily bogged down in the mud, and the privations of the English army compared with those of the French. There was much hacking and slashing, obviously, but I thought it was all written with an air of casual detachment that did nothing to make me understand what it must have been like to have been in the midst of such a harrowing scene. The fear that must have been in these souls' bellies at the prospect of fighting against such withering odds must have been palpable, yet we are not treated to this terrifying suspense beyond flutters of doubt followed by the odd line rolled out from Shakespeare ('wish not one more man...' etc etc). Also the use of Hook as a framing device starts well but then blunders away with his relationship with Melisande. She is unnecessary, unbelievable, and the silly sub-plots surrounding her involvement add nothing to the main storyline, the atmosphere, or the reader's enjoyment.

Excellent Tudor Mystery, 15 Nov 2008
What an excellent Tudor mystery - Sansom really brings Tudor life 'back to life'! If you enjoy grizzly murder mysteries with twists and turns then this is for you. It is well up to the standard of the previous 3 Shardlake novels and we can only hope the fourth one will not be too long in arriving! Read and enjoy - one to immerse onself in on a cold winter night!

Gripping!, 14 Nov 2008
Absolutely gripping, kept me guessing right up to the end.
The style was absorbing and it gave the sense that you in the midst of the group as the events unfolded.
A brilliant book - I hope this is not the end of Serjeant Shardlake!
Buy it and get stuck in.


Not quite a revelation..., 10 Nov 2008
In this latest Matthew Shardlake novel, the sights, sounds and smells of Tudor London ring as true as ever, and the struggle between religious reformers and conservatives is persuasively drawn. Unfortunately, the main plot (serial killer on the loose) is irritatingly predictable. Even a semi-comatose reader will have worked out the connection between killings before Shardlake, and from then on it's a plodding murder-by-numbers until the damp squib of a conclusion.
Perhaps the weakness of the plot would have been less obvious if the characters had been better developed. The coroner's main role sees to be to declare every thirty pages that the killer is possessed by the devil, while even Barak, a lively and resourceful presence in earlier novels, spends most of his time getting drunk and squabbling with his wife.
The scenes at Lincoln's Inn and Bedlam are well handled, but overall there is a lack of ingenuity and no real plot twists. I'm hoping Shardlake's next outing will be more inspired.


Another great fun read, 05 Nov 2008
Another Matthew Shardlake novel this time set in 1543. The times are turbulent. Catherine Howard has been executed and Henry VIII is turning away from radical Protestantism but still wants no links with Rome. Different religious factions vie for supremacy and few people can feel completely safe. Although the bible is now translated into English laws are being passed to prevent women and the lower classes from reading it. Into this heady mix comes a serial killer who seems to be selecting his victims among people who have rejected radical Protestantism and killing them in accordance with the atrocities listed in Revelations. Believing there could be a link to Catherine Parr (who Henry is hoping to marry) Archbishop Cranmer enlists Matthew Shardlake to help find the killer without letting the general public (or the king) know what is afoot.

This book is the usual great fun read that we have come to expect from the series. The characters from the earlier books (Jack Barak, Guy Malton and Bealnap) continue to be well developed. Matthew is a wonderful central character - thoughtful, wise and generous of spirit. The religious and political problems of the times are described in a way that doesn't disrupt the flow of the narrative.

At the end everything is resolved. Catherine Parr marries Henry and seems to have a calming influence on him. Cranmer feels he is once again secure in his situation. But, of course, we know what happens to him when Mary comes to the throne......



Dreary dreary woe woe, 29 Oct 2008
While agreeing with all the three-star reviewers, I am afraid that I can't even rate Revelation as high as three stars. Like Zola fan "Nana" I stopped reading half-way through but returned a few days later in hopes that the action would pick up at the end. Shardlake has always had rousing climaxes. But no, the book just ground on and on through one red herring after another and finally here he is again with yet another broken heart. But lo! we are all set up for the next installment--the Catholic plot to destroy Queen Katherine Parr. (Why, by the way does Shardlake continually refer to her as Katherine Parr when at this point in her life she was still Lady Latimer? Ho hum, yet another clumsy anachronism that the editor let fly by.) Sansom started out his series with what looked to be a serious attempt to create a real, conflicted character living in a fascinating time period, following a well-thought-out trajectory. Now he has just become another book-a-year historical mysteries hack. What a waste.

One can only hope that the phenomenal success of his co-authored The Dangerous Book for Boys does not take attention away from the prodigious storytelling skills of Conn Iggulden. As Bones of the Hills forcefully reminds us, Iggulden is the real deal when it comes to historical fiction on the grandest scale. And here, all of his characteristic skills are well to the fore.

A boy was abandoned in the wilderness by his tribe -- but he did not die. As those Iggulden admirers who have read Wolf of the Plains and Lords of the Bow will know, this luckless boy has grown into one of the most feared and powerful figures in history, Genghis Khan. He has persuaded the tribes that had been tearing each other to pieces to ignore their differences and unite under his leadership to battle their oldest enemies. Under his ruthless (and ferociously inspired) leadership, a mighty nation has been forged. But this is only the beginning of his struggles: Khan sends out emissaries, but they are tortured and killed. He attempts to open trade routes; his efforts are met with violent rebuff. Soon, the Mongolian army is stretched to the furthest corners of Khan's realm, and destruction looms.

This is epic storytelling on a nigh-operatic scale. Iggulden has long been the master of the broad brush stroke and conjures up the ancient world with great panache. Of course, the success of a book such as Bones of the Hills depends on the vivid characterisation of its larger-than-life central character, and of the many novels which have attempted to capture Genghis Khan, none have mastered the task as successfully as Conn Iggulden.
--Barry Forshaw

Great narrative...dreadfull dialogue..., 20 Nov 2008
This pains me..... Anyone who has met Bernard Cornwell at a book signing would I am sure agree with me when I say that he is a smashing bloke. I have many of his novels personaly signed and always buy his latest hardback.
Cornwell's 'hero' Hook is like so many other Cornwell hereos, so like Sharpe in fact and also Hookton.The dialogue between characters is repetative and boring and there are only so many ways you can insult the French!
Cornwell's discriptive narrative is always good though, and he paints great landscapes of blood, gore and battle with his usual sense of flair.
Most of the novels action does not take place at Agincourt but at Harfleur and the march towards the field of battle.
This was an effort to get through, mainly because of the one dimensional characters. His slowest and dullest book since another 'stand alone' novel, 'Stonehenge'
Cornwell's historical notes at the end of the book were of more interest and more insightful than the novel itself.
And now to really upset him.... BRING BACK STARBUCK!!!


Solid, but lacks something, 17 Nov 2008
Or Agincourt as it was when I was at school!
The Battle of Agincourt was a King Henry V led English victory against a larger French army during the Hundred Years' War (1415). In addition to a great deal of luck (ground conditions, poor French tactics) this was a battle where the power of the English archer (okay, a few Welsh as well) reigned supreme.
In typical Cornwall style he gives us a character (Nicholas Hook an English archer) against which to tell the tale and politics of the events leading up to, and the battle itself.
Cornwall's skill is in the blend of character, action and history. The Sharpe novels are obviously the perfect mix, and perhaps the blend was wrong with the Starbuck novels set in the US Civil War. In this novel it `almost' works but not quite. Hook is a talented fighter who hears voices (a Saint giving him advice) but his character felt lacking. On the march to Azincourt he suffers a personal tragedy, yet seems over it by morning!
The historical elements are, as always, excellent but the rest of this novel lacks that perfect blend that we have come to expect.


Disapointment, 14 Nov 2008
As a big fan of Bernard Cornwell I was disapointed with this latest work. The characters were dusted off versions from his 'Grail' series, the plotline unimaginative and unconvincing. To make it work It was necessary for the hero to start hearing the voices of saints, who would tell him what to do - hardly the convincing narrative we're used to. The only saving grace was the descriptions of the siege of Harfleur and the Battle of Agincourt itself. Well researched and excitingly told. Did Mr Cornewell succumb to the siren song of the Christmas Market and rush this one out? It certainly feels like it.

not yet available in Nice, 12 Nov 2008
WHY is the book called AZINCOURT? The famous battle was fought at AGINCOURT but the French, having lost the battle, changed the name of the village to AZINCOURT. The U.S. edition of this book reverts to the original name. One-up to the Yanks!

Hmmmmmm, 07 Nov 2008
I really expected more from Cornwell. This was my first read of his stuff and he came highly recommended by my brother, who just doesn't read but was transfixed by some other books from the great BC.
However, I found that the narrative centred on a few pretty well known facts, such as the French men-at-arms getting heavily bogged down in the mud, and the privations of the English army compared with those of the French. There was much hacking and slashing, obviously, but I thought it was all written with an air of casual detachment that did nothing to make me understand what it must have been like to have been in the midst of such a harrowing scene. The fear that must have been in these souls' bellies at the prospect of fighting against such withering odds must have been palpable, yet we are not treated to this terrifying suspense beyond flutters of doubt followed by the odd line rolled out from Shakespeare ('wish not one more man...' etc etc). Also the use of Hook as a framing device starts well but then blunders away with his relationship with Melisande. She is unnecessary, unbelievable, and the silly sub-plots surrounding her involvement add nothing to the main storyline, the atmosphere, or the reader's enjoyment.

Excellent Tudor Mystery, 15 Nov 2008
What an excellent Tudor mystery - Sansom really brings Tudor life 'back to life'! If you enjoy grizzly murder mysteries with twists and turns then this is for you. It is well up to the standard of the previous 3 Shardlake novels and we can only hope the fourth one will not be too long in arriving! Read and enjoy - one to immerse onself in on a cold winter night!

Gripping!, 14 Nov 2008
Absolutely gripping, kept me guessing right up to the end.
The style was absorbing and it gave the sense that you in the midst of the group as the events unfolded.
A brilliant book - I hope this is not the end of Serjeant Shardlake!
Buy it and get stuck in.


Not quite a revelation..., 10 Nov 2008
In this latest Matthew Shardlake novel, the sights, sounds and smells of Tudor London ring as true as ever, and the struggle between religious reformers and conservatives is persuasively drawn. Unfortunately, the main plot (serial killer on the loose) is irritatingly predictable. Even a semi-comatose reader will have worked out the connection between killings before Shardlake, and from then on it's a plodding murder-by-numbers until the damp squib of a conclusion.
Perhaps the weakness of the plot would have been less obvious if the characters had been better developed. The coroner's main role sees to be to declare every thirty pages that the killer is possessed by the devil, while even Barak, a lively and resourceful presence in earlier novels, spends most of his time getting drunk and squabbling with his wife.
The scenes at Lincoln's Inn and Bedlam are well handled, but overall there is a lack of ingenuity and no real plot twists. I'm hoping Shardlake's next outing will be more inspired.


Another great fun read, 05 Nov 2008
Another Matthew Shardlake novel this time set in 1543. The times are turbulent. Catherine Howard has been executed and Henry VIII is turning away from radical Protestantism but still wants no links with Rome. Different religious factions vie for supremacy and few people can feel completely safe. Although the bible is now translated into English laws are being passed to prevent women and the lower classes from reading it. Into this heady mix comes a serial killer who seems to be selecting his victims among people who have rejected radical Protestantism and killing them in accordance with the atrocities listed in Revelations. Believing there could be a link to Catherine Parr (who Henry is hoping to marry) Archbishop Cranmer enlists Matthew Shardlake to help find the killer without letting the general public (or the king) know what is afoot.

This book is the usual great fun read that we have come to expect from the series. The characters from the earlier books (Jack Barak, Guy Malton and Bealnap) continue to be well developed. Matthew is a wonderful central character - thoughtful, wise and generous of spirit. The religious and political problems of the times are described in a way that doesn't disrupt the flow of the narrative.

At the end everything is resolved. Catherine Parr marries Henry and seems to have a calming influence on him. Cranmer feels he is once again secure in his situation. But, of course, we know what happens to him when Mary comes to the throne......



Dreary dreary woe woe, 29 Oct 2008
While agreeing with all the three-star reviewers, I am afraid that I can't even rate Revelation as high as three stars. Like Zola fan "Nana" I stopped reading half-way through but returned a few days later in hopes that the action would pick up at the end. Shardlake has always had rousing climaxes. But no, the book just ground on and on through one red herring after another and finally here he is again with yet another broken heart. But lo! we are all set up for the next installment--the Catholic plot to destroy Queen Katherine Parr. (Why, by the way does Shardlake continually refer to her as Katherine Parr when at this point in her life she was still Lady Latimer? Ho hum, yet another clumsy anachronism that the editor let fly by.) Sansom started out his series with what looked to be a serious attempt to create a real, conflicted character living in a fascinating time period, following a well-thought-out trajectory. Now he has just become another book-a-year historical mysteries hack. What a waste.

Superb end to the trilogy, 11 Nov 2008
Conn Iggulden is the master of this genre with Manfredi, Cornwell and Scarrow following close behind. I was not sure anything could top the Emperor series of books, but this may have managed it. This is the third and final book in the series and sees the fall of a great leader and general. Although he is seen as a ruthless conqueror, this book gives you a unique insight into his mind and way of thinking which makes you feel like you are almost on his side. This part of his life he takes on his biggest foe to date into new lands creating an empire than was the biggest known to man, making the Roman Empire pale into insignificance. A superb end to the trilogy, really keen to see which historical figure he tackles next.

NOT THE END, 08 Nov 2008
This is easily his best book,both of this series and the fantastic Emperor.
Many people have stated this is the end of the Mongol series however to correct this it isn't. The author has stated there are 3 mores books planned focusing on the sons/grandson of Genghis.
Should be fascinating.

great pace... until the end, 05 Nov 2008
I actually thought the first book was great, the second not quite as good, and the third one was back to being pretty great, right up until the end. I read the last 100 pages last night and when it finished, I was a bit miffed at the author for not giving me a satisfactory conclusion to the tale. I would still recommend this as being better than most of the other rubbish that gets published under the 'historical fiction' category though.

wow fanastic, 05 Nov 2008
i loved this book the best of the three thank you Con Iggulden for such a enjoyable read i was hook from the first to the last page it is imposible to put down i love the way the characters are developed Tsubodi and Jochi became my favourite characters in this book and i really enjoyed the way the story played out for the two of them. As for Genghis what he manage to achieve was amazing.

Another excellent book, 28 Oct 2008
Not sure if I would class it as the best of the series as I thoroughly enjoyed the previous two books as well as the entire Emperor series. Its a bit like picking your favourite Beatles song. They are all brilliant.

Conn Iggulden is the reason that I started reading historical fiction books and of all the authors in the genre no-one betters him.

Get all 3 and just enjoy!

Great narrative...dreadfull dialogue..., 20 Nov 2008
This pains me..... Anyone who has met Bernard Cornwell at a book signing would I am sure agree with me when I say that he is a smashing bloke. I have many of his novels personaly signed and always buy his latest hardback.
Cornwell's 'hero' Hook is like so many other Cornwell hereos, so like Sharpe in fact and also Hookton.The dialogue between characters is repetative and boring and there are only so many ways you can insult the French!
Cornwell's discriptive narrative is always good though, and he paints great landscapes of blood, gore and battle with his usual sense of flair.
Most of the novels action does not take place at Agincourt but at Harfleur and the march towards the field of battle.
This was an effort to get through, mainly because of the one dimensional characters. His slowest and dullest book since another 'stand alone' novel, 'Stonehenge'
Cornwell's historical notes at the end of the book were of more interest and more insightful than the novel itself.
And now to really upset him.... BRING BACK STARBUCK!!!


Solid, but lacks something, 17 Nov 2008
Or Agincourt as it was when I was at school!
The Battle of Agincourt was a King Henry V led English victory against a larger French army during the Hundred Years' War (1415). In addition to a great deal of luck (ground conditions, poor French tactics) this was a battle where the power of the English archer (okay, a few Welsh as well) reigned supreme.
In typical Cornwall style he gives us a character (Nicholas Hook an English archer) against which to tell the tale and politics of the events leading up to, and the battle itself.
Cornwall's skill is in the blend of character, action and history. The Sharpe novels are obviously the perfect mix, and perhaps the blend was wrong with the Starbuck novels set in the US Civil War. In this novel it `almost' works but not quite. Hook is a talented fighter who hears voices (a Saint giving him advice) but his character felt lacking. On the march to Azincourt he suffers a personal tragedy, yet seems over it by morning!
The historical elements are, as always, excellent but the rest of this novel lacks that perfect blend that we have come to expect.


Disapointment, 14 Nov 2008
As a big fan of Bernard Cornwell I was disapointed with this latest work. The characters were dusted off versions from his 'Grail' series, the plotline unimaginative and unconvincing. To make it work It was necessary for the hero to start hearing the voices of saints, who would tell him what to do - hardly the convincing narrative we're used to. The only saving grace was the descriptions of the siege of Harfleur and the Battle of Agincourt itself. Well researched and excitingly told. Did Mr Cornewell succumb to the siren song of the Christmas Market and rush this one out? It certainly feels like it.

not yet available in Nice, 12 Nov 2008
WHY is the book called AZINCOURT? The famous battle was fought at AGINCOURT but the French, having lost the battle, changed the name of the village to AZINCOURT. The U.S. edition of this book reverts to the original name. One-up to the Yanks!

Hmmmmmm, 07 Nov 2008
I really expected more from Cornwell. This was my first read of his stuff and he came highly recommended by my brother, who just doesn't read but was transfixed by some other books from the great BC.
However, I found that the narrative centred on a few pretty well known facts, such as the French men-at-arms getting heavily bogged down in the mud, and the privations of the English army compared with those of the French. There was much hacking and slashing, obviously, but I thought it was all written with an air of casual detachment that did nothing to make me understand what it must have been like to have been in the midst of such a harrowing scene. The fear that must have been in these souls' bellies at the prospect of fighting against such withering odds must have been palpable, yet we are not treated to this terrifying suspense beyond flutters of doubt followed by the odd line rolled out from Shakespeare ('wish not one more man...' etc etc). Also the use of Hook as a framing device starts well but then blunders away with his relationship with Melisande. She is unnecessary, unbelievable, and the silly sub-plots surrounding her involvement add nothing to the main storyline, the atmosphere, or the reader's enjoyment.

Excellent Tudor Mystery, 15 Nov 2008
What an excellent Tudor mystery - Sansom really brings Tudor life 'back to life'! If you enjoy grizzly murder mysteries with twists and turns then this is for you. It is well up to the standard of the previous 3 Shardlake novels and we can only hope the fourth one will not be too long in arriving! Read and enjoy - one to immerse onself in on a cold winter night!

Gripping!, 14 Nov 2008
Absolutely gripping, kept me guessing right up to the end.
The style was absorbing and it gave the sense that you in the midst of the group as the events unfolded.
A brilliant book - I hope this is not the end of Serjeant Shardlake!
Buy it and get stuck in.


Not quite a revelation..., 10 Nov 2008
In this latest Matthew Shardlake novel, the sights, sounds and smells of Tudor London ring as true as ever, and the struggle between religious reformers and conservatives is persuasively drawn. Unfortunately, the main plot (serial killer on the loose) is irritatingly predictable. Even a semi-comatose reader will have worked out the connection between killings before Shardlake, and from then on it's a plodding murder-by-numbers until the damp squib of a conclusion.
Perhaps the weakness of the plot would have been less obvious if the characters had been better developed. The coroner's main role sees to be to declare every thirty pages that the killer is possessed by the devil, while even Barak, a lively and resourceful presence in earlier novels, spends most of his time getting drunk and squabbling with his wife.
The scenes at Lincoln's Inn and Bedlam are well handled, but overall there is a lack of ingenuity and no real plot twists. I'm hoping Shardlake's next outing will be more inspired.


Another great fun read, 05 Nov 2008
Another Matthew Shardlake novel this time set in 1543. The times are turbulent. Catherine Howard has been executed and Henry VIII is turning away from radical Protestantism but still wants no links with Rome. Different religious factions vie for supremacy and few people can feel completely safe. Although the bible is now translated into English laws are being passed to prevent women and the lower classes from reading it. Into this heady mix comes a serial killer who seems to be selecting his victims among people who have rejected radical Protestantism and killing them in accordance with the atrocities listed in Revelations. Believing there could be a link to Catherine Parr (who Henry is hoping to marry) Archbishop Cranmer enlists Matthew Shardlake to help find the killer without letting the general public (or the king) know what is afoot.

This book is the usual great fun read that we have come to expect from the series. The characters from the earlier books (Jack Barak, Guy Malton and Bealnap) continue to be well developed. Matthew is a wonderful central character - thoughtful, wise and generous of spirit. The religious and political problems of the times are described in a way that doesn't disrupt the flow of the narrative.

At the end everything is resolved. Catherine Parr marries Henry and seems to have a calming influence on him. Cranmer feels he is once again secure in his situation. But, of course, we know what happens to him when Mary comes to the throne......



Dreary dreary woe woe, 29 Oct 2008
While agreeing with all the three-star reviewers, I am afraid that I can't even rate Revelation as high as three stars. Like Zola fan "Nana" I stopped reading half-way through but returned a few days later in hopes that the action would pick up at the end. Shardlake has always had rousing climaxes. But no, the book just ground on and on through one red herring after another and finally here he is again with yet another broken heart. But lo! we are all set up for the next installment--the Catholic plot to destroy Queen Katherine Parr. (Why, by the way does Shardlake continually refer to her as Katherine Parr when at this point in her life she was still Lady Latimer? Ho hum, yet another clumsy anachronism that the editor let fly by.) Sansom started out his series with what looked to be a serious attempt to create a real, conflicted character living in a fascinating time period, following a well-thought-out trajectory. Now he has just become another book-a-year historical mysteries hack. What a waste.

Superb end to the trilogy, 11 Nov 2008
Conn Iggulden is the master of this genre with Manfredi, Cornwell and Scarrow following close behind. I was not sure anything could top the Emperor series of books, but this may have managed it. This is the third and final book in the series and sees the fall of a great leader and general. Although he is seen as a ruthless conqueror, this book gives you a unique insight into his mind and way of thinking which makes you feel like you are almost on his side. This part of his life he takes on his biggest foe to date into new lands creating an empire than was the biggest known to man, making the Roman Empire pale into insignificance. A superb end to the trilogy, really keen to see which historical figure he tackles next.

NOT THE END, 08 Nov 2008
This is easily his best book,both of this series and the fantastic Emperor.
Many people have stated this is the end of the Mongol series however to correct this it isn't. The author has stated there are 3 mores books planned focusing on the sons/grandson of Genghis.
Should be fascinating.

great pace... until the end, 05 Nov 2008
I actually thought the first book was great, the second not quite as good, and the third one was back to being pretty great, right up until the end. I read the last 100 pages last night and when it finished, I was a bit miffed at the author for not giving me a satisfactory conclusion to the tale. I would still recommend this as being better than most of the other rubbish that gets published under the 'historical fiction' category though.

wow fanastic, 05 Nov 2008
i loved this book the best of the three thank you Con Iggulden for such a enjoyable read i was hook from the first to the last page it is imposible to put down i love the way the characters are developed Tsubodi and Jochi became my favourite characters in this book and i really enjoyed the way the story played out for the two of them. As for Genghis what he manage to achieve was amazing.

Another excellent book, 28 Oct 2008
Not sure if I would class it as the best of the series as I thoroughly enjoyed the previous two books as well as the entire Emperor series. Its a bit like picking your favourite Beatles song. They are all brilliant.

Conn Iggulden is the reason that I started reading historical fiction books and of all the authors in the genre no-one betters him.

Get all 3 and just enjoy!

By far his best, 14 Nov 2008
I find that all of Ken Follett's other books - including World Without End - are simply "holiday reading". However Pillars of the Earth seems almost to have come from the pen of someone else. It is superb on many levels - and would certainly be in my top ten books ever. Thank you Ken!

Interesting historically, workmanlike writing, 14 Nov 2008
Someone else mentioned this, but Follett has the silly habit of summarising the previous few pages at the end of a section. As if we have 5 second attention spans and need to be reminded of what we have just read. It's incredibly annoying and condescending.

The quality of prose is at the level of a teenager. All short sentences, "he said, she said" type of stuff. No long descriptions to befuddle the reader. Some of the set pieces are quite exciting eg the historical Battle of Lincoln and the murder of Thomas Beckett. There are some wasted opportunites however. Eg two of the protaganists take a trip to Santiago de Compostela...quite a trip in those days I'm sure. However the whole trip is glossed over in a few pages.

It's basically an easy read, interesting if you're into medieval England, but in no way thought-provoking or deep. But that's ok, not everybook needs to read like Proust and hence I give it 3 stars!

Do yourself a favour - BUY THIS BOOK, 06 Nov 2008
This book is pretty damn special. A year after it was first recommended to me, I got my act together - even then it was only because the friend who recommended it grew tired of waiting for me to start and bought it for me.

Once I started reading I could not stop: a superb narrative and unforgettable characters. In fact, since finishing this book, I have truly missed them all and kind of wish I had never read the book because then it would mean that I could read it all over again.

Look at things in new ways, 06 Nov 2008
well written, if somewhat rushed as an ending, its a very engaging story. really does make me look at somethings, namely old churches and the love that went into building them, differently. But it is FAR more than a book about building a church.... you'll enjoy it :)

Spell bounding!!, 27 Oct 2008
Never heard of Ken Follett before. Family member recommended this and I took on holiday. What fantastic reading and the story just kept getting better, I just couldn't put it down. The book completely fell apart with the heat of the sun, so couldn't pass this on to my friends. I know many of them will be buying this, so have now started reading all of Ken's books. Well done....

Great narrative...dreadfull dialogue..., 20 Nov 2008
This pains me..... Anyone who has met Bernard Cornwell at a book signing would I am sure agree with me when I say that he is a smashing bloke. I have many of his novels personaly signed and always buy his latest hardback.
Cornwell's 'hero' Hook is like so many other Cornwell hereos, so like Sharpe in fact and also Hookton.The dialogue between characters is repetative and boring and there are only so many ways you can insult the French!
Cornwell's discriptive narrative is always good though, and he paints great landscapes of blood, gore and battle with his usual sense of flair.
Most of the novels action does not take place at Agincourt but at Harfleur and the march towards the field of battle.
This was an effort to get through, mainly because of the one dimensional characters. His slowest and dullest book since another 'stand alone' novel, 'Stonehenge'
Cornwell's historical notes at the end of the book were of more interest and more insightful than the novel itself.
And now to really upset him.... BRING BACK STARBUCK!!!


Solid, but lacks something, 17 Nov 2008
Or Agincourt as it was when I was at school!
The Battle of Agincourt was a King Henry V led English victory against a larger French army during the Hundred Years' War (1415). In addition to a great deal of luck (ground conditions, poor French tactics) this was a battle where the power of the English archer (okay, a few Welsh as well) reigned supreme.
In typical Cornwall style he gives us a character (Nicholas Hook an English archer) against which to tell the tale and politics of the events leading up to, and the battle itself.
Cornwall's skill is in the blend of character, action and history. The Sharpe novels are obviously the perfect mix, and perhaps the blend was wrong with the Starbuck novels set in the US Civil War. In this novel it `almost' works but not quite. Hook is a talented fighter who hears voices (a Saint giving him advice) but his character felt lacking. On the march to Azincourt he suffers a personal tragedy, yet seems over it by morning!
The historical elements are, as always, excellent but the rest of this novel lacks that perfect blend that we have come to expect.


Disapointment, 14 Nov 2008
As a big fan of Bernard Cornwell I was disapointed with this latest work. The characters were dusted off versions from his 'Grail' series, the plotline unimaginative and unconvincing. To make it work It was necessary for the hero to start hearing the voices of saints, who would tell him what to do - hardly the convincing narrative we're used to. The only saving grace was the descriptions of the siege of Harfleur and the Battle of Agincourt itself. Well researched and excitingly told. Did Mr Cornewell succumb to the siren song of the Christmas Market and rush this one out? It certainly feels like it.

not yet available in Nice, 12 Nov 2008
WHY is the book called AZINCOURT? The famous battle was fought at AGINCOURT but the French, having lost the battle, changed the name of the village to AZINCOURT. The U.S. edition of this book reverts to the original name. One-up to the Yanks!

Hmmmmmm, 07 Nov 2008
I really expected more from Cornwell. This was my first read of his stuff and he came highly recommended by my brother, who just doesn't read but was transfixed by some other books from the great BC.
However, I found that the narrative centred on a few pretty well known facts, such as the French men-at-arms getting heavily bogged down in the mud, and the privations of the English army compared with those of the French. There was much hacking and slashing, obviously, but I thought it was all written with an air of casual detachment that did nothing to make me understand what it must have been like to have been in the midst of such a harrowing scene. The fear that must have been in these souls' bellies at the prospect of fighting against such withering odds must have been palpable, yet we are not treated to this terrifying suspense beyond flutters of doubt followed by the odd line rolled out from Shakespeare ('wish not one more man...' etc etc). Also the use of Hook as a framing device starts well but then blunders away with his relationship with Melisande. She is unnecessary, unbelievable, and the silly sub-plots surrounding her involvement add nothing to the main storyline, the atmosphere, or the reader's enjoyment.

Excellent Tudor Mystery, 15 Nov 2008
What an excellent Tudor mystery - Sansom really brings Tudor life 'back to life'! If you enjoy grizzly murder mysteries with twists and turns then this is for you. It is well up to the standard of the previous 3 Shardlake novels and we can only hope the fourth one will not be too long in arriving! Read and enjoy - one to immerse onself in on a cold winter night!

Gripping!, 14 Nov 2008
Absolutely gripping, kept me guessing right up to the end.
The style was absorbing and it gave the sense that you in the midst of the group as the events unfolded.
A brilliant book - I hope this is not the end of Serjeant Shardlake!
Buy it and get stuck in.


Not quite a revelation..., 10 Nov 2008
In this latest Matthew Shardlake novel, the sights, sounds and smells of Tudor London ring as true as ever, and the struggle between religious reformers and conservatives is persuasively drawn. Unfortunately, the main plot (serial killer on the loose) is irritatingly predictable. Even a semi-comatose reader will have worked out the connection between killings before Shardlake, and from then on it's a plodding murder-by-numbers until the damp squib of a conclusion.
Perhaps the weakness of the plot would have been less obvious if the characters had been better developed. The coroner's main role sees to be to declare every thirty pages that the killer is possessed by the devil, while even Barak, a lively and resourceful presence in earlier novels, spends most of his time getting drunk and squabbling with his wife.
The scenes at Lincoln's Inn and Bedlam are well handled, but overall there is a lack of ingenuity and no real plot twists. I'm hoping Shardlake's next outing will be more inspired.


Another great fun read, 05 Nov 2008
Another Matthew Shardlake novel this time set in 1543. The times are turbulent. Catherine Howard has been executed and Henry VIII is turning away from radical Protestantism but still wants no links with Rome. Different religious factions vie for supremacy and few people can feel completely safe. Although the bible is now translated into English laws are being passed to prevent women and the lower classes from reading it. Into this heady mix comes a serial killer who seems to be selecting his victims among people who have rejected radical Protestantism and killing them in accordance with the atrocities listed in Revelations. Believing there could be a link to Catherine Parr (who Henry is hoping to marry) Archbishop Cranmer enlists Matthew Shardlake to help find the killer without letting the general public (or the king) know what is afoot.

This book is the usual great fun read that we have come to expect from the series. The characters from the earlier books (Jack Barak, Guy Malton and Bealnap) continue to be well developed. Matthew is a wonderful central character - thoughtful, wise and generous of spirit. The religious and political problems of the times are described in a way that doesn't disrupt the flow of the narrative.

At the end everything is resolved. Catherine Parr marries Henry and seems to have a calming influence on him. Cranmer feels he is once again secure in his situation. But, of course, we know what happens to him when Mary comes to the throne......



Dreary dreary woe woe, 29 Oct 2008
While agreeing with all the three-star reviewers, I am afraid that I can't even rate Revelation as high as three stars. Like Zola fan "Nana" I stopped reading half-way through but returned a few days later in hopes that the action would pick up at the end. Shardlake has always had rousing climaxes. But no, the book just ground on and on through one red herring after another and finally here he is again with yet another broken heart. But lo! we are all set up for the next installment--the Catholic plot to destroy Queen Katherine Parr. (Why, by the way does Shardlake continually refer to her as Katherine Parr when at this point in her life she was still Lady Latimer? Ho hum, yet another clumsy anachronism that the editor let fly by.) Sansom started out his series with what looked to be a serious attempt to create a real, conflicted character living in a fascinating time period, following a well-thought-out trajectory. Now he has just become another book-a-year historical mysteries hack. What a waste.

Superb end to the trilogy, 11 Nov 2008
Conn Iggulden is the master of this genre with Manfredi, Cornwell and Scarrow following close behind. I was not sure anything could top the Emperor series of books, but this may have managed it. This is the third and final book in the series and sees the fall of a great leader and general. Although he is seen as a ruthless conqueror, this book gives you a unique insight into his mind and way of thinking which makes you feel like you are almost on his side. This part of his life he takes on his biggest foe to date into new lands creating an empire than was the biggest known to man, making the Roman Empire pale into insignificance. A superb end to the trilogy, really keen to see which historical figure he tackles next.

NOT THE END, 08 Nov 2008
This is easily his best book,both of this series and the fantastic Emperor.
Many people have stated this is the end of the Mongol series however to correct this it isn't. The author has stated there are 3 mores books planned focusing on the sons/grandson of Genghis.
Should be fascinating.

great pace... until the end, 05 Nov 2008
I actually thought the first book was great, the second not quite as good, and the third one was back to being pretty great, right up until the end. I read the last 100 pages last night and when it finished, I was a bit miffed at the author for not giving me a satisfactory conclusion to the tale. I would still recommend this as being better than most of the other rubbish that gets published under the 'historical fiction' category though.

wow fanastic, 05 Nov 2008
i loved this book the best of the three thank you Con Iggulden for such a enjoyable read i was hook from the first to the last page it is imposible to put down i love the way the characters are developed Tsubodi and Jochi became my favourite characters in this book and i really enjoyed the way the story played out for the two of them. As for Genghis what he manage to achieve was amazing.

Another excellent book, 28 Oct 2008
Not sure if I would class it as the best of the series as I thoroughly enjoyed the previous two books as well as the entire Emperor series. Its a bit like picking your favourite Beatles song. They are all brilliant.

Conn Iggulden is the reason that I started reading historical fiction books and of all the authors in the genre no-one betters him.

Get all 3 and just enjoy!

By far his best, 14 Nov 2008
I find that all of Ken Follett's other books - including World Without End - are simply "holiday reading". However Pillars of the Earth seems almost to have come from the pen of someone else. It is superb on many levels - and would certainly be in my top ten books ever. Thank you Ken!

Interesting historically, workmanlike writing, 14 Nov 2008
Someone else mentioned this, but Follett has the silly habit of summarising the previous few pages at the end of a section. As if we have 5 second attention spans and need to be reminded of what we have just read. It's incredibly annoying and condescending.

The quality of prose is at the level of a teenager. All short sentences, "he said, she said" type of stuff. No long descriptions to befuddle the reader. Some of the set pieces are quite exciting eg the historical Battle of Lincoln and the murder of Thomas Beckett. There are some wasted opportunites however. Eg two of the protaganists take a trip to Santiago de Compostela...quite a trip in those days I'm sure. However the whole trip is glossed over in a few pages.

It's basically an easy read, interesting if you're into medieval England, but in no way thought-provoking or deep. But that's ok, not everybook needs to read like Proust and hence I give it 3 stars!

Do yourself a favour - BUY THIS BOOK, 06 Nov 2008
This book is pretty damn special. A year after it was first recommended to me, I got my act together - even then it was only because the friend who recommended it grew tired of waiting for me to start and bought it for me.

Once I started reading I could not stop: a superb narrative and unforgettable characters. In fact, since finishing this book, I have truly missed them all and kind of wish I had never read the book because then it would mean that I could read it all over again.

Look at things in new ways, 06 Nov 2008
well written, if somewhat rushed as an ending, its a very engaging story. really does make me look at somethings, namely old churches and the love that went into building them, differently. But it is FAR more than a book about building a church.... you'll enjoy it :)

Spell bounding!!, 27 Oct 2008
Never heard of Ken Follett before. Family member recommended this and I took on holiday. What fantastic reading and the story just kept getting better, I just couldn't put it down. The book completely fell apart with the heat of the sun, so couldn't pass this on to my friends. I know many of them will be buying this, so have now started reading all of Ken's books. Well done....

Conn Iggulden does it again , 22 Oct 2008
Why cant Conn Iggulden write any faster? Have to say, another triumph. I love the way he writes, you feel like you are part of the whole journey. It's clever as well, because the heroes aren't heroes, there just as nasty as the bad guys, however they are your bad guys! Going to be depressed again now waiting ages for his next one :-(

Fab, 19 Oct 2008
I was going to give this book 4 stars, but I read the last half in 24hrs, I feel that any book that can draw me in such as this deserves a 5 star rating. It really is an epic story if you read and enjoyed'Wolf of the Plains' then you will love this. I particularly like that the story does not just focus on Genghis in fact there are times where the story leaves him behind and follows his brothers journeys, what's surprising is that the book is all the better for this.

In short it's well worth a read you will not be disappointed. Enjoy.

An epic story told by a master story teller, 19 Oct 2008
I was going to give this book 4 stars, but I read the last half in 24hrs, I feel that any book that can draw me in such as this deserves a 5 star rating. It really is an epic story if you read and enjoyed'Wolf of the Plains' then you will love this. I particularly like that the story does not just focus on Genghis in fact there are times where the story leaves him behind and follows his brothers journeys, what's surprising is that the book is all the better for this.

In short it's well worth a read you will not be disappointed. Enjoy.

Very good Conn., 23 Sep 2008
Not the best Conn Iggulden, but still very good. Really you need to read the first book in the Conqueror series before reading this, but it is not vital. Conn sketches out the characters, locations and events very well and the story/history is excellent. Goodies and baddies developed well. My only criticisms are that I think the book is a little short, and I think Conn wraps it all up quite quickly. I dont think so far that this series has scaled the hights of some of the Emporer series, but still Conn is probably one of the best fiction/history writers around.

Lords 4 Reel, 11 Sep 2008
I have just finished reading the book yesterday and 2 be quite honest i couldnt put it down wherever i go i take the book with me as i have read the Wolf of the Plains i couldnt wait for another book on Genghis Khan its just awesome to read i have seen book 2 but am not sure if its the same lords of the bow part 2 or the same one.need to ask at a bookshop to see cuz i cant wait to read the continuation as i have just pre-ordered BRISINGR.of the Inheritance Triology Eragon.

Great narrative...dreadfull dialogue..., 20 Nov 2008
This pains me..... Anyone who has met Bernard Cornwell at a book signing would I am sure agree with me when I say that he is a smashing bloke. I have many of his novels personaly signed and always buy his latest hardback.
Cornwell's 'hero' Hook is like so many other Cornwell hereos, so like Sharpe in fact and also Hookton.The dialogue between characters is repetative and boring and there are only so many ways you can insult the French!
Cornwell's discriptive narrative is always good though, and he paints great landscapes of blood, gore and battle with his usual sense of flair.
Most of the novels action does not take place at Agincourt but at Harfleur and the march towards the field of battle.
This was an effort to get through, mainly because of the one dimensional characters. His slowest and dullest book since another 'stand alone' novel, 'Stonehenge'
Cornwell's historical notes at the end of the book were of more interest and more insightful than the novel itself.
And now to really upset him.... BRING BACK STARBUCK!!!


Solid, but lacks something, 17 Nov 2008
Or Agincourt as it was when I was at school!
The Battle of Agincourt was a King Henry V led English victory against a larger French army during the Hundred Years' War (1415). In addition to a great deal of luck (ground conditions, poor French tactics) this was a battle where the power of the English archer (okay, a few Welsh as well) reigned supreme.
In typical Cornwall style he gives us a character (Nicholas Hook an English archer) against which to tell the tale and politics of the events leading up to, and the battle itself.
Cornwall's skill is in the blend of character, action and history. The Sharpe novels are obviously the perfect mix, and perhaps the blend was wrong with the Starbuck novels set in the US Civil War. In this novel it `almost' works but not quite. Hook is a talented fighter who hears voices (a Saint giving him advice) but his character felt lacking. On the march to Azincourt he suffers a personal tragedy, yet seems over it by morning!
The historical elements are, as always, excellent but the rest of this novel lacks that perfect blend that we have come to expect.


Disapointment, 14 Nov 2008
As a big fan of Bernard Cornwell I was disapointed with this latest work. The characters were dusted off versions from his 'Grail' series, the plotline unimaginative and unconvincing. To make it work It was necessary for the hero to start hearing the voices of saints, who would tell him what to do - hardly the convincing narrative we're used to. The only saving grace was the descriptions of the siege of Harfleur and the Battle of Agincourt itself. Well researched and excitingly told. Did Mr Cornewell succumb to the siren song of the Christmas Market and rush this one out? It certainly feels like it.

not yet available in Nice, 12 Nov 2008
WHY is the book called AZINCOURT? The famous battle was fought at AGINCOURT but the French, having lost the battle, changed the name of the village to AZINCOURT. The U.S. edition of this book reverts to the original name. One-up to the Yanks!

Hmmmmmm, 07 Nov 2008
I really expected more from Cornwell. This was my first read of his stuff and he came highly recommended by my brother, who just doesn't read but was transfixed by some other books from the great BC.
However, I found that the narrative centred on a few pretty well known facts, such as the French men-at-arms getting heavily bogged down in the mud, and the privations of the English army compared with those of the French. There was much hacking and slashing, obviously, but I thought it was all written with an air of casual detachment that did nothing to make me understand what it must have been like to have been in the midst of such a harrowing scene. The fear that must have been in these souls' bellies at the prospect of fighting against such withering odds must have been palpable, yet we are not treated to this terrifying suspense beyond flutters of doubt followed by the odd line rolled out from Shakespeare ('wish not one more man...' etc etc). Also the use of Hook as a framing device starts well but then blunders away with his relationship with Melisande. She is unnecessary, unbelievable, and the silly sub-plots surrounding her involvement add nothing to the main storyline, the atmosphere, or the reader's enjoyment.

Excellent Tudor Mystery, 15 Nov 2008
What an excellent Tudor mystery - Sansom really brings Tudor life 'back to life'! If you enjoy grizzly murder mysteries with twists and turns then this is for you. It is well up to the standard of the previous 3 Shardlake novels and we can only hope the fourth one will not be too long in arriving! Read and enjoy - one to immerse onself in on a cold winter night!

Gripping!, 14 Nov 2008
Absolutely gripping, kept me guessing right up to the end.
The style was absorbing and it gave the sense that you in the midst of the group as the events unfolded.
A brilliant book - I hope this is not the end of Serjeant Shardlake!
Buy it and get stuck in.


Not quite a revelation..., 10 Nov 2008
In this latest Matthew Shardlake novel, the sights, sounds and smells of Tudor London ring as true as ever, and the struggle between religious reformers and conservatives is persuasively drawn. Unfortunately, the main plot (serial killer on the loose) is irritatingly predictable. Even a semi-comatose reader will have worked out the connection between killings before Shardlake, and from then on it's a plodding murder-by-numbers until the damp squib of a conclusion.
Perhaps the weakness of the plot would have been less obvious if the characters had been better developed. The coroner's main role sees to be to declare every thirty pages that the killer is possessed by the devil, while even Barak, a lively and resourceful presence in earlier novels, spends most of his time getting drunk and squabbling with his wife.
The scenes at Lincoln's Inn and Bedlam are well handled, but overall there is a lack of ingenuity and no real plot twists. I'm hoping Shardlake's next outing will be more inspired.


Another great fun read, 05 Nov 2008
Another Matthew Shardlake novel this time set in 1543. The times are turbulent. Catherine Howard has been executed and Henry VIII is turning away from radical Protestantism but still wants no links with Rome. Different religious factions vie for supremacy and few people can feel completely safe. Although the bible is now translated into English laws are being passed to prevent women and the lower classes from reading it. Into this heady mix comes a serial killer who seems to be selecting his victims among people who have rejected radical Protestantism and killing them in accordance with the atrocities listed in Revelations. Believing there could be a link to Catherine Parr (who Henry is hoping to marry) Archbishop Cranmer enlists Matthew Shardlake to help find the killer without letting the general public (or the king) know what is afoot.

This book is the usual great fun read that we have come to expect from the series. The characters from the earlier books (Jack Barak, Guy Malton and Bealnap) continue to be well developed. Matthew is a wonderful central character - thoughtful, wise and generous of spirit. The religious and political problems of the times are described in a way that doesn't disrupt the flow of the narrative.

At the end everything is resolved. Catherine Parr marries Henry and seems to have a calming influence on him. Cranmer feels he is once again secure in his situation. But, of course, we know what happens to him when Mary comes to the throne......



Dreary dreary woe woe, 29 Oct 2008
While agreeing with all the three-star reviewers, I am afraid that I can't even rate Revelation as high as three stars. Like Zola fan "Nana" I stopped reading half-way through but returned a few days later in hopes that the action would pick up at the end. Shardlake has always had rousing climaxes. But no, the book just ground on and on through one red herring after another and finally here he is again with yet another broken heart. But lo! we are all set up for the next installment--the Catholic plot to destroy Queen Katherine Parr. (Why, by the way does Shardlake continually refer to her as Katherine Parr when at this point in her life she was still Lady Latimer? Ho hum, yet another clumsy anachronism that the editor let fly by.) Sansom started out his series with what looked to be a serious attempt to create a real, conflicted character living in a fascinating time period, following a well-thought-out trajectory. Now he has just become another book-a-year historical mysteries hack. What a waste.

Superb end to the trilogy, 11 Nov 2008
Conn Iggulden is the master of this genre with Manfredi, Cornwell and Scarrow following close behind. I was not sure anything could top the Emperor series of books, but this may have managed it. This is the third and final book in the series and sees the fall of a great leader and general. Although he is seen as a ruthless conqueror, this book gives you a unique insight into his mind and way of thinking which makes you feel like you are almost on his side. This part of his life he takes on his biggest foe to date into new lands creating an empire than was the biggest known to man, making the Roman Empire pale into insignificance. A superb end to the trilogy, really keen to see which historical figure he tackles next.

NOT THE END, 08 Nov 2008
This is easily his best book,both of this series and the fantastic Emperor.
Many people have stated this is the end of the Mongol series however to correct this it isn't. The author has stated there are 3 mores books planned focusing on the sons/grandson of Genghis.
Should be fascinating.

great pace... until the end, 05 Nov 2008
I actually thought the first book was great, the second not quite as good, and the third one was back to being pretty great, right up until the end. I read the last 100 pages last night and when it finished, I was a bit miffed at the author for not giving me a satisfactory conclusion to the tale. I would still recommend this as being better than most of the other rubbish that gets published under the 'historical fiction' category though.

wow fanastic, 05 Nov 2008
i loved this book the best of the three thank you Con Iggulden for such a enjoyable read i was hook from the first to the last page it is imposible to put down i love the way the characters are developed Tsubodi and Jochi became my favourite characters in this book and i really enjoyed the way the story played out for the two of them. As for Genghis what he manage to achieve was amazing.

Another excellent book, 28 Oct 2008
Not sure if I would class it as the best of the series as I thoroughly enjoyed the previous two books as well as the entire Emperor series. Its a bit like picking your favourite Beatles song. They are all brilliant.

Conn Iggulden is the reason that I started reading historical fiction books and of all the authors in the genre no-one betters him.

Get all 3 and just enjoy!

By far his best, 14 Nov 2008
I find that all of Ken Follett's other books - including World Without End - are simply "holiday reading". However Pillars of the Earth seems almost to have come from the pen of someone else. It is superb on many levels - and would certainly be in my top ten books ever. Thank you Ken!

Interesting historically, workmanlike writing, 14 Nov 2008
Someone else mentioned this, but Follett has the silly habit of summarising the previous few pages at the end of a section. As if we have 5 second attention spans and need to be reminded of what we have just read. It's incredibly annoying and condescending.

The quality of prose is at the level of a teenager. All short sentences, "he said, she said" type of stuff. No long descriptions to befuddle the reader. Some of the set pieces are quite exciting eg the historical Battle of Lincoln and the murder of Thomas Beckett. There are some wasted opportunites however. Eg two of the protaganists take a trip to Santiago de Compostela...quite a trip in those days I'm sure. However the whole trip is glossed over in a few pages.

It's basically an easy read, interesting if you're into medieval England, but in no way thought-provoking or deep. But that's ok, not everybook needs to read like Proust and hence I give it 3 stars!

Do yourself a favour - BUY THIS BOOK, 06 Nov 2008
This book is pretty damn special. A year after it was first recommended to me, I got my act together - even then it was only because the friend who recommended it grew tired of waiting for me to start and bought it for me.

Once I started reading I could not stop: a superb narrative and unforgettable characters. In fact, since finishing this book, I have truly missed them all and kind of wish I had never read the book because then it would mean that I could read it all over again.

Look at things in new ways, 06 Nov 2008
well written, if somewhat rushed as an ending, its a very engaging story. really does make me look at somethings, namely old churches and the love that went into building them, differently. But it is FAR more than a book about building a church.... you'll enjoy it :)

Spell bounding!!, 27 Oct 2008
Never heard of Ken Follett before. Family member recommended this and I took on holiday. What fantastic reading and the story just kept getting better, I just couldn't put it down. The book completely fell apart with the heat of the sun, so couldn't pass this on to my friends. I know many of them will be buying this, so have now started reading all of Ken's books. Well done....

Conn Iggulden does it again , 22 Oct 2008
Why cant Conn Iggulden write any faster? Have to say, another triumph. I love the way he writes, you feel like you are part of the whole journey. It's clever as well, because the heroes aren't heroes, there just as nasty as the bad guys, however they are your bad guys! Going to be depressed again now waiting ages for his next one :-(

Fab, 19 Oct 2008
I was going to give this book 4 stars, but I read the last half in 24hrs, I feel that any book that can draw me in such as this deserves a 5 star rating. It really is an epic story if you read and enjoyed'Wolf of the Plains' then you will love this. I particularly like that the story does not just focus on Genghis in fact there are times where the story leaves him behind and follows his brothers journeys, what's surprising is that the book is all the better for this.

In short it's well worth a read you will not be disappointed. Enjoy.

An epic story told by a master story teller, 19 Oct 2008
I was going to give this book 4 stars, but I read the last half in 24hrs, I feel that any book that can draw me in such as this deserves a 5 star rating. It really is an epic story if you read and enjoyed'Wolf of the Plains' then you will love this. I particularly like that the story does not just focus on Genghis in fact there are times where the story leaves him behind and follows his brothers journeys, what's surprising is that the book is all the better for this.

In short it's well worth a read you will not be disappointed. Enjoy.

Very good Conn., 23 Sep 2008
Not the best Conn Iggulden, but still very good. Really you need to read the first book in the Conqueror series before reading this, but it is not vital. Conn sketches out the characters, locations and events very well and the story/history is excellent. Goodies and baddies developed well. My only criticisms are that I think the book is a little short, and I think Conn wraps it all up quite quickly. I dont think so far that this series has scaled the hights of some of the Emporer series, but still Conn is probably one of the best fiction/history writers around.

Lords 4 Reel, 11 Sep 2008
I have just finished reading the book yesterday and 2 be quite honest i couldnt put it down wherever i go i take the book with me as i have read the Wolf of the Plains i couldnt wait for another book on Genghis Khan its just awesome to read i have seen book 2 but am not sure if its the same lords of the bow part 2 or the same one.need to ask at a bookshop to see cuz i cant wait to read the continuation as i have just pre-ordered BRISINGR.of the Inheritance Triology Eragon.

A Terrific Series, 09 Nov 2008
This is a superb trilogy, very readable and probably more appealing to a male readership, with the leading characters being predominantly male and a lot of the story being about battles and "The Great Conqueror". I started to read them having watched the film 'Mongol' and I strongly recommend the film to anyone who is enjoying these books. Highly recommended.

Fierce and Compelling., 09 Nov 2008
This booked grips you from start to finish. The fast paced action is tempered with gritty realism- testament to to how well Iggulden knows his material and his craft.

Whilst comparissons with Bernard Cornwell's historical fiction are inevitable, Iggulden's character driven writing is harsh and true, in many ways more honest than the sometimes likeably roguish nature of Cornwell's writing. It is utterly refreshing to read of a character such as Temujin, so clearly a product of the plains, rather than the product of a more modern concept of a hero. The young Khan's thoughts and actions are vastly different from modern ethical thinking- his personality is never compromised.

The action and pace of the story, the vivid landscapes and the sympathy with which Iggulden treats the Mongol tribes leads to a masterful portrayal of the early life of Genghis Kahn. As such, Wolf of the Plains is a must read.

Classic, 22 Oct 2008
Conn Iggulden is my favourite historical fiction writer, just ahead of Bernard Cornwell and Manfredi. In this book he gives you an amazing insight into a time in history that most of us do not know. His writing draws you into the life and mind of this amazing people, and to be honest sheds a different light onto a historical figure that most people just think of as a ruthless warlord. Conn does it again!

Buy books one and two then sit down and enjoy., 18 Oct 2008
I bought the first book and was half way through it, and bought the sequel, and it literally was cover to cover non stop with both books,as they were such a good read.

I was just carried along in the tale.

It tells of a world and time that our European history tends to forget about, fascinating stuff.

Hence a 5 star rating from me.



Love this book, 10 Oct 2008
One of the best books I've read in a long while,
would highly recomend it to anyone and everyone!
A great book about a great man.

Philippa Gregory has long been one of the most assured practitioners of historical fiction, but her profile was raised even higher by the film of her novel The Other Boleyn Girl. Gregory admirers, however, were heard to remark of that movie: `Not as good as the book!' And if her new novel, the highly accomplished The Other Queen is ever afforded the Hollywood treatment, there will no doubt be a similar chorus. The reason for this dedication by her readers is not hard to fathom: assiduously researched historical facts are married to consummate storytelling skills - and the effortless ability to rescue historical figures from the dusty pages of the past.

At the centre of this novel is Mary Queen of Scotland, forced to flee into England. Mary, a devout Catholic, is, of course, a living threat to the rule of her cousin Elisabeth, whose Protestant reign is uncertain. We've been here before, of course, in various books and films. But Philippa Gregory's story this time has a different emphasis: Elizabeth's chief advisor, Cecil, formulates a plan in which the destabilising Mary will live under guard with his faithful friend, Bess of Hardwick. Bess is a remarkable woman herself; someone who has forged her own destiny, and is now in her fourth marriage, to the distinguished Earl of Shrewsbury. But soon Bess and Mary find themselves plunged into very different personal crises - with Bess's marriage under considerable strain.

The Other Queen is wonderfully accomplished stuff, evoking a much-pored-over era with a totally fresh eye.
--Barry Forshaw

Great narrative...dreadfull dialogue..., 20 Nov 2008
This pains me..... Anyone who has met Bernard Cornwell at a book signing would I am sure agree with me when I say that he is a smashing bloke. I have many of his novels personaly signed and always buy his latest hardback.
Cornwell's 'hero' Hook is like so many other Cornwell hereos, so like Sharpe in fact and also Hookton.The dialogue between characters is repetative and boring and there are only so many ways you can insult the French!
Cornwell's discriptive narrative is always good though, and he paints great landscapes of blood, gore and battle with his usual sense of flair.
Most of the novels action does not take place at Agincourt but at Harfleur and the march towards the field of battle.
This was an effort to get through, mainly because of the one dimensional characters. His slowest and dullest book since another 'stand alone' novel, 'Stonehenge'
Cornwell's historical notes at the end of the book were of more interest and more insightful than the novel itself.
And now to really upset him.... BRING BACK STARBUCK!!!


Solid, but lacks something, 17 Nov 2008
Or Agincourt as it was when I was at school!
The Battle of Agincourt was a King Henry V led English victory against a larger French army during the Hundred Years' War (1415). In addition to a great deal of luck (ground conditions, poor French tactics) this was a battle where the power of the English archer (okay, a few Welsh as well) reigned supreme.
In typical Cornwall style he gives us a character (Nicholas Hook an English archer) against which to tell the tale and politics of the events leading up to, and the battle itself.
Cornwall's skill is in the blend of character, action and history. The Sharpe novels are obviously the perfect mix, and perhaps the blend was wrong with the Starbuck novels set in the US Civil War. In this novel it `almost' works but not quite. Hook is a talented fighter who hears voices (a Saint giving him advice) but his character felt lacking. On the march to Azincourt he suffers a personal tragedy, yet seems over it by morning!
The historical elements are, as always, excellent but the rest of this novel lacks that perfect blend that we have come to expect.


Disapointment, 14 Nov 2008
As a big fan of Bernard Cornwell I was disapointed with this latest work. The characters were dusted off versions from his 'Grail' series, the plotline unimaginative and unconvincing. To make it work It was necessary for the hero to start hearing the voices of saints, who would tell him what to do - hardly the convincing narrative we're used to. The only saving grace was the descriptions of the siege of Harfleur and the Battle of Agincourt itself. Well researched and excitingly told. Did Mr Cornewell succumb to the siren song of the Christmas Market and rush this one out? It certainly feels like it.

not yet available in Nice, 12 Nov 2008
WHY is the book called AZINCOURT? The famous battle was fought at AGINCOURT but the French, having lost the battle, changed the name of the village to AZINCOURT. The U.S. edition of this book reverts to the original name. One-up to the Yanks!

Hmmmmmm, 07 Nov 2008
I really expected more from Cornwell. This was my first read of his stuff and he came highly recommended by my brother, who just doesn't read but was transfixed by some other books from the great BC.
However, I found that the narrative centred on a few pretty well known facts, such as the French men-at-arms getting heavily bogged down in the mud, and the privations of the English army compared with those of the French. There was much hacking and slashing, obviously, but I thought it was all written with an air of casual detachment that did nothing to make me understand what it must have been like to have been in the midst of such a harrowing scene. The fear that must have been in these souls' bellies at the prospect of fighting against such withering odds must have been palpable, yet we are not treated to this terrifying suspense beyond flutters of doubt followed by the odd line rolled out from Shakespeare ('wish not one more man...' etc etc). Also the use of Hook as a framing device starts well but then blunders away with his relationship with Melisande. She is unnecessary, unbelievable, and the silly sub-plots surrounding her involvement add nothing to the main storyline, the atmosphere, or the reader's enjoyment.

Excellent Tudor Mystery, 15 Nov 2008
What an excellent Tudor mystery - Sansom really brings Tudor life 'back to life'! If you enjoy grizzly murder mysteries with twists and turns then this is for you. It is well up to the standard of the previous 3 Shardlake novels and we can only hope the fourth one will not be too long in arriving! Read and enjoy - one to immerse onself in on a cold winter night!

Gripping!, 14 Nov 2008
Absolutely gripping, kept me guessing right up to the end.
The style was absorbing and it gave the sense that you in the midst of the group as the events unfolded.
A brilliant book - I hope this is not the end of Serjeant Shardlake!
Buy it and get stuck in.


Not quite a revelation..., 10 Nov 2008
In this latest Matthew Shardlake novel, the sights, sounds and smells of Tudor London ring as true as ever, and the struggle between religious reformers and conservatives is persuasively drawn. Unfortunately, the main plot (serial killer on the loose) is irritatingly predictable. Even a semi-comatose reader will have worked out the connection between killings before Shardlake, and from then on it's a plodding murder-by-numbers until the damp squib of a conclusion.
Perhaps the weakness of the plot would have been less obvious if the characters had been better developed. The coroner's main role sees to be to declare every thirty pages that the killer is possessed by the devil, while even Barak, a lively and resourceful presence in earlier novels, spends most of his time getting drunk and squabbling with his wife.
The scenes at Lincoln's Inn and Bedlam are well handled, but overall there is a lack of ingenuity and no real plot twists. I'm hoping Shardlake's next outing will be more inspired.


Another great fun read, 05 Nov 2008
Another Matthew Shardlake novel this time set in 1543. The times are turbulent. Catherine Howard has been executed and Henry VIII is turning away from radical Protestantism but still wants no links with Rome. Different religious factions vie for supremacy and few people can feel completely safe. Although the bible is now translated into English laws are being passed to prevent women and the lower classes from reading it. Into this heady mix comes a serial killer who seems to be selecting his victims among people who have rejected radical Protestantism and killing them in accordance with the atrocities listed in Revelations. Believing there could be a link to Catherine Parr (who Henry is hoping to marry) Archbishop Cranmer enlists Matthew Shardlake to help find the killer without letting the general public (or the king) know what is afoot.

This book is the usual great fun read that we have come to expect from the series. The characters from the earlier books (Jack Barak, Guy Malton and Bealnap) continue to be well developed. Matthew is a wonderful central character - thoughtful, wise and generous of spirit. The religious and political problems of the times are described in a way that doesn't disrupt the flow of the narrative.

At the end everything is resolved. Catherine Parr marries Henry and seems to have a calming influence on him. Cranmer feels he is once again secure in his situation. But, of course, we know what happens to him when Mary comes to the throne......



Dreary dreary woe woe, 29 Oct 2008
While agreeing with all the three-star reviewers, I am afraid that I can't even rate Revelation as high as three stars. Like Zola fan "Nana" I stopped reading half-way through but returned a few days later in hopes that the action would pick up at the end. Shardlake has always had rousing climaxes. But no, the book just ground on and on through one red herring after another and finally here he is again with yet another broken heart. But lo! we are all set up for the next installment--the Catholic plot to destroy Queen Katherine Parr. (Why, by the way does Shardlake continually refer to her as Katherine Parr when at this point in her life she was still Lady Latimer? Ho hum, yet another clumsy anachronism that the editor let fly by.) Sansom started out his series with what looked to be a serious attempt to create a real, conflicted character living in a fascinating time period, following a well-thought-out trajectory. Now he has just become another book-a-year historical mysteries hack. What a waste.

Superb end to the trilogy, 11 Nov 2008
Conn Iggulden is the master of this genre with Manfredi, Cornwell and Scarrow following close behind. I was not sure anything could top the Emperor series of books, but this may have managed it. This is the third and final book in the series and sees the fall of a great leader and general. Although he is seen as a ruthless conqueror, this book gives you a unique insight into his mind and way of thinking which makes you feel like you are almost on his side. This part of his life he takes on his biggest foe to date into new lands creating an empire than was the biggest known to man, making the Roman Empire pale into insignificance. A superb end to the trilogy, really keen to see which historical figure he tackles next.

NOT THE END, 08 Nov 2008
This is easily his best book,both of this series and the fantastic Emperor.
Many people have stated this is the end of the Mongol series however to correct this it isn't. The author has stated there are 3 mores books planned focusing on the sons/grandson of Genghis.
Should be fascinating.

great pace... until the end, 05 Nov 2008
I actually thought the first book was great, the second not quite as good, and the third one was back to being pretty great, right up until the end. I read the last 100 pages last night and when it finished, I was a bit miffed at the author for not giving me a satisfactory conclusion to the tale. I would still recommend this as being better than most of the other rubbish that gets published under the 'historical fiction' category though.

wow fanastic, 05 Nov 2008
i loved this book the best of the three thank you Con Iggulden for such a enjoyable read i was hook from the first to the last page it is imposible to put down i love the way the characters are developed Tsubodi and Jochi became my favourite characters in this book and i really enjoyed the way the story played out for the two of them. As for Genghis what he manage to achieve was amazing.

Another excellent book, 28 Oct 2008
Not sure if I would class it as the best of the series as I thoroughly enjoyed the previous two books as well as the entire Emperor series. Its a bit like picking your favourite Beatles song. They are all brilliant.

Conn Iggulden is the reason that I started reading historical fiction books and of all the authors in the genre no-one betters him.

Get all 3 and just enjoy!

By far his best, 14 Nov 2008
I find that all of Ken Follett's other books - including World Without End - are simply "holiday reading". However Pillars of the Earth seems almost to have come from the pen of someone else. It is superb on many levels - and would certainly be in my top ten books ever. Thank you Ken!

Interesting historically, workmanlike writing, 14 Nov 2008
Someone else mentioned this, but Follett has the silly habit of summarising the previous few pages at the end of a section. As if we have 5 second attention spans and need to be reminded of what we have just read. It's incredibly annoying and condescending.

The quality of prose is at the level of a teenager. All short sentences, "he said, she said" type of stuff. No long descriptions to befuddle the reader. Some of the set pieces are quite exciting eg the historical Battle of Lincoln and the murder of Thomas Beckett. There are some wasted opportunites however. Eg two of the protaganists take a trip to Santiago de Compostela...quite a trip in those days I'm sure. However the whole trip is glossed over in a few pages.

It's basically an easy read, interesting if you're into medieval England, but in no way thought-provoking or deep. But that's ok, not everybook needs to read like Proust and hence I give it 3 stars!

Do yourself a favour - BUY THIS BOOK, 06 Nov 2008
This book is pretty damn special. A year after it was first recommended to me, I got my act together - even then it was only because the friend who recommended it grew tired of waiting for me to start and bought it for me.

Once I started reading I could not stop: a superb narrative and unforgettable characters. In fact, since finishing this book, I have truly missed them all and kind of wish I had never read the book because then it would mean that I could read it all over again.

Look at things in new ways, 06 Nov 2008
well written, if somewhat rushed as an ending, its a very engaging story. really does make me look at somethings, namely old churches and the love that went into building them, differently. But it is FAR more than a book about building a church.... you'll enjoy it :)

Spell bounding!!, 27 Oct 2008
Never heard of Ken Follett before. Family member recommended this and I took on holiday. What fantastic reading and the story just kept getting better, I just couldn't put it down. The book completely fell apart with the heat of the sun, so couldn't pass this on to my friends. I know many of them will be buying this, so have now started reading all of Ken's books. Well done....

Conn Iggulden does it again , 22 Oct 2008
Why cant Conn Iggulden write any faster? Have to say, another triumph. I love the way he writes, you feel like you are part of the whole journey. It's clever as well, because the heroes aren't heroes, there just as nasty as the bad guys, however they are your bad guys! Going to be depressed again now waiting ages for his next one :-(

Fab, 19 Oct 2008
I was going to give this book 4 stars, but I read the last half in 24hrs, I feel that any book that can draw me in such as this deserves a 5 star rating. It really is an epic story if you read and enjoyed'Wolf of the Plains' then you will love this. I particularly like that the story does not just focus on Genghis in fact there are times where the story leaves him behind and follows his brothers journeys, what's surprising is that the book is all the better for this.

In short it's well worth a read you will not be disappointed. Enjoy.

An epic story told by a master story teller, 19 Oct 2008
I was going to give this book 4 stars, but I read the last half in 24hrs, I feel that any book that can draw me in such as this deserves a 5 star rating. It really is an epic story if you read and enjoyed'Wolf of the Plains' then you will love this. I particularly like that the story does not just focus on Genghis in fact there are times where the story leaves him behind and follows his brothers journeys, what's surprising is that the book is all the better for this.

In short it's well worth a read you will not be disappointed. Enjoy.

Very good Conn., 23 Sep 2008
Not the best Conn Iggulden, but still very good. Really you need to read the first book in the Conqueror series before reading this, but it is not vital. Conn sketches out the characters, locations and events very well and the story/history is excellent. Goodies and baddies developed well. My only criticisms are that I think the book is a little short, and I think Conn wraps it all up quite quickly. I dont think so far that this series has scaled the hights of some of the Emporer series, but still Conn is probably one of the best fiction/history writers around.

Lords 4 Reel, 11 Sep 2008
I have just finished reading the book yesterday and 2 be quite honest i couldnt put it down wherever i go i take the book with me as i have read the Wolf of the Plains i couldnt wait for another book on Genghis Khan its just awesome to read i have seen book 2 but am not sure if its the same lords of the bow part 2 or the same one.need to ask at a bookshop to see cuz i cant wait to read the continuation as i have just pre-ordered BRISINGR.of the Inheritance Triology Eragon.

A Terrific Series, 09 Nov 2008
This is a superb trilogy, very readable and probably more appealing to a male readership, with the leading characters being predominantly male and a lot of the story being about battles and "The Great Conqueror". I started to read them having watched the film 'Mongol' and I strongly recommend the film to anyone who is enjoying these books. Highly recommended.

Fierce and Compelling., 09 Nov 2008
This booked grips you from start to finish. The fast paced action is tempered with gritty realism- testament to to how well Iggulden knows his material and his craft.

Whilst comparissons with Bernard Cornwell's historical fiction are inevitable, Iggulden's character driven writing is harsh and true, in many ways more honest than the sometimes likeably roguish nature of Cornwell's writing. It is utterly refreshing to read of a character such as Temujin, so clearly a product of the plains, rather than the product of a more modern concept of a hero. The young Khan's thoughts and actions are vastly different from modern ethical thinking- his personality is never compromised.

The action and pace of the story, the vivid landscapes and the sympathy with which Iggulden treats the Mongol tribes leads to a masterful portrayal of the early lif