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Master of War #1
The Blooding
England, 1346: For Thomas Blackstone the choice is easy - dance on the end of a rope for a murder he did not commit, or take up his war bow and join the king's invasion of France.
As he fights his way across northern France, Blackstone will learn the brutal lessons of war - from the terror and confusion of his first taste of combat, to the savage realities of siege warfare.
Vastly outnumbered, Edward III's army will finally confront the armoured might of the French nobility on the field of Crécy. It is a battle that will change the history of warfare, a battle that will change the course of Blackstone's life, a battle that is just the first chapter in a book of legend - Blackstone: Master of War.
As he fights his way across northern France, Blackstone will learn the brutal lessons of war - from the terror and confusion of his first taste of combat, to the savage realities of siege warfare.
Vastly outnumbered, Edward III's army will finally confront the armoured might of the French nobility on the field of Crécy. It is a battle that will change the history of warfare, a battle that will change the course of Blackstone's life, a battle that is just the first chapter in a book of legend - Blackstone: Master of War.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2013
About the author
David Gilman
25 books375 followersDavid Gilman was raised in Liverpool and educated in Wales. By the time he was 16 he was driving a battered 1946 Ford, ferrying construction workers in the African bush. A variety of jobs followed in different countries: fire and rescue, forestry work, JCB driver, window dresser and professional photographer in an advertising agency. He served in the Parachute Regiment’s Reconnaissance Platoon and then worked in publishing. In 1986 he turned to full-time writing. He has written many radio and television scripts including several years of ‘A Touch of Frost’. In 2007 his ‘Danger Zone’ trilogy for YA was sold in 15 countries. The first in the series – The Devil’s Breath was long listed for the CILIP Carnegie Medal and won the French Prix Polar Jeunesse. He also writes for younger children. MONKEY and ME has been nominated for the Carnegie Medal. ‘MASTER of WAR’ is the first in a series of HF for adults that follows the fortunes of Thomas Blackstone during the 100 Years’ War. The 7th volume - 'SHADOW OF THE HAWK' is published in February 2021.
A new contemporary thriller series - THE ENGLISHMAN - was published in 2020 to critical acclaim. The second book in The Englishman series will be published in early 2022.
A new contemporary thriller series - THE ENGLISHMAN - was published in 2020 to critical acclaim. The second book in The Englishman series will be published in early 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
September 30, 2018
Some men are made for war even if they don’t know it.
Thomas Blackstone is an accomplished archer and a stonemason by trade. He has the killing tools to succeed in battle, and he has the intelligence to plan and strategize. From his days working with stone, he has learnt how to perceive weaknesses and vulnerabilities in structures and flesh. He knows exactly where to strike with both arrow and blade.
So, when he avoids the hangman’s noose, by enlisting in an archer company, he gets on quite well in the war against France: he's a natural.
Brothers of the bow
Blackestone’s brother, Richard, was accused of rape. It’s a crime he vehemently denies. But, he is a mute, and very dumb. Blackstone, being his guardian, is accountable for his suspected crime in the eyes of English law. The two are quickly arrested and sentenced; it’s only through luck and their skills with the bow that they manage to escape and survive. They’re forced into a war they don’t really care about or even fully understand. They struggle to retain their sense of decency, and honour, when in the ranks of the rowdy English army. They’re amongst men who are renowned for their brutality and plundering, so they must try hard not to let themselves be taken in by the bloody archers.
The dynamic between the two brothers made this story quite interesting; it becomes clear that whilst Blackstone is a successful solider, he still hates killing. Richard, on the other hand, enjoys the cruel spoils of war; he relishes in the blood he sheds, and even finds a sense of kinship with some of the nastier soldiers. Blackstone becomes torn between his knightly sense of honour and a brother who is not as innocent as he once supposed. He cannot remain a good man and still defend his brother, so he has a rather tough decision to make. I think the author captured the internal conflict of this very well and it really kept me reading.
A knight of awkwardness
-I picture Blackstone looking somewhat like Sean Bean in The Black Death.
I was pleasantly surprised when Blackstone advanced from his role of “rough English archer” to one that reflects his righteousness and heroism. He was rewarded for his deeds. He’s placed under the protection of a Norman Lord and trained to be a knight in name as well as in character. He already possesses the honour and dignity; he just now needs to know the courtesy and knightly manners that come with the title. I think this was a great authorial decision and, for me, really made this series into something much more interesting to read about.
Indeed, it was amusing to read about a commoner thrust into a station of prestige based only on his merits rather than lineage. The character now has more room for potential and development, as does the plot. In the process, he still retains his sense of self and the characteristics that define him. I think he is a good protagonist and one I’m hoping to see develop more in later books. If he can become a knight, then why can’t he become a lord?
This is a strong series that has so much potential- A solid 8.5/10
Thomas Blackstone is an accomplished archer and a stonemason by trade. He has the killing tools to succeed in battle, and he has the intelligence to plan and strategize. From his days working with stone, he has learnt how to perceive weaknesses and vulnerabilities in structures and flesh. He knows exactly where to strike with both arrow and blade.
So, when he avoids the hangman’s noose, by enlisting in an archer company, he gets on quite well in the war against France: he's a natural.
Brothers of the bow
Blackestone’s brother, Richard, was accused of rape. It’s a crime he vehemently denies. But, he is a mute, and very dumb. Blackstone, being his guardian, is accountable for his suspected crime in the eyes of English law. The two are quickly arrested and sentenced; it’s only through luck and their skills with the bow that they manage to escape and survive. They’re forced into a war they don’t really care about or even fully understand. They struggle to retain their sense of decency, and honour, when in the ranks of the rowdy English army. They’re amongst men who are renowned for their brutality and plundering, so they must try hard not to let themselves be taken in by the bloody archers.
The dynamic between the two brothers made this story quite interesting; it becomes clear that whilst Blackstone is a successful solider, he still hates killing. Richard, on the other hand, enjoys the cruel spoils of war; he relishes in the blood he sheds, and even finds a sense of kinship with some of the nastier soldiers. Blackstone becomes torn between his knightly sense of honour and a brother who is not as innocent as he once supposed. He cannot remain a good man and still defend his brother, so he has a rather tough decision to make. I think the author captured the internal conflict of this very well and it really kept me reading.
A knight of awkwardness
-I picture Blackstone looking somewhat like Sean Bean in The Black Death.
I was pleasantly surprised when Blackstone advanced from his role of “rough English archer” to one that reflects his righteousness and heroism. He was rewarded for his deeds. He’s placed under the protection of a Norman Lord and trained to be a knight in name as well as in character. He already possesses the honour and dignity; he just now needs to know the courtesy and knightly manners that come with the title. I think this was a great authorial decision and, for me, really made this series into something much more interesting to read about.
Indeed, it was amusing to read about a commoner thrust into a station of prestige based only on his merits rather than lineage. The character now has more room for potential and development, as does the plot. In the process, he still retains his sense of self and the characteristics that define him. I think he is a good protagonist and one I’m hoping to see develop more in later books. If he can become a knight, then why can’t he become a lord?
This is a strong series that has so much potential- A solid 8.5/10
March 22, 2014
I had been enjoying this book. Until I made it halfway through, and it went from being a reasonably well written story about the adventures of an archer to a navel-gazing pile of boring teenage slush.
If you're an author promoting a book based on a certain thing, it seems incredibly stupid to build that thing up for half the book and then abandon it and your main character to the dull tedium of snobby French politics and an introspective love life. I can't say whether the author got his ass back on track eventually or not; after struggling - no, WADING - through another 3 chapters of carefully polished nothingness, I gave up and deleted it from my Kindle.
Author, here's a tip: If you're writing a book about an archer, write it about an archer. Don't meander into poorly written romance half way through. If I wanted that I would have picked up a Mills & Boon.
If you're an author promoting a book based on a certain thing, it seems incredibly stupid to build that thing up for half the book and then abandon it and your main character to the dull tedium of snobby French politics and an introspective love life. I can't say whether the author got his ass back on track eventually or not; after struggling - no, WADING - through another 3 chapters of carefully polished nothingness, I gave up and deleted it from my Kindle.
Author, here's a tip: If you're writing a book about an archer, write it about an archer. Don't meander into poorly written romance half way through. If I wanted that I would have picked up a Mills & Boon.
September 21, 2013
For a guy who shoots 131lbs English Warbows for a hobby. this novel wasn't to be missed by me. 100 years war era, 1346. And of course the battle at the Crecy ridge, one of the heydays and highlights of English Warbow archery.
It starts off quite commonly. a young man, Thomas Backstone, stonemasons apprentice, forced to taking service in a knightly retinue as an archer and going off to France in Edward III's 1346 campaign. Similarities to Bernard Cornwells Harlequin novel come to mind. Yup. It's all there. The sacking of Caen, Lisieux, the bridge at Poissy, the crossing of the somme at Blanchetaque, and finally and the terrible carnage of the set piece battle at the Crecy ridge. Gilman plays it all out quite nicely and convincingly, with a couple of nice undercurrents in the plot. Of course Thomas suvives (Hey, it's the first in a series) but just barely. After that, the plot takes a very nice twist, in which Thomas becomes a chess piece on the board in the game of power in the indecisive aftermath of the battle. He feels the pull of the strings and is being played around in a complicated game of love, friendship, intrigue, trust and betrayal, but is detemined to carve out his own destiny.
A very good read to my opinion. It's got all of the flavours in it to make this a great novel. In his review Robin Carter thought this novel rather brutal. I tend to disagree. It simply is the name of the game in the 100 years war. You cannot play this nicely if you want your novel to have any historical accuracy. 100 years war was total warfare. Raiding, killing, burning, pillaging and raping was everyday business everywhere, so yes.. you leave a lot of people dead in your trail as a man of war in the midst of all of this like Thomas has become. This inferno if of course even augmented by the back plague. It's all there in the novel.
Did take some offence to the cover pic, as the arrow is on the wrong side of the bowstave. (this is still the old cover) Publisher HeadofZeus has corrected it now, and now it is shot correctly over the index knuckle. Praise for the publisher in this respect as well
It starts off quite commonly. a young man, Thomas Backstone, stonemasons apprentice, forced to taking service in a knightly retinue as an archer and going off to France in Edward III's 1346 campaign. Similarities to Bernard Cornwells Harlequin novel come to mind. Yup. It's all there. The sacking of Caen, Lisieux, the bridge at Poissy, the crossing of the somme at Blanchetaque, and finally and the terrible carnage of the set piece battle at the Crecy ridge. Gilman plays it all out quite nicely and convincingly, with a couple of nice undercurrents in the plot. Of course Thomas suvives (Hey, it's the first in a series) but just barely. After that, the plot takes a very nice twist, in which Thomas becomes a chess piece on the board in the game of power in the indecisive aftermath of the battle. He feels the pull of the strings and is being played around in a complicated game of love, friendship, intrigue, trust and betrayal, but is detemined to carve out his own destiny.
A very good read to my opinion. It's got all of the flavours in it to make this a great novel. In his review Robin Carter thought this novel rather brutal. I tend to disagree. It simply is the name of the game in the 100 years war. You cannot play this nicely if you want your novel to have any historical accuracy. 100 years war was total warfare. Raiding, killing, burning, pillaging and raping was everyday business everywhere, so yes.. you leave a lot of people dead in your trail as a man of war in the midst of all of this like Thomas has become. This inferno if of course even augmented by the back plague. It's all there in the novel.
Did take some offence to the cover pic, as the arrow is on the wrong side of the bowstave. (this is still the old cover) Publisher HeadofZeus has corrected it now, and now it is shot correctly over the index knuckle. Praise for the publisher in this respect as well
August 26, 2024
Voto = ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2
Romanzo storico che prende spunto dalla storica invasione della Normandia da parte dei soldati di Edoardo III re d’Inghilterra che va a fare la guerra al re di Francia Filippo VI: è il 1346 e la principale risorsa della macchina da guerra inglese è rappresentata dagli arcieri che hanno in dotazione l’arco lungo costruito con legno di tasso mentre i Francesi non hanno dubbi che stermineranno l’invasore grazie alla carica dei loro coraggiosi e superbi cavalieri protetti da una armatura a placche d’acciaio e armati di lunghe lance e poderose spade fabbricate dai migliori armaioli europei che lo scacceranno aldilà del mare. Dopo una serie di scaramucce sarà la battaglia nei pressi del villaggio di Crecy (26 agosto 1346) a spostare in maniera decisiva l’ago della bilancia verso una delle due parti in guerra…e in questo contesto storico prende spazio la figura, frutto della fantasia dell’autore, del giovanissimo arciere inglese Thomas Blackstone che diventerà il protagonista del romanzo ergendosi a guerriero senza macchia e senza paura, capace di eroismi e di grandi slanci umani che lo faranno primeggiare in guerra e in amore. Romanzo palpitante e avvincente ricco di fatti d’arme, di scaramucce, di assedi, duelli e inseguimenti, di tutto quello insomma che una guerra medievale può offrire a un lettore appassionato di libri d’avventura.
Romanzo storico che prende spunto dalla storica invasione della Normandia da parte dei soldati di Edoardo III re d’Inghilterra che va a fare la guerra al re di Francia Filippo VI: è il 1346 e la principale risorsa della macchina da guerra inglese è rappresentata dagli arcieri che hanno in dotazione l’arco lungo costruito con legno di tasso mentre i Francesi non hanno dubbi che stermineranno l’invasore grazie alla carica dei loro coraggiosi e superbi cavalieri protetti da una armatura a placche d’acciaio e armati di lunghe lance e poderose spade fabbricate dai migliori armaioli europei che lo scacceranno aldilà del mare. Dopo una serie di scaramucce sarà la battaglia nei pressi del villaggio di Crecy (26 agosto 1346) a spostare in maniera decisiva l’ago della bilancia verso una delle due parti in guerra…e in questo contesto storico prende spazio la figura, frutto della fantasia dell’autore, del giovanissimo arciere inglese Thomas Blackstone che diventerà il protagonista del romanzo ergendosi a guerriero senza macchia e senza paura, capace di eroismi e di grandi slanci umani che lo faranno primeggiare in guerra e in amore. Romanzo palpitante e avvincente ricco di fatti d’arme, di scaramucce, di assedi, duelli e inseguimenti, di tutto quello insomma che una guerra medievale può offrire a un lettore appassionato di libri d’avventura.
November 28, 2022
A new author for me in David Gilman, heard lots of good things about this series which has proved to be very popular on the library system having finally popped into my hand after a fair few weeks wait, lets hope it’s all been worth it you high fivers out there!!
Good start with a look at the English judicial system of the era, ergo money talks & if yer poor yer guilty….. not much changed in nigh on 700 years then! Found guilty (was there even a trial!) our two brothers manage to exploit a loophole in the law on religious grounds & end up in the army on its way to France to fight for good king Edward III to fight the ancestral enemy.
We’re soon in France, no hanging around here, the combat beginning soon after with a series of skirmishes ahead, then the siege of Caen, before the climatic battle of Crecy. Combat & the brutality/harsh reality of warfare come through in the text, it’s a quick study for the young brothers who adapt to the life in VERY diffo ways.
Down to earth characters, entertaining dialogue, historical detail, keen narrative, its all there in the opening chapters, an engrossing read from the get-go. I likes it.
Forgot to mention the story is in three parts where the first part in essence is about an army on campaign in a foreign/hostile environment around the main characters of archer Thomas Blackstone & his Lord’s man at arms Sir Gilbert Killdere, culminating in the Battle of Crecy which was to say in the least fierce, it really was one of no mercy & the bloodletting was phenomenal, kill or be killed & this is reflected very deftly in the text. A proper slaughtering of the French nobility & men at arms.
The second part sees a very diffo change of pace…..
The battle of Crecy has a very decimating effect on the character list as you might suspect, it also leaves our hero facing a change in fortune, no longer that of an English bowman due to his injuries sustained at the battle, but summit else as we slowly find out during the second part where his convalescence turns to training, that of a man at arms under the tutelage of a Norman knight. Its certainly a diffo pace & vibe of the first part but nevertheless still very engrossing. The new set of characters are sound & as before they grown on you. There is also a love interest for our young man which evolves as I had expected it too, which fits well with the story. There is also intrigue created as you wonder why Sir Blackstone has been left in the hands of a Norman knight, the reasoning slowly being revealed as the pages turn, a dalliance into Norman/French politics of the time. Nowhere near as action filled as the first part as you would expect, but there is still more than enough if that is your thing. At it’s conclusion his role is revealed.
Onto the final part… where his role is enacted, which is all I will say on it as it’ll ruin part of the plot for those wanting to read. The final part covers a multitude of actions & is never dull.
A brilliant read & very pleased I managed to finally get a copy from the library as it’s a book very much in demand with long holds on it, I can see why! It has it all for me, fierce battle, comradeship amongst fellows in times of war, a hero with integrity, historical detail, politics & above all a flowing story which will keep you turning them pages. Excellent pacing throughout
Five stars, can’t fault it, one of the best reads of the year for me, if not THE best.
Good start with a look at the English judicial system of the era, ergo money talks & if yer poor yer guilty….. not much changed in nigh on 700 years then! Found guilty (was there even a trial!) our two brothers manage to exploit a loophole in the law on religious grounds & end up in the army on its way to France to fight for good king Edward III to fight the ancestral enemy.
We’re soon in France, no hanging around here, the combat beginning soon after with a series of skirmishes ahead, then the siege of Caen, before the climatic battle of Crecy. Combat & the brutality/harsh reality of warfare come through in the text, it’s a quick study for the young brothers who adapt to the life in VERY diffo ways.
Down to earth characters, entertaining dialogue, historical detail, keen narrative, its all there in the opening chapters, an engrossing read from the get-go. I likes it.
Forgot to mention the story is in three parts where the first part in essence is about an army on campaign in a foreign/hostile environment around the main characters of archer Thomas Blackstone & his Lord’s man at arms Sir Gilbert Killdere, culminating in the Battle of Crecy which was to say in the least fierce, it really was one of no mercy & the bloodletting was phenomenal, kill or be killed & this is reflected very deftly in the text. A proper slaughtering of the French nobility & men at arms.
The second part sees a very diffo change of pace…..
The battle of Crecy has a very decimating effect on the character list as you might suspect, it also leaves our hero facing a change in fortune, no longer that of an English bowman due to his injuries sustained at the battle, but summit else as we slowly find out during the second part where his convalescence turns to training, that of a man at arms under the tutelage of a Norman knight. Its certainly a diffo pace & vibe of the first part but nevertheless still very engrossing. The new set of characters are sound & as before they grown on you. There is also a love interest for our young man which evolves as I had expected it too, which fits well with the story. There is also intrigue created as you wonder why Sir Blackstone has been left in the hands of a Norman knight, the reasoning slowly being revealed as the pages turn, a dalliance into Norman/French politics of the time. Nowhere near as action filled as the first part as you would expect, but there is still more than enough if that is your thing. At it’s conclusion his role is revealed.
Onto the final part… where his role is enacted, which is all I will say on it as it’ll ruin part of the plot for those wanting to read. The final part covers a multitude of actions & is never dull.
A brilliant read & very pleased I managed to finally get a copy from the library as it’s a book very much in demand with long holds on it, I can see why! It has it all for me, fierce battle, comradeship amongst fellows in times of war, a hero with integrity, historical detail, politics & above all a flowing story which will keep you turning them pages. Excellent pacing throughout
Five stars, can’t fault it, one of the best reads of the year for me, if not THE best.
August 18, 2013
Review
Is Rome becoming the period of the past? More and more books and series seem to be gravitating to medieval periods and warfare. This is no bad thing, a change to different times, different outlooks on the aspects and manner of war. A change in weapons and a change in the pre-eminent
There are as many rich periods and great battles to centre a series around, and so many more nations to look at and explore.
Of all the battles and wars David Gilman has chosen one of the true stand outs; The battle of Crecy, set during the Hundred Years War.
My personal knowledge of the period is not the best, and that’s what I love about more and more authors writing in this period, it’s a chance for me to learn something new. Can I be educated at the same time as entertained?
In Master of War we the reader are introduced to one of the kings archers, Thomas Blackstone, a boy trained from childhood (as were all boys) to master the English longbow. The longbow was at the time THE weapon of destruction, ranks of archers firing bows of over 100lb draw, with a destructive force that could pierce plate armour, thus nullifying the French superior numbers in chivalry.
This book is a brilliant mix or characterisation, intrigue, battles, nationalities, history, enmity, courage, cowardice, fear and bravery. But ultimately for this period it is Chivalry that rules the day, the rules of chivalry that bind nobleman or all nations, as long as you are of noble blood, the peasants are as ever…fodder for the mill of war. This does not lessen the brutality of war, it does not reduce the death count in the field or war, in the destruction of castles and sieges, it just adds a set of rules, rules iron clad and the breaching of such would lead to outrage, ridicule and shunning by all sides.
Thomas soon becomes a man to know, and a man to fear, a bringer of death in a world or death dealers. Life is short and to be lived to the full, love is quick, and comradeship earned, won, lost and grieved over many times in short periods. It’s a harsh life and one that Thomas Blackstone is good at.
I was very impressed an immersed in this book, the only bits that brought me up short were the depiction of the ladies and attitudes towards them. While I know we are in a period where women were chattel for many men, they were also many strong women, women who led through a power behind the throne, and some who were a lot more overt, and I’m not sure that all men were so universally of that opinion. But this was my only nit-pick with the book, a book that I really enjoyed and look forward to more.
(Parm)
Other titles
Danger Zone
1. The Devil’s Breath (2007)
2. Ice Claw (2008)
3. Blood Sun (2009)
The Devil's BreathIce ClawBlood Sun
Is Rome becoming the period of the past? More and more books and series seem to be gravitating to medieval periods and warfare. This is no bad thing, a change to different times, different outlooks on the aspects and manner of war. A change in weapons and a change in the pre-eminent
There are as many rich periods and great battles to centre a series around, and so many more nations to look at and explore.
Of all the battles and wars David Gilman has chosen one of the true stand outs; The battle of Crecy, set during the Hundred Years War.
My personal knowledge of the period is not the best, and that’s what I love about more and more authors writing in this period, it’s a chance for me to learn something new. Can I be educated at the same time as entertained?
In Master of War we the reader are introduced to one of the kings archers, Thomas Blackstone, a boy trained from childhood (as were all boys) to master the English longbow. The longbow was at the time THE weapon of destruction, ranks of archers firing bows of over 100lb draw, with a destructive force that could pierce plate armour, thus nullifying the French superior numbers in chivalry.
This book is a brilliant mix or characterisation, intrigue, battles, nationalities, history, enmity, courage, cowardice, fear and bravery. But ultimately for this period it is Chivalry that rules the day, the rules of chivalry that bind nobleman or all nations, as long as you are of noble blood, the peasants are as ever…fodder for the mill of war. This does not lessen the brutality of war, it does not reduce the death count in the field or war, in the destruction of castles and sieges, it just adds a set of rules, rules iron clad and the breaching of such would lead to outrage, ridicule and shunning by all sides.
Thomas soon becomes a man to know, and a man to fear, a bringer of death in a world or death dealers. Life is short and to be lived to the full, love is quick, and comradeship earned, won, lost and grieved over many times in short periods. It’s a harsh life and one that Thomas Blackstone is good at.
I was very impressed an immersed in this book, the only bits that brought me up short were the depiction of the ladies and attitudes towards them. While I know we are in a period where women were chattel for many men, they were also many strong women, women who led through a power behind the throne, and some who were a lot more overt, and I’m not sure that all men were so universally of that opinion. But this was my only nit-pick with the book, a book that I really enjoyed and look forward to more.
(Parm)
Other titles
Danger Zone
1. The Devil’s Breath (2007)
2. Ice Claw (2008)
3. Blood Sun (2009)
The Devil's BreathIce ClawBlood Sun
December 19, 2022
Number One of the Master of War series. The events take place around 1346 near the beginning of the Hundred Years War between England and France. I'd have to give this one 3 1/2 stars, rounded up.
First I'll get my bellyaching out of the way, because it drove me bonkers. Points of view shift willy-nilly. And I do mean willy-nilly, I'm not exaggerating! Sometimes there were perspective shifts within the same darned paragraph. That's nonsense. This type of thing really ruined a lot of the book for me, which is a shame since there's a lot of good to be said about it.
The tale is broken up into three sections.
Part 1: For reasons I won't reveal, Thomas and his disabled brother Richard are conscripted into the war; they are both excellent archers. Their participation in the war culminates in the Battle of Crécy in northern France. That was really ugly, not that any battle is pretty.
Part 2: In this section, Thomas undergoes armsman training. He's no longer able to draw a longbow due to the injuries he sustained in the battle. I kind of liked this section. It's short on action but interesting nonetheless.
Part 3: Thomas is on a mission in the hope of aiding England's efforts in the war. While not as intense as Part 1, I think I enjoyed this portion of the book the most.
I'm on the fence as to whether or not I'll continue. By the end of this book Thomas had grown on me, so it would be interesting to see where the author takes the story. On the other hand, there are those infernal and abrupt perspective changes. I guess I'll give the rest of the series a firm "possibly".
First I'll get my bellyaching out of the way, because it drove me bonkers. Points of view shift willy-nilly. And I do mean willy-nilly, I'm not exaggerating! Sometimes there were perspective shifts within the same darned paragraph. That's nonsense. This type of thing really ruined a lot of the book for me, which is a shame since there's a lot of good to be said about it.
The tale is broken up into three sections.
Part 1: For reasons I won't reveal, Thomas and his disabled brother Richard are conscripted into the war; they are both excellent archers. Their participation in the war culminates in the Battle of Crécy in northern France. That was really ugly, not that any battle is pretty.
Part 2: In this section, Thomas undergoes armsman training. He's no longer able to draw a longbow due to the injuries he sustained in the battle. I kind of liked this section. It's short on action but interesting nonetheless.
Part 3: Thomas is on a mission in the hope of aiding England's efforts in the war. While not as intense as Part 1, I think I enjoyed this portion of the book the most.
I'm on the fence as to whether or not I'll continue. By the end of this book Thomas had grown on me, so it would be interesting to see where the author takes the story. On the other hand, there are those infernal and abrupt perspective changes. I guess I'll give the rest of the series a firm "possibly".
December 6, 2021
Having stumbled upon this author while perusing through audible for an adventurous story, I’m feeling pretty pleased with my discovery. This was an extremely entertaining journey that kept me interested throughout. Though the setting has been written about time and again, I found the storyline extremely original and absorbing to the last.
The negative reviews are a bit baffling, but to each their own. This book had everything I appreciate in a story - an unlikely hero, well-researched historical details, political intrigue, a comeback/redemption story, underlying/layered plot-lines, heroic & descriptive battle scenes, a touch of romance and (need I say) more.
The author did an excellent job of building the story and developing intriguing characters. It was an extraordinary portrayal into the underlying softness of a hardened man, and what drives him. It left me wanting more.
The next book in the series is in my queue.
The negative reviews are a bit baffling, but to each their own. This book had everything I appreciate in a story - an unlikely hero, well-researched historical details, political intrigue, a comeback/redemption story, underlying/layered plot-lines, heroic & descriptive battle scenes, a touch of romance and (need I say) more.
The author did an excellent job of building the story and developing intriguing characters. It was an extraordinary portrayal into the underlying softness of a hardened man, and what drives him. It left me wanting more.
The next book in the series is in my queue.
July 25, 2020
A tale of 3 parts. The first was engaging and action packed. Made me feel like I was in the battle scenes. The 2nd part became pretty slow and melodramatic in a way, quite a cliched romance. The last picked up where the first part started however never reached the same heights. I enjoy Thomas as the protagonist as I can see he has alot of growth potential. However it didn't hit the heights of other historical fiction stories.
October 4, 2017
While I enjoyed this book, for me it was a mixed bag. It was an easy read that brought to life the travails of an English bowman on the Normandy campaign of 1346 which culminated at the Battle of Crecy. However, I felt the premise too closely resembled that of Bernard Cornwell's trilogy about Thomas Hookton and his escapades during the 100 Years War. About half-way through I was surprised that the novel evolved into a medieval romance and combined with the hero's superhuman ability in just a year to become an expert swordsman beating others who had spent all their lives learning the skills, it just didn't ring true enough for this reader.
One other aspect that annoyed me terribly was a comment on P. 166 - yes, it bothered me so much I memorized the page number! It was a reference to a knight finding it difficult to gain his feet under the 70 lb. weight of his armor. If one is at all knowledgeable about armor, this is pure 'theatrics' as in the movie Henry V (Agiincourt) with Lawrence Olivier where the movie shows him being lifted onto his horse via a medieval crane! Pure lunac! Plus during Crecy, knights did not yet wear full plate armor but even if they did, they were able to move most ably. If you don't believe me, check out Toby Capwell's YouTube video which demonstrates their ability to move as well as the comparison between a fully-armored knight and current-day firefighter and soldier going through an obstacle course. This comment goes against the author's own 'historical note' about the strength and stamina of medieval knights.
The best part of this book, for me, were the battle scenes. Whether archer or men-at-arms, Gilman's ability to bring the battles alive is noteworthy. And I absolutely loved the banter between the soldiers! Great dialogue, Master Gilman!
One other aspect that annoyed me terribly was a comment on P. 166 - yes, it bothered me so much I memorized the page number! It was a reference to a knight finding it difficult to gain his feet under the 70 lb. weight of his armor. If one is at all knowledgeable about armor, this is pure 'theatrics' as in the movie Henry V (Agiincourt) with Lawrence Olivier where the movie shows him being lifted onto his horse via a medieval crane! Pure lunac! Plus during Crecy, knights did not yet wear full plate armor but even if they did, they were able to move most ably. If you don't believe me, check out Toby Capwell's YouTube video which demonstrates their ability to move as well as the comparison between a fully-armored knight and current-day firefighter and soldier going through an obstacle course. This comment goes against the author's own 'historical note' about the strength and stamina of medieval knights.
The best part of this book, for me, were the battle scenes. Whether archer or men-at-arms, Gilman's ability to bring the battles alive is noteworthy. And I absolutely loved the banter between the soldiers! Great dialogue, Master Gilman!
March 27, 2015
wonderful book, loved it!
it is obvious a ton of research has gone into this and tnx to this i now have a much better understanding of the period. also much care is shown to medieval military tactic, strategic positioning, army compositions and that sort of things. very very fascinating.
and best of all....lots and lots of details with high regard of historical accuracy. wonderful!
also love the way this is written, it sounds good. no simplistic language or gods forbid...traces of slang - that would be heresy:D
just pls dont expect much romanticism, this was a ruthless and bloody period and this book reflects that. much blood and guts in it.
and now things a found a bit less exciting.
-the whole relationship sometimes felt drawn out.
-towards the end book dragged on
except those minor things, this is a wonderful book, i recommend it.
it is obvious a ton of research has gone into this and tnx to this i now have a much better understanding of the period. also much care is shown to medieval military tactic, strategic positioning, army compositions and that sort of things. very very fascinating.
and best of all....lots and lots of details with high regard of historical accuracy. wonderful!
also love the way this is written, it sounds good. no simplistic language or gods forbid...traces of slang - that would be heresy:D
just pls dont expect much romanticism, this was a ruthless and bloody period and this book reflects that. much blood and guts in it.
and now things a found a bit less exciting.
-the whole relationship sometimes felt drawn out.
-towards the end book dragged on
except those minor things, this is a wonderful book, i recommend it.
July 18, 2017
Or "Hobelars Go On a Chevauchee and Encounter Some Villeins, With Romance and Courtly Life Also." I picked this up on a whim, thinking it was a quick 2.5 stars read. Turns out, it was a 4 star and quite lengthy read. A cold, calculating yet sympathetic enough mason-turned-archer-turned-man-at-arms romps his way across Norman France, with enough chopping, bashing, stabbing, wrestling, and hacking for several books, but also lots and lots of difficult recuperation from traumatic wounds if that's what you look for in fiction.
This is Tuchman's A Distant Mirror but as a novel and with a few awkward sex scenes and more emphasis on yard-long arrows piercing various people.
This is Tuchman's A Distant Mirror but as a novel and with a few awkward sex scenes and more emphasis on yard-long arrows piercing various people.
July 22, 2013
I was hooked after the first chapter of this although I am not usually a reader of historical fiction. From the start I felt it contained rich characters and a vivid sense of time and place. Following Thomas Blackstone, freeman & English archer, and his brother the story takes us from his village life to warfare and through a number of events that will change his life with the majority of this book set in France. I found myself fully engaged with his character - well written as were all the main characters. The detailed description of the landscapes both in battle and in relative peace left me with a real feeling of understanding, and being in, the environment.
The early part of the book was, for me, a very powerful narrative of war in the period around the battle of Crécy and other battles at that time between the English and the French. Indeed the battle scenes generally are highly evocative and well researched to me. The combination of sophistication (for the time) of tactics and weaponry compared to the sheer brutality of battle was well drawn out. I really do not like reviews which give too much away so suffice it to say that the next section of the book after Crécy has rather less war in although battles are never far away and full conflict returns by the end of the book.
I really did love this book as simply a great read as well as being good historical fiction. With a feel of an epic story it certainly deserves the second volume and I will want to read it as soon as I can.
This review is based on a pre publication copy of the full book.
The early part of the book was, for me, a very powerful narrative of war in the period around the battle of Crécy and other battles at that time between the English and the French. Indeed the battle scenes generally are highly evocative and well researched to me. The combination of sophistication (for the time) of tactics and weaponry compared to the sheer brutality of battle was well drawn out. I really do not like reviews which give too much away so suffice it to say that the next section of the book after Crécy has rather less war in although battles are never far away and full conflict returns by the end of the book.
I really did love this book as simply a great read as well as being good historical fiction. With a feel of an epic story it certainly deserves the second volume and I will want to read it as soon as I can.
This review is based on a pre publication copy of the full book.
May 28, 2017
Outstanding historical novel of the 100 Years War, May 26, 2017
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Master Of War (Kindle Edition)
I did not read about the author, David Gilman, until after I read and enjoyed this novel. When I did so, one of the things I discovered about him is that he was a principal writer on the British police drama, A Touch of Frost. Having spent some 20 odd years in law enforcement, I appreciate Frost as one of the best and most realistic of the British police dramas. (My wife who does not appreciate its realistic harshness, calls it that silly Frost thing.) This novel has the realistic, gritty feel that one would expect from a writer of the Frost series. It also has great indepth research of the history of the period and of the lives of the people who lived in that place and time. It is also a well written, enjoyable novel.
Those who, like me, have read Bernard Cornwell's novels of the 100 Years War can not help but make comparisons. I believe that both Cornwell and David Gillman are outstanding chroniclers of the period. I have already begun the sequel to Master of War.
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Master Of War (Kindle Edition)
I did not read about the author, David Gilman, until after I read and enjoyed this novel. When I did so, one of the things I discovered about him is that he was a principal writer on the British police drama, A Touch of Frost. Having spent some 20 odd years in law enforcement, I appreciate Frost as one of the best and most realistic of the British police dramas. (My wife who does not appreciate its realistic harshness, calls it that silly Frost thing.) This novel has the realistic, gritty feel that one would expect from a writer of the Frost series. It also has great indepth research of the history of the period and of the lives of the people who lived in that place and time. It is also a well written, enjoyable novel.
Those who, like me, have read Bernard Cornwell's novels of the 100 Years War can not help but make comparisons. I believe that both Cornwell and David Gillman are outstanding chroniclers of the period. I have already begun the sequel to Master of War.
May 5, 2017
All I can say is WOW! I've read just about everything by Bernard Cornwell, GM Fraser, Robert Harris, CS Forester etc - and Master of War is right up there with the best of them. Similar mold to Cornwell, but in my humble opinion, Gilman is better. If you haven't read this book yet, you are missing out on a real treat.
March 12, 2021
Wow!!!!!
Wow!!!? Outstanding read. Gilman tells a story of England invading the French in such great detail you began to fell the ground thunder under your feet. You hear the twang of the long bow as the sky darkens with the arrows above your head. This is a story of a young English archer who can no longer carry a bow an has to learn to fight with a sword.
Damn good read.
Wow!!!? Outstanding read. Gilman tells a story of England invading the French in such great detail you began to fell the ground thunder under your feet. You hear the twang of the long bow as the sky darkens with the arrows above your head. This is a story of a young English archer who can no longer carry a bow an has to learn to fight with a sword.
Damn good read.
June 9, 2021
This book started really well. Completely action packed for the first third of the book. If I’m reading historical fiction I’m there for the action and to hopefully learn some history in the process. I thought it was really cool to be following an archer and it was interesting to read the battles from this point of view. If you like playing elder scrolls as an archer then this will probably appeal to you as it did me.
While the action was exciting, my French geography isn’t great and there was no map. There should always be a map if they’re throwing out campaign plans with butt-loads of place names and where they are in relation to other places and where they’re headed. I don’t really want to be checking google maps every chapter. However, there was a battle map for the main battle of Crecy but it was tucked at the end of the book which I’ve never come across before, for me they’ve always been at the front so I didn’t see that until I’d finished the book.
So the first third of the book was good but then it just went really downhill. Super boring in the middle to the point where I got tired of it and read another book but then forced myself to come back and finish it. The main appeal of the book was that the guys an archer but when that was taken away I was like meh. That didn’t kill it for me, I get the author might want to take it in an unexpected direction and that’s cool but everything from there I didn’t enjoy. The whole long waiting around at de harcourt castle I found tedious and the small action at the end just felt half baked compared to the beginning of the book. There was also these weird jumps in perspective every now and again that I found jarring.
I really wanted to enjoy this book and if it ended after the battle of Crecy I would’ve given it 4 stars.
While the action was exciting, my French geography isn’t great and there was no map. There should always be a map if they’re throwing out campaign plans with butt-loads of place names and where they are in relation to other places and where they’re headed. I don’t really want to be checking google maps every chapter. However, there was a battle map for the main battle of Crecy but it was tucked at the end of the book which I’ve never come across before, for me they’ve always been at the front so I didn’t see that until I’d finished the book.
So the first third of the book was good but then it just went really downhill. Super boring in the middle to the point where I got tired of it and read another book but then forced myself to come back and finish it. The main appeal of the book was that the guys an archer but when that was taken away I was like meh. That didn’t kill it for me, I get the author might want to take it in an unexpected direction and that’s cool but everything from there I didn’t enjoy. The whole long waiting around at de harcourt castle I found tedious and the small action at the end just felt half baked compared to the beginning of the book. There was also these weird jumps in perspective every now and again that I found jarring.
I really wanted to enjoy this book and if it ended after the battle of Crecy I would’ve given it 4 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2018
Dreieinhalb Sterne. Unterhaltsam, aber noch nicht erste Liga. Interessant parallel zu Daniel Wolfs „Gabe des Himmels“ zu hören, da es zeitgleich in Frankreich spielt und im Vergleich besser geschrieben ist, aber so ganz mitreissen konnten die Figuren und die Geschichte mich nicht. Es geht alles etwas zu schnell. Die Kämpfe, Motivationen, die Pest. Auch die Figuren sind noch keine guten Bekannten geworden. Ähnlich wie bei Cornwells Uthred ist es für mich nett, aber befürchte auch schnell wieder vergessen. Nach einer Pause werde ich mich trotzdem an Teil 2 machen, wahrscheinlich wieder als Hörbuch.
January 1, 2018
Young Thomas Blackstone is forced to take his great bow and head off to war. It is either that or hang. And a great war it is -- what we now call the hundred-years war. He is blooded, quite literally, on the killing field of Crecy.
In this book we get brutal medieval warfare, the horror of the black death, and a surprisingly good love story as we follow Thomas on his journey from a callow teenage archer to a feared and fearsome warlord.
Gilman obviously did a lot of research and gives a rich picture of the life, politics, and combat of the time. Good book; I will continue the series.
In this book we get brutal medieval warfare, the horror of the black death, and a surprisingly good love story as we follow Thomas on his journey from a callow teenage archer to a feared and fearsome warlord.
Gilman obviously did a lot of research and gives a rich picture of the life, politics, and combat of the time. Good book; I will continue the series.
January 12, 2021
As others have mentioned, this book comes in three parts of varying quality. Part one is brilliant. It's action packed, exciting, and has vivid settings. Then comes the long drag of part two: an insipid romance and half baked political drama. Part three regains interest and pace, but not to the same heights as part one.
August 14, 2018
Excellent historical fiction, rich with mediaeval detail, yet manages a blistering pace.
Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the period. :)
Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the period. :)
January 3, 2023
I believe this to be only my second book review ever, but this time around I really felt compelled to write one in order to save potential readers of the book (and series) some valuable (reading) time. Please do yourself the favour and don't fall for the inexplicably terrific ratings like I did :/
This is a very mediocre read at best, there is far better alternatives out there. Bernard Cromwell and his Sharpe series and Simon Scarrow and his Napoleon series are just two examples. If you want to read a book set at roughly the same time as the Gilman books, Ken Follet and "the pillars of the earth" is to my mind way, way better.
The book often feels like it's written by a child for children. Too simple a language, rushed sentences etc. Battles, for instance, are described like in a bad school book for history lessons without any details or passion. You are frequently left wondering if the author just couldn't be bothered or was unable to breathe some life into his book when time after time, whole and important battles are written about (and not told) only in a few tiny pages.
The children's book take is reinforced by how the biggest part of the book is about how the main character rises to unbelievable heights again and again. The journey to fame, power and glory feels neither realistic nor does the writing support it. He's just too good and infallible a character - especially at his young age - for me to like him one bit.
I've been reading historical novels my whole life: though overall ok (hence the 3 out of 5 stars), this one was definitely the worst
This is a very mediocre read at best, there is far better alternatives out there. Bernard Cromwell and his Sharpe series and Simon Scarrow and his Napoleon series are just two examples. If you want to read a book set at roughly the same time as the Gilman books, Ken Follet and "the pillars of the earth" is to my mind way, way better.
The book often feels like it's written by a child for children. Too simple a language, rushed sentences etc. Battles, for instance, are described like in a bad school book for history lessons without any details or passion. You are frequently left wondering if the author just couldn't be bothered or was unable to breathe some life into his book when time after time, whole and important battles are written about (and not told) only in a few tiny pages.
The children's book take is reinforced by how the biggest part of the book is about how the main character rises to unbelievable heights again and again. The journey to fame, power and glory feels neither realistic nor does the writing support it. He's just too good and infallible a character - especially at his young age - for me to like him one bit.
I've been reading historical novels my whole life: though overall ok (hence the 3 out of 5 stars), this one was definitely the worst
February 26, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! Mr. Gilman's style of writing is very descriptive. You almost feel what it must have been like to be facing a cavalry charge at Crecy, to name one of many memorable scenes in this book. His main character, Thomas, undergoes a lot of changes, as this first book covers the upbringing and experiences that shaped and guided him into what he became at the end of this book. Well told, and captivating reading! I especially liked the scene where Thomas was given over to Jean D' Harcourt during his recovery. The time he spent there had a lot of twists, and made for a good story! I look forward to the next in the series!
February 23, 2021
very good
June 3, 2017
The Master of War- Butchering Warrior
He is Thomas Blackstone, an English peasant-stonemason who is drafted into the King's army as an bowman to fight the French.
In "Master of War" Thomas learns how to fight and survive the slaughter house of medieval warfare, if only just.
It the legendary battle of Crecey, he is gravely wounded, but is nursed back to health. As a rough peasant in the lord's household he is despised, but holds the insults inside as he learns to fight as a man-at-arms. Eventually, Blackstone becomes a valuable tool in the hands of those over him, following orders and building a reputation as a fearsome warlord and canny commander of men.
That is the bare bones of the plot in "TheMaster of War".
Mr. Gilman knows the medieval world and describes it well.
In the book are illuminated the world of the Middle Ages. There is the crushing labor and poverty of the peasants as they barely sustain their lives. The nobles, professing chivalry are cruel, venal sensitive to the least perceived insult and as likely to beat a serf to death as to ride past. Even the daily exist ace of the lords is cold and hard and easily snuffed out by disease or war. Death comes swiftly to all, no matter what their station.
The author does very well developing his character, Thomas Blackstone, showing the changes he goes through as he matures in fighting ability and in understanding the dangerous political world in which he is living. He soon becomes a tool of no one and a master of war and politics.
The pages of combat are horrifying explicit. Mr . Gilman's skill at describing the abattoir of sword and shield warfare is second only to the master of the form, Bernard Cornwell ( and not by much).
I would have given it a full five stars, but I thought, and it is only my opinion of course, that the descriptions of the political and military alliances of the period were confusing. ( At least o one who has not studied those long past days of dynastic conflicts of the 14th. Century.) Yes, things had to have a context, but for me it was difficult to keep sorted who was allied with whom and for what hidden motives. Both enemies and friends were very changeable and untrustworthy.
Nonetheless, I recommend the book for those who love a tale with lots of sword- swinging, shields clashing and blood letting.
Oh there is romantic love, too during those pauses when Blackstone is not war making.
He is Thomas Blackstone, an English peasant-stonemason who is drafted into the King's army as an bowman to fight the French.
In "Master of War" Thomas learns how to fight and survive the slaughter house of medieval warfare, if only just.
It the legendary battle of Crecey, he is gravely wounded, but is nursed back to health. As a rough peasant in the lord's household he is despised, but holds the insults inside as he learns to fight as a man-at-arms. Eventually, Blackstone becomes a valuable tool in the hands of those over him, following orders and building a reputation as a fearsome warlord and canny commander of men.
That is the bare bones of the plot in "TheMaster of War".
Mr. Gilman knows the medieval world and describes it well.
In the book are illuminated the world of the Middle Ages. There is the crushing labor and poverty of the peasants as they barely sustain their lives. The nobles, professing chivalry are cruel, venal sensitive to the least perceived insult and as likely to beat a serf to death as to ride past. Even the daily exist ace of the lords is cold and hard and easily snuffed out by disease or war. Death comes swiftly to all, no matter what their station.
The author does very well developing his character, Thomas Blackstone, showing the changes he goes through as he matures in fighting ability and in understanding the dangerous political world in which he is living. He soon becomes a tool of no one and a master of war and politics.
The pages of combat are horrifying explicit. Mr . Gilman's skill at describing the abattoir of sword and shield warfare is second only to the master of the form, Bernard Cornwell ( and not by much).
I would have given it a full five stars, but I thought, and it is only my opinion of course, that the descriptions of the political and military alliances of the period were confusing. ( At least o one who has not studied those long past days of dynastic conflicts of the 14th. Century.) Yes, things had to have a context, but for me it was difficult to keep sorted who was allied with whom and for what hidden motives. Both enemies and friends were very changeable and untrustworthy.
Nonetheless, I recommend the book for those who love a tale with lots of sword- swinging, shields clashing and blood letting.
Oh there is romantic love, too during those pauses when Blackstone is not war making.
December 15, 2017
A Review by Anthony T. Riggio of the book Master of War by David Gilman:
I down loaded this book in Kindle Format about six months ago. I have read several books about the middle ages and bought this book for when I wanted a more relaxed and entertaining read. This book certainly filled the bill and now, since I realized this was a series, I will have to read the follow-up to this captivating book which takes place around the time of the 100 Years War, circa 1346 AD.
It was a book that started out with a choice, the modern version of "join the Marines or go to Jail". The hero of this book is Thomas Blackstone who is an apprentice as the son of stone mason and a famous archer who passes on both skills to his sons. Thomas is a strapping lad of 17 and his brother is a deaf and dumb 15 year old.
The brother commits a crime that forces the choice for both brothers to either hang for the crime or join the local nobleman's army of archers to fight for the King of England in an invasion of the Normandy part of France.
The book is about war during these times and the evolution of both brothers skills as archers. There is an abundance of heart stopping combat that will satisfy those lovers of combat.
In this first of a continuing series, Thomas Blackwell saves the Prince of England during a bloody battle and is Knighted by the Prince. A peasant becomes a member of the nobility but is gifted with an innate sense of war and its tactics.
The book is a fun read and the reader will have a difficult time to put this book down. It contains the romantic backdrop of a rags to riches story and the romance of Blackstone to a member of a French nobleman's family. Woven into the story is the appearance of the plague that wiped out thousands through out Europe and Thomas Blackwell use of instincts and knowledge gleaned from his own village on how to deal with the spread of this plague.
Thomas Blackstone ever loyal to the King of England, finds himself as an outlaw Knight in Normandy, hunted by the King of France.
The reader will not be disappointed in this page turning book. I gave it four stars and will continue to follow this author.
I down loaded this book in Kindle Format about six months ago. I have read several books about the middle ages and bought this book for when I wanted a more relaxed and entertaining read. This book certainly filled the bill and now, since I realized this was a series, I will have to read the follow-up to this captivating book which takes place around the time of the 100 Years War, circa 1346 AD.
It was a book that started out with a choice, the modern version of "join the Marines or go to Jail". The hero of this book is Thomas Blackstone who is an apprentice as the son of stone mason and a famous archer who passes on both skills to his sons. Thomas is a strapping lad of 17 and his brother is a deaf and dumb 15 year old.
The brother commits a crime that forces the choice for both brothers to either hang for the crime or join the local nobleman's army of archers to fight for the King of England in an invasion of the Normandy part of France.
The book is about war during these times and the evolution of both brothers skills as archers. There is an abundance of heart stopping combat that will satisfy those lovers of combat.
In this first of a continuing series, Thomas Blackwell saves the Prince of England during a bloody battle and is Knighted by the Prince. A peasant becomes a member of the nobility but is gifted with an innate sense of war and its tactics.
The book is a fun read and the reader will have a difficult time to put this book down. It contains the romantic backdrop of a rags to riches story and the romance of Blackstone to a member of a French nobleman's family. Woven into the story is the appearance of the plague that wiped out thousands through out Europe and Thomas Blackwell use of instincts and knowledge gleaned from his own village on how to deal with the spread of this plague.
Thomas Blackstone ever loyal to the King of England, finds himself as an outlaw Knight in Normandy, hunted by the King of France.
The reader will not be disappointed in this page turning book. I gave it four stars and will continue to follow this author.
April 6, 2020
I first read #4 in the series. Now I'm starting with #1. This is your popular medieval historical fiction series type. It follows Thomas Blackstone, former stonemason, former long bowman, current men-at-arms and knight in the 100 years war.
Spoiler/synopsis: Thomas Blackstone is a freeman in his lord's service in England. Freeman because his father saved his lord's life and got freed. Now he and his mute/deaf brother are simple farmers on his lord's estate. In their spare time they are also trained archers because it's the king's law that all able bodied men should train at the butts.
Because of a (false) accusation, both brothers are set to be hung but they are saved by a knight in his lord's service and sent to France where the king is in need of trained men. They participate in Crecy where his brother Richard is killed. But he is severely wounded and knighted in the field of battle. He is left at a French nobleman's castle to heal where he becomes a pawn in the English king and Norman lords' machinations to defeat the French king.
He eventually heals and trains to be a master swordsman and he pacifies a local area and rules it for the Prince of Wales and at the end of the book he gains a French wife, son, coat of arms and a loyal following of men.
The book is well written and it's satisfying to follow Blackstone's adventures as he rises from freeman to knight. The main issue I have is that Blackstone acts more like an experienced 50 year old leader from scratch when he's supposed to be a young inexperienced man. He seems to have all the experience and know-how right from the get go. If you can accept that it's a good yarn. I enjoyed it and I'm already reading #2 in the series now.
I consider this book as good or better than Bernard Cornwall's medieval epics, which I consider the benchmark of the genre.
Spoiler/synopsis: Thomas Blackstone is a freeman in his lord's service in England. Freeman because his father saved his lord's life and got freed. Now he and his mute/deaf brother are simple farmers on his lord's estate. In their spare time they are also trained archers because it's the king's law that all able bodied men should train at the butts.
Because of a (false) accusation, both brothers are set to be hung but they are saved by a knight in his lord's service and sent to France where the king is in need of trained men. They participate in Crecy where his brother Richard is killed. But he is severely wounded and knighted in the field of battle. He is left at a French nobleman's castle to heal where he becomes a pawn in the English king and Norman lords' machinations to defeat the French king.
He eventually heals and trains to be a master swordsman and he pacifies a local area and rules it for the Prince of Wales and at the end of the book he gains a French wife, son, coat of arms and a loyal following of men.
The book is well written and it's satisfying to follow Blackstone's adventures as he rises from freeman to knight. The main issue I have is that Blackstone acts more like an experienced 50 year old leader from scratch when he's supposed to be a young inexperienced man. He seems to have all the experience and know-how right from the get go. If you can accept that it's a good yarn. I enjoyed it and I'm already reading #2 in the series now.
I consider this book as good or better than Bernard Cornwall's medieval epics, which I consider the benchmark of the genre.
April 10, 2020
This is my first experience with this author. This book came as a Goodreads recommendation.
This story is about war between England and France that took place in the 1340. The main character is and English archer who chooses going to war over being hung.
It is divided into three parts. The first part was fantastic. Tons of action, a great main character, some wonderful secondary characters. The descriptions of the battles put you right there. It was great.
The second part made me want to put my eyes out. It was beyond boring for me. Way too much politicking with minimal action. Yes yes i know, plot advancement. But come on. To me it seemed like the author was told the book needs to be x number of pages long and to get there Gilman went off down this road to who knows where. I came close a couple of times to giving up on it.
Part three was marginally better. Back to the action and moving the story along.
Apparently this is book one of a series. Now i really enjoyed the main in parts one and three, i just have not made up my mind if i enjoyed him enough to give book two a try.
I have a few books on the pile i want to get to first anyway so time will tell.
This story is about war between England and France that took place in the 1340. The main character is and English archer who chooses going to war over being hung.
It is divided into three parts. The first part was fantastic. Tons of action, a great main character, some wonderful secondary characters. The descriptions of the battles put you right there. It was great.
The second part made me want to put my eyes out. It was beyond boring for me. Way too much politicking with minimal action. Yes yes i know, plot advancement. But come on. To me it seemed like the author was told the book needs to be x number of pages long and to get there Gilman went off down this road to who knows where. I came close a couple of times to giving up on it.
Part three was marginally better. Back to the action and moving the story along.
Apparently this is book one of a series. Now i really enjoyed the main in parts one and three, i just have not made up my mind if i enjoyed him enough to give book two a try.
I have a few books on the pile i want to get to first anyway so time will tell.
July 13, 2018
I forgot how much action can be in a historical fiction novel. I started the book and after like the second round of action/fighting I was like wow so much. Oh, I am only like 1/3 of the way through the book, how much more can the Author throw at me. It was good. The fighting was on point and well told, you felt like you were in the thick of it. He wasn’t superhuman about it either, he was just a man fighting for what he believed was right. He got injured.
The last fight scene did feel a little out of place like his men were everything to him and he blindly led some of them to their death. Just so he could kill one man. It didn’t quite feel like the character, it was a very unlike him.
The romance side of things was very well done too. It didn’t feel forced, it flowed naturally and didn’t take away from the story. It added more to it and felt like a great layer to the story as a whole. Also, the relationship between him and his brother was well told, especially in a time where anyone who mute or deaf would have been killed at birth.
The last fight scene did feel a little out of place like his men were everything to him and he blindly led some of them to their death. Just so he could kill one man. It didn’t quite feel like the character, it was a very unlike him.
The romance side of things was very well done too. It didn’t feel forced, it flowed naturally and didn’t take away from the story. It added more to it and felt like a great layer to the story as a whole. Also, the relationship between him and his brother was well told, especially in a time where anyone who mute or deaf would have been killed at birth.
September 27, 2018
This book started out as the gritty, action-packed story of a young archer named Thomas Blackstone fighting with Edward III's army in France in what is to become the Hundred Years' War. That story sucked me in and had me eagerly turning pages - and then it stopped, about a third of the way through. After the Battle of Crécy, the previously fast pace slowed to a crawl and gripping battle scenes gave way to chapter after chapter of a fairly tedious romance, lots of sitting around in a Norman castle and squabbling among various equally tedious French nobles, and the exceedingly unrealistic and pretty much superhuman transformation of our archer protagonist into an unbeatable master swordsman in a matter of months (while recovering from almost fatal injuries). By the time the pace finally picked up again and the story delivered some more solid action passages in the last quarter of the book, my interest had waned too much for me to really be pulled in again.
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