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rhoadesd20's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Third in the Richard Sharpe historical military fiction series set in the early 19th century.
My Take
I adore this series. I first learned of it through the BBC series and was intrigued enough to start reading the series. It's definitely worth buying, and I read it over and over again. A fascinating exploration of military tactics, military history, and social manners across a wide range of society and cultures.
If you enjoy battle and lots of action, you will adore Richard Sharpe. I love how he gets the best of Major Torrance, find the, ahem, missing military supplies, finds justice for men, women, and children while using his sly wit and street smarts to overwhelm his personal enemies especially, ugh, the jettis who intend to literally tear Sharpe into little, bitty pieces and Obadiah and his cohorts.
Wellington is determined to make a name for himself militarily and get back to England. He's also an extremely reluctant admirer of Sharpe's. Funnily enough, intelligent men of rank also admire Sharpe for his sharpness and do their best to support his actions in spite of those soldiers who despise Sharpe for his origins and his intelligence.
This story ends Richard's Indian adventures.
The Story
The Mahratta confederation has rebelled against the English, and it's Sir Arthur's job to subdue them as they lead him a merry chase across India to the invincible Fortress of Gawilghur where several of Sharpe's enemies has taken refuge. And Richard has sworn vengeance against the man who murdered Colonel McCandless at the battle of Assaye.
Unfortunately for Richard, his officers don't want him, and he's passed on and on. Good thing actually as it continues to bring him positive attention from ranking officers even as he must slither through the plots of those against him.
The Characters
Richard Sharpe is the "scum of the earth" according to anyone of any rank, and admittedly, Richard has only recently learned to read and write and the manners of those above him are still outside his experience. But moving up the ranks for someone like him has its negatives for neither the enlisted nor the officers really know what to do with him. There is also a little matter of Sharpe's innocence with the ladies.
Major General Sir Arthur Wellesley is still at the start of his career, but is slowly starting to win the men over with his tactics.
Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill is a "lying, thieving bastard" who continues to hound, harass, and plot against Sharpe. The guy is whacko-nutso and believes he cannot die ever since he was hung and it didn't take. I can't decide if he's merely a sociopath or a psychopathic sociopath…
Major William Dodd leads his Cobras, his own army of British Army renegades, in aid of the Mahratta intending to make his fortune and keep out of British hands for his traitorous conduct. If he can take out Sharpe…it's a bonus.
The Cover and Title
The cover pays homage to battle with a telescope, British rifle, drum, bedroll, Union Jack, and a Scots bonnet piled up on the rocky ground with the fortress of Gawilghur rising up far in the distance on the Deccan Plain through the early dawn.
The title is accurate enough for it's thanks to Sharpe's ingenuity and never-say-die attitude that the British get inside Sharpe's Fortress.
My Take
I adore this series. I first learned of it through the BBC series and was intrigued enough to start reading the series. It's definitely worth buying, and I read it over and over again. A fascinating exploration of military tactics, military history, and social manners across a wide range of society and cultures.
If you enjoy battle and lots of action, you will adore Richard Sharpe. I love how he gets the best of Major Torrance, find the, ahem, missing military supplies, finds justice for men, women, and children while using his sly wit and street smarts to overwhelm his personal enemies especially, ugh, the jettis who intend to literally tear Sharpe into little, bitty pieces and Obadiah and his cohorts.
Wellington is determined to make a name for himself militarily and get back to England. He's also an extremely reluctant admirer of Sharpe's. Funnily enough, intelligent men of rank also admire Sharpe for his sharpness and do their best to support his actions in spite of those soldiers who despise Sharpe for his origins and his intelligence.
This story ends Richard's Indian adventures.
The Story
The Mahratta confederation has rebelled against the English, and it's Sir Arthur's job to subdue them as they lead him a merry chase across India to the invincible Fortress of Gawilghur where several of Sharpe's enemies has taken refuge. And Richard has sworn vengeance against the man who murdered Colonel McCandless at the battle of Assaye.
Unfortunately for Richard, his officers don't want him, and he's passed on and on. Good thing actually as it continues to bring him positive attention from ranking officers even as he must slither through the plots of those against him.
The Characters
Richard Sharpe is the "scum of the earth" according to anyone of any rank, and admittedly, Richard has only recently learned to read and write and the manners of those above him are still outside his experience. But moving up the ranks for someone like him has its negatives for neither the enlisted nor the officers really know what to do with him. There is also a little matter of Sharpe's innocence with the ladies.
Major General Sir Arthur Wellesley is still at the start of his career, but is slowly starting to win the men over with his tactics.
Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill is a "lying, thieving bastard" who continues to hound, harass, and plot against Sharpe. The guy is whacko-nutso and believes he cannot die ever since he was hung and it didn't take. I can't decide if he's merely a sociopath or a psychopathic sociopath…
Major William Dodd leads his Cobras, his own army of British Army renegades, in aid of the Mahratta intending to make his fortune and keep out of British hands for his traitorous conduct. If he can take out Sharpe…it's a bonus.
The Cover and Title
The cover pays homage to battle with a telescope, British rifle, drum, bedroll, Union Jack, and a Scots bonnet piled up on the rocky ground with the fortress of Gawilghur rising up far in the distance on the Deccan Plain through the early dawn.
The title is accurate enough for it's thanks to Sharpe's ingenuity and never-say-die attitude that the British get inside Sharpe's Fortress.
barney100's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
joabroda's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
4.0
I just finished a non-fiction that ties to the setting of this book, and so I thought it a good time to visit with Sharpe again while the landscape of India was still fresh in my mind.
The story covers the Siege of Gawilghur, a massive hilltop fort that has been unreachable for any invading Army. The British are determined to put an end to the defiance of the Maharatta and are determined to take them as Captain Dodd and his forces barricade themselves in this impregnable fort.
Sharp now wears the uniform of an Ensign, and acceptance of the other officers does not come easy. Friendless and miserable Sharpe finds himself lonely and questioning whether he really wants this position. His nemesis still plans his demise and his new position puts him out of the action.
Bernard Cornwell takes history and makes it readable and enjoyable. I recommend any of his books to those who love adventure and history.
The story covers the Siege of Gawilghur, a massive hilltop fort that has been unreachable for any invading Army. The British are determined to put an end to the defiance of the Maharatta and are determined to take them as Captain Dodd and his forces barricade themselves in this impregnable fort.
Sharp now wears the uniform of an Ensign, and acceptance of the other officers does not come easy. Friendless and miserable Sharpe finds himself lonely and questioning whether he really wants this position. His nemesis still plans his demise and his new position puts him out of the action.
Bernard Cornwell takes history and makes it readable and enjoyable. I recommend any of his books to those who love adventure and history.
desolation73's review against another edition
4.0
I do think that these are very well written books but these books were written as prequels and so the first book is actually my next one which is trafalgar and leaves India behind. I think I did suffer from reading these books too close together and I'm looking forward to the next adventure to see if moving location makes these books more interesting. If your a Bernard Cornwell fan and you love sharpe don't be too distressed it's still a four out of five stars book for me but I'm hoping trafalgar is a step up and dick is a bit sharper.
l0rdtim865's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a great book. I am finding the adventures of Mr Sharpe thoroughly entertaining.
As a history fan I am also enjoying learning about the areas of history I have very little knowledge about.
Onto the next one!
As a history fan I am also enjoying learning about the areas of history I have very little knowledge about.
Onto the next one!
iainkelly_writing's review
adventurous
medium-paced
5.0
You know exactly what you will get with each Sharpe book - good guys, bad guys, daring-do, intrigue and battles and bloodshed with a side of romance - and you know in the end Sharpe will win the day. The fun is going along for the ride and seeing how our hero gets himself over each obstacle put in his way. This is another exciting adventure from his early career and we get to find out how he gets his famous green uniform and sword that will be his signature during the Spanish and French campaigns to come, as well as more of his nemesis Hakeswill. Fortress is a perfect example of the genre.
pierreikonnikov's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
lmmountford's review against another edition
4.0
A good solid book by Bernard Cornwell. The battle scenes are gripping, the characters enjoyable and the history is furrow and detailed. As is common with Cornwell's books, he often paints a vague picture of the settings which is my only complaint as it's hard to picture the scenes, nevertheless a great read.