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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
An entertaining installment of the Sharpe series which takes place during the lead up to and during the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro in 1811. Lots of battle sequences in this book with just a bit of espionage and a personal battle between Sharpe and an evil French Brigadier thrown in. Listened to the audio version read by Frederick Davidson who is always OK but not really one of my favorites.
It's amazing, how even the most odious and ridiculous person can redeem himself in one deed. Well, al least in literature :)
A worthy part in the series: pretty much the same plot arc of problem being solved despite the difficulties, but very well written. A solid 4.
A worthy part in the series: pretty much the same plot arc of problem being solved despite the difficulties, but very well written. A solid 4.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My sixth Sharpe book was predictable but loved all the same.
May 1911, Sharpe is in Spain and making enemies again. This time with Brigidier General Loup, the bane of the Spanish partisans. During Sharpe's quest to bring Loup to justice and thanks to politics he has been given the task of training the Spanish King's ceremonial guard. With someone trying to get the Irish to revolt within Wellington's army and the seemingly impossible task of winning the next battle, Sharpe must use all his soldiering instinct to survive.
I feel the need to quip 'if you've read one Sharpe book you've read them all' but I still want to read the entire series.
May 1911, Sharpe is in Spain and making enemies again. This time with Brigidier General Loup, the bane of the Spanish partisans. During Sharpe's quest to bring Loup to justice and thanks to politics he has been given the task of training the Spanish King's ceremonial guard. With someone trying to get the Irish to revolt within Wellington's army and the seemingly impossible task of winning the next battle, Sharpe must use all his soldiering instinct to survive.
I feel the need to quip 'if you've read one Sharpe book you've read them all' but I still want to read the entire series.
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Another good visit via Sharpe to another stop in Wellesley’s remarkable military career during the Napoleonic Wars. This book profiles a critical but less impressive battle, and it is also not the best in this series. But it's certainly good enough to launch me at the next book.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Spoilers ahead:
There is a lot of action in this book. It starts off with Sharpe surprising a small detachment of the French Wolf Brigade after they killed everyone in a small village except for a young woman that two French soldiers were raping. He executes them despite the French Brigadier Loup asking for them back and then promising to kill Sharpe in revenge.
Next a detachment of Irish-Spaniards in the Real Compania Irlandesa Royal Guard are sent to Wellington for service under him. He sends them to Sharpe with the idea that they are to be humiliated but Sharpe trains them instead.
While stationed at a border fort, the Spanish guards, Sharpe's company and a detachment of Portuguese caçadores are surprised and attacked by Loup's brigade. The attack is successful due to the action of a traitor/spy, who is the mistress of the commander of the Spanish Royal Guard. Loup's Brigade is finally beaten off but not before decimating the cacadores. Sharpe and his commander, Colonel Runciman have to take the fall.
The final part of the book is the Battle of Fuentes De Onoro. This is where Massena attacks Wellington at the aforementioned village. It's a hard fought battle and though Sharpe was assigned to the ammunition supplies, he plays a key part in the battle when he repulses the Loup Brigade with the Spanish Royal Guard.
As with the other Sharpe books, the writing is easy to read and follow, the battle scenes and character vignettes are well written and a pleasure to read.
There is a lot of action in this book. It starts off with Sharpe surprising a small detachment of the French Wolf Brigade after they killed everyone in a small village except for a young woman that two French soldiers were raping. He executes them despite the French Brigadier Loup asking for them back and then promising to kill Sharpe in revenge.
Next a detachment of Irish-Spaniards in the Real Compania Irlandesa Royal Guard are sent to Wellington for service under him. He sends them to Sharpe with the idea that they are to be humiliated but Sharpe trains them instead.
While stationed at a border fort, the Spanish guards, Sharpe's company and a detachment of Portuguese caçadores are surprised and attacked by Loup's brigade. The attack is successful due to the action of a traitor/spy, who is the mistress of the commander of the Spanish Royal Guard. Loup's Brigade is finally beaten off but not before decimating the cacadores. Sharpe and his commander, Colonel Runciman have to take the fall.
The final part of the book is the Battle of Fuentes De Onoro. This is where Massena attacks Wellington at the aforementioned village. It's a hard fought battle and though Sharpe was assigned to the ammunition supplies, he plays a key part in the battle when he repulses the Loup Brigade with the Spanish Royal Guard.
As with the other Sharpe books, the writing is easy to read and follow, the battle scenes and character vignettes are well written and a pleasure to read.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
For thoughts on the series, see "Sharpe's Eagle."