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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
I would give it 10 stars if I could. Novels such as this is why I read books.
I gave this book 5 stars, because this book really deserves it. The way it is writing, i'm a fan of it. It's told by William as he is older, therefore, we already now that he'll never really die in any of the battles, but it's fun reading the way as he 'tells' it. Sometimes going a bit of the story and telling some side stories, or just sharing some extra information. The autor has a good way of describing the battles, and giving a lot of information about the way of life in the time. I really recommend this book to everyone who likes historical fiction!
Incredibly captivating. I encourage people to listen to the audiobook, which really helps with immersion. Saul Reichlin's narration truly drags you into the world and makes it feel like you're sitting at the table as William Gold tells his story.
This story is a thought-provoking exploration of chivalry, cleverly woven into a coming-of-age narrative. Something that stuck with me is how much of a difference having trustworthy companions and capable mentors can make in your life.
Be warned, though. This story does not romanticise or sugarcoat the period it's set in. Times were hard, especially for peasants and doubly so for girls and women.
This story is a thought-provoking exploration of chivalry, cleverly woven into a coming-of-age narrative. Something that stuck with me is how much of a difference having trustworthy companions and capable mentors can make in your life.
Be warned, though. This story does not romanticise or sugarcoat the period it's set in. Times were hard, especially for peasants and doubly so for girls and women.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is definitely a must read for anyone obsessed with the Hundred Years War, like I am. It is utterly immersive, with so much carefully researched detail. We have war bands, long bow archers, sieges, ambushes, raids, plague, Hospitaller knights, mercenaries, captures for ransom, even a female knight! This book covers so much, and is full of action.
It also does not shy away from the very brutal and horrifying aspects of the Hundred Years War. Our main character engages in very morally grey actions, and constantly questions himself and his purpose. I liked all the friends and comrades he picked up along the way, they were all uniquely interesting - some even being from the opposite side of the war! I also found the politics fascinating, how France was torn apart and divided after the Battle of Poitiers.
All that being said, as the book progressed my interest would wane. There was a lot of repetition. The main character would do something to earn his reputation, gain money and supplies - but then something would happen for him to lose everything and fall from grace. This happened over and over again. Some of the scenarios he found himself in I found more interesting than others.
It also does not shy away from the very brutal and horrifying aspects of the Hundred Years War. Our main character engages in very morally grey actions, and constantly questions himself and his purpose. I liked all the friends and comrades he picked up along the way, they were all uniquely interesting - some even being from the opposite side of the war! I also found the politics fascinating, how France was torn apart and divided after the Battle of Poitiers.
All that being said, as the book progressed my interest would wane. There was a lot of repetition. The main character would do something to earn his reputation, gain money and supplies - but then something would happen for him to lose everything and fall from grace. This happened over and over again. Some of the scenarios he found himself in I found more interesting than others.
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love the historical setting and the excellent research put into this book. However, the author seems to assume the reader has full knowledge of this history. As a result the names of author historical persons, titles, objects and places are dropped into the narrative without proper explanation of who and what they are.
I enjoy historical fiction because of the amount one learns from it. The amount I actually learned from this book was limited because of the limited background information provided by the author.
I enjoy historical fiction because of the amount one learns from it. The amount I actually learned from this book was limited because of the limited background information provided by the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, Pandemic/Epidemic
Крисчън Камерън определено е познавач както на историята, така и на практическата й част, наречена експериментална археология, че е и активен участник в съвременни исторически възстановки на събития и битки. Така, че подробностите в живота и битието на един античен или средновековен войник са му пределно ясно и не робува на популярните митове в историческите и фентъзи книги относно отминалото време. Дотук добре.
Като писател обаче, определено не се справя добре (поне според мен де, не и според множеството му читатели...). Всичките му книги, независимо от историческия период, който описват, са толкова еднотипни, че мога да ви ги представя тука всичките с помощта на няколко точки:
- Главният герой е младеж от скромен произход, проследяваме как израства и постепенно се оказва в центъра на някакви събития;
- В началото не може да се бие, но постепенно разбира, че има талант за тая работа;
- Много е важно да описва най-различни случки, в които героите/ините започват сексуалния си живот на 12-13 години;
- По някое време спасява жена от изнасилване, като пребива/осакатява насилника й. Това е за да разберем колко добър и морален е той;
- Имаше и още, ама съм ги забравил.
Нататък не съм чел, нямах нерви. Също така, това ревю е еднакво за всичките му книги, то и в книгите разлика няма.
Като писател обаче, определено не се справя добре (поне според мен де, не и според множеството му читатели...). Всичките му книги, независимо от историческия период, който описват, са толкова еднотипни, че мога да ви ги представя тука всичките с помощта на няколко точки:
- Главният герой е младеж от скромен произход, проследяваме как израства и постепенно се оказва в центъра на някакви събития;
- В началото не може да се бие, но постепенно разбира, че има талант за тая работа;
- Много е важно да описва най-различни случки, в които героите/ините започват сексуалния си живот на 12-13 години;
- По някое време спасява жена от изнасилване, като пребива/осакатява насилника й. Това е за да разберем колко добър и морален е той;
- Имаше и още, ама съм ги забравил.
Нататък не съм чел, нямах нерви. Също така, това ревю е еднакво за всичките му книги, то и в книгите разлика няма.
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sean recommended this book to me, and it's not hard to see why - it seems right up his alley. For me, I found it interesting, but only occasionally compelling. The story taught me a lot about the nature of the time, but the plot itself was meandering and at time a bit slow. This was clearly intentional, but in spite of this it made the story, as a novel, somewhat dull at times. It took me quite a while to finish the book.
Overall, I'll think about reading the next one, but maybe not right away.
Overall, I'll think about reading the next one, but maybe not right away.
Magnificent. I had heard that this author went to great pains to research the history behind his novels and this comes across clearly throughout this story. That, however, wouldn't have been enough to keep me hooked as this is not my usual genre. Cameron is a born story-teller however and really brought the exploits of William Gold to life for me. He paints what must have been an extremely grim world in vibrant, and more often than not, dark colours that one can almost feel. Can't wait to read the next in the series.