Reviews

Harlequin by Bernard Cornwell

raerae's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

genizah's review against another edition

2.0

Reasonably good historical war fiction, excellent descriptions of tactics, docked one star for pretty constant rape through the first half of the book. I know it's probably historically accurate. I don't care.

thomcat's review against another edition

4.0

Bernard Cornwell only fictionalized a few skirmishes in this book of historical fiction. I knew Crecy was a battle dominated by the archers, but didn't realize all the other factors that went into an embarrassing French defeat. Well detailed, and a story well told.

joabroda's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

4.0

 A grand adventure of the beginning of the 100 Years War between France and England. The story tells of Thomas, a budding Archer, as he travels from his small village across the Channel and France, joining the war machine of Edward III and his destruction of the French. However, Thomas has more on his mind than Edwards' goals. He is on a personal mission to recover an artifact that was stolen from his small towns church. This is my first Cornwall book, and there is no good reason why I waited so long.

Cornwall has a great way with battle, his writing bringing you right into the bloody action. They got a bit long winded for my taste, but still I carried on. Cornwall leaves a historical fact essay at the end of the book and from what I know and what I read he has done his research. Always a plus for me.

This is a 4 book series which I plan to continue. I am sure I will then look for Cornwall to read, suggestions are welcome. 

marcosgr95's review against another edition

4.0

This well-crafted retelling of Thomas of Hookton's adventures will lure you into a set of battles pulled right out of the pages of history, particularly the beginning of the Hundred Years' War. As per usual with BC's works, the fights will keep you on the edge of your seat and you'll find yourself fretting over what Thomas is gonna do against one enemy or other, or wondering whether he's going to get the girl or not... You know, typical Bernard Cornwell's books themes, which could be seen now as cliché or hackneyed, but we have to grant that they work!

Besides, this book will probably infuse in you a desperate craving for learning how to shoot a bow, just so you know...

All things considered, a well-balanced and entertaining book much like the rest of this author's myriad books.

daemonad's review against another edition

2.0

At first the book showed promise, the main character seemed interesting and I could smell the hellish reek and excitement of oncoming battle scenes and yet the book was a let down. By the end I wanted the main character gored to death by his "enemy." The protagonist, enigmatic at first, turned up to be a simple-minded whimpering bitch. This would still be fine with me if Cornwell didn't elude to him being special. I don't know if I can force myself to read the rest of the series. I may, just for the battles.

backpackfullofbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

sobolevnrm's review against another edition

4.0

This was a very entertaining series -- it kept up its story much better than the Saxon Chronicles.

loldesh's review against another edition

2.0

Biraz beklentimin altında kaldığını itiraf etmek isterim lakin beklediğimin ne olduğundan da tam emin değilim aslında. Yalnızca iki yerde kurguyla oynamış geri kalan tarihsel olayları olduğu gibi bırakmış. Tarihi kurgu okumayalı epey olduğu için (belki bi' 10 yıl falan) bi' ihtimal paslanmış olduğuma bağlayacağım fakat diyaloglarmış, sahnelermiş hiç öyle büyük büyük canlanmadı gözümün önünde. Kolay bir okuma evet ama etkileyici olmaktan uzaktı bence. İkinci kitaba devam edeyim biraz da ona sallarız olmazsa...

minna_ekman's review against another edition

adventurous informative tense fast-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

4.0