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andrew65's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.25
magnaraz117's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ariaslibrary's review
4.0
Still separated from the main army, Sharpe and his Rifles are ordered to guard Colonel Christopher as they search for the missing Miss Savage. Resentful of the escort, Christopher sends the Rifles away but as Sharpe leads him men away, the war forces them to flee in companionship with a Portuguese regiment. The Northern Portugal Campaign of 1809 and it was a beautiful read.
These books are so addictive. Sharpe and his rifles are the best ensemble. I hope we see more of them in the next books, especially Sharpe and Harper! A few punches to the face and they’re friends for life🤣
It should be illegal for Rupert Farley to be this good at narrating.
crashhard's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Review:
Love this series and character of Sharpe. Cornwall is a master storyteller of historical fiction. He weaves historical events into a fictional character. Not many can do that
Here is my rating system. Of course this is all subjective
5 star exceptional. Must read book
4 star excellent book. I enjoyed it
3 star. Average. Take it or leave it. Just ok
2 star. Bad. I finished it but didn’t enjoy it
1 star. Did not finish or so bad I wouldn’t recommend it
Love this series and character of Sharpe. Cornwall is a master storyteller of historical fiction. He weaves historical events into a fictional character. Not many can do that
Here is my rating system. Of course this is all subjective
5 star exceptional. Must read book
4 star excellent book. I enjoyed it
3 star. Average. Take it or leave it. Just ok
2 star. Bad. I finished it but didn’t enjoy it
1 star. Did not finish or so bad I wouldn’t recommend it
phrust's review
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
secretlyadoombot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-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
3.0
isoney's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
grahamjohnson's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
For thoughts on the series, see "Sharpe's Eagle."
usbsticky's review against another edition
4.0
Spoilers ahead:
This book is the retelling of the events during the Oporto Campaign in Portugal where Marshal Soult took the city and then was thrown back about 2 months later.
The book starts off with the aftermath of the First Battle of Oporto where Soult defeats the Portuguese and thousands of civilians are drowned as they try to cross the Douro River to escape from the French. Sharpe is caught on the wrong side of the river with a small detachment and escapes with the help of Lt. Vincente and his small detachment.
Sharpe is then ordered to keep an eye on Lt. Colonel Christopher. Lt. Col. Christopher is a suave opportunist from the Foreign Office who is trying to get the French forces to mutiny by getting Soult to declare himself King of Portugal. This is the historical part of the book. Soult was unhappy that other marshals had become princes and kings whereas he was still a duke. He wanted to be King of Portugal but members of the French forces were against him and would possibly revolt.
Christopher had positioned himself to win no matter which side won. His end goal was to get rid by being appointed the exclusive exporter of wines in Portugal and also to be married to a British wine merchant's heiress despite being married in England already. He became a turncoat by giving Soult the names of the mutineers as well as information on the British in Portugal. He also tried to kill Sharpe multiple times when Sharpe tried to stop him.
About 2 months later after witness Christopher's treachery and trying to get back to British lines, Sharpe is back at the river Douro and finds 3 hidden barges which allow British forces to come back on the French side of the river. The French attack but are thrown back and have to leave Porto. Sharpe follows the army and kills Christopher as the French escape over two bridges which failed to be blown up by the Portuguese ordenanças (militia). The exploits of the real French Major Dulong are included in the book as he personally leads the attack on both bridges.
Antagonist: Lt. Col. Christopher the British turncoat.
Romantic interest: Kate Savage the heiress who Sharpe seduces several times.
Overall a good retelling of this campaign.
This book is the retelling of the events during the Oporto Campaign in Portugal where Marshal Soult took the city and then was thrown back about 2 months later.
The book starts off with the aftermath of the First Battle of Oporto where Soult defeats the Portuguese and thousands of civilians are drowned as they try to cross the Douro River to escape from the French. Sharpe is caught on the wrong side of the river with a small detachment and escapes with the help of Lt. Vincente and his small detachment.
Sharpe is then ordered to keep an eye on Lt. Colonel Christopher. Lt. Col. Christopher is a suave opportunist from the Foreign Office who is trying to get the French forces to mutiny by getting Soult to declare himself King of Portugal. This is the historical part of the book. Soult was unhappy that other marshals had become princes and kings whereas he was still a duke. He wanted to be King of Portugal but members of the French forces were against him and would possibly revolt.
Christopher had positioned himself to win no matter which side won. His end goal was to get rid by being appointed the exclusive exporter of wines in Portugal and also to be married to a British wine merchant's heiress despite being married in England already. He became a turncoat by giving Soult the names of the mutineers as well as information on the British in Portugal. He also tried to kill Sharpe multiple times when Sharpe tried to stop him.
About 2 months later after witness Christopher's treachery and trying to get back to British lines, Sharpe is back at the river Douro and finds 3 hidden barges which allow British forces to come back on the French side of the river. The French attack but are thrown back and have to leave Porto. Sharpe follows the army and kills Christopher as the French escape over two bridges which failed to be blown up by the Portuguese ordenanças (militia). The exploits of the real French Major Dulong are included in the book as he personally leads the attack on both bridges.
Antagonist: Lt. Col. Christopher the British turncoat.
Romantic interest: Kate Savage the heiress who Sharpe seduces several times.
Overall a good retelling of this campaign.