Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by mcajblanchard
The Ill-Made Knight by Christian Cameron
3.0
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.