** Please note my copy of this was only a Advanced Preview copy of the first 5 chapters **
First Read Scheme > Good Reads > Paperback > Fiction > Historical > Monarchy
*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*
This is a different kind of Review today, as I was only sent an Advanced Preview copy of the first 5 Chapters as part of the First Reads Scheme on Good Reads, so my comments are only based on those Chapters and not the entire work.
King Henry V - the great Lion of England - is long dead.
In 1437, after years of regency, the pious and gentle Henry VI, the Lamb, comes of age and accedes to the English throne. His poor health and frailty of mind render him a weakling king - Henry depends on his closest men, Spymaster Derry Brewer and William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, to run his kingdom.
Yet there are those, such as the Plantagenet Richard, Duke of York, who believe England must be led by a strong king if she is to survive. With England's territories in France under threat, and rumours of revolt at home, fears grow that Henry and his advisers will see the country slide into ruin. With a secret deal struck for Henry to marry a young French noblewoman, Margaret of Anjou, those fears become all too real.
As storm clouds gather over England, King Henry and his supporters find themselves besieged abroad and at home. Who, or what, can save the kingdom before it is too late?
In relation to the Chapters provided, I found it to be really, really well written, with just about perfect pacing of plot.
Even in that short time I liked Derry Brewer, well admired would probably be a better way of putting it. What level of cunning and strategy must it have taken to rise to his position as Spymaster to the King? Even from the short association with the work I have come to the conclusion that I need to know more about that man. Now, that is the sign of a very good piece of writing.
Actually, it was quite a different way to look at a book, just seeing a short bit of the beginning. What it did make me think about was just how exciting it must be to be a Commissioning Editor and see something like it land on your desk. I think I would have moved Heaven and Earth to sign the Author.
In conclusion, I want this book, and as soon as my Reading Mountain subsides a little I will get a copy.
It's available on Kindle download HERE, yes it could probably be considered to be a little expensive at £.9.99 ..... that is until you read it! Based on the tiny sliver of paperback that I was sent, with a lovely gilded bright Bronze in the title, I would say that it's piece a of work that could probably be considered worthy of actually buying in Hardback (and that's not something I do with aplomb) - it's available HERE at Amazon ...currently listed at £16.99 it would still be worth the few quid extra.
I would say that 5 Stars for even the little vignette I had would be appropriate and the whole work would probably end up being 5+ Stars.
Did I mention that it also ties in really nicely with the BBC adaptation of The White Queen by Philippa Gregory that's on at the moment. Actually, next Sunday's episode is about Margaret of Anjou.
Conn Iggulden is a definite read from now on, and I am looking forward to getting acquainted with his back catalogue, and am off to tick "Want to Read" on Good Reads.
Hugs
Kay
No comments:
Post a Comment