I only now read this in spite of
my admiration for Cornwell as a writer because I have absolutely no sympathy
for the English during the Hundred Years War which this series depicts. After
all, Scots fought on the other side with their allies the French, and frankly
the English thirst for conquest does not appeal to me. However, I finally gave
in and read this because Cornwell is such a good writer. I can't say I regret
it. I do find it interesting and regrettable that Cornwell chose to make the
main character, an archer, English instead of Welsh.
The story
follows the adventures of Thomas of Hookton, the illegitimate son of a priest,
Father Ralph, who educates him beyond his normal station, teaching him Latin
and French. However, a pirate who happens to be Father Ralph's nephew massacres
the town, killing everyone except Thomas, seeking a relic the priest had hidden
there. Thomas joins King Edward III's army hoping to find and take revenge on the
man who slaughtered his father and the people of the poor fishing village of
Hookton.
In France, Thomas becomes a noted archer at La Roche-Derrien
which they take thanks to Thomas's wiles. We are introduced to the main
characters, Thomas's enemy Sir Simon Jekyll, Blackbird who is later revealed to be
someone else entirely, and Father Hobbe who is a rather 'Jiminy Cricket'
character serving as Thomas's conscience, and Eleanor as well as other minor characters.
The novel moves pretty briskly from battle to battle and to Thomas
saving 'Blackbird' as her actual identity is revealed. He eventually reaches Normandy, 'Blackbird' being lost in the course of the adventure, finds his father's murderer, and
acquires a new quest: that of the Holy Grail. The novel ends with the English
triumph over the French at the Battle of Crecy.
Cornwell
never makes the mistake of making his hero a stereotype of the chivalrous
gallant. I can definitely believe the character of Thomas who is given strong
reasons for his actions, even those a lot less than admirable. However, it is
weakened slightly by rather standard bumbling villains with weak reasons behind
their enmity and the character of Hobbe which I found quite stereotypical.
.
You'll find the novel on Amazon for Kindle here.
Edited to add: The giveaway is complete and I will contact winners directly. Thanks for entering!
Edited to add: The giveaway is complete and I will contact winners directly. Thanks for entering!
