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David McK (3705 KP) rated Grail Knight: (Outlaw Chronicles, #5) in Books

Jan 30, 2019

Book number 5 in Angus Donald's 'The Outlaw Chronicles' series, and by now the pattern is well established in that all the stories are split into sections, with each section presented as the elderly Alan Dale recalling his younger days spent with that (now) most-famous of all English outlaws: Robin Hood himself.

At the start of this, Alan is newly married and enjoying life in his new manor with his wife. It's not long, however, before he is thrust back into action when word comes that The Knights Templar are holding himself responsible for gold stolen (by Robin, in a previous novel - possibly [b:King's Man|943289|King's Man (Viking, #3)|Tim Severin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328870438s/943289.jpg|928226]) as it was his promissary note that Robin copied and forged.

Following the burning down of his manor, and with the failing health of his wife who is carrying his unborn child, Alan, Robin and a bunch of assorted misfit companions go off in search of that most medieval of all legends: the Holy Grail itself. In Alan's case, he hopes it can save his wife; in Robin's case: well, he's just after the money!

Another solid entry, even if (to my mind) none have been as strong as [b:Outlaw|17333533|Outlaw|Ted Dekker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364009572s/17333533.jpg|24064806].

Kudos

Deborah (162 KP) rated Stormbird (Wars of the Roses, #1) in Books

Dec 21, 2018

I have a great interest in late medieval and early modern history, so this one was bought for me as a present, thinking it would be right up my street.

Overall, it wasn't badly written, but I was less than halfway through and couldn't wait for it to be over (I'm far to stubborn to give up part way through!). We lurch from one battle, to a nice bit of torture and a bit of violence and some more blood and another battle..... you get my drift! And no, I don't think I have an unrealistic view of the past and it was bloody and those in power would have been what we might call self serving but they would probably though of as pragmatic, but this seemed to concentrate on the violence to the exclusion of just about everything else.

I'm not sure if Iggulden anticipated the reader feeling sympathy with any of the characters, but I found this difficult as there wasn't a great deal of character development, as it tended to get in the way of the blood letting. Everyone seemed to be self serving and the expression 'smug' was used on a number of occasions - not exactly endearing!

I don't think I'll bother with the rest of the series and just go back to my non-fiction books on the period.