REVIEW: Personal by Lee Child

Personal by Lee Child
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As someone who has read all of Reacher's adventures to date I would class this book as a classic Reacher romp. It is not the best, nor the worst of Lee Child's works. Interestingly, it was an easier read than some of the more recent books because, for no reason I know of, Child has decided to go back to Reacher's roots and write this one in first person. It works well and I have always pined for the first person perspective of Killing Floor. It gives an immediacy to the story-telling that goes well with the almost total lack of internal dialogue Reacher has. His thoughts, as usual, only really focus on the nuts and bolts of how things work and how to beat his enemies. Is he a psychopath? A sociopath? Perhaps both? When reading these books the most important thing is not to probe too deeply into either the characterisation or the plot. Neither really stand up to hard scrutiny, but Child does tell a ripping yarn full of technology, espionage, violence and wise-cracks.

In this book, Child manages to steer away from some of the tropes that he has resorted to in most of the previous novels, but he has also made some real clangers in terms of cultural details. It's funny that Child is from England, as he has clearly been living so long in the States now that he is not au fait with all the intricacies of English life. I won't go into details here, but there is mention of buying burner phones in London that was blatantly not true to life.

Overall, a page-turning, unputdownable thriller, starring the inimitable Jack Reacher (not Tom Cruise!).

4.5 stars.

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THE SERPENT SWORD - Pre-order now!

BIG NEWS!

THE SERPENT SWORD IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER ON ALL AMAZON SITES!

The following link should get you to your local Amazon site:

http://getBook.at/TheSerpentSword

It is also available on Goodreads.

At the moment, only the Kindle book is online, but a paperback should be available soon. Watch this space!

REVIEW: The King in the North: The Life and Times of Oswald of Northumbria by Max Adams

The King in the North: The Life and Times of Oswald of Northumbria by Max Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Max Adams' book, 'The King in the North: The Life and Times of Oswald of Northumbria' is a welcome addition to the limited number of books available about 7th century Northumbria. It is well-written and well-researched. My main quibble is the fact that I had hoped to find out a lot more about Oswald, who I was researching for my own writing. The book actually covers the whole century and really only has a handful of chapters dedicated to Oswald specifically, though Adams does make reference to him and his influence in later chapters. However, these references sometimes feel a little forced and oblique, and Adams does seem to have a tendency to make a conclusion via deduction and then state it in a matter of fact way, as if there could be no other interpretation of events. Considering there are very limited primary sources for the period, this approach felt somewhat contrived.

However, these are minor points. All in all the book's style is engaging, and the overall history of the north of Britain in that troubled century is illuminated in the spotlight of modern research and archaeology.

4 stars.

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Potential cover reveal: THE SERPENT SWORD

As I said last month, I have made great progress getting THE SERPENT SWORD ready for publication. Along with the quotes I've got from excellent historical fiction authors, I've also put together a potential cover. I say 'potential', because if my agent sells the novel to a publisher, an in-house designer would create a new cover.

The cover, which I've put together using only free software, features an original photo of authentic war gear by the talented, Matt Bunker, from the living history group Wulfheodenas.

Check out the cover and let me know what you think in the comments.

Review of The Wolf and the Raven by Steven A. McKay

I recently received a review copy of the audio book of Steven A. McKay's second novel, "The Wolf and the Raven" that is now available on Audible.

Story

The blurb on the book is as follows:

In the aftermath of a violent rebellion Robin Hood and his men must fight for survival with an enemy deadlier than any they've faced before... 1322. England is in disarray and Sir Guy of Gisbourne, the king's own bounty hunter, stalks the greenwood, bringing bloody justice to the outlaws and rebels who hide there. When things begin to go horribly wrong self-pity, grief and despair threaten to overwhelm the young wolf's head who will need the support of his friends and family now more than ever.

As with all of McKay's writing it is action-packed, with strong characters fighting for their lives and the survival of their loved ones. Danger and peril lurk around every corner and there is never a dull moment. Robin faces the reality that he is to be a father and is also now the leader of a group of men who are being tracked by the villainous Sir Guy of Gisbourne, a dastardly bounty hunter out to destroy all outlaws.

There are two main parts to the narrative: Robin Hood and his men struggling with Guy of Gisbourne, and the fate of the two charismatic Knights Hospitaller, Sir Richard-at-Lee and his trusted sergeant-at-arms, Stephen. I have to confess I enjoyed the side story of the knights more than that of Robin and his outlaws. I liked Stephen's quest for aid in London and Sir Richard's travails back in Kirklees. However, I was slightly disappointed by the denouement of the knights' tail. It lacked a certain heroic panache that McKay seems to reserve for the protagonist.

It is a dark novel. Important characters are killed, people get badly beaten and injured, and things look bleak for Robin and his cohorts. Robin's enemy is evil in the extreme, and whilst McKay gives Gisbourne a back story to explain his violence, you never really feel sympathy for the bounty hunter.

The Wolf and the Raven is a solid sequel to the great debut Wolf's Head. Whilst it is clearly a transition novel, adding depth to the characters and setting the scene for later adventures, the second act of a longer story, it is an extremely satisfying read that paves the way for the last two books McKay plans in The Forest Lord series.

My verdict?

McKay does it again. Blood-splattered historical adventure from a powerful story-teller.

Narrator

Nick Ellsworth, who has read all of McKay's works to date, reads with a strong sense of authenticity. He has a deep, serious voice that is naturally suited to the gravity of the story. There are a few moments when I was put off by unusual pronunciations of certain words, and I would recommend speeding up the Audible player to 1.25X, which seems to provide the perfect speed of delivery, but all in all Ellsworth gives a solid performance that is worthy of the material.

Experience

Audible is a real doddle to use. No problems at all.

Overall score

4.5 out of 5 stars

Links

The Wolf and the Raven on Amazon.co.uk

The Wolf and the Raven on Audible.co.uk
Steven A. McKay's webpage

REVIEW: THE SCARLET THIEF by Paul Fraser Collard

The Scarlet Thief by Paul Fraser Collard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a storming debut novel. Jack Lark is a strong likable character. The set up is clever, allowing Jack to flee from his past, assuming the identity of a deceased officer and to escape to the Crimean. There, he has to think fast to survive in the brutal Battle of the Alma.

The battle scenes are relentless, with blood, mud and entrails splashed over the pages, as the troops are scythed down by rifle and cannon fire.

Paul Fraser Collard does not shy away from the horrors of warfare, and the details that pepper the storytelling give the novel a real sense of authenticity.

At the core of the story is Jack Lark's quest for acceptance in a world that has little to offer one such as he -- a low class lad from the slums of London. Lark is ingenious, daring and loyal to his friends and you cannot help rooting for him.

The first in a series, THE SCARLET THIEF, is an easy 5 stars.

I am looking forward to reading more of Jack's exploits as he travels the great British Empire of the nineteenth century. I am sure of one thing, where Jack Lark goes, adventure will be sure to follow.

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Achievements of yesteryear - 2014

It is usual at this time of year to cast a look back at the twelve months gone by and think of all that you've accomplished, as well as setting goals and resolutions for the coming year.

I find it is all too easy to think of all the things one hasn't managed to do. All the things you had planned but couldn't complete, or those things that didn't pan out through no fault of your own. My main goal for 2014 was to get a publishing deal. That didn't happen and I sometimes have to remind myself that that doesn't mean I have failed in any way. There is still a chance I will find that elusive book deal, but if I don't, there are thousands of other writers (maybe millions) who are publishing independently, so whatever happens, my writing will see the light of day. This is an amazing time for writers. The ability to get books published and distributed is available to everyone in a way that previous generations could not even dream of.

So, dwelling on the positives, here are some of the things that I've achieved in 2014.

I got a literary agent!

This one is actually pretty huge. In fact, I think I was spoilt by how easily I managed to find an agent who liked my book enough to agree to represent me. I started in earnest looking for an agent in January, and within two months I'd signed a contract with Robin Wade, a successful and well-established agent with strong connections in the historical fiction publishing world. Like most writers I'd heard all the horror stories of waiting months and never hearing from agents, so I was prepared for a lot of submissions and many rejections.

My experience was not bad at all. I sent targeted letters out to the first seven agents on my list of about twenty who I thought might be interested. Within a month, I got a few form rejections and then an email from Robin, saying he'd be delighted to represent me.

It was a tense few weeks waiting for replies, but nothing could prepare me for the long silence after Robin had sent my manuscript out to publishers.

Robin pitched THE SERPENT SWORD to all the major publishing houses in the UK at the London book fair. Many editors were interested, and requested the full manuscript. And then the waiting started.

I am not a patient person and the months waiting for replies dragged on and on.

I finished my second novel

While waiting for the publishers to read THE SERPENT SWORD and come back to my agent, I got on with the sequel, THE CROSS AND THE CURSE. That kept me busy, and I knew that I needed to be able to complete a novel in a year or so to be able to produce at the rate expected by mainstream publishers. So I set myself weekly targets and got on with it. I finished in about eight months, then spent a couple of months editing.

It was not easy. There were times when I felt lost and didn't know how to push through invisible walls in the plot, but in the end I got there. And my test readers and Robin liked it more than the first one! Perhaps I can really write, a small voice whispered. But if I am such a great writer, why weren't the publishers falling over themselves to offer me six figure advances?

Made lots of author "friends"

This is a great part of the modern age. You can find like-minded people to interact with online very easily. Twitter, Facebook, Google+, are amazing tools for writers. Writing is lonely and it is easy to get frustrated, but there is always someone out there who has had the same experience as you and who is willing to offer a word of advice, or a listening virtual ear.

In the last year I've had online chats with all manner of people, and quite a few published authors who I admire and aspire to emulate. It is incredibly gratifying that most of the authors I have conversed with have been open, friendly and actively helpful.

Got great quotes for THE SERPENT SWORD

One of the benefits of social media and communicating with authors meant it was easy for me to ask if some writers in the same genre would read my book and provide me with quotes for the cover and marketing. I have been humbled by the response. A few said they were too busy - something I can relate to - but most agreed to read the manuscript and to provide me with quotes, if they enjoyed the book.

Luckily, they all seemed to enjoy it!

A few (edited) examples from the quotes I've received so far (I'm still waiting on a couple):

"...a gripping and credible tale of Dark Ages Britain...Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this." ANGUS DONALD

"Vivid and compelling, The Serpent Sword is historical fiction at its brutal best." PAUL FRASER COLLARD 

"A storming debut novel fans of Bernard Cornwell should not miss!"
STEVEN A. MCKAY 

"The Serpent Sword is a stunning debut: fast, confident, adrenaline-pumped, this story of a young warrior's coming of age in the maelstrom of the Dark Ages has the flavour of early Giles Kristian or James Aitcheson: it's raw, rugged and rich in colour and texture."
MANDA SCOTT 

"...a fast-paced tale of historical adventure beautifully written. The Serpent Sword is a story of revenge, passion, betrayal, honour, love and loss. Above all, it contains both a quest and a love story. Harffy’s characters are portrayed with depth and humanity. This novel is a thrilling read.”
CAROL MCGRATH

"With powerful language and gripping action, Harffy tells a tale of courage, revenge and love..."
JUSTIN HILL

Reading the comments again as I'm typing this is making me grin. Did they really read my book?! It seems amazing to me that authors, all successful and extremely busy, would take the time to read my novel and have enjoyed it enough to endorse it.

Designed an awesome cover

I spent a couple of weeks at the end of the year using all kinds of free software tools (GIMP, Light Zone Project, Inkscape) to design a cover for THE SERPENT SWORD. The cover centres on a photo of authentic war gear (sword, mail, helm) supplied by the generous and talented, Matt Bunker (from the living history group Wulfheodenas), and I am very pleased with the results. I will use the image if I decide to publish independently in the end , but I think I'll save it for another blog post. It is always a good thing to leave something to look forward to.

In the meantime, here is a fantastic Serpent Sword logo that my very good friend, Gareth Jones, designed for me and gave me for Christmas! He also gave me the new domain www.theserpentsword.com, which I will add content to in the future. How cool is that?

2014 has been a busy, challenging, but ultimately very rewarding year. Thanks for being a part of it, if you have left a comment here or chatted with me on Facebook or Twitter. If you have just stumbled onto this blog, please follow me on Twitter, Like my Facebook page, sign up to my newsletter, so that you can join me on the ongoing journey towards publication.

Here's to a great 2015!