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ammbooks's review
5.0
Loved it. The chapter format made it the perfect book to read and enjoy while waiting for the kids to get out of a concert. I am falling in love with the characters. Now on to read part two
d_audy's review
5.0
Christian Cameron tries here to resurrect the 19th century's love of feuilletons or serials, those novels published episodically in monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly instalments through magazines, the ancestors of radio then TV series. He's in good company with the likes of Dumas, Hugo, Dickens and many others. And if this first part is anything to go by, he's met the challenge brilliantly.
While obviously part of a greater whole that will unfold in the next part, Part One is a satisfying episode that provides a good temporary stop point while leaving you eager to pick up the next part, and feeling somewhat different from the modern novella format. It might even be fun to experience it monthly, as intended.
The story set midway in the 15th century introduces a very interesting, instantly relatable young Englishman with a mysterious background, part polyglot scholar of antiquity, part adventurer whose trying to make his fortune on the continent, for the time by joining the army of Talbot at the very end of the Hundred Years War, that finds itself soundly defeated by the French before the book even begins. Captured by the French, with only his wits to himself (quite literally for a while) young Tom Swan must find a way to survive and eventually gain back his freedom, which soon finds him gravitating around a greek Cardinal traveling from the battlefield with a few guards and merchants.
One can expect the usual qualities of Cameron's stories from this one: excellent research and ability to really bring to life the historical period he sets one of his story in, great attention to detail especially in military matters, a fluid prose and great pacing, a very likeable protagonist and a fun cast of secondary characters that start in this first part to take shape. The final result lands somewhere in the territory of Ben Kane, Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe, Conn Iggulden, but also provide much of the same fun as reading Alexandre Dumas, but with a slightly modernized approach.
It's a very promising start to the first Swan stories, one that makes you happy to know there's not only many parts left to this one, but there's more stories to come after that.
If you've ever wondered how it felt to the readers of Dickens or Dumas to discover their stories in instalments, this is a chance to find out and then pace yourself, or binge it all.
While obviously part of a greater whole that will unfold in the next part, Part One is a satisfying episode that provides a good temporary stop point while leaving you eager to pick up the next part, and feeling somewhat different from the modern novella format. It might even be fun to experience it monthly, as intended.
The story set midway in the 15th century introduces a very interesting, instantly relatable young Englishman with a mysterious background, part polyglot scholar of antiquity, part adventurer whose trying to make his fortune on the continent, for the time by joining the army of Talbot at the very end of the Hundred Years War, that finds itself soundly defeated by the French before the book even begins. Captured by the French, with only his wits to himself (quite literally for a while) young Tom Swan must find a way to survive and eventually gain back his freedom, which soon finds him gravitating around a greek Cardinal traveling from the battlefield with a few guards and merchants.
One can expect the usual qualities of Cameron's stories from this one: excellent research and ability to really bring to life the historical period he sets one of his story in, great attention to detail especially in military matters, a fluid prose and great pacing, a very likeable protagonist and a fun cast of secondary characters that start in this first part to take shape. The final result lands somewhere in the territory of Ben Kane, Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe, Conn Iggulden, but also provide much of the same fun as reading Alexandre Dumas, but with a slightly modernized approach.
It's a very promising start to the first Swan stories, one that makes you happy to know there's not only many parts left to this one, but there's more stories to come after that.
If you've ever wondered how it felt to the readers of Dickens or Dumas to discover their stories in instalments, this is a chance to find out and then pace yourself, or binge it all.
chrstn's review
3.0
A serialized story. Compelling characters and an interesting story. The historical details were fascinating.
However, the writing could be slightly confusing. The author switched perspectives with no warning and the formatting of the Kindle has no spaces between shifts in perspective.
I will continue the story. Now that I’m aware of the writing style and ebook formatting it shouldn’t detract from my enjoyment.
However, the writing could be slightly confusing. The author switched perspectives with no warning and the formatting of the Kindle has no spaces between shifts in perspective.
I will continue the story. Now that I’m aware of the writing style and ebook formatting it shouldn’t detract from my enjoyment.
icarusabides's review
3.5
Thoroughly enjoyed this one, it's just a fun romp of a historical fiction novella full of wit and charm. The fights and skirmishes are well done and clearly with a wealth of knowledge to back them up as is to be expected of Cameron. The serial format itself is certainly an intriguing prospect, and this is a great first installment which feels a complete story and not merely a piece of a novel chopped out, so it will be interesting to see how it progresses.
Tom Swan himself is a bit of a rogue, very much down on his luck at the beginning of this novella, but endearingly so. It's fun to see him go from literally saving his own neck after defeat at the battle of Castillon to scheming his way out of the predicament he finds himself in as a result. He brings to mind Ciaphas Cain a little as a character thanks to his natural charm and penchant for bullshitting which is delightful.
Overall a very enjoyable and entertaining action filled romp
Tom Swan himself is a bit of a rogue, very much down on his luck at the beginning of this novella, but endearingly so. It's fun to see him go from literally saving his own neck after defeat at the battle of Castillon to scheming his way out of the predicament he finds himself in as a result. He brings to mind Ciaphas Cain a little as a character thanks to his natural charm and penchant for bullshitting which is delightful.
Overall a very enjoyable and entertaining action filled romp
fbone's review
3.0
This a 6-part [so far] series following the life of one poor illegitimate 18 year old English soldier as he makes his way through 15th century Europe. It isn't a down-and-dirty medieval fiction that I thought it might be. My belief system was strained at times but writing was good; witty and clever in parts. No cliffhanger. Each section is a complete story which I prefer.
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