HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: The Bleeding Land - Giles Kristian

Release Date: 26/04/12

SYNOPSIS:

England 1642: a nation divided. England is at war with itself. King Charles and Parliament each gather soldiers to their banners. Across the land men prepare to fight for their religious and political ideals. Civil war has begun. A family ripped asunder. The Rivers are landed gentry, and tradition dictates that their allegiance is to the King. Sir Francis' loyalty to the crown and his desire to protect his family will test them all. As the men march to war, so the women are left to defend their home against a ruthless enemy. Just as Edmund, the eldest of Sir Francis' sons, will do his duty, so his brother Tom will turn his back on all he once believed in...A war that will change everything. From the raising of the King's Standard at Nottingham to the butchery and blood of Edgehill, Edmund and Tom Rivers will each learn of honour, sacrifice, hatred and betrayal as they follow their chosen paths through this most savage of wars.

REVIEW:

Having fallen for Giles’ writing charm with the Raven series, I was a little apprehensive when I learned that he was jumping forward in time to one of the most tumultuous times in English History. Don’t get me wrong but I did expect a good story but when you change weapons you have to adapt strategies, tactics and of course learn about their use and effects on the battlefield to give the story a real hint of authenticity.

What Giles presents is a story of family, of love, vengeance and of course warfare in the English Civil War. The characters are interesting, their personalities ideal for the readers and when added to the authors no nonsense prose, top action sequences alongside a breakneck pace really makes this a book to devour. For me the only downside is the wait for the next title. Great stuff.