Insurrection - Robyn Young

Scotland. A land where until the 19th century discussions about conflict were more likely to begin with the word 'when' than 'if'. I am always astonished by the discovery of more medieval documents that surface revealing links to the Scottish Wars of Independence. Generally, they do not come out of Scotland, but occasionally they do. It is with those rare archival finds that personages like William Wallace were re-discovered and interest in others such Robert the Bruce came about. As a king, Bruce was not completely lost to the bogs of memory, but we really know very little. On the other hand, when there is little information, the landscape becomes fallow, and fallow fields eventually yield better crops.

Insurrection is the first instalment in the trilogy about Robert the Bruce, and begins elsewhere, in France and the fertile fantasising of the future English King Edward (Longshanks). He identifies with the mythical Arthur through Monmouth's prophecies and sets a course for the domination of the English Isles. Then we meet Robert who accidentally encounters a healer/witch who weaves fortunes onto an oak tree. Two men, two prophecies, two kingdoms and Young weaves a tale that incorporates of all of this along with the known histories. There is no secret as to how the basic story plays out. It is in the way the story is told that matters here.

I am not generally opposed to the invention of a secret society of knights to make a story move along, but I really didn't see the inclusion of one in this novel as helpful. I understand why it was done, to establish friendships which lead to the inevitable catalyst that will define a sense of betrayal; however, I felt it tenuous here. Never will I believe that someone's desire for a throne will be superseded by peer pressure. I'm usually pretty flexible when it comes to understanding human motivations, but not on this point. Few get more than one opportunity to be king, assisting in reducing the possibility of that ever happening just is not something I will every buy. I was, though grudgingly, willing to accept the idea of the Knights of the Dragon, until Robert's complicity in the destruction of his own future rule. To me, the story was so implausible as to be nearly farcical that it dropped me completely out of the book. It's a credit to the author's superb writing up to then that I continued reading.

With the exception of the inclusion of the Knights of the Dragon and related storyline I was quite taken by the story. I enjoy how the tale of the spider was turned into something fare more intriguing with the inclusion of Affraig. I also quite liked the portrayal of the Bruce family's animosity toward the Comyns, the tension is palpable and the distrust deep seeded. Young Robert's tumultuous relationship with his father truly helps to understand his character as does the relationship with his grand-father. Though that one far warmer and understanding.

There is no question here that Robyn Young can write, and well. Some might say a bit wordy at times, but I like that sort of thing, so I didn't get that feeling too often or for very long. Her vivid battle descriptions are wonderful, though I like my warriors a little more gritty, but hers fit the style of her writing. Again, it's this staying true to her tale that makes someone very familiar with this period accept, or not even notice the little things. I am set to read the next instalment soon, and am looking forward to it as I really do want to there to be another good story about this period and these people.

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Paternoster Row Legacy blog.

Letters From Skye - Jessica Brockmole

Epistolaries are stories told through letters. They are also the means by which, if ever the e-mail system ever falls apart, people will be able to quickly learn how to communicate in writing. The art and skill of writing 'snail mail' is slowly eroding and there may come a time when people no longer know how to write to others in fewer than 150 or so characters. While texts, short emails and social media are good for the quick and immediate, they sacrifice our ability to savour words, to hold what we can of another in our hands and comes without a particular scent. I recently shed a tear when I saw a blog about people who write emails that are considered too long or wordy.

Brockmole begins her novel by having a Scottish poet receive her first fan letter from an American college student. They continue to communicate through letters despite numerous changes in their lives that include marriage, loves, loss, family matters, and two World Wars. We learn about each of the characters' quirks and strengths, their sense of fashion and deepest desires. They help each other work through fears, and the trust developed works as a strong curative for when misunderstandings are finally explained. This is a problem; hurts are easily set aside, deceptions ignored and their results tacitly accepted, and the story becomes less believable.

The author does deviate from the epistolary model to reveal certain key moments. This is unfortunate, as these appear closer to the end suggesting that the author ran out of ideas as to how to make it work, writing herself into a corner so to speak. These are few and while they do not detract the reader completely from the story they begin to add to the lack of believability. However, I can see where for some readers it might not be a big thing as by the time they occur, the reader might be far too invested in the characters and the story itself to really matter.

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think that for people who are reading this as an historical romance, it probably works very well. For those reading this as an epistolary novel, probably less so as there are some obvious problems. The success of this novel may depend greatly on how it is marketed.

I received this from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review first appeared on the now defunct Paternoster Row Legacy blog.

Hannibal: Fields Of Blood ~ Ben Kane

Having stubbornly ignored most Roman historical fiction until recently I find myself playing catch-up with a chariot-load of tremendously good authors. One such author is Ben Kane, whose first Hannibal instalment won me over enough that I've since bought several books from his other series. Noticing that the second instalment of the Hannibal series was available from the publisher via Netgalley I threw caution to the wind and applied for it, never thinking they'd let me have a go. I'm quite happy to report, I was wrong; they decided to honour me with a copy. Huzzah for me!

Fields of Blood picks up just a couple weeks from where Enemy of Rome left off. The two male protagonists are still working toward trying to impress the leadership, and Aurelia is still trying to fight for her independence. Of course, in a world where the worth of a decision has more to do with how many are affected adversely than the minor success it might have engendered, neither of the three young people has an easy time of it.

In the first instalment Hanno the Carthaginian came into his own; in this one we really get a sense of Quintus's growth and abilities. No longer seeking to please his father, Quintus matures into his own man, capable and self-aware. Aurelia learns tough lessons when she speaks before thinking, while Hanno discovers things about his family he finds disconcerting. Each experience dangers they probably never thought they ever need to face and their not even on the battlefield yet.

The battles scenes are the superior part of this novel. There were battle scenes included in the first novel of the series, but the ones in this book far exceed those. There is a real sense that Ben Kane has worked this through in his mind for a long time, that he has strategized every moment, even those of participants never once mentioned in the book. It is obvious that the battle of Cannae is a part of history that he is passionate about as the descriptions jump right off the page in colour, depth and scale. Because he's poured so much into the battles of this book, he will be hard-pressed to outdo himself in the final instalment of the trilogy. However, I expect he would say that he's up to the challenge.

I had enjoyed Enemy of Rome, but Fields of Blood is a stronger book on all levels and I don't want to wait for An Island Aflame, which I envision to be stronger yet.

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Paternoster Row Legacy blog.

The Stockholm Octavo ~ Karen Engelmann

What do a collection of fans, a tarot spread. Freemasons, and revolutionary Europe have in common? True love of course.

This novel is a first person narrative from a young-ish man who must find himself a wife lest he lose his position as a Sekretaire - an exciseman. Emil Larsson supplements his income by conducting under-the-table deals with smugglers and gambling. The answer to all his troubles arrives when he is offered an opportunity to have an Octavo read by the owner of his preferred gambling house. The Octavo - a tarot spread that does not answer one's question, rather it helps to identify the 7 individual who will affect the answer through their involvement in the questioner's life.

Life is never easy, and while Emil searches for the 7 individuals who will control his fate, the nobility is in fear of spreading revolutions, while the Swedish king is contemplating a more democratic approach to government. Thus begin conflicting conspiracies disguised by fans and scarves, but who ends up the winner is never truly certain, and Emil only cares about finding himself the perfect partner.

Credit is due to the author for weaving the use of fans to communicate, the concept of a Divine Geometry, news of revolutions as a fabric for love. This alone provides for an intriguing tale, however I did find that the initial set up for the story - an investigation seemed to be lost in their midst. I found it a bit difficult to separate the 'investigator' Emil from the 'participant' Emil. As a result, I often had to put the book down and over think the chapters I'd just read. This isn't to say that it's a bad book. On the contrary, I think it's a wonderful story, but one that requires the reader to be significantly more engaged than they might wish.

Having said that, if the reader is seeking an intricate fiction regarding King Gustav III of Sweden's death, then this should appeal. As noted above, the approach with the tarot is less about future divination than it is a catalyst for inspiration and motivation, rather than prophesising the future.

I will admit that I was also quite happy to see the octavo drawings included as I could not visualise them on my own. I had some vague idea, but to keep track of eight cards, who they represent for each of the octavos discussed simply would have been messy without the added support. Greedy as it might sound, it would have also been nice to have been able to see Cassiopeia as well as I still do not understand the shape. I never was any good at geometry.

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Paternoster Row Legacy blog.

The Tudor Conspiracy ~ C.W. Gortner

I expect that few could argue that Henry VIII's extensive efforts for a male heir did nothing for the stability of England upon his son's passing. This along with notions that women could not possibly make good leaders affected politics in Europe on nearly the same scale as William the Bastard's conquest of the isle. Only instead of having the nobility marry off their daughters to strengthen ties, the continental Kings were looking to their sons to impress a Queen long enough that she would give her hand and eventually the reins to her country. Ultimately, women proved themselves up to the task by maintaining power but at great sacrifice.

In the second instalment of his Spymaster Chronicles, Gortner has the wizened Prescott returning to Mary's court in hopes of saving Elizabeth from making a foolish move against her sister. With a palace filled with suspicious (and suspicious looking) Spaniards, attractive noble women, and the murder of a friend conspiring to distract him from his task, Prescott's biggest challenge is still his boss, the independent-minded Elizabeth.

As Prescott works toward his goal, the reader is reacquainted with some of the characters in the previous novel including the Dudleys, the dangers of court life as well as those lingering beyond the palace gates, and is introduced to a whole new host of powerful decision makers, spies and ways to torture and kill them. In the previous novel I sometimes felt a little out of the story - that it was perhaps not descriptive enough, or that I just couldn't envision what Gortner was trying to paint for the reader. I'm pleased to say that this time, I could see the River Thames iced over and hear the galloping of horses.

While I had no problem conceptualising a spy novel in Tudor England, I wasn't sure how this historical James Bond could gain access to the Royal courts again. The author had created an entry in the last novel that I had not thought of, but I do not see how he will accomplish it next time. As a result of this clever ploy, I am looking forward to seeing what mess Gortner has Bess drop Prescott into and how the poor spy manages to extricate himself.

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Paternoster Row Legacy blog.

Robert B. Parker's Ironhorse ~ Robert Knott

Whenever my mates or family members are handed a box of second-hand books they set aside the westerns for me. Apparently, I am the only person they (and I) know who reads them. They were the first historical fictions that I'd ever read and I'm still drawn to the wild, expansive scenery and experiencing the growth of settlements into, villages, into towns which finally become cities. The thing that truly intrigues me most are notions of, and distinctions between law and justice, and how neither is really down to an agreed set of moral or ethical values.

Robert B. Parker wrote two series that I enjoyed tremendously; Spencer and Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch. The former is a hardboiled gumshoe in Boston, the latter, a western series with two no-nonsense characters charged with keeping law and order. When Parker died in 2010 and his completed forth instalment was published posthumously I assumed that Virgil and Everett had been written off into the sunset. However, Robert Knott who co-wrote the film adaptation of the first book in this series Appaloosa was enlisted by the Parker family to carry the torch.

Sometimes I feel as though when an author has left this mortal coil, his or her characters have as well. However, there are some good examples of where another is able to capture the essence of the those characters and the late authors' phrasing, intent and drama. Robert Knott falls within this group. I was worried that Cole and Hitch would change, become more verbose or more super-human, but Knott gratefully kept the two as sensible and contained as the late Parker had.

Deciding to return home via train, giving their horses a rest, the two protagonists unexpectedly find themselves defending the passengers against a gang of robbers mid-heist. The main problem is that these robbers happen to be former nemeses of Coles' who've all joined forces, including Bloody Bob Brandice who was thought to have been killed by Cole twelve years before. As they seek out the miscreants, they discover the magnitude of damage the theft would cause for the future of country and who it would empower all the while Cole works through his domestic troubles.

Virgil and Everett's relationship is still relaxed even with the odd tense moment. Their complete trust in each other and the knowledge of each other's skills and weaknesses is still powerful and times quite comical, as they have always been. The seemingly casual attitude toward danger also has not changed. My only criticism is the lack of times Cole defers to Hitch regarding word selection during a banter with a 'baddie'. I had always found those moments realistic, an example of how when focused on some particular task, the mind might not be able to process what it should already know. I do hope that this is not the end of Virgil and Everett, and would not hesitate to read another should Knott pen it.

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Paternoster Row Legacy blog.

Crossing The Wire: One Woman's Unlikely Journey To The Afghan War, And Her Surprising Revelations About The Dangers We Face ~ AnnaMaria Cardinalli

The Human Terrain System is group of individuals hired by the United States Army. I include their definition here to ensure the best understanding possible.
"The Human Terrain System develops, trains, and integrates a social science based research and analysis capability to support operationally relevant decision-making, to develop a knowledge base, and to enable sociocultural understanding across the operational environment."

The Human Terrain System (HTS) has piqued my interest for several reasons since its inception. I was in my second year of sitting anthropology and we debated the topic twice in one my classes. The first time in terms of ethics (i.e. an institution with strong biases hiring people who should be unbiased to collect and analyse cultural data), the second time in terms of safety for the social scientists, the communities being analysed, the military and the insurgents. We knew that the debates were flawed as we only had a portion of the information needed to comprehensively argue any point. What we had were journalistic accounts and opinion pieces, and our own thoughts on ethics and biases. What we were missing were the thoughts and opinions from members of the HTS and members of the communities being researched. I don't know if there are any English offerings about the latter, but this book deals with the former.

Set mostly in a diary format, with narratives of the author's pre-HTS history, AnnaMaria Cardinalli gives us a glimpse of what being a female member of the HTS was like, particularly after a member had succumbed to burn injuries after being doused with petrol and set alight. Cardinalli begins by explaining that one of the motivations for writing the book was to clarify information she felt was either misrepresented or taken out context by the press and some government institutions. What she ultimately discovers is that when wanting to dominate, a society will redefine acts (in this case sexual) and abuses to justify the subjugation of women and the young.

While it takes a while to get to her conclusions, she is able to relate nearly all of her own experiences to her revelations. This might seem odd initially, but how women are treated in male dominated areas within Western societies (i.e. the military, media and within the law) are not so far from those she uncovered in Afghanistan. I'm not sure if she meant to actually note this implicitly or if it's accidental, but while the dangers are couched as a way of understanding the cultural situation in parts of Afghanistan, it seems quite the allegorical statement for our own part of the world.

I didn't always agree with some of her opinions on the justifications for the HTS, but her well balanced arguments and documented conclusions are hard to argue. For that reason, I'm thankful for having been given the opportunity to review Cardinalli's work, and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for information on gender issues generally, but of parts of Afghanistan specifically, or for those seeking the perspective of a member from the Human Terrain System.

This is the part where I disclose that I was awarded a copy of this e-version of the novel by the publisher through Netgalley.

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Paternoster Row Legacy blog.