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Civil War Chronicles #1
Traitor's Blood
Traitor's Blood , the first in The Civil War Chronicles, Michael Arnold's acclaimed series of historical thrillers, sees battle-scarred hero Captain Stryker, 'the Sharpe of the Civil War', confront his nemesis.
'Stands in comparison with the best of Cornwell' Yorkshire Post
Once seen in the heat of battle, Captain Stryker is never forgotten. A hardened veteran of the wars in the Low Countries, he has come home to England to seek revenge on the man who left him for dead and scarred him for life.
Stryker is driven by loyalty rather than conviction to serve King Charles's cause. He has no truck with aristocracy, preferring the company of a handful of trusted men, including sometime actor Lancelot Forreseter and his foul-mouthed sergeant, Skellen. But when the existence of a dangerous spy at the heart of the Royalist establishment is discovered, it is Stryker whom Prince Rupert chooses to capture the man before he realises the game is up.
Lightly armed and with only a handful of men, Stryker must journey across a country riven by bitterness and beset by marauding bands of soldiers in a race against time. But unbeknown to Stryker, someone else is also closing in on his quarry, someone whom Stryker has sworn to Captain Eli Makepeace, his nemesis, the man who nearly destroyed him . . .
'Stands in comparison with the best of Cornwell' Yorkshire Post
Once seen in the heat of battle, Captain Stryker is never forgotten. A hardened veteran of the wars in the Low Countries, he has come home to England to seek revenge on the man who left him for dead and scarred him for life.
Stryker is driven by loyalty rather than conviction to serve King Charles's cause. He has no truck with aristocracy, preferring the company of a handful of trusted men, including sometime actor Lancelot Forreseter and his foul-mouthed sergeant, Skellen. But when the existence of a dangerous spy at the heart of the Royalist establishment is discovered, it is Stryker whom Prince Rupert chooses to capture the man before he realises the game is up.
Lightly armed and with only a handful of men, Stryker must journey across a country riven by bitterness and beset by marauding bands of soldiers in a race against time. But unbeknown to Stryker, someone else is also closing in on his quarry, someone whom Stryker has sworn to Captain Eli Makepeace, his nemesis, the man who nearly destroyed him . . .
466 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2010
242 people are currently reading
776 people want to read
About the author
Michael Arnold
114 books101 followersMichael lives in Hampshire with his wife and children. His childhood holidays were spent visiting castles and battlefields, but his fascination with the civil wars was piqued partly by the fact that his hometown and region of Hampshire are steeped in Civil War history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
November 6, 2022
And it’s off to the English Civil War, not an era that ive read about in terms of fictional works, so it’s long overdue that I pick up a series from this time period.
Hopefully a little more action packed that the last book I read! Or three!
And as if on que we are straight into the battle of Edgehill 1642 with a regiment of Pikemen on the Royalist side, which is grand as I hate them damn Puritans, Yes! I believe I would have fought for the Royalist side at this time. This is where we meet Captain Stryker & his fellows for the first time, a rough diamond if ever I met one, his facial scarring (he has only one good eye) used to his advantage over new men who go silent as he passes for fear of their commander whereas those who know him from battles old have the greatest respect & admiration. A man’s man for sure.
No sooner have we finished the battle, our man is recruited, by no less then Prince Rupert himself, they go waaaaay back of course, for a mission where he becomes in essence a spy catcher. Finding himself in a race against the parliamentarians to secure the prize he handpicks a small team to travel with him, fast & light. There is also a French Mademoiselle within the tale who is on a mission for the Queen, who had fled to France at the king’s behest when rebellion started. The parliamentarian nemesis within the ranks of the royalists is not revealed but we are aware soon enough that many are changing sides for a handful of gold.
I won’t reveal more of the plot having giving you a fair gist of what tis about. Yes it’s a tale of dashing high adventure with a love interest. Very much Sharpesque I would say in it’s essence.
The historical detail is sound, I can picture the time & the people including the small folk they come across. The weaponry & armour is richly detailed, firing a musket relayed in all its glory during a skirmish, whilst another scene gives us insight into cavalry tactics & the ensuing carnage, both scenes leaving me suitably impressed with the author’s research. Definitely the type of read for those of you wanting to know about the period & who follow military history.
The action is grand & pulls the story forward, we are on the clock so the pace is swift but between adventures during the brief respites the characters of Stryker’s group begin to emerge & you can see why he has chosen them for this mission, a hardy bunch with plenty of character & backbone. As we come to the climax the action is back n forth leaving you on one or five cliff-hangers between the paragraphs to stoke up the tension.
A sound 4.5 stars rounded to a four, I know I know! I haven’t given out many fives this year (if any?) I’ll admit but a story very worthy of a read for those that enjoy this style & not come across this series as yet, like me in fact!
Hopefully a little more action packed that the last book I read! Or three!
And as if on que we are straight into the battle of Edgehill 1642 with a regiment of Pikemen on the Royalist side, which is grand as I hate them damn Puritans, Yes! I believe I would have fought for the Royalist side at this time. This is where we meet Captain Stryker & his fellows for the first time, a rough diamond if ever I met one, his facial scarring (he has only one good eye) used to his advantage over new men who go silent as he passes for fear of their commander whereas those who know him from battles old have the greatest respect & admiration. A man’s man for sure.
No sooner have we finished the battle, our man is recruited, by no less then Prince Rupert himself, they go waaaaay back of course, for a mission where he becomes in essence a spy catcher. Finding himself in a race against the parliamentarians to secure the prize he handpicks a small team to travel with him, fast & light. There is also a French Mademoiselle within the tale who is on a mission for the Queen, who had fled to France at the king’s behest when rebellion started. The parliamentarian nemesis within the ranks of the royalists is not revealed but we are aware soon enough that many are changing sides for a handful of gold.
I won’t reveal more of the plot having giving you a fair gist of what tis about. Yes it’s a tale of dashing high adventure with a love interest. Very much Sharpesque I would say in it’s essence.
The historical detail is sound, I can picture the time & the people including the small folk they come across. The weaponry & armour is richly detailed, firing a musket relayed in all its glory during a skirmish, whilst another scene gives us insight into cavalry tactics & the ensuing carnage, both scenes leaving me suitably impressed with the author’s research. Definitely the type of read for those of you wanting to know about the period & who follow military history.
The action is grand & pulls the story forward, we are on the clock so the pace is swift but between adventures during the brief respites the characters of Stryker’s group begin to emerge & you can see why he has chosen them for this mission, a hardy bunch with plenty of character & backbone. As we come to the climax the action is back n forth leaving you on one or five cliff-hangers between the paragraphs to stoke up the tension.
A sound 4.5 stars rounded to a four, I know I know! I haven’t given out many fives this year (if any?) I’ll admit but a story very worthy of a read for those that enjoy this style & not come across this series as yet, like me in fact!
January 26, 2013
I don't believe during my history with this website, and doing reviews on it, that I have ever used the term 'rollicking good read'. Nor have I in fact used the word rollicking in any form. I think that is fair excuse for using the term now, for Traitor's Blood was a bloody rollicking good read and the author has won a fan...of at least the first book in his series.
Kicking off in 1642, it is primarily set against the microcosm that was Hampshire during the English Civil War and also includes the Battle of Brentford as a feature.
The book is an action adventure in every sense. The writing while not of vast scope was skilful in the way it strung the very fluid of the story together. Brimming with plots and plots twists. Addictive characters at every term. A female spy character that a woman like myself can appreciate (eg an independent female character that has more going on in her life than just wanting to lock down a man). And a male protagonist, in the form of Captain Stryker, who was buckets of fun to read about.
On the cover of the book the publisher has a note saying this is 'The Sharpe of the Civil war'. Initially, this was a put off for me as every book that has ever tried to cash in on Bernard Cornwell's fame has failed dismally to live up to the hype. In the case of Traitor's Blood, I think finally there may be one that can.
I am excited to have found this series and have already bought the next in the Civil War Chronicles. Looking forward to reading book two.
Kicking off in 1642, it is primarily set against the microcosm that was Hampshire during the English Civil War and also includes the Battle of Brentford as a feature.
The book is an action adventure in every sense. The writing while not of vast scope was skilful in the way it strung the very fluid of the story together. Brimming with plots and plots twists. Addictive characters at every term. A female spy character that a woman like myself can appreciate (eg an independent female character that has more going on in her life than just wanting to lock down a man). And a male protagonist, in the form of Captain Stryker, who was buckets of fun to read about.
On the cover of the book the publisher has a note saying this is 'The Sharpe of the Civil war'. Initially, this was a put off for me as every book that has ever tried to cash in on Bernard Cornwell's fame has failed dismally to live up to the hype. In the case of Traitor's Blood, I think finally there may be one that can.
I am excited to have found this series and have already bought the next in the Civil War Chronicles. Looking forward to reading book two.
February 9, 2013
Very enjoyable and lots of action. The characters are interesting and not hard to support. Overall well worth the read. Pet peeve: publishers who put comments on the covers of their books like 'The Sharpe of the Civil War''. A new author deserves to be judged by their own work, not by comparison with a vastly more experienced author. Comments that suggest a book is of a similar genre seem fine to me, however. Michael Arnold is a good writer and Captain Stryker an interesting creation, but they need to demonstrate a lot more durability and consistent quality before they earn legitimate comparisons with Cornwell and Sharpe. I look forward to seeing how they do.
March 1, 2017
Crackling, action-filled swashbuckler set in the first phase of the English Civil War. The Royalist Capt. Stryker, the protagonist, is tasked with a mission to take a spymaster for the Roundheads into custody; at the same time the Roundhead, Makepeace [ironic name, that!] sets out to rescue him from Royalist clutches. The novel is brim filled with skirmishes, besides the opening volley of the war at Edgehill. A feisty woman, Lisette, on the Royalist side, fights boldly for them.
The main thrust of the novel is action-adventure, so the characters didn't have much personality, besides being strictly "goodies" and "baddies". Stryker's Shakespeare-spouting associate added some comic relief and love interest was a bit OTT and possibly out of place here.
This was interesting because of the setting; as an American all I knew of the English Civil War were a few names and this novel brought it to life. The "Historical Note" was helpful.
Recommended.
The main thrust of the novel is action-adventure, so the characters didn't have much personality, besides being strictly "goodies" and "baddies". Stryker's Shakespeare-spouting associate added some comic relief and love interest was a bit OTT and possibly out of place here.
This was interesting because of the setting; as an American all I knew of the English Civil War were a few names and this novel brought it to life. The "Historical Note" was helpful.
Recommended.
June 13, 2013
Being an American, we learn next to nothing about the Civil Wars that tore the British Isles apart during the 1600s, as the monarchy and Parliament struggled for supremacy. Arnold does a wonderful job of bringing this bloody time to life, with characters that feel well-fleshed out and a plot that is engaging and fast-paced. The way Arnold pieced scenes together made it feel like I was watching a movie, rather than just reading a book. Some of the battle scenes became rather bloody, though, and a more sensitive reader may want to skip over them. It's quite obvious that Arnold has done quite a bit of research for this time period, what with his attention to detail not only in battle tactics, but also with weaponry and clothing for the men he's writing about. Very well done.
September 16, 2021
Read this book in 2012, and it is set in the year, AD1642, during the English Civil War, and this series main character will be the ferocious but likeable, Captain Innocent Stryker.
This book is in my opinion: "A Very Satisfying Start of Series"!
This book is in my opinion: "A Very Satisfying Start of Series"!
January 19, 2013
Traitor's Blood sets the Civil War Chronicals up to be a monster of a series. Some works of historical fiction lean heavily enough to the historical feel and detail that it actually detracts from the flow of the tale, while others can fly so free with the accuracy that it's little more than fantasy. Michael Arnold has hit, with his first novel, that coveted spot where the history is well presented and feels solid and detailed, and yet never gets in the way of a speedy and exciting plot.
Another way to put it is that some works of historical fiction are pure literature and will always be, and while that is laudable, it doesn't necessarily make them interesting. Arnold's work reads like a high-budget, well-scripted movie. It is almost visual in its style and you can easily imagine it on the big screen. Someone who reviewed my own work said that they rated a book on its readability (based on how long it took them to get through it.) The first time I read Traitor's Blood it took me a week (which was fast for me at the time due to work). I just re-read it in three sessions.
The characters are excellent. Nothing surprising, I'd say, but in a fast-paced action/war/adventure there's less need to delve too deep into character construction and some writers of such work run with a very standard character relying on the pace and excitement to keep the reader hooked. In such work, it is far better to have really knave-ish villains, dextrous thieves, hearty, noble officers and bloodthirsty soldiers. Arnold has, however, put genuine depth into all his characters which adds a dimension to the read.
The main character, Captain Styker, who is the focus of the series beyond, is a hero with dark facets: almost - but not quite - an antihero. He is feared and vicious, loyal and true. He's the sort of man you can imagine serving on the Royalist staff. For those who have ever seen the fabulous costume drama 'The Devil's Whore', Edward Sexby in that 4-parter might well have been a fore-runner of Stryker. Good for me, since I loved Sexby and this means I get more of the same vein. The character stands out in the field of such stories and is instantly likeable and memorable.
Oh and for the record: I love Forry too!
I will briefly delve into plot but, as always, will give away no spoilers. This story is set in the opening salvos of the war, beginning with Kineton. The story follows the first season of the war, from minor skirmish to major engagement in all the technocolour and blood and guts one might hope for. But the plot is more than this. It is a tale of revenge against an old adversary, a story of turncoats and spies, of Royalist agents and the one tiny item that could bring down the whole nation.
My last comment will be this: There is a great tendency these days to portray the Parliamentarians of the civil war as God-fearing righteous men, and the Royalists as foppish, papist imbeciles with more fingers than brain cells. As a staunch Royalist myself, it has grated on me. I recently read Giles Kristian's Bleeding Land, and that book approaches both sides well. Traitor's Blood takes the bold leap to following the Royalist cause that we all know is eventually doomed. And it's bloody marvellous to read.
Bravo, sir.
Another way to put it is that some works of historical fiction are pure literature and will always be, and while that is laudable, it doesn't necessarily make them interesting. Arnold's work reads like a high-budget, well-scripted movie. It is almost visual in its style and you can easily imagine it on the big screen. Someone who reviewed my own work said that they rated a book on its readability (based on how long it took them to get through it.) The first time I read Traitor's Blood it took me a week (which was fast for me at the time due to work). I just re-read it in three sessions.
The characters are excellent. Nothing surprising, I'd say, but in a fast-paced action/war/adventure there's less need to delve too deep into character construction and some writers of such work run with a very standard character relying on the pace and excitement to keep the reader hooked. In such work, it is far better to have really knave-ish villains, dextrous thieves, hearty, noble officers and bloodthirsty soldiers. Arnold has, however, put genuine depth into all his characters which adds a dimension to the read.
The main character, Captain Styker, who is the focus of the series beyond, is a hero with dark facets: almost - but not quite - an antihero. He is feared and vicious, loyal and true. He's the sort of man you can imagine serving on the Royalist staff. For those who have ever seen the fabulous costume drama 'The Devil's Whore', Edward Sexby in that 4-parter might well have been a fore-runner of Stryker. Good for me, since I loved Sexby and this means I get more of the same vein. The character stands out in the field of such stories and is instantly likeable and memorable.
Oh and for the record: I love Forry too!
I will briefly delve into plot but, as always, will give away no spoilers. This story is set in the opening salvos of the war, beginning with Kineton. The story follows the first season of the war, from minor skirmish to major engagement in all the technocolour and blood and guts one might hope for. But the plot is more than this. It is a tale of revenge against an old adversary, a story of turncoats and spies, of Royalist agents and the one tiny item that could bring down the whole nation.
My last comment will be this: There is a great tendency these days to portray the Parliamentarians of the civil war as God-fearing righteous men, and the Royalists as foppish, papist imbeciles with more fingers than brain cells. As a staunch Royalist myself, it has grated on me. I recently read Giles Kristian's Bleeding Land, and that book approaches both sides well. Traitor's Blood takes the bold leap to following the Royalist cause that we all know is eventually doomed. And it's bloody marvellous to read.
Bravo, sir.
September 13, 2018
This book is the first in the series, but the characters had so much backstory, it often made me feel as if I'd missed a previous book somewhere. The main character Stryker feels a little clichéd - the alpha-male career soldier/professional killer type seems to have cropped up a lot in the last few years. As a result, I didn't find him particularly interesting - if anything, I was more interested in Lisette and would happily read more about *her* backstory. Even if
It's an OK read - and does a good job of portraying the horror and complexity of the Civil War era, but I don't think I'll be looking for the rest of the series.
It's an OK read - and does a good job of portraying the horror and complexity of the Civil War era, but I don't think I'll be looking for the rest of the series.
March 27, 2025
The book that started it all.
October 22, 2017
Being part of one of the Civil War towns I have taken an interest in this particular point in history.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel but I really enjoyed it, the story is set around Captain Striker and his companions giving the battles and skirmishes from their point of view (in this one it includes the battle of Edgehill) Whilst trying to complete his special mission he has been given.
I found I was rooting for the good guys, disliking the bad and wondering how they were going to get out of the scrapes they found themselves in. The action was well described and non stop, where pretty much no one got away unscathed. And the storyline I felt was well paced and thought out.
Definitely looking forward to reading the next in the series. Ideal for those that like military or historical action stories.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel but I really enjoyed it, the story is set around Captain Striker and his companions giving the battles and skirmishes from their point of view (in this one it includes the battle of Edgehill) Whilst trying to complete his special mission he has been given.
I found I was rooting for the good guys, disliking the bad and wondering how they were going to get out of the scrapes they found themselves in. The action was well described and non stop, where pretty much no one got away unscathed. And the storyline I felt was well paced and thought out.
Definitely looking forward to reading the next in the series. Ideal for those that like military or historical action stories.
June 26, 2023
Absolutely riveting from the first to last page. I must say that this period of history is not my favourite, but the tale told has intrigued me. And, I will definitely be reading more of Striker’s adventures.
This story takes the reader to the heart of battle, fought with guns, swords and shear brutality in the quest for a new government, parliament or royalty. We all know how this ended, but to feel the passion both sides felt, is quite enthralling. Our hero, Captain Stryker, the grizzled one eyed Royalist, is a likeable yet ruthless character as are his band of friends. Some humour abounds. And, there is the love interest. But this is not a romantic novel, far from it.
I loved it, felt every battle, felt every wound. Looking forward to my second adventure.
This story takes the reader to the heart of battle, fought with guns, swords and shear brutality in the quest for a new government, parliament or royalty. We all know how this ended, but to feel the passion both sides felt, is quite enthralling. Our hero, Captain Stryker, the grizzled one eyed Royalist, is a likeable yet ruthless character as are his band of friends. Some humour abounds. And, there is the love interest. But this is not a romantic novel, far from it.
I loved it, felt every battle, felt every wound. Looking forward to my second adventure.
October 14, 2014
Wow. I don't think I've ever read a book with so much action. From personal fights to skirmishes to battles and war there is never a dull moment in this story.
Captain Stryker is a physically and emotionally scarred war hero asked by his Prince to complete an important task that could affect the outcome of the Civil War for the royalists.
This is a good addition to the growing number of historical action hero novels.
Captain Stryker is a physically and emotionally scarred war hero asked by his Prince to complete an important task that could affect the outcome of the Civil War for the royalists.
This is a good addition to the growing number of historical action hero novels.
May 7, 2017
It is rather 3.5 because of the irritating female character. Some characters (esp Captain Eli) could have been more developed for they seemed interesting and only some facts were given about their background. Still the main problem is that I couldn't but feel sympathy for Parliament troops, not king's.
July 27, 2021
I enjoyed this book and although I gave it 3 stars would probably rate it 3.5. I found the breaks in the story to 'live action' in Brentford in the final part of the book, slowed the momentum and to be frank a bit irritating. On the plus side, I liked the back stories of Strycker and Lisette and look forward to reading about them both in future books in the series.
May 22, 2019
Traitor
I was looking forward to reading this, but did not finish the book. I am not enthralled with bad language.
I was looking forward to reading this, but did not finish the book. I am not enthralled with bad language.
May 31, 2018
At the start of the English Civil War, Captain Stryker of the Royalist Army is given a mission by Prince Rupert to capture a spy who is selling secrets to the highest bidder. But a mole high up in the Royalist command structure sends another turncoat - one with a violent history with Stryker - to spirit the spy away first.
Along with his band of trusted comrades, Stryker fights his way past Parliamentarian troops, encountering faces from his past on the way.
In this first instalment of the Stryker series, our hero is already a legend in the Royalist Army and a confidante of the king's nephew, Prince Rupert. As a seasoned veteran of the Thirty Years' War in Europe, Stryker has a reputation and the skills to back it up.
Michael Arnold transports us back to the bloody battles and skirmishes of the civil war, painting a vivid picture and conjuring up a solid, flawed character you can root for in Stryker. He's tough but has a chivalrous, softer side too. The supporting characters are also well-drawn. I'll definitely be picking up another Stryker book.
Along with his band of trusted comrades, Stryker fights his way past Parliamentarian troops, encountering faces from his past on the way.
In this first instalment of the Stryker series, our hero is already a legend in the Royalist Army and a confidante of the king's nephew, Prince Rupert. As a seasoned veteran of the Thirty Years' War in Europe, Stryker has a reputation and the skills to back it up.
Michael Arnold transports us back to the bloody battles and skirmishes of the civil war, painting a vivid picture and conjuring up a solid, flawed character you can root for in Stryker. He's tough but has a chivalrous, softer side too. The supporting characters are also well-drawn. I'll definitely be picking up another Stryker book.
July 18, 2017
With the promise of sequels, the author introduces his disfigured protagonist as the Battle of Edgehill looms at the beginning of Britain's First Civil War in the cold autumn of 1642.
The story moves with acceptable pace and the well-developed characters interact with ease. Stryker is a bold figure, dogged and unflinching, easily followed and respected by all who have rubbed shoulders or crossed blades with him.
Well written, the reader's attention glides through the pages until the end, where many will look for continuing tales of our hero.
The story moves with acceptable pace and the well-developed characters interact with ease. Stryker is a bold figure, dogged and unflinching, easily followed and respected by all who have rubbed shoulders or crossed blades with him.
Well written, the reader's attention glides through the pages until the end, where many will look for continuing tales of our hero.
August 20, 2017
I really enjoyed this. I had read Marston Moor so I had to return to the beginning of the Civil War with this one. In some ways I prefer it to Marston Moor as it explains the characters. It is very much the Sharpe of the Civil War. I particularly liked the Turnham Green section as I once lived looking on to the green!
January 3, 2020
My first introduction to Stryker, former soldier of fortune disfigured dring the Thifrty Years War. Now eturned to England and serving with Charles I and the Royalists. Uncovers a plot after battle of Edgehill because of traitors. Outstanding knowledge of period with good thumbnail sketches of main historical characters such as Prince Rupert and Pym. An excellent read I could not put it down.
December 11, 2018
An excellent book in which the author is able to demonstrate his obvious vast knowledge of the period, weaving into it a group of great characters that you really connect with.
This holds the title of 'My favourite book of 2018".
Keep it up Michael.😀
This holds the title of 'My favourite book of 2018".
Keep it up Michael.😀
February 6, 2019
The Battle of Edgehill, spies and the Counter Reformation. It took me back to Sharpe. Really enjoyed this romp through the early days of the English Civil War not to mention a backdrop of the relgious wars in Europe where many of England's soldiers learned their trade.
February 10, 2022
Could not finish
I had difficulty keeping the characters straight, whose actions I was following (Royalist or Parlimentarian), and there were just too many battle scenes for my taste. I’m sure others will find this an excellent read, but it just wasn’t for me.
I had difficulty keeping the characters straight, whose actions I was following (Royalist or Parlimentarian), and there were just too many battle scenes for my taste. I’m sure others will find this an excellent read, but it just wasn’t for me.
May 29, 2019
Bloody fun historical novel.
June 30, 2021
An above-average swashbuckling historical novel about the immortal Captain Stryker, a special forces like hero fighting for King Charles during the English Civil War.
January 25, 2022
Enjoyable read.
October 13, 2022
A great adventure. Full of action and intense scenes. A brilliant start to a series
October 16, 2023
Very good
A very good read ,I look forward to where this story will take me .
I would very much recommend it
A very good read ,I look forward to where this story will take me .
I would very much recommend it
April 24, 2025
not bad I downloaded this one by mistake but will definitely be reading another one
July 1, 2025
As advertised, Captain Stryker was like a Sharpe whisked back to the English Civil War.
December 6, 2014
I’m always a little wary when I see a book drawing comparison with another author’s book and character, in this instance Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe. The comparison is perhaps an obvious one to make, but frequently only serves as free advertising for the other persons book and in this instance does Michael Arnold and Captain Stryker a disservice—they are more than good enough to stand on their own merit.
There is a real paucity of historical fiction that tackles the tricky but potentially fascinating subject of the English Civil War. This is presumably because of the difficulty an author might have in reader identification and empathy with natural and obvious enemies. In the example of Sharpe, the English and French have traditionally been natural enemies, where heroes can easily be forged and made in the heat of battle. In the English Civil War this isn’t quite so easy or clear cut. The idea of Englishmen killing Englishmen is less palatable perhaps than Englishmen fighting against the tyranny of the French.
Michael Arnold deftly sidesteps this problem by not favouring either sides’ ideals—the Royalists as believers in the God given divine right of a King to rule his subjects with Parliament being subservient to him and the puritan Parliamentarians led by Cromwell as Lord Protector wanting to curb the powers of a weak King and free the kingdom of papacy, but by describing the conflict through the eyes of those who had to suffer it the most—the common foot soldier and general populace of a country thoroughly divided.
Enter Stryker, a Captain in the Royalist forces under the direct command of Prince Rupert of the Rhine, a professional soldier and mercenary—a veteran of many previous wars and conflicts whose only concern is survival of himself and his fellow soldiers. They fight for themselves, he cares little for the rights or wrongs of the King or Parliament.
Traitor’s Blood begins with the first battle of the conflict at Edgehill in 1642 which proves indecisive and neither side gains any advantage despite both believing they hold the high moral ground. Captain Stryker and his trusty Sergeant is sent on a mission by his Commander in Chief, Prince Rupert of the Rhine to capture a spy believed to hold crucial intelligence to both sides. In doing so Captain Stryker not only comes face to face with the old enemy responsible for his face disfigurement and loss of an eye, but a new threat in in the shape of a puritan fanatic—Roger Tainton who is determined to snuff out the growing reputation of Captain One-eye.
A terrific first in the series book from Michael Arnold who writes with real verve and energy. The characters are beautifully drawn, the plot twists and turns like a snake. The battle scenes are vivid putting you right into the midst of the clang of steel on steel and acrid sulphurous stench of gunpowder. Arnold really knows this period of history and his passion for the subject really shines in his writing, a real page turner.
I enjoyed this book so much, I immediately went out the next day and bought the sequel Devil's Charge, which was just as good.
Highly recommended.
There is a real paucity of historical fiction that tackles the tricky but potentially fascinating subject of the English Civil War. This is presumably because of the difficulty an author might have in reader identification and empathy with natural and obvious enemies. In the example of Sharpe, the English and French have traditionally been natural enemies, where heroes can easily be forged and made in the heat of battle. In the English Civil War this isn’t quite so easy or clear cut. The idea of Englishmen killing Englishmen is less palatable perhaps than Englishmen fighting against the tyranny of the French.
Michael Arnold deftly sidesteps this problem by not favouring either sides’ ideals—the Royalists as believers in the God given divine right of a King to rule his subjects with Parliament being subservient to him and the puritan Parliamentarians led by Cromwell as Lord Protector wanting to curb the powers of a weak King and free the kingdom of papacy, but by describing the conflict through the eyes of those who had to suffer it the most—the common foot soldier and general populace of a country thoroughly divided.
Enter Stryker, a Captain in the Royalist forces under the direct command of Prince Rupert of the Rhine, a professional soldier and mercenary—a veteran of many previous wars and conflicts whose only concern is survival of himself and his fellow soldiers. They fight for themselves, he cares little for the rights or wrongs of the King or Parliament.
Traitor’s Blood begins with the first battle of the conflict at Edgehill in 1642 which proves indecisive and neither side gains any advantage despite both believing they hold the high moral ground. Captain Stryker and his trusty Sergeant is sent on a mission by his Commander in Chief, Prince Rupert of the Rhine to capture a spy believed to hold crucial intelligence to both sides. In doing so Captain Stryker not only comes face to face with the old enemy responsible for his face disfigurement and loss of an eye, but a new threat in in the shape of a puritan fanatic—Roger Tainton who is determined to snuff out the growing reputation of Captain One-eye.
A terrific first in the series book from Michael Arnold who writes with real verve and energy. The characters are beautifully drawn, the plot twists and turns like a snake. The battle scenes are vivid putting you right into the midst of the clang of steel on steel and acrid sulphurous stench of gunpowder. Arnold really knows this period of history and his passion for the subject really shines in his writing, a real page turner.
I enjoyed this book so much, I immediately went out the next day and bought the sequel Devil's Charge, which was just as good.
Highly recommended.
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