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Harry Ryder #1
Into the Valley of Death
Harry Ryder is a maverick hero. Resentful of the army that destroyed his father and his own career, he has no time for incompetent commanders. He clashes with his superiors as fiercely as he fights the Russians. Four men, one woman and a game of cards will change everything and alter the course of a war.
498 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
6 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
A.L. Berridge
5 books34 followersA. L. Berridge worked as a teacher, a script editor, and a television producer before finally settling down as a full-time novelist. She inherited her love of history from her father, writer and Victorian specialist David Newsome, but her own passion is for military adventure, and the character and relationships of men at war. She is published by Penguin.
Her first novel, the epic HONOUR AND THE SWORD, was published in April 2010 and became an instant Sunday Times Bestseller. Set during the Thirty Years War, it follows the adventures of André, the young Chevalier de Roland, as he fights to survive the 1636 Spanish invasion of Picardy.
Its sequel, IN THE NAME OF THE KING, is the second in the ‘Chevalier’ series and came out in August 2011. This time the idealistic de Roland is caught in the crossfire of political intrigue, and has to deal with the 1642 conspiracy of Cinq-Mars before a final bloody showdown at the Battle of Rocroi.
Her latest novel, ‘INTO THE VALLEY OF DEATH’, is set in the Crimean War, and is the first in a new series featuring Victorian military hero Harry Ryder. The book follows the adventures of four friends through the horrors of Alma and Inkerman as well as exploring the real-life mystery behind the Charge of the Light Brigade. It was published in May 2012, and its sequel is expected in 2013.
Her first novel, the epic HONOUR AND THE SWORD, was published in April 2010 and became an instant Sunday Times Bestseller. Set during the Thirty Years War, it follows the adventures of André, the young Chevalier de Roland, as he fights to survive the 1636 Spanish invasion of Picardy.
Its sequel, IN THE NAME OF THE KING, is the second in the ‘Chevalier’ series and came out in August 2011. This time the idealistic de Roland is caught in the crossfire of political intrigue, and has to deal with the 1642 conspiracy of Cinq-Mars before a final bloody showdown at the Battle of Rocroi.
Her latest novel, ‘INTO THE VALLEY OF DEATH’, is set in the Crimean War, and is the first in a new series featuring Victorian military hero Harry Ryder. The book follows the adventures of four friends through the horrors of Alma and Inkerman as well as exploring the real-life mystery behind the Charge of the Light Brigade. It was published in May 2012, and its sequel is expected in 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 10, 2020
This very entertaining novel is the 1st volume, and hopefully not the last, of the "Harry Ryder" series from the formidable author, A.L. Berridge.
At the beginning of the book you'll find three splendidly detailed maps with the battle-sites of the Alma, Balaklava and Inkerman, while at the back of the book you'll notice a very well researched and documented Historical Note.
Story-telling is of a superb quality from this author, all characters, whether they are real historical or great fictional, come vividly to life within this historical novel, and the atmosphere, the gory slaughterhouse battlefields, despair, diseases, and good/bad leadership come wonderfully to the forefront in this great book.
The book starts with a prologue which is set in June, AD 1853, in Meerut, India, when Ensign Henry Standish comes home only to find his father, Colonel Nick Standish, dead, supposedly by the act of suicide.
The main story is divided into three parts, situated as from September until November, AD 1854, and the battles of the Alma, Balaklava and Inkerman brought to us in a most wonderful fashion.
Main (fictional) character is, Corporal Harry Ryder, formerly known as Ensign Henry Standish, and now he finds himself and his regiment heading to the Crimea to fight a war with their Allies, the French and Turks, against the great bear, Russia, in an attempt to conquer Sebastopol and the Crimean Peninsula.
What is to follow is a fascinating historical novel, with heroics from unexpected quarters, the failures within the British highest echelons concerning leadership and strategy, and in this tragedy, there's also a traitor in their midst, who will damage their advancements and will cause many casualties, and between this horrible treachery and brutal circumstances Ryder and his friends, Oliver, Mackenzie, Woodall, and Bloomer must try to do their utmost, if they want to survive these superbly described and pictured battles in the Crimean War.
Very much recommended, for this is a superb book about the Crimean War, and I hope that more volumes will follow, and because this book is from 2012 and the author has suffered a serious long illness, I'm hoping the publisher will have the guts to give the follow-up, the author and the reader a chance to follow Harry Ryder once more to his next leadership, but what this episode is concerned I like to call it: "A Very Outstanding Start"!
At the beginning of the book you'll find three splendidly detailed maps with the battle-sites of the Alma, Balaklava and Inkerman, while at the back of the book you'll notice a very well researched and documented Historical Note.
Story-telling is of a superb quality from this author, all characters, whether they are real historical or great fictional, come vividly to life within this historical novel, and the atmosphere, the gory slaughterhouse battlefields, despair, diseases, and good/bad leadership come wonderfully to the forefront in this great book.
The book starts with a prologue which is set in June, AD 1853, in Meerut, India, when Ensign Henry Standish comes home only to find his father, Colonel Nick Standish, dead, supposedly by the act of suicide.
The main story is divided into three parts, situated as from September until November, AD 1854, and the battles of the Alma, Balaklava and Inkerman brought to us in a most wonderful fashion.
Main (fictional) character is, Corporal Harry Ryder, formerly known as Ensign Henry Standish, and now he finds himself and his regiment heading to the Crimea to fight a war with their Allies, the French and Turks, against the great bear, Russia, in an attempt to conquer Sebastopol and the Crimean Peninsula.
What is to follow is a fascinating historical novel, with heroics from unexpected quarters, the failures within the British highest echelons concerning leadership and strategy, and in this tragedy, there's also a traitor in their midst, who will damage their advancements and will cause many casualties, and between this horrible treachery and brutal circumstances Ryder and his friends, Oliver, Mackenzie, Woodall, and Bloomer must try to do their utmost, if they want to survive these superbly described and pictured battles in the Crimean War.
Very much recommended, for this is a superb book about the Crimean War, and I hope that more volumes will follow, and because this book is from 2012 and the author has suffered a serious long illness, I'm hoping the publisher will have the guts to give the follow-up, the author and the reader a chance to follow Harry Ryder once more to his next leadership, but what this episode is concerned I like to call it: "A Very Outstanding Start"!
June 4, 2012
I've said this before, but it bears saying again: one of the great joys of the HWA is the introduction to writers whose work I might well have over looked.
AL Berridge is one of those: her books, 'Honour and the Sword' and 'In the Name of the King' have both gained 'keeper' status on my shelves, and there are very, very few that do that.
Her latest offering, 'Into the Valley of Death' shifts us from chivalrous France to the Crimea and one of Britain's bloodiest wars - which has never been my idea of a favourite evening's read: I'm not keen on the British Army at the point when everyone dressed in red so they'd make a good target on the battlefield and the officers were clearly idiots: it's just too imperially depressing.
But I am so, immensely glad that I trusted in AL Berridge's outstanding writing style and picked this one up. Her grasp of the history is unparalleled: I have no idea if anyone else has stitched together the data and drawn the same conclusion as she has done, but it seemed not only plausible, but obvious: I won't drop a spoiler, but there's a twist in this tale that makes sense of the events in a way that the sheer incompetence of the officers (Lord Lucan is called Lord Look-On by his troops for obvious reasons) simply doesn't explain. In Berridge's hand, the catastrophic and suicidal 'Charge of the Light Brigade' is transformed from gross negligence on the part of the officer class into an act of necessary heroism by men who have been fatally deluded.
So, the history is accurate, I'm sure and testament to an eye watering amount of research, and the battle scenes are electric, with an immediacy that many strive for and most fail to achieve. If you like your books full of blood and the noise of battle, you'll love this.
But if, like me, you want real people, of depth and colour and character; men and women who step off the page into your subconscious and aren't simply Holywood cut-outs in period drag, then this is still the book for you. If Harry Ryder and the small group of men he gathers around him, can keep me sitting up until 2am to finish this, then it's got to be good.
Harry is a bad-boy with a reason to be bad and his progress down and up the ranks, his humanity, his love of the men and the horses (you can be in the cavalry and not love your horse, even when it's been shot out from under you and you're pinned beneath it on the field) his loathing of the officer class and his ability to talk himself out of trouble - or not - is the bright, shining jewel that runs through this book. Chevalier de Roland was a great creation. Harry Ryder is magnificent and you miss him at your loss.
Bottom line: If you like Sharpe, you'll love these. I'm not a great Sharpe fan, but I loved this anyway. One of the outstanding books of 2012, and one that should break through the genre barriers.
AL Berridge is one of those: her books, 'Honour and the Sword' and 'In the Name of the King' have both gained 'keeper' status on my shelves, and there are very, very few that do that.
Her latest offering, 'Into the Valley of Death' shifts us from chivalrous France to the Crimea and one of Britain's bloodiest wars - which has never been my idea of a favourite evening's read: I'm not keen on the British Army at the point when everyone dressed in red so they'd make a good target on the battlefield and the officers were clearly idiots: it's just too imperially depressing.
But I am so, immensely glad that I trusted in AL Berridge's outstanding writing style and picked this one up. Her grasp of the history is unparalleled: I have no idea if anyone else has stitched together the data and drawn the same conclusion as she has done, but it seemed not only plausible, but obvious: I won't drop a spoiler, but there's a twist in this tale that makes sense of the events in a way that the sheer incompetence of the officers (Lord Lucan is called Lord Look-On by his troops for obvious reasons) simply doesn't explain. In Berridge's hand, the catastrophic and suicidal 'Charge of the Light Brigade' is transformed from gross negligence on the part of the officer class into an act of necessary heroism by men who have been fatally deluded.
So, the history is accurate, I'm sure and testament to an eye watering amount of research, and the battle scenes are electric, with an immediacy that many strive for and most fail to achieve. If you like your books full of blood and the noise of battle, you'll love this.
But if, like me, you want real people, of depth and colour and character; men and women who step off the page into your subconscious and aren't simply Holywood cut-outs in period drag, then this is still the book for you. If Harry Ryder and the small group of men he gathers around him, can keep me sitting up until 2am to finish this, then it's got to be good.
Harry is a bad-boy with a reason to be bad and his progress down and up the ranks, his humanity, his love of the men and the horses (you can be in the cavalry and not love your horse, even when it's been shot out from under you and you're pinned beneath it on the field) his loathing of the officer class and his ability to talk himself out of trouble - or not - is the bright, shining jewel that runs through this book. Chevalier de Roland was a great creation. Harry Ryder is magnificent and you miss him at your loss.
Bottom line: If you like Sharpe, you'll love these. I'm not a great Sharpe fan, but I loved this anyway. One of the outstanding books of 2012, and one that should break through the genre barriers.
June 28, 2012
Taking its name from a line in the famous Tennyson poem, Into the Valley of Death covers the events that lead up to and the fallout from, the ill-fated Charge of The Light Brigade. I have to admit that prior to reading this novel the extent of my knowledge regarding the Charge of the Light Brigade, and the Crimean War as a whole, was somewhat limited. I’ve only ever read Flashman at the Charge by George MacDonald Fraser, and anyone who has ever read any of Flashy’s exploits will know that for the most part they tend to be played for laughs.
As a lead character Harry Ryder typifies the spirit of the Victorian age. He is courageous to a fault, endlessly determined and entirely willing to give his life for a cause he believes in. It’s nice to see that he’s not entirely perfect though. At times, he exhibits a cocky attitude that does have a tendency to get him into trouble. His iconoclastic approach to following orders is sometimes his undoing, but it also makes him feel more real.
The other soldiers that Ryder meets help to flesh out the cast of characters. I have to admit I was a fan of the brash Highlander, Niall Mackenzie, but then I may just be a little bit biased. Mackenzie’s no-nonsense approach to the whole battle was a highlight. It’s the camaraderie the Ryder finds amongst the rank and file that adds a much needed human face to the events as the plot unfolds.
From the initial badly executed troop landings through to the ill-fated charge and its bloody aftermath, Berridge’s writing deftly captures the frenetic chaos of the entire Battle of Balaklava. During the build up there are numerous scenes where the tension is almost unbearable. I particularly enjoyed the moment where Harry and his comrades find themselves trapped in a ravine in the midst of a Mexican standoff with their opponents.
You would be wrong, however, to think that this book is purely all about the action that takes place in the heat of battle. The plot includes a shadowy conspiracy that helps to ramp up the tension. Who can be trusted and who are the traitors?
Berridge also manages to explore some insightful social commentary regarding the differences between the classes and their attitudes to the war. Some officers have an almost clinical approach to proceedings, while others consider the war little more than a game. Meanwhile, the regular soldiers are driven by much stronger bonds of friendship and loyalty to one another. The class barriers that existed between these groups helped to cause all manner of miscommunications leading in turn to errors in judgment and ultimately many unwarranted deaths.
This novel is the first in a new series, and I have to admit I am curious about where things are going to go next. In this book Harry Ryder is firmly established as a rebellious hero who will fight till the bitter end for Queen and country. For Ryder, the outcome of the battle offers the potential of a new and unexpected career which would most likely lead to further adventures. I very much look forward to reading them.
As a lead character Harry Ryder typifies the spirit of the Victorian age. He is courageous to a fault, endlessly determined and entirely willing to give his life for a cause he believes in. It’s nice to see that he’s not entirely perfect though. At times, he exhibits a cocky attitude that does have a tendency to get him into trouble. His iconoclastic approach to following orders is sometimes his undoing, but it also makes him feel more real.
The other soldiers that Ryder meets help to flesh out the cast of characters. I have to admit I was a fan of the brash Highlander, Niall Mackenzie, but then I may just be a little bit biased. Mackenzie’s no-nonsense approach to the whole battle was a highlight. It’s the camaraderie the Ryder finds amongst the rank and file that adds a much needed human face to the events as the plot unfolds.
From the initial badly executed troop landings through to the ill-fated charge and its bloody aftermath, Berridge’s writing deftly captures the frenetic chaos of the entire Battle of Balaklava. During the build up there are numerous scenes where the tension is almost unbearable. I particularly enjoyed the moment where Harry and his comrades find themselves trapped in a ravine in the midst of a Mexican standoff with their opponents.
You would be wrong, however, to think that this book is purely all about the action that takes place in the heat of battle. The plot includes a shadowy conspiracy that helps to ramp up the tension. Who can be trusted and who are the traitors?
Berridge also manages to explore some insightful social commentary regarding the differences between the classes and their attitudes to the war. Some officers have an almost clinical approach to proceedings, while others consider the war little more than a game. Meanwhile, the regular soldiers are driven by much stronger bonds of friendship and loyalty to one another. The class barriers that existed between these groups helped to cause all manner of miscommunications leading in turn to errors in judgment and ultimately many unwarranted deaths.
This novel is the first in a new series, and I have to admit I am curious about where things are going to go next. In this book Harry Ryder is firmly established as a rebellious hero who will fight till the bitter end for Queen and country. For Ryder, the outcome of the battle offers the potential of a new and unexpected career which would most likely lead to further adventures. I very much look forward to reading them.
June 12, 2012
I picked this up by mistake the other day. Mistake? Only because I have a book to write and this is so enthralling, it's exceptionally hard to put it down. It's ruining my working day.
I won't go into the story. Manda Scott has said enough in her own review. But put it like this: it's fast, action-packed, and supremely well thought-out with a plot that makes sense of the carnage and sheer incompetence of that stupid war. But most of all, it's a thrilling read.
I won't go into the story. Manda Scott has said enough in her own review. But put it like this: it's fast, action-packed, and supremely well thought-out with a plot that makes sense of the carnage and sheer incompetence of that stupid war. But most of all, it's a thrilling read.
June 21, 2012
From the opening pages, this book sucked me in. I felt as if I were watching a film with the action unfurling in glorious technicolour in front of me. The tragedy of the Charge of the Light Brigade has never been portrayed so realistically, the chaos, grit, noise and sheer hard graft of battle. The Big Picture is beautifully described but, combined with that, the author has created some memorable, three-dimensional characters. Berridge writes about male comradeship like no other. The premise of how several of these characters come together is a clever one, and it sets the tone for their relationship for the remainder of the book. The way the characters are woven into the larger events is seamless and natural.
The battle scenes are vivid, I could hear the crump of the heavy artillery, hear the screams of men and horses, smell the dust, the sweat and the blood. The last chapter had me in tears, moving and beautiful. It left me full of admiration for the incredible courage shown by soldiers when faced with an almost impossible task.
I just can't find enough words to praise this book. I absolutely loved every last sentence.
The battle scenes are vivid, I could hear the crump of the heavy artillery, hear the screams of men and horses, smell the dust, the sweat and the blood. The last chapter had me in tears, moving and beautiful. It left me full of admiration for the incredible courage shown by soldiers when faced with an almost impossible task.
I just can't find enough words to praise this book. I absolutely loved every last sentence.
September 8, 2014
Loving this so far. The author has really done her research, not only on the major elements of the war, but on the little things. - the weapons and what they could/ couldn't do because that makes a huge difference to her heroes, ordinary soldiers who could die if their weapons can't do something they need to do, the lifestyle, what it feels like to be in a battle when the officers make decisions that could get you killed if they're idiots. I can almost smell the smoke in the battle of Alma, which I'm currently reading.
May 22, 2012
Excellent historical fiction!
Read the full post over at Edi's Book Lighthouse
Introduction
You may know my introduction to my review of Honour and the Sword (pb, 2010) [ISBN-13: 978-0141043739] which is the first book in the The Chevalier Series. I do not want to repeat the story how I got to know discovered A. L. Berridge. Today is the day of Into the Valley of Death, the first book in her new series featuring Harry Ryder.
A new series is the opportunity for an author to try something new and it is at the same the risk to alienate readers.
Reader are as strange as authors. So what am I? Sorry, that is the topic of something completely different .....
I wanted to tell you what I think about Into the Valley of Death.
- Is it a hit or a miss?
- Fit Crimea (pb, 2011)[ISBN-13: 978-0141013503] by Orlando Figes and Into the Valley of Death (May 2012) [ISBN-13: 978-0241954102] by A. L. Berridge together?
You will find the answer to these questions at the end of this post.
I thought a while about what kind of information I would like to deliver. Finally it was the author who decided for me. It is the text shown on her site:
"1854 - The Allied armies prepare to besiege the Russian stronghold in the Crimea
Harry Ryder is a maverick hero. Resentful of the army that destroyed his father and his own career, he has no time for incompetent commanders. He clashes with his superiors as fiercely as he fights the Russians.
Four men, one woman and a game of cards will change everything - and alter the course of a war.
Something evil has crept into the ranks of the British Army's own officers, an unknown enemy who plans to lure men to ruin on the battlefields. The only path to victory lies in uncovering the truth, but to find it and confront his own destiny Ryder must charge with the Light Brigade into the Valley of Death itself..."
My Expectations
I expect othing less than a historical novel on the same level as Honour and the Sword - strong character(s), exact historical setting, emotional and stirring writing, a story which fits into the historical events. For more details read my review.
The Delivery
A. L. Berridge provided me with an ARC of Into the Valley of Death for this review.
I'm sure some of you will say the title of the book sounds somehow familiar. Into the Valley of Death is quote from a famous short lyrics (line seven): The Charge Of The Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennison
Of course this is a strong hint to the Crimean War for everone who has read The Charge Of The Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennison
I do not know if this title will have an impact on the sales figures. For me it did not matter until I read The Charge Of The Light Brigade for the first time a few weeks ago. But I can imagine that this title will be an eye-catcher in every book store.
The book is divided into a prologue, three named parts, an epilogue and a historical note. The three parts are divided into chapters where the chapter header shows either a specific date or a specific date plus a secific time.
As you know from my Tuesday post, The Crimean War lasted from October 1853 to February 1856. The book covers the time period from June 1853 to November 7, 1854 and emphasize following events: Battle of Alma, Battle of Balaklava , Battle of Inkerman and the Charge of the Light Brigade. That also includes the time before, between and after these battles. But historical fiction is not pure history. A. L. Berridge reveals in her historical note the fictional parts and characters.
Into the Valley of Death is part of the Harry Ryder series. A series means that there is a story arc. In the very beginning of the book you learn that Ryder is not young Harry's real surname. He was born as Harry Standish. Without giving too much away I can tell you that something terrible happened and as a conclusion Harry changed his surname. He wants to make his mark without any burden from the past.
With Into the Valley of Death we follow Harry Ryder on his way. He is just eighteen years old when we meet him. And when the reader like him and he does not die on battlefield then we can follow him to a lot of places - possible places. It all depends you, A. L. Berridge and her punblisher. Do you know the number of Queen Victoria's Little Wars from 1837 to 1901? Each of these "little" wars is a possible background for a new Harry Ryder story.
Be prepared that the Harry Ryder series is more different than familiar compared the The Chevalier Series.
Both series feature a main character: André and Harry. They are young and ambitious without stop at nothing. Their honesty is a burden and an important characteristic trait at the same time. But they are also different which is the result of their heritage and the period of time they belong too. Enough comparisons.
When I started to read Into the Valley of Death, I felt alienated. I missed the narrative structure of Honour and the Sword. I did not know before how much I liked it. But that is unfair. It is the author's choice and I myself as a reader have the opportunity to accept or deny. It did not take long and I forgot my complaint because I was sucked in the story and got steamed up about these out of date military rules and this stupid Harry Ryder. After I calmed down I started to think about what I read and about my reaction. How could I have been that blind. I have been hit by one of the strong points of Into the Valley of Death: emotional weight and surgical precision regarding details - what a dynamic duo!
It was incredible to discover how absorbing , intelligent and brutally honest A. L. Berridge moved her hero and his friends through the story. A story where the frontier between history and fiction fade a way before your eyes. It needs the historical note at the end of Into the Valley of Death to disentangle the fictional parts and characters.
I must say A. L. Berridge created something very special: A mind time travel back to the time of the Crimean War. The cries of the wounded made me shiver. The arrogance of officers drove me mad. The warfare which did not fit to the modern weapons made me angry. The discrepancy between battlefield massacre and war time dignity made me dumbfounded.
I was not sure to survive this war in a good mental condition. Fortunately there is some light in this maddening war: Friendship, love , trust and condonation from deep of the heart.
Is there a better way to end a story about the with the one and only appearance of a famous woman without telling her name?
"..., but the lady's dress swished against the floor as elegantly as in a drawing room, and she passed along the rows of beds he thought the light of her lamp shone like hope." [Last sentence]
I did not forget that I owe you the answer of two questions.
- Fit Crimea (pb, 2011)[ISBN-13: 978-0141013503] by Orlando Figes and Into the Valley of Death (May 2012) [ISBN-13: 978-0241954102] by A. L. Berridge together?
The shortest and most simple answer is .... YES!
But this is no helpful answer.
Let me add some "meat".
For me Crimea (pb, 2011)[ISBN-13: 978-0141013503] by Orlando Figes delivers all the information which guarantee you a proper understanding of the war and it is therefore the rocking chair where you take place to read Into the Valley of Death. With the Crimea rocking chair you double the reading pleasure of Into the Valley of Death.
The Crimea rocking chair is the time machine back to the Crimean War and Into the Valley of Death is the energy and elixir you need for this remarkable trip to a forgotten war and the forgotten victims.
- Is Into the Valley of Death a hit or a miss?Hmmm..... I think .... just let me read again what I wrote .... it seems ....
No, No No!!!
Into the Valley of Death
is definitely a hit!!
Why?
- One of the strong points of Into the Valley of Death: emotional weight and surgical precision regarding details - what a dynamic duo!
- There is some light in this maddening war: Friendship, love , trust and condonation from deep of the heart.
- Strong and vivid characters which develop within the story.
- History and fiction have been interweaved to perfection.
- Absorbing , intelligent and brutally honest story telling
- A mind time travel back to the time of the Crimean War.
Read the full post over at Edi's Book Lighthouse
Introduction
You may know my introduction to my review of Honour and the Sword (pb, 2010) [ISBN-13: 978-0141043739] which is the first book in the The Chevalier Series. I do not want to repeat the story how I got to know discovered A. L. Berridge. Today is the day of Into the Valley of Death, the first book in her new series featuring Harry Ryder.
A new series is the opportunity for an author to try something new and it is at the same the risk to alienate readers.
Reader are as strange as authors. So what am I? Sorry, that is the topic of something completely different .....
I wanted to tell you what I think about Into the Valley of Death.
- Is it a hit or a miss?
- Fit Crimea (pb, 2011)[ISBN-13: 978-0141013503] by Orlando Figes and Into the Valley of Death (May 2012) [ISBN-13: 978-0241954102] by A. L. Berridge together?
You will find the answer to these questions at the end of this post.
I thought a while about what kind of information I would like to deliver. Finally it was the author who decided for me. It is the text shown on her site:
"1854 - The Allied armies prepare to besiege the Russian stronghold in the Crimea
Harry Ryder is a maverick hero. Resentful of the army that destroyed his father and his own career, he has no time for incompetent commanders. He clashes with his superiors as fiercely as he fights the Russians.
Four men, one woman and a game of cards will change everything - and alter the course of a war.
Something evil has crept into the ranks of the British Army's own officers, an unknown enemy who plans to lure men to ruin on the battlefields. The only path to victory lies in uncovering the truth, but to find it and confront his own destiny Ryder must charge with the Light Brigade into the Valley of Death itself..."
My Expectations
I expect othing less than a historical novel on the same level as Honour and the Sword - strong character(s), exact historical setting, emotional and stirring writing, a story which fits into the historical events. For more details read my review.
The Delivery
A. L. Berridge provided me with an ARC of Into the Valley of Death for this review.
I'm sure some of you will say the title of the book sounds somehow familiar. Into the Valley of Death is quote from a famous short lyrics (line seven): The Charge Of The Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennison
Of course this is a strong hint to the Crimean War for everone who has read The Charge Of The Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennison
I do not know if this title will have an impact on the sales figures. For me it did not matter until I read The Charge Of The Light Brigade for the first time a few weeks ago. But I can imagine that this title will be an eye-catcher in every book store.
The book is divided into a prologue, three named parts, an epilogue and a historical note. The three parts are divided into chapters where the chapter header shows either a specific date or a specific date plus a secific time.
As you know from my Tuesday post, The Crimean War lasted from October 1853 to February 1856. The book covers the time period from June 1853 to November 7, 1854 and emphasize following events: Battle of Alma, Battle of Balaklava , Battle of Inkerman and the Charge of the Light Brigade. That also includes the time before, between and after these battles. But historical fiction is not pure history. A. L. Berridge reveals in her historical note the fictional parts and characters.
Into the Valley of Death is part of the Harry Ryder series. A series means that there is a story arc. In the very beginning of the book you learn that Ryder is not young Harry's real surname. He was born as Harry Standish. Without giving too much away I can tell you that something terrible happened and as a conclusion Harry changed his surname. He wants to make his mark without any burden from the past.
With Into the Valley of Death we follow Harry Ryder on his way. He is just eighteen years old when we meet him. And when the reader like him and he does not die on battlefield then we can follow him to a lot of places - possible places. It all depends you, A. L. Berridge and her punblisher. Do you know the number of Queen Victoria's Little Wars from 1837 to 1901? Each of these "little" wars is a possible background for a new Harry Ryder story.
Be prepared that the Harry Ryder series is more different than familiar compared the The Chevalier Series.
Both series feature a main character: André and Harry. They are young and ambitious without stop at nothing. Their honesty is a burden and an important characteristic trait at the same time. But they are also different which is the result of their heritage and the period of time they belong too. Enough comparisons.
When I started to read Into the Valley of Death, I felt alienated. I missed the narrative structure of Honour and the Sword. I did not know before how much I liked it. But that is unfair. It is the author's choice and I myself as a reader have the opportunity to accept or deny. It did not take long and I forgot my complaint because I was sucked in the story and got steamed up about these out of date military rules and this stupid Harry Ryder. After I calmed down I started to think about what I read and about my reaction. How could I have been that blind. I have been hit by one of the strong points of Into the Valley of Death: emotional weight and surgical precision regarding details - what a dynamic duo!
It was incredible to discover how absorbing , intelligent and brutally honest A. L. Berridge moved her hero and his friends through the story. A story where the frontier between history and fiction fade a way before your eyes. It needs the historical note at the end of Into the Valley of Death to disentangle the fictional parts and characters.
I must say A. L. Berridge created something very special: A mind time travel back to the time of the Crimean War. The cries of the wounded made me shiver. The arrogance of officers drove me mad. The warfare which did not fit to the modern weapons made me angry. The discrepancy between battlefield massacre and war time dignity made me dumbfounded.
I was not sure to survive this war in a good mental condition. Fortunately there is some light in this maddening war: Friendship, love , trust and condonation from deep of the heart.
Is there a better way to end a story about the with the one and only appearance of a famous woman without telling her name?
"..., but the lady's dress swished against the floor as elegantly as in a drawing room, and she passed along the rows of beds he thought the light of her lamp shone like hope." [Last sentence]
I did not forget that I owe you the answer of two questions.
- Fit Crimea (pb, 2011)[ISBN-13: 978-0141013503] by Orlando Figes and Into the Valley of Death (May 2012) [ISBN-13: 978-0241954102] by A. L. Berridge together?
The shortest and most simple answer is .... YES!
But this is no helpful answer.
Let me add some "meat".
For me Crimea (pb, 2011)[ISBN-13: 978-0141013503] by Orlando Figes delivers all the information which guarantee you a proper understanding of the war and it is therefore the rocking chair where you take place to read Into the Valley of Death. With the Crimea rocking chair you double the reading pleasure of Into the Valley of Death.
The Crimea rocking chair is the time machine back to the Crimean War and Into the Valley of Death is the energy and elixir you need for this remarkable trip to a forgotten war and the forgotten victims.
- Is Into the Valley of Death a hit or a miss?Hmmm..... I think .... just let me read again what I wrote .... it seems ....
No, No No!!!
Into the Valley of Death
is definitely a hit!!
Why?
- One of the strong points of Into the Valley of Death: emotional weight and surgical precision regarding details - what a dynamic duo!
- There is some light in this maddening war: Friendship, love , trust and condonation from deep of the heart.
- Strong and vivid characters which develop within the story.
- History and fiction have been interweaved to perfection.
- Absorbing , intelligent and brutally honest story telling
- A mind time travel back to the time of the Crimean War.
June 15, 2019
Brilliant
You cannot say to much about perfection, this is it. Best bit of money I have ever spent. Buy it now you will not be disappointed. Heroes, blood thunder, a lot of believable characters, a plausible explanation of the debacle at balaclava. Thanks to the author for a brilliant adventure.
You cannot say to much about perfection, this is it. Best bit of money I have ever spent. Buy it now you will not be disappointed. Heroes, blood thunder, a lot of believable characters, a plausible explanation of the debacle at balaclava. Thanks to the author for a brilliant adventure.
July 16, 2021
Superb story and a new hero, in the form of Harry Ryder, emerges. Haven't seen any fiction covering this particular period in history, or perhaps I wasn't looking too closely.
At times I felt I was in the the thick of it, thank goodness I wasn't. Her narrative of the charge left me shaking and quaking and thanking my lucky stars I never had to go through that carnage.
At times I felt I was in the the thick of it, thank goodness I wasn't. Her narrative of the charge left me shaking and quaking and thanking my lucky stars I never had to go through that carnage.
May 9, 2012
This latest book by AL Berridge had me worried, its not a Chevalier de Roland novel it's set in the Crimea following Harry Rider of the 13th Light Dragoons. I really must learn to trust great authors like AL Berridge, this book is a real triumph, anyone who can get me to not only read about the Crimean war but enjoy it has achieved a great feat.
Where Chevalier de Roland books are more of a slow burn and introduction to fantastic characters of huge depth, this book explodes into action at a fantastic pace and just seems to keep going from there. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the historical detail of the book but some of the quick checks i did all seem to match up and the detail was written in such an interesting engaging way i was being educated without knowing it and fully engaged with some amazing characters and places. The Whole battle book, army everything just explodes into life drama and action on every page. This truly is an outstanding book
an easy 5/5 stars and highly recommended.
(Parm)
Product Description
1854 - The Allied armies prepare to besiege the Russian stronghold in the Crimea
Harry Ryder is a maverick hero. Resentful of the army that destroyed his father and his own career, he has no time for incompetent commanders. He clashes with his superiors as fiercely as he fights the Russians.
Four men, one woman and a game of cards will change everything and alter the course of a war.
Something evil has crept into the ranks of the British Army's own officers, an unknown enemy who plans lure men to ruin on the battlefields. The only path to victory lies in uncovering the truth, but to find it and confront his own destiny Ryder must charge with the Light Brigade into the Valley of Death itself...
Where Chevalier de Roland books are more of a slow burn and introduction to fantastic characters of huge depth, this book explodes into action at a fantastic pace and just seems to keep going from there. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the historical detail of the book but some of the quick checks i did all seem to match up and the detail was written in such an interesting engaging way i was being educated without knowing it and fully engaged with some amazing characters and places. The Whole battle book, army everything just explodes into life drama and action on every page. This truly is an outstanding book
an easy 5/5 stars and highly recommended.
(Parm)
Product Description
1854 - The Allied armies prepare to besiege the Russian stronghold in the Crimea
Harry Ryder is a maverick hero. Resentful of the army that destroyed his father and his own career, he has no time for incompetent commanders. He clashes with his superiors as fiercely as he fights the Russians.
Four men, one woman and a game of cards will change everything and alter the course of a war.
Something evil has crept into the ranks of the British Army's own officers, an unknown enemy who plans lure men to ruin on the battlefields. The only path to victory lies in uncovering the truth, but to find it and confront his own destiny Ryder must charge with the Light Brigade into the Valley of Death itself...
March 18, 2013
As Louise Berridge herself says, the book's hero - Harry Ryder - doesn’t like the army much. He thinks that the commanders are incompetent, commissions are awarded by purchase rather than ability, and corruption and cronyism have become almost a tradition. And his beliefs are proved largely correct during the often shambolic conduct of the Crimean War. In addition, both Harry and the allied army itself face a hidden enemy, attempting to lure them to total disaster.
The author has researched this story immaculately and I could feel myself drawn, over and over again, onto the bloody ground of the Alma, Balaklava and Inkerman, often unable to put down the book. It moves at great pace and has a real joy in the telling, a ripping yarn in the style of Henty or Brereton. I really enjoyed it!
The author has researched this story immaculately and I could feel myself drawn, over and over again, onto the bloody ground of the Alma, Balaklava and Inkerman, often unable to put down the book. It moves at great pace and has a real joy in the telling, a ripping yarn in the style of Henty or Brereton. I really enjoyed it!
October 26, 2012
Great historical fiction, which according to Berridge's notes was well researched; providing a quasi-accurate picture of a war that I knew little of. The story is captivating. Its hero and friends are quite believable making one almost feel as if you were reading part of the main character's biography. The book really deserves 4.5 stars and I would have considered giving it 5 stars had the reference maps been a little less confusing.
November 11, 2015
Great first up book of a new series. Didn't over play the charge of the light brigade, but told the story of the entire battle.
June 22, 2014
Enjoyable read but somehow I didn't feel empathy for the main character Ryder
April 24, 2017
I enjoyed the book. It was set in the Crimean War and well researched. It described the battle scenes vividly depicting what it was like for the common soldiers. The hero Harry Ryder and his compatriots all had depth to their personalities. Some of the plot intricacies were a little unbelievable but it was mostly a good historical read.
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