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Civil War Chronicles #3
Hunter's Rage
Hunter's Rage, the third 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', take on his oldest foe. 'Stands in comparison with the best of Cornwell' Yorkshire Post Posted to the hostile territory of Dartmoor, Captain Innocent Stryker and his men are attacked by an elite cavalry unit commanded by the formidable Colonel Gabriel Wild and suffer heavy losses. Stryker has already clashed once with Wild, and the Roundhead has sworn to seek his revenge. After the attack, Stryker is faced with the annihilation of his company as he is hounded across the moor, eventually seeking shelter on an isolated tor populared by an enigmatic former priest who harbours no love for the King's cause. Colonel Wild is assisted in his revenge by Osmyn Hogg, Parliamentarian Witchfinder, who shares his own deadly history with Stryker.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
15 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Michael Arnold
115 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 21, 2025
The third outing with Captain Stryker of the ECW era, he being for the King. HUZZAH!
Can’t be doing with them pesky parliamentarian puritans sucking all the fun outta life!!
Straight into the action, that is, after a prologue set fifteen years in the past on the continent, which gets us upto speed with Stryker & his crew, now down on the Devon/Cornish border and it would seem on the run from overwhelming forces. He soon makes an enemy, another…. You cry! and a bitter & twisted one and that, aren’t they all these Puritans 😉 AND then another appears from his past, a witch hunter who is pure evil, he of the prologue fame. It doesn’t look good for Stryker at this juncture!
Those opening chapters are split into different POV’s & jump around the characters giving us a taste of their demeanour & objectives. The landscape is that of the moors adjoining Devon & Cornwall and the outlying villages/towns of the region. The Parliamentarian & Royalist front lines are at a fluid stage leaving the various groups searching/avoiding each other in the turmoil of campaign/battle. There is a fair amount of skullduggery & a certain air of mystery surrounding one or two of the players which is on a slow drip feed adding to the intrigue. Revenge I must say is a key player amongst our motives, that is, revenge upon a particular soul, that of Stryker…. I did say at the start he'd made a few enemies along the way…..
A lot to like, characters, combat/tactics/strategy of the era, dialogue, intrigue, flowing style, authentic writing, historical detail…. Can’t fault it bar perhaps the overall length which maybe could have been shortened/edited in places as it does sap the tension at times with so many climaxes. It is though a minor gripe.
The book splurge says “The Sharpe of the ECW” and it’s not untrue with the style & the writing akin to those series.
Coming in at 4 stars, jus under, rounded up.
Can’t be doing with them pesky parliamentarian puritans sucking all the fun outta life!!
Straight into the action, that is, after a prologue set fifteen years in the past on the continent, which gets us upto speed with Stryker & his crew, now down on the Devon/Cornish border and it would seem on the run from overwhelming forces. He soon makes an enemy, another…. You cry! and a bitter & twisted one and that, aren’t they all these Puritans 😉 AND then another appears from his past, a witch hunter who is pure evil, he of the prologue fame. It doesn’t look good for Stryker at this juncture!
Those opening chapters are split into different POV’s & jump around the characters giving us a taste of their demeanour & objectives. The landscape is that of the moors adjoining Devon & Cornwall and the outlying villages/towns of the region. The Parliamentarian & Royalist front lines are at a fluid stage leaving the various groups searching/avoiding each other in the turmoil of campaign/battle. There is a fair amount of skullduggery & a certain air of mystery surrounding one or two of the players which is on a slow drip feed adding to the intrigue. Revenge I must say is a key player amongst our motives, that is, revenge upon a particular soul, that of Stryker…. I did say at the start he'd made a few enemies along the way…..
A lot to like, characters, combat/tactics/strategy of the era, dialogue, intrigue, flowing style, authentic writing, historical detail…. Can’t fault it bar perhaps the overall length which maybe could have been shortened/edited in places as it does sap the tension at times with so many climaxes. It is though a minor gripe.
The book splurge says “The Sharpe of the ECW” and it’s not untrue with the style & the writing akin to those series.
Coming in at 4 stars, jus under, rounded up.
September 16, 2021
Also this book read in 2012, and this book is set in the year, AD1643, with once more Captain Innocent Stryker at the forefront.
Highly recommended, for this book is: "A Tremendous Stryker Outing"!
Highly recommended, for this book is: "A Tremendous Stryker Outing"!
March 14, 2013
mahr
Hunter's Rage is the third book in Mike Arnold's Civil War Chronicles, following Traitor's Blood and Devil's Charge, a series following the adventures (and misadventures) of one Captain Stryker - a Royalist officer.
I find that any writer, no matter how good their first offerings (and Arnold's have been excellent), hits their easy and comfortable stride. It often happens with the third book in a series, and Arnold is no different here.
Traitor's Blood was a fairly straightforward plot, was hard-hitting, action packed, enthralling and powerful, dragging the reader along at breakneck pace. Devil's Charge followed up with a tale that was considerably more complex with interweaving threads. It was no less entertaining than the first and thrilled me to the end, though it felt less immediate and breakneck than the first, perhaps due to its complexity. Don't be put off by that, though, as both books are excellent and I'm picking apart nuances simply to make a point that concerns neither of them.
The fact is that Hunter's Rage appears to be the moment when Arnold has hit that stride. It combines all the good points of everything he's written so far to create a smooth and superb book. It carries with it the punch and immediacy of the first book as well as the complexity and depth of the second, and sacrifices nothing to do it. In fact, the characterisation (one of Arnold's strengths in my opinion) has actually improved and the author manages to make the protagonists and antagonists truly sympathetic and believable. He has also introduced new characters that are not just interesting but also memorable. Added to that, he has drawn one of the best characters (Simeon) from book 2. This third book is a very easy read and hooks from the start.
If one had to define the books of the series, and it's often easy to do, with a theme, I would say that while the first book is about Treachery and Honour, the second about Unjust Punishment and Retribution, this third centres around revenge and religious persecution, from the thoroughly unpleasant witch hunter and his oily sidekick to the mad hermit Gardner, via puritans and practical atheists.
Particularly interesting for me is the setting of the novel, which is entirely in the southwest (Devon and Cornwall). I am largely unfamiliar with the land, and while I have a passing knowledge of chunks of Civil War history from Edgehill, Marston Moor and other famous engagements, I know absolutely nothing about this corner of the war, so it was truly interesting for me.
Another thing that perhaps adds to its punch is the fact that, not only is it set in a fairly small area, with a limited cast of major characters to keep in mind, but it also takes place over a surprisingly short period, which makes it very easy to keep track of.
In addition, Arnold is not afraid, apparently, of passing over the opportunity to reuse characters unnecessarily, just because they already have a place in the saga, or of having horrible things happen to major characters.
Oh, and it also gives us another glance into Stryker's past, which is welcome.
The series goes from strength to strength, and the fourth book, Assassin's Reign, is released in July, so you have plenty of time to read all three first, and I urge you to do it.
Highly recommended.
Hunter's Rage is the third book in Mike Arnold's Civil War Chronicles, following Traitor's Blood and Devil's Charge, a series following the adventures (and misadventures) of one Captain Stryker - a Royalist officer.
I find that any writer, no matter how good their first offerings (and Arnold's have been excellent), hits their easy and comfortable stride. It often happens with the third book in a series, and Arnold is no different here.
Traitor's Blood was a fairly straightforward plot, was hard-hitting, action packed, enthralling and powerful, dragging the reader along at breakneck pace. Devil's Charge followed up with a tale that was considerably more complex with interweaving threads. It was no less entertaining than the first and thrilled me to the end, though it felt less immediate and breakneck than the first, perhaps due to its complexity. Don't be put off by that, though, as both books are excellent and I'm picking apart nuances simply to make a point that concerns neither of them.
The fact is that Hunter's Rage appears to be the moment when Arnold has hit that stride. It combines all the good points of everything he's written so far to create a smooth and superb book. It carries with it the punch and immediacy of the first book as well as the complexity and depth of the second, and sacrifices nothing to do it. In fact, the characterisation (one of Arnold's strengths in my opinion) has actually improved and the author manages to make the protagonists and antagonists truly sympathetic and believable. He has also introduced new characters that are not just interesting but also memorable. Added to that, he has drawn one of the best characters (Simeon) from book 2. This third book is a very easy read and hooks from the start.
If one had to define the books of the series, and it's often easy to do, with a theme, I would say that while the first book is about Treachery and Honour, the second about Unjust Punishment and Retribution, this third centres around revenge and religious persecution, from the thoroughly unpleasant witch hunter and his oily sidekick to the mad hermit Gardner, via puritans and practical atheists.
Particularly interesting for me is the setting of the novel, which is entirely in the southwest (Devon and Cornwall). I am largely unfamiliar with the land, and while I have a passing knowledge of chunks of Civil War history from Edgehill, Marston Moor and other famous engagements, I know absolutely nothing about this corner of the war, so it was truly interesting for me.
Another thing that perhaps adds to its punch is the fact that, not only is it set in a fairly small area, with a limited cast of major characters to keep in mind, but it also takes place over a surprisingly short period, which makes it very easy to keep track of.
In addition, Arnold is not afraid, apparently, of passing over the opportunity to reuse characters unnecessarily, just because they already have a place in the saga, or of having horrible things happen to major characters.
Oh, and it also gives us another glance into Stryker's past, which is welcome.
The series goes from strength to strength, and the fourth book, Assassin's Reign, is released in July, so you have plenty of time to read all three first, and I urge you to do it.
Highly recommended.
March 27, 2025
Terrific
November 28, 2021
A rousing good tale!
The one-eyed rogue, Capt. Stryker, pulls of another daring mission and deals with old enemies intent on killing the dashing Royalist hero. Set against the background of the English Civil War, the author explains the politics, tactics and subterfuge of the time, while telling a great story.
The one-eyed rogue, Capt. Stryker, pulls of another daring mission and deals with old enemies intent on killing the dashing Royalist hero. Set against the background of the English Civil War, the author explains the politics, tactics and subterfuge of the time, while telling a great story.
January 23, 2026
The third instalment in the Stryker chronicles and for me the best one yet.
After capturing a Parliamentary wagon loaded with gun powder and humiliating the colonel in charge, Striker is pursued across Devon.
Aided by witchfinder Osmyn Hogg, another man who has sworn revenge on Captain Stryker. Colonel Wild is determined to retrieve the precious cargo and make Stryker suffer.
After capturing a Parliamentary wagon loaded with gun powder and humiliating the colonel in charge, Striker is pursued across Devon.
Aided by witchfinder Osmyn Hogg, another man who has sworn revenge on Captain Stryker. Colonel Wild is determined to retrieve the precious cargo and make Stryker suffer.
August 11, 2022
A brilliant addition to the series, taking the reader into the South West and introducing a new female character with a secret that could change the war. Good fun!
November 11, 2022
Another brilliant entry into the series. The battles and fighting gets better. Glad to see Stryker get some revenge but sad to see demise of burton
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2013
This is a real rip-snorter of a good read. The third book in Michael Arnold’s superb Civil War Chronicles sees Royalist Captain ‘One-eye’ Stryker back in the thick of the action and getting himself and his band of misfit rogues into all sorts of mischief and scrapes once again.
The title of the book refers to two characters initially independent of each other who ultimately join forces—both having their reasons for hunting down Captain Stryker and seeing his neck stretched from the end of a rope. Colonel Wild, an independently wealthy and proud Parliamentarian Troop Commander who cares little for furthering the cause of the Parliamentarian ideal and only fights for the benefit of his own honour and pride and Osmyn Hogg a rather insidious witch hunting clergyman out for revenge.
Colonel Wild is furious that his reputation has been impugned by the audacity and impiousness of Stryker in pinching from under his nose an important arms cache of gunpowder and weapons, vital to the Parliamentarian cause in the West Country and is determined to retrieve them at all costs. Hogg an evil, sinister, cowardly witch hunter masquerading under the mask of priestly respectability, leaps at the chance to wreak revenge on Stryker for a past insult to his person. This he seeks to achieve somewhat cowardly sheltering behind the protective aegis of Colonel Wild and his crack troop of black feather wearing Parliamentarian ‘lobster tails’.
All this plays out on the borders between Devon and Cornwell and ultimately finds Stryker and his motley band marooned on a desolate, bleak Dartmoor under siege from the combined troop forces of Colonel Wild and the underhand trickery and deceit of Hogg and his repulsive assistant. To make matters worse, Stryker must protect a wilful and head strong woman who holds the key to something of vital importance that both sides desperately covet.
Arnold really hits his straps with this the third book in the series and it builds on the strengths and foundations previously laid in books one and two— Traitor's Blood and Devil's Charge. You often find this with a new book series introducing new subjects and characters that it can sometimes take until the second or third book for the author to really get into his stride.
As good as the previous two books were—and they were both very good indeed—this one surpasses both of them for detail, character development, inter-relationships and the dialogue between them, plot, story, scene and setting and in my opinion is the best book in the series so far.
If you haven’t read the previous two books, I really urge you to do so before reading this one. Each of the books can be read as a stand-alone (not something I personally agree with, but Publishers seem determined to continue peddling books as such for the sake of sales) but you won’t get the full character and plot development as each book builds on the knowledge and subtle character nuances of the previous ones.
Michael Arnold’s knowledge of the time period and passion for expressing it in a tightly knit plot and story line woven between historical facts makes this book really shine. As such it is a magnificent read from a relative newcomer to the historical fiction genre, who is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors.
I’ve written reviews of the two previous books and this one is intended to be read in conjunction with those, you might like to have a read of those as well.
I’m really looking forward to the next one in the series: Assassin's Reign
Highly recommended to all fans of historical fiction.
My only quibble with Michael Arnold is that he can’t write these books fast enough!
The title of the book refers to two characters initially independent of each other who ultimately join forces—both having their reasons for hunting down Captain Stryker and seeing his neck stretched from the end of a rope. Colonel Wild, an independently wealthy and proud Parliamentarian Troop Commander who cares little for furthering the cause of the Parliamentarian ideal and only fights for the benefit of his own honour and pride and Osmyn Hogg a rather insidious witch hunting clergyman out for revenge.
Colonel Wild is furious that his reputation has been impugned by the audacity and impiousness of Stryker in pinching from under his nose an important arms cache of gunpowder and weapons, vital to the Parliamentarian cause in the West Country and is determined to retrieve them at all costs. Hogg an evil, sinister, cowardly witch hunter masquerading under the mask of priestly respectability, leaps at the chance to wreak revenge on Stryker for a past insult to his person. This he seeks to achieve somewhat cowardly sheltering behind the protective aegis of Colonel Wild and his crack troop of black feather wearing Parliamentarian ‘lobster tails’.
All this plays out on the borders between Devon and Cornwell and ultimately finds Stryker and his motley band marooned on a desolate, bleak Dartmoor under siege from the combined troop forces of Colonel Wild and the underhand trickery and deceit of Hogg and his repulsive assistant. To make matters worse, Stryker must protect a wilful and head strong woman who holds the key to something of vital importance that both sides desperately covet.
Arnold really hits his straps with this the third book in the series and it builds on the strengths and foundations previously laid in books one and two— Traitor's Blood and Devil's Charge. You often find this with a new book series introducing new subjects and characters that it can sometimes take until the second or third book for the author to really get into his stride.
As good as the previous two books were—and they were both very good indeed—this one surpasses both of them for detail, character development, inter-relationships and the dialogue between them, plot, story, scene and setting and in my opinion is the best book in the series so far.
If you haven’t read the previous two books, I really urge you to do so before reading this one. Each of the books can be read as a stand-alone (not something I personally agree with, but Publishers seem determined to continue peddling books as such for the sake of sales) but you won’t get the full character and plot development as each book builds on the knowledge and subtle character nuances of the previous ones.
Michael Arnold’s knowledge of the time period and passion for expressing it in a tightly knit plot and story line woven between historical facts makes this book really shine. As such it is a magnificent read from a relative newcomer to the historical fiction genre, who is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors.
I’ve written reviews of the two previous books and this one is intended to be read in conjunction with those, you might like to have a read of those as well.
I’m really looking forward to the next one in the series: Assassin's Reign
Highly recommended to all fans of historical fiction.
My only quibble with Michael Arnold is that he can’t write these books fast enough!
July 4, 2012
Review
I have been fortunate enough to meet Captain Stryker before:
Civil War Chronicles
1. Traitor’s Blood (2010)
2. Devil’s Charge (2011)
3. Hunter’s Rage (2012)
4. Warlord’s Gold (2013)
But this latest adventure (number 3) Hunters Rage for me personally is a step up, as each book in the series appears to have been. Our Hero? if that’s the right word for a man built by and driven by war. Yet a man who believes he is on the right side, a man who really deep down cares for every man under his command, (not that he would show it). I think a “true professional Soldier” is a better title than hero.
Stryker in this tale stumbles across a cache of powder, shot etc and is lucky enough to pull off a daring capture of these goodies. Only his temper and in-built arrogance (and we all have it) gets the better of him and he makes an enemy for life in Colonel Wild. The story that then unfolds is full of twists turns, moments of almost unnoticed heroism, sorrow, sacrifice and brilliant characters.
The cover of the book quotes the Yorkshire times “Stands in comparison with the best of Cornwell” I think that’s wrong, I love the character Sharpe, but I think Stryker is much more complicated and misunderstood. Where Sharpe is a man from the ranks trying to fit in among the Officer class. Stryker doesn’t, he doesn’t really care about that. He cares about doing the job, doing it right, doing it well and bringing his men back alive. he seems to live for the buzz and adrenaline of battle and accept the vagaries of fate that mean you or the man next to you could die any minuet.
As great reads go it’s not a book you will devour in a single sitting, it’s much more complex than that, you need to take your time to savour every single sentence. To appreciate the great and complex characters, to feel the damp of the grass, the cold of the morning and the boom of the guns. This book has the ability to totally immerse you in the English Civil war, in 1643. And having been out on hikes on the moors in the winter months I can attest to the accuracy of the descriptions, the bleak but also magical landscapes.
This book will take you on a ride through an epic period of history, with a band of real men, hard men but honest men and also allow you a glimpse of the not so nice side of war in the guise of witch-finder Hogg.
I really encourage you all to go and buy the book and enjoy the same journey I have just taken. A Journey that leaves me knowing what the Warlords Gold is (book 4)…yet wondering how the hell Stryker and his band of men can stand a chance of getting it back. Mainly it leaves me wanting more, but satisfied to have shared a great if harrowing experience with Stryker.
Very Highly Recommended.
(Parm)
http://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/2...
I have been fortunate enough to meet Captain Stryker before:
Civil War Chronicles
1. Traitor’s Blood (2010)
2. Devil’s Charge (2011)
3. Hunter’s Rage (2012)
4. Warlord’s Gold (2013)
But this latest adventure (number 3) Hunters Rage for me personally is a step up, as each book in the series appears to have been. Our Hero? if that’s the right word for a man built by and driven by war. Yet a man who believes he is on the right side, a man who really deep down cares for every man under his command, (not that he would show it). I think a “true professional Soldier” is a better title than hero.
Stryker in this tale stumbles across a cache of powder, shot etc and is lucky enough to pull off a daring capture of these goodies. Only his temper and in-built arrogance (and we all have it) gets the better of him and he makes an enemy for life in Colonel Wild. The story that then unfolds is full of twists turns, moments of almost unnoticed heroism, sorrow, sacrifice and brilliant characters.
The cover of the book quotes the Yorkshire times “Stands in comparison with the best of Cornwell” I think that’s wrong, I love the character Sharpe, but I think Stryker is much more complicated and misunderstood. Where Sharpe is a man from the ranks trying to fit in among the Officer class. Stryker doesn’t, he doesn’t really care about that. He cares about doing the job, doing it right, doing it well and bringing his men back alive. he seems to live for the buzz and adrenaline of battle and accept the vagaries of fate that mean you or the man next to you could die any minuet.
As great reads go it’s not a book you will devour in a single sitting, it’s much more complex than that, you need to take your time to savour every single sentence. To appreciate the great and complex characters, to feel the damp of the grass, the cold of the morning and the boom of the guns. This book has the ability to totally immerse you in the English Civil war, in 1643. And having been out on hikes on the moors in the winter months I can attest to the accuracy of the descriptions, the bleak but also magical landscapes.
This book will take you on a ride through an epic period of history, with a band of real men, hard men but honest men and also allow you a glimpse of the not so nice side of war in the guise of witch-finder Hogg.
I really encourage you all to go and buy the book and enjoy the same journey I have just taken. A Journey that leaves me knowing what the Warlords Gold is (book 4)…yet wondering how the hell Stryker and his band of men can stand a chance of getting it back. Mainly it leaves me wanting more, but satisfied to have shared a great if harrowing experience with Stryker.
Very Highly Recommended.
(Parm)
http://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/2...
August 15, 2013
The third in Michael Arnold's Civil War Chronicles, again following the exploits of Captain Stryker and his men, who are fighting for the (doomed) Royalist cause.
At the start of this particular entry, Stryker and his men are unknowingly behind enemy lines, after the cessation of a brief truce. This novel could also be split into three main sections: the first dealing with their journey back to their own side of the lines, the second with what is effectively a siege that they are forced to undergo while on that journey, and the final part with the battle of Stratton.
As before, this was a thoroughly entertaining read!
At the start of this particular entry, Stryker and his men are unknowingly behind enemy lines, after the cessation of a brief truce. This novel could also be split into three main sections: the first dealing with their journey back to their own side of the lines, the second with what is effectively a siege that they are forced to undergo while on that journey, and the final part with the battle of Stratton.
As before, this was a thoroughly entertaining read!
January 9, 2018
What a wonderful book! I thoroughly enjoyed the first two Stryker novels but this third novel is even better. The English Civil War is brought to life in vivid red. Review to follow on FWN shortly but, in the meantime, more please!
November 30, 2012
really enjoyed the lastest book in the series and felt the best so far awating the 4th already
August 6, 2016
Possibly my favorite novel of Michael Arnold's series set in the English Civil Wars. Swashes are buckled left and right.
January 10, 2023
A really good historically accurate version of events in the early part of the Emglish Civil War. Recommend it wholeheartedly
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews