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Ethan Gage #6
The Barbed Crown: An Ethan Gage Adventure
The Barbed Crown by William Dietrich has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2015
51 people are currently reading
878 people want to read
About the author
William Dietrich
25 books396 followersWilliam Dietrich is a NY Times bestelling author of the Ethan Gage series of eight books which have sold into 28 languages. He is also the author of six other adventure novels, several nonfiction works on the environmental history of the Pacific Northwest, and a contributor to several books.
Bill was a career journalist, sharing a Pulitzer for national reporting at the Seattle Times for coverage of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. He taught environmental journalism at Huxley College, a division of Western Washington University, and was adviser to Planet Magazine there. He was Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, and received several National Science Foundation fellowships for reporting on science. His travels have taken him from the South Pole to the Arctic, and from the Dead Sea to the base camp of Mount Everest. The traveling informs his books.
He lives in Anacortes, WA, in the San Juan islands, and is a fan of books, movies, history, science, and the outdoors.
Bill was a career journalist, sharing a Pulitzer for national reporting at the Seattle Times for coverage of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. He taught environmental journalism at Huxley College, a division of Western Washington University, and was adviser to Planet Magazine there. He was Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, and received several National Science Foundation fellowships for reporting on science. His travels have taken him from the South Pole to the Arctic, and from the Dead Sea to the base camp of Mount Everest. The traveling informs his books.
He lives in Anacortes, WA, in the San Juan islands, and is a fan of books, movies, history, science, and the outdoors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
February 20, 2015
Oh Ethan! You find your wife, you lose your wife. You find and then lose your son! C’mon, you have some male readers all over the world who would love to “lose” their wife as wistfully as you seem to do. I like this series as it has informed me about some historical facts that I would never realize if not for the adventures of Ethan Gage. Mr. Dietrich’s swashbuckling hero has kept me thoroughly entertained over the years but this novel just seemed forced to me. Oh, don’t get me wrong, we still have Gages intrinsic wit and all the bumbling from one scene to the next but I found the overall story somewhat repetitive to previous adventures. I quite like this character and will continue immersing myself in his quest for riches and fame. Maybe it would be a little more believable if just once some luck would come Ethans way. Still a very good series centered around the Napoleonic era of France vs Britain.
May 19, 2013
(This review originally appeared in the Historical Novel Review)
William Dietrich’s sixth foray into the swashbuckling world of Ethan Gage easily lives up to his previous efforts. If you like your swordplay spiced with a dash of witty repartee, ala The Three Musketeers, then Gage is the hero for you. In this entry, Gage, a free-booting American who had sold his sword to Napoleon, sneaks back into France determined to take revenge on the French leader for kidnapping his son, Harry, and attempting to kill Gage’s wife, Astiza.
He and Astiza hatch a plot to ruin Napoleon’s coronation by switching the French crown with the Cross of Thorns, allegedly worn by Jesus Christ at the crucifixion. But when their plot is revealed, Astiza once more finds herself at Napoleon’s mercy, and Gage has made a run for it to England. By time the book is finished, Gage and the British have joined forces against the French to foil Napoleon’s ambitions, and Gage’s relationship with Napoleon becomes even more confused, as the American saves the Little Corporal from drowning. A varied cast of characters, including Robert Fulton, who invented the first practical submarine, adds color to the conspiracy-laden plot. All the threads come together at the Battle of Trafalgar, where Gage, of course, plays a key role.
The battles, plots and counterplots make this a delightful read, and the depiction of Napoleonic Paris is excellent. If you like historical thrillers set during the early American period, if you love a carefree rogue whose heart is in the right place, then you won’t be disappointed. Recommended.
William Dietrich’s sixth foray into the swashbuckling world of Ethan Gage easily lives up to his previous efforts. If you like your swordplay spiced with a dash of witty repartee, ala The Three Musketeers, then Gage is the hero for you. In this entry, Gage, a free-booting American who had sold his sword to Napoleon, sneaks back into France determined to take revenge on the French leader for kidnapping his son, Harry, and attempting to kill Gage’s wife, Astiza.
He and Astiza hatch a plot to ruin Napoleon’s coronation by switching the French crown with the Cross of Thorns, allegedly worn by Jesus Christ at the crucifixion. But when their plot is revealed, Astiza once more finds herself at Napoleon’s mercy, and Gage has made a run for it to England. By time the book is finished, Gage and the British have joined forces against the French to foil Napoleon’s ambitions, and Gage’s relationship with Napoleon becomes even more confused, as the American saves the Little Corporal from drowning. A varied cast of characters, including Robert Fulton, who invented the first practical submarine, adds color to the conspiracy-laden plot. All the threads come together at the Battle of Trafalgar, where Gage, of course, plays a key role.
The battles, plots and counterplots make this a delightful read, and the depiction of Napoleonic Paris is excellent. If you like historical thrillers set during the early American period, if you love a carefree rogue whose heart is in the right place, then you won’t be disappointed. Recommended.
August 20, 2016
The 6th Ethan Gage swashbuckling adventure once again puts poor Ethan into incredulous adventures that strain the bounds of possibility…but then that’s the point. Ethan begins this volume in a fairly steady place. He has lost his wife in a hurricane at the end of the last book so has moved back to England and is trying to raise his young son. He also has a bit of money in the bank, for a change, having sold a valuable emerald and invested the proceeds in England.
Of course that steady state of affairs doesn’t last long and he soon finds himself working with Napoleon once again and then manages to become a double agent for England as well. In fact he bounces back and forth so many times that I lost count, but all through humorous circumstances and all at Ethan’s escalating peril. The plot culminates with the battle of Trafalgar and Ethan’s unwilling participation with Lord Nelson as well as on the French/Spanish side. This is a crazy exciting plot, and I couldn’t even begin to properly summarize it (as is usually the case with an Ethan Gage novel). And at the same time it’s a great way to get up close and personal with historical events.
On to book #7,The Three Emperors.
Of course that steady state of affairs doesn’t last long and he soon finds himself working with Napoleon once again and then manages to become a double agent for England as well. In fact he bounces back and forth so many times that I lost count, but all through humorous circumstances and all at Ethan’s escalating peril. The plot culminates with the battle of Trafalgar and Ethan’s unwilling participation with Lord Nelson as well as on the French/Spanish side. This is a crazy exciting plot, and I couldn’t even begin to properly summarize it (as is usually the case with an Ethan Gage novel). And at the same time it’s a great way to get up close and personal with historical events.
On to book #7,The Three Emperors.
September 15, 2013
The narrative arc of The Barbed Crown, which covers roughly the year between Napoleon’s coronation as emperor and the battle of Trafalgar, encompasses a plot for which disbelief is not so much suspended as bludgeoned into abject submission. Nevertheless, a reader whose silliness tolerance is high can enjoy a rollicking adventure. The American hero, Ethan Gage, who touts himself as a loveable rogue, is a confidant of (among others) both Napoleon and Nelson, but is a cat’s-paw to behind-the-scenes manipulators like Talleyrand and Sir Sidney Smith. Gage’s fortunes change as quickly as his allegiances as he crisscrosses the map of Europe, managing to play a key role in both the coronation and Trafalgar. Dietrich clearly loves history, and uses Gage’s first-person narrative voice for his insightful musings (e.g. the many similarities between Nelson and Napoleon). The novel is fast-paced, well (if implausibly) plotted and rich in historical detail. If that combination works for you, you’ll enjoy this book.
September 3, 2015
The plot really flagged at the 3/4 point in the story. Otherwise I enjoyed it.
August 6, 2019
I have to say that as an author who combines historical profiles and fiction, William Dietrich does a great job. I've been a fan of Ethan Gage since Napoleon's Pyramids. Gage is evolving as a character and it was something different for the man himself to recognise that his notoriety was both a blessing and a curse, to be used as necessary.
I thought that the scenes were very well done and in particular, the Battle of Trafalgar was particularly enlightening. Dietrich's scenes with Nelson were very well done and helped bring humanity to a historical figure that I, like many, I had heard of, but never knew about the man himself.
My one complaint is that ending the book almost immediately after Trafalgar was a bit of a let down as the book spent a fair bit of ink setting up the search for the Brazen Head, a medieval form of a android that could help someone takeover the world.
Overall, the book was a good read. The story moved along and the ride was more or less enjoyable. Worth the time spent reading.
I thought that the scenes were very well done and in particular, the Battle of Trafalgar was particularly enlightening. Dietrich's scenes with Nelson were very well done and helped bring humanity to a historical figure that I, like many, I had heard of, but never knew about the man himself.
My one complaint is that ending the book almost immediately after Trafalgar was a bit of a let down as the book spent a fair bit of ink setting up the search for the Brazen Head, a medieval form of a android that could help someone takeover the world.
Overall, the book was a good read. The story moved along and the ride was more or less enjoyable. Worth the time spent reading.
June 9, 2017
Although not one of the best books in this series, The Barbed Crown still maintains the standards of the Ethan Gage series, continuing to be my favorite historical fiction adventure series'.
The book does get a little slow throughout the necessary periods in between action, but the action scenes themselves are classic Dietrich-crafted, historically accurate, excitement that you simply can't put down. Another feather in the author's cap is his insistence on portraying, and sticking to, the accuracy of the historical events portrayed in the story. And, last but not least, the main character, Ethan Gage, is one of the most enjoyable characters to follow. You just can't help but love the insightfully smart-assed, bad luck ridden, unabashed adventurer for all his quirks and qualities.
The book does get a little slow throughout the necessary periods in between action, but the action scenes themselves are classic Dietrich-crafted, historically accurate, excitement that you simply can't put down. Another feather in the author's cap is his insistence on portraying, and sticking to, the accuracy of the historical events portrayed in the story. And, last but not least, the main character, Ethan Gage, is one of the most enjoyable characters to follow. You just can't help but love the insightfully smart-assed, bad luck ridden, unabashed adventurer for all his quirks and qualities.
June 28, 2019
I really enjoyed the last 20% of the book, wherein things are happening, Ethan Gage is fully engaged, and the historical writing is firing on all cylinders. Most of the rest of the book seems like misguided meandering with occasional sparks of interesting revelation or a mild twist.
It's not a bad book. Just not one of the best in the series.
It's not a bad book. Just not one of the best in the series.
December 27, 2017
Classic light historical fiction of the Ethan Gage series...our swashbuckling hero & his family are right there as Napoleon ascends to lead his empire & Horatio Nelson brings an end to the French threat to invade...just good stuff, kind of a "guilty pleasure" following this series!
May 27, 2017
Ethan Gage is not as witty as he says he is, and so deliciously clumsy you can't put down the book. You have to read on, and discover what trouble he's going to attract next. All right, maybe calling Trafalgar's battle trouble is a euphemism. No matter. Read the book. It's good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2022
Rollicking Fun Read
Poor Ethan, a pawn in the political gales of his time, blown between forces he can’t possibly control, even as he makes desperate attempts. I’m very much enjoying his adventures so cleverly interwoven with real history. Now on to book #7.
Poor Ethan, a pawn in the political gales of his time, blown between forces he can’t possibly control, even as he makes desperate attempts. I’m very much enjoying his adventures so cleverly interwoven with real history. Now on to book #7.
September 6, 2024
Even less treasure/relic hunting and adventure than usual. British to French to British to French to British to French, I believe Gage swapped "allegiance" five times in this one (it may have even been seven but it's so hard to keep track)...when his allegiance is only ever really to himself.
October 12, 2024
This book was closer to 2.5 than 2 but not worth a 3 star book. I guess since I didn't ready any of the others in the series I didn't understand the back story of the main character. The historical detail was cool, but the story felt slow and drawn out. For me it was just ehhh.
March 10, 2018
Ethan Gage, an American rogue in the Napoleanic era.
Part Indiana Jones, part McGyver all fun and you learn a little history too.
Part Indiana Jones, part McGyver all fun and you learn a little history too.
July 17, 2018
great fictional description of the Battle of Trafalgar.
November 3, 2018
I decided to put this series aside. I enjoyed it but I’m at a point where I’m ready to accept where the characters are and don’t want something more to come along and stress me out.
November 14, 2020
Fun, somewhat silly story. Good escapism.
November 22, 2024
Ethan Gage once again gets himself embroiled in the war between Napoleonic France and England. And not always for his benefit. His adventures are an entertaining distraction.
October 1, 2025
Trop long, trop d’intrigues, surtout que je n’ai lu que ce roman. C’est trop d’aventures pour un seul homme et pour moi. La bataille navale m’a fait couler…
November 29, 2017
The Ethan Gage series is just plain fun. Want adventure, (light) historical fiction, a good laugh? Then this series is for you.
This time Ethan is once again a spy for the English, then the French, then?? He is motivated to make Napoleon pay for the death of his wife. His son is left in the hands of a couple in England and his wealth, bought by the sale of a (cursed??) emerald is safely invested. And of course, he is traveling with a beautiful woman whose motive is to over throw Napoleon and return the Royals to power.
Immediately things go wrong and our hero finds himself questioning his decisions and wondering how he is constantly being manipulated into doing things he doesn’t want to do. He really just wants to retire to the countryside and live a quiet life. If you know Ethan Gage, you know that is NEVER going to happen.
Lots of laughs and of course, a set up for the next book. This is a great series to read when you just want to relax and enjoy.
This time Ethan is once again a spy for the English, then the French, then?? He is motivated to make Napoleon pay for the death of his wife. His son is left in the hands of a couple in England and his wealth, bought by the sale of a (cursed??) emerald is safely invested. And of course, he is traveling with a beautiful woman whose motive is to over throw Napoleon and return the Royals to power.
Immediately things go wrong and our hero finds himself questioning his decisions and wondering how he is constantly being manipulated into doing things he doesn’t want to do. He really just wants to retire to the countryside and live a quiet life. If you know Ethan Gage, you know that is NEVER going to happen.
Lots of laughs and of course, a set up for the next book. This is a great series to read when you just want to relax and enjoy.
January 7, 2015
I think Ethan Gage himself best sums up the social and political complexities of this sixth installment in the eponymous entertaining series:
“I catalogued my alliances. I’d conspired with the British spymaster Sidney Smith to take revenge for the death of my wife who, as it turned out, was not dead. I’d partnered with Comtesse Catherine Marceau for a return of royalists who, as it turned out, were arrested, scattered, or repatriated. I’d allied with Real to advise Napoleon’s army officers, allied with Napoleon to find a medieval automaton I was skeptical existed, allied with odd Palatine to disrupt Napoleon’s coronation with religious blasphemy, and been promised ten thousand francs by Talleyrand to let him try this ‘android’ first. Now I was sitting in the center of an agitated porridge of two million excited Frenchmen who, if they knew what I was about, would rip me limb from limb.
For such a simple man, my life is surprisingly complicated,” (p. 194).
But, as with all the other Ethan Gage novels, delightfully fun too. Although, admittedly, both The Barbed Crown and The Emerald Storm focus more on Ethan’s political machinations (or should I say those who use Ethan to further their own political ends) than on the wild adventures of treasure seeking that characterized the first four books. That doesn’t make The Barbed Crown any less of an enjoyable read. If anything, it’s kind of fun trying to keep up with whichever side Ethan is on at this moment in time.
The sixth installment does open with Ethan smuggling himself, and the beautiful Comtesse Marceau, into France on a quest to assassinate Napoleon as vengeance for the death of Astiza in a hurricane at the end of Book 5. Ethan had made his way back to England after losing Astiza, and was partnered with the comtesse by his longtime on-and-off ally, Sidney Smith. She dreams of restoring the line of Bourbon kings to the French throne. Smith wants spies in France to report back on what Bonaparte is up to.
But, lo and behold, Ethan makes it to shore and who should be waiting for him? Astiza! Alive and well, and on a quest to catch up to her wayward husband so she can continue research she started in the Caribbean in Paris. The trio make their way to the city center, where, rather than assassinating Napoleon – no need to do that now that Astiza is alive – they will try to ruin his coronation by replacing his crown with the legendary Crown of Thorns; the one worn by Jesus at his crucifixion.
What a plan.
And when it goes wrong, as things so often do with Ethan, he once again finds himself separated from Astiza and his young son, Harry, and ping-ponging back and forth between France and England trying to negotiate peace between the two nations as the historic Battle of Trafalgar draws ever near.
Oh yeah, and in the midst of this back-and-forth, back-and-forth, Ethan was tasked by Napoleon to track down another historic treasure: the Brazen Head – an automaton built by Albert Magnus sometime in the 13th century that is rumored to predict the future. When is Gage supposed to find time to look for it? Well, it is Astiza who is charged with this hunt more so than Ethan, so the Brazen Head does take a back seat to the rest of Gage’s adventures in this installment.
But as with the preceding five books, The Barbed Crown is pure fun. I wish the novel hadn’t spent quite as much time on Ethan’s ping-ponging, but it was still great escapism. Now I come to the latest release: The Three Emperors. What happens next, oh Mr. Gage?
“I catalogued my alliances. I’d conspired with the British spymaster Sidney Smith to take revenge for the death of my wife who, as it turned out, was not dead. I’d partnered with Comtesse Catherine Marceau for a return of royalists who, as it turned out, were arrested, scattered, or repatriated. I’d allied with Real to advise Napoleon’s army officers, allied with Napoleon to find a medieval automaton I was skeptical existed, allied with odd Palatine to disrupt Napoleon’s coronation with religious blasphemy, and been promised ten thousand francs by Talleyrand to let him try this ‘android’ first. Now I was sitting in the center of an agitated porridge of two million excited Frenchmen who, if they knew what I was about, would rip me limb from limb.
For such a simple man, my life is surprisingly complicated,” (p. 194).
But, as with all the other Ethan Gage novels, delightfully fun too. Although, admittedly, both The Barbed Crown and The Emerald Storm focus more on Ethan’s political machinations (or should I say those who use Ethan to further their own political ends) than on the wild adventures of treasure seeking that characterized the first four books. That doesn’t make The Barbed Crown any less of an enjoyable read. If anything, it’s kind of fun trying to keep up with whichever side Ethan is on at this moment in time.
The sixth installment does open with Ethan smuggling himself, and the beautiful Comtesse Marceau, into France on a quest to assassinate Napoleon as vengeance for the death of Astiza in a hurricane at the end of Book 5. Ethan had made his way back to England after losing Astiza, and was partnered with the comtesse by his longtime on-and-off ally, Sidney Smith. She dreams of restoring the line of Bourbon kings to the French throne. Smith wants spies in France to report back on what Bonaparte is up to.
But, lo and behold, Ethan makes it to shore and who should be waiting for him? Astiza! Alive and well, and on a quest to catch up to her wayward husband so she can continue research she started in the Caribbean in Paris. The trio make their way to the city center, where, rather than assassinating Napoleon – no need to do that now that Astiza is alive – they will try to ruin his coronation by replacing his crown with the legendary Crown of Thorns; the one worn by Jesus at his crucifixion.
What a plan.
And when it goes wrong, as things so often do with Ethan, he once again finds himself separated from Astiza and his young son, Harry, and ping-ponging back and forth between France and England trying to negotiate peace between the two nations as the historic Battle of Trafalgar draws ever near.
Oh yeah, and in the midst of this back-and-forth, back-and-forth, Ethan was tasked by Napoleon to track down another historic treasure: the Brazen Head – an automaton built by Albert Magnus sometime in the 13th century that is rumored to predict the future. When is Gage supposed to find time to look for it? Well, it is Astiza who is charged with this hunt more so than Ethan, so the Brazen Head does take a back seat to the rest of Gage’s adventures in this installment.
But as with the preceding five books, The Barbed Crown is pure fun. I wish the novel hadn’t spent quite as much time on Ethan’s ping-ponging, but it was still great escapism. Now I come to the latest release: The Three Emperors. What happens next, oh Mr. Gage?
May 14, 2013
Over the course of six novels, author William Dietrich has introduced us to the refreshing character --- Ethan Gage. Set firmly amidst the Napoleonic era, Ethan Gage is an American swashbuckler with an allegiance that sways between America, England and France with each passing chapter.
I have previously referred to Ethan Gage as a delightful cross between Captain Jack Sparrow and Indiana Jones. To that must be added the keen and sharped tongue wit of a master salesman. Gage is a true scoundrel who is often misunderstood by those he aligns with as well as whoever his enemy seems to be at the time. Whatever he is, Ethan Gage has managed to continuously find himself at the center of some of the most important moments in European history --- to the delight of all readers!
THE BARBED CROWN is the sixth novel in the Ethan Gage adventure series. This novel starts off with a bang and never seems to let up, giving the reader little time to breathe. Throughout this series Gage has been part of everything from the Louisiana Purchase to the Barbary Pirates and even ancient pyramids in Egypt. Regardless of what side he may be operating on he has consistently wanted to accomplish one thing --- stopping Napoleon Bonaparte at all costs.
Freshly reunited with his wife, Astiza, and son Horus “Harry”, Ethan Gage plans to lead a band of rebels into Paris to do what they can to thwart Napoleon. This is easier said than done as Napoleon always seems to be one step ahead of Gage. Primarily, this is due to a never-ending stream of ‘comrades’ who consistently double-cross Gage leaving him odd man out every time.
This time, Ethan and Astiza believe they have just the thing to bring down Napoleon and shame the Corsican even in front of his loyal supporters. If they can replace a crown that Pope Pius is scheduled to place on Napoleon’s head during his coronation with an infamous religious artifact it should be enough to raise enough sentiment against the diminutive Emperor and bring him down. Alas, not everything Ethan Gage conceives goes as planned.
One mantra that has guided Gage through these novels is: “Men fear humiliation more than death, or there’d never be battles at all”. THE BARBED CROWN presents European and world history in such an accessible way you lose sight of the fact that you are gaining a great lesson because you’re too busy having fun reading what Gage is doing next.
From the crosses and double-crosses to religious intrigue and finishing up with the bloody Battle of Trafalgar that depicts the demise of one of England’s most famous naval heroes, THE BARBED CROWN is swash-buckling historical fiction at its’ boldest. This series is so audacious and vivid it simply demands big or small-screen treatment so that the maximum amount of fans can enjoy the treats Dietrich displays on every page. I anxiously await the next entry in the Ethan Gage saga!
I have previously referred to Ethan Gage as a delightful cross between Captain Jack Sparrow and Indiana Jones. To that must be added the keen and sharped tongue wit of a master salesman. Gage is a true scoundrel who is often misunderstood by those he aligns with as well as whoever his enemy seems to be at the time. Whatever he is, Ethan Gage has managed to continuously find himself at the center of some of the most important moments in European history --- to the delight of all readers!
THE BARBED CROWN is the sixth novel in the Ethan Gage adventure series. This novel starts off with a bang and never seems to let up, giving the reader little time to breathe. Throughout this series Gage has been part of everything from the Louisiana Purchase to the Barbary Pirates and even ancient pyramids in Egypt. Regardless of what side he may be operating on he has consistently wanted to accomplish one thing --- stopping Napoleon Bonaparte at all costs.
Freshly reunited with his wife, Astiza, and son Horus “Harry”, Ethan Gage plans to lead a band of rebels into Paris to do what they can to thwart Napoleon. This is easier said than done as Napoleon always seems to be one step ahead of Gage. Primarily, this is due to a never-ending stream of ‘comrades’ who consistently double-cross Gage leaving him odd man out every time.
This time, Ethan and Astiza believe they have just the thing to bring down Napoleon and shame the Corsican even in front of his loyal supporters. If they can replace a crown that Pope Pius is scheduled to place on Napoleon’s head during his coronation with an infamous religious artifact it should be enough to raise enough sentiment against the diminutive Emperor and bring him down. Alas, not everything Ethan Gage conceives goes as planned.
One mantra that has guided Gage through these novels is: “Men fear humiliation more than death, or there’d never be battles at all”. THE BARBED CROWN presents European and world history in such an accessible way you lose sight of the fact that you are gaining a great lesson because you’re too busy having fun reading what Gage is doing next.
From the crosses and double-crosses to religious intrigue and finishing up with the bloody Battle of Trafalgar that depicts the demise of one of England’s most famous naval heroes, THE BARBED CROWN is swash-buckling historical fiction at its’ boldest. This series is so audacious and vivid it simply demands big or small-screen treatment so that the maximum amount of fans can enjoy the treats Dietrich displays on every page. I anxiously await the next entry in the Ethan Gage saga!
June 7, 2013
Posted First on Blog Critics as Book Review: The Barbed Crown: An Ethan Gage Adventure by William Dietrich.
Admittedly, the time of Napoleonic France was a dangerous and troubled time, yet often filled with adventure and danger as well as glory for many.
In The Barbed Crown by William Dietrich, we follow his erstwhile protagonist and adventurer Ethan Gage as he tries to find peace after the death of his beloved wife, and escape the clutches of the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte. Hi anger and despair drive him to try and become the catalyst in the destruction of the new regime. Having fought beside the man himself, in Egypt, and being a part of his agency in Italy, America and Greece, Gage now finds his is ready to turn on him, blaming him for the death of his wife as well as the kidnapping of his son.
Backed by the British, Gage is smuggled into France with Astiza where they plan to make of mockery of Napoleon during his coronation by substituted his crown with that of the Crown of Thorns, the religious relic rumored to be worn by Christ during his crucifixion. When the plan does not play out as planned, Astiza is captured and Gage is left to flee to England where is again a part of the plot to stop Napoleon before it is too late.
The history and pageantry is interesting, and beautiful as well as fiery and dangerous. The characters are interesting, and the mix of fiction and fact is smooth, making you wonder of much of the interplay actually may have happened. Gage is an intriguing protagonist, one that could do a lot of damage to Napoleon’s crusade.
If you are a history buff you will enjoy and appreciate the intricacies of the dialogue and scenes, mixed with fact which seems to accompany the action. While I really enjoyed the character of Gage, I felt as though the action was sometimes a bit slow, bogging down my enjoyment of the story. The sabotage and danger keep you going, and the glory casts a hook that keeps reeling you in.
The mystery and suspense is a great web, creating a line of deceit, and surprises that keep the entertainment of the times just a bit of kilter.
Dietrich has given us another look into European history with the exploits of his character Gage with his thirst for knowledge and his determination to make things right.
Admittedly, the time of Napoleonic France was a dangerous and troubled time, yet often filled with adventure and danger as well as glory for many.
In The Barbed Crown by William Dietrich, we follow his erstwhile protagonist and adventurer Ethan Gage as he tries to find peace after the death of his beloved wife, and escape the clutches of the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte. Hi anger and despair drive him to try and become the catalyst in the destruction of the new regime. Having fought beside the man himself, in Egypt, and being a part of his agency in Italy, America and Greece, Gage now finds his is ready to turn on him, blaming him for the death of his wife as well as the kidnapping of his son.
Backed by the British, Gage is smuggled into France with Astiza where they plan to make of mockery of Napoleon during his coronation by substituted his crown with that of the Crown of Thorns, the religious relic rumored to be worn by Christ during his crucifixion. When the plan does not play out as planned, Astiza is captured and Gage is left to flee to England where is again a part of the plot to stop Napoleon before it is too late.
The history and pageantry is interesting, and beautiful as well as fiery and dangerous. The characters are interesting, and the mix of fiction and fact is smooth, making you wonder of much of the interplay actually may have happened. Gage is an intriguing protagonist, one that could do a lot of damage to Napoleon’s crusade.
If you are a history buff you will enjoy and appreciate the intricacies of the dialogue and scenes, mixed with fact which seems to accompany the action. While I really enjoyed the character of Gage, I felt as though the action was sometimes a bit slow, bogging down my enjoyment of the story. The sabotage and danger keep you going, and the glory casts a hook that keeps reeling you in.
The mystery and suspense is a great web, creating a line of deceit, and surprises that keep the entertainment of the times just a bit of kilter.
Dietrich has given us another look into European history with the exploits of his character Gage with his thirst for knowledge and his determination to make things right.
August 3, 2013
I began this thinking it would be another period slap and dash through French and English history with perhaps a bit of bodice-ripping along the way. There was little bodice-ripping, though the constant threat of it is one of the comic highlights of a very funny romp. Surprisingly based on real characters such as Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton and Napoleon and his court, it sets Ethan Gage, an American adventurer, loose among the governments of both England and France. He has married an Egyptian beauty, Astiza, with whom he has a son named Harry, Gage is constant to them above all, no matter how tempted he may be to canoodle with the Comtesse Marceau who originally rejects him only to attempt to seduce him at every chance later. Robert Fulton is in the cast, Talleyrand, of course, Sir William Congreve and many more actual figures from history. Gage wisecracks his way through every scrape, finds himself fighting against and for both sides and he may have contributed the Jaeger rifle that killed Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar—assuming, of course, that you can be led to believe that’s what may have happened. The battle scenes are realistic and horrendous, the foreign policy and political problems historically-based and the whole tone of the Scarlet Pimpernel and other greet naval comedy-dramas of the 50s on film generates a manic energy that both keeps the pages turning and inspires lots of laughter. Let me close by allowing Gage to summarize his situation shortly after Napoleon’s coronation: “I’d conspired with the British spy-master Sidney Smith to take revenge for the death of my wife who, as it turned out, was not dead. I’d partnered with Comtesse Catherine Marceau for a return of royalists who, as it turns out, were arrested, scattered or repatriated. I’d allied with Réal to advise Napoleon’s army officers, allied with Napoleon to find a medieval automaton I was skeptical existed, allied with odd Palatine to disrupt Napoleon’s coronation with religious blasphemy, and had been promised ten thousand francs by Talleyrand to let him try this ‘android’ first. Now I was sitting in the center of an agitated porridge of two million excited Frenchmen who, if they knew what I was about, would rip me limb from limb.” Enough complexity for you? Just a superb summer read on so many entertaining levels.
August 3, 2013
I began this thinking it would be another period slap and dash through French and English history with perhaps a bit of bodice-ripping along the way. There was little bodice-ripping, though the constant threat of it is one of the comic highlights of a very funny romp. Surprisingly based on real characters such as Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton and Napoleon and his court, it sets Ethan Gage, an American adventurer, loose among the governments of both England and France. He has married an Egyptian beauty, Astiza, with whom he has a son named Harry, Gage is constant to them above all, no matter how tempted he may be to canoodle with the Comtesse Marceau who originally rejects him only to attempt to seduce him at every chance later. Robert Fulton is in the cast, Talleyrand, of course, Sir William Congreve and many more actual figures from history. Gage wisecracks his way through every scrape, finds himself fighting against and for both sides and he may have contributed the Jaeger rifle that killed Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar—assuming, of course, that you can be led to believe that’s what may have happened. The battle scenes are realistic and horrendous, the foreign policy and political problems historically-based and the whole tone of the Scarlet Pimpernel and other greet naval comedy-dramas of the 50s on film generates a manic energy that both keeps the pages turning and inspires lots of laughter. Let me close by allowing Gage to summarize his situation shortly after Napoleon’s coronation: “I’d conspired with the British spy-master Sidney Smith to take revenge for the death of my wife who, as it turned out, was not dead. I’d partnered with Comtesse Catherine Marceau for a return of royalists who, as it turns out, were arrested, scattered or repatriated. I’d allied with Réal to advise Napoleon’s army officers, allied with Napoleon to find a medieval automaton I was skeptical existed, allied with odd Palatine to disrupt Napoleon’s coronation with religious blasphemy, and had been promised ten thousand francs by Talleyrand to let him try this ‘android’ first. Now I was sitting in the center of an agitated porridge of two million excited Frenchmen who, if they knew what I was about, would rip me limb from limb.” Enough complexity for you? Just a superb summer read on so many entertaining levels.
March 20, 2013
William Dietrich's Ethan Gage series ("Napoleon's Pyramids," "The Barbary Pirates") plugs merrily along, offering the reader thrills and laughter in equal proportions. The titular hero, Ethan Gage, remains a handsome engager of derring-do feats, as good with a quip and he is with a rifle or tomahawk. Disciple of Ben Franklin, friend and foe to Napoleon, and occasional spy for any and all sides, Gage is a perfect cipher to play alongside Bonaparte, Tallyrand, and the other giants of the age.
"The Barbed Crown" opens with Gage trying to re-enter France to avenge the death of his enchanting wife, Astiza, lost in a hurricane in the Caribbean in "The Emerald Storm." Gage's quest of revenge is somewhat truncated when he learns that (mild spoiler alert) Astiza is in fact alive and well and already in France . . . trying to save him. This is typical Gage - his rare flights of nobility are undercut by the facts on the ground. This development sets the tone for the novel, for as Gage swings from escapade to escapade - including trying to subvert Napoleon's legendary coronation - Gage inevibly learns that he is far from the master of events.
That's not to say that Gage is either incapable or a buffoon. Very few could survive his various scrapes, and Dietrich keeps the action coming from scene to scene. Even fewer could offer Gage's hilarious, self-deprecating narrative. Far from the dour rifleman Sharpe, Gage is much more on the level of Flashman. His bon mots and internal observations are more than worth the price of admission.
The good humor wisely drops to one side as the book builds to the epic battle of Trafalgar, which Gage observes from the deck of a French warship. Writers should be careful when describing pivotal historical developments - Dietrich's description of the battle, the players involved, and its horrifying human cost does it justice.
Dietrich also populates "The Barbed Crown" with a cast of historical figures that give "The Barbed Crown" a legitimacy that might otherwise seem lacking - it's as realistic as Indiana Jones going head to head with the Nazis. The good news is that it's also as fun.
Highly recommended, and a sterling addition to the series.
"The Barbed Crown" opens with Gage trying to re-enter France to avenge the death of his enchanting wife, Astiza, lost in a hurricane in the Caribbean in "The Emerald Storm." Gage's quest of revenge is somewhat truncated when he learns that (mild spoiler alert) Astiza is in fact alive and well and already in France . . . trying to save him. This is typical Gage - his rare flights of nobility are undercut by the facts on the ground. This development sets the tone for the novel, for as Gage swings from escapade to escapade - including trying to subvert Napoleon's legendary coronation - Gage inevibly learns that he is far from the master of events.
That's not to say that Gage is either incapable or a buffoon. Very few could survive his various scrapes, and Dietrich keeps the action coming from scene to scene. Even fewer could offer Gage's hilarious, self-deprecating narrative. Far from the dour rifleman Sharpe, Gage is much more on the level of Flashman. His bon mots and internal observations are more than worth the price of admission.
The good humor wisely drops to one side as the book builds to the epic battle of Trafalgar, which Gage observes from the deck of a French warship. Writers should be careful when describing pivotal historical developments - Dietrich's description of the battle, the players involved, and its horrifying human cost does it justice.
Dietrich also populates "The Barbed Crown" with a cast of historical figures that give "The Barbed Crown" a legitimacy that might otherwise seem lacking - it's as realistic as Indiana Jones going head to head with the Nazis. The good news is that it's also as fun.
Highly recommended, and a sterling addition to the series.
June 9, 2013
Hmmm. I didn't find this book very engaging, as I had the others in the series. For me, Ethan Gage is all about treasure-seeking and ancient mysteries with minor history thrown in. But the climax of this novel was the Battle of Trafalgar, which bored me because I knew what was going to happen (writing history can be tricky like that, which is why I liked the previous books better - there was more mentions of major events than showing them or if they were shown, they were brief, not the main course). Most of the book was just Ethan running back and forth between France and England after he lost Astiza and Harry (AGAIN). Also, boring. The only exciting part was when Ethan, Astiza, and Harry were breaking into Notre Dame to steal Jesus' crown of thorns (I'm a sucker for a dysfunctional, thieving family). Which bring me to two things:
1. I can't for the life of me figure out why this book is called The Barbed Crown. Said crown was featured in all of one chapter (maybe two) and then never seen or heard from again. It was nothing. A stepping stone. Not even a large stepping stone. A stepping pebble. It should be titled In Which Ethan is an Idiot, Loses His Family (Again), and Nothing Happens. I suppose that runs long.
2. I love the dynamic of the Gage family. Ethan alone worked fine for the first few books, before Harry was born (he's five in this book - which makes for an adorable burglar) and he married Astiza. But now they are a family and a family of adventurers is fun. Ethan and Astiza are partners in crime, both obsessed with finding treasure. They complement each other and their antics are where the real story lies. Which is why it's frustrating that they keep getting separated! I don't care that Ethan keeps getting used by Napoleon and the Brits, I want to see Harry climb down a chimney to let in his parents and Astiza blow up the Great Pyramids to find hidden chambers and Ethan steal weapons of the gods... sigh.
Hope the next book has more of that.
1. I can't for the life of me figure out why this book is called The Barbed Crown. Said crown was featured in all of one chapter (maybe two) and then never seen or heard from again. It was nothing. A stepping stone. Not even a large stepping stone. A stepping pebble. It should be titled In Which Ethan is an Idiot, Loses His Family (Again), and Nothing Happens. I suppose that runs long.
2. I love the dynamic of the Gage family. Ethan alone worked fine for the first few books, before Harry was born (he's five in this book - which makes for an adorable burglar) and he married Astiza. But now they are a family and a family of adventurers is fun. Ethan and Astiza are partners in crime, both obsessed with finding treasure. They complement each other and their antics are where the real story lies. Which is why it's frustrating that they keep getting separated! I don't care that Ethan keeps getting used by Napoleon and the Brits, I want to see Harry climb down a chimney to let in his parents and Astiza blow up the Great Pyramids to find hidden chambers and Ethan steal weapons of the gods... sigh.
Hope the next book has more of that.
October 17, 2016
This addition to the Ethan Gage series felt more like a stepping stone for the following book. Whereas the previous installments felt more or less contained with a cliffhanger or some other hint of more to come, this one set out the grand adventure and mystery and then things get sidetracked and Ethan meanders around for a bit and before we know it the story is over with Ethan plodding onwards towards the beginning of the goal I thought would have been achieved by book's end already.
This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it did put a lot of pressure on the story to be more entertaining in the lulls. With no grand myth or mystery directing the plot, this novel was more historical fiction than the adventure/historical themes of the past books. Taking place around Napoleon's coronation and the battle of Trafalgar. There is a fair bit of action at the end and spaced throughout but it was more of Ethan being bounced between the French and English as spy, red herring, American diplomat, prisoner, etc. All the normal fiascos that he finds himself in are still present and it is still Ethan Gage...which also means he is both reunited with family and has lost his family because apparently it is extremely hard for him to both maintain his family and his country allegiance.
I am looking forward to the next novel in the series (The Three Emperors), perhaps more so as to complete this novel's setup as it was mentioned that some people of history may have developed an android with strong AI...sounds interesting.
Summary Haiku
Man seeks family
Finds danger in France, England
Barely escapes both
This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it did put a lot of pressure on the story to be more entertaining in the lulls. With no grand myth or mystery directing the plot, this novel was more historical fiction than the adventure/historical themes of the past books. Taking place around Napoleon's coronation and the battle of Trafalgar. There is a fair bit of action at the end and spaced throughout but it was more of Ethan being bounced between the French and English as spy, red herring, American diplomat, prisoner, etc. All the normal fiascos that he finds himself in are still present and it is still Ethan Gage...which also means he is both reunited with family and has lost his family because apparently it is extremely hard for him to both maintain his family and his country allegiance.
I am looking forward to the next novel in the series (The Three Emperors), perhaps more so as to complete this novel's setup as it was mentioned that some people of history may have developed an android with strong AI...sounds interesting.
Summary Haiku
Man seeks family
Finds danger in France, England
Barely escapes both
May 13, 2013
The Barbed Crown is enjoyable and had some laugh out loud moments, especially with the absurdity of Ethan Gage! I'm not quite sure he is cut out for spy work, but he's definitely an unforgettable sort of character.
The novel opens with Ethan and his lovely French spy match being smuggled into the country on a spy ship. He is hitting on her (without much luck - he totally comes off as creepy) only months after his wife went missing (suppossedly drowned in a hurricane). The ship is being followed and is under attack, but the fighting lacks good details making it a bit difficult to visualize. After arriving on land, they quickly become under fire as their position is given away, but are rescued by none other than his wife and 4 year old son. The ackward crew must then go on to complete their spy mission (even though Ethan's original goal was to repay Bonaparte for some obscure role in his wife's death).
The story is interesting and engaging, but jumps around a bit and can be hard to follow at times. Ethan is quite full of himself, and I'm not really sure I liked him as a character. I admit this is my first Ethan Gage novel, so perhaps if I had read them in order this would have made more sense.
The book lost some points because the author frequently wrote about traits rather than shower them (Ethan would say things like "I am brave. I am ..." rather than acting that way and letting the reader form an opinion of the character). It is a fun book and interesting, but was not a favorite.
Disclosure: I won a copy of this novel on goodreads, but the opinions are my own.
The novel opens with Ethan and his lovely French spy match being smuggled into the country on a spy ship. He is hitting on her (without much luck - he totally comes off as creepy) only months after his wife went missing (suppossedly drowned in a hurricane). The ship is being followed and is under attack, but the fighting lacks good details making it a bit difficult to visualize. After arriving on land, they quickly become under fire as their position is given away, but are rescued by none other than his wife and 4 year old son. The ackward crew must then go on to complete their spy mission (even though Ethan's original goal was to repay Bonaparte for some obscure role in his wife's death).
The story is interesting and engaging, but jumps around a bit and can be hard to follow at times. Ethan is quite full of himself, and I'm not really sure I liked him as a character. I admit this is my first Ethan Gage novel, so perhaps if I had read them in order this would have made more sense.
The book lost some points because the author frequently wrote about traits rather than shower them (Ethan would say things like "I am brave. I am ..." rather than acting that way and letting the reader form an opinion of the character). It is a fun book and interesting, but was not a favorite.
Disclosure: I won a copy of this novel on goodreads, but the opinions are my own.
July 26, 2013
While I have enjoyed the books in the Ethan Gage series, I really wasn't that into this one. I think that since Ethan and Astiza got married (and had a child) it has taken away some of Ethan's fun little trysts and interactions that made the books more enjoyable. It kind of reminded me of the movie The Mummy Returns with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz (when they were married with a young son); in terms of the different way they behave and work together. I like Astiza as a character, but I feel it was better when they were just partners and occasionally got together. While I thought it was tragic and moving when she "died" in the previous book, I believed this would actually help going forward, but now we'll never know. Additionally I felt the title did not really fit the book and was rather annoyed that there was no ending, just an unsaid "to be continued". I hope the conclusion of this storyline comes soon and that it is better than the first half.
[I listened to some of this book through Audible and was disappointed with the narrator. I just didn't like the way he voiced the characters, especially so with Astiza. He made her sound like a flighty idiot instead of the intelligent, strong woman she is.]
[I listened to some of this book through Audible and was disappointed with the narrator. I just didn't like the way he voiced the characters, especially so with Astiza. He made her sound like a flighty idiot instead of the intelligent, strong woman she is.]
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