What do you think?
Rate this book
Cast in Time #5
Earl of the Marches
An Engineer finds himself in an Alternate reality, Cornwall, in the year 715 A.D. He awakens in the body of a young Baron.
James Fletcher continues on his world conquest. He has realized that nothing short of world domination will allow him to live in peace. No matter how he expands the new neighbors will covet his goods and lands. Now it is the Gaul’s that must be held at bay while he looks at the Moors in Spain. Continue on with this wild ride through the eighth century.
James Fletcher continues on his world conquest. He has realized that nothing short of world domination will allow him to live in peace. No matter how he expands the new neighbors will covet his goods and lands. Now it is the Gaul’s that must be held at bay while he looks at the Moors in Spain. Continue on with this wild ride through the eighth century.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2024
337 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 29, 2024
I waited until I'd finished the available books in the series before writing a review.
These books were tolerably well written as far as sentence structure, spelling and grammar goes. Too many of these indie written books seem to think that such is optional. (Hint: They're not.) They're also tolerably entertaining, enough so that at least I did not give up in disgust as I have on other books.
However, believable, at least in the time frame given, they are not. Also they could as others have pointed out, really benefit from some editing. In many instances the books read as a first draft. This last book seems to have forgotten that one of the principles was pregnant, or that at the original "awakening" of the protagonist in this time he was supposed to be in the neighborhood of 22 or 23 years of age. Now he has a fifteen-ish year old daughter yet is described as "not yet 30." I'd like to know how that math works out then. Wish it worked in my world!
Also there is precious little description unless it involves the occasional machine. We're five books in and I still don't know what this guy looks like.
The clothing or surroundings? Forget it. The first there was any mention was in book 5 as I recall with a little bit of fashion, and the mention of his wearing a "uniform". First I heard about it. The last I heard they were wearing green armbands to differentiate them from the enemy on the battlefield. In my mind they were wearing early medieval trews and tunics until then. He was very concerned with feeding the people in these books (never mind the yield difference between early medieval varieties and modern ones. You're not going to overcome 1000 years of selective breeding in 10 years.) Clothing them? Not so much.
Why did I stay with this series if it was this bad? As I mentioned it was at least competently written, and with my Kindle Unlimited subscription, it was free. If I'd had to pay for it, I might have read the first one, but it's very doubtful I would have gone further.
June 15, 2024
Quite good!
March 10, 2024
Good to go back to
If you’ve been reading this series, you know this is a good one. If you have never read this series, you should start. Cast in time has followed the MC and you’ve seen his country story his army grow, and it was done so smart and humorous sway. This book did not break from that tradition. There were smart humor there was a bit of drama, yes there was even action and overall the story was great. There were minor, and I do mean minor times when I said, I wish the author wouldn’t have used those words, but those are nitpicks on my part others might not feel that way. I also wish a certain portion of the story had been flushed out a bit more. I know it will come into play in future books, but I wish it had been talked about a little bit more here. Overall great book worth reading. Have fun and enjoy it.
Message to the author:
for any of my favorite series I always write a message to the author. It has minor spoiler, so be warned, but I want the author to know there are some points in their books that I really love or some points I might have issue with. I love everything about this book but I did have one issue laid in the book you mention the Muslim faith. Now I’m not Muslim myself, but I thought it was hurtful to hear the MC talk about never wanting to see that faith develop. He even went on to say that one person could cause uproar I believe something to that effect. I thought it wasn’t good to see a particular faith cast down when the matter which religion you look at that mankind has followed. They’ve all done horrible things. It just so happens if you look at the three religions that spawn from the tribes, Israel Islam is the youngest of those religions, we forget that the Jewish faith and the Christian faith did very horrible things in their young infancy. I didn’t think it was fair to bring up this particular religion and have it appear to be very bad. That could turn an audience away. I will stick with the series, but I have some friends who are Muslim who would love to read this book, but they would come across that one line and ask why was their faith insulted. I just think it could’ve been handled better.
If you’ve been reading this series, you know this is a good one. If you have never read this series, you should start. Cast in time has followed the MC and you’ve seen his country story his army grow, and it was done so smart and humorous sway. This book did not break from that tradition. There were smart humor there was a bit of drama, yes there was even action and overall the story was great. There were minor, and I do mean minor times when I said, I wish the author wouldn’t have used those words, but those are nitpicks on my part others might not feel that way. I also wish a certain portion of the story had been flushed out a bit more. I know it will come into play in future books, but I wish it had been talked about a little bit more here. Overall great book worth reading. Have fun and enjoy it.
Message to the author:
for any of my favorite series I always write a message to the author. It has minor spoiler, so be warned, but I want the author to know there are some points in their books that I really love or some points I might have issue with. I love everything about this book but I did have one issue laid in the book you mention the Muslim faith. Now I’m not Muslim myself, but I thought it was hurtful to hear the MC talk about never wanting to see that faith develop. He even went on to say that one person could cause uproar I believe something to that effect. I thought it wasn’t good to see a particular faith cast down when the matter which religion you look at that mankind has followed. They’ve all done horrible things. It just so happens if you look at the three religions that spawn from the tribes, Israel Islam is the youngest of those religions, we forget that the Jewish faith and the Christian faith did very horrible things in their young infancy. I didn’t think it was fair to bring up this particular religion and have it appear to be very bad. That could turn an audience away. I will stick with the series, but I have some friends who are Muslim who would love to read this book, but they would come across that one line and ask why was their faith insulted. I just think it could’ve been handled better.
March 6, 2024
Interesting what-if? series
Alternate universe, base building, industrialization, fantasy
James has his work cut out for him in this series entry. More tech development, the start of covert operations, and empire expansion. Needs editing, and wrong about when a few events happened; prime example was Islam was already founded and expanding by the 730s when this story takes place, and Iberia was well under control by the Moors before book 1 takes place. At a certain point, historical comparisons will be meaningless as James irrevocably alters the timeline, but these facts were already in play, and no explanation was offered as to why things were different without Cornish influence. And the idea to use POWs as conscripted labor? Rather too close to slavery for my tastes. This entry seem well thought out in other aspects, but this does not pass the Geneva Convention, which James should have been aware of as a retired Army officer; he could reject it, but ignoring it is implausible.
Interesting, but some historical mistakes shift this from alternate history to fantasy. For all that, enjoyed.
Alternate universe, base building, industrialization, fantasy
James has his work cut out for him in this series entry. More tech development, the start of covert operations, and empire expansion. Needs editing, and wrong about when a few events happened; prime example was Islam was already founded and expanding by the 730s when this story takes place, and Iberia was well under control by the Moors before book 1 takes place. At a certain point, historical comparisons will be meaningless as James irrevocably alters the timeline, but these facts were already in play, and no explanation was offered as to why things were different without Cornish influence. And the idea to use POWs as conscripted labor? Rather too close to slavery for my tastes. This entry seem well thought out in other aspects, but this does not pass the Geneva Convention, which James should have been aware of as a retired Army officer; he could reject it, but ignoring it is implausible.
Interesting, but some historical mistakes shift this from alternate history to fantasy. For all that, enjoyed.
March 13, 2024
Surprisingly good.
After reading all five books in the series I have to say Five Stars.
It would be easy to discount this book or those before it. The literary style is unusual, sort of “I’m keeping a journal with no editor.” Usually I’m very serious about good copy editing. Not here. It works.
It’s also wonderful to be in the head of the Main Character while seeing he is an all around decent guy, but with well-earned military ruthlessness at appropriate times. Interpersonal dynamics are fun, too.
The author clearly learned the business he describes in the real world. All in all, a fun fantasy. I hope there is another book.
After reading all five books in the series I have to say Five Stars.
It would be easy to discount this book or those before it. The literary style is unusual, sort of “I’m keeping a journal with no editor.” Usually I’m very serious about good copy editing. Not here. It works.
It’s also wonderful to be in the head of the Main Character while seeing he is an all around decent guy, but with well-earned military ruthlessness at appropriate times. Interpersonal dynamics are fun, too.
The author clearly learned the business he describes in the real world. All in all, a fun fantasy. I hope there is another book.
March 5, 2024
Good story
Good story and interesting adventures. I found it interesting that the native americans, still got devastated by diseases. This time without having being visited by Europeans. I liked that he expanded into Spain. I find it funny that he conquered essentially England, France and Spain and still won't call himself king. Their are plenty of people in history with smaller countries and call themselves king. The only criticism I have is the series can sometimes get bogged down in technical details. That while informative can be a bit dry.
Good story and interesting adventures. I found it interesting that the native americans, still got devastated by diseases. This time without having being visited by Europeans. I liked that he expanded into Spain. I find it funny that he conquered essentially England, France and Spain and still won't call himself king. Their are plenty of people in history with smaller countries and call themselves king. The only criticism I have is the series can sometimes get bogged down in technical details. That while informative can be a bit dry.
March 2, 2024
Time marches on, at an ever increasing pace!
Ed Nelson is a master storyteller, at the top of his game. As far as alternate histories go, this series is amongst my favorites. His depth of knowledge, concerning many things, is encyclopedic. Educational, entertaining, and just plain fun. I could live in a world he creates, and there are few authors that so impress me. Well done, Mr. Nelson, and thanks!
Ed Nelson is a master storyteller, at the top of his game. As far as alternate histories go, this series is amongst my favorites. His depth of knowledge, concerning many things, is encyclopedic. Educational, entertaining, and just plain fun. I could live in a world he creates, and there are few authors that so impress me. Well done, Mr. Nelson, and thanks!
March 5, 2024
the earl is a pearl
In this exciting episode, we work on cars and dirigibles, and wonder what to do about the Byzantine emperor and the Moors in Spain.
The Fletcher kids are growing up.
What will happen next?
I couldn’t give 5 stars because at times there were typing and grammar problems that stopped me completely while I tried to guess what the sentence was supposed to mean. Adds to the difficulty score.
In this exciting episode, we work on cars and dirigibles, and wonder what to do about the Byzantine emperor and the Moors in Spain.
The Fletcher kids are growing up.
What will happen next?
I couldn’t give 5 stars because at times there were typing and grammar problems that stopped me completely while I tried to guess what the sentence was supposed to mean. Adds to the difficulty score.
July 26, 2024
I honestly don’t know that I would have come this far in the series if I hadn’t had access to the books through Kindle Unlimited. There is a severe lack of editing and a large number of continuity errors throughout all the books. It reads like a first draft by an ambitious, but untrained author. Now that I have read all the books currently available, I suspect that I will not be reading any more novels by this author.
March 3, 2024
Please have an editor take a look at this
A good continuation of the stories, although there seems to be a even further distancing of the protagonist from the action compared to previous books. It is like reading a synopsis sometimes. Hard to read in places due to various nonsense-sentences, missing punctuation, and random wrong words. Needs looking at by a good editor!
A good continuation of the stories, although there seems to be a even further distancing of the protagonist from the action compared to previous books. It is like reading a synopsis sometimes. Hard to read in places due to various nonsense-sentences, missing punctuation, and random wrong words. Needs looking at by a good editor!
March 3, 2024
An unexpected gem
I picked up the first in this series during a post Christmas slump. None of my usual goto authors had anything that seemed interesting. For radon’s that still escape me, I picked this up and have been hooked.
Good fun and a lot of interesting information. Well worth reading.
I picked up the first in this series during a post Christmas slump. None of my usual goto authors had anything that seemed interesting. For radon’s that still escape me, I picked this up and have been hooked.
Good fun and a lot of interesting information. Well worth reading.
March 4, 2024
Delegate
This series is a lot of fun, giving readers a refresher in history and science as the tale unfolds. However, the author should take a page from his book: Delegate. Do not rely on the AI to provide spelling corrections—it is a fool, often changing the meaning by dropping a letter or accepting a homophone. GET A HUMAN COPY EDITOR!
This series is a lot of fun, giving readers a refresher in history and science as the tale unfolds. However, the author should take a page from his book: Delegate. Do not rely on the AI to provide spelling corrections—it is a fool, often changing the meaning by dropping a letter or accepting a homophone. GET A HUMAN COPY EDITOR!
March 8, 2024
Most enjoyable
As the previous books are enjoyable for the history and who knew how hard it is to make aluminium the metal and not aluminum the trade name that our cousins over the pond call it,i await book 6 and maybe the birth of democracy like how we have a king and parliamentary debate a prime minister or president elected by the people for the people .
As the previous books are enjoyable for the history and who knew how hard it is to make aluminium the metal and not aluminum the trade name that our cousins over the pond call it,i await book 6 and maybe the birth of democracy like how we have a king and parliamentary debate a prime minister or president elected by the people for the people .
March 2, 2024
ReIncarnated USA Soldier...Rules!!
Another 5 star award for your latest book that is a one night read....could not put it down. This is a great series. USA Officer reincarnated to a different time....sets it right...this time!
Another 5 star award for your latest book that is a one night read....could not put it down. This is a great series. USA Officer reincarnated to a different time....sets it right...this time!
March 2, 2024
Another good book in this series!
The Earl of Cornwall continues his work of bringing the modern world to the ancient. Good characters and scenarios. Am truly looking forward to the next book in this series.
The Earl of Cornwall continues his work of bringing the modern world to the ancient. Good characters and scenarios. Am truly looking forward to the next book in this series.
March 3, 2024
A wonderful series
Yes, the author needs more editing for these books, but my god, they are wonderful to read! They hit a special part of my brain just right, and I’ll read every one written.
Yes, the author needs more editing for these books, but my god, they are wonderful to read! They hit a special part of my brain just right, and I’ll read every one written.
March 10, 2024
Good addition to the series.
The storyline is entertaining and imaginative and I’m really enjoying the series.
The only negative is that the proofreading is appalling, especially towards the end of the book.
The storyline is entertaining and imaginative and I’m really enjoying the series.
The only negative is that the proofreading is appalling, especially towards the end of the book.
March 18, 2024
good read
Very imaginative and though stretches the imagination somewhat it’s fiction after all. I feel the action scenes need more description and that would lengthen what feels like a bit too short novel
Very imaginative and though stretches the imagination somewhat it’s fiction after all. I feel the action scenes need more description and that would lengthen what feels like a bit too short novel
March 25, 2024
Get an editor!
I've enjoyed this series so far, BUT, the editing in this book made it almost unreadable. Most of us make mental corrections as we read. However, when one has to reread a sentence or whole paragraph in order for it to make sense, the reading experience lost. Personally, I did not enjoy the experience.
I've enjoyed this series so far, BUT, the editing in this book made it almost unreadable. Most of us make mental corrections as we read. However, when one has to reread a sentence or whole paragraph in order for it to make sense, the reading experience lost. Personally, I did not enjoy the experience.
September 17, 2024
Good read but not as good as the previous one
Good read but not as good as the previous one, not a lot of story more of a third person journal so not as entertaining at least for me
Good read but not as good as the previous one, not a lot of story more of a third person journal so not as entertaining at least for me
March 2, 2024
More of the Same
The last half (mostly) appears to have been rushed into print. It badly needs editing. Many misspellings, grammatical errors, character development appears thin.
The last half (mostly) appears to have been rushed into print. It badly needs editing. Many misspellings, grammatical errors, character development appears thin.
March 2, 2024
Fun book to read
I like.the plot line. I think these books need better editing. Some times it's really hard to get the meaning of a sentence.
I like.the plot line. I think these books need better editing. Some times it's really hard to get the meaning of a sentence.
March 3, 2024
Going strong.
Still a great series. Looking forward to more. Pretty good action and the American part was very interesting. Hopefully the next book is just as good.
Still a great series. Looking forward to more. Pretty good action and the American part was very interesting. Hopefully the next book is just as good.
March 4, 2024
Another great installment
I have enjoyed this series. Looking forward to the world as it could have been alternate history. Get to writing sir, more adventures.
I have enjoyed this series. Looking forward to the world as it could have been alternate history. Get to writing sir, more adventures.
March 6, 2024
cast in NO time….
I read this book in No time .So good……….,……..,……..done good…………yes yes nine nine nine nine more…..very good job sir. Thanks
I read this book in No time .So good……….,……..,……..done good…………yes yes nine nine nine nine more…..very good job sir. Thanks
March 9, 2024
His next great achievement.
I've been reading this series since it began. This installment is a superb addition to the story. Start with the first book, and you'll be hooked.
I've been reading this series since it began. This installment is a superb addition to the story. Start with the first book, and you'll be hooked.
March 9, 2024
As good as the first book
This book was a good steady read as the author kept the science to an acceptable level and was able to develop several layers of the story.
This book was a good steady read as the author kept the science to an acceptable level and was able to develop several layers of the story.
March 12, 2024
blue font
Man I had to stop at chapter 21 the font turned blue and I couldn’t read it. The book was pretty good up to that point.
Man I had to stop at chapter 21 the font turned blue and I couldn’t read it. The book was pretty good up to that point.
March 19, 2024
A good continuation
I enjoyed this continuation of the series. Enough action and attention to problems to keep it interesting . Well written and well paced.
I enjoyed this continuation of the series. Enough action and attention to problems to keep it interesting . Well written and well paced.
March 21, 2024
Good entertaining series. I aways liked stories where you back in time armed with knowledge from the future to see what good you could do. That's the fun of this series :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews