Valour: A BRAND NEW epic historical adventure from Richard Cullen for fans of Ben Kane

Chronicles of the Black Lion #3

by Richard Cullen

The BRAND NEW continuation of the epic historical adventure series from Richard Cullen, featuring The Black Lion… Estienne Wace is forced to play a desperate game of cat and mouse, where the only way to win is to survive.

Burzenland 1223 AD

King András II of Hungary has invited the Teutonic Knights to secure his eastern frontier against the nomadic Cuman raiders, establishing fortresses along the Carpathian Mountains to quell the constant incursions by pagan clans.

Estienne Wace, has found purpose serving at the Order’s fortress of Rosenau, and he has earned respect through his unflinching courage. When a Christian mission, led by Fabrisse of Avallon, arrives determined to convert a pagan clan beyond the mountains, Estienne's warnings of danger fall on deaf ears.

News soon arrives of Fabrisse’s capture and Estienne, along with a small band of knights, undertake a desperate rescue mission through hostile territory where Estienne will face trials beyond endurance.

In the ensuing crucible of violence, he must decide what price he is willing to sacrifice for survival, justice, and redemption, in a land where mercy is a luxury few can afford.

Perfect for the fans of Bernard Cornwell, Ben Kane and Conn Iggulden.

Praise for Richard

A gripping and tautly-woven tale of a young squire thrust into the house of William Marshal during the turbulent reign of King John. Rebellion is rich, engrossing and beautifully historical, a page-turner from start to finish.' - SJA Turney, author of the Wolves of Oden series.

''Following in the footsteps of the legendary knight William Marshall, The events surrounding the signing of Magna Carta, and the end of King John's notorious reign are brought vividly to life by Richard Cullen. One of the most significant and fascinating periods in English history done justice by an exciting and engrossing story.' - JC Duncan

'This is a thrilling start to a new series, sure to appeal to fans of the genre and those interested in the events of King John's reign and the fabulous William Marshall in all his wonderful glory' - MJ Porter

'Gritty, exciting and thoroughly medieval. I was after something gritty, engaging and rich in historical detail, it ticked all of these boxes' - Reader Review

'For me this was one of the best balanced books I’ve ever read - it’s a gloriously wonderful story and sets up the promise of what could be the best series I’ve ever read.. I’ve high hopes for this one.' - Reader Review

'The Rebellion is a great new series about a time in history that was ruled by violence and power. I am definitely looking forward to the next book!' - Reader Review

'Even if you don't know much about the history of King's of England this is a very entertaining read. Exciting, informative and gripping story' - Reader Review

'A period that’s less travelled in historical fiction. Well researched, well written- definitely worth a read' - Reader Review

'The Rebellion is a great new series about a time in history that was ruled by violence and power.

Genres: Historical Fiction

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2025

About the author

Richard Cullen originally hails from Leeds in the heartland of Yorkshire. He is a writer of historical adventure fiction and fantasy (check out R S Ford on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...)

You can find out more about what he's up to, and download free stuff, here:
http://wordhog.co.uk

And follow him on Twitter here: @rich4ord
And Instagram here: thewordhog

Reviews

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third instalment in the Chronicles of the Black Lion is yet another immersive and detailed read. 1223AD and  a holy woman and her companions arrive at a pagan settlement to attempt to convert them to christianity. The events that follow end in a brutal slaying of the group. One survivor gets word to Estienne. He and a number of his friends volunteer to ride out and rescue survivors, if there are any.

This is an intriguing series for me as I don't know too much about this period. I have enjoyed all of the books now. This author writes the most immersive storylines. I actually felt like I was there, witnessing the brutality and extremes that they went to in those days.

The way the storytelling flows just shows the confidence of the research done by Richard Cullen as well. This is yet another one of those historical fiction books where I can say I was educated and entertained.

The action kept the pace up, so I was trying hard not to have to go to sleep! Sadly, sleep got the better of me, and I finished it the next morning. Another cracking tale that had everything I needed to make me want the next book!! If there is one, of course.

[David Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valour is book 3 in the Chronicles of the Black Lion series and I would highly recommend you read the rest of the series first to truly understand the journey Estienne Wace has been on.

Wace is now serving the Order of Saint Mary.. after the events that played out in book 2 of the series his faith has been shaken too many times.. he’s struggled to find purpose.. but with the help of his friend, Amalric, he has a place in life. Theirs is a friendship forged in the heat of battle.

You know things aren’t going to be quiet for Wace and that’s confirmed when Fabrisse of Avallon arrives, she’s on mission to convert the pagans and to spread Gods word..what’s Wace’s job you might ask.. he’s to escort her and the bishops to a meeting point where the latest tribe ready to convert await. He thinks its a stupid idea.. he knows what the pagans are like but he’s bound to do as commanded.

It was never going to be that simple was it…

The clan themselves are facing struggles a question of faith.. loyalty.. courage… their very way of live hangs in the balance. Things start off okay when Fabrisse arrives and Wace heads back, as intrusted, to the fortress.. but things soon sour.

Internal conflict within the clan sees their leader killed and Fabrisse and the bishops taken hostage.. they are to suffer a fate worse than any…

Luckily for Fabrisse, Wace and the knights are alerted to their predicament and set out to save them!

This will be the biggest test so far for Wace and his friends but can they save Fabrisse?

I won’t spoil it for you but Valour had to be finest offering from the author yet.. exciting but gut wrenchingly brutal..

Richard Cullen knows exactly how to wrap the reader around his finger.. how to get the reader invested in the characters and did a wonderful job of adding new characters to the ensemble not only do they bring fresh blood to the story but also play their own pivotal parts in Wace’s journey.

The plot is engrossing so it was difficult to look beyond that excitement in the heat of the moment but when you decompress at the end of a chapter you can see just how much was packed in, detail of locations, weather, the people, their motivations, all the little bits needed to understand what the people must be facing, painting a vivid picture of their lives.

There’s plenty of battles, blood and death for the action fans too but what really makes it stand out is the raw emotion in those scenes.. every death matters.

I feel what makes this book the 5* read it is has to be the characters and their impact.. a few stand out.. Rotger for example..this massive man left a lasting impression.

The main character that stood out for me was Jurgen.. he’s a trapper.. he knows the land well and is sought to help Wace and the knight’s track the clan down. Jurgen along with his faithful companion Clovis.. I mean I really would love to read about Jurgen’s life and how he came to be where he is, we know he’s felt the pain of loss but I just feel there’s a story there somewhere..

Again no spoilers but another character left a lasting impression…Carsten.. that ending.. wow!!

I can’t praise this book enough..the author nailed everything.. the story is Wace’s journey but it’s so much more than that.. each character has their own journey.. they mean something.. Wace doesn’t overshadow them but I felt his pain, every emotion.. every death just like Wace did.

This will easily make my top 5 books for 2025!

[Daniel Weston · Rating 3 out of 5]

A disappointing 3rd entry from Richard Cullen. Each entry has gotten progressively worse since the excellent 1st book. It feels like all the drama and twists had been developed for the 1st book and these follow up entries in the series have almost been developed as an afterthought. In this book Estienne finds himself on the borders or Hungary with his faith waning after book 2. I like how the author has put Estienne in some really different lands, but unfortunately I didn't feel like this was developed enough to show you what medieval Hungary was like.

*SPOILERS*

The tribesmen that Estienne faces in this book were just pictured as pure savages pretty much. Their motives behind abandoning their whole village to sacrifice the Christians was completely bewildering considering they ended up losing almost their whole force in the process too. Again, it featured a character becoming obsessed with gaining revenge, even though his brother had only been killed because they had been sent to kill Estienne and his friends.

The ending was diabolical - why did Jürgen's dog not sense that there was a warrior sneaking up behind him and then only attack after he had been stabbed? Why did Merton not tell anyone he'd been stabbed and how did Estienne not notice after he saw him slumped against a wall after the battle?

They killed off 2 great characters completely unnecessarily in my opinion too when they killed Amalric and Havenblast and the story suffered as a result.

I was really disappointed in this book and not sure I'd read any further books in the series

[The Bookish Pilgrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valour is the third in the Black Knight series, following Estienne Wace this time to the inhospitable climes of a frontier fort in Burzenland in the Carpathian mountains. As a frontier fort, they are subject to frequent Cuman (Kipchak) raids or vice versa as the Christians seek to push their territories forward.

A rollicking read from the get go, the story follows the path of missionary nun, Fabrisse of Avallon, who believes she is called to convert the Cuman tribe in response to their chief's appeal. But is the entire tribe in agreement or are Fabrisse and her retinue of two Dominican friars doomed?

Follow the perilous journey of Estienne Wace, Almaric et al as they try to seek out the missionaries, and rescue them if need be. This journey leads them through the dark, dangerous world of the Carpathian mountains, subject to nature's fury - heavy rain, sleet, snow, impossible mountain goat tracks with steep falls into the valley far beneath all the while pursuing or being pursued by the Cumans, carrying a terribly wounded (by impaling) monk.

You see the faith of Fabrisse, the dark work of the tribal shamans, the cynicism of Wace regarding God and his protection, not realising the truth, so fractured and wounded is he.

Despite the gore, bloodshed, fights, torture, sacrifices to pagan gods - all realities of that period, the book is unputdownable. The novel is as fast paced as the changing scenery and truly, Richard Cullen has surpassed himself in this novel.

Wace is still heroic, but it's not mostly the impossible heroism of a superhero. There are some elements of human failure that render him more reachable. He has also lost faith in God and his goodness, his protection and his ability to save. Yet, with his legitimate questions, his bad treatment by those who ought to have protected him, etc, he can't see/finds it hard to accept, what is largely plain to us, the readers, as the novel ends and the scene is set for the next in the series. It's to be hoped that Wace begins to find his way back to a loving God who never stopped loving on him.

If you've a strong stomach, read all three novels, and you'll see this is the best. This is an ARC read, but the opinions are my own

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of Teutonic knights are stationed on the borders of Hungary in the Carpathian mountains to protect the area from the pagan tribes. One tribe is threatened by the Mongol hordes to the East and their leader wants to convert to Christianity to get protection. He is betrayed by his priestess and the team sent to baptise is captured and destined to be sacrificed to their gods. A small group of knights including Estienne Wace decide to go on a rescue mission.
This is an example of a well-written medieval action thriller with the added bonus of being set on the borders of Christianity and featuring the Teutonic Order, a not very well-used setting. It follows all the accepted rules of its genre - lots of sword-fighting, betrayal, plausible enemies etc - and has a strong moral sense at its heart.

[Ann-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

1223AD. Estienne Wace, a member of the Order of Saint Mary, serves in the fortress of Rosenau on the edge of Christendom. Word arrives that a Christian mission has been invited by a nearby Pagan clan to convert them to Christianity and will arrive soon. Soon after the mission has been escorted to the clan, one of the mission members struggles back to the fortress with a tale of slaughter amongst the clan. Estienne and several of his friends in the order volunteer to ride out to rescue the other members, if they are still alive.

A fascinating tale set in an intriguing location, a time in history that I know very little about. An action-packed tale of brotherhood, betrayal, murder, cowardice, retribution and revenge.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a continuation of the first 2 books. Now Estienne is settled with the Knights of the Order of Saint Mary as a half brother or halb-bruder. They are constantly set upon by the native tribes that are resistant to the changes that comes with the knights. After a member of the church is taken prisoner Estienne and band of knights go to rescue them and bring them home. Along the way they encounter betrayal and a conflict of faith that shakes people to their core. It was representative of the times when Christianity was not accepted everywhere by everyone. Loved the story and was sad when things happened towards the end.

ARC Review given for honest feedback by NetGalley and Boldwood Books

[Christine Harman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third installment of the Black Lion Trilogy. Estienne and his brothers have to accompany a holy women and her companions to a pagan settlement to bring Christ to them. What follows is brutal in the extreme as they try to escape with their lives. I shed a few tears at this one at the horror that the group face as they are being chased by the pagans. Once again Richard Cullen has written a spectacular story which makes you feel as though you are there with them fighting to the death. We have followed Estienne Wace from a youngster bought to Wales to be raised by the Marshall. I hope this is not the last we hear of Estienne. He is like a brother to us readers and I want to know what his next adventures are going to be. With thanks to the author,Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.

[Cody Marie Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am floored by the events throughout Valour, but it was such a good read! Estienne Wace has become a formidable character over this trilogy, and he's still young so I can't help but think and hope that move historical adventures will follow. I do believe Valour has been the most intense and emotional of Estienne's stories and Richard Cullen should feel proud for writing good, solid books with spectacular action and drama!

This is my honest review after reading an ARC from Boldwood Books and Netgalley.

[Maxx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank You NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!

Estienne Wace has changed so much in the series, and to think he's still young. Him questioning his beliefs because of the people he meets. He is such an amazing character in this historical adventure with great wiring and drama that had me glues to the pages.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story where the author makes you feel like you are there with the characters, whether in battle, or fighting a storm, the treachery between their own amongst their comrades, so they can have the power or glory. Everything about this book is worth reading, and for me, reading a second time, very much worth the read.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

1223. Continuing story of Esitienne Wace.
A journey to rescue 3 Christian missionaries from a clang that wishes to sacrifice them to their gods

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great and fascinating novel set in the 13th century and set in the Carpathes mountains. Really intriguing because I had absolutely no idea of this part of history where Christianity meets the old gods.... A lot of killing, an interesting concept of honour as well as a dangerous way of life have kept me on the edge of my seat!!! The only thing that I kept wondering about was the food: hardly any mention of it when they spent so much time fleeing, attacking, hiding.... I did enjoy the novel though a lot and I will definitely read book one! (book 2 can be read as a standalone).
I received a digital copy from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.