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The Chronicles of Christoval Alvarez #3
The Portuguese Affair
The year after defeating the Spanish Armada, England retaliates. The expedition to Portugal sets out to destroy what remains of Spain’s Atlantic fleet, drive the Spanish out of Portugal, put the claimant Dom Antonio of Aviz on the throne, and seize the Azores. But from the time the English fleet, led by Drake and Norreys, reaches Plymouth, things start to go wrong. Christoval Alvarez, sent to carry out two missions by Walsingham, has a more important private plan in mind. Are any members of the family still alive? And what will become of the disaster-ridden expedition?
246 pages, Paperback
Published August 13, 2014
120 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Ann Swinfen
46 books217 followersAnn Swinfen spent her childhood partly in England and partly on the east coast of America. She read Classics and Mathematics at Oxford, where she married a fellow undergraduate, the historian David Swinfen. While bringing up their five children and studying for an MSc in Mathematics and a BA and PhD in English Literature, she had a variety of jobs, including university lecturer, translator, freelance journalist and software designer.
She served for nine years on the governing council of the Open University and for five years worked as a manager and editor in the technical author division of an international computer company, but gave up her full-time job to concentrate on her writing, while continuing part-time university teaching. In 1995 she founded Dundee Book Events, a voluntary organisation promoting books and authors to the general public.
Her first three novels, The Anniversary, The Travellers, and A Running Tide, all with a contemporary setting but also an historical resonance, were published by Random House, with translations into Dutch and German. Her fourth novel, The Testament of Mariam, marked something of a departure. Set in the first century, it recounts, from an unusual perspective, one of the most famous and yet ambiguous stories in human history. At the same time it explores life under a foreign occupying force, in lands still torn by conflict to this day. Her latest novel, Flood, is set in the fenlands of East Anglia during the seventeenth century, where the local people fought desperately to save their land from greedy and unscrupulous speculators.
She now lives on the northeast coast of Scotland, with her husband (formerly vice-principal of the University of Dundee), a cocker spaniel and two Maine Coon cats.
She served for nine years on the governing council of the Open University and for five years worked as a manager and editor in the technical author division of an international computer company, but gave up her full-time job to concentrate on her writing, while continuing part-time university teaching. In 1995 she founded Dundee Book Events, a voluntary organisation promoting books and authors to the general public.
Her first three novels, The Anniversary, The Travellers, and A Running Tide, all with a contemporary setting but also an historical resonance, were published by Random House, with translations into Dutch and German. Her fourth novel, The Testament of Mariam, marked something of a departure. Set in the first century, it recounts, from an unusual perspective, one of the most famous and yet ambiguous stories in human history. At the same time it explores life under a foreign occupying force, in lands still torn by conflict to this day. Her latest novel, Flood, is set in the fenlands of East Anglia during the seventeenth century, where the local people fought desperately to save their land from greedy and unscrupulous speculators.
She now lives on the northeast coast of Scotland, with her husband (formerly vice-principal of the University of Dundee), a cocker spaniel and two Maine Coon cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 14, 2016
In essence, Queen Elizabeth I sent The English Armada to Iberia in 1589 while England and Spain were at war. Christoval Alvarez, the main protagonist, was Jewish by birth, but was forced by the Spanish, along with her family, to convert to Christianity. In this installment, Christoval is a young woman physician (posing as a man) who has also been recruited into the secret service by Sir Francis Walsingham. Christoval's life is complicated, to say the least.
The non-fictional players, admiral of the English Armada, Sir Francis Drake, and general Sir John Norreys failed their mission, leading to the defeat of the English fleet with heavy losses in lives and ships. In this installment, Christoval witnesses the mistakes of Drake and Norreys as she/he hides their gender, attends to the suffering of the wounded, pursues her/his mission given by Walsingham, and seeks out his/her family who had remained in Portugal.
So, quite a lot goes on in this novel. I should have brushed up on European history before reading it, or perhaps I should have read the previous installments of The Chronicles of Christoval Alvarez. Without a backdrop, The Portuguese Affair requires a lot of scrambling to decipher the who's who and why of events. The writing is clear, fortunately, and the major components come together--even if one is not up to speed on 16th century European history. For full appreciation, I recommend starting from the first of The Chronicles, unless the reader is already familiar with its history. My overall rating is 3.5 stars.
The non-fictional players, admiral of the English Armada, Sir Francis Drake, and general Sir John Norreys failed their mission, leading to the defeat of the English fleet with heavy losses in lives and ships. In this installment, Christoval witnesses the mistakes of Drake and Norreys as she/he hides their gender, attends to the suffering of the wounded, pursues her/his mission given by Walsingham, and seeks out his/her family who had remained in Portugal.
So, quite a lot goes on in this novel. I should have brushed up on European history before reading it, or perhaps I should have read the previous installments of The Chronicles of Christoval Alvarez. Without a backdrop, The Portuguese Affair requires a lot of scrambling to decipher the who's who and why of events. The writing is clear, fortunately, and the major components come together--even if one is not up to speed on 16th century European history. For full appreciation, I recommend starting from the first of The Chronicles, unless the reader is already familiar with its history. My overall rating is 3.5 stars.
December 1, 2015
I'm really enjoying this series. Here in book 3, we learn more of Kit's harrowing past, which both complicates his character and explains his extraordinary maturity. At nineteen, Kit is growing into his role as both physician and spy. Although the current mission—to free Portugal from Spanish domination while turning it into an English colony—appears problematic from the start, Kit has a personal stake in this journey that outweighs his natural reluctance to return to a place that holds so many horrifying memories.
To say more is to risk spoilers. I will note only that when I reached the end, even though I had anticipated it, I had to move immediately into Bartholomew Fair to find out whether I had guessed correctly. Kit's adventures continue, and book 4 looks like a worthy sequel to the first three. So stay tuned.
To say more is to risk spoilers. I will note only that when I reached the end, even though I had anticipated it, I had to move immediately into Bartholomew Fair to find out whether I had guessed correctly. Kit's adventures continue, and book 4 looks like a worthy sequel to the first three. So stay tuned.
August 25, 2022
Simply wonderful! This series gets better from novel to novel. I never knew the story of the "English Armada," and was shocked and mesmerized by it. Swinfen managed to depict its horrors and futility in a most realistic way, bringing the story to life with superb research and writing. The characters continue to develop and are always interesting. Truly one of the best historical fiction novels I've ever read, and I've read a LOT.
September 1, 2018
I truly love Ms. Swinfen's works, and I've been entertained most of the summer with her Oxford mysteries and now her Chronicles. Ms. Swinfen is a master of medieval research and her writing style is easy and enjoyable to read.
However, this book was a tough read, although very well written. It is about a disastrous expedition and all the pain and suffering and death that attached to this Tudor expedition, due to poor and unscrupulous leadership. And the cliff-hanger at the end of the book would have normally put me off, if it had been done by most authors. However, I do enjoy Ms. Swinfen's writing, and have moved onto her next book. Hoping it's not quite so gristly, though.
The Middle Ages or even Elizabethan England was not a nice time to live, but that's what has made me such a fan of Ms. Swinfen's work, as she gives us plenty of the dark side of that era without all the attendant gore and suffering... or only mildly so.
However, this book was a tough read, although very well written. It is about a disastrous expedition and all the pain and suffering and death that attached to this Tudor expedition, due to poor and unscrupulous leadership. And the cliff-hanger at the end of the book would have normally put me off, if it had been done by most authors. However, I do enjoy Ms. Swinfen's writing, and have moved onto her next book. Hoping it's not quite so gristly, though.
The Middle Ages or even Elizabethan England was not a nice time to live, but that's what has made me such a fan of Ms. Swinfen's work, as she gives us plenty of the dark side of that era without all the attendant gore and suffering... or only mildly so.
May 2, 2019
Although I have liked most of the entries in this series, this one was a disappointment. It is more a fictionalized history of the English attempt to invade Portugal in 1589 rather than a novel. Christoval Alvarez goes along with the expedition but has little to do in the story. While the English fleet is attacking Coruña, she does sneak into the citadel to help one of Walsingham’s spies escape. She also has a private mission that involves visiting the estate that was her home before the Spaniards turned her and her family over to the inquisition. The plot does stretch Christoval-Caterina’s courage and endurance to heroic limits but mostly gets bogged down in this stunning example of “the march of folly.”
June 6, 2017
Outstanding!
Truly outstandingly written story.....so much suffering and so descriptive. I had no idea of this historical eyesore and will not likely get the impressions out of my mind's eye for a very long time.
This third book of the series is heartbreaking and told, again, through the eyes of 'Kit' in painstaking detail of the planned retaking of Portugal from Spain during Queen Elizabeth's reign late 16th century.
Just read it!
Truly outstandingly written story.....so much suffering and so descriptive. I had no idea of this historical eyesore and will not likely get the impressions out of my mind's eye for a very long time.
This third book of the series is heartbreaking and told, again, through the eyes of 'Kit' in painstaking detail of the planned retaking of Portugal from Spain during Queen Elizabeth's reign late 16th century.
Just read it!
January 8, 2023
Good story with a well written distressing description of the failed attempt by Elizabeth I and Drake to put a puppet Portuguese king on the Portuguese throne so as to control the trade routes to the Americas - sadly there was no author's note to say what was true but I have looked it up and it seems the events were as described - truly awful misuse of volunteer soldiers due to self interest, poor leadership and lack of strategy as well as indifference to logistics and whether common people starved
July 13, 2017
In this series, #3 is a standout. It tells the shameful aftermath story of the famous failure of King Philip's Armada, where the hero Drake turns out to be a pirate and a terrible leader of men. The Siege of Coruna may be a less well-known corner of history, but it's fascinating and horrifying.
December 24, 2017
This series continues to enthrall me! This time around the setting is somewhat different but the author continues to create a fast paced book that makes you feel that you are in the thick of everything experiencing it all yourself. I cant wait for the next book!
November 1, 2018
Good story, well told with interesting view of characters normally viewed as heros. I struggle at time to accept that Kit can continue to remain undiscovered as to who she really is as she gets older.
November 12, 2019
Didn't enjoy this as much as the first two in the series - bit of a depressing read in general. I also didn't realise it's a series of nine books as the ending of this one was quite abrupt and open ended. The edition I have didn't have a listing of future books, so it took me a bit by surprise.
March 13, 2021
I found this one very hard to put down as I felt really involved with the events. It was good to have some of Christoval’s past filled in. Just about to start the next one straight off from finishing thos one. Definitely hooked
February 6, 2022
I like this author and have read a number of her works. Also, I'm ready to believe that the history in it is good. But it's almost nonstop violence, or other forms of inhumanity, and it ends in a cliffhanger. I don't know whether I'm brave enough to try the next in the series.
July 1, 2023
Another twist in the tale of Christoval
When you thought that there was nothing more to be said, the series of stories winds it's way towards another unpredictable conclusion. Or is it just one more step along the road?
When you thought that there was nothing more to be said, the series of stories winds it's way towards another unpredictable conclusion. Or is it just one more step along the road?
July 15, 2017
A Great Story
I enjoyed this story but it was a sad story and incomplete. The rest of this adventure is to be found out in the next book
I enjoyed this story but it was a sad story and incomplete. The rest of this adventure is to be found out in the next book
March 12, 2018
Especially moving. One of her best.
Read
June 15, 2019I've read some other books about the Portugese Jews/New Christians in England, and it is fascinating to research.
August 28, 2020
Difficult to read. Torture scenes are NOT my bag. Couldn't finish it.
July 14, 2022
Unrelenting misery, cruelty, and stupidity. I should have skipped this one and gone straight to book 4 in the series.
August 19, 2024
Disappointing. Loved her other books but this was not enjoyable and too much a stretch to believe the woman disguised as a man in horrendous conditions and proximity to dregs of a primitive society. Depressing at times and very irritating ending. Historical interest not enough to outweigh the above flaws.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2025
Brilliant story, quite shocking in places
January 7, 2021
Unremittingly grim. Proof errors!
February 7, 2017
The third book in this marvelously crafted series finds Christoval/Kit part of an expedition being led by Francis Drake and John Norreys; the goals are to play havoc with what remains of the Spanish Navy after the defeat of The Armada and to place the rightful King of Portugal (rightful in the eyes of England) back on his throne. From the outset, Kit is faced with disease, death, suffering and the very poor decisions made by the leaders of the force they command. The author has once again published a story that while it is easy to read, is full of drama and excitement. Imagine you are on a ship heading back to England, having had very little success in the mission and filled with the unwanted remnants of the conscript army with no food and only a little water. The author places the reader alongside Kit making it possible to experience the untold misery; not only to the poor soldiers but to Kit's over burdened mind. There is much that Kit goes through that would have brought low many others. A tale that has the reader turning the pages in anticipation of the twists and turns of the plot and in appreciation of an author with a great imagination and the wherewithal to put that imagination on paper. It is also a tale that has the reader reaching for book four as the author has once again penned a last sentence full of mystery and foreboding. 5 stars
February 7, 2015
Oh, oh my....
Swinfen pens another involving tome about the adventures of Christoval Alvarez! This time the setting is a historical event about which I knew little, the English (counter)Armada of 1589, in which Queen Elizabeth tries to put her chosen puppet on the Portuguese throne, wresting it from the Spanish.
I'm not sure which was more harrowing, Alvarez' trials and tribulations or the failed English expedition, in which the common sailors and soldiers are left by their commanders to starve while they plunder up and down the coast. Much as Drake and Essex are English national heroes I think it's useful to understand that to the men that served under them they often were anything but.
The only reason I give it four stars is because . Painful though the story is, it is so well written that it's impossible to put down and impossible not to feel for the characters.
I instantly downloaded the sequel, because I can't leave the characters in this terrible state.
Swinfen pens another involving tome about the adventures of Christoval Alvarez! This time the setting is a historical event about which I knew little, the English (counter)Armada of 1589, in which Queen Elizabeth tries to put her chosen puppet on the Portuguese throne, wresting it from the Spanish.
I'm not sure which was more harrowing, Alvarez' trials and tribulations or the failed English expedition, in which the common sailors and soldiers are left by their commanders to starve while they plunder up and down the coast. Much as Drake and Essex are English national heroes I think it's useful to understand that to the men that served under them they often were anything but.
The only reason I give it four stars is because . Painful though the story is, it is so well written that it's impossible to put down and impossible not to feel for the characters.
I instantly downloaded the sequel, because I can't leave the characters in this terrible state.
November 30, 2015
Going home again on a mission, Kit/Christoval/Caterina sails with the English fleet out to attack ports in Spanish-occupied Portugal, her elderly father’s ill health keeping him in England. Disguised as a man, she takes pain to conceal her sex, knowing that if anyone discovers her secret, she will be burned at the stake as a witch. But then, if she gives up her male clothing, she will also be giving up her ability to practice medicine. So the concealment and disguises have to continue. This story centers around the goal of restoring Portugal to a Portuguese king, and Christoval Alvarez’s goal of finding her sister Isabel and bringing her back to England to join the Alvarez family in England. Plus a pair of assignments she has been given by Elizabeth I’s spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham. Numerous typos, irritating though they may be, cannot spoil Swinfen’s third installment in The Chronicles of Christoval Alvarez.
July 29, 2016
This book was upsetting due to investment in fate of heroine still maintaining male identity in service of Queen Elizabeth through harrowing assignment from Walsingham. This time out Kit is asked to join venture toward placing Portuguese king in power at Elizabeth's direction. The planned takeover was poorly planned but for Drake's pillaging part in the endeavour, leaving many dead. We learn details of Kit's experience during Inquisition seven years earlier as well as the details of her mother's death. Kit hopes to be welcomed by her grandfather in Portugal as well as rescue her sister Isabel, but what happens is not the wished for result. Kit's return to London is more than tragic. In this serial one must continue reading the next book immediately.
January 16, 2016
Interesting read
I really enjoyed this book. The authors knowledge of the period is very good. I hadn't heard of the ill fated expedition to Portugal but she made it come alive with Kits involvement in it. I look forward to the next book.
I really enjoyed this book. The authors knowledge of the period is very good. I hadn't heard of the ill fated expedition to Portugal but she made it come alive with Kits involvement in it. I look forward to the next book.
April 21, 2016
Third in the series has Kit accompanying a group seeking to regain Portugal from the Spanish.
It is quite a harrowing tale full of hardships and strips away the mythic glamour associated with Drake and others
It is quite a harrowing tale full of hardships and strips away the mythic glamour associated with Drake and others
January 30, 2017
brutally detailed storytelling
brushing away any romantic notions of life in these times, the authoress drags us through outrageous and horrifying scenes for a clear knowledge of the harsh realities that are hidden in the folds of our past.
brushing away any romantic notions of life in these times, the authoress drags us through outrageous and horrifying scenes for a clear knowledge of the harsh realities that are hidden in the folds of our past.
February 27, 2017
Another excellent book in a fascinating series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews