What do you think?
Rate this book
Hereward #4
Hereward: Wolves of New Rome
The story of Hereward continues in this brutal and bloody novel full of betrayal and murder - a must read for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. "Dramatic, bloody and fast paced...I enjoyed every moment." -- PARMENION BOOKS"A CRACKING TALE...British heroism at its best. Magic" -- FALCATA TIMES"A real page-turner" -- ***** Reader review"Great characters, great plot-read it in two days!" -- ***** Reader review********************************************ONCE A REBEL. NOW IN EXILE. ALWAYS A WARRIOR...1072 - The battle has been lost and King William stands victorious. For the betrayed and abandoned English rebels, the price of their crushing defeat is exile.Their hopes of survival lie with one man, their leader Hereward. Can he navigate a safe course across a world torn by war? Their ultimate destination is the jewelled heart of the Christian emperor in the East, the New Rome - Byzantium. Here they hope to join those pledged to protect the emperor, the elite and savage Varangian Guard. But this once-mighty empire is far from stable. Turkish hordes plan for an attack that could come at any moment. And within the sprawling city itself, rival factions threaten bloody mayhem as they scheme to seize the crown.To stay alive in this cauldron of plot, betrayal and murder, Hereward and the English must fight as never before... Wolves of New Rome is the fourth book in James Wilde's six book Hereward series. His story continues in The Immortals. Have you read Hereward, The Devil's Army End of Days - the first three books in the series?
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2014
30 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
James Wilde
20 books118 followersJames Wilde is a Man of Mercia. Raised in a world of books, the author studied economic history at university before travelling the world in search of adventure. Unable to forget a childhood encounter - in the pages of a comic - with the great English warrior, Hereward, Wilde returned to the haunted fenlands of Eastern England, Hereward’s ancestral home, where he became convinced that this legendary hero should be the subject of his first novel. Wilde now indulges his love of history and the high life in the home his family have owned for several generations in the heart of a Mercian forest.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 4, 2022
Read this book in 2014, and its the 4th volume of the magnificent "Hereward" series.
This tale is set in the year AD 1072, and after the Battle at Ely and subsequent betrayal, Hereward and his men are captured, ans as outlaws has just one choice to make, to leave the realm of King William and try to remain safe or be hunted down and crushed by William's henchmen.
So into exile they have to go, Hereward and his men, and they will make it to a place called New Rome-Byzantium, and there they will join the Varangian Guard, protecting the Emperor.
But this mighty Empire is crumbling, and outside the Turkish hordes ar massing to attack that holy place, while inside the city different factions plot and scheme for power and control over this city.
Hereward and his men will not encounter so much enemies from without but more so from within, and these enemies are more hidden, ruthless and bloodier, and their methods are unfamiliar to Hereward and his men, so they need to be on their toes not to succumb to this cauldron of plot, betrayal and murder.
What is to follow is an intriguing and eventful historical adventure, in which Hereward and his men must excel themselves in coming to terms to different circumstances and actions against cunning and devious hidden enemies, and in this deadly environment they must somehow seem to survive to live for another day and so for another adventure.
Highly recommended, for this is another tremendous addition to this brilliant series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fabulous Hereward Wolves"!
This tale is set in the year AD 1072, and after the Battle at Ely and subsequent betrayal, Hereward and his men are captured, ans as outlaws has just one choice to make, to leave the realm of King William and try to remain safe or be hunted down and crushed by William's henchmen.
So into exile they have to go, Hereward and his men, and they will make it to a place called New Rome-Byzantium, and there they will join the Varangian Guard, protecting the Emperor.
But this mighty Empire is crumbling, and outside the Turkish hordes ar massing to attack that holy place, while inside the city different factions plot and scheme for power and control over this city.
Hereward and his men will not encounter so much enemies from without but more so from within, and these enemies are more hidden, ruthless and bloodier, and their methods are unfamiliar to Hereward and his men, so they need to be on their toes not to succumb to this cauldron of plot, betrayal and murder.
What is to follow is an intriguing and eventful historical adventure, in which Hereward and his men must excel themselves in coming to terms to different circumstances and actions against cunning and devious hidden enemies, and in this deadly environment they must somehow seem to survive to live for another day and so for another adventure.
Highly recommended, for this is another tremendous addition to this brilliant series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fabulous Hereward Wolves"!
March 20, 2016
I was very pleased about this one. About how good it was and how it developed and, I felt, totally refreshed the series I have loved from the start, from the opening chapter, in fact.
Fast-paced and urgent, streamlined and effective, it is tightly-written, yet still felt like James was enjoying (tremendously) having set his character free from the historical straight-jacket. Of having to fit into the period of English history Hereward began in and what is known about him occurs. As with James Aitcheson’s final book in the ‘Bloody Aftermath' series, this really is a great leap forward for the character, the series and not the least, for us.
As far as I can see, what little there is known about the ‘historical’ Hereford, stops a short while after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It seems there was sporadic English ‘resistance’ in the period following and Historical Fiction writers (those I’ve read, anyway) have decided it was Hereward doing the leading of the resistance. Until it all stopped. As the population dropped from 2,000,000 before the invasion, to 1,000,000 in the years afterwards, thanks to King William’s bringing of Norman ‘civilisation,’ it’s clear that the/any resistance stopped primarily because there were very few English people left to do the resisting. Hist Fic writers have decided that Hereward survived and, for one reason or other, left England, with a band of followers. He travelled east to Constantinople, to seek his fortune - and work off his frustrations - with the Emperor’s Varangian Guard.
In ‘End of Days’ (the one before this) Hereward comes to an agreement with William, to leave England. Hereward is ‘convinced,’ shall we say, by William, of the health benefits both to the (remaining) English people and to himself, if he does so. So, he leaves. Luckily for us, James’ Hereward leaves with several of the more interesting characters from the previous stories. He can’t leave with his love interests (as Stewart Binns has ‘his’ Hereward do in ‘Conquest’), but here he has Kraki, the ex-Viking and Alric, the monk - and Hereward’s conscience - who has been with Hereward from the start. They are now much more than just supporting characters and I really liked their development here. Hereward ihimself, is still plagued, unusually for a man who generally lets his axe talk first and asks questions later, by regrets and remorse, guilt and a sometimes irritating level of uncertainty about the rights or wrongs of his actions. That’s how we would be, I guess, but would a 11th Century warrior have those same doubts? To that level? I’m not so sure. It’s not James’ fault, writers generally seem to think that by adding in that sort of thing, it gives their character depth and we’d understand it. We can’t, no matter how much archaeology advances, look inside someone from the period’s head and understand their feelings, but you do sometimes wish, they were a bit more convinced of themselves, feel justified in doing what they do, from the off. A Jack Reacher set in the 11th Century maybe (to my credit, I have subsequently learned that James sold his Hereward books to his publishers as 'a Jack Bauer (24) for the 11th Century'. Glad I kind of figured it out first!). Anyway, fortunately for us, Hereward has a tough time controlling his demons and often just gets on with the slaying of enemies.
Clearly, to continue the Hereward series, James had to take Hereward out of England, it couldn’t have continued on otherwise. I must admit, I wasn’t all that hopeful of the success of the series after book three, which while good, did, on reflection, feel like it was a bit forced. Here, in Wolves, James’ Hereward has broken his historical shackles, there is a real sense of purpose - from James as well as Hereward - and a really great flow to the story. Hereward grows and the series will continue, that I know. And I’m really looking forward to it doing so, on the reading of this.
More world-class reviews on Speesh Reads
Fast-paced and urgent, streamlined and effective, it is tightly-written, yet still felt like James was enjoying (tremendously) having set his character free from the historical straight-jacket. Of having to fit into the period of English history Hereward began in and what is known about him occurs. As with James Aitcheson’s final book in the ‘Bloody Aftermath' series, this really is a great leap forward for the character, the series and not the least, for us.
As far as I can see, what little there is known about the ‘historical’ Hereford, stops a short while after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It seems there was sporadic English ‘resistance’ in the period following and Historical Fiction writers (those I’ve read, anyway) have decided it was Hereward doing the leading of the resistance. Until it all stopped. As the population dropped from 2,000,000 before the invasion, to 1,000,000 in the years afterwards, thanks to King William’s bringing of Norman ‘civilisation,’ it’s clear that the/any resistance stopped primarily because there were very few English people left to do the resisting. Hist Fic writers have decided that Hereward survived and, for one reason or other, left England, with a band of followers. He travelled east to Constantinople, to seek his fortune - and work off his frustrations - with the Emperor’s Varangian Guard.
In ‘End of Days’ (the one before this) Hereward comes to an agreement with William, to leave England. Hereward is ‘convinced,’ shall we say, by William, of the health benefits both to the (remaining) English people and to himself, if he does so. So, he leaves. Luckily for us, James’ Hereward leaves with several of the more interesting characters from the previous stories. He can’t leave with his love interests (as Stewart Binns has ‘his’ Hereward do in ‘Conquest’), but here he has Kraki, the ex-Viking and Alric, the monk - and Hereward’s conscience - who has been with Hereward from the start. They are now much more than just supporting characters and I really liked their development here. Hereward ihimself, is still plagued, unusually for a man who generally lets his axe talk first and asks questions later, by regrets and remorse, guilt and a sometimes irritating level of uncertainty about the rights or wrongs of his actions. That’s how we would be, I guess, but would a 11th Century warrior have those same doubts? To that level? I’m not so sure. It’s not James’ fault, writers generally seem to think that by adding in that sort of thing, it gives their character depth and we’d understand it. We can’t, no matter how much archaeology advances, look inside someone from the period’s head and understand their feelings, but you do sometimes wish, they were a bit more convinced of themselves, feel justified in doing what they do, from the off. A Jack Reacher set in the 11th Century maybe (to my credit, I have subsequently learned that James sold his Hereward books to his publishers as 'a Jack Bauer (24) for the 11th Century'. Glad I kind of figured it out first!). Anyway, fortunately for us, Hereward has a tough time controlling his demons and often just gets on with the slaying of enemies.
Clearly, to continue the Hereward series, James had to take Hereward out of England, it couldn’t have continued on otherwise. I must admit, I wasn’t all that hopeful of the success of the series after book three, which while good, did, on reflection, feel like it was a bit forced. Here, in Wolves, James’ Hereward has broken his historical shackles, there is a real sense of purpose - from James as well as Hereward - and a really great flow to the story. Hereward grows and the series will continue, that I know. And I’m really looking forward to it doing so, on the reading of this.
More world-class reviews on Speesh Reads
November 19, 2014
Wow! Hereward simply can't be beaten and can survive seas, shipwreck, desert, ambush, imprisonment, power plotting and more! It is out of the fire of William the Conqueror and into the bubbling cauldron of rival family factions, power politics and a dagger hiding not just behind every corner but in every word and look. Another heart pounding adventure. Looking forward to what happens next...
It is good to meet the familiar faces of the original trilogy and observe how they face off against the many challenges in this new journey and new land from elements to people, both on land and on sea. It is also really exciting to meet new fresh faces, both friend and foe alike and I especially like a particular female character that features repeatedly in Hereward and the gang's new adventures.
This fourth book continues to show that James Wilde is a master at starting off several strands of storyline and weaving them all into an patterned storytelling that grips the reader with each turn of the page and is a pattern that shifts like the sands so the reader can never predict or dare guess what will happen next. Each chapter packs a punch, a surprise, a delight, occasional relief but being replaced by more drama and intrigue than the tales of Hereward vs Normans. And the best thing is.... this is just the beginning for Hereward and the Gang - happily ever after doesn't exist for warriors of a conquered country, strangers in a strange land, where deciet is as common as water and where their famous struggle in England means nothing to the nobles of the Empire or the Varangian Guard.
It is good to meet the familiar faces of the original trilogy and observe how they face off against the many challenges in this new journey and new land from elements to people, both on land and on sea. It is also really exciting to meet new fresh faces, both friend and foe alike and I especially like a particular female character that features repeatedly in Hereward and the gang's new adventures.
This fourth book continues to show that James Wilde is a master at starting off several strands of storyline and weaving them all into an patterned storytelling that grips the reader with each turn of the page and is a pattern that shifts like the sands so the reader can never predict or dare guess what will happen next. Each chapter packs a punch, a surprise, a delight, occasional relief but being replaced by more drama and intrigue than the tales of Hereward vs Normans. And the best thing is.... this is just the beginning for Hereward and the Gang - happily ever after doesn't exist for warriors of a conquered country, strangers in a strange land, where deciet is as common as water and where their famous struggle in England means nothing to the nobles of the Empire or the Varangian Guard.
November 10, 2021
So I read the first three Hereward books and they were OK. It took me back to what I wanted to be immersed in, and that is William the conqueror era England. Those were good books to try to get a feel for what it must’ve been like. It also gave a good picture of how much William the conqueror must’ve been hated. But then with this book, the writer takes us to Constantinople. Or more specifically a voyage across the Mediterranean stopping in Africa and then to Constantinople. It’s a thin plot, and I wasn’t really sure where we were going. The characters were not all that believable. I truly think the writer should’ve stopped with the defeat at Ely. Anyway, I think there are more but I think that I am going to stop here with this one.
October 17, 2019
Gripping tale
You get slightly lost in where parts are set, but the story builds and you think you've got it mapped out, and there you are trapped, the twists come in. You forge on and again you think you've worked it out only for more twists in the story.
The author puts you in a world of blood and guts set in days of long ago, in a brilliantly written story, well worth the read.
You get slightly lost in where parts are set, but the story builds and you think you've got it mapped out, and there you are trapped, the twists come in. You forge on and again you think you've worked it out only for more twists in the story.
The author puts you in a world of blood and guts set in days of long ago, in a brilliantly written story, well worth the read.
April 20, 2021
I enjoyed this unexpected continuation of the Hereward series. The adventures continue as he and his band of fighters try to get to Constantinople. Several strands of the story continue from the previous trilogy and some characters cross over. The new characters are both interesting and intriguing. Looking forward to seeing how this part of the series develops.
July 15, 2021
Hereward, the English rebel who fought the Normans in his home country, along with his band of followers, make their way to Constantinople. The journey is full of obstacles, danger and despair. Riveting read.
October 15, 2021
A nest of vipers.
After escaping from the isle of Ely Hereward and his remaining shield brothers determine to win for themselves glory in Constantinople. There are dangers at every turn and plotters abound. More exciting bone crunching action and twists aplenty.
After escaping from the isle of Ely Hereward and his remaining shield brothers determine to win for themselves glory in Constantinople. There are dangers at every turn and plotters abound. More exciting bone crunching action and twists aplenty.
August 17, 2017
Wilde really needs to start including maps with his novels... a good read though, very violent.
November 8, 2018
Another good story about Hereward, with new characters, some intrigue and lots of fighting.
July 17, 2019
Wasn't as captivated with this one unlike the previous trilogy , we follow Hereward into exile , still a good storyline , just not as intense
March 25, 2020
Definitely and uptick from End of Days.
December 9, 2020
Another rousing adventure. The romantic in me wanted this story to take a different turn, but I should have expected the sucker punches from Wilde by now. Still, I loved it!
March 3, 2021
An entertaining history lesson.
I gave this book five stars because it's rare to find a book that educates as well as entertains. Looking forward to reading the next one.
I gave this book five stars because it's rare to find a book that educates as well as entertains. Looking forward to reading the next one.
September 23, 2023
A change of pace fewer big battles but lots of plots and surprises. a good read
September 23, 2023
A good read. A bit of change of pace from the rest but a change of scenery too. Out in the hat and desert. Plenty of plots and surprises to be uncovered
October 14, 2021
Another top take from James Wilde.
If you enjoy plots within plots, subterfuge and mayhem then this author is for you. Don't start here though, this is the fifth in the series. Anyone who is a fan of Con Igguldson or Bernard Cornwell will enjoy this series.
If you enjoy plots within plots, subterfuge and mayhem then this author is for you. Don't start here though, this is the fifth in the series. Anyone who is a fan of Con Igguldson or Bernard Cornwell will enjoy this series.
June 19, 2015
Four books in and I’m glad to report that the Hereward series is still going strong. James Wilde has taken a little-known English hero and created a wonderfully evocative series of stories fleshing out the bare bones of what has become almost legend.
Book four begins on a sour note for our stalwart leader. Hereward and company have been handed a significant defeat by their arch-nemesis, King William. That defeat has left them with little choice but exile from their home. This is one of the things I enjoy most about this series. Hereward isn’t the indomitable hero you find in other fiction. He is fallible and he doesn’t always win the day. It’s nice to come across a protagonist who faces genuine struggles, both external and internal (more on that later).
Leaving England far behind, the sword-brothers head towards a new life in the city of Constantinople. Needless to say their travels are nothing even close to straight forward. Before they know it, the group are embroiled in more intrigue than is strictly healthy. Hereward has to lead his group against seemingly impossible odds in an effort to not only survive but to flourish in unfamiliar foreign lands.
Though Hereward remains the focus of the novel, the other characters are equally as important. Alric the monk is still on hand to act as Hereward’s guide and mentor. The two have faced so much together now, they are like family. Alric is one of the few who can see beneath the hot headed Mercian’s often wild exterior. There are some quite intense moments between Hereward and Alric in this book as secrets that have been left hidden are finally revealed. The outcome of these revelations have the potential to change the dynamic of their relationship forever.
Nice to see Kraki and the rest of the sword brothers are still round, Mad Hengist is a personal favourite. The back and forth banter between these men highlights the strong sense of kinship they all feel for one another. They complain and moan about their lot in life, but as soon as they get a sniff of battle they are all business. The feeling of brotherhood that exists between them is almost palpable. You get the impression that they would gladly die for one another.
When it comes to the new characters that are introduced, Wilde plays his cards close to his chest. Just exactly who can be trusted? Who is a friend and who is a foe? The various factions attempting to gain control in Byzantium are a sneaky, power hungry bunch. I’ll say no more than that, for fear of major spoilers. The important thing is that Hereward needs to learn how to separate the good from the bad; his life and the life of his men depends on it.
There is bucket-loads of action to enjoy, but it is also worth noting that there is a far more cerebral element to this novel as well. Hereward continues to do battle with his inner demons. The rage that has plagued him for years still manages to hold sway from time to time. In those instances his unquenchable fury always ends in blood. When the red mist descends, our hero is driven by a primal urge and has to be restrained. It’s fascinating to see the conflict this causes within the group. As I’ve mentioned before, Hereward’s sword brothers are a loyal bunch but there are instances where even they question his leadership.
Though this is book four, it does also feel like the beginning of something new. The action has moved away from events in England, and with so many plots and counter-plots going on in Constantinople, there is a larger sense of scale to this novel than we’ve seen previously. The outcome of all this plotting won’t just reshape a village or a country, the politics unfolding in Constantinople will reshape an entire empire.
This is why this series is my favourite on-going historical fiction. James Wilde is as skilled at battle scenes as he is at court intrigue. He knows exactly how to keep a reader glued to every single word. If you haven’t already discovered these books, you really are missing a treat. Do yourself a favour though, start at book one. There is so much adventure to be had.
Book four begins on a sour note for our stalwart leader. Hereward and company have been handed a significant defeat by their arch-nemesis, King William. That defeat has left them with little choice but exile from their home. This is one of the things I enjoy most about this series. Hereward isn’t the indomitable hero you find in other fiction. He is fallible and he doesn’t always win the day. It’s nice to come across a protagonist who faces genuine struggles, both external and internal (more on that later).
Leaving England far behind, the sword-brothers head towards a new life in the city of Constantinople. Needless to say their travels are nothing even close to straight forward. Before they know it, the group are embroiled in more intrigue than is strictly healthy. Hereward has to lead his group against seemingly impossible odds in an effort to not only survive but to flourish in unfamiliar foreign lands.
Though Hereward remains the focus of the novel, the other characters are equally as important. Alric the monk is still on hand to act as Hereward’s guide and mentor. The two have faced so much together now, they are like family. Alric is one of the few who can see beneath the hot headed Mercian’s often wild exterior. There are some quite intense moments between Hereward and Alric in this book as secrets that have been left hidden are finally revealed. The outcome of these revelations have the potential to change the dynamic of their relationship forever.
Nice to see Kraki and the rest of the sword brothers are still round, Mad Hengist is a personal favourite. The back and forth banter between these men highlights the strong sense of kinship they all feel for one another. They complain and moan about their lot in life, but as soon as they get a sniff of battle they are all business. The feeling of brotherhood that exists between them is almost palpable. You get the impression that they would gladly die for one another.
When it comes to the new characters that are introduced, Wilde plays his cards close to his chest. Just exactly who can be trusted? Who is a friend and who is a foe? The various factions attempting to gain control in Byzantium are a sneaky, power hungry bunch. I’ll say no more than that, for fear of major spoilers. The important thing is that Hereward needs to learn how to separate the good from the bad; his life and the life of his men depends on it.
There is bucket-loads of action to enjoy, but it is also worth noting that there is a far more cerebral element to this novel as well. Hereward continues to do battle with his inner demons. The rage that has plagued him for years still manages to hold sway from time to time. In those instances his unquenchable fury always ends in blood. When the red mist descends, our hero is driven by a primal urge and has to be restrained. It’s fascinating to see the conflict this causes within the group. As I’ve mentioned before, Hereward’s sword brothers are a loyal bunch but there are instances where even they question his leadership.
Though this is book four, it does also feel like the beginning of something new. The action has moved away from events in England, and with so many plots and counter-plots going on in Constantinople, there is a larger sense of scale to this novel than we’ve seen previously. The outcome of all this plotting won’t just reshape a village or a country, the politics unfolding in Constantinople will reshape an entire empire.
This is why this series is my favourite on-going historical fiction. James Wilde is as skilled at battle scenes as he is at court intrigue. He knows exactly how to keep a reader glued to every single word. If you haven’t already discovered these books, you really are missing a treat. Do yourself a favour though, start at book one. There is so much adventure to be had.
August 12, 2014
Review
Its that time of year again, Hereward is back and every year he gets better and better, the book and the writing at least, Poor Hereward himself seems to find himself in bigger and bigger sh!t every book. This book is no exception, its also not glorious trouble, its just the mad bad and crazy world of 1072, its a hard bitter world, life is cheap and its truly rules by those with power and money and the strength to hold it. Hereward and his crew have the will and the skill, but they don’t seem to have the luck to hold on, they have been battered by the winds of fate, by the sweeping plague that is the Norman conquest, a group of singularly nasty, single minded tough, uncompromising nation hell bent on conquest.
This the fourth book in the series see’s our group away from England and travelling to Constantinople, to join the fames Varangian Guard, somewhere they can be lauded for their prowess , gain wealth and start to mend the wounds or their lost home of England. Only fate has other plans, the grass isn’t greener, and their are worse people out there than Normans.
James Wilde is one of the nicest people i have met since i started going to reading events, signing etc, a truly generous chap, always willing to spend time and energy having a conversation and boosting confidence to “have a go” myself at writing, always appreciative of a nice comment about his books, and accepting of any criticism. With this book i have nothing but nice things to say. To say i was lost in the book, doesn’t do it justice. From first page to the last i was member of Herewards crew, i suffered every mile , every mishap and every setback, I was rewarded with the camaraderie of his men and belonged with them fighting my way to and in Constantinople. Thats the joy and experience of his books and writing, that you become part of the book. The only thing wrong is its an experience that ends too soon and then there is a year to wait for the next one.
So thank you James for one again giving me a unique, immersive truly historic experience.
(Parm)
Hereward
1. Hereward (2011)
aka The Time of the Wolf
2. The Devil’s Army (2012)
aka The Winter Warrior
3. End of Days (2013)
4. Wolves of New Rome (2014)
Also writes under the name Mark Chadbourn
Novels
Underground (1992)
Nocturne (1994)
The Eternal (1996)
Scissorman (1997)
THE AGE OF MISRULE
World’s End (1999)
Darkest Hour (2000)
Always Forever (2001)
THE DARK AGE
The Devil in Green (2002)
The Queen of Sinister (2004)
The Hounds Of Avalon (2005)
KINGDOM OF THE SERPENT
Jack of Ravens (2006)
The Burning Man (2008)
Destroyer of Worlds (July 2009)
THE GHOST WARRIOR
Lord of Silence (July 2009)
SWORDS OF ALBION
The Silver Skull (November 2009, UK (Title: “The Sword of Albion”: April 2010)
“The Scar-Crow Men” (February 2011, UK: April 2011)
The Devil’s Looking Glass (UK: April 2012, US: tbc)
Novellas
The Fairy Feller’s Master Stroke(2002)
Dr Who: Wonderland (2003
Its that time of year again, Hereward is back and every year he gets better and better, the book and the writing at least, Poor Hereward himself seems to find himself in bigger and bigger sh!t every book. This book is no exception, its also not glorious trouble, its just the mad bad and crazy world of 1072, its a hard bitter world, life is cheap and its truly rules by those with power and money and the strength to hold it. Hereward and his crew have the will and the skill, but they don’t seem to have the luck to hold on, they have been battered by the winds of fate, by the sweeping plague that is the Norman conquest, a group of singularly nasty, single minded tough, uncompromising nation hell bent on conquest.
This the fourth book in the series see’s our group away from England and travelling to Constantinople, to join the fames Varangian Guard, somewhere they can be lauded for their prowess , gain wealth and start to mend the wounds or their lost home of England. Only fate has other plans, the grass isn’t greener, and their are worse people out there than Normans.
James Wilde is one of the nicest people i have met since i started going to reading events, signing etc, a truly generous chap, always willing to spend time and energy having a conversation and boosting confidence to “have a go” myself at writing, always appreciative of a nice comment about his books, and accepting of any criticism. With this book i have nothing but nice things to say. To say i was lost in the book, doesn’t do it justice. From first page to the last i was member of Herewards crew, i suffered every mile , every mishap and every setback, I was rewarded with the camaraderie of his men and belonged with them fighting my way to and in Constantinople. Thats the joy and experience of his books and writing, that you become part of the book. The only thing wrong is its an experience that ends too soon and then there is a year to wait for the next one.
So thank you James for one again giving me a unique, immersive truly historic experience.
(Parm)
Hereward
1. Hereward (2011)
aka The Time of the Wolf
2. The Devil’s Army (2012)
aka The Winter Warrior
3. End of Days (2013)
4. Wolves of New Rome (2014)
Also writes under the name Mark Chadbourn
Novels
Underground (1992)
Nocturne (1994)
The Eternal (1996)
Scissorman (1997)
THE AGE OF MISRULE
World’s End (1999)
Darkest Hour (2000)
Always Forever (2001)
THE DARK AGE
The Devil in Green (2002)
The Queen of Sinister (2004)
The Hounds Of Avalon (2005)
KINGDOM OF THE SERPENT
Jack of Ravens (2006)
The Burning Man (2008)
Destroyer of Worlds (July 2009)
THE GHOST WARRIOR
Lord of Silence (July 2009)
SWORDS OF ALBION
The Silver Skull (November 2009, UK (Title: “The Sword of Albion”: April 2010)
“The Scar-Crow Men” (February 2011, UK: April 2011)
The Devil’s Looking Glass (UK: April 2012, US: tbc)
Novellas
The Fairy Feller’s Master Stroke(2002)
Dr Who: Wonderland (2003
October 9, 2015
The four out of five rating seems a little exhuberant even to me, but as it deserves more like a 3.5/5, I threw caution to the wind.
This is one of those books, and the author too, who seems to be ignored by the mainstream bookstores like Waterstones, yet consistently writes some of the most enjoyable or at least solidly dependable historical fiction around.
The thing that initially drew me to Wilde's work was his subject matter being the legendary English (Anglo-Saxon?) figure of Hereward The Wake and his revolt against the Norman Conquest, which ended in the previous book in the series.
After struggling to find anywhere selling this, the fourth book in the series, I'd sort of given up when I stumbled across it in Oxfam one day.
If someone had read the premise to me in advance and it had been by any other author, I could well have turned my nose up and doubted I'd even make it all the way through.
It's testament to Wilde's ability to create memorable, all too human characters which not only keeps you reading but also makes them all that little bit more palpable in your mind.
On the face of it, ie the back page blurb, this seems like another of the many Constantinople den of vipers conspiracy kind of books but, without giving anything away, this book actually has some of its best moments while the chief characters are still making their way to the golden city.
Maybe it's because I've been reading this series since the beginning but after experiencing numerous multi-book series which usually start sagging around the book four or five mark, I was pleasantly surprised by this book which, while not quite in the same lustre as the first two, is confidently its own beast and walks the walk.
There's clever dynamics between the characters, especially with the element of the English being perennially stuck between a rock and a hard place, and plenty to keep you interested.
This is one of those books, and the author too, who seems to be ignored by the mainstream bookstores like Waterstones, yet consistently writes some of the most enjoyable or at least solidly dependable historical fiction around.
The thing that initially drew me to Wilde's work was his subject matter being the legendary English (Anglo-Saxon?) figure of Hereward The Wake and his revolt against the Norman Conquest, which ended in the previous book in the series.
After struggling to find anywhere selling this, the fourth book in the series, I'd sort of given up when I stumbled across it in Oxfam one day.
If someone had read the premise to me in advance and it had been by any other author, I could well have turned my nose up and doubted I'd even make it all the way through.
It's testament to Wilde's ability to create memorable, all too human characters which not only keeps you reading but also makes them all that little bit more palpable in your mind.
On the face of it, ie the back page blurb, this seems like another of the many Constantinople den of vipers conspiracy kind of books but, without giving anything away, this book actually has some of its best moments while the chief characters are still making their way to the golden city.
Maybe it's because I've been reading this series since the beginning but after experiencing numerous multi-book series which usually start sagging around the book four or five mark, I was pleasantly surprised by this book which, while not quite in the same lustre as the first two, is confidently its own beast and walks the walk.
There's clever dynamics between the characters, especially with the element of the English being perennially stuck between a rock and a hard place, and plenty to keep you interested.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews