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The Company of Archers #1
The Archer
This is very good read - the exciting first book in Martin Archer's epic saga of what happens to the survivors of a company of English archers after they fight their way back to cruel and brutal medieval England.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2014
223 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Martin Archer
84 books49 followersMilitary Veteran and a well known author under a different name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 3, 2019
Charles van Buren
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
3.0 out of 5 stars
Borderline writing but an interesting story
July 1, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: January 8, 2016
Publisher: martinarcherV@gmail.com
Language: English
ASIN: B01ADZHHBG
I almost stopped reading this book at about 50% through, but I persevered to the end. If ever a book deserved its mixed reviews this one does. Most of the negative reviews posted on Amazon are accurate. The quality of the writing is borderline and sometimes quite irritating. I wonder if some of the five star reviewers have ever read any truly well written historical fiction. On the other hand many of the positive reviews are right about the quality and interest of the story itself though there is little suspense as William and Thomas march forward building their little empire.
It seemed to me that the writing improved towards the end of this first volume in the series. As I can download it for free from Kindle Unlimited, I may try volume two in the hope that the writing improves and to get the rest of the story as Paul Harvey used to say.
I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited.
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
3.0 out of 5 stars
Borderline writing but an interesting story
July 1, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: January 8, 2016
Publisher: martinarcherV@gmail.com
Language: English
ASIN: B01ADZHHBG
I almost stopped reading this book at about 50% through, but I persevered to the end. If ever a book deserved its mixed reviews this one does. Most of the negative reviews posted on Amazon are accurate. The quality of the writing is borderline and sometimes quite irritating. I wonder if some of the five star reviewers have ever read any truly well written historical fiction. On the other hand many of the positive reviews are right about the quality and interest of the story itself though there is little suspense as William and Thomas march forward building their little empire.
It seemed to me that the writing improved towards the end of this first volume in the series. As I can download it for free from Kindle Unlimited, I may try volume two in the hope that the writing improves and to get the rest of the story as Paul Harvey used to say.
I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited.
July 2, 2019
Charles van Buren
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
3.0 out of 5 stars
Borderline writing but an interesting story
July 1, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: January 8, 2016
Publisher: martinarcherV@gmail.com
Language: English
ASIN: B01ADZHHBG
I almost stopped reading this book at about 50% through, but I persevered to the end. If ever a book deserved its mixed reviews this one does. Most of the negative reviews posted on Amazon are accurate. The quality of the writing is borderline and sometimes quite irritating. I wonder if some of the five star reviewers have ever read any truly well written historical fiction. On the other hand many of the positive reviews are right about the quality and interest of the story itself though there is little suspense as William and Thomas march forward building their little empire.
It seemed to me that the writing improved towards the end of this first volume in the series. As I can download it for free from Kindle Unlimited, I may try volume two in the hope that the writing improves and to get the rest of the story as Paul Harvey used to say.
I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited.
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
3.0 out of 5 stars
Borderline writing but an interesting story
July 1, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: January 8, 2016
Publisher: martinarcherV@gmail.com
Language: English
ASIN: B01ADZHHBG
I almost stopped reading this book at about 50% through, but I persevered to the end. If ever a book deserved its mixed reviews this one does. Most of the negative reviews posted on Amazon are accurate. The quality of the writing is borderline and sometimes quite irritating. I wonder if some of the five star reviewers have ever read any truly well written historical fiction. On the other hand many of the positive reviews are right about the quality and interest of the story itself though there is little suspense as William and Thomas march forward building their little empire.
It seemed to me that the writing improved towards the end of this first volume in the series. As I can download it for free from Kindle Unlimited, I may try volume two in the hope that the writing improves and to get the rest of the story as Paul Harvey used to say.
I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited.
June 21, 2018
A strange novel
There wasn't a plot here. Characters had no depth. I felt like I had read a how to "builds a shipping company" book . What about George, what's the story there? There were people that just stayed on the page, never moving. This wasn't a fruitful read, I have nothing but questions left.
There wasn't a plot here. Characters had no depth. I felt like I had read a how to "builds a shipping company" book . What about George, what's the story there? There were people that just stayed on the page, never moving. This wasn't a fruitful read, I have nothing but questions left.
December 2, 2015
Best I've read in a long time.
I love this story and I'm glad to see there are atleast 3-4 more books in the series to read. Starting as poor archers left in the holy land trying to get home to England and ending up with money aplenty to raise men and ships and attack pirates and pirate ports among many other things. Can't wait to see what they do when they reach England. Glad I picked this one up!
I love this story and I'm glad to see there are atleast 3-4 more books in the series to read. Starting as poor archers left in the holy land trying to get home to England and ending up with money aplenty to raise men and ships and attack pirates and pirate ports among many other things. Can't wait to see what they do when they reach England. Glad I picked this one up!
November 26, 2016
I liked this one. It's a no frills read - simply and clearly written and a bit bare bones with practically no depth of character - but for light reading, should you have an even vague interest in the period of third Crusades and Richard I, as narrated by a bunch of archers out to milk the system, you might find this OK too. Note this is the first of I don't know how many in a series - lots it seems.
April 5, 2023
An Archer’s Adventure
In the first installment of a series of books on the adventures of a poor archer during Crusade-era Britain, this story takes us on a great adventure. It’s a story arc of the Crusades, and their impact on the people of the Holy Land, refugees and soldiers alike. This tension impacts us even today in our relations with the countries in the Holy Land.
This story of the aftermath of the Crusades, the story of the people, and their impact on the history of the area are all worth telling. The characters are interesting and their future development in future installments gives us the promise of a series well worth reading.
In the first installment of a series of books on the adventures of a poor archer during Crusade-era Britain, this story takes us on a great adventure. It’s a story arc of the Crusades, and their impact on the people of the Holy Land, refugees and soldiers alike. This tension impacts us even today in our relations with the countries in the Holy Land.
This story of the aftermath of the Crusades, the story of the people, and their impact on the history of the area are all worth telling. The characters are interesting and their future development in future installments gives us the promise of a series well worth reading.
May 8, 2017
If you like this kind of thing I cannot recommend this author and his books enough. The Archer series is brilliant, a great and compelling read, good characters, complex and compelling storylines and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Can't wait for the next one, it can'y come soon enough.
May 8, 2017
If you like this kind of thing I cannot recommend this author and his books enough. The Archer series is brilliant, a great and compelling read, good characters, complex and compelling storylines and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Can't wait for the next one, it can'y come soon enough.
October 11, 2017
Not bad not great. But worth reading. A bit too thin on the historical settings and depth of character but nonetheless I did read it with a sense that I wanted to know what happened to the characters, so perhaps the book was better than I am giving the author credit for. Somewhat curious to see how the next books are....
November 11, 2017
The best tail of The English in the Land of the Privates
I️ truly enjoyed the first book in this well researched tail of the defeat of King Richard Crusade in the Holy Land.
I️ could almost smell the salt air as the ship sailed to A safe harbor for William & his son George plus his brother Thomas the Priest.
I️ truly enjoyed the first book in this well researched tail of the defeat of King Richard Crusade in the Holy Land.
I️ could almost smell the salt air as the ship sailed to A safe harbor for William & his son George plus his brother Thomas the Priest.
July 31, 2017
Great adventure
I enjoyed this historical adventure tale! The story is told from several different characters' perspectives which makes for a unique read. If you like historical adventures, this is a good one...quick, easy read...engaging.
I enjoyed this historical adventure tale! The story is told from several different characters' perspectives which makes for a unique read. If you like historical adventures, this is a good one...quick, easy read...engaging.
April 20, 2018
Archery survivors
Five stars because it is historically accurate. William the archers leader, has done well to keep his group together after the defeat at the hands of Saladin & the Saracens but must keep moving to avoid capture & beheading.
Five stars because it is historically accurate. William the archers leader, has done well to keep his group together after the defeat at the hands of Saladin & the Saracens but must keep moving to avoid capture & beheading.
February 5, 2020
Exciting
What a great read. I really enjoyed reading this adventure. I never thought about how the common man would make it back home from the crusades. This book showed me a possibility I would never of thought of.
Thank so much Martin Archer
What a great read. I really enjoyed reading this adventure. I never thought about how the common man would make it back home from the crusades. This book showed me a possibility I would never of thought of.
Thank so much Martin Archer
May 13, 2017
Good historical, read!
I love history!The book is loaded with action. I will definitely recommend this series to anyone else who likes to read historical fiction!
I love history!The book is loaded with action. I will definitely recommend this series to anyone else who likes to read historical fiction!
April 16, 2019
a good no nonsense read intros first in the series
December 21, 2019
The archer
This book was okay. Wasn’t happy with the synchronising of the book to audible. Might listening to other books in series
This book was okay. Wasn’t happy with the synchronising of the book to audible. Might listening to other books in series
January 3, 2021
A great beginning
I love these kinds of books and this one was great. It's up there with bernard Cromwell and Patrick obrien
I love these kinds of books and this one was great. It's up there with bernard Cromwell and Patrick obrien
March 9, 2023
Interesting but weirdly written. It's like a contemporary account, very simply written and with very simple characters.
March 6, 2025
It was ok.
April 29, 2019
Just finished the whole series, twenty so far and waiting for the next please. These books are a great read, my favourite period and subject to read about. Written in the style of a memoir, few things are repeated but I think that adds to the charm of them. To me they're written how I think someone would have done back then, slightly naeve but that makes the story for me. Lots of historical facts, especially as the books go on and the politics of the Eastern Mediterranean. The fact that the development of warfare, fighting companies and soldiers being trained to act as one led to the end of chivalry. Also love the way the company develops. Loved them, please hurry up with the next installment.
July 6, 2015
I will read the other books in the series since I can get them for free from Amazon Prime. The plot is good but the author has never heard of an adjective or adverb. The characters while intriguing, are flat and nearly lifeless. There is little to no description of the scene nor expression of feelings from the characters. There is also a great number of typos and omitted words. It would never get past an editor.
The story itself is told in the first person but the person shifts from section to section and sometimes it is difficult to determine who is telling the story.
The story itself is told in the first person but the person shifts from section to section and sometimes it is difficult to determine who is telling the story.
July 8, 2016
Medieval action and adventure following the return from the Crusades of a party of archers led not by a noble or knight but by a serf. The survivors are few, now tough as nails, and protective of their young charge, the commander's son. If you like military fiction, you'll like this even if you aren't familiar with the Crusades.
December 27, 2016
Excellent book sharpe comes to the middle ages
Good book rattled along nicely and switched between different view points nicely. Currently not as nuanced characters as say Patrick O'Brien but as this is the first book possibility is endless.
Well worth reading if you like historical tactics.
Good book rattled along nicely and switched between different view points nicely. Currently not as nuanced characters as say Patrick O'Brien but as this is the first book possibility is endless.
Well worth reading if you like historical tactics.
May 8, 2017
If you like this kind of thing I cannot recommend this author and his books enough. The Archer series is brilliant, a great and compelling read, good characters, complex and compelling storylines and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Can't wait for the next one, it can'y come soon enough.
May 3, 2015
Good Story
The book is relatively accurate for the time frame. The fictional events and characters are somewhat believable and the action scenes are well done. I will be interested to see how the author carries the story into book two.
The book is relatively accurate for the time frame. The fictional events and characters are somewhat believable and the action scenes are well done. I will be interested to see how the author carries the story into book two.
July 17, 2016
Good Story
This volume begins a series that captures the sights and sounds of the Mediterranean in the days of the Crusades. Interesting characters and a fun plot although not very realistic.
This volume begins a series that captures the sights and sounds of the Mediterranean in the days of the Crusades. Interesting characters and a fun plot although not very realistic.
October 25, 2016
Excellent !
I love history, my major in college, and this book seems to follow the dirty crusty times of the age it's set in. Not a time for the helpless. Straight however could overcome many odds. Good job.
I love history, my major in college, and this book seems to follow the dirty crusty times of the age it's set in. Not a time for the helpless. Straight however could overcome many odds. Good job.
March 5, 2016
Started this on Kindle on 19th Feb 2016
March 8, 2016
Excellent storyline!
A slice of the historical spectrum left uncovered until now. Good p!ot, good action & good research make for an excellent read!
A slice of the historical spectrum left uncovered until now. Good p!ot, good action & good research make for an excellent read!
March 19, 2016
A pretty good tale
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews