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The White Hawk #1
The White Hawk (I): Revenge
"God for Lancaster! God for Saint George!”
England, 1459. Following her final defeat in The Hundred Years War, England has plunged into the bloody chaos of civil war. King Henry VI, the feeble son of the victor of Agincourt, is unable to prevent the rival houses of Lancaster and York from tearing each other to pieces.
Book One of The White Hawk follows the fortunes of a family of Lancastrian loyalists, the Boltons, as they attempt to survive and prosper in this world of brutal warfare and shifting alliances. From the pitiless massacre of Blore Heath to the blood-soaked hell of Towton, they must fight like wild beasts to protect their lands and their king.
The White Hawk (I): Revenge was previously released in two parts, and has now been combined into a single volume.
England, 1459. Following her final defeat in The Hundred Years War, England has plunged into the bloody chaos of civil war. King Henry VI, the feeble son of the victor of Agincourt, is unable to prevent the rival houses of Lancaster and York from tearing each other to pieces.
Book One of The White Hawk follows the fortunes of a family of Lancastrian loyalists, the Boltons, as they attempt to survive and prosper in this world of brutal warfare and shifting alliances. From the pitiless massacre of Blore Heath to the blood-soaked hell of Towton, they must fight like wild beasts to protect their lands and their king.
The White Hawk (I): Revenge was previously released in two parts, and has now been combined into a single volume.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2012
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586 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 17, 2015
I have been looking for a book like "The White Hawk" for some time. Trudging my way through endless volumes of Wars of the Roses books which include beautiful women, love matches, supernatural powers, and god-like York men, I had begun to wonder if books of substance existed. If you have been looking for a novel with more scenes of battle than bedroom, you will find it in David Pilling's story.
I was shocked at first to realize that this novel is written from a staunchly Lancastrian point of view. Richard Bolton watches the Lancastrian army that he and is father are a part of get crushed at Blore Heath in the opening of the book. This leads to a vicious circle of revenge as neighbors chose their sides.
In this realistic look at the Wars of the Roses, not all men are noble and brave, and the women are not all complacent beauties lucky enough to marry for love. Life is gritty and harsh. Richard, Duke of York, is not portrayed as the man saving England from a daft, if pious, King. He is a grasping, arrogant nobleman who, along with Warwick, lead the country into devastating civil war. Edward, Earl of March, is still the giant, blonde soldier, but also a man of only 18, not the savior of England.
Not to say that the Lancastrians are shown as all good compared to the evil of York. Our hero(?), Richard Bolton, makes some horrible decisions that he justifies because of his father's battlefield death that he inwardly considers murder. He puts his family and himself in danger through these impetuous actions. His brother, James, starts out as an eye-roll inspiring version of the stereotypical lusty, drunk priest, but war does change some men for the better.
Pilling's writing style is captivating, not the overly-simplistic style that I find too many novels make use of.
Overall, "The White Hawk" was a well-written reminder that supporters of Lancaster were not simply murderous mercenaries, but everyday Englishmen who were defending their King. Pilling ends with the dramatic Battle of Towton, but as this is listed as Revenge #1, I hope to read more from him.
I was shocked at first to realize that this novel is written from a staunchly Lancastrian point of view. Richard Bolton watches the Lancastrian army that he and is father are a part of get crushed at Blore Heath in the opening of the book. This leads to a vicious circle of revenge as neighbors chose their sides.
In this realistic look at the Wars of the Roses, not all men are noble and brave, and the women are not all complacent beauties lucky enough to marry for love. Life is gritty and harsh. Richard, Duke of York, is not portrayed as the man saving England from a daft, if pious, King. He is a grasping, arrogant nobleman who, along with Warwick, lead the country into devastating civil war. Edward, Earl of March, is still the giant, blonde soldier, but also a man of only 18, not the savior of England.
Not to say that the Lancastrians are shown as all good compared to the evil of York. Our hero(?), Richard Bolton, makes some horrible decisions that he justifies because of his father's battlefield death that he inwardly considers murder. He puts his family and himself in danger through these impetuous actions. His brother, James, starts out as an eye-roll inspiring version of the stereotypical lusty, drunk priest, but war does change some men for the better.
Pilling's writing style is captivating, not the overly-simplistic style that I find too many novels make use of.
Overall, "The White Hawk" was a well-written reminder that supporters of Lancaster were not simply murderous mercenaries, but everyday Englishmen who were defending their King. Pilling ends with the dramatic Battle of Towton, but as this is listed as Revenge #1, I hope to read more from him.
July 28, 2013
This book is worth reading even just for the account of battles: it begins with Blore Heath in 1459 and it ends with Towton in 1461.
Nothing romantic, but a story of revenge, treachery, cowardice, struggles to survive in a place where your neighbour today could be your enemy tomorrow, and you never know if the people you have near will betray you.
It's told from a Lancastrian point of view, but there are no heroes on either side.
I strongly hope there will be a second and third part.
Nothing romantic, but a story of revenge, treachery, cowardice, struggles to survive in a place where your neighbour today could be your enemy tomorrow, and you never know if the people you have near will betray you.
It's told from a Lancastrian point of view, but there are no heroes on either side.
I strongly hope there will be a second and third part.
February 14, 2020
Realistic depiction of civil war incited by greedy factions of elites
Brings home the vulnerability of human society to manipulation and empty rhetoric which is all too often motivated by ambitious ruling elites who expand petty rivalry to broader conflict that destroys the country they feel entitled to exploit and control.
I generally like Mr. Pillings work, but became increasing angry while reading this book. I suspect my reaction is due to my country’s domestic turmoil, as our STUPID former governing elites tear our country apart to retain control despite our wholesale rejection of their 35 years of inept corrupt warmongering governance.
All characters disgusted me. 🦅
Brings home the vulnerability of human society to manipulation and empty rhetoric which is all too often motivated by ambitious ruling elites who expand petty rivalry to broader conflict that destroys the country they feel entitled to exploit and control.
I generally like Mr. Pillings work, but became increasing angry while reading this book. I suspect my reaction is due to my country’s domestic turmoil, as our STUPID former governing elites tear our country apart to retain control despite our wholesale rejection of their 35 years of inept corrupt warmongering governance.
All characters disgusted me. 🦅
May 16, 2013
What I knew about the Wars of the Roses before reading this novel could be written on the back of a matchbox. If it was confusing for the combatants - the opposing houses of Lancaster and York had no real connection with those places and were scattered throughout England and Wales in disparate groups - how much worse for someone trying to make sense of it six hundred years later?
So it was great to have a large part of the conflict laid out in an understandable way.
The White Hawk: Revenge is essentially the story of one Lancastrian family and the overriding ambition of its main character, Richard Bolton, to avenge his father’s death at the hands of Yorkists during the opening chapter’s Battle of Blore Heath in 1459. Left for dead on that same field, Richard must confront not only the shame of his survival but the fears of his family - his brother James, a lush ecclesiastic, his sister Mary, desperate to avoid a loveless union with a traitor to the King, and his newly widowed mother.
Pilling writes a convincing battle scene, quite expertly conveying fear and confusion mixed with the bloody carnage of close-quarter combat using swords and pole-arms. Then there’s the fatigue, not only from marching but from hunger and thirst; from sleeping out in all weathers; from constantly bearing the weight of iron or thick leather armour and headgear.
But war is only part of the story. The author’s blending of action with the politicking of the day rounds out his narrative, essential to help the reader understand a truly complex era. Many of the necessarily large cast of characters are introduced with individual back-stories to avoid confusion because a number bear the same first names: Henry and Richard, for example, crop up several times (and on opposing sides) as might be expected in such a fact-based novel of this period.
A couple of typos in the text didn’t really distract me from the story, despite my avowed pedantry regarding errors.
The Wars of the Roses began with the battle of St Albans in 1455 and rumbled on, often intermittently, for sixteen years. The White Hawk: Revenge concludes with the Battle of Towton in 1461, and with something of an open ending there’s obviously a sequel in the offing which I’d be happy to read.
So it was great to have a large part of the conflict laid out in an understandable way.
The White Hawk: Revenge is essentially the story of one Lancastrian family and the overriding ambition of its main character, Richard Bolton, to avenge his father’s death at the hands of Yorkists during the opening chapter’s Battle of Blore Heath in 1459. Left for dead on that same field, Richard must confront not only the shame of his survival but the fears of his family - his brother James, a lush ecclesiastic, his sister Mary, desperate to avoid a loveless union with a traitor to the King, and his newly widowed mother.
Pilling writes a convincing battle scene, quite expertly conveying fear and confusion mixed with the bloody carnage of close-quarter combat using swords and pole-arms. Then there’s the fatigue, not only from marching but from hunger and thirst; from sleeping out in all weathers; from constantly bearing the weight of iron or thick leather armour and headgear.
But war is only part of the story. The author’s blending of action with the politicking of the day rounds out his narrative, essential to help the reader understand a truly complex era. Many of the necessarily large cast of characters are introduced with individual back-stories to avoid confusion because a number bear the same first names: Henry and Richard, for example, crop up several times (and on opposing sides) as might be expected in such a fact-based novel of this period.
A couple of typos in the text didn’t really distract me from the story, despite my avowed pedantry regarding errors.
The Wars of the Roses began with the battle of St Albans in 1455 and rumbled on, often intermittently, for sixteen years. The White Hawk: Revenge concludes with the Battle of Towton in 1461, and with something of an open ending there’s obviously a sequel in the offing which I’d be happy to read.
June 5, 2013
Once again David Pilling has triumphed in the arena of historical novels with a rollicking great read about life in the time of the Wars of the Roses. The White Hawk tells the story of a fictional aristocratic family, the Boltons whose loyalty to the Lancastrian cause threatens to destroy all that they have. Richard Bolton, one of the main characters, escapes death at the battle of Blore Heath by hiding, something which causes him great shame throughout the rest of his life, especially when his father is killed during the same battle, hacked down by traitorous neighbouring landowners.
The book follows Bolton's quest for vengeance, set in the wider landscape of civil war and unprecedented suffering and brutality. But while his battles are fought as an outlaw and in the field, his sister Mary's battles are fought at home, With her husband and brother pronounced traitors to the king, she and his mother find themselves turfed out of the Bolton family seat and under virtual house arrest by their hated enemies. And, as if this wasn't bad enough, Mary is about to be forced into a marriage with the man who hates her family the most.
David Pilling weaves a convincing story which is full of authenticity in the details. As always, he conveys battle scenes like no other, and the reader is left feeling as if they are in the middle of the action. The pace is almost relentless, but never too much. The characters are well developed and Richard, in particular, also shows sides which are not particularly endearing, wrapped as he is in his obsession for revenge at any cost. The complex politics of the time are laid out simply enough for the reader to grasp them and understand the divergent parties, the treachery, and the deals made in the name of expediency.
My only gripe was that there were a few typos (which I’ve pointed out to the author and which will be corrected). But even these do not detract from the enjoyment of the story. The book ends, rather abruptly, with the bloody battle of Towton, so I suspect that there will also be a sequel involved. For anyone with a love of the Machiavellian twists and turns of the Wars of the Roses, this is a recommended read (I’d give 5 stars if it wasn’t for the typos.)
The book follows Bolton's quest for vengeance, set in the wider landscape of civil war and unprecedented suffering and brutality. But while his battles are fought as an outlaw and in the field, his sister Mary's battles are fought at home, With her husband and brother pronounced traitors to the king, she and his mother find themselves turfed out of the Bolton family seat and under virtual house arrest by their hated enemies. And, as if this wasn't bad enough, Mary is about to be forced into a marriage with the man who hates her family the most.
David Pilling weaves a convincing story which is full of authenticity in the details. As always, he conveys battle scenes like no other, and the reader is left feeling as if they are in the middle of the action. The pace is almost relentless, but never too much. The characters are well developed and Richard, in particular, also shows sides which are not particularly endearing, wrapped as he is in his obsession for revenge at any cost. The complex politics of the time are laid out simply enough for the reader to grasp them and understand the divergent parties, the treachery, and the deals made in the name of expediency.
My only gripe was that there were a few typos (which I’ve pointed out to the author and which will be corrected). But even these do not detract from the enjoyment of the story. The book ends, rather abruptly, with the bloody battle of Towton, so I suspect that there will also be a sequel involved. For anyone with a love of the Machiavellian twists and turns of the Wars of the Roses, this is a recommended read (I’d give 5 stars if it wasn’t for the typos.)
July 14, 2013
First things first-I enjoy Pilling's writing style. It's easy to read and fits the subject matter.
While I didn't dislike this book, I didn't love it either. There were too many things that bothered me about it. The author tries to emulate the likes of George R.R. Martin and sadly, falls short. Like Martin, Pilling's book follows the lives of many different characters but crams it into 225 pages, leaving out too many details concerning the events that surround them.
The plot is simple enough and enjoyable. A father is killed during a battle during the War of the Roses and the son at the battle swears revenge. What follows is much murder, treachery, and of course, more battles.
Richard Bolton is the son and main protagonist. After witnessing his father's death at the hands of traitorous neighbors, he vows revenge upon them. He enlists his brother-in-law Henry to help him in this endeavor, and quickly both are declared Outlaws after an attack they launched on one of the traitorous families.
Basically, this novella could have been expanded by about 400 pages, with more detail given to the trials of all of the characters. Supposed cliffhanger chapters are resolved later in one-paragraph remembrances, which is not nearly enough to satisfy a reader.
Also, the story alternates character perspectives from paragraph to paragraph. I feel a change in character POV should not occur within chapters, but at the start of a new one.
Due to the brevity of the story, the characters aren't quite developed enough. They are on the cusp of being interesting, but when the sentence concerning them comes to a close and has failed to fully draw my attention, my interest fades.
Overall, this book rates 2.5 out of 5 stars for me. This might sound like I didn't care for it, but that would not be the case. I would love to see the story expanded. I want more. I want a chance to feel a connection with these characters as I was not yet able to due to this novella reading like a condensed version of itself. I hope to see this happen in any future novels by this author.
While I didn't dislike this book, I didn't love it either. There were too many things that bothered me about it. The author tries to emulate the likes of George R.R. Martin and sadly, falls short. Like Martin, Pilling's book follows the lives of many different characters but crams it into 225 pages, leaving out too many details concerning the events that surround them.
The plot is simple enough and enjoyable. A father is killed during a battle during the War of the Roses and the son at the battle swears revenge. What follows is much murder, treachery, and of course, more battles.
Richard Bolton is the son and main protagonist. After witnessing his father's death at the hands of traitorous neighbors, he vows revenge upon them. He enlists his brother-in-law Henry to help him in this endeavor, and quickly both are declared Outlaws after an attack they launched on one of the traitorous families.
Basically, this novella could have been expanded by about 400 pages, with more detail given to the trials of all of the characters. Supposed cliffhanger chapters are resolved later in one-paragraph remembrances, which is not nearly enough to satisfy a reader.
Also, the story alternates character perspectives from paragraph to paragraph. I feel a change in character POV should not occur within chapters, but at the start of a new one.
Due to the brevity of the story, the characters aren't quite developed enough. They are on the cusp of being interesting, but when the sentence concerning them comes to a close and has failed to fully draw my attention, my interest fades.
Overall, this book rates 2.5 out of 5 stars for me. This might sound like I didn't care for it, but that would not be the case. I would love to see the story expanded. I want more. I want a chance to feel a connection with these characters as I was not yet able to due to this novella reading like a condensed version of itself. I hope to see this happen in any future novels by this author.
May 12, 2013
My first love has always been for historical fiction and "The White Hawk" can hold it's own against the best.
The backdrop to the story is the Lancastrians vs the traitorous Yorkists. With a weak king on the throne, Henry VI, a usurper in the shape of Richard Plantagent, Duke of York, offers a credible alternative. But when neighbouring Lords chose apposing sides, and former friends slaughter Lord Bolton and maime his son, Richard, the scene is set for a tale of revenge.
This book was a satisfying blend of battle scenes and the very real human motivation behind revenge. I confess to being a reader who sometimes skips battle scenes, but Mr Pilling has a way of writing that makes the battle immediate and compelling, and so I can honestly say I read every word.
For me the strength of the books lies in its characters - from the broken bodied Richard whose sole goal in recovering is to avenge his father's death, to his sister Mary trying to avoid a forced marriage...and the prickly Lady Ann, all the are believable and human.
My favourite quotes:
"Why did he pray? Because Christ was his Saviour and England was his charge. Henry had no other security. The deaths of thousands of his subjects were on his conscience....'Oh for the blanket of madness to cover me again,' he whispered, 'and veil me from the world's evil.' "
The backdrop to the story is the Lancastrians vs the traitorous Yorkists. With a weak king on the throne, Henry VI, a usurper in the shape of Richard Plantagent, Duke of York, offers a credible alternative. But when neighbouring Lords chose apposing sides, and former friends slaughter Lord Bolton and maime his son, Richard, the scene is set for a tale of revenge.
This book was a satisfying blend of battle scenes and the very real human motivation behind revenge. I confess to being a reader who sometimes skips battle scenes, but Mr Pilling has a way of writing that makes the battle immediate and compelling, and so I can honestly say I read every word.
For me the strength of the books lies in its characters - from the broken bodied Richard whose sole goal in recovering is to avenge his father's death, to his sister Mary trying to avoid a forced marriage...and the prickly Lady Ann, all the are believable and human.
My favourite quotes:
"Why did he pray? Because Christ was his Saviour and England was his charge. Henry had no other security. The deaths of thousands of his subjects were on his conscience....'Oh for the blanket of madness to cover me again,' he whispered, 'and veil me from the world's evil.' "
October 21, 2013
The White Hawk I: Revenge
The War of the Roses is a very turbulent time in England. It pits many families and the whole country against each other. This book by David Pilling is an awesome book, telling about the Bolton family and how they tried to survive during this time.
Richard, James, Mary are all characters that keep you reading on. They are a family loyal to the Lancastrians and King Henry VI.
David Pilling's book takes you back to this time, making you almost feel like you are there watching all of it unfold.
The sequel's to this book The White Hawk II: Rebellion and The White Hawk II: Restoration are superb as well.
I definitely will read more books by David Pilling and gladly give this book a 5* rating!!
The War of the Roses is a very turbulent time in England. It pits many families and the whole country against each other. This book by David Pilling is an awesome book, telling about the Bolton family and how they tried to survive during this time.
Richard, James, Mary are all characters that keep you reading on. They are a family loyal to the Lancastrians and King Henry VI.
David Pilling's book takes you back to this time, making you almost feel like you are there watching all of it unfold.
The sequel's to this book The White Hawk II: Rebellion and The White Hawk II: Restoration are superb as well.
I definitely will read more books by David Pilling and gladly give this book a 5* rating!!
May 10, 2013
I guess you could say this book was good, if you like gory descriptions and lots of battle with little plot in between. I am not that person.
I was mostly bored, kind of grossed out, and confused by all the different names. I took a few days off from reading and had forgotten who all the characters were. The copy I read was a proof, so obviously there were errors, but at points there were wrong names which confused me even more.
Not a very enjoyable read, and while I realize it's rooted in history, I wish there had been more story and less description of battles.
I was mostly bored, kind of grossed out, and confused by all the different names. I took a few days off from reading and had forgotten who all the characters were. The copy I read was a proof, so obviously there were errors, but at points there were wrong names which confused me even more.
Not a very enjoyable read, and while I realize it's rooted in history, I wish there had been more story and less description of battles.
May 12, 2013
War of the Roses. 1459 England. York vs Lancaster. David Piling has created a well-researched novel about the early battles and the participants in this famous conflict. If you like Game of Thrones you should give The White Hawk a read. This novel is based on real history.
I received this book through New Reads.
I received this book through New Reads.
October 22, 2014
First off, if you don't know the background of the story you'll get a little lost... There were quite a few characters (reminds me of GoT), but Pilling writes it to where it doesn't confuse you. It was an interesting, easy read. The characters' turmoils and emotions were very well written, that you can relate to them.
September 6, 2015
Me resultó difícil la primera mitad, francamente los Bolton se me hicieron insufribles; tontos, confiados y negligentes, me parecían obligadamente condenados a extinguirse y no encajaba su protagonismo. La segunda parte la redime un poco pero la enorme pausa de este año es causada por lo insufrible que me resultó este libro.
August 1, 2016
Good Story
An intriguing tale of an interesting era of English history. The plot is well-written and the characters are believable. Good dialogue and descriptions. This book is satisfactory good setup for those to follow. The action scenes are very good. Pilling has good writing skills. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
An intriguing tale of an interesting era of English history. The plot is well-written and the characters are believable. Good dialogue and descriptions. This book is satisfactory good setup for those to follow. The action scenes are very good. Pilling has good writing skills. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
May 2, 2013
an interesting plot but found it very difficult to get into
January 13, 2017
Great job
I enjoyed this book very much. I love historical fiction and this was enjoyable. I really like David Pilling's style of writing.
I enjoyed this book very much. I love historical fiction and this was enjoyable. I really like David Pilling's style of writing.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews