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Hammer of God #1-3
The Hammer of God
Francia, 732 AD. An invasion. An enemy unlike any seen on Frankish soil before. And there is only one man who can stop it.
Born illegitimate, disowned and imprisoned, Charles "The Hammer" rose up to unite a fractured kingdom against a seemingly unstoppable foe. To do that he had to overcome power-hungry bishops, recalcitrant nobels, and the fierce determination of one impossible, unfathomable woman.
This is the story of a man who forged an empire and changed the way wars were fought in the post-Roman world.
Born illegitimate, disowned and imprisoned, Charles "The Hammer" rose up to unite a fractured kingdom against a seemingly unstoppable foe. To do that he had to overcome power-hungry bishops, recalcitrant nobels, and the fierce determination of one impossible, unfathomable woman.
This is the story of a man who forged an empire and changed the way wars were fought in the post-Roman world.
- GenresHistorical FictionFrance
460 pages, ebook
First published April 17, 2013
About the author
Gina Miani
7 books10 followersI worked for the US Army in Germany for several years, which gave me an interest in warfare and European history. Once married and living in central PA with nothing to do, I set out to write a medieval war story, which twenty years later became The Hammer of God. Summers at the Jersey Shore led me to write Avalon, a "beach book" quite different from Hammer. Currently I am writing YA Supernatural novels (under the name Gina Detwiler) called "The Forlorn Series." I also co-wrote The Prince Warriors, a middle-grade Christian fantasy series with the bestselling author and speaker Priscilla Shirer. Perhaps I suffer from "Multiple Genre Disorder." I live in Buffalo, New York with my husband and three daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 7, 2023
An Explosion of Middle Ages Romance and Warfare
The Stone Age ended in 650 AD/CE.
⚔️ This book begins in the 700s. The Early Middle Ages. An era that used to be referred to as The Dark Ages.
The first 3/4 of the novel, which often reads like a well-written romcom, takes place without the Arab army and its invasion to conquer France just as Spain had been conquered (a conquest that lasted 800 years).
Instead we have explosive love affairs, alliances, betrayals and battles between the European kingdoms, many with names no longer familiar to anyone but academics. It’s lively and intriguing stuff. Charles Martel (The Hammer) is caught up with two women in-between sword fights - one is his wife from an arranged marriage, the other his lover who begins their relationship by trying to kill him.
Ms. Miani is at home in the genre of historical fiction and romance. She’s a superb writer. Despite all the drama that comes before, she still manages to build huge momentum leading up to the final enormous clash between two civilizations just outside of Tours. The fighting is fast and brutal. It’s an exciting novel about a world that vanished in smoke and blood 1500 years ago.
A fascinating way to spend an evening. Like watching Game of Thrones.
[Your comprehension of this battle and this era would be enhanced by delving into a brief nonfictional account. Charles Martel’s grandson was Charlemagne.]
The Stone Age ended in 650 AD/CE.
⚔️ This book begins in the 700s. The Early Middle Ages. An era that used to be referred to as The Dark Ages.
The first 3/4 of the novel, which often reads like a well-written romcom, takes place without the Arab army and its invasion to conquer France just as Spain had been conquered (a conquest that lasted 800 years).
Instead we have explosive love affairs, alliances, betrayals and battles between the European kingdoms, many with names no longer familiar to anyone but academics. It’s lively and intriguing stuff. Charles Martel (The Hammer) is caught up with two women in-between sword fights - one is his wife from an arranged marriage, the other his lover who begins their relationship by trying to kill him.
Ms. Miani is at home in the genre of historical fiction and romance. She’s a superb writer. Despite all the drama that comes before, she still manages to build huge momentum leading up to the final enormous clash between two civilizations just outside of Tours. The fighting is fast and brutal. It’s an exciting novel about a world that vanished in smoke and blood 1500 years ago.
A fascinating way to spend an evening. Like watching Game of Thrones.
[Your comprehension of this battle and this era would be enhanced by delving into a brief nonfictional account. Charles Martel’s grandson was Charlemagne.]
September 2, 2017
Charles "The Hammer of God" Martel is my 38th great-grandfather. In the past, I have found books of historical accounts to be very dry and dull. However, Gina Miani's style of writing made this book an easy read and unbelievably enjoyable. I was taunted by the cliffhangers at the end of each chapter, which goaded me into reading more. Before I knew it, I was at the end of the book. It was a bit depressing, because I know I will never read a historical account of this caliber. This could easily be made into a mini-series, as it is packed with action, drama, and romance. Though Rotruda von Trier is my 38th great-grandmother, I found myself drawn to the character, Svanhilde, who became Charles' concubine and a hero in her own right. I found myself hoping that she and Charles Martel would, eventually, be free to love one another with no obstacles. When it comes to being star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet had nothing on them. Thank you, Gina Miani, for holding my attention and making (family) history truly enjoyable.
June 18, 2017
Received free through GoodReads First Reads - thank you.
Really enjoyed this historical portrayal of Charles Martel, known as The Hammer who fought the Arabs at the Battle of Tours in 732, and which became the decisive turning point in the struggle against Islam. I've read many historical novels where there is no authentic historical atmosphere. This book had that. I liked the characterisation, and the pacing through 460 pages held my attention. I knew nothing of Martel before reading this so I don't know just how accurate the historical details are, but few historical novels are accurate throughout. My only gripe is that the cover put me off reading the book sooner.
Really enjoyed this historical portrayal of Charles Martel, known as The Hammer who fought the Arabs at the Battle of Tours in 732, and which became the decisive turning point in the struggle against Islam. I've read many historical novels where there is no authentic historical atmosphere. This book had that. I liked the characterisation, and the pacing through 460 pages held my attention. I knew nothing of Martel before reading this so I don't know just how accurate the historical details are, but few historical novels are accurate throughout. My only gripe is that the cover put me off reading the book sooner.
January 12, 2023
an absorbing read
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! It held my attention the whole way through and gave me a real interest in reading more about Charles the Hammer. The author also brought the supporting characters to life.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! It held my attention the whole way through and gave me a real interest in reading more about Charles the Hammer. The author also brought the supporting characters to life.
June 17, 2025
Charles Martel grandfather of Charlemagne
Story of the reconquest in France by the grandfather of Charlemagne. Great story, very interesting to read. I highly recommend it.
Story of the reconquest in France by the grandfather of Charlemagne. Great story, very interesting to read. I highly recommend it.
March 31, 2015
From the very early introduction to the term 'Christmas' in a novel set in the eighth century, I feared the book would be lacking in historical detail. A book written by an enthusiast rather than a professional writer, or a history knowledgable. However, it was compentently written, but it failed to engage me in terms of a sense of the time, or atmosphere. Facts thrown in, without finesse, it lost me. I could not finish... I did not want to finish.
July 24, 2015
Blood and gore with a purpose
I am a great fan of historical fiction, though medieval Europe is far from my field of specialty. The story of Charles Martell was interesting, not so much for the battle scenes, but for the background, political, religious, and the glimpse into the ordinary lives of people of diverse cultures, classes, and stages of life. These kept me involved as I read through the bloody bits which I enjoyed less.
I am a great fan of historical fiction, though medieval Europe is far from my field of specialty. The story of Charles Martell was interesting, not so much for the battle scenes, but for the background, political, religious, and the glimpse into the ordinary lives of people of diverse cultures, classes, and stages of life. These kept me involved as I read through the bloody bits which I enjoyed less.
March 12, 2015
Muy bueno
Want to Read
June 22, 2015kindle
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews