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Having found his place as a squire to a Norman knight, Roland Inness sets off with his master, Sir Roger de Laval, and fellow squire on a perilous mission to the Holy Land. King Richard has sworn to take Jerusalem from Saladin and orders Sir Roger to assess the military situation. Joining them is the Templar Knight Tuck as they contend with Moors, Berbers and a Sicilian usurper before reaching the battlefields in the east. There, Roland sees the ugly face of war and tests his mettle.
In England, the land is awash in political intrigue, led by Prince John and Sir William de Ferrers, Roland's mortal enemy. Countering them is Queen Eleanor who picks Sir Roger's daughter Millicent for her own mission—one that puts her at the centre of a plot to turn England against King Richard.
Warbow, the action-filled follow-on to Longbow, is the second book in The Saga of Roland Inness series.
Wayne Grant grew up in a tiny cotton town in rural Louisiana where hunting, fishing and farming were a way of life. Between chopping cotton, dove hunting and Little League ball he developed a love of great adventure stories like Call It Courage and Kidnapped.
Like most southern boys of that era he saw the military as an honorable and adventurous career. Every living male member of his family had served in the Army covering World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam, so it was a natural step for him to attend and graduate from West Point. He just missed Vietnam, but found that life as a Captain in an army broken by that war was not what he wanted.
After tours in Germany and Korea, he returned to Louisiana and civilian life where he began a 10 year career in government including four years as a senior official in the Pentagon during the Reagan administration. During those years he saw the Army reborn from its post-Vietnam nadir to the outstanding force it became and remains today.
The Saga of Roland Inness series began as the coming-of-age tale of a fourteen-year-old boy who possessed extraordinary talent with a longbow. It is a story of courage, loyalty, honor and treachery. Most of all, it a story of high adventure set in a time so filled with drama it has spawned legends that fascinate people to this day. It is the time of Richard the Lionheart, Robin Hood, Eleanor of Aquitaine and William Marshall, legendary figures all--some real and some fictional.
The Saga of Roland Inness begins with four books--Longbow, Warbow, The Broken Realm and The Ransomed Crown. These four books are the coming-of-age story I set out to tell. Having told that tale, I fully intended to move on to other stories, but something unexpected happened. Readers all over the world found something special in Roland Inness and his companions and wanted more. I'd grown rather fond of my boy with the longbow as well and knew there were more stories to tell. So the Saga continues. A Prince of Wales, the fifth in the series was published in November, 2017. A new Roland Inness adventure will be out in fall, 2018.
This is a fine four book series. Warbow, book 2, takes place during the Third Crusade and features Richard I and the bloody mess that was that attempt to free the Holy Land. True the girls/ women aren't as well written as the boys/men - there is a young woman who has a kind-a sort-a major role but it's only marginally believable. Being feisty and sitting a horse well does not a heroine make. But she's OK and the love interest of the hero so it's nice she just doesn't stay home and embroider. I believe this is supposed to be 'boy-fiction' but I enjoyed it. KU.
Headstrong, arrogant & those the better traits of Roland’s Infatuation
Roland and Declan went away to war, much as the modern politicians do to us now…go to war so money can be made and the dictatorial sleaze can have their power.
This and much more this very fine author has been able to put in the novel. Roland and Millie appear to be destined for each other. It is truly going to be a hard row to hoe for Roland. I know what a headstrong woman may do in life and it is truly going to be a life of ups and downs for these two. A domineering woman can either add spice to life, or make it a living hellish situation. Few know how to keep it in the former state.
Mr. Grant’s ability to let us see even a little of the brutality of medieval warfare. The clash of steel and the zzzzp of a fast moving, concussion causing feel and sound as it speeds by, (a near hit!) that is a bit of artistry.
I think we must wait to another book before we learn about the relationship. Let’s enjoy Msdter Grant’s writing skills as we get there.
once I started on this series, the characters growth and interwoven storyline captivated me.
startling to perceive how duplicative modern era societies are. the historical parallels are striking: it seems we are destined to replicate the same old greed and status driven dynamics and entrenched castes of "ruling elites ".
class division, unworthy entitlement and de facto criminal immunity were as prevalent in modern era "democratic" societies as in medieval societies: they were just more honest about it. I enjoy writers who uphold strong, pro-social values, intellectual growth, integrity and courage rather than depressing dystopian themes; too many in creative fields dump their toxic worldview onto our youth. a despicab hypocrisy and antisocial conduct between contemporary American "ruling " elites and earlier ocial stratification power and governance still persist in self interested corrosive past societies ower disparity and modern "free" countries contemporary parallels author's realistic depiction of stratified social class, with its baggage of automatic entitlement, immunity from common law, and the ignorant self interested hypocrisy . me.
Wayne Grant captures your attention early in his books and does a fine job keeping it. Warbow was a little slow to start for me the first couple of chapters. Mainly because I finished Longbow and went right into the second book which stars with some details like “last time in Longbow!” But moved rather well afterwards
What I appreciate the most is his method of introducing historical events and people but indirectly. He does this through the eyes of a fictional youth. This style of writing reminds me of G A Henty. And it’s a great way to encourage a love for history. I even found myself looking up events and people mentioned in the book.
I recommend the entire series to lovers of historical fiction. (though I just started the promising sequel Broken Realm)
I look forward to reading the entire series and whatever comes next from this terrific writer.
Squire Roland Inness must follow Sir Roger to sea, for King Richard has sworn to recapture Jerusalem for Christendom. The second book in Grant's series sends readers off on crusade ... but also keeps us attuned to the goings-on in England, for Sir Roger's daughter Millicent is quickly embroiled in the intrigues of power-hungry nobles.
Moors and Berbers. Siege and slaughter. Greed and deceit. Scouts and spies. This installment seems to have made a man of Roland, for he proves his worth. As do Tuck ... and Robin (not yet Hood). War is a grim business, and Grant shows several of its inglorious realities: filth, starvation, cruelty, loss, imprisonment, enslavement, disillusionment, and ultimate futility. But the overall tone of the story is upbeat, with Sir Roger's feelings echoed by all. A loyal knight does his duty to his king, but far better to be home.
The Third Crusade in the Holy Land and back at home in Chester and at Shipbrook are the backdrop for this volume. Lady Millicent’s adventures are interspersed with those of Roland, Declan, Sir Roger and important minor characters from Longbow. There is lots of dramatic tension, action, intrigue and surprises. There is a great character sketch of Sir Harry Percival, that has considerable depth.
It’s probably unavoidable, maybe even for the best, but the Shipbrook contingent holds amazingly modern views. That being said Warbow is a thrilling, well developed adventure. I look forward to reading the next installment.
The 2nd book in this series focuses on squire Roland as he and his comrades go on the Crusade with Kind Richard the Lionhearted. He grows up in this war and has many adventures, some of which are quite harrowing. Meanwhile, Roland's friends back in England are trying to prevent various players from taking advantage of Richard's absence.......including Prince John of course. Again, still setting up the classic Robin Hood story here. There seemed to be even more action in this book compared to the first one. Still decent but I did not like it as well as the first book.
It satisfies the sound but leaves just enough intrigue, not to be painful but live in excited anticipation to find out how everyone reconnects and what happens to their status as far as nobility is concerned and Shipbrook. I was very sad to learn one of the very active secondary characters gave their life, but at least it was for a good and noble cause and he died like he lived. I absolutely l absolutely 💯 ❤ love this series and am already sad that in 8 more books I will have to leave these characters behind 😢
I am enjoying this series. It is hard to put down - I may need to be more disciplined, because I am not getting my summer projects finished! From previous readings and study, I know the history already in this book, and it appears to be quite accurate and well-researched. The characters and plot are beautifully woven and I am looking forward to more!
Not quite as good as Book 1 "Longbow". The flow is interrupted when the reader is taken away from the rigors of the Crusade placed in the slower, less defined pace with the women folk on the homefront. Lots of potential to develop the treasonous actions in Chester but really just a glance or two towards real action.
I’m really enjoying this series. It has great characters with a familiar feeling yet a story of its own. The addition of Millicent and her storyline is one of my favorites.
I have enjoyed this series thus far. The characters are well developed and the plot true to history. The look provided into this period of history has captured my imagination.
The second book of a five book saga and came to quick unexpected end. Enjoyed the series so far but as with most sagas, each book repeats what happened in previous books which I always find a bit tedious. Nevertheless, I would recommend the books so far!
I’m really enjoying this series and was pleased to find the second book didn’t disappoint. More good writing and historical detail that doesn’t get bogged down in the minutiae! I’m more and more attached to the characters and look forward to finding out what happens next.
The blend of facts with fiction is incredible. This story of the third crusade might as well be true for the most part. I could not stop reading this action packed book.
This is a great series. I love the characters and how they develop. The author transports you to this time with his description of the setting and the characters. The story moves quick and it keeps your mind racing.
I'm emotionally involved in this story as it continues to unfold. I can't wait to read the next book I'm the series. This is a fantastic way to learn about history. The story makes it so personal and interesting! Love it!!! ❤
As I mentioned in my review of the first book, this is a very good book, reportedly written for children, that contains a number of historical inaccuracies. Enjoy the book but don't believe the history.
This series has it all: An awesome historical backdrop, an excellent storyline with terrific writing, numerous interesting well developed characters, and beau coup action. Can't wait to get into the next volume!
The author takes you through the internal termal of England in the 1100s and the Third Crusade. A lot may be fiction but a lot is fact. An exciting and interesting read.
Not overly keen on war stories. This one wasn't too bad, being interspersed with what is taking place back home. It moves the story along well. Love the strong characters and how God intervenes, although is not expressed that way. A good series so far.
I haven't really read historical fiction set during the Crusades before. It's not my favorite period of history. But O can see myself reading more, if by this author.