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An Uncivil War #3
A Wilderness of Sin
June 1645.
After their rout at the battle of Naseby in Northamptonshire, King Charles' forces are in disarray, their last hope the loyal hardcore in the West of England.
Colonel Hollie Babbitt, following the Army of Parliament westwards, has a degree of sympathy for His Majesty. His own troop of rebels, Anabaptists and horse thieves is in almost perpetual disarray....
But with the creation of the New Model Army, Hollie is being forced to make his own last stand, as a spokesman against the Army's harsh new regime. And of the two men who've been at his back since the beginning of the wars, the volatile Russell is invalided out after a mysterious incident at Naseby, recuperating under the watchful eye of the mending-est lady in Essex. And Luce is much occupied with his own budding friendship with enigmatic Trooper Gray, and a future after the war that doesn't involve killing.
Love, in both likely and unlikely places. Death. Bubonic plague. An epic poem about the battle of Marston Moor. Blood, fire, politics, intrigue, and ember tart.
It'll all end in tears.... possibly.
After their rout at the battle of Naseby in Northamptonshire, King Charles' forces are in disarray, their last hope the loyal hardcore in the West of England.
Colonel Hollie Babbitt, following the Army of Parliament westwards, has a degree of sympathy for His Majesty. His own troop of rebels, Anabaptists and horse thieves is in almost perpetual disarray....
But with the creation of the New Model Army, Hollie is being forced to make his own last stand, as a spokesman against the Army's harsh new regime. And of the two men who've been at his back since the beginning of the wars, the volatile Russell is invalided out after a mysterious incident at Naseby, recuperating under the watchful eye of the mending-est lady in Essex. And Luce is much occupied with his own budding friendship with enigmatic Trooper Gray, and a future after the war that doesn't involve killing.
Love, in both likely and unlikely places. Death. Bubonic plague. An epic poem about the battle of Marston Moor. Blood, fire, politics, intrigue, and ember tart.
It'll all end in tears.... possibly.
205 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
1 person is currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Logue
26 books36 followersWriter, mad cake lady, re-enactor, historian.
Been slightly potty about the clankier side of Ironside for around 20 years, and lists amongst my heroes in this unworthy world Sir Thomas Fairfax, Elizabeth Cromwell and John Webster (for his sense of humour.)
When not purveying historically-accurate cake to various re-enactment groups across the country, M.J. Logue can usually be discovered practising in her garden with a cavalry backsword.
Been slightly potty about the clankier side of Ironside for around 20 years, and lists amongst my heroes in this unworthy world Sir Thomas Fairfax, Elizabeth Cromwell and John Webster (for his sense of humour.)
When not purveying historically-accurate cake to various re-enactment groups across the country, M.J. Logue can usually be discovered practising in her garden with a cavalry backsword.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 22, 2015
This is an unusual, and rather wonderful, book. Set in the 17th century, during the Civil War between King Charles of England and Oliver Cromwell, it’s a mix of gritty action on the battlefield (and off), excellent descriptions, and complex characterization. I love books in which the characters develop and change throughout the course of the story, and this can be said especially of the main players in this intense and well-written saga - in particular, Colonel Hollie Babbitt, unit commander in the Army of Parliament. Babbitt is a tough military leader, changed by his long years in battle, and the consequences of war. To me, he comes across very realistically, as someone who does what he has to do to survive, but does not become heartless in the process. He is devoted to his wife, Henriette, “the mending-est lady in Essex” and his family, and influenced by his association with comrade-in-arms Luce (Lucifer) Pettitt, who is also a poet, as well as his dealings with the other soldiers in his unit. He is a commander who cares about his men.
There’s a lot of inner dialogue, so we understand the feelings behind the actions of Hollie Babbitt and Lucifer Pettitt in particular, but none of the characters are one-dimensional.
Here is just one example of the author’s masterful descriptions: “Blossom wasn't expecting a ditch, and Hollie wasn't expecting his horse to acquire a sudden grace,and there was a brief moment when the big brownhorse was perched almost heraldically on the lip ofthe overgrown gully before the bank gave way beneath his hoofs.”
There is much wit and humour to lighten the, at times, heavy subject matter, and the dialogue is excellent, never slipping from language current to the period. I also enjoyed the variety of characters, and the intricately woven, well-constructed plot, with its full-circle-with-changes structure.
This is the third in a series, and I did not read the first two, though I plan to. I was lucky enough to read this one before publication, and found, after the author’s introduction, it was possible to enjoy it as a stand-alone, though I would recommend reading the trio in order, to get a better feel for the characters and the setting.
I have never read a book which delves into this particular part of British history in such depth. The author comes across as incredibly well-read, and able to recreate the past without intrusive historical detail. The history is woven seamlessly into the book, as if the author were present at the time of the action. Convincingly and expressively written, the book makes you care about the characters and brings the Civil War alive in unexpected ways, at least for this reader.
A satisfying read, and highly recommended to all lovers of quality historical fiction.
There’s a lot of inner dialogue, so we understand the feelings behind the actions of Hollie Babbitt and Lucifer Pettitt in particular, but none of the characters are one-dimensional.
Here is just one example of the author’s masterful descriptions: “Blossom wasn't expecting a ditch, and Hollie wasn't expecting his horse to acquire a sudden grace,and there was a brief moment when the big brownhorse was perched almost heraldically on the lip ofthe overgrown gully before the bank gave way beneath his hoofs.”
There is much wit and humour to lighten the, at times, heavy subject matter, and the dialogue is excellent, never slipping from language current to the period. I also enjoyed the variety of characters, and the intricately woven, well-constructed plot, with its full-circle-with-changes structure.
This is the third in a series, and I did not read the first two, though I plan to. I was lucky enough to read this one before publication, and found, after the author’s introduction, it was possible to enjoy it as a stand-alone, though I would recommend reading the trio in order, to get a better feel for the characters and the setting.
I have never read a book which delves into this particular part of British history in such depth. The author comes across as incredibly well-read, and able to recreate the past without intrusive historical detail. The history is woven seamlessly into the book, as if the author were present at the time of the action. Convincingly and expressively written, the book makes you care about the characters and brings the Civil War alive in unexpected ways, at least for this reader.
A satisfying read, and highly recommended to all lovers of quality historical fiction.
October 9, 2015
Two years have passed since Command the Raven. Hollie Babbitt is now a Colonel of Horse in the New Model Army and a father. The action picks up in the aftermath of the Battle of Naseby. Thankful Russell has been blinded by a shot to the head and Luce Pettitt is in love.
As with the previous two in the series these are social histories. A Wilderness of Sin features birth, marriage and death as well as love and tragedy. Pestilence is more of a danger than war, but the politics of the army are a clear danger for Babbitt.
The depth of the author's research is clear in A Wilderness of Sin. We have a thread with Babbitt and the army, with the changes since the new model army becoming clear. There is a thread of professionalism in the soldiering, but also of bureaucracy and a stifling of dissent. The earlier freedoms are being lost, and the pay is late. For those that know their history there are many teasers in A Wilderness of Sin, especially with Colonel Rainsborough and the army politics.
As you would expect from the title religion and sin feature in A Wilderness of Sin too. The anabaptist leanings of Hollie's troops becomes stronger, despite the lay preaching from the ranks being banned by the army. Sin too, Luce Pettitt is in love with Trooper Gray, and people are starting to notice. In part this is what lead to Hapless Russell's head wound at the hands of Captain Chedglow.
Russell is taken to live with Het at White Notley for his recovery. This allows us to see a lot more of the social civilian side of things in A Wilderness of Sin than we saw earlier. There's a constant thread through the book on how Russell, Het and the others in White Notley are doing. We learn a little of social mores, courtship and child rearing as well as about Russell and Het.
Overall this is the best yet in the series, if you have any interest in social history, the english civil wars or just like a good story then you should go read all of these.
As with the previous two in the series these are social histories. A Wilderness of Sin features birth, marriage and death as well as love and tragedy. Pestilence is more of a danger than war, but the politics of the army are a clear danger for Babbitt.
The depth of the author's research is clear in A Wilderness of Sin. We have a thread with Babbitt and the army, with the changes since the new model army becoming clear. There is a thread of professionalism in the soldiering, but also of bureaucracy and a stifling of dissent. The earlier freedoms are being lost, and the pay is late. For those that know their history there are many teasers in A Wilderness of Sin, especially with Colonel Rainsborough and the army politics.
As you would expect from the title religion and sin feature in A Wilderness of Sin too. The anabaptist leanings of Hollie's troops becomes stronger, despite the lay preaching from the ranks being banned by the army. Sin too, Luce Pettitt is in love with Trooper Gray, and people are starting to notice. In part this is what lead to Hapless Russell's head wound at the hands of Captain Chedglow.
Russell is taken to live with Het at White Notley for his recovery. This allows us to see a lot more of the social civilian side of things in A Wilderness of Sin than we saw earlier. There's a constant thread through the book on how Russell, Het and the others in White Notley are doing. We learn a little of social mores, courtship and child rearing as well as about Russell and Het.
Overall this is the best yet in the series, if you have any interest in social history, the english civil wars or just like a good story then you should go read all of these.
June 25, 2015
A WILDERNESS OF SIN... begins in the aftermath of the battle of Naseby in June 1645 during which Hapless has been badly wounded in an altercation that has nothing to do with King and Parliament and everything to do with Trooper Gray. Once again the broken men return to Het for 'mending' but Hollie has to return to the war and a New Model Army which has no time or patience for men like him. As the Parliamentary forces start mopping up the last royalist resistance, the war has become a tedious routine of sieges and bureaucracy and Hollie does not react well to being curbed in this matter. In the aftermath of the death of one of the key characters, Hollie begins to question why he is doing what he is doing. His own sense of honour will see him complete the task but at the end of the book, like small desperate child, he asks Het 'Do I have to go back?'
A small caveat... while this is nominally the 3rd book in the Uncivil War series, it is, by Logue's own admission, the 4th book...so there is a book in between in the series that is still to come. However don't let that put you off. It stands alone for a first time reader or if you are following the series, you will be familiar enough with the characters to pick up the threads without missing too many steps.
It is the best of the three books so far - throwing itself into not only the tragedy of a civil war but also bringing up the complex politics of the period in a way that is accessible to the modern reader.
This reader is hanging out for more of Hollie Babbit!
A small caveat... while this is nominally the 3rd book in the Uncivil War series, it is, by Logue's own admission, the 4th book...so there is a book in between in the series that is still to come. However don't let that put you off. It stands alone for a first time reader or if you are following the series, you will be familiar enough with the characters to pick up the threads without missing too many steps.
It is the best of the three books so far - throwing itself into not only the tragedy of a civil war but also bringing up the complex politics of the period in a way that is accessible to the modern reader.
This reader is hanging out for more of Hollie Babbit!
November 3, 2015
Let me start out this review by stating that I absolutely loved the first two books in the series and wondered if the author would continue to elicit my love in book number 3. It is the opinion of this humble, yet somewhat revered scribbler of reviews, that M.J. Logue has risen above the rather high expectations I had for Wilderness of Sin. This is a war story that, while it does provide excellent accounts of the battles and sieges, is more in the way of a delving into what makes people tick kind of a story. The author has given us wonderfully drawn characters, Hollie and the others who have been around from the beginning of the war are changing. Some are maturing, such as Thankful and Luce, some are more hardened, Fairfax, and some are relinquishing their irascible exterior, Hollie. Regardless of the changes, the character development is what makes this book sing. I think the best chapter in the book has nothing to do with the war, in fact it takes place in Het's garden as Thankful or Hapless or Apple, as he is called by a precocious toddler, and the self same toddler engage in eating bugs. It is a chapter I would loved to have written myself. :-) 5 stars without a doubt.
August 5, 2018
Phew: being a fan of this series is not an easy thing. It took me ages and help from a friend in England to get “A Wilderness of Sin” as it is out of print at present (hopefully it will soon be back in print so that others can get a copy).
This time Hollie Babbit and his un-holy crew are involved in the sieges of Bridgewater and Bristol. Well most of them are as Thankful Russell is out of commission and parked up with Hollie’s wife, Het, and daughters in Essex whilst he recovers. Hollie, meantime, is trying to adjust to the fact Sir Thomas Fairfax and Nol Cromwell have re-formed Parliament’s forces into The New Model Army, and that means Babbit’s way of operating needs to be re-formed too, much to his annoyance.
The story, as always, tells life at the time as it was and this is no glamorous tale of heroic deeds but the telling of a wet, dirty, grimy stage of the English Civil War between the armies of the King and his Parliament. Lack of food, missing pay, disease, death, sickness, boredom and short bloody action. Yes, telling it as it always is for those who would go a-soldiering: 90% boredom and farting around in uncomfortable circumstances intersperced by 10% of sheer frightening hell.
So, why do I so enjoy M.J.Logue’s Civil War stories if they are so grim? In the words of Colonel Holofernes Babbit himself: ‘People’. The characters are real, totally believable, and they get under your skin and you care about them. I won’t give details but, one of my favourite characters dies in this book, one I identified with a lot as I have a very close friend of a similar ilk and understand the problems and difficulties such folk have. Man was I sad when the character got killed. But that is part of the realism: main characters die in Logue’s tales, they also get badly hurt, and they get crippled and this is what happens in war.
I am now looking for a hard copy of “Babylon's Downfall” to complete my set – it is available in soft copy, but I am an old fashioned bugger and hate reading from a ‘puter screen.
NB: this is a "One Day Book" 'cos once you start, you can't put it down, so be warned.
This time Hollie Babbit and his un-holy crew are involved in the sieges of Bridgewater and Bristol. Well most of them are as Thankful Russell is out of commission and parked up with Hollie’s wife, Het, and daughters in Essex whilst he recovers. Hollie, meantime, is trying to adjust to the fact Sir Thomas Fairfax and Nol Cromwell have re-formed Parliament’s forces into The New Model Army, and that means Babbit’s way of operating needs to be re-formed too, much to his annoyance.
The story, as always, tells life at the time as it was and this is no glamorous tale of heroic deeds but the telling of a wet, dirty, grimy stage of the English Civil War between the armies of the King and his Parliament. Lack of food, missing pay, disease, death, sickness, boredom and short bloody action. Yes, telling it as it always is for those who would go a-soldiering: 90% boredom and farting around in uncomfortable circumstances intersperced by 10% of sheer frightening hell.
So, why do I so enjoy M.J.Logue’s Civil War stories if they are so grim? In the words of Colonel Holofernes Babbit himself: ‘People’. The characters are real, totally believable, and they get under your skin and you care about them. I won’t give details but, one of my favourite characters dies in this book, one I identified with a lot as I have a very close friend of a similar ilk and understand the problems and difficulties such folk have. Man was I sad when the character got killed. But that is part of the realism: main characters die in Logue’s tales, they also get badly hurt, and they get crippled and this is what happens in war.
I am now looking for a hard copy of “Babylon's Downfall” to complete my set – it is available in soft copy, but I am an old fashioned bugger and hate reading from a ‘puter screen.
NB: this is a "One Day Book" 'cos once you start, you can't put it down, so be warned.
September 26, 2019
Brilliant
Another tale of Hollie and Luce adventures,loves gained and lost.The civil war eventually dragging to a close. Only 2 more to read. This one finished in record time,hard to put down.
Another tale of Hollie and Luce adventures,loves gained and lost.The civil war eventually dragging to a close. Only 2 more to read. This one finished in record time,hard to put down.
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October 9, 2016As I previously said about 'Red Horse', this book is a total delight.
Ms Logue brings the (Un) Civil War alive in a believable and at time heart wrenching, at times humourous way, that makes the reader cry and laugh in equal measure.
The book characters are skilfully interwoven with genuine Civil War era characters making this a very believable read...(so much so I can almost hear Hollie saying, 'What art thou saying woman? Dost thou not believe I'm genuine? Come thee here... I'll show 'ee...'')
:-)
Ms Logue brings the (Un) Civil War alive in a believable and at time heart wrenching, at times humourous way, that makes the reader cry and laugh in equal measure.
The book characters are skilfully interwoven with genuine Civil War era characters making this a very believable read...(so much so I can almost hear Hollie saying, 'What art thou saying woman? Dost thou not believe I'm genuine? Come thee here... I'll show 'ee...'')
:-)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews