What do you think?
Rate this book
Angels in Iron
The year is AD 1523 and the island of Rhodes has just fallen to the Turks. Those sailing away in defeat from this captured bastion are members of an anachronistic crusading order called the Knights of St. John -- otherwise known as the Hospitallers. Among the dejected company is a stalwart young knight named Jean Parisot De La Valette. Were it up to him, the order would have defended the island to the bitter end. Forty-two years later, history has repeated itself. The Hospitallers are again besieged by the teeming armies of the relentless Turk. Their tiny island-fortress of Malta is all that stands between the armies of Suleiman and the very heart of Christendom. But this time the scenario is different -- La Valette wears the Grand Master's cape. Behind him stand the knights of his faithful order: men of incredible valor ready to "strike a blow for Christ" and sacrifice their lives to halt the invading Turks at the gates of Europe. What follows is a desperate struggle between East and West, Cross and Koran, faith and despair. Angels in Iron is based on the actual events surrounding the Siege of Malta in 1565. Nicholas C. Prata relates the tale in riveting and graphic prose which brings the extreme heroism of the knights and the unimaginable horror of combat sharply into focus. Prepare yourself for an epic adventure.
292 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1997
14 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 29, 2023
Año 1565.
El Imperio otomano se yergue como un coloso sobre los reinos cristianos, sus tropas victoriosas en los campos de batalla, su ambición sin límite ni freno. Frente a él, una Europa dividida, incapaz de presentar un frente unido al decidido asalto turco.
El siguiente objetivo del sultán Solimán el Magnífico es la isla de Malta. Su caída a manos musulmanas abrirá el Mediterráneo a los ejércitos otomanos y significará sin duda la ruina de la civilización occidental.
Los Caballeros de San Juan del Hospital, aquéllos que tiempos posteriores recordarán como los Caballeros Hospitalarios, son el firme baluarte de la Cristiandad, los defensores de la isla de Malta.
Curtidos en mil batallas y con el recuerdo todavía fresco de la humillante expulsión de su sede en la isla de Rodas, están decididos a morir hasta el último hombre antes de permitir la ocupación otomana.
Superados en número, sin ayuda ni esperanza de victoria, los caballeros, liderados por el gran maestre Jean de la Valette, se aprestan a rechazar a las innumerables hordas turcas. El Gran Asedio de Malta acaba de empezar.
Construida en piedra maciza, San Telmo era una fortaleza situada frente a la capital y defendida por solo 100 caballeros y 500 soldados, la mayoría españoles e italianos, que iban a recibir el fuego de piezas de artillería de unas dimensiones nunca vistas hasta entonces.
El anterior Gran Maestre de la Orden , Juan de Homedes, había ordenado su creación según la traza italiana que reservaba a la artillería un lugar predilecto y que también estaba preparada para defenderse de sus efectos, cuando precisamente la amenaza turca pareció inminente unos años atrás.
Las escenas de batalla me han gustado pues son angustiosas. Con descripciones vívidas de rostros siendo pisoteados y el olor acre de la grasa, la piel y el cabello quemados. Unas descripciones bastante realistas.
Frente a las escasas fuerzas que pudieron reunir los cristianos para defenderse del ataque turco, las huestes otomanas congregaron a una de las mayores flotas de invasión de la historia moderna, 131 galeras y medio centenar de barcos de menor calado y cerca de 30.000 soldados para borrar del Mediterráneo a la Orden de Malta , que tenía su sede en este archipiélago cercano a Sicilia.
El 18 de mayo de 1565, los turcos iniciaron la invasión del lugar. En la disputa por seleccionar el primer objetivo se impuso el criterio del almirante Pialí Bajá, que compartía el mando con el visir Mustafa Bajá y con el corsario Dragut: atacar la fortaleza de San Telmo antes de centrarse en la ciudad principal.
La primera etapa del asedio, el ataque al Fuerte de San Telmo, es con mucho la más gráfica. Mustafá, anticipó que caería en dos días. Pero inquebrantablez Caballeros de San Juan resistieron durante semanas.
La barbarie ni siquiera había empezado..
Después de capturar el fuerte, Mustafa hizo decapitar, crucificar y empalar en el pecho a cuatro caballeros con cruces más pequeñas.
En respuesta, el gran maestre de la orden, La Valette, ordenó que todos los capturados fueran decapitados. Decenas de cabezas turcas se cargaron en todos los cañones y se dispararon contra Mustafa.
Muy bien escrito, modo diario, ágil y bastante bien documentado. Se nota la pasión en todos los aspectos históricos de tan afamado asedio.
Captura muy bien la parte militar con el fallo de que no ahonda en otras cosas que serían de lo más interesantes, algo que igual le pesa al libro si conocemos y hemos leído más sobre el asedio.
Me falta también que hubiera más profundidad en los personajes.
Es digamos una forma muy ágil, rápida y nada compleja en datos de conocer este asedio si no habéis leído nada y os gustan las campañas militares narradas sin piedad.
Si buscáis algo más complejo y al detalle de todo lo que pasó, y no sólo batallas, os diría que buscabais algo más conciso.
Aún así, recomendable para pasar el rato..✍️
El Imperio otomano se yergue como un coloso sobre los reinos cristianos, sus tropas victoriosas en los campos de batalla, su ambición sin límite ni freno. Frente a él, una Europa dividida, incapaz de presentar un frente unido al decidido asalto turco.
El siguiente objetivo del sultán Solimán el Magnífico es la isla de Malta. Su caída a manos musulmanas abrirá el Mediterráneo a los ejércitos otomanos y significará sin duda la ruina de la civilización occidental.
Los Caballeros de San Juan del Hospital, aquéllos que tiempos posteriores recordarán como los Caballeros Hospitalarios, son el firme baluarte de la Cristiandad, los defensores de la isla de Malta.
Curtidos en mil batallas y con el recuerdo todavía fresco de la humillante expulsión de su sede en la isla de Rodas, están decididos a morir hasta el último hombre antes de permitir la ocupación otomana.
Superados en número, sin ayuda ni esperanza de victoria, los caballeros, liderados por el gran maestre Jean de la Valette, se aprestan a rechazar a las innumerables hordas turcas. El Gran Asedio de Malta acaba de empezar.
Construida en piedra maciza, San Telmo era una fortaleza situada frente a la capital y defendida por solo 100 caballeros y 500 soldados, la mayoría españoles e italianos, que iban a recibir el fuego de piezas de artillería de unas dimensiones nunca vistas hasta entonces.
El anterior Gran Maestre de la Orden , Juan de Homedes, había ordenado su creación según la traza italiana que reservaba a la artillería un lugar predilecto y que también estaba preparada para defenderse de sus efectos, cuando precisamente la amenaza turca pareció inminente unos años atrás.
Las escenas de batalla me han gustado pues son angustiosas. Con descripciones vívidas de rostros siendo pisoteados y el olor acre de la grasa, la piel y el cabello quemados. Unas descripciones bastante realistas.
Frente a las escasas fuerzas que pudieron reunir los cristianos para defenderse del ataque turco, las huestes otomanas congregaron a una de las mayores flotas de invasión de la historia moderna, 131 galeras y medio centenar de barcos de menor calado y cerca de 30.000 soldados para borrar del Mediterráneo a la Orden de Malta , que tenía su sede en este archipiélago cercano a Sicilia.
El 18 de mayo de 1565, los turcos iniciaron la invasión del lugar. En la disputa por seleccionar el primer objetivo se impuso el criterio del almirante Pialí Bajá, que compartía el mando con el visir Mustafa Bajá y con el corsario Dragut: atacar la fortaleza de San Telmo antes de centrarse en la ciudad principal.
La primera etapa del asedio, el ataque al Fuerte de San Telmo, es con mucho la más gráfica. Mustafá, anticipó que caería en dos días. Pero inquebrantablez Caballeros de San Juan resistieron durante semanas.
La barbarie ni siquiera había empezado..
Después de capturar el fuerte, Mustafa hizo decapitar, crucificar y empalar en el pecho a cuatro caballeros con cruces más pequeñas.
En respuesta, el gran maestre de la orden, La Valette, ordenó que todos los capturados fueran decapitados. Decenas de cabezas turcas se cargaron en todos los cañones y se dispararon contra Mustafa.
Muy bien escrito, modo diario, ágil y bastante bien documentado. Se nota la pasión en todos los aspectos históricos de tan afamado asedio.
Captura muy bien la parte militar con el fallo de que no ahonda en otras cosas que serían de lo más interesantes, algo que igual le pesa al libro si conocemos y hemos leído más sobre el asedio.
Me falta también que hubiera más profundidad en los personajes.
Es digamos una forma muy ágil, rápida y nada compleja en datos de conocer este asedio si no habéis leído nada y os gustan las campañas militares narradas sin piedad.
Si buscáis algo más complejo y al detalle de todo lo que pasó, y no sólo batallas, os diría que buscabais algo más conciso.
Aún así, recomendable para pasar el rato..✍️
July 13, 2019
No tengo mucho que decir, libro que se lee bien, tiene algunos personajes y momentos históricos narrados de forma interesante, pero al que le falta mucha sustancia y se queda corto en casi todo.
Como forma ligera de conocer un poco de la historia del asedio a Malta creo que está bien, pero si uno busca algo más conciso, casi mejor buscar otro libro.
PD: Se me olvidaba decir que se narra como si fuera un diario. Algo que al menos lo hace diferente.
Como forma ligera de conocer un poco de la historia del asedio a Malta creo que está bien, pero si uno busca algo más conciso, casi mejor buscar otro libro.
PD: Se me olvidaba decir que se narra como si fuera un diario. Algo que al menos lo hace diferente.
December 4, 2013
The Seige of Malta was one history's greatest battles. This is one of the greatest historical novels I've ever read on any topic. It captures the strategy, the tactics, the human factors that tilted the seige to victory for the the Knights of Malta. Third time I have read it -- and I love it everytime!" (
August 11, 2019
Un entretenido libro de aventuras épico-históricas en torno a los conflictos entre la Europa cristiana y el imperio Otomano del siglo XVI (creo, soy muy malo para las fechas). Nos narra la defensa heroica de la isla de Malta por parte de unos "pocos" caballeros Hospitalarios junto con otros pocos soldados españoles e italianos frente a la gran maquinaria turca. Tiene gran protagonismo el maestre hospitalario La Valette en la estoica defensa de la isla, hecho histórico que pudo cambiar nuestro devenir actual. Personalmente me la trae al pairo la cosa religiosa, pero me gusta mucho el contenido bélico-defensivo.
November 14, 2025
Very good!
December 4, 2013
Angels in Iron is a novelization of the defense of the Island of Malta by the Knights of St. John against the Turkish forces. It tells an inspiring, exciting, and at time gut-wrenching tale of the knights' stand against overwhelming numbers. The author creates a convincing, if fictionalized, narrative of the major players on the Christian and Ottoman sides. Dragut, Piala, and Mustapha debate strategy and plan their next attacks, while Oliver Starkey and Grand Master La Valette discuss the defense of the five fortresses of Malta. This is a great story of faith and courage under fire. I highly recommend it.
January 9, 2016
Militant Islam sets its sights on Europe and unleashes jihad. Not a headline from today's news, but a brief summation of the central theme of Angels in Iron, Nicholas Prata's competently told drama about the sadly forgotten but pivotal battle known as "The Great Siege of Malta." While I have always heard about this epic standoff between the rampaging armies of the Ottoman Empire and a handful of elite Knights Hospitallers, I never had a complete understand of just what transpired in that fateful summer of 1565. Well, thanks to Prada, I now do. In short: it was an epic fight that seems very reminiscent of Tolkien's Battle of Helms Deep (Coincidence? Knowing Tolkien, I doubt it).
Prata is particularly adept at capturing the violence of the battles - and let me assure you, if military action is your game, you will love this book! Here is a brief example:
"Di Corso joined his brethren and found the Janissaries already upon him. He could easily make out the gleaming hatred in Turkish eyes. "Lord, I surrender my spirit!' Di Corso sighed. The Knights went to work and, battered as they were, settled into a groove of martial precision. Side by side, they held the ridge and hacked, stabbed, and chopped until Elmo's limestone grew sticky with fresh blood. Harried and exhausted, they nevertheless intended to demonstrate why 'Hospitaller' was synonymous with military achievement."
Great stuff!
Prata truly conveyed the unimaginable and unending brutality of the siege. In fact, he did it so well that I felt just as exhausted and emotionally spent as the knights when the siege finally came to a close!
Unfortunately, Prata isn't so adept when it comes to characterizations or scene-setting. It was here that I thought the book was very weak. With the exception of the Knights Vischer, Del Corso, and Grand Master Valette, I never got a sense of just who these knights were, and what drove them to become members of this prestigious and demanding military holy order (and even in the case of those three knights, I still felt they were woefully under-developed). It is really unfortunate that Prata didn't devote more time to character development, particularly their Catholic faith that was so crucial in motivating these incredible warriors. Likewise, I never felt like got a sense of the place of Malta generally, and specifically the forts Elmo, Angelo or Michael. Angels in Iron needed to bring Malta, all of it, from the forts to the people, to a much more vivid reality for the reader to truly care about the outcome of the battle.
I don't want to be overly critical of this book. I found it thoroughly entertaining despite its flaws. It is just that I think, ultimately, Angels in Iron reads better as a screenplay than a novel (and what a movie it would make! If only Hollywood wasn't so emasculated by political correctness and addiction to comic book profits). But as a novel, I think the Great Siege of Malta is still awaiting its definitive telling. To do this story justice, we need a wordsmith who is as talented with verse as he is with prose. In short, only a latter-day Homer, Morris, Tolkien or Eliot will do.
Prata is particularly adept at capturing the violence of the battles - and let me assure you, if military action is your game, you will love this book! Here is a brief example:
"Di Corso joined his brethren and found the Janissaries already upon him. He could easily make out the gleaming hatred in Turkish eyes. "Lord, I surrender my spirit!' Di Corso sighed. The Knights went to work and, battered as they were, settled into a groove of martial precision. Side by side, they held the ridge and hacked, stabbed, and chopped until Elmo's limestone grew sticky with fresh blood. Harried and exhausted, they nevertheless intended to demonstrate why 'Hospitaller' was synonymous with military achievement."
Great stuff!
Prata truly conveyed the unimaginable and unending brutality of the siege. In fact, he did it so well that I felt just as exhausted and emotionally spent as the knights when the siege finally came to a close!
Unfortunately, Prata isn't so adept when it comes to characterizations or scene-setting. It was here that I thought the book was very weak. With the exception of the Knights Vischer, Del Corso, and Grand Master Valette, I never got a sense of just who these knights were, and what drove them to become members of this prestigious and demanding military holy order (and even in the case of those three knights, I still felt they were woefully under-developed). It is really unfortunate that Prata didn't devote more time to character development, particularly their Catholic faith that was so crucial in motivating these incredible warriors. Likewise, I never felt like got a sense of the place of Malta generally, and specifically the forts Elmo, Angelo or Michael. Angels in Iron needed to bring Malta, all of it, from the forts to the people, to a much more vivid reality for the reader to truly care about the outcome of the battle.
I don't want to be overly critical of this book. I found it thoroughly entertaining despite its flaws. It is just that I think, ultimately, Angels in Iron reads better as a screenplay than a novel (and what a movie it would make! If only Hollywood wasn't so emasculated by political correctness and addiction to comic book profits). But as a novel, I think the Great Siege of Malta is still awaiting its definitive telling. To do this story justice, we need a wordsmith who is as talented with verse as he is with prose. In short, only a latter-day Homer, Morris, Tolkien or Eliot will do.
December 4, 2013
This book was interesting. For someone who really enjoys learning about history, this was a good pick. It was very historically accurate. It focused mostly on the siege of Malta, and island just east of Sicily, which is in the mediterranean. It was a battle between the knights of St. John, otherwise known as the knights hospitaller, and the Ottoman Empire, which was centered around modern day Turkey. The reason why the Ottomans sieged it was becuase it was the "gateway" to Europe (they had already tried to conquer christendom before, but they failed twice before the walls of Vienna, which is located in modern day Austria). From Malta they could conquer Sicily then Rome. This book was relatively well written, though for a person who can't deal with little character development, this book would be a drag. It was a very detailed account of the siege of Malta, going through each battle manouver. So i would only recommend this book to those who enjoy history.
December 4, 2013
This book was about the siege of Malta which was occupied by the Knights of Saint John. It was about 10 000 muslims against about 1000 knights. It was great. I now must go to Malta.
I recommend it for those also going to Rhodes in Greece.
I recommend it for those also going to Rhodes in Greece.
December 4, 2013
An OK novelization of the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. Some of the characters seemed a bit one-dimensional. Ironically, Ernle Bradford's history of the siege, entitled the Great Siege, is a more riveting read.
December 4, 2013
It's good for those who like intense historical action. But I do wish it was better written. I found some characters a bit too flat, and felt that the scenes were rushed and needed further polishing.
What made it the worth for me however was the topic and some scenes were pretty intense.
What made it the worth for me however was the topic and some scenes were pretty intense.
December 4, 2013
Gory but moving. War is sad and ugly, but can bring out nobility in some people and the worst in others.
December 4, 2013
Absolutely excellent book on the siege of Malta. Though their battles and mine in the Viet Nam Ear were certainly different, it read right.
April 1, 2021
While reading "Angels in Iron' I found myself thankful that, at least in the United States, we don't solve our differences (for the most part) the way they did 'back then.'
The battle scenes in this book are some of the most harrowing I've encountered. Vivid descriptions of faces being stamped and brains splattered, the pungent smell of burning fat, skin and hair as thousands of soldiers go up in flame, along with plentiful decapitations and disembowelments.
The first stage of the siege, the attack on Fort St. Elmo, is by far the most graphic. The Turkish Pasha, Mustapha anticipated it would fall in two days. But the Knights of St. John Hospitallers held out for weeks. After finally capturing the Fort at the price of thousands of his own men (and all the lives of the Christian Knights) Mustapha had four knights stripped, beheaded, crucified, and impaled in the chest with smaller crosses. These grotesque displays were then floated across the harbor where the remaining Knights found them. In response the order's grand master, La Valette, ordered all captured invaders decapitated. The scores of Turkish heads were then loaded into cannons and fired back into Mustapha's lines.
The irony is not lost that both sides in this conflict worship the same God (albeit in very different ways). One of the most poignant moments for me was when one of the Knights in the heat of battle pauses and thinks of his enemy "...they believe in the same resurrection I do..." And although this tension is covered a few times in the book I do wish it was explored further.
Furthermore, the entire book would have been more compelling with better-developed characters, particularly from the invading force. Dragut, "The Drawn Sword of Islam" is the only antagonist I felt was well developed, but he is knocked out of the fight halfway through the book. The action scenes are urgent enough to convey the bravery and devotion to duty present on that island, but more character development would have it much more compelling.
"Angels in Iron" is more of a 3.5 for me but I'll put it down as 4 because I did learn some new Latin phrases while reading.
The battle scenes in this book are some of the most harrowing I've encountered. Vivid descriptions of faces being stamped and brains splattered, the pungent smell of burning fat, skin and hair as thousands of soldiers go up in flame, along with plentiful decapitations and disembowelments.
The first stage of the siege, the attack on Fort St. Elmo, is by far the most graphic. The Turkish Pasha, Mustapha anticipated it would fall in two days. But the Knights of St. John Hospitallers held out for weeks. After finally capturing the Fort at the price of thousands of his own men (and all the lives of the Christian Knights) Mustapha had four knights stripped, beheaded, crucified, and impaled in the chest with smaller crosses. These grotesque displays were then floated across the harbor where the remaining Knights found them. In response the order's grand master, La Valette, ordered all captured invaders decapitated. The scores of Turkish heads were then loaded into cannons and fired back into Mustapha's lines.
The irony is not lost that both sides in this conflict worship the same God (albeit in very different ways). One of the most poignant moments for me was when one of the Knights in the heat of battle pauses and thinks of his enemy "...they believe in the same resurrection I do..." And although this tension is covered a few times in the book I do wish it was explored further.
Furthermore, the entire book would have been more compelling with better-developed characters, particularly from the invading force. Dragut, "The Drawn Sword of Islam" is the only antagonist I felt was well developed, but he is knocked out of the fight halfway through the book. The action scenes are urgent enough to convey the bravery and devotion to duty present on that island, but more character development would have it much more compelling.
"Angels in Iron" is more of a 3.5 for me but I'll put it down as 4 because I did learn some new Latin phrases while reading.
August 22, 2025
a good account of the siege of Malta
Although not written by a Maltese, this book provides a captivating fictionalised account of the siege of Malta. I knew little about the siege (only that Malta held) and this book opened a whole history chapter for me that I thoroughly enjoyed. The book is of course biased in favour of Knights so I looked beyond to balance it by reading some other sources and versions, and watching videos. I am however in awe of the resistance and understand now how profoundly it shaped Maltese identity. I also enjoyed spiritual and religious exchanges during the hardest moments, written by the author with a goal to reflect the spirit of the order.
Although not written by a Maltese, this book provides a captivating fictionalised account of the siege of Malta. I knew little about the siege (only that Malta held) and this book opened a whole history chapter for me that I thoroughly enjoyed. The book is of course biased in favour of Knights so I looked beyond to balance it by reading some other sources and versions, and watching videos. I am however in awe of the resistance and understand now how profoundly it shaped Maltese identity. I also enjoyed spiritual and religious exchanges during the hardest moments, written by the author with a goal to reflect the spirit of the order.
September 5, 2017
Es el primer libro que leo de este autor y, en general, es un libro que me ha gustado mucho. Es rápido en su lectura, está correctamente escrito y los hechos se desarrollan correctamente sin que, en ningún momento, resulte pesado. Es un libro corto que trata sobre una de las gestas más heroicas de la historia y que recomiendo a todo el mundo que tenga un mínimo de interés en la Soberana Orden militar y hospitalaria de San Juan de Jerusalén, de Rodas y de Malta.
August 14, 2023
Que típico de los musulmanes: los caballeros de malta ya están muertos, ya hemos ganado. Llevan esclavos a la batalla y pierden. Pues como siempre. Soliman el legislador o Soliman el anormal. Bastante buen libro basado en una de tantas palizas históricas de occidente a Oriente. Me he divertido
June 29, 2024
It is a fun book of war and Crusading. I enjoyed the short chapters that were broken up as days of fighting. The multi-perspectives within the story added depth to the expectations commanders and made the shifts of war easier to visualize.
August 5, 2017
Superb retelling of the historic siege
as if you were there, present during the siege
excellent perspective and analysis
draws you in
would recommend to anyone
as if you were there, present during the siege
excellent perspective and analysis
draws you in
would recommend to anyone
September 21, 2018
Awesome! Wow, those knights were soooo good!
July 18, 2019
The best book i have read in many years
July 5, 2022
Absolutely fantastic portrayal of the Siege of Malta.
April 17, 2025
Me gustó mucho la trama y el desarrollo la manera la que te hace querrá los personajes tanto de un bando como del otro la narrativa muy buena disfruté mucho este libro
October 10, 2024
Very good historical fiction about one of the vital battles of the Catholic world, which helped preserve the existence of Europe. However, I would certainly complain about the foul language the author had the Hospitalliers use; even if the knights did use such language, that doesn't mean that I want to read it.
June 26, 2020
I would give this 5 start if it wasn't for the 2nd half of the book. Almost all of the characters introduced that we care about die in the first half and the lack of characters affects the 2nd half. Love the way it was written and very entertaining read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2016
Great book. Even when I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it.
September 26, 2020
Great Book. Reading more Historical Fiction now becuase of this book. God Bless.
April 28, 2017
This was a fast-paced, action-packed recounting of the far too underappreciated siege of Malta. The little historical details were great and showed the depth of the author's research. My one complaint is the same one I have for most small-publisher books I've come across - insufficient editing. There were a lot of small grammar mistakes that could easily have been fixed. Other than that, it was a great book that hopefully will capture the hearts and minds of a new generation with the tale of one of the most incredible battles in the history of the world.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews