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Man of Conflict #1
The Soldier Brat
The Soldier Brat … Youngest son of a wealthy merchant, Septimus Pearce is a spoiled brat, wild and heedless. His recklessness promises to cost the firm money and harm his father's hopes of social advancement. His father forces him to join the army in an attempt straighten him out. However, even the disciplines of army life where he sees bloody action in Ireland and the Caribbean fail to exorcise his nastier character traits.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 13, 2017
No drama or conflict in this first volume in the Man of Conflict series, December 9, 2016
This review is from: The Soldier Brat (Man of Conflict Series Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
According to the description of this book posted on Amazon, the main character, Septimus Pearce is an utterly spoiled brat whose disgraceful conduct threatens his family’s name. His father forces him to join the army, but even the disciplines of army life fail to exorcise his nastier character traits. Absolute rubbish. In fact, one of the main problems with the novel is that Septimus takes to army life life a duck to water, becoming an exemplary officer with nary a misstep. There is no conflict, no drama, no sense of danger and little character development for Septimus and virtually none for the interchangeable and disposable supporting characters. The only really good things about this weakly plotted novel are a fairly engaging narrative style and good historical research.
This review is from: The Soldier Brat (Man of Conflict Series Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
According to the description of this book posted on Amazon, the main character, Septimus Pearce is an utterly spoiled brat whose disgraceful conduct threatens his family’s name. His father forces him to join the army, but even the disciplines of army life fail to exorcise his nastier character traits. Absolute rubbish. In fact, one of the main problems with the novel is that Septimus takes to army life life a duck to water, becoming an exemplary officer with nary a misstep. There is no conflict, no drama, no sense of danger and little character development for Septimus and virtually none for the interchangeable and disposable supporting characters. The only really good things about this weakly plotted novel are a fairly engaging narrative style and good historical research.
September 26, 2023
I have enjoyed Wareham's naval books so I thought I'd give this one a shot. Its the story of a debauched worthless spendthrift son sent to the military by his father. The young man finds that he actually likes and is good at being a soldier, and finds success and stability in his new career.
The story covers several parts of the early Napoleonic (well, pre-Napoleonic) wars with the French and I can see where the story is going to go. The military tactics and culture is pretty well presented, warts and all, but some of it is exaggerated or questionable (the berserk post-siege rape and loot fest is presented as being ANY combat that faces opposition -- there were officers specifically that kept an eye on soldiers to restrain that unless they had faced a horrendous long siege).
My main problem with the story is again -- this keeps happening in these books, particularly from Wareham -- the insanely fast overpromotion. By the end of this book, he's a major in fewer than three years of service. This is just a poor approach because so many stories have been jumped past and it just is way too fast to make any sense at all.
Also, there are some flaws with characterization: our hero Septimus (kind of an odd name for England) starts out a complete wastrel, but the instant he puts on the Ensign uniform he becomes disciplined, focused, and professional. The transformation is somewhat plausible (he finally finds purpose and meaning for his life and grows up a little) but there's zero learning curve and Septimus never lapses at any point.
It would have been a better story to have him at most advance to Lieutenant and have several stumbles along the way (late to return to camp, sleeping with the wrong girl, etc).
The historically accurate characterization is great, Septimus is very callous and heartless, normal for his time period, toward the poor, non-British people, and women. There is a very odd pair of sequences in which Septimus is driven to brutal violence against an officer who rapes girls, but ignores an officer raping boys. The inconsistency seems driven not by a reasonable response of the time but a need to not criticize homosexuality.
Still, it was entertaining and moved along well; Wareham has a very effective narrative style. I wanted to read the next one but its not on Kindle Unlimited, and they want too much for the next book.
The story covers several parts of the early Napoleonic (well, pre-Napoleonic) wars with the French and I can see where the story is going to go. The military tactics and culture is pretty well presented, warts and all, but some of it is exaggerated or questionable (the berserk post-siege rape and loot fest is presented as being ANY combat that faces opposition -- there were officers specifically that kept an eye on soldiers to restrain that unless they had faced a horrendous long siege).
My main problem with the story is again -- this keeps happening in these books, particularly from Wareham -- the insanely fast overpromotion. By the end of this book, he's a major in fewer than three years of service. This is just a poor approach because so many stories have been jumped past and it just is way too fast to make any sense at all.
Also, there are some flaws with characterization: our hero Septimus (kind of an odd name for England) starts out a complete wastrel, but the instant he puts on the Ensign uniform he becomes disciplined, focused, and professional. The transformation is somewhat plausible (he finally finds purpose and meaning for his life and grows up a little) but there's zero learning curve and Septimus never lapses at any point.
It would have been a better story to have him at most advance to Lieutenant and have several stumbles along the way (late to return to camp, sleeping with the wrong girl, etc).
The historically accurate characterization is great, Septimus is very callous and heartless, normal for his time period, toward the poor, non-British people, and women. There is a very odd pair of sequences in which Septimus is driven to brutal violence against an officer who rapes girls, but ignores an officer raping boys. The inconsistency seems driven not by a reasonable response of the time but a need to not criticize homosexuality.
Still, it was entertaining and moved along well; Wareham has a very effective narrative style. I wanted to read the next one but its not on Kindle Unlimited, and they want too much for the next book.
September 3, 2025
Major (the pun will make sense) problems with the growth and character development. Set in pre-Napoleon England.
We meet the MC, the younger son of a wealthy merchant. His elder brother works hard and will take the family firms in turn. The MC enjoys drinking, whoring, and losing money as fast as he can. And is fairly unlikable.
So dad gives him a choice, banished forever to Canada with no money, or into the military and an annual allowance and the family will purchase his promotions.
Sounds like a great set up. But as soon as he gets there, the MC turns into a great company grade officer. Just like snapping your fingers. The book ends, after some combat, with the MC as a major.
We meet the MC, the younger son of a wealthy merchant. His elder brother works hard and will take the family firms in turn. The MC enjoys drinking, whoring, and losing money as fast as he can. And is fairly unlikable.
So dad gives him a choice, banished forever to Canada with no money, or into the military and an annual allowance and the family will purchase his promotions.
Sounds like a great set up. But as soon as he gets there, the MC turns into a great company grade officer. Just like snapping your fingers. The book ends, after some combat, with the MC as a major.
May 30, 2019
Great adventure story
I choose to read Andrew Wareham's books because his in-depth descriptions of the British military in the late 18th century is so thorough. The writing style is easy to follow and the story here is very good. Made me want to read nonstop.
The bad boy, youngest son of a wealthy merchant basically sends him to the army because he's out of control. The brat surprises even himself as he learns soldiering.
This is,a good one for readers of historical/military fiction.
I choose to read Andrew Wareham's books because his in-depth descriptions of the British military in the late 18th century is so thorough. The writing style is easy to follow and the story here is very good. Made me want to read nonstop.
The bad boy, youngest son of a wealthy merchant basically sends him to the army because he's out of control. The brat surprises even himself as he learns soldiering.
This is,a good one for readers of historical/military fiction.
March 1, 2021
Interesting perspective
Tho novel explores the world of the British empire with out the usual rose colored glasses. The casual brutality of daily life is unflinching displayed through the eyes of a believer in the system he is living in. This is not an opportunity to think how much better we are than they were but rather to understand the we too are blinded by a Modern day brutality that we enforce/support without thought. What I ask is cancel culture if not intellectual rape.
Tho novel explores the world of the British empire with out the usual rose colored glasses. The casual brutality of daily life is unflinching displayed through the eyes of a believer in the system he is living in. This is not an opportunity to think how much better we are than they were but rather to understand the we too are blinded by a Modern day brutality that we enforce/support without thought. What I ask is cancel culture if not intellectual rape.
December 26, 2019
I was surprised by this book. Wareham paints a vivid picture of the times and norms of the officer class of this period. The callousness of combat and its aftermath seen as a logical norm by the main characters is eye opening. I could not put the book down.
August 10, 2021
A super historical novel
A novel covering all ranks and classes in a class conscious society. It covers the trials of being posted to the sugar islands and all that goes with it. Thank you Andrew , just finished book 1 and to book 2.
A novel covering all ranks and classes in a class conscious society. It covers the trials of being posted to the sugar islands and all that goes with it. Thank you Andrew , just finished book 1 and to book 2.
December 28, 2021
Good story
Good story, but surprised at the behaviour of the soldiers raping every thing female,never thought British soldiers of any era were like that
Good story, but surprised at the behaviour of the soldiers raping every thing female,never thought British soldiers of any era were like that
May 21, 2024
Good
Good first impression getting to know the characters ,well written and plenty not action with a lot of historical fact
Good first impression getting to know the characters ,well written and plenty not action with a lot of historical fact
October 31, 2025
- a surprisingly good read. It reminds me of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series. This promises to be interesting.
February 26, 2026
It was okay as a download from Kindle Unlimited. I skipped a whole bunch of chapters without losing.
December 13, 2016
Very good Historical fiction.
I enjoy historical fictional stories very much. The Soldiers Brat that is pleasing, Story. It's story line is most accurate for the time period. Pearce is a typical son of an Englishman. But not being the eldest son, plus being spoiled from birth. His Father, did the only thing that would save young Pearce from either the courts, and great embarrassment of the Family name. Pearce's Father bought him, a Officer's post in the army. And this is where the story begins. Thank; Marvin.
I enjoy historical fictional stories very much. The Soldiers Brat that is pleasing, Story. It's story line is most accurate for the time period. Pearce is a typical son of an Englishman. But not being the eldest son, plus being spoiled from birth. His Father, did the only thing that would save young Pearce from either the courts, and great embarrassment of the Family name. Pearce's Father bought him, a Officer's post in the army. And this is where the story begins. Thank; Marvin.
September 17, 2015
An amazing read. I enjoyed every page. I put it down only to do what was absolutely necessary this Wednesday past.
A second son to a wealthy merchant wasting his life away, is forced into the Army by his father. A close look and an outstanding story of a new young officer of the British Napoleonic army period.
If you ever enjoyed a Hornblower read, Andrew Wareham writes of that period and even perhaps better!
A second son to a wealthy merchant wasting his life away, is forced into the Army by his father. A close look and an outstanding story of a new young officer of the British Napoleonic army period.
If you ever enjoyed a Hornblower read, Andrew Wareham writes of that period and even perhaps better!
June 3, 2016
British army in Napoleonic times!
Action combined with excellent research of the period combine to make for a very good read! Historical correctness is a must for such fiction and this has it all!
Action combined with excellent research of the period combine to make for a very good read! Historical correctness is a must for such fiction and this has it all!
June 14, 2016
Very good book, interesting to read very enjoyable story unlike some books I have read that are set in a similar time period that just waffle on, Andrew Wareham has set out to make an enjoyable character and interesting character and let me just say achievement completed.
January 30, 2017
A different perspective of action
Written about English military service in early 1800's, describing how military action was perceived and the officer structure. It is no wonder how are ragtag revolutionary forces defeated them.
Written about English military service in early 1800's, describing how military action was perceived and the officer structure. It is no wonder how are ragtag revolutionary forces defeated them.
September 11, 2015
Surprisingly good story after a slow start.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews