Command the Raven

An Uncivil War #2

by M.J. Logue

February 1643, the beginning of the English Civil War and for once Captain Hollie Babbitt thinks his luck's turned. After a typically daredevil assault on Prince Rupert's elite cavalry troop, he's presently in favour with the Army of Parliament's commander. He's also personally in favour with Luce Pettitt's fragrant Auntie Het. And although they haven't managed to break Luce of the poeting habit, he's turning into a competent and capable officer. But what seems on the surface to be a minor promotion to a quiet backwater posting, sees Hollie forced to confront the demons of his past.

Genres: 17th Century, Historical Fiction

340 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 2014

About the author

Writer, 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.

Reviews

[Alison Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

COMMAND THE RAVEN is the second book in Logue's Uncivil War series and picks up in the early months of 1643 with Hollie back in command of his uncommandable troop, while hankering after Het who has offered him a glimpse of what life with hearth and home could be like. In despair at Babbit's behaviours 'Uncle Essex' sends him north to support the Parliamentary cause being led by the Fairfaxes. Sir Thomas Fairfax, a complex and overlooked real life character, is drawn with great affection and respect but recognising his weaknesses too. In this book we meet Thankful Russell, on the staff of Essex. They are also joined by Hollie's father, the firey preacher, Elijah Babbit and the issues from his childhood which drove him away at 16 have to be confronted. Like the first book, the book ends with a return to Het's arms.

In this book we get deeper into the characters and relationships that are woven around these stories, Another compelling read, particularly for fans of the English Civil War

[Paul Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entry number two in this fascinating series continues the struggle known as The English Civil War. At least that's the major backdrop to the tale. What the author has crafted is a tale of relationships, not just the evolving respect between Hollie and Luce, but also Hollie's relationships with Het, Elijah(Hollie's father) and Oliver Cromwell. Holly will always be a cantankerous cuss but there are other sides to him that show signs of shedding the hardened shell he wears. The story rolls seamlessly through the historical events and you get the sense of being there in the cold, the mud and the heat, all mostly experienced in the idle boredom inherent in a sporadically fought war. Though it may have been boring for the characters, it was during those times that the verbal by play and introspection shine through the narrative.

To use the parlance of the times, it is a cracking read. 5 stars

[James Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Command the Raven is the second book in the Uncivil Wars series by M J Logue. It follows almost directly on from Red Horse with the start of Spring 1643.

Although set in the midst of the first English Civil War of the 17th century the Uncivil Wars are more social history than military. The focus is on the people, and horses, in Captain Hollie Babbitt's troop and their associates.

Command the Raven opens with the siege of Reading and the troop's ennui with it. Luce Pettitt takes bad news from his widow very hard, and Hollie wants to be away and moving. A transfer from Essex's army to Fairfax in the north sees Babbitt change his fortunes. After a short period of recovery in Essex Babbitt marries. He then faces his father followed by dealing with Fairfax's almost four year old daughter.

Babbitt has demons galore in Command the Raven, we start with his fevered nightmares about his first wife Griete. Later his father and then there is the sea. We find him a poor sailor when his troop are called across the Humber. He spends most of his time puking over the gunwales of captain Tom Rainsborough's boat.

South of the Humber we run into Noll Cromwell and his Lovely Company. Cromwell is portrayed here as a disciplined cavalry commander with a strong personal interest in horses. He also has a strong godly streak too. He comes across as a competent human and not the puritanical fanatic that he is often erroneously played as in popular works.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs

"I love this series. I guess this is because I tend towards colourful rogues as main characters and no-nonsense women as their counterpart. But, in this instance, it is also because of the wonderful descriptive writing, and the totally believable characters - indeed I was somewhat shocked to discover that Ms Logue had completely made up Hollie, Luce, Het, Thankful Russell and the motley troop of ruffians. They are far too lifelike to not have been real people!"

[Diana Ridout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again M. J. Logue delights with this exciting and moving (Un)Civil War story, featuring the charismatic, but flawed, Hollie Babbitt.
Once again I learned more without realising I was learning, than any school history lesson.
Ms Logue has a unique story telling voice, perfect for bringing this genre, this era and her characters alive.

[Geoff Boxell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Thin Lizzy would say: "The Boys are Back in Town".
I had intended to read this book as soon as Christmas was over, but people kept lending me text books that they wanted back quickly, so it had to wait till now. I read it within 24 hours, thanks to my wife being ill and me spending hours waiting at Drs' surgeries and X-Ray and blood clinics; it was the one good thing about it all - I read the whole book in just three sittings.
As per my earlier reviews on the tale of Hollie Babbett and his mis-sorted crew, these stories are as much about relationships and the interplay between men in stressful situations as they are about the English Civil War (or Parliament v King, or the War of the Three Nations - call it what you will). This book says much about men and their wives too. M.J.Logue is a great observer of people and this is reflected in her writings. I easily identify with the men, their banter and their behaviour. I re-enact, albeit 4thC Saxon wreccer or 14thC English Archer, but the tension before combat and the banter and laughter and even bad temper around the campfire after is similar to that in these books. I used to run two speedway teams (500cc methanol engines in a frame similar to a mountain bike, no brakes, one gear, acceleration better than an F1 car with two riders from each team on an oval circuit with a loose dirt surface) and have observed how men who are about to risk their lives react: some quiet, some noisy, some are sick, some starve, some eat, some sing. Logue captures all this, plus the excitement of action, and the boredom of siege and the waiting, waiting, waiting for action - the 90% of all warfare.
This is book #2 in the series and Hollie gets to serve with both Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell. Having read extensively about these two me I feel the author has captured their personalities well,
This series is brilliant and very addictive: I just can't wait for my next fix.

[Lynn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished book two. If anything, I enjoyed it even more than the first, same great characters and excellent grasp of history but somehow this one flowed a lot better for me. The relationship between Hollie and Luce is developing nicely, especially now that they’re related by marriage....

I’ve got nothing bad to say about these books, it’s the most entertaining series I’ve read since P F Chisholm’s Sir Robert Carey books and I’m just off to buy number three...

[09/01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

Thoroughly enjoyed reading the continuing saga of Hollie and Luce and the troop. As they charge around the battle and skirmishes of the civil war.Looking forward to reading the next one.

[Brian Kitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read and thoroughly enjoyed ‘Red Horse’ by M. J. Logue and so had no hesitation in getting this book, the second in the ‘An Uncivil War’ series to read. I was not disappointed as this book was just as good as the first. The adventures of Hollie Babbitt and the idealistic poet, Luce Pettitt, his much put upon Cornet continue and in this novel, they are sent up North to come under the command of Tom Fairfax. I don’t want to give the plotline away, but will say that Hollie and Luce meet Hollie’s father and Oliver Cromwell. As before the interactions between Hollie and Luce are a great part of the story, but Luce is growing in confidence and gives as good as he takes and Hollie relies upon him more. M.J. Logue knows her English Civil War and gives accurate portrayals of the military and social history of the times. The books are very enjoyable reads and on the strength of the first two, I have gone and got the rest in the series and very much look forward to reading them. Highly recommended five star reads.

[M.J. Logue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it. Interesting to read a book from the Roundhead perspective rather than Cavalier!