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An Uncivil War #5
The Serpent's Root
After Marston Moor. After Naseby. War returns to the West Country.
Book 5 in the bestselling Uncivil Wars series, featuring the adventures of Hollie Babbitt and his rebel rabble of Parliamentarian cavalry.
Cornwall, 1646.
Thomas Fairfax and the Army of Parliament are on the verge of victory, bringing the King’s Army to bay in Cornwall.
But Hollie, far from his wife and the future he's fought so hard to build, is bound by honour to stay with his company in the West Country, though it may cost him everything he holds dear at home in Essex.
And a bitter choice lies before the Cornish captain Kenelm Toogood - freedom of his conscience, or freedom for his homeland?
".... reminiscent of Cornwell’s Richard Sharpe." Historical Novel Society review of Red Horse
Book 5 in the bestselling Uncivil Wars series, featuring the adventures of Hollie Babbitt and his rebel rabble of Parliamentarian cavalry.
Cornwall, 1646.
Thomas Fairfax and the Army of Parliament are on the verge of victory, bringing the King’s Army to bay in Cornwall.
But Hollie, far from his wife and the future he's fought so hard to build, is bound by honour to stay with his company in the West Country, though it may cost him everything he holds dear at home in Essex.
And a bitter choice lies before the Cornish captain Kenelm Toogood - freedom of his conscience, or freedom for his homeland?
".... reminiscent of Cornwell’s Richard Sharpe." Historical Novel Society review of Red Horse
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2016
1 person is currently reading
18 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 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 14, 2018
Normally a tale of Hollie Babbett and the rest of his band of bad boys is a 24 hour read. This one took a bit longer for two reasons. The first is that I have been busy with jobs of my own, helping a friend with a new house and helping a son with his grounds. The other reason is that this is a darker than usual tale, and I was unsettled by the way things were going between Hollie and his wife, Het, so the first part of the book was in small bites.
This time the King’s Army of the West is surrendering, all except for a castle in Cornwall – a county, that to this day, is part of England, and yet not part of it, an independent place. The mood of the New Model Army is changing: they are becoming war weary, they are questioning the needless continuation of the fighting when the King’s cause is already lost, the killing, the destruction, the waste. They are blaming the King that it is still going on.
There is some excitement and fighting, of course, but, as is true of most warfare, there is mainly dirt, muck, mud, sieges and disease. Then there are the undercurrents of being based in territory that may, or may not, be indifferent to an Army being based there, especially as most of Cornwall has been for the King.
As always M.J.Logue writes a brilliant tale. The author is a great observer of people and this always comes across in her writings – the character's dialogues are so real you feel as if you are alongside them. Often Logue helps you see inside people’s heads and this time there is much insight into courtship and child raising as well as the problem’s that separation during times of war bring to relationships.
I am now out of Babbit books to read as Babalon’s Downfall is not in print and the next episode of this English Civil War series is still in the author’s head, hence, I am somewhat narked and trust M.J.Logue reads this and pulls finger.
This time the King’s Army of the West is surrendering, all except for a castle in Cornwall – a county, that to this day, is part of England, and yet not part of it, an independent place. The mood of the New Model Army is changing: they are becoming war weary, they are questioning the needless continuation of the fighting when the King’s cause is already lost, the killing, the destruction, the waste. They are blaming the King that it is still going on.
There is some excitement and fighting, of course, but, as is true of most warfare, there is mainly dirt, muck, mud, sieges and disease. Then there are the undercurrents of being based in territory that may, or may not, be indifferent to an Army being based there, especially as most of Cornwall has been for the King.
As always M.J.Logue writes a brilliant tale. The author is a great observer of people and this always comes across in her writings – the character's dialogues are so real you feel as if you are alongside them. Often Logue helps you see inside people’s heads and this time there is much insight into courtship and child raising as well as the problem’s that separation during times of war bring to relationships.
I am now out of Babbit books to read as Babalon’s Downfall is not in print and the next episode of this English Civil War series is still in the author’s head, hence, I am somewhat narked and trust M.J.Logue reads this and pulls finger.
May 8, 2017
I have enjoyed everyone of M. J. Logue's Uncivil War series and this was no exception. This fifth book in the series finds Hollie Babbitt, Luce Pettit and Thankful Russell in Cornwall. Hollie has a Cornish Captain, Kenelm Toogood under his command and finds it difficult to fathom the man out. Kenelm has suffered greatly at the hands of his fellow Cornishmen, barely escaping with his life after Essex withdrew his forces, leaving Kenelm and others to the wrath of the Cornish. Kenelm's wife has died, left he believes abandoned by her own family, ardent Royalists and his daughter has been taken away by her grandfather. Bitter and disillusioned, Kenelm has to make a choice, will he continue to fight for the Parliamentary cause or for freedom for Cornwall. As usual the interactions between all the characters in the book make this an highly entertaining and enjoyable read.
March 31, 2016
another winner for MJ Logue...full review shortly
To quote (sort of) The Most Interesting Man in the World, "I don't always read about The English Civil War, but when I do, I like to read about Hollie (Rosie) Babbitt." This is book 5 in the Uncivil War series by M.J. Logue and I continue to be impressed with the style, the language, the plot lines and the development of the characters. The author brings to life what the war did to both sides in this edition as the Parliamentarian's take control of Cornwall, a region that would rather not be part of either side in the war. Colonel Babbitt returns to the fray much to the chagrin of Het, his wife and this rough, professional soldier must battle not only a siege but also his tangled emotions. The manner in which he finally understands and the healing of his troubled mind comes from a most unusual source; I will say no more on that other than I was entranced by this portion of the story. Also intriguing is the relationship between Hapless, the Brat and Rosie...it just gets better with every book. Hoover Book Reviews highly recommends this very entertaining series. 5 stars.
To quote (sort of) The Most Interesting Man in the World, "I don't always read about The English Civil War, but when I do, I like to read about Hollie (Rosie) Babbitt." This is book 5 in the Uncivil War series by M.J. Logue and I continue to be impressed with the style, the language, the plot lines and the development of the characters. The author brings to life what the war did to both sides in this edition as the Parliamentarian's take control of Cornwall, a region that would rather not be part of either side in the war. Colonel Babbitt returns to the fray much to the chagrin of Het, his wife and this rough, professional soldier must battle not only a siege but also his tangled emotions. The manner in which he finally understands and the healing of his troubled mind comes from a most unusual source; I will say no more on that other than I was entranced by this portion of the story. Also intriguing is the relationship between Hapless, the Brat and Rosie...it just gets better with every book. Hoover Book Reviews highly recommends this very entertaining series. 5 stars.
October 15, 2019
Another good read
Hollie and the gang carry on the war in Cornwall, struggling with both their own side and the malignants. All is not what it seems. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the latest episode .
Hollie and the gang carry on the war in Cornwall, struggling with both their own side and the malignants. All is not what it seems. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the latest episode .
June 21, 2016
The Serpent's Root is the fifth in the Uncivil Wars series. Hollie Babbitt, Russell and Luce Pettit find themselves in Cornwall in 1646. The King's Army surrenders and they're hoping for an easy summer. However they find themselves laying siege to a castle.
They've brought their own Cornishman home with them. However they quickly discover that to the locals Cornwall isn't part of England. While most of the Cornish fight for the King, this is an expedient to get their own ruler, not a loyalty to the crown.
Like the rest of the series The Serpent's Root is more social than military. We see a Cornish perspective on the issues of the civil wars. We also see how the gentry treat their women, and what happens to a child when her mother dies.
As always it's well observed and well researched. All the characters are multidimensional and have believable motivations and needs. As well as the Cornish angle we learn a lot about Colonel Hollie Babbitt. Why he hates sieges, and his fears for his wife and children. As a professional soldier in his forties we can see him starting to break down. With more to lose it is harder for him to do his work.
Overall I enjoyed the book immensely and would strongly recommend it.
They've brought their own Cornishman home with them. However they quickly discover that to the locals Cornwall isn't part of England. While most of the Cornish fight for the King, this is an expedient to get their own ruler, not a loyalty to the crown.
Like the rest of the series The Serpent's Root is more social than military. We see a Cornish perspective on the issues of the civil wars. We also see how the gentry treat their women, and what happens to a child when her mother dies.
As always it's well observed and well researched. All the characters are multidimensional and have believable motivations and needs. As well as the Cornish angle we learn a lot about Colonel Hollie Babbitt. Why he hates sieges, and his fears for his wife and children. As a professional soldier in his forties we can see him starting to break down. With more to lose it is harder for him to do his work.
Overall I enjoyed the book immensely and would strongly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews