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Holcroft Blood #3
Blood's Campaign
In the theatre of war there can only be one victor . . .
August 25, 1689
The English army has surrounded Carrickfergus in Ireland. The brilliant strategist and gunner Captain Holcroft Blood of the Royal Artillery is ready to train his powerful cannon on the rebellious Catholics. But this is more than war for Blood, there is a terrible vengeance that burns in his heart.
July 1, 1690
The Battle of the Boyne must be decisive for King William's English forces if he is to prevail over deposed King James's rebel Irish and French army. And Holcroft Blood is determined to destroy the man who obsesses him: the ruthless French spymaster who murdered an innocent woman he loved dearly.
As battle commences and the wild Irish brigand Michael 'Galloping' Hogan wreaks havoc on the English, Blood's military tactics prove highly effective, until ambush leaves him staring at a hangman's noose.
Will Blood escape to seek retribution or will his personal vendetta during a war between nations commit him to make the ultimate sacrifice?
August 25, 1689
The English army has surrounded Carrickfergus in Ireland. The brilliant strategist and gunner Captain Holcroft Blood of the Royal Artillery is ready to train his powerful cannon on the rebellious Catholics. But this is more than war for Blood, there is a terrible vengeance that burns in his heart.
July 1, 1690
The Battle of the Boyne must be decisive for King William's English forces if he is to prevail over deposed King James's rebel Irish and French army. And Holcroft Blood is determined to destroy the man who obsesses him: the ruthless French spymaster who murdered an innocent woman he loved dearly.
As battle commences and the wild Irish brigand Michael 'Galloping' Hogan wreaks havoc on the English, Blood's military tactics prove highly effective, until ambush leaves him staring at a hangman's noose.
Will Blood escape to seek retribution or will his personal vendetta during a war between nations commit him to make the ultimate sacrifice?
400 pages, Hardcover
Published October 18, 2018
14 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 3, 2019
Set during the 1600's in Ireland during the war between William of Orange and James, Captain Blood an exceptional gunner finds himself faced with his own personal war. He receives intelligence that French agent Henri D'Erloncourt, Blood's enemy is with the force of James. Henri and Blood have past scores to settle.
Michael 'Galloping' Hogan a brigand also finds himself embroiled in the war and becomes an agent of Henri with the underlying purpose of helping Henri defeat Blood.
Blood is also faced with the problem that they have a spy in their midst who passes intelligence to Henri and in the process leads to the death of hundreds of their own.
Who will come out of this alive? And who will be the victor?
This was quite an entertaining read. I enjoyed how Blood's character developed but also have to say how well written the character of Henri was. I hated him from the start!
The book contains a mix of emotions, there's sadness, relief and the occasional whoop of success.
I have given it 3 stars as although I enjoyed it I found some of the chapters I wanted to skip through. It can be very detailed when discussing the guns which I imagine is great if that's your thing but sadly I have little interest in cannons etc.
That being said I would be interested in reading more about Blood's adventures.
Michael 'Galloping' Hogan a brigand also finds himself embroiled in the war and becomes an agent of Henri with the underlying purpose of helping Henri defeat Blood.
Blood is also faced with the problem that they have a spy in their midst who passes intelligence to Henri and in the process leads to the death of hundreds of their own.
Who will come out of this alive? And who will be the victor?
This was quite an entertaining read. I enjoyed how Blood's character developed but also have to say how well written the character of Henri was. I hated him from the start!
The book contains a mix of emotions, there's sadness, relief and the occasional whoop of success.
I have given it 3 stars as although I enjoyed it I found some of the chapters I wanted to skip through. It can be very detailed when discussing the guns which I imagine is great if that's your thing but sadly I have little interest in cannons etc.
That being said I would be interested in reading more about Blood's adventures.
November 24, 2019
Angus Donald is one of the finest writers of historical fiction out there - how I adored his Robin Hood series - and the Holcroft Blood series is now in its stride. Holcroft is a fascinating, unusual hero, in charge of the big guns (which he loves more than anything, except perhaps his blue army coat) in William of Orange's army, which is now in Ireland fighting against ex-King James II. Thoroughly exciting, vigorous historical fiction which really brings a time, that I know so little about, to life. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
March 1, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this cracking, pacy novel from an author at his peak
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November 22, 2019
I have to say at the start that this is my first book by this author and what a find he is. The story is a well-balanced mix of fact and fiction that smooth out any gaps in history and shortfall of solid facts about these historical figures. The encounters are brutal on the field, sacrificing unwitting soldiers to draw the enemy away from the true approach.
The battles are detailed with hand to hand combat but the magnetic draw for me was with the cannons and Captain Holcroft Blood, set in Ireland as the war rages between Catholics and Protestants. Blood has quite radical ways of thinking that don't conform with his peers, so his outspoken views often rustle feathers.
The story centres on three main characters whose futures are determined by each other. Old scores, money and honour rank high in the story. Holcroft Blood, Henri d'Erloncourt and Michael Hogan another firm favourite for me. The story is fast and furious with extremely detailed encounters, making colourful explosions of colour leap out of these chapters. Some of my favourite chapters were the encounter between Blood and Hogan and the respect and honour they had for each other as fellow soldiers.
Do read on after the story where the author explains about the characters. A brilliant book and an era I am loving the more I read about it.
I wish to thank NetGalley for a copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
The battles are detailed with hand to hand combat but the magnetic draw for me was with the cannons and Captain Holcroft Blood, set in Ireland as the war rages between Catholics and Protestants. Blood has quite radical ways of thinking that don't conform with his peers, so his outspoken views often rustle feathers.
The story centres on three main characters whose futures are determined by each other. Old scores, money and honour rank high in the story. Holcroft Blood, Henri d'Erloncourt and Michael Hogan another firm favourite for me. The story is fast and furious with extremely detailed encounters, making colourful explosions of colour leap out of these chapters. Some of my favourite chapters were the encounter between Blood and Hogan and the respect and honour they had for each other as fellow soldiers.
Do read on after the story where the author explains about the characters. A brilliant book and an era I am loving the more I read about it.
I wish to thank NetGalley for a copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
May 28, 2023
Can be read as a stand-alone as well as the conclusion to a trilogy.
Admittedly, I did not read the first two books of this series. I picked up Blood's Campaign because it was on special. Boy, am I glad I did! It was thoroughly entertaining and deeply informative about an era rarely touched on by today's historical novelists. I'm sure the first two novels are just as good, but I didn't need to read them to enjoy and understand this one. Donald did an excellent job of explaining just enough background of the hero and villain so I could understand and empathize with their mutual animosities.
The villains are great! They're well-fleshed out with human motivations that make sense. I found myself even cheering for them, especially in the beginning where an interesting game of cat-and-mouse and intrigue arises between the hero and his adversary.
There's great action right away. I loved the dueling artillery game. Donald not only does a great job describing action but also explains the weapons and tactics of the time and how they work. I was so fascinated with the hero's repeating Lorenzoni pistol that I had to look it up.
There's plenty of real history woven into the story. I was surprised to find that the Holcroft Blood and Michael "Galloping" Hogan were based off of real men that Donald fleshed out for the story. The battles are very real too; like the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which pitted James II directly against William of Orange for the thrones of Ireland and Britain. Many of the surprising events in the story actually happened in real life as well.
I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot of fascinating history along the way. I definitely recommend it.
Admittedly, I did not read the first two books of this series. I picked up Blood's Campaign because it was on special. Boy, am I glad I did! It was thoroughly entertaining and deeply informative about an era rarely touched on by today's historical novelists. I'm sure the first two novels are just as good, but I didn't need to read them to enjoy and understand this one. Donald did an excellent job of explaining just enough background of the hero and villain so I could understand and empathize with their mutual animosities.
The villains are great! They're well-fleshed out with human motivations that make sense. I found myself even cheering for them, especially in the beginning where an interesting game of cat-and-mouse and intrigue arises between the hero and his adversary.
There's great action right away. I loved the dueling artillery game. Donald not only does a great job describing action but also explains the weapons and tactics of the time and how they work. I was so fascinated with the hero's repeating Lorenzoni pistol that I had to look it up.
There's plenty of real history woven into the story. I was surprised to find that the Holcroft Blood and Michael "Galloping" Hogan were based off of real men that Donald fleshed out for the story. The battles are very real too; like the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which pitted James II directly against William of Orange for the thrones of Ireland and Britain. Many of the surprising events in the story actually happened in real life as well.
I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot of fascinating history along the way. I definitely recommend it.
March 5, 2020
Third entry in Angus Donald's Holcroft Blood series (after Blood's Game and Blood's Revolution), with this one set in Ireland.
Which is where I live (well, in Northern Ireland).
Living, as I do, not that far from Carrickfergus in Belfast I was aware of the siege of Carrickfergus, and (of course) of the Battle of the Boyne - it's impossible not to be, living here! With William's victory celebrated by a section of the community every 12th of July - although the subjects were never really taught at all in my school days; seemingly more concerned with the Norman conquest or with the English Civil War or World War 2 than with 'local' history. In retrospect, I think that might be because local history is (still) a touchy subject: what is one man's hero, for example, is another man's villain in this country!
Anyway, I've gone off topic: Blood's Campaign.
An interesting read, with Holcroft Blood still an unusual protagonist (hinted as being on the autistic spectrum?), with - even for someone born and raised in Northern Ireland - some fascinating history thrown in, although (I have to say), that this one didn't quite grip me as much as Angus Donald's 'Outlaw' (Robin Hood) series.
Which is where I live (well, in Northern Ireland).
Living, as I do, not that far from Carrickfergus in Belfast I was aware of the siege of Carrickfergus, and (of course) of the Battle of the Boyne - it's impossible not to be, living here! With William's victory celebrated by a section of the community every 12th of July - although the subjects were never really taught at all in my school days; seemingly more concerned with the Norman conquest or with the English Civil War or World War 2 than with 'local' history. In retrospect, I think that might be because local history is (still) a touchy subject: what is one man's hero, for example, is another man's villain in this country!
Anyway, I've gone off topic: Blood's Campaign.
An interesting read, with Holcroft Blood still an unusual protagonist (hinted as being on the autistic spectrum?), with - even for someone born and raised in Northern Ireland - some fascinating history thrown in, although (I have to say), that this one didn't quite grip me as much as Angus Donald's 'Outlaw' (Robin Hood) series.
November 19, 2019
Thank you to Net Galley for sending me a copy of book 3 in exchange for a honest review.
This was predominantly Holcroft's experiences during the first Jacobite rebellion in Ireland, and the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 (https://www.britannica.com/event/Batt...).
Whilst this was a great re-imagination and re-enactment of The Battle of the Boyne, I didn't find it very interesting in terms of story or plot.
There was too many battle scenes and not enough plot for my liking and I would have enjoyed more of that rather than what felt like constant fight scenes. If that's something you enjoy, then by all means this is the one for you, but I have become quite attached to Holcroft as a character and would like to see more of his personal life in books to come.
Trigger warnings for: blood, gore, rape, loss of a loved one, animal death and animal cruelty.
This was predominantly Holcroft's experiences during the first Jacobite rebellion in Ireland, and the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 (https://www.britannica.com/event/Batt...).
Whilst this was a great re-imagination and re-enactment of The Battle of the Boyne, I didn't find it very interesting in terms of story or plot.
There was too many battle scenes and not enough plot for my liking and I would have enjoyed more of that rather than what felt like constant fight scenes. If that's something you enjoy, then by all means this is the one for you, but I have become quite attached to Holcroft as a character and would like to see more of his personal life in books to come.
Trigger warnings for: blood, gore, rape, loss of a loved one, animal death and animal cruelty.
March 10, 2020
Another good read by author angus donald holcroft blood just gets better and better after all his adventures hope there is a book 4
December 24, 2019
I suspect many of us will have heard of the Battle of the Boyne but not really appreciated its significance to the people of Ireland. In England during 1688 Catholic James II was turfed off the thrown by Protestant William of Orange. James retreated to Ireland and encouraged rebellion against the “Three Kingdoms” over the water with the aid of the dastardly French and their troops.
Into this we have Holcroft Blood now a Captain in the Royal Train of Artillery. Still on the ‘the spectrum’ with probable Asperger’s he is fantastic at the job but does not interact well with people and lacks social skills.
So as we get closer to that famous battle, Blood is getting his guns ready but has become obsessed with revenge and hatred. French spy Henri d’Erloncourt is facing him on the battlefield and, for Blood, revenge might be more important than victory.
What would you expect from Angus Donald? Of course this is excellent. Of course it is packed with interesting characters and plot lines. And as for the historical aspect? You will be entertained, fascinated and educated.
Fingers very firmly crossed that we have not seen the last of Captain Blood.
Into this we have Holcroft Blood now a Captain in the Royal Train of Artillery. Still on the ‘the spectrum’ with probable Asperger’s he is fantastic at the job but does not interact well with people and lacks social skills.
So as we get closer to that famous battle, Blood is getting his guns ready but has become obsessed with revenge and hatred. French spy Henri d’Erloncourt is facing him on the battlefield and, for Blood, revenge might be more important than victory.
What would you expect from Angus Donald? Of course this is excellent. Of course it is packed with interesting characters and plot lines. And as for the historical aspect? You will be entertained, fascinated and educated.
Fingers very firmly crossed that we have not seen the last of Captain Blood.
March 20, 2020
Como todos los libros del autor, excelente combinación de ficción e historia. La trama va creciendo y ganando suspenso. Muy recomendable para los amantes del género.
December 15, 2019
A riveting historical novel set in Ireland, 1689. Captain Holcroft Blood is forced to take charge of the big guns in the siege of Carrickfegus. As this is the third book in a series, his character is well established, but as I read this book as a standalone I can confirm it works as an independent novel. Based on an actual person, this character is strangely complex and brilliantly described by this skilful author. As historical military books go, this has great depth of characterisation and the battles, skirmishes and other military action are so well described as to be understandable and full of suspense. There are quite brutal episodes as is the nature of war, but the violence is never gratuitous and always fascinating.
There are two other men who stride through this novel; Henri d’Erloncourt, Frenchman and agent for King Louis XIV, also known as Narrey, and Michael Hogan, borderline outlaw and unorthodox warrior. As the three men collide, seek each other and endure their relationships, the main battles between the forces of kings dominate the action for better or worse, and the reader gets to see both sides of the conflict. As two women have an influence on what Holcroft thinks, this is a surprisingly well balanced and always interesting book, which I read with great involvement and enjoyment. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this book.
The book opens with Holcroft writing to his wife Elizabeth, left in London for quite a time as he commands the gunners in Ireland, totally committed to the ritual of preparing and firing the huge guns that can change the course of battle or in this case, siege. He finds a particular reason to fire at an exposed point in the town they are surrounding, as he spots the unscrupulous Narrey, who is directly responsible for the deaths of several of Holcroft’s friends. He is so determined to try and wipe out the agent and his associate that he goes against orders, and is reassigned as a result. Narrey meanwhile is still plotting to promote French interests at all costs, as well as pursuing his own agenda. Hogan is a wonderfully described man on the edge of wildness, motivated by a varying set of reasons, with some doubt as to the best course.
This book was a bit of a revelation to me as someone who has never really read widely in historical military fiction, with some notable exceptions. I found this a genuinely brilliant read, with the main character of Holcroft being truly engaging in his determination to survive and track down Narrey. Narrey is a tough opponent who is devious and deceptive, and is consistent in his partiality to his own interests. I really enjoyed the small points of character, as Holcroft is attached to his officer’s blue coat which he welcomes back as “a beautiful, warm, homecoming feeling, like a mother’s embrace”. Donald’s skill is in matching the big events with the small details which give the characters real depth. I got a little confused at times as the characters were sometimes referred to by different names, and the variety of mercenaries involved in the battles sometimes made me think hard about which side was which. Overall this is a very skilfully written book which fully engaged my interest throughout, and I recommend it to all fans of historical fiction.
There are two other men who stride through this novel; Henri d’Erloncourt, Frenchman and agent for King Louis XIV, also known as Narrey, and Michael Hogan, borderline outlaw and unorthodox warrior. As the three men collide, seek each other and endure their relationships, the main battles between the forces of kings dominate the action for better or worse, and the reader gets to see both sides of the conflict. As two women have an influence on what Holcroft thinks, this is a surprisingly well balanced and always interesting book, which I read with great involvement and enjoyment. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this book.
The book opens with Holcroft writing to his wife Elizabeth, left in London for quite a time as he commands the gunners in Ireland, totally committed to the ritual of preparing and firing the huge guns that can change the course of battle or in this case, siege. He finds a particular reason to fire at an exposed point in the town they are surrounding, as he spots the unscrupulous Narrey, who is directly responsible for the deaths of several of Holcroft’s friends. He is so determined to try and wipe out the agent and his associate that he goes against orders, and is reassigned as a result. Narrey meanwhile is still plotting to promote French interests at all costs, as well as pursuing his own agenda. Hogan is a wonderfully described man on the edge of wildness, motivated by a varying set of reasons, with some doubt as to the best course.
This book was a bit of a revelation to me as someone who has never really read widely in historical military fiction, with some notable exceptions. I found this a genuinely brilliant read, with the main character of Holcroft being truly engaging in his determination to survive and track down Narrey. Narrey is a tough opponent who is devious and deceptive, and is consistent in his partiality to his own interests. I really enjoyed the small points of character, as Holcroft is attached to his officer’s blue coat which he welcomes back as “a beautiful, warm, homecoming feeling, like a mother’s embrace”. Donald’s skill is in matching the big events with the small details which give the characters real depth. I got a little confused at times as the characters were sometimes referred to by different names, and the variety of mercenaries involved in the battles sometimes made me think hard about which side was which. Overall this is a very skilfully written book which fully engaged my interest throughout, and I recommend it to all fans of historical fiction.
December 1, 2019
As well as being a book geek, I am also a history geek too. I must admit that I usually read books set fairly recently. Well when I say recently, I mean the 19th and 20th Centuries. They do say that a change is as good as a rest and I am always up for reading something set outside of my usual reading material. I couldn't wait to settle down and read the book. Well having just finished reading 'Blood's Campaign' and having enjoyed it as much as I did, I will definitely be reading the first two in the Holcroft Blood series.
I must admit that it did take me a little while to get into this book. I don't mean that in a negative sense but I am not used to reading books set in the 17th Century, so it took me a little while to get used to that era and people had a different way of talking so it took me a little while to get used to that too. Once I got used to all that, I was into the story and away. I had to binge read the book in stages but that was ok because it meant that I could read a section, think about what I had read and then read another section and so on. In that respect I treated this book as you would watching a television drama series. The more I read, the further into the story I got and the more intrigued I became by the plot. I would say that I raced through the latter half of the book because I was so desperate to find out how the story concluded. The pages turned that quickly that it was almost as if they were turning themselves and then all of a sudden I reached the end of the book, which I was disappointed about. Don't get me wrong, I was pleased to finish the book because it meant that I knew how the story ended but I was enjoying the book so much that I didn't want it to end.
'Blood's Campaign' is well written. The author has a writing style that draws you into the story from early on and he takes you on one hell of an at times scary ride through 17th Century Ireland with Holcroft involved in battle after battle. The author writes so convincingly that if I closed my eyes I could easily have imagined that I had travelled back in time and I was actually on the battlefield myself with all the relevant sights and sounds. I did feel as though I was part of the story myself too. I found 'Blood's Campaign' to be both a compelling and a thrilling read and it is a book that I will definitely be recommending to other readers. I enjoyed this book so much that I will definitely be getting hold of copies of the first two books in the series and I will read them just as soon as I can. I am sure that I will enjoy reading them just as much as I enjoyed this one.
The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
I must admit that it did take me a little while to get into this book. I don't mean that in a negative sense but I am not used to reading books set in the 17th Century, so it took me a little while to get used to that era and people had a different way of talking so it took me a little while to get used to that too. Once I got used to all that, I was into the story and away. I had to binge read the book in stages but that was ok because it meant that I could read a section, think about what I had read and then read another section and so on. In that respect I treated this book as you would watching a television drama series. The more I read, the further into the story I got and the more intrigued I became by the plot. I would say that I raced through the latter half of the book because I was so desperate to find out how the story concluded. The pages turned that quickly that it was almost as if they were turning themselves and then all of a sudden I reached the end of the book, which I was disappointed about. Don't get me wrong, I was pleased to finish the book because it meant that I knew how the story ended but I was enjoying the book so much that I didn't want it to end.
'Blood's Campaign' is well written. The author has a writing style that draws you into the story from early on and he takes you on one hell of an at times scary ride through 17th Century Ireland with Holcroft involved in battle after battle. The author writes so convincingly that if I closed my eyes I could easily have imagined that I had travelled back in time and I was actually on the battlefield myself with all the relevant sights and sounds. I did feel as though I was part of the story myself too. I found 'Blood's Campaign' to be both a compelling and a thrilling read and it is a book that I will definitely be recommending to other readers. I enjoyed this book so much that I will definitely be getting hold of copies of the first two books in the series and I will read them just as soon as I can. I am sure that I will enjoy reading them just as much as I enjoyed this one.
The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
December 14, 2019
With each book, this series just keeps getting better and better. The first wasn't all that great since so much of it dealt with playing cards and I've never been a card player and had to keep a dictionary handy to look up the terminology. The second was much better (put the dictionary away) and with the third installment, Angus Donald has hit the proverbial home run. If your tastes run to historical fiction filled with battle scenes and action, you're bound to love this installment in the series. And, for those who like a little sentiment, there's even a bit of romance tossed in for good measure. Not gratuitous sex or anything of that nature, but romance which adds to the story and keeps it moving.
And, if you're a reader of the series, you're going to be left wondering if this is the end of it since it reads like it could be. However, it may not be, that's up to the author to decide. Truth be told, now that I've gotten to the point where I like the main character, Holcroft Blood, I'd hate to see it end.
This particular installment revolves around the armies of James II of England and William of England (the usurper) and the forces of Protestant vs. Catholic in Ireland and what seemed like a war that might last forever. Toss in Blood's search for an enemy spy from France and you have a rip-roaring adventure that is sure to satisfy. And, for good measure, let's toss in a "bad guy" who turns out not be so bad after all and it will keep you up late at night, reading way past your bedtime!
Highly recommended, it's the latest from a leading British writer of historical fiction who keeps getting better. And if you haven't read his Robin Hood series, you really need to!
And, if you're a reader of the series, you're going to be left wondering if this is the end of it since it reads like it could be. However, it may not be, that's up to the author to decide. Truth be told, now that I've gotten to the point where I like the main character, Holcroft Blood, I'd hate to see it end.
This particular installment revolves around the armies of James II of England and William of England (the usurper) and the forces of Protestant vs. Catholic in Ireland and what seemed like a war that might last forever. Toss in Blood's search for an enemy spy from France and you have a rip-roaring adventure that is sure to satisfy. And, for good measure, let's toss in a "bad guy" who turns out not be so bad after all and it will keep you up late at night, reading way past your bedtime!
Highly recommended, it's the latest from a leading British writer of historical fiction who keeps getting better. And if you haven't read his Robin Hood series, you really need to!
April 3, 2020
Action adventure at its best. I read, and thoroughly enjoyed, the first in this series, somehow managed to miss out on Book Two, but picked up the thread of the delightful Captain Holcroft Blood (who is the son of Colonel Blood, the chap who stole the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London) and his companions quite easily.
Captain Blood as a character is a joy to meet. He is a complex, multi-dimensional person full of his own quirks - today he would be placed on the Autistic Spectrum. He is a stickler for the right way to do things, and often obsessed, which means sometimes you want to shake him, and sometimes you just want to hug him.
The supporting characters of the devious Henri d’Erloncourt, known as Narrey, a Frenchman and spy for King Louis XIV, and Michael Hogan who may just as well be an outlaw, are equally as well drawn and interesting as Blood himself. Blood is out for Narrey's blood (excuse the slight pun) and his desire for vengeance results in trouble because Holcroft is not one for respecting orders. Victory at the Battle of the Boyne is not his priority. Killing the spy is.
The author is very clever in that he portrays this infamous battle from both sides of the conflict and blends in the little details that bring his characters alive: Holcroft enjoys his job, loves the big guns he is in charge of as much as his wonderful Lorenzoni repeating rifle and his splendid uniform. The historical research is immaculate, the writing superb and the entire novel an absolute delight.
Note, however for the squeamish: this is a novel based on historical fact, and it does have vivid military scenes of skirmishes and battles which have a violent and bloody tone. Battles were not nice places to be.
Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
Captain Blood as a character is a joy to meet. He is a complex, multi-dimensional person full of his own quirks - today he would be placed on the Autistic Spectrum. He is a stickler for the right way to do things, and often obsessed, which means sometimes you want to shake him, and sometimes you just want to hug him.
The supporting characters of the devious Henri d’Erloncourt, known as Narrey, a Frenchman and spy for King Louis XIV, and Michael Hogan who may just as well be an outlaw, are equally as well drawn and interesting as Blood himself. Blood is out for Narrey's blood (excuse the slight pun) and his desire for vengeance results in trouble because Holcroft is not one for respecting orders. Victory at the Battle of the Boyne is not his priority. Killing the spy is.
The author is very clever in that he portrays this infamous battle from both sides of the conflict and blends in the little details that bring his characters alive: Holcroft enjoys his job, loves the big guns he is in charge of as much as his wonderful Lorenzoni repeating rifle and his splendid uniform. The historical research is immaculate, the writing superb and the entire novel an absolute delight.
Note, however for the squeamish: this is a novel based on historical fact, and it does have vivid military scenes of skirmishes and battles which have a violent and bloody tone. Battles were not nice places to be.
Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
June 10, 2023
This is the third entry in Angus Donald's fine Holcroft Blood series. For those who haven't come across this character yet, Blood is a gunnery officer and the son of Thomas Blood, and Anglo-Irish adventurer who attempted to steal the Crown Jewels of England from the Tower in 1671 (the first book in the series is mostly concerned with this rather remarkable story).
Holcroft was a real person, who served as a cadet in the guards of the French King Louis XIV, fought at the Siege of Carrickfergus and the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland, and eventually became chief of artillery in the armies of the Duke of Marlborough.
Not a lot is known about his life, but Donald does a fine job of weaving a credible character and series of stories from the little material that is available. Blood is a complicated man, who we would probably characterise as being somewhat 'one the spectrum' today, obsessive but often socially clumsy.
In this book, Donald focuses on Holcroft's part in the Boyne campaign. The plot itself is a continuation of the previous novel, 'Blood's Revolution', and the key villain, a French spy and agent-provocateur code-named 'Narrey' is Blood's nemesis, to be pursued through thick and thin, across battlefields and through war-ravaged towns to a final dramatic conclusion. Along the way, there is a rather unfortunate love story and encounters with some brilliantly-drawn characters on both sides of the conflict.
All in all, the story is told with great verve and energy, carrying you along with barely a pause. There are plenty of battle scenes for those who like action, but the real interest is in the story itself and the setting in a period of British history that is rarely given good fictional treatment.
Given that we are barely half way through the real Holcroft Blood's career, I suspect that Donald has another episode or two in store for us. I hope so.
Holcroft was a real person, who served as a cadet in the guards of the French King Louis XIV, fought at the Siege of Carrickfergus and the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland, and eventually became chief of artillery in the armies of the Duke of Marlborough.
Not a lot is known about his life, but Donald does a fine job of weaving a credible character and series of stories from the little material that is available. Blood is a complicated man, who we would probably characterise as being somewhat 'one the spectrum' today, obsessive but often socially clumsy.
In this book, Donald focuses on Holcroft's part in the Boyne campaign. The plot itself is a continuation of the previous novel, 'Blood's Revolution', and the key villain, a French spy and agent-provocateur code-named 'Narrey' is Blood's nemesis, to be pursued through thick and thin, across battlefields and through war-ravaged towns to a final dramatic conclusion. Along the way, there is a rather unfortunate love story and encounters with some brilliantly-drawn characters on both sides of the conflict.
All in all, the story is told with great verve and energy, carrying you along with barely a pause. There are plenty of battle scenes for those who like action, but the real interest is in the story itself and the setting in a period of British history that is rarely given good fictional treatment.
Given that we are barely half way through the real Holcroft Blood's career, I suspect that Donald has another episode or two in store for us. I hope so.
December 4, 2019
I don't think of myself as a violent man but I seem to be developing a taste for Blood, Holcroft Blood that is! Angus Donald seems to have done it again, I think he wrote one of the best ever re-tellings of the Robin Hood legend and in Blood he has plucked another delicious character to savour from out of the very history books themselves. This is larger than life stuff of course and as Donald explains at the end Blood is a great subject as his career saw a lot of action.
I must say a word for David Thorpe though, I've listened to a fair bit of his narration over the years and I think that this is one of his finest performances yet. The huge characters roar their lines, the evil slimy toads of characters are suitably oily and wheezy and the big Irishmen are suitably larger than life. He really does inject another level of vim into what is already a great tale of fighting men.
This is stirring stuff and should keep most fans of historic military fiction happy and I do like it when authors give historical notes at the end so that you can picture how fact and fiction have been woven together. I don't have any reservations at all about recommending this series.
I must say a word for David Thorpe though, I've listened to a fair bit of his narration over the years and I think that this is one of his finest performances yet. The huge characters roar their lines, the evil slimy toads of characters are suitably oily and wheezy and the big Irishmen are suitably larger than life. He really does inject another level of vim into what is already a great tale of fighting men.
This is stirring stuff and should keep most fans of historic military fiction happy and I do like it when authors give historical notes at the end so that you can picture how fact and fiction have been woven together. I don't have any reservations at all about recommending this series.
May 26, 2020
I am not usually drawn to military campaign as they often appear to written mutch like technical manuals for the mathematically inclined. This is not the case here.Battles are fleshed out so that you can almost hear the screams,the yelling and the noise as real people fight and die for numerous reasons.Religion,Nationalism or professional vocation all come into play.You hold your breath expecting results that may or may not occur,The villain is evil and the protagonist a mixture of motivations among which honor and self realization play important roles.If you think Follet or Clancy cornered the market on exciting fiction look to Mr.Donald for a successful medley of well written history and vivid realization. Well done "Sir".
January 15, 2020
The third in the Holcroft Blood series - and author Angus Donald is becoming a national treasure! This page-turning adventure finds Blood in Ireland for the 1690 campaigns by William of Orange against the forces of deposed King James. Blood's command of William's artillery gives us a fabulous and nerve-tingling account of battles at the Boyne River and the siege of Carrickfergus, but all interlaced with the more immediate threat he faces from two very different enemies, his old nemesis and French spy, Henri d'Erloncourt, and the Irish rapparee Michael Hogan. Gripping to the very last page. Beautifully researched!
November 16, 2018
I fell in love with Angus Donald's Robin Hood series. I like Donald's other books as well, but I find that I am equally enamoured of the 'Blood' characters, as I was with the Robin Hood books.
My only complaint is that Angus can't pump out books as fast as I read them. Nobody who writes well could keep up with my consumption... so that's to be expected.
Highly recommend this and the first book. You'll enjoy it thoroughly.
My only complaint is that Angus can't pump out books as fast as I read them. Nobody who writes well could keep up with my consumption... so that's to be expected.
Highly recommend this and the first book. You'll enjoy it thoroughly.
February 17, 2020
Not as good as the first two. The plot was lost in the battles which seemed to dominate the book and the narrative.Other characters also seemed to dominate and i didn't feel we saw enough of Holcroft the main character which was a shame because he is a brilliant character. I hope that he comes back and that the next one is as good as the first two. I would definitely read it.
February 24, 2020
Not going to say a lot other that it’s a great book. If you like historical fiction of the 18th century (Holcroft is admittedly late 17th), but would like to try something different from English any and navy sagas of the Napoleonic wars, then do give this a try. I listened to it on audible and thoroughly enjoyed it
May 22, 2024
A solid end to the trilogy, there's plenty of action and it moved along at a good pace (although the decision to rather unceremoniously kill off the series only interesting female character between books seemed a misstep). Overall it left me wishing the author had been able to carry the series on through to the events like the Battle of Blenheim rather than being stopped by his publishers!
December 30, 2018
Great read
Hope that is another in this series coming soon .Characters are well defined and grip you ,hope there is another and a continuation to this thread
Hope that is another in this series coming soon .Characters are well defined and grip you ,hope there is another and a continuation to this thread
June 22, 2020
Awesome series
Awesome writing as always. Angus has long been one of my favorite authors. Keep the coming and I'll keep reading
Awesome writing as always. Angus has long been one of my favorite authors. Keep the coming and I'll keep reading
January 16, 2021
Brilliant book one of his best. Plenty of action scenes. Definitely a must read
April 2, 2022
3 starzzz
April 4, 2022
Excellent romp through a confusing period of history. The ending was slightly predictable but yet still well written and fast paced. The end sets up another episode.
April 3, 2023
Interesting read
Took a little while to warm up too but ended up been a good read. I liked the fact that it told a story from both sides although earlier on it was hard to follow.
Took a little while to warm up too but ended up been a good read. I liked the fact that it told a story from both sides although earlier on it was hard to follow.
October 29, 2023
All of his novels are ripping yarns. He’s yet to write a bad book.
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