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Border Reiver #2
Reiver: The Sword's Edge
‘Now the thieves will ride…’
1570 AD. The March lands between England and Scotland are a place of terror, where outlaw bands and broken men rob, pillage and murder in open defiance of the law. Here, deadly blood-feud is a way of life. Families of robbers, known as Border Reivers, live via blackmail and terrorism. No man sleeps safe in his bed, and the sound of hoofbeats on the tops is a herald of death.
Richie Reade, otherwise known as Richie o’the Bow, is on the run in Scotland from his own countrymen and that most fearsome of reiver families, the Armstrongs of Liddesdale. When war erupts along the March, and Elizabeth of England sends her armies into Scotland to destroy her Catholic enemies, Richie finds himself drawn into the conflict. Captured in a skirmish, he is forced to work as a double agent, carrying secret messages to and from the treacherous Earl of Westmoreland.
Meanwhile the Armstrongs have declared blood-feud on Richie, in revenge for his slaying of their chief, Nebless Will. The dead man’s cruel and capable son, known as ‘Red’ Rowy, gathers a band of outlaws and broken men to hunt down their foe. As Richie fights for his life in Scotland, Rowy plots to lure him back to the Border and a bloody fate at Armstrong hands…
Reiver: The Sword’s Edge is the second novella in the Border Reiver series by David Pilling, author of the Caesar’s Sword trilogy, Leader of Battles, The White Hawk, Soldier of Fortune and many more tales.
1570 AD. The March lands between England and Scotland are a place of terror, where outlaw bands and broken men rob, pillage and murder in open defiance of the law. Here, deadly blood-feud is a way of life. Families of robbers, known as Border Reivers, live via blackmail and terrorism. No man sleeps safe in his bed, and the sound of hoofbeats on the tops is a herald of death.
Richie Reade, otherwise known as Richie o’the Bow, is on the run in Scotland from his own countrymen and that most fearsome of reiver families, the Armstrongs of Liddesdale. When war erupts along the March, and Elizabeth of England sends her armies into Scotland to destroy her Catholic enemies, Richie finds himself drawn into the conflict. Captured in a skirmish, he is forced to work as a double agent, carrying secret messages to and from the treacherous Earl of Westmoreland.
Meanwhile the Armstrongs have declared blood-feud on Richie, in revenge for his slaying of their chief, Nebless Will. The dead man’s cruel and capable son, known as ‘Red’ Rowy, gathers a band of outlaws and broken men to hunt down their foe. As Richie fights for his life in Scotland, Rowy plots to lure him back to the Border and a bloody fate at Armstrong hands…
Reiver: The Sword’s Edge is the second novella in the Border Reiver series by David Pilling, author of the Caesar’s Sword trilogy, Leader of Battles, The White Hawk, Soldier of Fortune and many more tales.
105 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2017
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38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 14, 2018
In "Reiver: The Sword's Edge", author David Pilling brings the March lands between England and Scotland of the 16th century back to life.
This novel, set in a fascinating period of British history, is a captivating read, which is beautifully written, packed with action and intrigue, and has several interesting characters.
I enjoyed reading it very much.
This novel, set in a fascinating period of British history, is a captivating read, which is beautifully written, packed with action and intrigue, and has several interesting characters.
I enjoyed reading it very much.
December 10, 2017
David Pilling's continuation of the story of reiver Richie Reade offers up plenty of adventure, chase and a fair share of guts. Part of what makes the story so interesting is the setting, the Borders between England and Scotland, at a time when life was made so hard there by geography, politics, poverty and quarrels that generations seemed to be bred to prey upon themselves. Richie is one of these quarrelsome reivers, but his adherence to a strict code, however brutal, makes him a more sympathetic figure than many of the more lawful characters he meets. Cracking adventure. Recommended.
June 18, 2018
A Master Work .
An enormously enjoyable and educational work .
I think of it more as a collection of well rounded short stories , than its description as a historical novel
Having read of many incidents mentioned , I much appreciated having them fully explained and organized.in a rational manner .
Especially interesting are the explanations of the origine of many street names and customs
An enormously enjoyable and educational work .
I think of it more as a collection of well rounded short stories , than its description as a historical novel
Having read of many incidents mentioned , I much appreciated having them fully explained and organized.in a rational manner .
Especially interesting are the explanations of the origine of many street names and customs
April 7, 2021
Reiver: The Sword's Edge
More take of Richie Reade's adventures. A well written historical fiction based loosely on events of 16th century on the English/Scottish border.
The second work by this author of this series. Hopefully there will be more books to come in this series.
More take of Richie Reade's adventures. A well written historical fiction based loosely on events of 16th century on the English/Scottish border.
The second work by this author of this series. Hopefully there will be more books to come in this series.
April 8, 2018
Looking forward to next book in series.
Interesting short story, ideal holiday read. Jumps about a bit but manages to holds you through to the end. Ian
Interesting short story, ideal holiday read. Jumps about a bit but manages to holds you through to the end. Ian
May 5, 2018
Great Story
Pulling has captured the feeling and history of the time along the border convincingly. Richie, the protagonist, very real as the reader follows his adventures..
Pulling has captured the feeling and history of the time along the border convincingly. Richie, the protagonist, very real as the reader follows his adventures..
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews