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Death's Head #2
The Red King: A Soldier With Richard the Lionheart, Part II
With the long siege of Acre ended, Roger and the Death’s Heads join King Richard in the march on Jerusalem. Richard defeats Saladin at the battle of Arsuf, but is reluctant to move on the Holy City because he fears a trap. Richard tries to hold his fractious army together and lure Saladin to destruction, but he faces a challenge to his leadership from Conrad of Montferrat. Meanwhile, Fauston gets rich selling relics, and Roger attempts to rescue Ailith, who is being held as a slave by the emir Qaymaz.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
399 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2018
323 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 4, 2019
This is the second in what will be at least a trilogy of books featuring the adventures of Roger of Huntley in the army of King Richard during the Crusades. By the end of the book, Richard has headed back to England to put a stop to the shenanigans of his brother John, so now it's just Roger and the friends he has made and his Death's Head troops.
Much shorter than it's predecessor, 385 pages vs. about 600, the book is an entertaining and fast read with plenty of action, back room politics (or whatever it was called in the Middle Ages), and even a touch a romance......a little something for everyone.
And, like it's predecessor, the one thing that keeps this book from getting a 5-star rating is the lack of proofreading.........with a myriad of misspelled words, a couple of sentences that make no sense and awkward sentence construction in a few places.
Overall, enjoyable, and if you've read the first of the series, you'll enjoy this one and be looking forward to the next installment.
Much shorter than it's predecessor, 385 pages vs. about 600, the book is an entertaining and fast read with plenty of action, back room politics (or whatever it was called in the Middle Ages), and even a touch a romance......a little something for everyone.
And, like it's predecessor, the one thing that keeps this book from getting a 5-star rating is the lack of proofreading.........with a myriad of misspelled words, a couple of sentences that make no sense and awkward sentence construction in a few places.
Overall, enjoyable, and if you've read the first of the series, you'll enjoy this one and be looking forward to the next installment.
April 21, 2020
An excellent follow up.
Having enjoyed Deaths Head, this carried the story on after Acre with all the twists and turns of the fortunes of Roger of Huntley and his friends. It also includes the infighting among the Crusaders and to a certain degree the Saracens. The final epilogue, while possibly predictable if you follow the story closely, still comes as a surprise.
Having enjoyed Deaths Head, this carried the story on after Acre with all the twists and turns of the fortunes of Roger of Huntley and his friends. It also includes the infighting among the Crusaders and to a certain degree the Saracens. The final epilogue, while possibly predictable if you follow the story closely, still comes as a surprise.
December 2, 2019
A novel of the Third Crusade mainly from the point of view of a foot soldier. It has great fictional characters, along with historical figures including Richard the Lionhearted, Saladin, and the Kings of Jerusalem. I can't wait for volume 3 of the adventures of Roger of Huntley to go on sale!
November 2, 2020
This was a great read! The character development was outstanding, and the action non-stop. The author truly brings alive the camp conditions faced by armies in the time period and you can actually FEEL their suffering. Historically accurate and engaging storytelling. Bravo!
January 19, 2022
Minor Issues - Very good pace
Good: Pace was very good, more action than other successful authors of this era. Didn’t switch abruptly back and forth between diff plot lines and timeline . Minimal editing lapses.
Bad: Too much use of idiomatic expressions that weren’t in use back in the 12rh century ‘bloody,’ ‘jumped-up,’ etc.
Ugly: Roger is depicted as some kind of Superman in the beginning book, but now he is more depicts as stupido. All the rolls of the dice seem to favour the baddies in almost every role of the dice. King Richard appears to be shown by the author as a stumblebum with good natured heartiness when he gets his way, but becomes a petulant buffoon when things go against him. Not always the case from reliable historians.
Good: Pace was very good, more action than other successful authors of this era. Didn’t switch abruptly back and forth between diff plot lines and timeline . Minimal editing lapses.
Bad: Too much use of idiomatic expressions that weren’t in use back in the 12rh century ‘bloody,’ ‘jumped-up,’ etc.
Ugly: Roger is depicted as some kind of Superman in the beginning book, but now he is more depicts as stupido. All the rolls of the dice seem to favour the baddies in almost every role of the dice. King Richard appears to be shown by the author as a stumblebum with good natured heartiness when he gets his way, but becomes a petulant buffoon when things go against him. Not always the case from reliable historians.
September 25, 2020
Great book
Again Roger and his Death Heads are in the middle of each battle in the race to get to Jerusalem. The intrigue and politics between the earls and barons and King Richard was real history. All of the battles and main characters were real people and they were in the crusade at the same time.
Again Roger and his Death Heads are in the middle of each battle in the race to get to Jerusalem. The intrigue and politics between the earls and barons and King Richard was real history. All of the battles and main characters were real people and they were in the crusade at the same time.
July 26, 2021
Excellent follow on from the first in the trilogy Deaths Head. Acre has fallen and the campaign to take Jerusalem is in progress. Our hero Roger of Huntley is about to be swept into a new and dangerous adventure that sees his life in great peril, will he survive?
August 18, 2025
Interesting historical fiction about the 3rd Crusade
I enjoy reading historical fiction because talented authors can bring history to life. It's less dry than reading historical accounts. You just have to remember the "fiction". This was a fun book to read.
I enjoy reading historical fiction because talented authors can bring history to life. It's less dry than reading historical accounts. You just have to remember the "fiction". This was a fun book to read.
October 22, 2019
History at it's finest
A gripping story of the intrigue of the crusades And of the country. A great lesson of times. Must read.
A gripping story of the intrigue of the crusades And of the country. A great lesson of times. Must read.
February 13, 2021
Roger keeps getting into trouble, and his escapes are always interesting. Looking forward to the next, and final, book in the series.
July 11, 2021
Awesome
Great story, couldn't stop reading once I started it. Vivid and lively characters, definitely transports you back in time. A+++
Great story, couldn't stop reading once I started it. Vivid and lively characters, definitely transports you back in time. A+++
September 19, 2021
Grezt
Great entertaining book enjoyed it , well written and hard to put down, looking forward to the next book...can't wait
Great entertaining book enjoyed it , well written and hard to put down, looking forward to the next book...can't wait
June 10, 2022
Great book
This book is the second one in the 3 series and it's great , Roger is kicking goals now🤣🤣🤣 I definitely recommend that anyone who reads this will love it.
This book is the second one in the 3 series and it's great , Roger is kicking goals now🤣🤣🤣 I definitely recommend that anyone who reads this will love it.
March 14, 2023
A worthy book 2
This continuation of the series is solid. Well written, good pacing, and solid characterization. Definitely pick this up if your a fan of the genre!
This continuation of the series is solid. Well written, good pacing, and solid characterization. Definitely pick this up if your a fan of the genre!
September 23, 2023
Terrific saga
June 25, 2024
Loved it
What a great read, history come to life. Colorful, fulL of action, war in a whole new perspective. Treat yourself to a awesome book.
What a great read, history come to life. Colorful, fulL of action, war in a whole new perspective. Treat yourself to a awesome book.
January 12, 2025
Awesome
Keeps you wanting more edge of my seat not sure which way it's going to go, cant wait for the next one.
Keeps you wanting more edge of my seat not sure which way it's going to go, cant wait for the next one.
January 18, 2025
Outstanding historical novel on siege details
May 3, 2025
Enjoyable , but much shorter than the first book ,which I loved , which makes me reluctant to pay for the third book . Sure the three books should have been two .
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews