The Sword and the Scimitar

by David W. Ball

Maltese Siblings Nico and Maria are suddenly wrenched apart when young Nico is abducted by slavers. Some unforeseen path leads him to the court of Suleiman the Magnificent, Sultan of the Ottomans. Maria, stranded alone in Malta, joins a group of Jews – forced by their Christian rulers to renounce their faith.

French aristocrat Christien deVries yearns to prove himself as a surgeon in the Order of St. John, to which he was pledged as an infant but joined only as a result of a life-altering oath.

When conflict between the Ottoman Empire and the Christian alliance, resulting in the Siege of Malta, Maria, Nico and Christien will be forced together, in a sequence of events that may decide the victor...

A sweeping historical epic set against the backdrop of the desperate conflict between Christian Europe and the Islamic Ottoman Empire, The Sword and the Scimitar is a triumph, perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow, Christian Cameron and Bernard Cornwell

700 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2019

Reviews

[Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read an awful lot of books and this is up there with my all time favourites. I started telling my brother a bit about the story whilst I was reading it. He hadn't read any books since high school (mandatory exam reads only) and whilst I was out shopping one day, he picked the book up and read the entire thing in 7 hours straight. He was desperate to know what happened next and couldn't wait for me to get home, read some more to then update him. Due to this book, my brother has actively surpassed me with his book worm desires for the next best read. That's some achievement for someone who hated books for over 30 years!
Truly, loved the story and the characters. I was so sad when it finished as I will never hear about the characters again and how they are getting on. That's how much I cared about them, totally hooked within the first chapter, all thanks to the expert story telling ability of this author.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous period of history in the tiny Island Of Malta. A time of religious wars fought in the waters of the Mediterranean waters by corsairs, Ottoman and Catholic. Waves of invasions, enslaving, killings, looting of cargo and invasion of coastal town - back and forth. Orders of Malta, ordained rich noble men married to their religion for life. Seasoned valiant soldiers on both sides. A wonderful broad perspective of the battle from both sides. With Malta, a tiny “rock” of an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, as a mayor star. Why? Because it sat in the middle of important ocean trading routes. The belly-button of the Mediterranean. A page turner, more so, after just visiting the island. What a fabulous journey back in time. Loved it!

[Cael Geier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m an expat currently living in Istanbul. This book gave some amazing context for the history of the area! I loved the chapters set in Istanbul, describing the sensation that this city was - the centre of the world back then. I also can’t wait to go to Malta and see the island and forts that were so well described in this book.

[Graham Chaffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book. A real feel for the life and hardship of the time.

[Christy Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read from start to finish! Keeps you at the edge of your seat and it is very informative especially if you are Maltese and are interested in the history of the Maltese Islands.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third round reading this book, I pick it up every few years and lose myself in this great story.. It never disappoints . I loved it the first time I read it and love it still. Remains as one of my favourites. Being Maltese and living in Malta, I have never looked at Valletta and it’s bastions, the grand harbour and the surrounding areas without thinking of this book since first reading it. This book should be made into an epic movie! Guy Richie take heed please!!!

[Valgerður Magnúsdóttir · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story tells the reader so much about power struggle in the Mediterranean countries in the 16th century. Slave markets, St. John´s Order in Malta, the Ottoman Palace in Istanbul are among the stages for this powerful story. I am reading this book for the 2nd time now.