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Arrows of Albion #4
Kemp: Riders of Fury
The Hundred Years’ War sets Brittany ablaze in this unputdownable medieval adventure.
Into a land torn by civil war rides freebooter Martin Kemp, in search of a lord in whose service he can win plunder and glory.
Soon he falls under the spell of charismatic outlaw Sir Ranulf FitzWaryn, who entertains grandiose ambitions of ruling over his own personal fiefdom.
The higher Kemp rises through the ranks of FitzWaryn’s band, the more he realises the price of success might be his very soul.
When a French Army comes seeking a reckoning, Kemp’s loyalties are divided between his king and the woman he loves, forcing him to gamble all against impossible odds on the battlefield.
A thrilling historical series, the bestselling Arrows of Albion series is perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell.
Into a land torn by civil war rides freebooter Martin Kemp, in search of a lord in whose service he can win plunder and glory.
Soon he falls under the spell of charismatic outlaw Sir Ranulf FitzWaryn, who entertains grandiose ambitions of ruling over his own personal fiefdom.
The higher Kemp rises through the ranks of FitzWaryn’s band, the more he realises the price of success might be his very soul.
When a French Army comes seeking a reckoning, Kemp’s loyalties are divided between his king and the woman he loves, forcing him to gamble all against impossible odds on the battlefield.
A thrilling historical series, the bestselling Arrows of Albion series is perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2020
133 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Lunn
34 books28 followersPseudonym of Daniel Hall
Born in London, Jonathan Lunn started writing at the age of fifteen. He studied history at the University of Leicester, where he became involved in politics. He worked for six years as a spin doctor in local government, but decided to leave politics behind and concentrate on his writing. He is the author of a series of naval adventure stories, described as "the Victorian Hornblower", based around the eponymous hero of the first book, Killigrew R.N. (2000). The series now runs to six books, the most recent of which was Killigrew and the Sea Devil (2005). Entertaining and historically accurate, the series is shortly to be re-launched in Italy. He has also written two books under his real name, Daniel Hall, and currently lives in Bristol.
Born in London, Jonathan Lunn started writing at the age of fifteen. He studied history at the University of Leicester, where he became involved in politics. He worked for six years as a spin doctor in local government, but decided to leave politics behind and concentrate on his writing. He is the author of a series of naval adventure stories, described as "the Victorian Hornblower", based around the eponymous hero of the first book, Killigrew R.N. (2000). The series now runs to six books, the most recent of which was Killigrew and the Sea Devil (2005). Entertaining and historically accurate, the series is shortly to be re-launched in Italy. He has also written two books under his real name, Daniel Hall, and currently lives in Bristol.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 28, 2025
Well I have kept reading the series to this the fourth book. Will I carry on to the next three? Good question. Certainly I will be taking a break after reading the four Kemp books one after the other.
Why the hesitation as the books are fast moving and cover a period I love and, in fact re-enact as an English archer? Well one thing is because I study and re-enact that period and in the same role as the main character, Martin Kemp. You see I pick up on things such as sometimes arrows get “fired” rather than “shot” or “loosed”, 80lb+ draw weight bows are full drawn and keep at the draw for more that the 2-3 seconds an archer can hold them in that state, the archers in the book carry a sheaf of arrows in their belts (a “sheaf” is 24 arrows – the most I have comfortably stuck through my belt is 12 and that was crowed) rather than in an arrow bag, an archer uses a maul with a spike on it when a maul is just a large hammer, normally a lead faced wooden two handed jobbie (I think the author was thinking of a war hammer which does have a hammer face and one side and a spike on the other) etc., etc.. Yes, yes, this is being picky, but I find myself looking looking for them. The other issue is that it follows a formula that others, such as Bernard Cornwell David Gilman and others use: battle – filling (often with some romance) – battle ending with a duel with an obvious villain who looses despite being a better sword fighter. Add to that a hero who is anti establishment, anti-church and with some modern outlooks on life. Oh, and all the time he is using crotch kicks to take men out, including one in full plate armour!
So what are the good things? Well Jonathan Lunn does often pick obscure actions in the 100 Years War period for his stories and he does drop in some accurate observations that Hollywood and its ilk always get wrong, such as the observation that almost all folk in Medieval times knew that the world was round. And, this time, there were three possible villains for that final uneven duel to be won by the hero – one of the others may well end up as a friend as per Cornwell’s Harlequin trilogy.
Well, come winter, when I am spending more time in doors and wanting an easy read, I may well buy the next book in the series but, in the meantime, I have other books to read.
Why the hesitation as the books are fast moving and cover a period I love and, in fact re-enact as an English archer? Well one thing is because I study and re-enact that period and in the same role as the main character, Martin Kemp. You see I pick up on things such as sometimes arrows get “fired” rather than “shot” or “loosed”, 80lb+ draw weight bows are full drawn and keep at the draw for more that the 2-3 seconds an archer can hold them in that state, the archers in the book carry a sheaf of arrows in their belts (a “sheaf” is 24 arrows – the most I have comfortably stuck through my belt is 12 and that was crowed) rather than in an arrow bag, an archer uses a maul with a spike on it when a maul is just a large hammer, normally a lead faced wooden two handed jobbie (I think the author was thinking of a war hammer which does have a hammer face and one side and a spike on the other) etc., etc.. Yes, yes, this is being picky, but I find myself looking looking for them. The other issue is that it follows a formula that others, such as Bernard Cornwell David Gilman and others use: battle – filling (often with some romance) – battle ending with a duel with an obvious villain who looses despite being a better sword fighter. Add to that a hero who is anti establishment, anti-church and with some modern outlooks on life. Oh, and all the time he is using crotch kicks to take men out, including one in full plate armour!
So what are the good things? Well Jonathan Lunn does often pick obscure actions in the 100 Years War period for his stories and he does drop in some accurate observations that Hollywood and its ilk always get wrong, such as the observation that almost all folk in Medieval times knew that the world was round. And, this time, there were three possible villains for that final uneven duel to be won by the hero – one of the others may well end up as a friend as per Cornwell’s Harlequin trilogy.
Well, come winter, when I am spending more time in doors and wanting an easy read, I may well buy the next book in the series but, in the meantime, I have other books to read.
July 24, 2020
An action packed and fast paced historical fiction that kept me hooked.
It's the first I read in this series but I had no issues with the plot or the characters.
I appreciated the vivid and well researched historical background, the plot and the characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's the first I read in this series but I had no issues with the plot or the characters.
I appreciated the vivid and well researched historical background, the plot and the characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
November 25, 2022
So much better than 3
In Albion book 3, Kemp was captured every other chapter by enemies that if they did not kill Kemp the archer s fingers were sure to be lost. It never happened. Lunn got back to what was fun following Kemp. But now, Kemp's future looks a bit brighter. I almost gave up on the series. Very glad I did not, thanks Lunn for a worthy ride.
In Albion book 3, Kemp was captured every other chapter by enemies that if they did not kill Kemp the archer s fingers were sure to be lost. It never happened. Lunn got back to what was fun following Kemp. But now, Kemp's future looks a bit brighter. I almost gave up on the series. Very glad I did not, thanks Lunn for a worthy ride.
August 10, 2020
I liked this book as I have all of Jonathan’s books. I did find it a bit confusing with all the French characters and the castles and locations. Perhaps it is just me being old and decrepit. Can I take it there will be another one to follow
September 8, 2020
Just finished reading the entire Kemp series. I enjoyed it very much. I love history that is blended in with good war and action stories with characters that have dash and are human. Kemp is one of those. I never did get all those French names down, but it doesn't bother me. Great read.
August 8, 2020
Good
Having read all the previous books, in this Kemp appears to be having a difficult period although all appears to end well for him and his friends!
Having read all the previous books, in this Kemp appears to be having a difficult period although all appears to end well for him and his friends!
September 22, 2020
Great read
A man's read with plenty of content to keep your interest the last battle scene wasn't the best I've ever read but never the less it still captivated me
A man's read with plenty of content to keep your interest the last battle scene wasn't the best I've ever read but never the less it still captivated me
April 7, 2021
Great read
Well written and a good balance of intrigue and battles with a little humour. I’ve enjoyed all the Kemp books so far
Well written and a good balance of intrigue and battles with a little humour. I’ve enjoyed all the Kemp books so far
April 17, 2021
Great easy read
Great follow on in the Kemp series of books, an easy and enjoyable read that sets things up nicely for the next book.
Great follow on in the Kemp series of books, an easy and enjoyable read that sets things up nicely for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews