Warriors

The Conquest Trilogy #2

by Jack Ludlow

Italy, 11th Century. The Byzantine Empire rules much of Europe and in the Italian states it does so through force and bribery, but the indigenous populations are restless. Arduin of Fassano - with the Lombard and Norman men he commands - are mercenaries for the young and enterprising Byzantine general, Michael Doukeianos. However, Arduin feels the time may have come to rejoin his Lombard brethren and rise up in revolt against their Eastern rulers. A crucial city in this revolt is the fortress of Melfi. General Doukeianos appoints Arduin to protect it, unaware of his imminent betrayal. To guard this stronghold Arduin hires the most-feared of all the Western soldiers: the Normans. Led by Rainulf Drengot and his right-hand man William de Hauteville, oldest of the mercenary de Hauteville brothers, these men are Arduin’s greatest hope of overcoming the might of Byzantium.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Medieval, Historical, War, Military Fiction

447 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

JACK LUDLOW is the pen name of writer David Donachie, who was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has had a variety of jobs, including selling everything from business machines to soap. He has always had an abiding interest in the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which he drew upon for the many novels he has set in that period. The author of a number of bestselling books, he now lives in Deal with his wife, fellow A&B author Sarah Grazebrook.

Reviews

[Jerry Mercer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story Continues!

Although William is dead, his brother Robert is rising among the others, showing his abilities and sense of political aptitude at a time that requires leadership. Now, with their allegiance to the. pope in place, they have a great opportunity to be successful in Italy.

[Jonathon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mixed my reviews up with this and the first book , the first book was a fantastic insight into the conquest of Italy by the Norman's and has led me down the spider hole of history and the want to know more . Truly a magnificent place of the world that is steeped in a history of battles and magnificent leaders of men. This book was brought to life by the fantastic voices of Jonathan Keeble.

[René · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite some fictional freedoms (events described now always accurate), it is a great story. However, most « heroes » of the Norman invasion of southern Italy were bullies who used their weapons and strength to rob and kill at will.

[Diane Cranson]

DNF

[Govno Nichevo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this was an okay read. It did not engage me quite as well as Mercenaries did but was still an interesting insight into that part of Italian history.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to the continuation of De Houteville brothers' story but it was not like I expected. This seemed to be more the set up for the final conquest of southern Italy by the Normans. This was more the political intrigue between Byzantium and the Lombards that set up what is to become their loss of control as they try and wrest military power from the Normans...typically done through assasination. In telling this part of the story the book moves slow, talking is not as exciting as a calvary charge.

Reading about the Norman mercenaries you get the sense for the military power they represented, but what they lacked was the mind for politics. They were brutes. We were introduced in the first book to the beginnings of the Norman desire to acheive more than being mercenaries, real power is land and titles. This book explained how that was acheived. I look forward to the next as they consolidate and expand their influence.

[Sonny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read some of the naval histories this author has written under another name and enjoyed them so I thought I would give his Conquest trilogy a try. The first Conquest (Mercenaries) book was great. I gave it 4 stars and had great expectations about this book.

As it turns out what you expect and what you get are two different things. I was a little disappointed in this book in that it concentrated too much on the political aspect of the time period. It also had way too many characters crop up here and there which made keeping track of their comings and goings and doings rather confusing at times. (That is why it took me 12 days to read it.)

Is it worth taking the time to read? Yes, as there are a few good battles and the story of the main characters does advance.

I will be reading the last book and I am expecting it to be as good as the first (fingers crossed).

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this quite disappointing after Mercenaries, it was very hard to get into due to the long, long passages of dry narrative about convoluted politics and campaigning. There was very little engagement with the characters and their lives, to the extent that when William de Hauteville died I found it very hard to care.

[Teddy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little dry for me. I like books that focus a little more on the people and even though I am through the second book in the series I feel like the people are incidental to the story instead of the main part of it. I'll go ahead and finish the third, just to wrap it up, but they aren't my favorite.

[Hugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great tale of war and intrigue. Overall I loved this instalment, but it went in a direction I was sad to see (can't be specific or I would spoil the story). Great series so far!

[Adam Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant sequel well written as the brother D'Hauteville continue to make their names and gain their titles.

[Deb Omnivorous Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the trilogy did not let me down.... can't stop to review it though.... must read the third....

[Ben Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why would you kill off the main character halfway through the book so unceremoniously? William Iron arm is the hero, then dead in 1 page. Stupid.

[Antonio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my assessments of this book Warriors by Jack Ludlow according to 6 criteria:
1. Too long and Strenuous action - exciting - 4 stars
2. Boring - fun - 4 stars
3. not difficult to read (as for non English native speaker] - 3 stars
4. predictable (common) - good story (unusual) - 4 stars
5. Shalow story - has a deeper meaning - 4 stars
6. The story is mass and Unfinished - The story is clear, understandable and well rounded story - 3 stars

Total 3.66 stars.