| Title | : | Warlord (The Outlaw Chronicles, #4) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1847445071 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781847445070 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 512 |
| Publication | : | First published July 1, 2012 |
Warlord (The Outlaw Chronicles, #4) Reviews
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A catch up with the band of outlaws from Sherwood Forest fame although this series seeks to redress a lot of the folklore surrounding this legend portraying a more reasoned historical version which ive come to very much enjoy.
We start as most books with an aged Alan Dale writing his memoirs of tales of adventures with Robin “Hood” the Earl of Loxley…. We pick up directly after the last entry in the series with King Richard safe in England after his captivity at the hands of the Holy Roman Emperor who was in cahoots with King Philip of France who has incurred into English territories on the continent whilst he was absent fully intent on making it part of the French kingdom.
We ride with Alan from the start, he now a fully fledged & armoured knight of the realm as his advanced force go to relieve a siege from the French army ahead of the Lionheart himself with the main force. It’s a full on & bloody opening, the panoply of war splendid in it’s regale as the knights do battle through the French camp trying to enter the castle. The battle scenes around the siege are indeed bloody & without quarter, they certainly didn’t fanny around with them swords & battle-axes in them days as they cleaved bodies apart when in their blood lust.
We find out some history of Dale’s father too through a monk he comes across in the castle, which was by Alan’s design too as we find out & this is a plot thread that is weaved centrally throughout the book, in fact it should be said come journeys end that it is the equal theme of the book with The Lionheart's campaigning.
The early main thrust of the story is about King Richards attempts to successfully put down the rebellion & incursion into his lands of Normandy, The County of Perche & Aquitaine which happened whilst he was in captivity. The action is full on, the violence medieval & we are a far ways from Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood & his “merry” band of outlaws, a proper ruthless Lord, although generous it could be said to his friends, he be. But…. Don’t get on the wrong side of the Earl of Loxley!
The story as always follows through (Sir) Alan Dale with his ever-faithful man Hanno & his squire Thomas at his side seemingly where ever he goes. The story shifts between battle scenes & the mystery surrounding Alan Dale’s father, always engaging & well paced with enough twists along the way to keep you guessing at the identity of the man that Alan Dale seeks, “the man who can not be refused” being his moniker.
The historical history element is excellent, be it the warfare, the church or the ways of the small folk & I must add that the descriptions of Paris are vivid & bring a bustling medieval city to life, the author does a grand job of giving us a picture of life in these times through various scenes.
The book contains historical notes at the back which depict the fiction from the reality.
Ive enjoyed all of this series too date, 4.25 stars, rounded to a four for me. -
I found that Warlord followed the trend in Angus’ series in that THERE IS NO TREND. Honestly, one thing you can really count on with the Outlaw books is that any new title will have a new story, a fresh angle and a different feel and theme to it. There is nothing formulaic or repetitive about the series in any way.
Outlaw was a tale of survival and redemption with Alan Dale and the infamous Robert Odo of Locksley, better known as Robin Hood. The story took us in a new and interesting way around familiar old legends, with a fresh and brutal interpretation of Robin that is nothing like the man in green of classic TV.
The second book, Holy Warrior, took us to Outremer and the world of the crusaders, with a now-legitimate Robin. The mood was darker and more soul-searching and, to be quite honest, left me feeling angry at Robin and, to a lesser extent, Alan. This was, for me, the ‘Empire Strikes Back’ of the Outlaw series.
Thirdly, King’s Man was the tale of King Richard’s imprisonment in Germany and Alan and Robin’s part in his return to power. It was also the tale of Prince John’s rise and then fall. It was a story of intrigue and espionage and to that point the best in the series, I would say.
And so, to Warlord. Once again, Angus has taken us in a new direction. Alan and Robin move with the action to Normandy, this time, to Richard’s brutal and protracted war with Phillip of France. There are three very distinct threads of action in this tale, though not consecutive or in order, but the tale is an amalgam of the three, bound together like a celtic knot.
Firstly, Alan Dale is beginning to delve into the secrets that surrounded his father’s expulsion from Notre Dame in Paris and his subsequent death upon the order of a mysterious and powerful figure. This story involves murder, conspiracy, penetration deep into the heart of the enemy in Paris, and the investigation of some of the most powerful men in the world. This is as good a mystery tale in itself that it could fill a novel on its own and stand up to the best histfic murder mysteries out there
Secondly, there is the war itself, which is told in vivid description, with all the heroic scenes expected of Coeur de Lion’s somewhat rash valour and excitable nature. But it is also brutal and unpleasant, giving us details about the world of medieval warfare that goes beyond the simply ‘what happened and who won?’ style of history and explores the effects on the ordinary soldiers and the people caught in the middle of a war between their masters.
Thirdly, there is the tale of Alan’s growth and love and his manor at Westbury, the depredations of his land under the vicious Hag of Hallamshire, the growing relationships with Goody and his men, including young Thomas, the squire, who is now almost the Alan we remember from the first book.
So that’s a rundown of what Warlord is about, missing out too many spoilers. “But”, I hear you say, “what’s it like?”
Warlord is simply excellent. It brought to mind elements of a number of my favourite things, including some of the feel of the Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars video game (that may sound a strange comparison, but it remains one of the best-written and most evocative plots I have ever found and if you haven’t played that game, buy it straight after Warlord), the siege scenes in medieval movies like Jeanne d’Arc (an average film to my mind, but an excellent siege scene), visits I have made to some of the book’s locations in my youth (the Chateau Gaillard I found particularly breath-taking), the great tales I read as a boy of Richard the Lion Heart and his wars, and even a touch of the Arthurian legends, mixed with Christian myth and more. See how much the book makes me think of other very cool things?
Old villains that survived the previous books are just as vile and loathsome as ever, but are somewhat cast into the shadows by the arrival of new and all-the-more twisted and maniacal antagonists. Old friends are back in their full glory, and with them others who were previously minor and now begin to come to the fore. The last fight in the book is some of Donald’s best work and had me almost twitching and leaning left and right with the swings as I read (like when you watch a rollercoaster on TV). It was, for me, on a par with the most excellent duel scene in King’s Man, about which I have previously raved.
As with the previous books, and increasing with each new release, one of my fave characters is King Richard himself. I suspect that the amount of research Angus has done on this famous king is deeper and more involved than anything else he has undertaken in his work, and it shows. Angus’ portrayal of Coeur de Lion is magnificent, and easily the best I’ve come across either on paper or screen. That alone makes Warlord an outstanding book.
So the upshot is that Warlord is another winner from the author of Outlaw. If you like his books, you’ll buy this one, I’m sure, and if you’ve not read any, then you need to buy them all and start from the beginning.
Oh… and Warlord throws us some tremendous teasers for what to expect in book 5. It makes me hunger for the next release
As always, Mister Donald…. Bravo! -
Warlord continues the saga of Alan Dale from just about where King's Man leaves the story. Alan is in France, serving King Richard III in the seemingly never ending brutal wars against the French.
I struggle with how to evaluate this book. There is much to like. The history buff in me very much appreciates the inside look at the campaigns of Richard. That's why I read historical fiction. It's kind of like a front row seat into history. It brings it to life and makes it fun. Warlord (and this whole series) nails that.
The problem with Warlord is not capturing the feel of the age. The problem is ... elsewhere. Alan is on a quest to find the man who directly led to his father's hanging. This quest has many twists and turns and takes him across war-ravaged northern France. I just didn't care. This story line just didn't engage me for some reason. I can't really put my finger on why. There was, frankly, a long stretch in the middle of the book where I was bored.
Far more interesting, in my opinion, was the relationship between Alan and his betrothed, Goody. About 2/3rds of the way through the book Alan is injured and returns to England. Here he is re-united with Goody, but this reunion is spoiled by Nur, the disfigured Arab woman. It turns out that this crone has gathered a host of outcast women about her and they are focused on a terrible curse they have placed on Alan and Goody. This is great stuff and had me on the edge of my seat for large stretches. It also helped that the relationship and emotions of the couple humanized and fleshed out the characters more. I wish that this storyline had been more developed rather than the Alan's quest.
A solid three stars. It was good, but not great. The last third of the book saved it from two stars. -
Review
When i first started this series it was with a touch of eagerness, and a fair bit of trepidation. Robin Hood has always been a personal favourite of mine (i do share the name after all). I have read quite a few failed attempts at writing this great character, and seen some blooming awful films.
By the end of that 1st book i was amazed by the astounding piece of work that Angus had produced, so new and so fresh and so real.
The wait for books 2 (Holy Warrior) and 3 Kings Man was eternal for some one who loves Historical fiction, and I'm sure he didn't mind the hundreds of reminders to get the heck on with it.
So how did book 4 Warlord match up to its predecessors?
Its better, every book has got better than the last, yet this one takes a large leap froward in excellence. The writing and the plot as ever is realistic, dark, violent, dirty, visceral so many words. Its like opening a portal on the past and a more realistic past that the fanciful and simple rob the rich to feed the poor. As usual Sir Alan Dale is the true star of the show, for any book you need to be able to relate to some degree with a character and Robin is just too much of a git to truly do that. A charismatic git a dramatic git a medieval Don Corleone of a loveable git. But Alan is the true multi-dimensional character the one you can see yourself in.
Earlier this year i said Christian Cameron's God of War would be my book of the year for 2012. This book damn near proved me wrong. I do now have 2 books of the year, because i really cannot separate them. The Outlaw Chronicles is fast becoming one of my all time favourite series.
VERY Highly recommended.
(Parm)
Book Description
May 1194. Finally released from captivity, Richard the Lionheart is in Normandy engaged in a bloody war to drive the French out of his continental patrimony. Using the brutal tactics of medieval warfare - siege, savagery and scorched earth - the Lionheart is gradually pushing back the forces of King Philip of France. By his side in this epic struggle are Robert, Earl of Locksley, better known as the erstwhile outlaw Robin Hood, and Sir Alan Dale, his loyal friend, and a musician and warrior of great skill and renown.
But while the battles rage and the bodies pile up, Robin seems only to be interested in making a profit from the devastation of war, while Alan is preoccupied with discovering the identity the man who ordered his father's death ten years earlier - and the mystery is leading him towards to Paris, deep in the heart of the enemy's territory ... -
I have to admit I was disappointed with this book. What interested me about the previous books in the series was the interplay between the lead character and Robin Hood juxtaposed against historical acts with plenty of treachery and plot.
This book on the other hand just feels like a lightweight attempt at reproducing Bernard Cornwell's Grail Quest and falling distinctly short. The set-up for the book is almost identical - insignificant boy becomes fine warrior fighting for his King in France which he uses as an opportunity to find out more about his genteel unassuming fathers hidden past from his newly discovered French relatives.
Another significant flaw was the sidelining of Robin Hood for the vast majority of the book. The character is woefully underused and taken completely for granted which is a great disappointment for me both as an Englishman and as a historical fiction lover.
Disappointing.
Go read parts 2 or 3 in the series instead aka 'Holy Warrior' and 'Kings Man' respectively. -
Every bit as wonderful as I'd hoped and expected it would be, Warlord sees the welcome return of Alan Dale, poet and knight in the service of Richard Lionheart and Robin, Earl of Locksley, otherwise known as Robin Hood. The King's Man is a tough act to equal, let alone beat, but this fourth novel in the Outlaw Chronicles manages just that.
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Another corker in this fantastic series. Full review to follow
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How good it is to be back with Angus, Alan, Hanno and…the other bloke...oh yes, Robin of Locksley. How I’ve missed them.
So, what’s been a-happenin’ while I’ve been away?
Well, before we start, at the end of 'King's Man' there was a really poignant, thoughtful passage from the elder Alan Dale, musing on his life as the younger Alan. The memories were fresh, the people he knew still young, vibrant and alive. Never to weary, grow old or fade. A lovely ending to a superb book. So it was with no little anticipation, even excitement (I know, pathetic, isn't it?) that I opened Warlord, the 4th in Angus Donald's heroic re-imagining of the Robin Hood legends.
So, in 'King’s Man', Alan Dale seemed to be becoming more independent of Robin. Still a part of Robin’s band and one of his friends, not entirely stepping out of his shadow, but certainly seeing himself as, and being treated more and more like, an equal. That independence could be said to have come to fulfilment here in Warlord. Which is a book about Alan. His circumstances, his past and what is making him tick. Robin Hood actually only first makes an appearance on page 71. As I’ve mentioned before, Alan Dale is more of the centre for the 'Outlaw' tales' focus than the reviews and the hype around a 'new interpretation of the Robin Hood legend' would have you believe. The books (I’ve read so far) could equally be about the legend of Alan Dale - and his friend/Lord/Master/protector/ally, Robin Hood. However, that probably wouldn’t sell books by the truckload, no matter how much more accurate it would actually be. And that’s probably why I’m not working in publishing right now.
Anyone could have written a series of books - indeed many anyones have and are still doing so - about Robin Hood’s life and times, narrated by and with Robin in the centre. But by looking slightly to the side, by actually writing about Alan, Angus is able to both root the stories in the historical reality of the period (so much as we are sure about), and also show his ideas for the (legendary, but most likely fictional) character of Robin Hood. By comparing and contrasting the Robin Hood of his legend, with what must have been typical behaviour for a chivalrous Knight of the period. Alan is much more than just the narrator however, which was my thought when I read the first few pages of the first book. He is far from a passive observer. His strong Christian beliefs are the light, while Robin and his more Pagan, more earthy, perhaps more real-world values, is (in) the shadow(s) created by that light. Because Robin doesn't share Alan's beliefs and seems more of a carefree, seize each opportunity as it comes, no matter from whence it comes, sort of character, it isn’t always plain-sailing between the two. In Alan's view Robin is, more often than not, just a money-grabbing, opportunist god-less Pagan. Sometimes, only Alan’s respect for Robin’s sense of unquestioning loyalty in protecting those inside his family circle, keeps the two together. My thought is, that what perhaps makes Angus's Robin appealing to us heathen sinners of today, is that Robin is actually like more like we are nowadays than Alan ever can be. I certainly have found some of Alan’s decisions only really understandable, if I try to imagine I’m back living in the late 12th Century.
The story told in ‘Warlord', is actually a very interesting medieval mystery period piece, set in what we now call northern France. To have Alan at least in some way involved with the later life and death of Richard, ‘Warlord' has to be set in France. But to cope with the risk of readers being unable to identify with the Robin Hood legend going on in various 12th Century, not actually France places (and not swinging through the trees of Sherwood, drinking in 'The Trip To Jerusalem' and singe-ing the Sheriff of Nottingham’s beard), he concentrates his story’s focus on the tale of Alan’s search for the truth surrounding his father’s expulsion and death. In northern France. And ‘France', we should remember, plays a very important part in the world of these English heroes. The characters speak French. They actually ARE French, for all intents and purposes. Alan is really Allan D'Alle, son of a French father, Henri. And Richard, Richard Cœur de Lion, the 'Lionheart' is in France, because it was his home. Because he is Duke of Normandy first and foremost. He might have been born in Oxford - only 91 years after Hastings - he spoke no English and was, during the 10 years of his reign, only actually in England for a total of six months. It’s only Robin that’s truly English and he’s the heathen. No change there, then.
Alan is in France at Richard’s request and the book opens with him riding headlong into trouble, to try and break the siege of a castle loyal to Richard, which is surrounded by the vastly superior forces of the King of (most of the rest of) France. They cling on to the castle, after many sterling deeds of derring-do, by the skin of their teeth. Then, Richard arrives, full of the joys of spring, and they have to move on, chasing ever after the cowardly French King. Alan can’t do much other than be told where to go and who to fight by Richard, but eventually does get time off for good behaviour to go on a quest of his own. He has spoken with a priest who knew his father and might be able to shed some light on his father’s background in France, the circumstances surrounding his expulsion and possibly who the mysterious figure, the 'man you cannot refuse’, who might be behind his death, is. While he gets plenty of information from this priest, he also hears plenty that both disquiets him and shrouds his fathers past in yet more layers of mystery. Alan follows the trail through various regions of France all the way to Paris. Noting on his way, that the people who have information he might find useful, have a nasty habit of dying. Before, during and after they’ve spoken to him. When he finds the truth, and the reason behind the truth, it has been both staring him in the face and turns out to be way more dangerous than he could imagine. No one escapes Alan’s suspicion, not even Robin. He knows more than he's letting on. Could he even have had some part in it all?
The main action of ‘Warlord' does seem to end a little early, to allow the next in the series, 'Grail Knight' to be set up, but that apart, ‘Warlord' is a passionate, full-on, full-blooded, medieval tale of mystery and suspense. Events happen thick and fast; as you’d want them to, not always as you'd expect and not always as you’d actually want them too. And it whets the appetite for 'Grail Knight'. Sitting on the shelf over there *points over there* -
4th instalment of the Outlaw Chronicles series of books with Robin Hood as one of the main protagonists, but not the only one.
Angus Donald has quickly become one of my favourite historical novelists. He models his novels on figures from history with a twist, doing a good job of creating believable historical atmospheres to support his plots. Expect nothing overtly stereotypical in his characterisations.
With that said, this is not one of the author’s best, but still well worth reading. -
Not my favorite of the series, but I love the characters and the author pulled some nice surprises.
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If you hunger for bigger battles after the seige of Nottingham Castle and the battles in the Holy Land from previous books Warlord provides what it says on the tin - WAR over quite a good number of years including the odd seige of a castle or two or maybe three.
This book shifts its focus ever so slightly from Alan's adventures with Robin (although he hasn't completely taken a back seat in this tale) to Alan's adventures as a loyal and supportive Knight under the leadership of none other than Richard the Lion Heart himself. And yets as an extra bonus Alan has a family murder mystery to solve inspired from his last meeting with the now at long last dead Sir Murdac AND the psychotic and disfigured Nur is still haunting the lands around Westbury. So as you can see there is A HECK OF A LOT for Alan to deal with besides just surviving one battle around Normandy from the next.
There isn't ever a slow period, a peaceful season or a respite for Alan as he has challenges both personal and private to deal with whether he's at home with the ever reliable Goody or abroad amongst his fellow Knights.
This book is quite an eye opener mixed in with a history lesson for most people probably know the Lion Heart best for his failed campaigns into the Holy Land. But what Angus Donald reveals in this telling is a glimpse into what the Lionheart did next as he began years of sieges and battles to reclaim his lands lost to King Philip of France. A campaign I dare say he proved more successful that is until....well I won't spoil it.
However I will say that woven within the latter half of this epic tale is a secret that could change a lot of lives for better or for worse if discovered and claimed by Robin and his men - and that dear reader is where Angus Donald cunningly leads you into the next book in the series.
Over all a roller coaster of a read - each chapter grips you by the collar and drags you through Alan's many trials and tribulations and will leave you gasping for breath at the end but also craving more. A superb piece of historical fiction written with a human heart, soul and mind at the centre of it all that gives this story such power over the reader that they are gripped even when there isn't a sword clashing with a shield or an arrow being fired from a castle keep. -
This is the fourth in the excellent “Outlaw” series, the story of Robin Hood and Richard the Lionheart through the eyes of Alan Dale. The focus in this one is mainly King Richard’s campaign in France against King Philip and the author blends the historical fact of Richard’s campaign with the fiction of Robin Hood and his men supporting the campaign. Oh, and for additional fun the Holy Grail is chucked in.
Angus Donald sets up Alan Dale as the nice guy conflicted by his affection and support for Robin and Richard and the dark places that takes him. Robin is a key but peripheral character (as is Richard) in this story, where we see Alan following up the mystery of his father’s death and his father’s youth. Alan himself is keen, slightly naïve and quite young, but this is a good contrast to those with hidden agendas and a darker side. And this must include Robin Hood, again brilliantly portrayed as multi-layered and with a distinct dark side.
King Richard’s campaign in 1194 (ish) was very much that of mediaeval tradition, that of siege and destruction, ransom and an odd blend of nobility and savagery. The author does an excellent job of blending a bit of history with the fictional activities of his characters. As with the previous books this is well written, well researched and very well delivered. I think the whole series has been a brilliant take on the ‘Robin Hood’ era, and making Hood a peripheral and dark character was a stroke of genius.
Historical fun and action at it’s best. -
The fourth in Angus Donald's Outlaw series and my least favourite so far. The problem with WARLORD is that it feels like the author was really struggling when he wrote this book. The whole siege warfare scenario that plays out in France is slightly repetitive and it feels a little staged; there's no real beginning or end to it, it just goes on and on. Donald has found a formula here and he's sticking to it, which makes it ever so slightly dull.
Now, I'm not saying that this isn't entertaining to read, because it is. On a superficial level at least. Donald's writing is extremely readable and the battle sequences come thick and fast, with plenty of bloodshed and gore to enliven them. It's the bigger picture that's lacking. The characterisation is noticeably lacking here; all of the characters end up in exactly the same place as they were when they started out, except for those supporting ones who've been bumped off, of course.
My next problem is that this novel is overlong and it does drag in places. The whole return to England sub-plot with the return of the tiresome Nur feels like it belongs in a different book and it really drags everything down, particularly as nothing happens. And the stuff about the Holy Grail just feels like a set-up for the next book in the series (GRAIL KNIGHT). In other hands, I might have enjoyed WARLORD more, but because I know Donald's capable of much, much better (as with the first three books in this series) I just couldn't love it as much as I did the others. Let's hope he picks up the ball again with the next one. -
The fourth book in Angus Donald's Outlaw series, this one is primarily set in and around the last years of Richard I (The Lionheart) reign, leading up to his death on 06/04/1199 after being struck in the shoulder by a crossbow bolt fired from a castle he was besieging in Southern France.
Like the previous three books in the series, this is presented as an elderly Alan Dale recounting the adventures of his youth, with each section (and the epilogue) of the novel as him committing the tale to paper, and his thoughts in so doing.
While the cover of the novel also has "A Robin Hood tale" above the title, I actually found that character to be sidelined more in favour of Alan in this novel than in the previous, where he very much was central to the story but seemingly not so much here. That's not to mean that he's not present, and that he doesn't have a role to play: just that this novel is more about Richard than it is Robin.
The novel also includes elements form that other great Medieval tale/obsession of the Holy Grail, which is worked into the reason why Richard is besieging the castle (at Robin's urgings) at which he receives his fatal wound. That plot strand, however, is also left wide-open for the sequel, already announced as titled Grail Knight, and which I'm already looking forward to! -
Little bit Cornwell, little bit Sansom, totally excellent.
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Actual rating: 4.50
Best in the series so far. -
The continued adventures of Alan Dale, the faithful vassal of Robin Hood. Home from the III Crusade, Alan decides to travel to Paris to learn the story of his father. Of course, no tale of a street urchin turned noble Knight can be complete without a mysterious past, right? The real mystery here is whether his trusted friend and Lord, Robin, was behind the unjust persecution and death of Alan's father. So Alan and a small crew hack their way through France, land in prison, find ungrateful relatives, get out of prison, continue to hack their way through Paris, and finally find the truth...sort of. Meanwhile, our good Sir Allen has to deal with his ex-lover-turned-hideous-witch who is going around casting curses on the village. Very entertaining story! On to book 5~
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This has been a captivating and intriguing as well as an educational novel to read, as it follows Alan Dale's adventures that take place during Richard the Lionhearts five year war to retake his lands in Normandy that the French King seized while Richard was held as a prisoner when captured on his way home from the Holy Lands.
The mystery of who ordered Alan's father's death plays a large role in the plot which weaves in other elements that expand the story in intriguing directions that don't necessarily lead where you think they will.
This is a little slower-paced but just as engaging to read as the previous books. -
An enjoyable rollic around France with the pleasantly named knight Sir Alan Dale. Honourable, and nice, it lacked a certain indescribable grit, although it in no way holds back, to make it feel truly dirty and 'real'.
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Pretty good instalment in this great series. Nicely plotted.
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I have read a few of these books out of sequence. It doesn’t really matter. This book was excellent. Gripped me from the outset. My heart was in my mouth a lot of the time. Solid fiction.
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Great book. The story becomes more intricate in the fourth book. The series continues to get better. Starting the fifth one tonight :)
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Warlord continues the story of Sir Alan Dale, a knight who is loyal to his Lord, Robert of Locksley and his king, Richard I of England. In this book, Alan accompanies Richard and his liege lord to war with France, which leads him to a path of discovery about the life of his late father.
The story opens in Alan’s later life. The year is 1230, and Alan is writing his memoirs as a gift for his grandson. I loved this way of telling the story. The action remained throughout in the first person, which made it feel as though you were there with Alan, but as he was writing from the future the story sometimes features perspective; how he felt at the time, and how he feels now. At intervals during the story we hear from present day Alan, which is also a nice touch.
I love Angus Donald’s use of language in this book. His prose flows perfectly and his characterisation is fantastic. We see Alan struggle with his varying loyalties, his senses of love, guilt and honour, we see his passions and his flaws. There is a time in this book where Alan is clearly suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, and this is handled so wonderfully and sympathetically. Other characters are just as well done; Godifa, Alan’s betrothed, is a multi layered, strong woman and Mercadier, one of Alan’s fellow soldiers is brilliantly bad. Hanno, Alan’s loyal man, was my favourite character in the book. He was brave, loyal, clever and an excellent warrior.
Angus’ battle scenes are some of the best in the book. Everything is action packed, exciting, descriptive and realistic. Away from the battlefield, the book still holds its own. The embedded stories of both the mystery surrounding the downfall and death of Alan’s father and the fate of his former mistress Nur keep things very exciting. The story about Alan’s father is an excellent story on its own, so added to this book it is fantastic.
The best thing about this book is that even as part of a series, it stands alone. I have not read the first three of Angus Donald’s Outlaw chronicles (yet!) but still thoroughly enjoyed this book. Nothing was confusing or random, it is an excellent story in its own right.
At the end of Warlord, Angus provides us with an author’s note explaining the factual parts of his story and the parts he has fictionalised. -
As this is the fourth book in this most excellent tale of Robin Hood, I sort of knew what to expect and was not disappointed. This chapter revolves around King Richard's attempt to drive King Phillip of France out of Normandy but there are plenty of other side stories and subplots as well. Alan Dale is once again the narrator and in this tale is also one of the main characters as he struggles to find the real reason his father was killed and who the responsible party was. Along with that he is also dealing with a curse levied at him and his bride to be.
The author has produced a magnificent tangle of twists and turns while also continuing his deepening of Alan's character. Alan suffers much agony and pain, physically, emotionally and spiritually during the many and varied adventures he takes part in during the course of this tale not the least of which is his concern about his own guilt in the deaths of so many he encounters in his quest for the truth. This is where the author shines in my view as he brings that pain and agony to the reader almost as if it leaps off the page as you read the words.
One of the big events, one that will carry over to the next book in the series is the introduction of The Holy Grail. This most revered relic of Christianity plays an important part in Alan's quest and serves as a catalyst for Robin to pursue this relic and possess it. Thankfully the sequel, Grail Knight, is already available so I won't have to wait too long to continue the pursuit. I heartily rate this volume at 4.7. -
Sir Alan Dale returns with a bang in Warlord.
With Outlaw setting such a high standard, I had been left feeling a little inexplicably hollow after Holy Warrior and King's Man. Both are worthy of a read, without question, but journeys to Jerusalem and Germany saw the path of Alan Dale meander a little.
However, Angus Donald pulls off another exquisite piece of writing in his fourth installment of the Outlaw Chronicles.
Having seen Richard the Lionheart and Robert, Earl of Locksley previously play key to the central plot, Dale finally begins to piece together the mystery of his father's death in Warlord. The trail, given full intensity by the author, leads the humbled knight on a dangerous path right in to the heart of France.
An element of C.J Sansom slips in to the book as Donald serves up an almost thriller like storyline leading to the "the man who cannot be refused".
I was delighted to see Dale given the opportunity to finally examine the intrigue and curiosity that had been subtly set in previous books. Warlord allows significant time for the reader to explore this strand of the plot, and the journey set by Donald is certainly a page turner.
Warlord is exciting, evocative and elegantly written. It should hold a worthy place on any historical fiction shelf. -
The fourth book in
Angus Donald's Robin Hood series. Although the series (especially the latter books), are more about Alan Dale. This isn't a bad thing though, Donald writes a good character, and while at first I was upset since I had been expecting this to be a Robin Hood series, I've gotten used to it. Especially because Donald doesn't portray Robin as he usually is, good and noble, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. However he doesn't paint him as a villian either, and his Robin does take great care to always protect his friends and family.
This story is all about Alan and Robin's time with King Richard during the last five years of his life or so, while he is fighting King Phillip of France on and off again, constantly regaining and losing his castles in Normandy.
Recommended for fans of Robin Hood, and I also recommend reading the first books in the series also. I'm now going to continue with the fifth, and currently final book in this series,
Grail Knight. -
Wow! Angus Donald does it again! I love anything with Robin Hood in it, and this certainly is a fast-paced, intriguing tale! The story centers around Sir Alan Dale, a peasant turned knight with the help of Robin and King Richard the Lionheart in Donald's earlier books in the series. Alan is trying to find out who ordered the death of his father over 20 years ago. He does all of this investigative work in between fighting for King Richard in battles and skirmishes with the French. Alan finally finds the "man you cannot refuse", a monk who was at one time a friend of Alan's father in Paris. Just as Alan is about the get his revenge, King Richard calls this monk to his beside because the monk was rumored to have a special vessel that could heal the sick and wounded because it was said to have held the blood of Christ when he died on the cross. But the king dies and the monk escapes. Robin wants this vessel, the Holy Grail, for his own. Thus the fifth novel is titled "Grail Knight". I can't wait to read it!
-
In a cliche this would be riproaring. Yup, it's fast paced, good battle descriptions, and everything you would expect from a bit of historical escapism (he's quite openly from the Bernard Cornwell fan club). And it works - I even forgave him the usually deeply irritating sin of making clear that while several characters could helpfully explain the plot but only later giving them time to be inevitably killed off beforehand.
While the narrator is given a little bit of additional depth by a couple of traits that are almost unusual in the genre (being a musician with the different access it gives him) and unusually being a convincing Christian (99% of the rest of historical fiction are secular/atheist to appeal more to modern readers - a refreshing change) it is still not a particularly deep book. But it's not meant to be, and it's all the better for it. Easy reading and thoroughly enjoyable.
