Friday 27 November 2020

Book Review: A Sword Among Ravens: Book #3 of The Long-Hair Saga by Cynthia Ripley Miller #HistoricalFiction #AncientRome @CRipleyMiller

 




A Heroine . . . A Mystery . . . A Mission

In a grave, on the edge of a Roman battlefield, an ancient sword has been discovered. Legend claims it belonged to King David of Israel and carries a curse—those who wield it will tragically die—but not the chosen.   

AD 455. Arria Felix and her husband, Garic the Frank, have safely delivered a sacred relic to Emperor Marcian in Constantinople. But now, Arria and Garic will accept a new mission. The emperor has asked them to carry the sword of King David of Israel to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem where Arria will dedicate it in her murdered father’s memory.

As Arria and Garic travel into the heart of the Holy Land, they face many challenges and dangers. Their young daughter is missing then found in the company of a strange and suspicious old monk. A brutal killer stalks their path. And a band of cold-blooded thieves is determined to steal the sword for their own gains. But when Arria confronts the question of where the sword should truly rest—old friendships, loyalties, and her duty are put to the test like never before. At every turn, Arria and Garic find themselves caught in a treacherous mission wrapped in mystery, murder, and A Sword Among Ravens.




“A curse on the one who wields David’s Sword and not be chosen…”

It was too late now for Lucius Valerius Marcian to heed the warning inscribed upon the blade of the ancient weapon, for he was dead.

With sword and fire, King David had besieged and conquered the Canaanite City of Jerusalem, so it seems only right that David’s Sword should be returned to the Holy City. But who could Emperor Flavius Valerius Marcian trust with such a sacred and dangerous mission? For he knew that many would pay good money to own such a holy relic.

Emperor Flavius Valerius Marcian can think of only one person whom he could entrust with such a sacred artefact and that was the wife of his late son, Arria Felix, and her new husband, Garic the Frank. 

However, Emperor Flavius Valerius Marcian may have just unwittingly given them a death sentence. For although Arria and Garic may seem inconspicuous, there are those who can see through their pretence, and they will stop at nothing to see that the sword comes into their possession.

Still, the curse on the sword is no fable. It is not a story to frighten children. It is very real, and it does not discriminate between those who have good intentions and those who have not…

Jerusalem – the meeting-place where it is said that God speaks to man is the evocative setting for Cynthia Ripley Miller’s fabulous new book, A Sword Among Ravens (Book Three of the Long-Hair Saga).

Oh, this book! It stirs the imagination of the reader and takes them back in time to an era where the Jews were barred from their Holy City, and even the most sacred of artefacts came with a price tag. Although fictional in the telling, the idea of a sacred Sword of David intrigued me. The secrets that the Sword of David concealed, and the power of the curse, made this book a gripping read from start to finish.

Arria and Garic’s journey to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is thwarted with difficulties and setbacks. Death also stalks them in the shadows and nobody is safe, not while the Sword of David is in their possession. The curse of this sword is seemingly two-fold – the original curse is that of legitimacy, approval, but the second is the value of the weapon — there are those who will willingly kill to possess it. The greed of man, the lengths that some are prepared to go to get their hands upon such a relic is explored in great depth, which made this book not only a wondrous adventure but it also made it a tale of morality. Was such a weapon worth a man’s life? Would it have been better if the weapon had remained in unconsecrated ground, lost and forgotten? Miller asks her readers these questions at the same time as she sweeps them away in a narrative that can only be described as enthralling. Miller has given her readers a book that is an exploration of human integrity on the one hand and dishonesty on the other. 

The incomparable grace of the terrestrial may be nothing when compared to the glory of the celestial, but Miller has given her readers a Jerusalem that is rich, vibrant, and very real in the telling. The historical detailing of this book has to be admired, for Miller demonstrates an understanding of the Holy City, and the religious tensions, of this period. Miller writes with not only a great deal of elegance but also authority, which brought this era back to life in all of its splendour, but also its darkness. Miller explores the cruel exclusion of the Jews from the Holy City and the dominance of the Christian religion during this time. Jerusalem is a city which has meant so much to so many for thousands of years, and this snap-shot in time gives the reader a small sense of what it must have been like all those years ago. The hours of research that have so obviously gone into this book have definitely been worth it. I thought Jerusalem’s depiction was exquisite. When history is written with such careful attention to the detail, then there is no such thing as too much, but saying that however, this is a book that feels right in its delivery. Miller has balanced the history and the story with a novelist’s intuition for what keeps a reader turning those pages.

There is a vast cast of characters in this book which is always a gamble, but in this case, it has certainly paid off. Miller has given a very balanced account of all of her characters – so be prepared to meet, and get to know, the protagonists and the antagonists as well. I loved this approach because Miller has given her readers an understanding of why her characters are compelled to do what they do. I thought this made the story all the more realistic in the telling, and it certainly made this book very hard to put down.

The protagonist in this story is Arria, who is a wonderfully brave and honest woman who serves her Emperor with unfailing loyalty. At times, this loyalty does put her at odds with one of her friends, who argues most elegantly about where the Sword of David really belongs. However, saying that, Arria does appreciate her friend’s argument, and she can understand where he is coming from, which endeared her to me. Likewise, Arria is a very forgiving woman — she is an advocate for second chances — and she feels compelled to help even those who are perhaps beyond help. This loving, gentle nature made her a protagonist that a reader can really appreciate and get behind. I thought that Arria’s portrayal was marvellous, and I enjoyed reading about her.

There are several antagonists in this tale, all of whom have their own reasons for wanting the Sword of David for themselves. But it was the portrayal of Kalev Ben Jonah, who goes by several aliases in this novel, that I found the most intriguing. He is determined to get his hands upon the sword no matter what, but like in the story of David and Goliath, he has no comprehension of what he is truly up against. I thought Kalev Ben Jonah’s depiction was compellingly complicated and absolutely fabulous.

Although this is Book 3 in the series, A Sword Among Ravens stands very firmly on its own two feet, so one can very confidently read it as a standalone. However, having read the previous books, I would have to say that you would be doing yourself a grave disservice if you did not start with Book 1 - On the Edge of Sunrise.

A Sword Among Ravens (Book Three of the Long-Hair Saga) by Cynthia Ripley Miller is tense, it is powerful, and I could not put it down. This book is a reward for any reader who enjoys quality Historical Fiction.

I Highly Recommend.



Released December 2020...!


Cynthia Ripley Miller 
is a first generation Italian-American writer with a love for history, languages, and books. She has lived in Europe and traveled extensively. She holds two degrees and taught history and English. Her short fiction has appeared in the anthology Summer Tapestry, at Orchard Press Mysteries.com and The Scriptor. A Ring of Honor-Circle of Books Award winner and Chanticleer International Chatelaine Award finalist. She has reviewed for UNRV Roman History, and blogs at Historical Happenings and Oddities: A Distant Focus and on her website.  

Cynthia is the author of On the Edge of Sunrise, The Quest for the Crown of Thorns, and A Sword Among Ravens, books 1-3 in her Long-Hair Saga series set in Late Ancient Rome, France, and Jerusalem. Cynthia lives outside of Chicago with her family, along with a cute but bossy cat. Also connect with Cynthia on: Twitter and Facebook.
 

Friday 13 November 2020

Book Review: Fire and Ash (Gifts of the Gods, Book 3) By Thomas J. Berry #AncientGreece #HistoricalFiction @TBerryAuthor @maryanneyarde




 Fire and Ash

(Gifts of the Gods, Book 3)

By Thomas J. Berry



Book Title: Fire and Ash
Series: Gifts of the Gods, Book 3
Author: Thomas J Berry
Publication Date: 10th October 2020
Publisher: BookLocker 
Page Length: 450 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction 

Five men and women in Ancient Greece are set on a dangerous journey of self-discovery during the bitter conflict of the Peloponnesian War.

While mighty Athens struggles to rebuild after a devastating campaign abroad, the feared warriors of Sparta prepare to deliver the final blow in a decades long war. No one is safe anymore as the conflict shifts across the Aegean to the shores of wealthy Persia. Old colonies, once loyal to Athens, are eager to rebel and the Great King is willing to pay anything to regain his control over them. These coastal plains set the stage for massive battles and heartbreaking defeats. This time there will be only one true victor.

The news coming out of Sicily ripples across the cities of Ancient Greece like a thunderbolt and it is left to the poor and desperate to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. One young mother is suddenly faced with a horrible tragedy and struggles against all odds to make a new life for her family. An eager boy looking for adventure enlists in the new Athenian ranks but finds life on campaign a lot more than he bargained for. A Spartan officer in the twilight of his years struggles to adapt to a young man's army and an exiled Athenian strives to earn his way back into the graces of his beloved city. The harem girls in a Persian court meet a handsome foreigner and one risks everything for a chance at love.

As the conflict between Athens and Sparta builds to a final showdown, five men and women struggle to come to terms with their changing world. What will they find in the ashes when peace finally comes?





“… Allies can be as much a hindrance sometimes as the real enemy…”

Peace was always going to be a fragile thing, and war was forever on the horizon. Unfortunately for the Athenians and the Spartans alike, allies can no longer be relied upon. As this war takes on a new desperate edge, their allies must decide who to stand with. Everything depends upon them making the right decision…

Once again Thomas J Berry has presented his readers with an enthralling story of war, loyalty, loss and love. Fire and Ash: Gifts of the Gods, Book 3 is everything I expected it to be, and then some.

The bitter conflict of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta has been brought gloriously back to life between the pages of Berry’s remarkable series, Gift of the Gods. Having enjoyed the first two books immensely, I could not wait to read the final instalment in what can only be described as one of the most beguiling series set in the Ancient World that I have ever read. Thankfully, Fire and Ash did not disappoint. With battles aplenty, scheming politicians, and the desperate domestic struggles of those innocent citizens caught in the crossfire between two warring nations, Berry has penned a book that is next to impossible to put down.

The careful use of foreshadowing at the beginning of this novel hints at the sinister end that is to come. At the start of this book, there is a fire in a residential community, a fire that cannot be contained nor extinguished, instead friends and neighbours watch helplessly as they stand back and wait for the fire to burn itself out and leave only ash in its wake. The same could be said for the useless peace treaties and the ongoing military campaigns. This war was a profoundly destructive fire, and nothing could stop it from reaching its dramatic conclusion.

Although this book focuses primarily on the war, Berry does remind his readers that there is more to life than battles, victory and defeat. And although the war is at the forefront of everybody’s minds, one still has to go to work and to the market. There are moments of grief, but also moments of joy—be that a gallop along the clifftops, or starting a new life with a loving husband. Life, despite the war, despite the hardship, carries on.

This book is in no way a celebration of war. There are, however, warriors that demonstrate their worth on the battlefield, and military commanders that can snatch victory at the most opportune of moments. And although some characters such as Alcibiades seek eternal glory, there are others who long to go home and live a peaceful, productive life away from the bloodshed and the battles. Fire and Ash certainly does not glorify war, and while this book argues that both sides had a justifiable claim to continue the war, the loss of life, the cruelty and the disrespect that was shown to the dead brings the realities of such a long and protracted campaign to the forefront of the readers’ mind. And as the death toll adds up, Berry reminds his readers of the ephemeral duration of man and what a waste it is when the young are butchered on the battlefield so very needlessly. But the one thing that I found endlessly fascinating was that not once did I choose a side in which to root for. There are characters that I liked and despised in both camps, which I thought made this story incredibly realistic.

By telling this story from both sides, Berry has given his readers an intimate insight to not only the two very opposing camps but also how very differently they viewed the world. Even though they were neighbours, the two kingdoms could not have been more dissimilar. Athens is said to be the birthplace of democracy. They were also a trading nation, which was rich in culture and art, whereas Sparta bred a society of warriors, who favoured farming and conquering to the more sophisticated economic activity of its neighbour. These fundamental differences have been depicted with great skill and diligence throughout this series. 

The Spartans were mighty warriors who were conditioned to withstand hardship and to keep on fighting, to the very death if necessary. This cultivated determination is demonstrated most admirably in Berry’s depiction of Aleki. Although considered, even by himself, past his prime, Aleki is still a proud warrior who believes, with every fibre of his being, in the Spartan way of life. As foreign as it may seem to his country’s enemies, Aleki believes that how his nation is governed is straightforward and easy to understand. However, this does not make him blinkered to Sparta’s weaknesses, nor does it make him complacent. He understands the risks of fighting the Athenians at sea, and he accepts the limitations of his own warrior class. Aleki really intrigued me throughout the novel because he is wise and he stands up for what he believes in, even if that belief has come from a life of conditioning.

If a man’s mortal body is destined to die, then the only way to guarantee immortality is by either saying something profound or doing something extraordinary. And so enters, Alcibiades. For those who know their Greek history, his name will be one that is instantly recognisable. Statesman, orator, general, spy and lover—Alcibiades achieved what he set out to achieve. His name is remembered, but not always for the right reasons. His ability to make enemies is as legendary as his skill as a military strategist. Here is a man who was forced to flee from Athens, and for some reason decided Sparta would be a great place to seek asylum. And fools that they were, the Spartans allowed him to stay. So it must have come as somewhat of a surprise when Alcibiades turned his back on those who had warily welcomed him into their fold and fought once more for the country of his birth. But even his cautious welcome from his Athenian brothers did not last for long! Alcibiades was a man who sought acclaim—he wanted fame, glory, and riches. Whatever your thoughts on Alcibiades might be, I thought Berry’s portrayal was remarkably realistic and as historically accurate as it could be in the telling. And at the end of the day, Alcibiades did achieve what he set out to—his name and his deeds are forever immortalised.

Unlike many books set in the Ancient World, Berry has presented his readers with two very strong female characters. Lissy, a former helot, has made a life for herself in Athens, but the war puts everything and everyone she loves at risk. Seeing things through the eyes of an ordinary citizen helps the reader to understand the broader implications of this war and what it meant for them. I thought Lissy’s depiction was fabulous. The other heroine in this novel is Timandra, and it is through her depiction that we come to see Alcibiades for who he really was. Thus, the conclusion of these women to this story means the reader has an all-encompassing view of the era and the war.

Although this book does stand firmly on its own two feet, I would suggest starting with Book 1, so you can get an overview of the Peloponnesian War from beginning to end.

Fire and Ash: Gifts of the Gods, Book 3 by Thomas J Berry is immensely readable. You do not have to know anything about the Peloponnesian War to enjoy it, for everything is explained and explored in explicit detail. The Gifts of the Gods is a fabulous trilogy in which you can travel to another time and another place, all from the comfort of your favourite comfy chair!

I Highly Recommend.


Pick up your copy of

Fire and Ash

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Thomas J. Berry


Thomas Berry received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from St. Bonaventure University. He takes pleasure in extensively researching both historical fiction and non-fiction stories. In his spare time, he enjoys long distance running and has completed several marathons. He currently lives with his wife and children in New Jersey. You can learn more about Thomas and his historical novels at his website, www.thomas-berry.com.

Twitter • Instagram • Goodreads


 

Wednesday 11 November 2020

Book Review: The Last Blast of the Trumpet (Book 3 of the Knox Trilogy) by Marie Macpherson

 

The Last Blast of the Trumpet

(Book 3 of the Knox Trilogy) 

By Marie Macpherson





Publisher: Penmore Press

Series: The Knox Trilogy

Print Length: 409 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction / Biographical Fiction


Conflict, Chaos and Corruption in Reformation Scotland. 


He wants to reform Scotland, but his enemies will stop at nothing to prevent him. 


Scotland 1559: Fiery reformer John Knox returns to a Scotland on the brink of civil war. Victorious, he feels confident of his place leading the reform until the charismatic young widow, Mary Queen of Scots returns to claim her throne. She challenges his position and initiates a ferocious battle of wills as they strive to win the hearts and minds of the Scots. But the treachery and jealousy that surrounds them both as they make critical choices in their public and private lives has dangerous consequences that neither of them can imagine.


In this final instalment of the trilogy of the fiery reformer John Knox, Macpherson tells the story of a man and a queen at one of the most critical phases of Scottish history.





‘Now’s the time to break from the fetters of Rome, brother. Scotland is on the brink of civil strife. We’re in dire need of a skipper to take the helm…’


Joshua may have only needed a trumpet to bring down the walls of Jericho, but Scotland was no Jericho and John Knox was no Joshua. Knox does have the one thing that Joshua did not though, he has a pulpit. It is here, in the church, before his congregation that Knox will draw the battle lines. He will fire up his congregation until the very demons of Hell will fear to stand against them, to stand against him. Nothing will stop his dream from coming to fruition, and no one will get in his way—not even a young and charismatic queen. 


With the tragic death of Francis II, Mary, the former Queen of France, has no choice but to return home. But the kingdom of her birth is a land in crisis. Mary must be careful, for her throne is surrounded by vultures desperate to profit from her ruination, and there are many who would rejoice if she were to fall from grace. None more so than Knox. Mary does not fear Knox, but she does fear the power of his ideas. Scotland needed stability now more than ever, and therefore she is willing to listen to Knox and to find a mutual agreement in which everyone gets a little of what they want.


Knox, however, will not bow down to a papist queen. There is no other way but his way, and it would be wise of Mary to remember that…


The Last Blast of the Trumpet (John Knox Trilogy Book 3) by Marie Macpherson is a Historical Fiction masterpiece.


Macpherson’s careful use of foreshadowing builds suspense throughout this novel, which imbues it with an atmosphere that can only be described as hauntingly beautiful. As Macpherson asks those who are long dead to breathe again, to experience the grandeur and the horrors once again, one cannot help but feel compassion for their plight. To be stabbed 57 times, or to be faced with a corrupted form of justice, and to be condemned for nothing more than the greed and vanity of the prosecutor gives the reader pause to think about how vastly different this time was to our own. This was a violent time in Scottish history, and this novel reflects this volatile age.


Knox is known as the founding father of Protestant Reformation in Scotland, but his story may not be quite what you expect it to be. While Knox waited for the death of the old regime in Scotland, he knowingly perpetuated this seemingly never-ending circle of violence. His God came with a sword. Macpherson has captured his fiery oratory as well as his determination to destroy anything that differed from his beliefs. In this story, as he did in life, Knox deplores the papist rules and teachings. He does nothing to hide his disgust at the grandeur of the Catholic Church. Neither does he have any sympathy for those who refuse to embrace his religion. His inability to compromise is greatly telling of how he saw the world. Anyone who dared to challenge him, such as the Regent, Mary of Guise, and then later her daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots, was deserving of a terrible fate. They deserved to die, which made him an exceedingly unlikeable character. At times he is the antagonist in this tale. His thoughts, his beliefs, make it incredibly difficult for a reader to sympathise with him. He is so blinkered that while he is chasing this ideal religion and this violent God, he fails to see the poverty all around him and when he is confronted with it, he is extremely blasé about these poor starving people, his people, his congregation. One could say that he is an extraordinarily bad shepherd—he lets his flock starve while he chases his corrupted dream of what God was and how one should praise him. 


Macpherson has given her readers a realistic, very rounded, characterisation of Knox. When he is not in the pulpit, when he is not arguing theology with people whom he considered inferior because of their beliefs, he is very much a family man. He is a father who adores his children and his wife. I thought the domestic Knox was a much easier man to like than the religious fanatic who seemingly thrived on fire and brimstone. Macpherson shows her readers a gentler side to him, a compassionate side when surrounded by his family. I thought this two-sided Knox worked incredibly well and made him particularly real in the telling.


There are a lot of characters in this story, and there are several points of view, which I thought gives this book a remarkably balanced account of this time in Scottish history. This is not a one-sided account, for this novel encompasses both sides of the argument. The reader bears witness to the dangerous and exceedingly volatile court of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary is a historical person who has always attracted my sympathies simply because of how terribly she was treated. In this novel, the young and newly widowed Mary is quite literally thrown to the wolves. Her inexperience and her desperate desire to appease the like of Knox, and her desperate attempt to seek a compromise makes her all the more admirable. Her story is told through the eyes of Isabelle Hepburn. Isabelle is a wonderful, brave heroine who witnesses the most terrible injustices and of course the devastating damage that men such as Knox were causing. I thought Isabelle’s depiction was fabulous. Through her eyes, we witness it all. 


The historical detailing of this story is staggering. The hours and hours that Macpherson has dedicated to research shines through in the thoroughly enthralling narrative. The historical backdrop of this story is magnificent, there was no doubt in my mind while I read this book as to which century I was in. When Historical Fiction is written like this, then there is no such thing as too much. Macpherson has brought 16th century Scotland back to life.


Although this is book 3 of a trilogy, it stands firmly on its own two feet. I have not read the previous two books, but at no time did I feel that I was adrift. The Last Blast of the Trumpet (John Knox Trilogy Book 3) by Marie Macpherson was a book that I could not wait to get back to. It is utterly enthralling from start to finish, and it is one that is certainly deserving of a place on your bookshelf.


I Highly Recommend.





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The Last Blast of the Trumpet

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Marie Macpherson





Scottish writer Marie Macpherson grew up in Musselburgh on the site of the Battle of Pinkie and within sight of Fa’side Castle where tales and legends haunted her imagination. She left the Honest Toun to study Russian at Strathclyde University and spent a year in the former Soviet Union to research her PhD thesis on the 19th century Russian writer Mikhail Lermontov, said to be descended from the Scottish poet and seer, Thomas the Rhymer. Though travelled widely, teaching languages and literature from Madrid to Moscow, she has never lost her enthusiasm for the rich history and culture of her native Scotland.

Writing historical fiction combines her academic’s love of research with a passion for storytelling. Exploring the personal relationships and often hidden motivations of historical characters drives her curiosity.

The Knox Trilogy is a fictional biography of the fiery reformer, John Knox, set during the 16th century Scottish Reformation. Prizes and awards include the Martha Hamilton Prize for Creative Writing from Edinburgh University and Writer of the Year 2011 awarded by Tyne & Esk Writers. She is a member of the Historical Writers’ Association (HWA), the Historical Novel Society (HNS) and the Society of Authors (SoA).

Connect with Marie:
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Have a sneak-peek between the covers of Exsilium by Alison Morton

Exsilium By Alison Morton Publication Date: 27th February 2024 Publisher: Pulcheria Press Page Length: 364 Pages Genre: Historical Fiction E...