The Blood of The Fifth Knight by E.M. Powell

A triumphant sequel to Powell’s acclaimed historical thriller The Fifth Knight. A desperate king trusts a lone knight to unravel a web of murder.

England, 1176. King Henry II has imprisoned his rebellious Queen for her failed attempt to overthrow him. But with her conspirators still at large and a failed assassination attempt on his beautiful mistress, Rosamund Clifford, the King must take action to preserve his reign.

Desperate, Henry turns to the only man he trusts: a man whose skills have saved him once before. Sir Benedict Palmer answers the call, mistakenly believing that his family will remain safe while he attends to his King.

As Palmer races to secure his King’s throne, neither man senses the hand of a brilliant schemer, a mystery figure loyal to Henry’s traitorous Queen who will stop at nothing to see the King defeated.

The Blood of the Fifth Knight is an intricate medieval murder mystery and worthy sequel to E.M. Powell’s acclaimed historical thriller The Fifth Knight.

I haven’t read the first book and while this works as stand-alone, I wish I had read the previous book. I think there’s lot more to Benedict and Theodosia’s tale than we learn here.

While Henry’s relationship with Rosamund isn’t new to me it was still interesting to read. For me Rosamund’s portrayal was nice change from what I’ve usually read about her. Which is logical considering that Henry was quite older than she… Geoffrey was also very interesting because most times he’s very minor character and I liked reading more about him.

I liked the relationship between Benedict and Theodosia; they’re very loyal and committed to each other. I really wish I had read the first book because I’m curious to know how they met.

I’m very bad with mysteries but I did not see who the villain was. I was so sure I knew who it was but I was totally wrong!

I loved this book and I have to read the first book soon!

4,5/5

Published: Thomas & Mercer (2015)
Format: ebook
Pages: 368
Source: Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours

You can check the tour schedule here

About the author

E.M. Powell is the author of medieval thriller THE FIFTH KNIGHT which was a #1 Amazon Bestseller. Born and raised in the Republic of Ireland into the family of Michael Collins (the legendary revolutionary and founder of the Irish Free State) she now lives in the north west of England with her husband and daughter and a Facebook-friendly dog. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society, International Thriller Writers and Romance Writers of America. She is a reviewer of fiction and non-fiction for the HNS. Find out more by visiting www.empowell.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Gentlemen of Pitchfork by Kamil Gruca

The year is 1415. France is weakened by the recently ended Civil War between the factions of Burgundians and Armagnacs. The young and belligerent King Henry V Lancaster decides to pay the French a neighbourly visit. With him – the flower of the English knighthood.

Among them – Sir Arthur, the Baron of Pitchfork, an ideal of all chivalric virtues – his uncle, Sir Ralph, a veteran soldier with a taste for women and bitter humour – and his cousin, Sir Robert, a young and romantic would-be scholar who will have his first taste of war, sieges, duels, betrayal and intrigue but also love and practical philosophy.

Together they ride as secret envoys of their King to meet Burgundian emissaries. But the Armagnacs’ spies keep their eyes open for any sign of treason on the part of their political opponents and three powerful French armies are gathering to cross King Henry’s way.

This was quite quick and short read. I haven’t read many books set during the reign of Henry V but it was nice to read about the war from the point of view some other than Henry.

My problem with the book was that there were too many POV’s which made it very confusing. Half the time I was wondering how these people connect or will they connect at some point. There was nothing wrong with the chapters itself but I don’t think all were necessary.

And I have to say that I hate endings where you don’t know what happens to the characters. You see people falling in love and you have no idea if they end up together. How frustrating!

All that said it was enjoyable read and it gives realistic image about medieval war.

3/5

Published: Kamil Gruca (2014)
Format: eBook
Source: Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours

 You can check the tour schedule here

About the author

Kamil Gruca is a Polish writer born in 1982 in Warsaw. He is a graduate of the Faculty of Philosophy at the Warsaw University.

Kamil is also an active knight who confirmed his battle prowess by winning the Polish National Knights League in 2006 under the alias of Sir Robert Neville. He has studied medieval swordsmanship for over 15 years hence his novels are full of dynamic and realistic swordplay.

Being an avid re-enactor and a passionate history geek Kamil moved to France for two years to study documents unavailable in other countries that would add to the feel and realism of the book on multiple levels.

His first novel “Panowie z Pitchfork” was published in 2009 by a major publishing house Rebis. Receiving a warm welcome from Polish critics, readers and fellow writers, the first part of the adventures of the young and keen Sir Robert was soon followed by a sequel “Baron i Łotr”, published by another publishing house Znak, bringing closure to the major plot.

Currently Kamil lives in Warsaw with his family and is working on another series of historical novels focused around one of Poland’s most famous knights – Zawisza Czarny – and his not so famous yet equally interesting brothers.

For more information about the book please visit http://gentlemenofpitchfork.blogspot.com or http://facebook.com/gentlemenofpitchfork. You can contact Kamil at Gruca.Kamil@gmail.com.

If you want to learn more about how Kamil trains medieval swordsmanship please visit HAM-Historyczna-Akademia-Miecza on Facebook (Site in Polish), as well as http://draby.pl (Site in Polish).