This rollicking read is set mainly in Jamestown back in 1607 in what subsequently became part of the United States of America. It is no surprise that the native population of the land at that time do not welcome the new, invading, settlers with open arms.
The start of the book is a graphic, violent, dramatic and atmospheric scene setter and highlights the inevitable dark echoes of future confrontations between the natives and the settlers.
Not everyone wishes Jamestown to be a success. King James I is not enamoured with the new settlement that bears his name and his spy master Robert Cecil is heavily involved in the machinations designed to bring the embryonic settlement to a permanent premature end.
There are forces at work inside and outside the Jamestown settlement working together and independently to bring about the end of the establishment.
There have been a number of characters going by the surname of Hardy over the years; Thomas Hardy (famous author), Tom Hardy (enigmatic actor) and Dan Hardy (a pioneering mixed marital artist) to name but three. This story has another wonderful Hardy – Christian Hardy. Christian Hardy is a spy who is in the employ of Prince Henry. Christian is a marvellous character who is charismatic, pragmatic, knowledgeable, a lethal assassin (who Racks up quite a body count in this book) and all round enjoyable fictional character. Christian Hardy has appeared in other Jackson books (Blood Rock, Realm and Treason).
There are a number of rivals in this book including England against Spain, the natives against the settlers, King James I against his own son Prince Henry and Christian Hardy against his arch nemesis Realm. Throughout the story there is a crescendo to the showdown between Christian Hardy and Realm that is worth the wait.
James Jackson is no stranger to his fans and this addition to his cannon will, no doubt, add to his audience. In the style of other modern historical fiction behemoths (Simon Scarrow, Wilbur Smith and Bernard Cornwell) Jackson brings the era to life without unnecessary embellishments.
The 17th Century is a gold mine to be harvested with numerous hugely historic events for the English. Fans of historical stories that rattle along at a decent pace will not be disappointed with this novel.
The start of the book is a graphic, violent, dramatic and atmospheric scene setter and highlights the inevitable dark echoes of future confrontations between the natives and the settlers.
Not everyone wishes Jamestown to be a success. King James I is not enamoured with the new settlement that bears his name and his spy master Robert Cecil is heavily involved in the machinations designed to bring the embryonic settlement to a permanent premature end.
There are forces at work inside and outside the Jamestown settlement working together and independently to bring about the end of the establishment.
There have been a number of characters going by the surname of Hardy over the years; Thomas Hardy (famous author), Tom Hardy (enigmatic actor) and Dan Hardy (a pioneering mixed marital artist) to name but three. This story has another wonderful Hardy – Christian Hardy. Christian Hardy is a spy who is in the employ of Prince Henry. Christian is a marvellous character who is charismatic, pragmatic, knowledgeable, a lethal assassin (who Racks up quite a body count in this book) and all round enjoyable fictional character. Christian Hardy has appeared in other Jackson books (Blood Rock, Realm and Treason).
There are a number of rivals in this book including England against Spain, the natives against the settlers, King James I against his own son Prince Henry and Christian Hardy against his arch nemesis Realm. Throughout the story there is a crescendo to the showdown between Christian Hardy and Realm that is worth the wait.
James Jackson is no stranger to his fans and this addition to his cannon will, no doubt, add to his audience. In the style of other modern historical fiction behemoths (Simon Scarrow, Wilbur Smith and Bernard Cornwell) Jackson brings the era to life without unnecessary embellishments.
The 17th Century is a gold mine to be harvested with numerous hugely historic events for the English. Fans of historical stories that rattle along at a decent pace will not be disappointed with this novel.