Good start to an historical novel

I love how this book begins with the maps and a detailed list of characters - this really sets the scene nicely. It is also very useful to refer to as the reader is thrown straight into the story. It looks as if this will be a dual narrative novel which I like as it means that you get to experience the events of the novel through different character perspectives. There is a lot going on even in the first chapter so this will be a very plot driven story.