I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book, as battle descriptions aren't usually something I love. But I've read his Warlord series and loved it, so I was cautiously optimistic. I did really enjoy it. I think the good characters and the mystery around Thomas' family background helped a lot and that battle descriptions didn't dominate to storytelling until later on in the book and I didn't mind them at all once I got there. I liked that Thomas wasn't a flat character. He's got the "I'm not like other men/archers" vibe a lot, but also times, like after battles he's very typical. He also has some personal reflection after seeing how destroyed Jeanette was after her rape and wondered how many women he and his fellow archers had left in this state. I found the relationship between Thomas and Jeanette more natural/less forced than that of Thomas and Eleanor. How in love, not lust, could he really be with a 15 year old? I can believe them together as a couple due to circumstances but not really "in love" that fast. It feels like that should have been more of a slow burn. I can't wait to read the next book though. Starting right after I finished this review. ( )

Historical Fiction

Cornwell has a bit of a formula, and you recognize bits from Sharpe and Last kingdom, and one-offs like Azincourt. Which isn't to say it's bad, it's a very good formula. But this book feels less inspired than his others and is very clearly just part one of a trilogy rather than a self contained story in a larger series. ( )

A good read. Great detail about living in the Middle Ages and fighting a war. ( )

Arqueros del rey (que pertenece al nuevo ciclo La búsqueda del Grial) se encuentra a medio camino entre la saga de Sharpe y la del Señor de la guerra. Por una parte, supone el regreso del Cornwell menos complaciente y más socarrón: su héroe, un arquero inglés, se pasa tres cuartos del libro eludiendo sus deberes para con la Iglesia y sus promesas a una dama de buen ver, y sólo al final, y más debido a la casualidad de encontrarse con su archienemigo en la batalla de Crécy (1346) que por sus ansias justicieras, cumple en parte su misión. No da cuartel al rival, tiende emboscadas traicioneras, se salta a la torera las reglas de la guerra (si es que en la Guerra de los Cien Años había alguna...) y sólo muestra un poco de humanidad cuando se encuentra entre camaradas o acompañado de su última conquista sentimental. No es un pícaro, no hay demasiado humor en Thomas de Hookton, sino un superviviente desesperado que dice sentirse movido por la venganza (su aldea fue arrasada por un pariente al que no conocía), pero al que motiva más ver un nuevo amanecer.