REVIEWS

Our pick of the newest military history titles waiting for you on the shelves

HIGH KING OF BRITAINher: Lion Hudson Price: 7.99 Released: Out now
ARDSHIPS, FIERCE SLAUGHTERS AND THE DOWNFALL OF KINSMEN
but fiction novel by Edoardo Albert focuses on an often
n figure from Anglo-Saxon history and someone who is
some exposure, king Edwin.
ovel comes under the banner historical fiction and for
events and physical objects this is certainly true. The
e and character motivations are mostly inventions of the
but not because he is flaunting historical fact, but rather that
t actually have the sources to flesh out the personalities of
ures. Alberts firm grasp of the Anglo-Saxon period put him
stead to envision these for us.
battle scenes ignore the flash and heroic might usually seen
ical or fantasy novels and bring the violence down to earth,
ntemporary tactics and believable army sizes taking the
tage.
unfamiliar with Anglo-Saxon culture will no doubt spend the
tion of the book flicking to the front, where the author has
provided a pronunciation guide and a small glossary to help
p on any unknown phrases or words.
book is faithful to the rather Darwinian nature of kingship
eriod so the main characters can sometimes come across
mpathetic, acting no different to their enemies on some
ns.
ort, the book offers an insight into an often forgotten period
h history and is able to transport the reader back more than
and years with its authentic and enjoyable style.

MAIN CHARACTERS CAN SOMETIMES COME

SS AS UNSYMPATHETIC, ACTING NO DIFFERENT
EIR ENEMIES ON SOME OCCASIONS
e Northumbrian Thrones trilogy

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