Category Archives: Book Reviews

Wolf and the Crown: (Shadow of Rome Book 2)

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Today I’m reviewing Wolf and the Crown, book 2 in the Shadow of Rome series by Adam Lofthouse.

Here’s the blurb..

Wall of Hadrian. Britannia, 382 AD. War is creeping back into the land. As silent as snowfall, as inevitable as winter. They’ve had sixteen years of peace, but all things must end.

Tribune Sixtus Victorinus has grown old, complacent. Blind to the truth that stares him in the face, he contents himself with what he has. He runs errands for the Dux Britanniarum Flavius Maximus and watches with joy as his boys grow to become men.

It is his friend, Prefect Gaius Felicius, who first spots the signs. Once more, the Caledonian tribes are rearing their heads in the north, but the greatest danger does not lie with them.

For there is a new pretender to the throne of the West. Another man who seeks to drape himself in purple. Caught up in a scheme they cannot comprehend, Victorinus and Felicius must navigate their way through both a war in the depths of winter, and a treasonous plot that will shake the Roman Empire to its core.

A new age dawns on the men of Britannia. For Victorinus, he must fight for the right to see the sun rise over it. 

Review

As a fan of the author I’m of course going to tell you to read all his other books if you can, especially Eagle and the Flame, but truthfully the plot is so wonderfully written you don’t need to, all the detail is right there. If you haven’t read the 1st book I can guarantee after reading this you’ll want to that’s for sure!

I’m not going to say I’m an expert but I love this period of time.. Maximus, Theodosius and Gratian.. well known names, but what Lofthouse manages to bring to the genre is some fresh energy and oomph!

We follow Tribune Sixtus Victorinus and Felicius as they serve the empire to the best of their ability.. but little do they know what’s coming for them. They once saved the empire from the biggest threat possible… and they are going to have to do it again!

War is coming and there’s plenty of battles for the gore fans, and I really liked the details added to formations of the horse units for example to help the reader really understand their importance in battle, .. it’s like a chess game and a bad strategy can cause you a defeat.. but at the same time.. don’t take things for granted.. the enemy might just be playing games with you..

Both characters are thrown into the thick of danger at every turn of the page..it’s just a full on adrenaline rush of the tale.. each forced to fight to stay alive.. but who are the enemies really? If you know the period you’ll have a good idea, the political landscape at the time was complicated to say the least and the men of the time only wanted one thing… power!

If anything I feel Adam Lofthouse just keeps getting better and better with his plot and the subtle details that make the characters come alive. I particularly liked that the author showed how tough being in the army could be on the soldiers’ feet! I doubt many of us today could march like the roman legions!

What really shines through is the relationships between the men.. forged in the heat of battle…theirs friendship, family, love.. it’s so beautifully lovely and brutal at the same time..then throw in those twists! Christ.. my heart could barely take it! if the author makes me worry about Amor in the next book as much as in this one I think I’ll be writing a strongly worded letter for sure ha ha.

I’m going to be perfectly honest and say I reckon the author needs to give the character Drost his own series now! Oh how I loved that man and his humour! He’s got so much going for him and I really could see his own tale working.

The setup for the next book in the series couldn’t have been better.. what Lofthouse does is leaves you with the taste for more..that’s not any easy thing to do.. sometimes endings can leave things flat… oh hell no.. not this story…I really do need more.

Lofthouse is my pick for 2026 as one to watch!!

There’s only thing to say about this book.. SNAILS! Who knew.. well done to the author for another cracking read..5/5 Stars

To find out more head to Goodreads or click here to view online retailers 🙂

Morph: Demise of Knacc by Tim Ferguson

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Today I’m reviewing Morph: Demise of Knacc by Tim Ferguson!

Here’s the blurb

Dan Fletcher was never meant to exist. Now someone wants him dead.

Enhanced at birth without his knowledge, Dan is one of the MorphEns—a covert generation of genetically engineered humans, designed to be faster, stronger, and smarter than everyone else. He’s spent thirty years believing he’s normal. That illusion ends in a brutal ambush in the French Alps.

Hunted across Europe, Dan is forced on the run with his brother and sister as the Apfel—a ruthless organisation with unlimited reach—closes in. Assassins strike without warning. Safe houses burn. And the people chasing him know exactly what he is.

As MI6 fights to keep him alive, the CIA and FSB wage a silent war to seize control of the programme that created him. Trapped between rival agencies, betrayed at every turn, and pursued by enemies who never miss, Dan must rely on instinct, courage, and the few people he can still trust to survive.

No one can be trusted. Nowhere is safe.
And when evolution makes you a weapon, how do you outrun the people who built you?

Review

The book starts strong with an interesting premise.. the government is hiding a secret.. they have been testing on some of their own..it doesn’t actually have a negative effect on them.. The secret is they have enhanced their children at birth without their knowledge..

Think super humans.. the elite.. the fastest.. strongest.. smartest…

Great right? Wrong..

Someone is now targeting these individuals..and within the first few chapters we see how organised the operation is and a number of these promising kids are cut down in their prime.

But why? It’s all a bit vague.. those hunting them fast and clean.. little to decipher.. that’s what hooks you in..

We soon meet Dan Fletcher.. like the others already targeted he doesn’t know there’s anything different about him.. his life is shattered into a million pieces one day when he’s attacked on the French Alps.

His choices are few.. he doesn’t even know what’s happening so is the safest thing to do run?

You’d think.. but those after him have a lot of resources.. and quickly we see it’s just just his life in the balance..Oh did I forget to mention.. collateral damage is fine to these guys..as long as it’s clean with no witnesses a few extra bodies doesn’t matter.

When it’s clear to Dan his family can’t escape this either the tense nature of the story really kicks in..he doesn’t know who to trust but he has to trust someone.. how else can he get out of this mess?

What makes the story pop is while Dan is trying to figure things out so is the reader, who can be trusted.. is there anyone? Is Dan a threat or an asset? Could he be dangerous or are they overreacting.. it’s all a bit muddy.. but that puts you right there.. confused trying to unscramble the picture.. the motives.. imagine what Dan must be thinking..

The author teases..then the truth becomes more clear.. there’s more to it than simply killing all the MorphEns..evolution and fear…will Dan ever be able to truly escape? Fear is not something easily conquered so will these shadowy killers keep coming?

Overall it’s a cracking read with loads of development both plot and character. For me it was the fear I found most compelling.. fear of death.. fear of something different..fear of lack of control..something that can be mirrored in everyday life.

Morph: Demise of Knacc isn’t a slow burner by any means but it’s got a lot of characters and depth so take your time.. get fully into the world Tim Ferguson has imagined and I promise you’ll enjoy!

4/5 Stars

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

A Winter’s Tail by Frank Westworth

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Today I’m reviewing A Winter’s Tail from Frank Westworth, a Killing Sisters Story.

Here’s the burb

Chastity Weise once killed people for a living. Some of those kills were government sanctioned. Other men were murdered to balance the scales of justice. Sometimes, her kills were a last act of charity. Back then, Chastity seduced, corrupted and overwhelmed her targets.
These days, she’s trying to keep the body count under control and earn a semi-honest living in the personal security business. But while she watches from the shadows, a murderous mystery unfolds and a trap is sprung. The ghosts of her past might be Chastity’s only hope for survival…

A slow-burn blend of hardboiled banter and knife-edge jeopardy. Recommended for readers who enjoy books by Mick Herron, Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich.

A Winter’s Tail is a self-contained novella which features characters from the Killing Sisters crime-thriller novels and the JJ Stoner short stories. It follows The Redemption Of Charm and picks up a couple of years after the events which took place in the Killing Sisters trilogy. With an agile imagination, A Winter’s Tail can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story without reading the other books. Live dangerously!

Review.

It feels like it’s been a while since we’ve had a new story from Frank Westworth but he’s back with a corker of a tale!

Chastity is trying to make a career out of her god given talents.. she kills people.. and she’s bloody good at it… Chastity likes to right wrongs.. punish those who think they are untouchable..

Now don’t get me wrong, Chastity loves a good kill but her talents are more than just that, she’s clever, can easily track people down, gain evidence and such… and it’s one one such job when things go a little sideways…

Someone is shot…and Chastity becomes suspect number one.. but she didn’t do it.. who saw her there? things just seem off.

The trouble is Chastity is a bit of a lost soul now without her sisters and the brooding talents of JJ Stoner to aid her.. she’s on her own….or is she??

There’s a wonderful blast from the past coming to bring their holy guidance to Chastity..this is just what she needed.. someone to help her see the wood for the trees, to see what stinks with this whole mission..

It’s a great reintroduction to Chastity and in the typical style of Frank Westworth it’s not about the word count..his writing is short, sharp, abrasive and cutting.. it gets to the blunt point just like the characters portrayed.

What I really love about these short stories from the author is the words the story doesn’t say, the reader given the chance to imagine, to remember, but with enough depth and development that allows the tale to flow solidly.

I’m always left wanting more. If you want to read this as a standalone I’d say it’s a 4* as you’ll not fully understand the characters, the dark humour.. which for me is a big thing with these stories..for fans of the series though it’s an easy 5* addition.

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

The Game by Danny Dagan

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Today I’m reviewing The Game by Dann Dagan, here’s the blurb

Five heirs. One island. A deadly game. A group of billionaires face the ultimate reckoning in this twisty psychological thriller.
When the adult children of five billionaires are abducted by a shadowy group, their parents face an unthinkable ultimatum: pay the highest price or lose their loved ones forever. But as fortunes crumble and alliances fracture, secrets rise to the surface.
On a remote island prison, the hostages are pushed to their limits while the manipulative mastermind pulls the strings. Time is running out, and the stakes are higher than anyone could have imagined.
How far would you go to save your child? What is the price you’d be willing to pay?

Review

This book was recommended to me by my daughter after she heard about it on a school trip to Holy Island.. she thought it looked like something I’d like and damn she was spot on!

When five adult children are abducted, their well off families gather expecting a ransom demand.. the thing is the demands aren’t exactly the typical request.. these kidnappers want to play a game.. it’s now a competition to see which parents will do the most for their child..

Alex Czerniak is hired with their team to help locate the children but things are much more complex all too soon as each parent is pitted against the others.. win the competition and you’ll she your child again..loose and they will be gone forever.

We switch between perspectives as we see events through the hostages eyes too, where they are treated well enough on a isolated island but it’s all a bit of a phycological mind bashing where we explore their lives, and how they got here.. the relationships they have with each other and with their parents..

This is where the super clever twists are thrown in… I’m not sure anyone is 100% the person they claim to be.. everyone seems to have a secret you just don’t know the motives behind hiding the truth.. some are more devious than others..

I felt the kidnappers were probably the best part of the story.. the physiological torture they put everyone under..forcing their hands.. forcing them to give up everything for them to give to those more deserving..its not just money either.. it forces them to bare all.. confront the truth they hide from.. to find out who they really are.

The pace is steady and while the book changes perspectives it’s written in a easy flowing style meaning you are never lost, or bored.. I felt the changing perspectives is what makes it even more gripping as it builds the suspense.

Very enjoyable, will definitely see what the author comes up with next.

4/5 stars

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

Everyone in the Group Chat Dies – L.M. Chilton – Review

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Today I’m reviewing Everyone in the Group Chat Dies by L.M. Chilton

Here’s the blurb

Kirby Cornell needs a break from everything:
– Her crumbling flat in the sleepy town of Crowhurst (famous for its award-winning sausage rolls and a second-rate serial killer from the 90s).
– Her dead-end job.
– Her sleazy landlord.
– Her slobbish housemates.
– And, most of all, the terrible thing they did.

Luckily, that hasn’t caught up with her just yet. Until a new message on their old group chat pops up:

Everyone in the group chat will die.

It’s the first text her ex-flatmate and social-media sleuth Esme has sent for ages, but that’s not the really weird thing.

The really weird thing is, Esme died twelve months ago…

Review

After reading the authors previous novel, Don’t Swipe Right and loving it I just couldn’t wait to get stuck into this one!

Kirby Cornell and her friends live in a little town called Crowhurst, they share a flat, their lives, and a group chat.

The only thing exciting about Crowhusrt is that it’s famous for being the home of a serial killer!

One day there’s a knock at the door.. one of their roommates has given his key to a girl named Esme.. She’s there looking for a story.. she’s one of these internet sleuths.. and she thinks there’s more to the Crowhurst killer than first thought..

Esme is like a breath of fresh air for Kirby… Kirby is stuck in a rut and meeting Esme, and what happens next to Esme lights a fire under her..

We jump around the timeline from then, to present time.. a strange message is received the group chat that makes Kirby’s blood go cold.. it’s a message from Esme.. but Esme’s dead right?

Kirby heads back to Crowhurst to find out who is sending these messages.. one of the other flatmates must know something..

There’s hidden secrets.. truths that none of the flatmates want getting out but the reader is kept guessing while Kirby tries to figures things out.

I won’t spoil the twists but there’s a few.. they are clever.. and the truth about the Crowhurst killer, now that was smart from the author.. kept me intrigued right up till the last page!

The story is very clever in that it explores something that is much more common nowadays.. internet sleuths.. the decline in the standard news outlets in favour of social networks and how we get our information these days.. it makes you think about how we digest news and how easy it can be to be manipulated.

There’s not much time to develop the characters… read the book you’ll soon see why ha but the information given is spot on.. little titbits thrown in there to make the story pop and to tie things together.

The plot is where this one shines. It moves at a decent pace and keeps you on edge not knowing what will happen next, or truly who is behind everything.

Flow wise the story was perfect for my kind of reading. It’s effortless to devour this one but has natural points where you can put it down (when you have to, not because you want to ha) and come back later… but that’s the thing.. this one kept me coming back for more,

Overall a smart offering from the author and I’m so glad to see a new book is planned for next year. So far the author has shown me they can write clever stories of a serious nature but in a fun and gripping way.

Easy 5* nothing I’d change with this one… just a bloody good read!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon… let me know what you think of the book!

Chasseur à Cheval by Griff Hosker  (Napoleonic Horseman Book 1) – Audio Review

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Today I’m reviewing the audiobook Chasseur à Cheval by Griff Hosker the first book in the Napoleonic Horseman series!

Here’s the blurb

From rejection to revolution; the cavalry calls.

Robbie Macgregor is the bastard son of a French Aristocrat and a Scottish servant. Unwanted by his father and finding himself without wealth and power, he is still despised by the masses. Forced to join the French army to avoid the guillotine, his new career gives him chance to be reborn. As a Chasseur à Cheval and through action and heroism, Robbie is involved with the capture of the Dutch Fleet on the Texel and the conquest of Malta, catching the eye of a young French General, Napoleon Bonaparte, who is quickly rising to power.

“I was born Robbie Macgregor. To many people, I am a traitor. To the French people I grew up with, I certainly was. To the English I fought for, I probably was and to my Scottish relatives? I suppose it depends to whom you spoke. I take no blame for any of this; it was all an accident of birth and death.”

Fast moving and action-packed, Chasseur à Cheval follows the early days of the French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise to power and campaign through Italy, through the eyes of a young cavalryman.

Review

Robbie Macgregor doesn’t have the best start in life.. he’s the illegitimate son of a French aristocrat and a Scottish servant and as such never really feels he has a place in life..that is until revolution hits..

Forced to flee to save his own neck he enlists in the French army.. a new name.. a new persona..

The young lad needs to learn fast but quickly finds his place, solidifies friendships and becomes quite an accomplished solider.. so much so he gains the eye of the famous Napoleon Bonaparte!

Robbie and his comrades are sent on mission after mission.. they get the job done and Bonaparte needs men he can trust..

While the action heats up Robbie sees the brutality of war.. how fleeting life can be.. and all this does, is to remind him, to push him to find out the truth about what happened to his own family…there’s a truth that when exposed ignites the fire in Robbie.. I won’t spoil it but lets just say he won’t rest until things dealt with.. but he’s an army man now.. he can’t just waltz off.

Overall I really enjoyed this one, I listened to the audio version because I really enjoy seeing how the narrators add passion and gravitas to an authors words.. not to mention pronunciations which I’m terrible for in my own head ha ha.

Simon Aitchison the narrator was great and really made the words pop… I commute to/from work and I’m easily distracted, but the combination of Griff’s words and Simon’s tone kept me hooked and made my early morning walk something to look forward too!

If you love slow burners this isn’t for you.. it’s super fast paced but in a logical fashion.. nothing seems out of place and the pace just matched the pressure of war..there’s no time to rest.

Character wise there’s some decent development which isn’t easy given the pace of the plot, but what the development does is nicely setup scenes, interactions, which made those characters come to life a bit more, gave them some depth which again isn’t easy when there’s so much action.

The book itself is just under 10.5 hours which I felt was pretty good, nothing drawn out but nothing skimmed over either.. it was perfect when you’ve just got an hour or two to spare,, you’ll have it demolished in no time and will be left wanting more.

Credit where credits due, I don’t tend to listen many audiobooks but this one had me hooked from the start.

5/5 Stars

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon, or any other local or online retailer!

Swords in the Snow by Matthew Harffy & Steven A. McKay – Review

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Today I’m reviewing Swords in the Snow: (The Forest Lord) by Matthew Harffy & Steven A. McKay.

Here’s the blurb

A stolen relic. A dying child. A desperate chase.

December, c. AD 1330.

When thieves snatch a priceless holy relic from a Pontefract church, Friar Tuck and the bailiff, John Little, set out through snowbound Yorkshire to recover it. The relic is the only hope for a gravely ill girl—but the hunt soon turns bloody.

From frozen dales to the mud-slick streets of York, John and Tuck pursue ruthless crime lord William Wake and his brutal enforcers: the battle-hardened Henry Tanner and the murderous giant Grimbald de Pendok.

When they finally face each other with swords in the snow, will Little John and Friar Tuck find they have met their match at last, or will there be a Christmas miracle?

Review

The book starts strong with a brutal attack on a priest and the church robbed!

It just so happens that John and Tuck are in the area and with their sense of justice they can’t just stand by and let those involved get away unpunished.

While a gritty start I loved that the humour I love in this series wasn’t far away.. John had me smiling ear to ear with his comment “Oh, not this again” ha.. it’s not uncommon for these two to be involved in some antics running around the countryside so I really enjoyed the characters acknowledging their own bad luck… or is it just their calling in life?

The men they are hunting stole a priceless item.. a one that has the power to heal.. faith plays a very big part in the lives of the villagers and others further afield so it’s vital the relic is brought back to where it belongs.

The need to help people is really what spurs the men on to find the relic..

The story feels very familiar.. I’m at home with Steven’s writing.. but there’s a interesting twist added with Matthew Harffy being involved.. I feel the authors have similar styles but Harffy is a bit grittier..raw in detail.. mix that with McKay’s storytelling and character development and you’ve got a winner.

What I really enjoyed is that I couldn’t tell who wrote what really.. seamless.. the only thing I could put my finger on was it felt darker.. more life or death on edge of the seat… and knowing what Harffy is like with his characters it kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what might befall Tuck and John along the way. It’s tense in it’s build up and you really do wonder if Tuck and John can come out of this one on top.

I’m not going to spoil the plot but what I love about the novellas McKay has written over the recent years is there’s a common theme.. an undercurrent of mystery and miracles.. with the reader left to make the final choice.. divine intervention.. or just lucky.. who knows.. but it’s this what makes the stories so fun to read.. you never know what direction the tale will take.

One thing that worked super well was the characters themselves… John and Tuck are well developed already but I loved Grimbald de Pendok the most probably.. he’s there for one job really and does it well.. I wouldn’t want to meet him on a dark night that’s for sure.

In typical style our hero’s get themselves into some scrapes and you get to see the comradery they have with each other.. they would die for each other but they also annoy the hell out of each other ha..like an old married couple.

Henry Tanner was a fun character too and after reading the authors note I wasn’t surprised to know Harffy’s role in Henry’s development.. I wish I could have more on Tanner.. he’s got darkness within him but he’s very bloody likeable! I really loved this book wasn’t all about Tuck and John.. these new characters share the limelight superbly.

For those familiar with the series you’ll not be disappointed.. it’s basically a Christmas tradition now to have a book from McKay, low light, beer in hand.. an adventure you’ll not forget… and Harffy has now joined the fray just adds an extra punch to the tale!

Did I enjoy the authors working together? Definitely.. would I buy more books if they come out with it? most certainly.. I’m not certain anything would ever be planned but could totally see them writing something new, fresh, unfamiliar.. oh that would be something!!

5/5 Stars!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon

Blog Tour – Woden’s Storm by Donovan Cook

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Today is publication day for Woden’s Storm by Donovan Cook!

Let’s celebrate by kicking off the blog tour!!

Here’s the blurb

A storm is coming.
A storm that will banish the old and deliver the new.

450AD Britain

Octa has the spear of Woden, but the redemption he sought is out of his grasp. With his banishment and the death of his father, he can no longer return to his Saxon homelands. His only salvation is to join forces with Hengist and Horsa, and their Jutish army that beaches itself on Brittania’s shores. But can he trust their motivation or are there greater plans afoot?

The Gods have their own plans, though, and Octa’s fate is not his own to control as Friga, the mother of the Saxon gods, battles to avoid a war with the gods of the Britons and Saxons using Octa as her weapon.

Prince Vortimer, the son of High King Vortigern, is angered by his father’s agreement with Hengist and Horsa as they remain unchecked and their numbers swell. He suspects treachery and encouraged by some well-placed words of a stranger, he rebels against his father and gathers his army to attack the unwelcome visitors.

War is coming to Britannia and as Octa struggles to understand his role and fate, he knows he has one question to answer. Will he run or will he stand and fight?

Review

Woden’s Storm by Donovan Cook is book 2 in The First Kingdom series.. The first book really set the scene for a new and fresh series and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

Octa is burdened with the spear of Woden, and the weight of shame he’s brought upon his family.

He thought finding the spear who bring him redemption.. would set things right for his family.. but nothing is ever easy is it… the pain he feels around his family follows him like a shadow and is pivotal in his decision making.

In the last book we saw Octa bring shame upon himself and his family be fleeing during battle so I thunk it even shocks himself when Octa aligns himself with Hengist and Horsa and their Jutish army.

Hengist and Horsa are a fascinating pair who can’t be trusted.. you never quite know their true motivation.. even when things come to fruition you never know if that’s really it… or is their going to be some sort of twist.

Can Octa trust them? Does he have a choice?

This Jute army isnt exactly welcome Brittania.. there’s a power struggle.. they can’t remain unchecked allowed to do as they please can they?

I really loved the plot and the betrayal.. the deceptions at play.. who is really guiding Prince Vortimer to war and why?

I think the most fascinating part of this series is the supernatural edge.. the gods are real not just someone to be prayed too.. but the gods are tricky..and have their own internal battles to face..are their motivations going to end up align with Octa’s goal of redemption or will this add more fire to the flames already taking hold in the world?

I think the best way to describe Woden’s Storm is “Strengthening”. The author already laid the starting foundations but continues to weave a wonderful and exciting world.. there’s detail to allow you to imagine the land, the people and where they live but ultimately that plot shines through and Cook builds on the foundations set.

We see characters develop and have a chance to glimpse the the plot develop from different perspectives.. we see that supernatural end continue and how finding the spear will leave a trail of destruction no matter what..

Woden’s Storm has the excitement I need for the genre but for me the plot is just fun.. fresh.. fascinating…I guess it’s because you never really know what will happen next and the author has created such a standout story that really allows their imagination to shine.

Pace for me is always important and Woden’s Storm does exactly what I need, it’s paced well but balanced between perfectly, no forced development the flow just felt natural and effortless which is a credit to the author given the multifaceted world they’ve created.

Ticks all the boxes and some!

5/5 stars

My thanks go to the author, publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for having me on the tour!

Why not check out the rest of the stops on the tour?

Tempted yet?


Purchase Link – https://bit.ly/wodensstorm

Author Bio –

Donovan Cook is the author of the well-received Ormstunga Saga series which combines fast-paced narrative with meticulously researched history of the Viking world, and is inspired by his interest in Norse Mythology.  He was born in South Africa and currently lives in Lancashire, UK.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @DonovanCookAuthor

Twitter: @DonovanCook20

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/DonovanCookNews

Bookbub profile:@cookdonovanbooks

War Lord: Scourge of Rome by Adam Lofthouse.

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Today is release day for War Lord: Scourge of Rome by Adam Lofthouse!

I’m very privileged to be able to kick off the blog tour to celebrate the release!!

Here’s the blurb.

And so we have reached the end of my tale. But what are endings if not new beginnings?

Alaric has been home for a year. He went north and saved the Cimbri, just as he said he would. But the cost has been higher than he ever thought. A shadow of the War Lord he once was, he now trades in amber and dotes on his children.

A simple life. And with it, contentment. But he knew this couldn’t last forever; peace isn’t for someone like him, and sure enough trouble finds him once again. A routine journey south turns into a new and unknown wave of danger as red-cloaked legionaries attack, causing confusion and carnage.

Warriors dressed as Romans have been scouring the country, slaughtering innocent people, and leaving Roman footprints wherever they march. But things are not what they seem, and it falls to Alaric to don his armour once more, and march his Ravensworn in pursuit of a mysterious enemy that could destabilise his world beyond repair.

Review

Oh how I’ve been waiting for this one! We are back with Alaric!

Alaric and his Ravensworn were once the most feared enemy of Rome but after a crushing defeat things have changed.. forced to keep a low profile Alaric has mellowed a little I guess.

The old warlord we know and love is just under the surface though.. just waiting to be set free again.

While he may not command an army there are still those loyal to Alaric.. his name is still well known and when his men are attacked Alaric along with an old friend Balomar soon see signs that something is off.. the men who’ve attacked them appear to be from Rome…but not everything is at it seems.

Who would want to attack the tribes and why? It can only lead to rising tensions..and if not stopped soon war will follow.

Alaric sets off at first to see an old enemy.. someone who will have just as much to loose if war is to come but this comes with it’s own dangers. This leads to a conspiracy but little hint as to who is pulling the strings but the outcome is clear.. war is coming.

War Lord has a smart plot, we explore Alaric’s past and what made him the man he is.. the pain he suffered that turned into steel. We glimpse the effect all this stress and fighting has done to the man too.. there’s a venerability to him.. you adhere to his views and goals.. and we see his future.. while Alaric may only have one eye he sees pretty clearly what’s to come and he’s given his time to shine once again!

The writing flows well, pace is steady and gripping but it’s clever too..broken up nicely with detail, development and a pinch of Alaric’s dark humour.. I loved him remembering the men he’s lost along the way showing another side to him too.

I loved the battle scenes, again clever with the detail..twists and turns but I really loved that Lofthouse showed Alaric as both the man he is, older and less nimble.. but no less sharp.. along with his legend.. the effect his name.. his banner can have.

For fans of the author you’ll know this book has been a needed…. Alaric has to be my favourite character ever to date, the author has developed him like no other and I yearned for more.

Adam Lofthouse is one to watch, he’s established himself in the historical fiction genre as one of the best and he continues to write tales that grip the reader from the first page to the last!

5*

My thanks go to the author, publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for having me on the tour!

Why not check out the rest of the stops on the tour?

Tempted yet?

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/WarLord

Author Bio –

Adam has for many years held a passion for the ancient world. As a teenager he picked up Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden, and has been obsessed with all things Rome ever since. After ten years of immersing himself in stories of the Roman world, he decided to have a go at writing one for himself. He lives in Kent, UK.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @AdamPLofthouse

Twitter: @AdamPLofthouse

Instagram: @adamplofthouse

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AdamLofthouseNews

Bookbub profile:@AdamLofthouse

Return of the Wolf (The Forest Lord Book 5) by Steven A. McKay – Review

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Today I’m reviewing Return of the Wolf, book 5 in The Forest Lord series by Steven A. McKay!

Here’s the blurb.

England’s greatest ever hero is back, but for how long?

AD 1331 – Wakefield, England
It’s been five long years since Robin Hood’s heart-breaking funeral. Since then, his friends have moved on with their lives, having adventures of their own, and becoming respected figures in the local community. But, as Christmas bells rang out last December, to everyone’s shock, Robin returned home to Wakefield, alive and well.

He believes all his old enemies are dead and gone, and is looking forward to living a peaceful life with his wife and young children. Things rarely work out as we plan them though, and it’s not long before a deadly new threat raises its head.
The Coterel gang are notorious throughout England, committing all kinds of heinous crimes including extortion, prostitution, kidnapping, and even murder. They appear untouchable, with noblemen and even Members of Parliament amongst their members. When Robin and his friends attack a cruel extortionist in nearby Notton they find themselves on the wrong side of the Coterels, and it seems Robin will be forced to live either as an outlaw again, or be viciously hunted down like an animal.

Although his choices are limited, one – seemingly mad – option presents itself and, before long Robin takes sail for the first time ever, on the trail of the legendary lost treasure of King John.
With John Little, Will Scaflock, Friar Tuck, and two loyal Hospitallers in tow, Robin travels across Europe to Flanders, Aachen, and finally the mythical, legend-haunted mountain known as the Untersberg. Will he find England’s lost crown jewels there, or will he find only danger and death?

Review

I can’t believe it’s been 9 years since I read Blood of the Wolf and thought I was saying goodbye to Robin forever!

In that time the author has treated us to some wonderful mystery/supernatural tales involving some of Robin’s friends.. Tuck, John and Will.. oh how I’ve loved these novels keeping the memory of this wonderful series alive but at the same time giving the reader something new and exciting..

Imagine my joy to find out a new book was coming… I knew Robin wasn’t dead! Robin faked his death to give himself a chance at a real life.. a quiet life with his family…

Yeah that was never going to last…

Robin has returned to Wakefield and while most are glad to see him back Robin feels a little out of place.. its hard to remember his old life as an outlaw.. but some things never leave you..

When Robin helps John collect some money in his role as Bailiff he ends up getting himself in a bit of bother which serves to remind him.. he’s technically a Wolf’s Head again.. an outlaw.. no one who knows him would ever turn him in but he’s quickly got himself on the wrong side of the Coterel gang..the Coterel’s are very well connected and won’t think twice about slaying him where he stands.

Robin needs to keep a low profile but he’s also at a loss as to what to actually do with himself.. that’s when the old tale of the old King’s lost treasure comes in..it might be just a story but who knows.. it could be real and if so it could be his way to earn himself a pardon from the current King and secure himself from the Coterel’s reach.

With his old friends in tow Robin heads away from England to go on the farthest journey he’s ever made.. unfortunately they aren’t the only ones making the journey so Robin will need to watch his back…

To make matters worse as they follow the breadcrumbs in a land quite unknown to themselves they inadvertently show their intent and a local lord sends his own men out on a path to reach the treasure before Robin.

Can Robin and the others make it to the treasure first? Hang on.. does the treasure even exist? If it does will it be enough to win a pardon? Can they make it out of this mess alive?

What I really enjoyed was the tone and development of the plot. Robin has been away for a while and the author doesn’t shy away from that.. rather embraces it, allowing them to develop Robin afresh.. you see him grow and gain his confidence back.

I also really enjoyed the nostalgia, instantly taking me back to the very first time Robin become a wolf’s head.. it really made me miss the series.. especially some the characters like Alan-a-Dale.. I really think I’m going to need to revisit the series to relive everything again.

I loved that the author didn’t ignore the fact that everyone has aged too..they aren’t as young and fresh as they once were.. but still pack a punch when needed and those action scenes were bloody fantastic. The camaraderie too was super with some real moments of hilarity even in the face of danger.

Overall I loved this one. The author manages to mix mystery and the legend that is Robin Hood effortlessly, it was fresh, fun and does the series proud!

A triumphant return for our hero.. 5*

To find out more head to Amazon or Goodreads!