Book info

• Title Harlequin
• Author Bernard Cornwell
• Year 2000
• Genre Historical

It was the time when the English came across the Channel to take the battle to the French. The army was led by the King, the great lords and knights, but it is the archers, the common men who are to be England’s secret weapon.Thomas of Hookton is one of those archers. But he is also on a personal mission – one he frequently forgets in the joy of fighting – to avenge his father’s killing by a French raider and to retrieve his family’s treasure. But the journey is far more complex and treacherous than he had expected and the enemy who awaits him could harness the power of Christendom’s greatest relic – the Grail itself.

Thoughts

Thomas of Hookton’s village was ravaged by the French so to take revenge, he travels with the King’s army and takes part in several battles, becoming very popular in Will Skeat’s band of archers. Oh, and he has his own score to settle as well.

Thomas is a regular guy who turns out to be a bit of a hero. I rather prefer Will Skeat, though. There’s a lot of history, very inclusive, typical Bernard Cornwell.

I really enjoyed this book and when I’d finished I was keen to read the second one. Recommended if you want to see historical justice prevail in the end, and lots of clever archers winning battles for their army.

Rating: 3 / 5