Shadow of the Hawk is the latest (last) in the Master of War series from David Gilman. I am sorry that I have only learned about these books now rather than at the start because I know that I have missed out on a lot of great reading. I realize I could pick up the first 6 books to read later but if you could see my “to read later” books you would know why I am not. Although I might still do so because this book was that good.

Even though this book covers history I have read about many times before it seems fresh due to Mr. Gilman’s characters and his presentation of the conflict between England, France and Spain. Many of those books have focused on Simon de Montfort and his role going forward in history but here the star of the tale is Sir Thomas Blackstone – the King’s Master of War. He is a very compelling character; upstanding, righteous, but still a man of his time.

I started the book and fell quickly into the story and despite it being set in a hard world, I didn’t want to leave. The story was familiar and not all at the same time. The history of the 100 years war is well known but Mr. Gilman takes his fictional characters into the fray and the lucky reader finds that they are along for one heck of a ride – hopefully on the warhorse of the right warrior so as to survive the battle. And you will feel like you are in the heart of it.

Blackstone and his band of soldiers fight for the king – sometimes with support and other times against overwhelming odds. They are well trained, loyal men and follow their leader where he wouldst go. Along the way they acquire a physician who happens to be Jewish and a young boy who harbours a secret that makes him a very dangerous traveling companion. But once under Blackstone’s wing he will be safe.

If you are looking for adventure and history by all means pick up this book. Be aware that it being a book about war it is not pretty and some passages are hard to read. Nothing gratuitous but war is war. And always be on the lookout for the hawk flying overhead…it might portend something momentous. ( )