Victors and Lords by V.A. Stuart is a historical romance that stresses the military history over that of the romance. Taking place during the Crimean War and including the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade, the main characters are caught up in this poorly run campaign from which so many died needlessly. From this book I have gathered that much of the blame for this tragedy can be placed on the shoulders of the military leaders who appeared to be a group of posturing, ill-prepared and jealous old men. This event was one of the main reasons why the British military system was soon to be changed and the policy of allowing the rich to simply buy their commission was discontinued.

The romance between Captain Alexander Sheridan and Emmy O’Shaughnessy was definitely a secondary story which was actually a good thing as it was a little too simple and far too sweet. What was interesting was learning about the women who followed the troops to the battlefield. Conditions were terrible and cholera brought about almost as many deaths as the actual combat. Florence Nightingale and her nurses arrived right about the time of the Charge of the Light Brigade but most doctors would not allow the nurses onto the wards. Even wives had to have the doctor’s permission in order to go onto the wards to nurse their wounded husbands.

This is the first book in a series which follows the military career of Alex Sheridan, I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to continue on with these books but I happen to have a couple more on my shelves so will be giving them another try at some point. ( )

Great historical fiction about the little known Crimean War! ( )