Shield of Blood, a standalone prequel to The Mowbray Chronicles by Mette Holm, plunges readers into the heart of the Hundred Years' War. Follow Edmund La Fontaine, a French street urchin destined for greatness, as he navigates the treacherous political landscape of 14th-century England. Faced with a crumbling monarchy and a looming century-long conflict, Edmund's humble origins belie his potential to become one of England's most celebrated knights. This historical fiction novel explores themes of destiny, betrayal, and redemption as Edmund confronts a fateful choice that could determine England's future. Expect thrilling action, courtly intrigue, and a compelling protagonist whose path to glory is paved with sacrifice and morally grey decisions.
Review Shield of Blood
"Shield of Blood," the prequel to the Mowbray Chronicles, is a fascinating glimpse into the origins of a pivotal character in the main series. While I thoroughly enjoyed the overall concept—a gritty, historical fiction tale set during the Hundred Years' War, brimming with political intrigue and courtly deception—my experience was, unfortunately, somewhat hampered by some editorial inconsistencies.
The story itself is captivating. The rise of Edmund La Fontaine, from humble beginnings as a French street urchin to a powerful English knight, is a compelling narrative arc. The author clearly has a gift for storytelling; the scenes of medieval life, the descriptions of brutal warfare, and the intricate web of power plays all felt vivid and immersive. I was particularly drawn to Edmund’s internal struggles, the moral ambiguities of his choices, and the weight of the decisions he faces. The author successfully creates a character who is both compelling and relatable, even amidst the grand historical backdrop. The historical setting itself is meticulously researched and brings a tangible sense of time and place to the narrative.
However, and this is a significant however, the editing of the book significantly detracts from the reading experience. The frequent misuse of commas, at times bordering on excessive punctuation, created several instances where the flow of the text was disrupted, forcing me to pause and re-read sentences to fully grasp their meaning. Similarly, the occasional use of incorrect words, while not drastically altering the meaning, nevertheless jarred the reader out of the immersive experience. This is particularly frustrating, because the underlying story is truly engaging.
The prologue, written in the present tense, felt jarring and incongruous with the rest of the narrative, which is written in past tense. This abrupt shift in tense made it rather difficult to follow, and it somewhat muddied the initial introduction to the world. The present tense, while sometimes effective in other contexts, didn't serve this story well. The initial scenes felt rushed and lacked the same level of detail and polish present in the later chapters.
It's a shame, because the potential of this book is immense. With a thorough edit and proofread, addressing the grammatical errors, inconsistent tense, and over-use of commas, "Shield of Blood" could truly shine. The core narrative is rich and compelling, with a protagonist whose journey is worth following. The author clearly understands the period and possesses a natural talent for creating engaging characters and plotlines. The editing issues, however, overshadow the strengths of the narrative. I sincerely hope that future editions of this book, and the series as a whole, will undergo a more rigorous editing process; they deserve it.
Information
- Dimensions: 5 x 1.63 x 8 inches
- Language: English
- Print length: 649
- Publication date: 2024
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