The Bleeding Land - Softcover

Kristian, Giles

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0593066154 ISBN 13: 9780593066157

Publisher: Bantam Press, 2012

Synopsis

The bestselling historical novelist Giles Kristian begins an epic new trilogy, set against the tumultuous backdrop of the bloody war that divided a nation and tore families apart.
 
England. 1642. War is coming. The rift between King and Parliament has widened and armies muster, ready to fight for their religious and political ideals. Nothing is so destructive as civil war, and for the Rivers family, the raising of the King's standard heralds a conflict that threatens to tear them apart.
 
As a knight and friend of King Charles, Sir Francis Rivers' loyalty is beyond question, and so should be that of his family. However another Royalist, Lord Henry Denton, imprisons a suspected Catholic priest and in so doing makes an enemy of Sir Francis's youngest son, Tom. As horrific events transpire, Tom eventually makes his way to London where he falls in with a crowd of men eager to fight for Parliament for, in the prospect of war, Tom sees his chance for vengeance.
 
But Sir Francis Rivers' eldest son, Mun, is for the king, and joins a troop of horse commanded by the dashing Prince Rupert. Sir Francis rides in the King's Lifeguards as the first battle of the war looms. But whilst men fight and die at Edgehill, the Rivers women, Lady Mary and her daughter, Bess, must also fight to survive as the family home, Shear House, is besieged.
 
A novel of honour, vengeance, courage and love, The Bleeding Land brings England's civil war to life in all its terrible glory.

About this title

About the Author:

Inspired by both his family history and his storytelling heroes, Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden, GILES KRISTIAN began writing the action-packed story of an outsider's coming of age amongst a band of Viking warriors from across the seas. Raven: Blood Eye was published to great acclaim and two further Raven adventures followed -- Sons of Thunder and Odin's Wolves. Giles lives in Leicestershire where he writes full-time.

Review:

"A brilliant read. As he did with his Raven novels, Kristian weaves a colourful, authentic world in which to set his tale...and he has done it with confidence and real flair. Full of tragedy and triumph, honour and treachery, The Bleeding Land is a thrilling tour-de-force.'" -- Ben Kane "Expertly plotted, full of passion and bloody drama...a book that will appeal to passionate, compassionate readers, men and women alike, fans of C J Sansom as much as fans of Conn Iggulden. Read it: you'll love every page." -- Manda Scott "With powerful protagonists, a gripping story and rollicking action, I can strongly recommend this tour-de-force. Outstanding." -- Anthony Riches "In The Bleeding Land, Giles Kristian has made an effortless transition from Viking warriors to the often tricky emotional landscape of the English Civil War. Visceral, brutal and genuinely moving, this is historical fiction at its thrilling best." SAUL DAVID

About this edition

• Publisher: Bantam Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0593066154
• ISBN 13: 9780593066157
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320