To Kill a King

When I finally get around to building that time machine, I made a note not to visit 14th century Europe. The continent was a hodgepodge of wars and battles. Even during times of peace you could still stumble across the wrong village, and they would kill you for your shoes. Not a century for me and my soft hands. It takes someone with strength to survive and thrive. Strength and a little bit of psychopathic tendencies. To Kill a King is the eighth outing in David Gilman’s Master of War series following Sir Thomas Blackstone, who knows a thing or two about death and destruction. 

Sir Thomas is loyal to The Prince of Wales, even if this means placing an unsavoury king back on their throne. Sir Thomas is part of the army marching into Spain to place a proxy back on the throne. The war leader must not only fight the enemy, but for the ear of the prince as less experienced and foolish voices are seeking influence. Meanwhile, Sir Thomas’ son left the safety of Oxford for an adventure on the continent. Will the father and son meet again in some field in France, or will of them meet their end first? 

I read a lot of historic fiction; it is one of my favourite genres. The books take the real history and fictionalise elements of it. The difference in the books is often how much the author sticks to the facts. The books are often also very violent as death was common and quick. Gilman populates the book with real events and characters, but Sir Thomas and his entourage are fictional. They are also very bloody. 

This is perhaps the most violent historic fiction book that I have read. I am not against this, but it does mean that some readers will be put off by the violence. However, it is all based in truth for the time. Not only are there a series of gory skirmishes and battles, but the very presence of the British on the continent leads to an oppressive air. This is true mostly for Henry, Thomas’ son, who crosses France with limited resources. Every campfire, every village is a potential death trap. There always seems to be someone willing to slit your throat for a cheap win. 

The close presence of death gives Kill an oppressive air and make for a heavier read. However, it also gives the book power and weight. The consequences for a character's actions can prove fatal, it gives the book a heightened tension. It helps that Sir Thomas is such an impressive specimen. He struggles with his external emotions, but when it comes to the art of war, there are few that can equal him. The battle sequences are written wonderfully, full of action and menace. 

I enjoyed the intensity of Kill, a book that pushed the idea that life was not easy in 14th century Europe. It was a case of taking power, or have it taken from you. The book had the feeling of being part of a series, not concluding the tale, but you will be happy to pick up Sir Thomas’ next battle. One for historic fiction fans that like their action frequent and violent.