Reviewed by Nigella.
At first I did wonder if
this novel would fit the criteria readers expect from a romance novel. On
balance violent battle scenes steal a march on romance –to
begin with– so does the heroic romanticism of a
troop in Cromwell’s New Model Army. In spite of my initial concerns, glimmer of
a budding romance does begin to emerge. The tragedy of this story develops with heartfelt
love bordering on the breaking of religious dictate to do with acts of immorality,
but every good story requires a twist in the tale and this book has many
exciting twists. When all is said and done this is a novel to do with soldiers who
yearn for peace while bracing themselves in readiness to do battle. There is historical
merit and vivid detail within the novel and of all the characters, and there
are many worthy of mention, Lucifer Pettit stands out as a fine young man who
ends up bedevilled by his namesake. I confess I find it difficult to applaud
overt use of coarse language inside a book boys may be drawn to. However, on
the plus side the narrative is fast paced. The action scenes are nail-bitingly real
and the secret masquerade is somewhat amusing. I rate the book a Historical Adventure Novel with a little romance.
