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Harlequin Book 1

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Harlequin Book 1

By: Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by: Andrew Cullum
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About this listen

The first book in Bernard Cornwell’s bestselling GRAIL QUEST series, in a bright and bold repackage.

The year is 1342. The English, led by Edward III, are laying waste to the French countryside. The army may be led by the King, but it is the archers, the common men, who are England’s secret weapon. The French know them as Harlequins.

Thomas of Hookton is one of these archers. But he is also on a personal mission: to avenge his father’s death and retrieve a stolen relic. Thomas begins a quest that will lead him through fields smeared with the smoke of fires set by the rampaging English, until at last the two armies face each other on a hillside near the village of Crécy.

 Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Medieval War & Military England

Critic reviews

‘Crackling with good deeds, fine characters and sparkling set pieces, it confirms yet again Cornwell’s reputation for masterly historical novels’ DAILY MAIL

‘It is all spectacular, rattling good stuff: war and torture; love, lust and loss’ THE TIMES

‘The battle scenes, as always, are masterful; and the vignettes of everyday living, in times of extreme hardship, have the ring of simple truth’ SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

‘A very fine writer’ ECONOMIST
All stars
Most relevant
I only really discovered this author through audiobooks. His ability to develop genuine characters amidst the bloody violence of historical military campaigns is second to none. The sweeping battle scenes which are epic in nature are augmented with black, almost gallows humour and enough historical accuracy to satisfy most. I commend Cornwell for the fact that he dutifully sums up the history and where he has deviated from it in notes at the end of his books. Additionally providing other recommended reading for those interested in finding out more. If you like well-paced, bloodthirsty history books written with intelligence and panache then Cornwell is your guy and this isn't a bad place to start exploring his work.

Another Cornwell Corker!

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Loved the story
Beautiful narration very believable and compelling
I will be getting more of the same

Outstanding

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Cornwell as ever delivered an excellent story but what on earth possessed him to have it narrated in such a staccato fashion. The story was delivered in Such a way that all continuity appear to me to be lost a great pity.

Poor narration

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I very much enjoy this type of 'history brought to life' story-telling and look forward to no doubt more of the same exemplary male lead characters and slightly contrived female characters from Bernard.

By the end I grew *slightly* tired by the narration. I am not sure Andrew is a perfect fit for this type of action. I found Jeanette's character portrayal so bad that I dreaded her lines, and the monotone battle cries did not have me in the heart of the action.

Still, I could always stop being a lazy sod and read it myself...

Enjoyable and respectable holiday listen

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Really enjoyed the book will definitely go through the series and hope it delivers as good as I’m sure it will

Good historical story

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