Harlequin
Ratings5
Average rating3.6
Harlequins are lost souls, so loved by the devil that he would not take them to hell, but left them to roam the earth. In French, the word is hellequin – the name given to the English archers who crossed the Channel to lay waste the towns and countryside.In the fourteenth century the English were just beginning to discover their national identity, and one of the strongest elements of this was the overwhelming success in battle of the English bowmen.England's archers crossed the Channel to lay a country to waste. Thomas of Hookton was one of those archers. When his village is sacked by French raiders, he escapes from his father's ambition to become a wild youth who delights in the opportunities which war offers – for fighting, for revenge and for friendship.But Thomas is hounded by his conscience. He has made a promise to God to retrieve a relic stolen in the raid from Hookton's church. The search for the relic leads him into a world where lovers become enemies, enemies become friends and always, somewhere beyond the horizon that is smeared with the smoke of fires set by the rampaging English army, a terrible enemy awaits him.That enemy would harness the power of Christendom's greatest relic – the grail itself. In this, the first book of a new series, Thomas begins the quest that will lead him through the fields of France, until at last the two armies face each other on a hillside near the village of Crecy.
Series
Series
5 primary booksGrail Quest
Grail Quest is a 5-book series with 5 primary works first released in 1985 with contributions by Bernard Cornwell and J.H. Brennan.
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Popular Reviews
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As a Last Kingdom - LK (book and TV) series great fan, I was incredibly disappointed with this one - where LK is serious and dark and warrior-mindset like, this is melodrama, soap-opera/telenovella great passions and romance.
The male MC is a non-descript Mary Sue that does not seem to exist (so far from Uthred), the female MC is ridiculous and annoying and wildly-reacting to anything (plus everybody wants to rape her, that seems to be her main role in the book, rape-target), the antagonist is pumped-up nasty in a ridiculous Banderas style and so on.
The writing itself is better here than LK, but the story and characters are teenage-drama level.
The battles are very well done, but too few among the plenty passion-drama moments.
I bought the entire 4 book series at once - now they all go straight to garbage.
So, final warning: if you are a Last Kingdom fan, this is NOT for you!
“Harlequin” is a historical fiction novel set in 1342 during the Hundred Years War between England and France. The protagonist, Thomas of Hookton, is an English archer who is tasked with finding a stolen relic known as the Lance of Saint George, which is believed to bring victory in battle. Along the way, Thomas encounters a cast of characters including a mysterious harlequin, a band of mercenaries, and a group of fanatical knights.
One of the strengths of the novel is the vivid depiction of medieval warfare. Cornwell's descriptions of battles are both thrilling and visceral, conveying the chaos and brutality of combat. The character of Thomas of Hookton is also well-drawn, with his internal conflicts and personal quest for redemption adding depth to his actions.
However, the novel has some weaknesses as well. The plot can feel disjointed at times, with various subplots competing for attention and not always resolving satisfactorily. Additionally, some of the supporting characters are underdeveloped, particularly the female characters who feel like afterthoughts in a male-dominated story.
Thematically, “Harlequin” explores the nature of faith and belief, particularly in the context of war and conflict. The novel also touches on the question of identity, as Thomas grapples with his English heritage and his loyalty to his fellow soldiers.
Overall, “Harlequin” is an engaging read for fans of historical fiction and medieval warfare. While the novel has some flaws in its plotting and characterization, Cornwell's skillful prose and attention to historical detail make it an enjoyable and immersive read.
