Audiobook31 hours
Ironfire: An Epic Novel of Love and War
Written by David Ball
Narrated by George Guidall
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
Best-selling author David Ball has won widespread critical and popular acclaim for his sweeping novels, including Empires of Sand. With Ironfire Ball delivers a stirring historical epic of the Crusades. In the 16th century, only the Knights of Malta stand against the Ottoman Empire of Suleiman the Magnificent and his 40,000 brutal warriors. "Ball brings the tail end of the Crusades to life in a substantial piece of historical fiction that sizzles with action, romance, and drama."-Booklist
More audiobooks from David Ball
Empires of Sand Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5China Run Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
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Reviews for Ironfire
Rating: 4.384615415384616 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
65 ratings6 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fantastic book, many separate story lines culminating in an exciting finish. So much attention paid to detail in respect to historical events. Parallel story lines not only on the Christian side but the Muslim side as well. This book is great for lovers of action, history and the open sea. I will need to review more books from this author.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A truly historical saga of immense proportions, this novel tells of the adventures of a young surgeon-knight who is caught up in the battle between Christendom and the Islamic world led by the Ottomans. Certainly timely for the gulf between the Christian world and radical Islam is as great today as it was then.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5"A Novel of the Knights of Malta and the Last Battle of the Crusades"
I previously read David Ball's other historical novel, "Empires of Sand" and really liked it, so I had high expectations for this book - which it fully lived up to.
It's a big, long book with a great (in my opinion) mix of sensationalism and good research. Yes, I like to find out my historical facts while being entertained by copious violence, enslavement, piracy, rape, revenge, betrayal, battles, and of course love-that-conquers-all.
"Ironfire" focuses on two siblings with very different destinies. Born on the impoverished, rocky and remote isle of Malta, ruled by the knights of the Order of St. John and the Church, the imaginative and intelligent Maria is traumatized and heartbroken when her little brother Nico is kidnapped and carried off by corsairs. Although they are separated, each of them never forgets the other, as they go through different traumas in their lives. Maria dreams of escape from Malta and a fine life in France, wishing to learn to read, and making friends with a group of people who are secretly Jewish, dealing with the harshness of her father - and of her society.
Nico endures slavery and abuse, but his prodigous memory and natural good looks allow him to survive in Muslim Algiers - but is he truly the boy he was anymore?
The sixteenth century comes vividly (if not entirely believably) to life in this colorful, romantic, sprawling story. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5After what I thought was a weak start and a bit "over the top" especially regarding the character of Nico, I found myself drawn into the time, cultures, and conflicts of the Knights of Malta. Even Nico as he evolved into Asha became a fascinating character and a great look at what becomes of individuals who are torn from their culture and injected into another one especially when they are young. The character of Christien Luc de Vries was especially interesting. His struggles with the expectations of his father, his fascinationg with surgery, and his place among the Knights of Malta make for interesting internal conflicts. And of course, the juxtaposition of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism on one small island gives a great background for the struggles we are still facing. Overall, a great read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A good read, one that held my attention, entertained and educated me. Malta has a tiny place in my family history so it was interesting to learn some of its history. The role of Christianity, Islam and Judaism in the Middle Ages set the stage for much of what is happening in the Middle East today and this book helps put some of that into context. So much is done in the name of God...
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Enjoyed this novel, although looking back I don't remember much about it.