Audiobook16 hours
Stormbird
Written by Conn Iggulden
Narrated by John Curless
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
5/5
()
About this audiobook
The first book in #1 New York Times–bestselling author Conn Iggulden’s brilliant new historical series about two families that plunged England into a devastating, decades-long civil war.
In 1437, the Lancaster king Henry VI ascends the throne of England after years of semi-peaceful regency. Named “The Lamb,” Henry is famed more for his gentle and pious nature than his father’s famous battlefield exploits; already, his dependence on his closest men has stirred whispers of weakness at court.
A secret truce negotiated with France to trade British territories for a royal bride—Margaret of Anjou—sparks revolts across English territory. The rival royal line, the House of York, sees the chaos brought on by Henry’s weakness and with it the opportunity to oust an ineffectual king.
As storm clouds gather over England, King Henry and his supporters find themselves besieged abroad and at home. Who or what can save the kingdom before it is too late?
“It’s been said that Game of Thrones is the Wars of the Roses written as fantasy: this is the real thing, more glorious [and] more passionate.”—M. C. Scott, author of Rome: The Emperor’s Spy
In 1437, the Lancaster king Henry VI ascends the throne of England after years of semi-peaceful regency. Named “The Lamb,” Henry is famed more for his gentle and pious nature than his father’s famous battlefield exploits; already, his dependence on his closest men has stirred whispers of weakness at court.
A secret truce negotiated with France to trade British territories for a royal bride—Margaret of Anjou—sparks revolts across English territory. The rival royal line, the House of York, sees the chaos brought on by Henry’s weakness and with it the opportunity to oust an ineffectual king.
As storm clouds gather over England, King Henry and his supporters find themselves besieged abroad and at home. Who or what can save the kingdom before it is too late?
“It’s been said that Game of Thrones is the Wars of the Roses written as fantasy: this is the real thing, more glorious [and] more passionate.”—M. C. Scott, author of Rome: The Emperor’s Spy
Author
Conn Iggulden
Born in London, Conn Iggulden read English at London University and worked as a teacher for seven years before becoming a full-time writer. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and their children.
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Reviews for Stormbird
Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars
5/5
12 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Conn Iggulden sheds light on a turbulent period of English history with a very readable work on the origins of one of the biggest power struggles in the history of the crown by focusing on the lesser characters and using their stories to illuminate the growing struggle between the descendents of Edward III. Rather than telling the story from the viewpoint of either Henry VI or Richard, Duke of York, as most historical fiction seems to do, Iggulden focuses on the minor characters, showing their feelings and their struggles as they are caught up in the unfolding drama, and how their lives are drastically changed by their masters actions and inactions. Much in the way the story unfolded at the time, you are slowly drawn into the lives of the disparate characters at the heart of the book, and given reasons to care what happens to them, with some beautifully drawn depictions of the turbulence of the time, and a real sense of what the events would mean to those caught up in them, as well as being shown how the characters were shaped and moulded by their participation. There are also plenty of battle scenes in this book that will leave you with a good understanding of why the French hated to face English archers, and of just how much skill and training it took to be an archer ( although a true understanding only comes the first time you try and draw back a longbow! ). The story of Jack Cade also provides you with an insight into the anger and fear felt by most of the population at the time, and their sense of injustice and betrayal, while at the same time leaving you fretting over the safety of the queen.The author has done a wonderful job of weaving together the threads of the story to give a consistent whole, while drawing on so many viewpoints, while also allowing the characters to develop along with the plots - and there is a lot of plotting and scheming going on, from factions trying to protect the throne and from those trying to unseat its occupant. Obviously, as this is the first of an intended series, there is still a lot of the story to be told, but the finale does leave you wanting to read more. This was one of those rare books that I was reluctant to finish, as doing so means having to leave the story only partly told, and I await the publication of the next volume eagerly, but it is also a book I would recommend to anyone with an interest in history, or someone who wants a cracking good read!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This entire series is amazing! Conn Iggulden so far is my favorite author of anything to do with 14th and 15th century England!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was fabulous. I cannot wait to start the second book. I love the descriptions that make you feel as though you were standing right there and I loved that the book was told from the point of view of so many people. Great book!