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Essex Dogs #2
Wolves of Winter
The epic sequel to Essex Dogs, continuing the New York Times bestselling historian's trilogy of novels following the fortunes of ten ordinary soldiers during the Hundred Years' War.
For the Dogs, the war has only just begun. Caught up in the siege of Calais, in the midst of a brutal eleven-month blockade of a small port on the French coast, the band of brothers known as the Essex Dogs are no longer blindly walking into the unknown. But the men still have more questions than answers about what faces them - and why.
What are they really fighting for? And why does the king care so much about taking such a small French town?
Soon, their journey will reveal who really wants this war to last for a hundred years. And as the battle rages, they hear the first, faint, chesty rattle of a natural disaster that is sweeping towards the Dogs and their world . . .
Spanning the siege city built outside Calais' walls, to the pirate ships patrolling the harbour, and into the dark corners of oligarchs' houses, where the deals that shape—and end—lives are made, this captivating and brutal story brings the 1300s effortlessly to life.
For the Dogs, the war has only just begun. Caught up in the siege of Calais, in the midst of a brutal eleven-month blockade of a small port on the French coast, the band of brothers known as the Essex Dogs are no longer blindly walking into the unknown. But the men still have more questions than answers about what faces them - and why.
What are they really fighting for? And why does the king care so much about taking such a small French town?
Soon, their journey will reveal who really wants this war to last for a hundred years. And as the battle rages, they hear the first, faint, chesty rattle of a natural disaster that is sweeping towards the Dogs and their world . . .
Spanning the siege city built outside Calais' walls, to the pirate ships patrolling the harbour, and into the dark corners of oligarchs' houses, where the deals that shape—and end—lives are made, this captivating and brutal story brings the 1300s effortlessly to life.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2023
451 people are currently reading
10900 people want to read
About the author
Dan Jones
70 books5,616 followersDan Jones is a NYT bestselling author and broadcaster. His books, which include The Templars, Henry V, The Plantagenets and Powers & Thrones, have sold more than 2 million copies and are published in 23 languages. He is the author of the Essex Dogs novel trilogy. Dan writes and hosts the popular weekly Sony Music Entertainment podcast This Is History. He has presented dozens of television documentaries, including the popular Netflix series Secrets of Great British Castles, and has executive produced and consulted on a number of films and television shows including Anne Boleyn (Channel 5/Sony Pictures Television) and Knightfall (A+E/History). His journalism has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post; for a decade he was a columnist for the London Evening Standard. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and in 2025 was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Historic Royal Palaces.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 355 reviews
September 30, 2024
Far be if for me to read or believe anything in the Daily Mail. But the blurb on the book cover said - ‘Brilliant, brutal and bloody’ - and it was accurate.
This was the book I actually bought online whilst reading the first - ‘Essex Dogs’ - bought in a Charity shop. This story leads on from the Battle of Crecy that ends book one and into the Siege of Calais.
Again each chapter starts with a 14th century source quote. Some great images and writing as the Essex dog mercenaries continue to fight. The youngster Romford continues to take drugs and the image of him carrying the dead ‘Father’ on his back is sublime.
While I felt this book was not quite as strong as the first it was still a great read. My favourite character Northampton (think of Flashheart from Blackadder) continues to have the best quotes:
‘War’s hard on all of us. It’s f’ing war. We all have to find a reason to stay here and keep doing what we do. The people I’m forced to spend my time with do that by telling each other it’s a noble enterprise. Virtue, glory, chivalry - all that shit. The tragedy is a lot of them f’ing believe it. Then they get their throats cut while they’re draining their cocks.’
‘Where’s the big ginger one?’
‘Gone, my lord.’
‘Gone as in dead? Or gone as in f’d off until he gets caught, whipped, fined and sent back?’
Looking forward to book 3.
This was the book I actually bought online whilst reading the first - ‘Essex Dogs’ - bought in a Charity shop. This story leads on from the Battle of Crecy that ends book one and into the Siege of Calais.
Again each chapter starts with a 14th century source quote. Some great images and writing as the Essex dog mercenaries continue to fight. The youngster Romford continues to take drugs and the image of him carrying the dead ‘Father’ on his back is sublime.
While I felt this book was not quite as strong as the first it was still a great read. My favourite character Northampton (think of Flashheart from Blackadder) continues to have the best quotes:
‘War’s hard on all of us. It’s f’ing war. We all have to find a reason to stay here and keep doing what we do. The people I’m forced to spend my time with do that by telling each other it’s a noble enterprise. Virtue, glory, chivalry - all that shit. The tragedy is a lot of them f’ing believe it. Then they get their throats cut while they’re draining their cocks.’
‘Where’s the big ginger one?’
‘Gone, my lord.’
‘Gone as in dead? Or gone as in f’d off until he gets caught, whipped, fined and sent back?’
Looking forward to book 3.
November 12, 2023
My brother and I were lucky enough to interview DAN JONES!. Check it out! DAN JONES INTERVIEW
A hugely entertaining continuation of the Essex Dogs trilogy. I am even more impressed with this entry since the Siege of Calais (or any siege in a his-fic / fantasy novel) can quickly, in other hands, become repetitive and lose the interesting shine of the Hundred Years War, but Dan weaves so much charm and intrigue into it that it is a riveting read.
Wolves of Winter built upon the tremendous characters of the Essex Dogs we met in Book 1, as well as shining characters like Northampton and Warwick and the bratty Black Prince. We have other POVs threaded beautifully in and out of the narrative and in magnificent fashion the Dogs are thrust into the front of every remarkable moment of this siege.
I love how Dan has a completely different focus in this series to other his-fic authors. Details and obsessive nods to authenticity are not at the forefront here, but the relationship between the characters as well as the banishment of any type of glory whatsoever are absolutely perfect.
This was a blast to read and I completely trust Dan to write a wonderful finale to this trilogy - though I am terrified of what will happen to these beloved characters since they go through absolute hell (or fire) 99% of the time.
A hugely entertaining continuation of the Essex Dogs trilogy. I am even more impressed with this entry since the Siege of Calais (or any siege in a his-fic / fantasy novel) can quickly, in other hands, become repetitive and lose the interesting shine of the Hundred Years War, but Dan weaves so much charm and intrigue into it that it is a riveting read.
Wolves of Winter built upon the tremendous characters of the Essex Dogs we met in Book 1, as well as shining characters like Northampton and Warwick and the bratty Black Prince. We have other POVs threaded beautifully in and out of the narrative and in magnificent fashion the Dogs are thrust into the front of every remarkable moment of this siege.
I love how Dan has a completely different focus in this series to other his-fic authors. Details and obsessive nods to authenticity are not at the forefront here, but the relationship between the characters as well as the banishment of any type of glory whatsoever are absolutely perfect.
This was a blast to read and I completely trust Dan to write a wonderful finale to this trilogy - though I am terrified of what will happen to these beloved characters since they go through absolute hell (or fire) 99% of the time.
October 13, 2023
Wolves of Winter is the sequel to Essex Dogs, the book which first introduced readers to Loveday FitzTalbot and his fellow soldiers of fortune. Although Wolves of Winter could be read as a standalone, I think you’d be missing out by not reading the series from the beginning. As with the previous book, the events, notably the siege of Calais, are rooted in historical fact (the extent of which will become apparent once you read the author’s Historical Note) but what brings it alive is the fact we see events through the eyes of ordinary soldiers. They come from different backgrounds, have different skills, speak with different accents even but they have become a brotherhood and, in some cases, the nearest each has to a family.
War being what it is, especially 14th century war, not all the Essex Dogs from the first book made it out alive. The loss of some of their former comrades is something which haunts the remaining Dogs, especially Loveday, the group’s leader. And for Romford, an already troubled young man, the impact of one loss in particular manifests itself in a quite macabre way. In fact, all the Essex Dogs are brilliantly drawn characters. For those sensitive to such things, they are generous in their use of swear words, although perhaps not quite as prolific as the Earl of Northampton whose creative cursing is second to none.
There are other characters too who make their mark, motivated variously by greed, a hard-won understanding of reality or a desire for revenge.
This is not a conflict carried out by knights in shining armour: it’s brutal, bloody, dirty, cruel and utterly wasteful of human life. Those in charge range from the arrogant, to the incompetent to the venal. It’s no wonder that Loveday and his comrade begin to wonder, as they sit in their filthy shelter at the end of a day filled with back-breaking work eating slop and wading through all sorts of unpleasant substances, what they are actually fighting for. For money? Initially, yes, but they’ve yet to see much of that. Because soldiering is the only thing they know? Yes, but endless killing can start to eat into your soul. For glory? Doesn’t seem like much of that so far. Out of loyalty to your king? A man who doesn’t know you from Adam and sees battle as some kind of ‘performance’? For a cause? Unfortunately only disillusionment lies ahead there.
Wolves of Winter will grab your attention from the very first page, propel you along like a bolt from a crossbow through the next 400 pages and immerse you in the blood, sweat and other bodily substances of warfare. I absolutely loved it.
War being what it is, especially 14th century war, not all the Essex Dogs from the first book made it out alive. The loss of some of their former comrades is something which haunts the remaining Dogs, especially Loveday, the group’s leader. And for Romford, an already troubled young man, the impact of one loss in particular manifests itself in a quite macabre way. In fact, all the Essex Dogs are brilliantly drawn characters. For those sensitive to such things, they are generous in their use of swear words, although perhaps not quite as prolific as the Earl of Northampton whose creative cursing is second to none.
There are other characters too who make their mark, motivated variously by greed, a hard-won understanding of reality or a desire for revenge.
This is not a conflict carried out by knights in shining armour: it’s brutal, bloody, dirty, cruel and utterly wasteful of human life. Those in charge range from the arrogant, to the incompetent to the venal. It’s no wonder that Loveday and his comrade begin to wonder, as they sit in their filthy shelter at the end of a day filled with back-breaking work eating slop and wading through all sorts of unpleasant substances, what they are actually fighting for. For money? Initially, yes, but they’ve yet to see much of that. Because soldiering is the only thing they know? Yes, but endless killing can start to eat into your soul. For glory? Doesn’t seem like much of that so far. Out of loyalty to your king? A man who doesn’t know you from Adam and sees battle as some kind of ‘performance’? For a cause? Unfortunately only disillusionment lies ahead there.
Wolves of Winter will grab your attention from the very first page, propel you along like a bolt from a crossbow through the next 400 pages and immerse you in the blood, sweat and other bodily substances of warfare. I absolutely loved it.
September 27, 2025
When it comes to this genre , Bernard Cornwell, quite rightly, is the Don, and, as such, many authors coming after him reflect the influence he's had .Thus, the writing styles tend to be similar, which is fine by me if it's done well.
Now, along comes Dan Jones with his Essex Dogs and brings a fresh and original approach.
The influence here is more of a Fantasy Grimdark approach, and it works brilliantly.
The events and scope may be big, but the focus is very much on ordinary soldiers who fight and suffer disease and hunger.
This sequel is better than the excellent first book and , if anything, is even grittier.
The world of the Essex Dogs is a very dark, dirty, and violent one.
I can't wait to return there.
A very well written and gripping must read.
Now, along comes Dan Jones with his Essex Dogs and brings a fresh and original approach.
The influence here is more of a Fantasy Grimdark approach, and it works brilliantly.
The events and scope may be big, but the focus is very much on ordinary soldiers who fight and suffer disease and hunger.
This sequel is better than the excellent first book and , if anything, is even grittier.
The world of the Essex Dogs is a very dark, dirty, and violent one.
I can't wait to return there.
A very well written and gripping must read.
Read
February 1, 2024Dan Jones continues the Hundred Years War adventures of his core group of grizzled warriors, the Essex Dogs, as they hack and slash and slosh and steal and slur their way across the French countryside, moving from the carnage of Crécy to the siege of Calais. The only possible drawback to this sequel will also be its greatest strength to most of its readers: its character-drawing, action, pacing, tone, anachronisms, and color are absolutely identical to everything found in its preceding volume. This in itself is a feat, as is the rabid readability of the whole thing. Any fears of the dreaded "dull middle volume" are completely dispelled before the first chapter is over. My full review here: https://openlettersreview.com/posts/w...
October 21, 2023
After the battle of Crécy, Loveday Fitztalbot and young Romford along with the other remaining Essex dogs hope to receive their pay to return home. But the war is not over and King Edward III is keen to capture a port city under the English flag. His eye falls on Calais, but that will be a months-long siege and so the English set up a town of their own at Villeneuve where Loveday and his mates are tasked with running a brothel.
Wolves of winter picks up where Essex dogs left off and follows a group of English soldiers through the start of the Hundred Years’ War. You get to see a raw, almost useless side of the war. We follow the war mainly from Loveday and Romford, who are alternately speaking. And then sometimes there’s a third perspective from a woman – but the point of that completely eluded me.
The problem with this novel is that it’s set during a period of the war where things don’t seem to be moving forward. Not a whole lot happens. It’s also the second book of the trilogy – so there’s little introduction needed anymore but there’s also no end to the story in sight. So it all ripples on with little extra plotlines (e.g. Hircent and the woman’s perspective) to still allow something to happen. But I don’t think this works very well.
I really enjoyed Essex Dogs, but this sequel doesn’t really live up to it for me. Maybe also because I don’t like Romford’s character as much and the addition of the captain didn’t bring much to the table for me either.
Nevertheless, it’s well written and the historical note is very detailed. Jones starts from facts. You can see Rodin’s famous statue ‘The Citizens of Calais’ come to life at the end.
Will I read the third part? Yes, because I do want to know how this ends. Better than Cornwell and Iggulden? Not yet, but the next book may surprise me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Dutch review:
Na de slag van Crécy hopen Loveday Fitztalbot en de jonge Romford samen met de andere overgebleven Essex dogs hun salaris te ontvangen om naar huis terug te keren. Maar de oorlog is nog niet voorbij en koning Edward III wil graag een havenstad veroveren onder de Engelse vlag. Zijn oog valt op Calais, maar dat zal een maandenlange belegering worden en dus zetten de Engelsen een eigen stad op Villeneuve waar Loveday en co de opdracht krijgen om een bordeel uit te baten.
Wolves of winter gaat verder waar Essex dogs is gestopt en volgt een groep soldaten doorheen de start van de Honderdjarige Oorlog. Je krijgt een rauwe, bijna nutteloze kant van de oorlog te zien. We volgen de oorlog voornamelijk vanuit Loveday en Romford, die afwisselend aan het woord zijn. En dan is er soms nog een derde perspectief van een vrouw - maar het nut daarvan ontging me helemaal.
Het probleem met dit boek is dat het zich afspeelt tijdens een stuk van de oorlog waar het allemaal niet lijkt vooruit te gaan. Er gebeurt niet bijster veel. Het is ook het tweede boek van de trilogie - dus er hoeft nog weinig introductie maar er is ook nog geen eind van het verhaal in zicht. Het kabbelt dus allemaal wat verder met kleine extra plotlijnen (bv. Hircent en het perspectief van de vrouw) om toch iets te laten vooruit gaan. Maar ik vind dat dit niet zo goed werkt.
Ik vond Essex Dogs een heel fijn boek, maar dit vervolg maakt het voor mij niet echt verder waar. Misschien ook omdat ik Romford niet zo'n fijn personage vind en ook de toevoeging van de kapitein bracht voor mij niet veel bij.
Desondanks is het goed geschreven en is de historisch noot heel gedetailleerd. Jones vertrekt vanuit feiten. Je ziet op het einde Rodin's bekende standbeeld 'De burgers van Calais' tot leven komen.
Of ik het derde deel ga lezen? Ja, want ik wil wel graag weten hoe dit afloopt. Beter dan Cornwell en Iggulden? Voorlopig niet.
Bedankt aan Netgalley en de uitgever voor een exemplaar van dit boek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
Wolves of winter picks up where Essex dogs left off and follows a group of English soldiers through the start of the Hundred Years’ War. You get to see a raw, almost useless side of the war. We follow the war mainly from Loveday and Romford, who are alternately speaking. And then sometimes there’s a third perspective from a woman – but the point of that completely eluded me.
The problem with this novel is that it’s set during a period of the war where things don’t seem to be moving forward. Not a whole lot happens. It’s also the second book of the trilogy – so there’s little introduction needed anymore but there’s also no end to the story in sight. So it all ripples on with little extra plotlines (e.g. Hircent and the woman’s perspective) to still allow something to happen. But I don’t think this works very well.
I really enjoyed Essex Dogs, but this sequel doesn’t really live up to it for me. Maybe also because I don’t like Romford’s character as much and the addition of the captain didn’t bring much to the table for me either.
Nevertheless, it’s well written and the historical note is very detailed. Jones starts from facts. You can see Rodin’s famous statue ‘The Citizens of Calais’ come to life at the end.
Will I read the third part? Yes, because I do want to know how this ends. Better than Cornwell and Iggulden? Not yet, but the next book may surprise me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Dutch review:
Na de slag van Crécy hopen Loveday Fitztalbot en de jonge Romford samen met de andere overgebleven Essex dogs hun salaris te ontvangen om naar huis terug te keren. Maar de oorlog is nog niet voorbij en koning Edward III wil graag een havenstad veroveren onder de Engelse vlag. Zijn oog valt op Calais, maar dat zal een maandenlange belegering worden en dus zetten de Engelsen een eigen stad op Villeneuve waar Loveday en co de opdracht krijgen om een bordeel uit te baten.
Wolves of winter gaat verder waar Essex dogs is gestopt en volgt een groep soldaten doorheen de start van de Honderdjarige Oorlog. Je krijgt een rauwe, bijna nutteloze kant van de oorlog te zien. We volgen de oorlog voornamelijk vanuit Loveday en Romford, die afwisselend aan het woord zijn. En dan is er soms nog een derde perspectief van een vrouw - maar het nut daarvan ontging me helemaal.
Het probleem met dit boek is dat het zich afspeelt tijdens een stuk van de oorlog waar het allemaal niet lijkt vooruit te gaan. Er gebeurt niet bijster veel. Het is ook het tweede boek van de trilogie - dus er hoeft nog weinig introductie maar er is ook nog geen eind van het verhaal in zicht. Het kabbelt dus allemaal wat verder met kleine extra plotlijnen (bv. Hircent en het perspectief van de vrouw) om toch iets te laten vooruit gaan. Maar ik vind dat dit niet zo goed werkt.
Ik vond Essex Dogs een heel fijn boek, maar dit vervolg maakt het voor mij niet echt verder waar. Misschien ook omdat ik Romford niet zo'n fijn personage vind en ook de toevoeging van de kapitein bracht voor mij niet veel bij.
Desondanks is het goed geschreven en is de historisch noot heel gedetailleerd. Jones vertrekt vanuit feiten. Je ziet op het einde Rodin's bekende standbeeld 'De burgers van Calais' tot leven komen.
Of ik het derde deel ga lezen? Ja, want ik wil wel graag weten hoe dit afloopt. Beter dan Cornwell en Iggulden? Voorlopig niet.
Bedankt aan Netgalley en de uitgever voor een exemplaar van dit boek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
April 23, 2025
"May God continue to protect us, at least until the king realises that it is his job."
📅 A year of Essex Dogs in the Wolf Den from August 1346 till August 1347 literally in shit again, plus arrow, fire, sea and so on
📅 A year of Essex Dogs in the Wolf Den from August 1346 till August 1347 literally in shit again, plus arrow, fire, sea and so on
January 2, 2025
Let Slip the Dogs of Winter
Review of the Head of Zeus eBook edition (October 12, 2023) released simultaneously with the hardcover/audiobook.
Loveday and his band of the surviving Essex Dogs are back in book #2 of the trilogy. This is about the Siege of Calais (4 September 1346 – 3 August 1347) in the winter of 1346/47, so there is not as much actual combat as in book #1 Essex Dogs (2022) which culminated in an English victory at the Battle of Crécy on August 26, 1346.
With the French in retreat, Edward III decides to take the port city of Calais as a future foothold in France. The siege ends up taking a further 11 months before the city surrenders, an event which is immortalized in a famous sculpture by Rodin.
The Burghers of Calais surrender to Edward III as depicted by the sculptor Rodin. Image sourced from Wikipedia by Romainberth - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link.
Historian Dan Jones keeps the same gritty tone of the medieval soldier boots-on-the-ground experience as he did in book #1. The coarse interactions between the foot soldiers and the knights commanders continue. Though a book about a siege might otherwise be stagnant and rather stationary, Jones keeps the intrigues up with Loveday and his squad interacting with pirates who are ferrying supplies to the city while playing off both sides in the conflict. The old leader of the Dogs, known as The Captain is discovered to be a resident of Calais where he is war-profiteering amongst the populace. The young Frenchwoman who had been left homeless and without a family in book #1 returns with her own one-person guerilla campaign where she is picking off English knights where and when she can.
This is just an excuse to post a trail cam photo of an Estonian wolf 🐺, the source of my current avatar picture 😊.
There is the odd curiosity of the young Essex Dog called Romford who was rather addicted to seeking out "white powder" (presumably an early variant of opium/heroin) in the French apothecary shops that were looted in book #1. In book #2 he seems to have discovered an early version of "magic mushrooms" which causes him to hallucinate people from his past. That is another way that Jones uses to create rather insane scenarios, by introducing what you would think would be a rather modern substance abuse subplot.
The other modern-tinged subplot is the early medieval version of the "deep state" or the "military industrial complex" which is behind the scenes throughout. Edward III is in constant debt to the merchants and nobility who have funded his campaign. He has to keep the booty flowing and ensure future profitability from captured towns such as Calais.
I continue to be impressed by this series and look forward to the final chapter. I'm also thinking that I will read some of Dan Jones non-fiction medieval histories in the future.
Soundtrack
It is completely anachronistic, but I couldn't help but think of the Los Lobos song Will the Wolf Survive? which you can watch and listen to on YouTube here or just listen to on Spotify here.
Trivia and Links
There is a short book trailer for Wolves of Winter which you can watch on YouTube here and author Dan Jones introduces the novel with a short video here.
The Essex Dogs trilogy will conclude with book #3 Lion Hearts which is expected to be published on July 31, 2025.
Review of the Head of Zeus eBook edition (October 12, 2023) released simultaneously with the hardcover/audiobook.
Loveday and his band of the surviving Essex Dogs are back in book #2 of the trilogy. This is about the Siege of Calais (4 September 1346 – 3 August 1347) in the winter of 1346/47, so there is not as much actual combat as in book #1 Essex Dogs (2022) which culminated in an English victory at the Battle of Crécy on August 26, 1346.
With the French in retreat, Edward III decides to take the port city of Calais as a future foothold in France. The siege ends up taking a further 11 months before the city surrenders, an event which is immortalized in a famous sculpture by Rodin.
The Burghers of Calais surrender to Edward III as depicted by the sculptor Rodin. Image sourced from Wikipedia by Romainberth - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link.
Historian Dan Jones keeps the same gritty tone of the medieval soldier boots-on-the-ground experience as he did in book #1. The coarse interactions between the foot soldiers and the knights commanders continue. Though a book about a siege might otherwise be stagnant and rather stationary, Jones keeps the intrigues up with Loveday and his squad interacting with pirates who are ferrying supplies to the city while playing off both sides in the conflict. The old leader of the Dogs, known as The Captain is discovered to be a resident of Calais where he is war-profiteering amongst the populace. The young Frenchwoman who had been left homeless and without a family in book #1 returns with her own one-person guerilla campaign where she is picking off English knights where and when she can.
This is just an excuse to post a trail cam photo of an Estonian wolf 🐺, the source of my current avatar picture 😊.
There is the odd curiosity of the young Essex Dog called Romford who was rather addicted to seeking out "white powder" (presumably an early variant of opium/heroin) in the French apothecary shops that were looted in book #1. In book #2 he seems to have discovered an early version of "magic mushrooms" which causes him to hallucinate people from his past. That is another way that Jones uses to create rather insane scenarios, by introducing what you would think would be a rather modern substance abuse subplot.
The other modern-tinged subplot is the early medieval version of the "deep state" or the "military industrial complex" which is behind the scenes throughout. Edward III is in constant debt to the merchants and nobility who have funded his campaign. He has to keep the booty flowing and ensure future profitability from captured towns such as Calais.
I continue to be impressed by this series and look forward to the final chapter. I'm also thinking that I will read some of Dan Jones non-fiction medieval histories in the future.
Soundtrack
It is completely anachronistic, but I couldn't help but think of the Los Lobos song Will the Wolf Survive? which you can watch and listen to on YouTube here or just listen to on Spotify here.
Trivia and Links
There is a short book trailer for Wolves of Winter which you can watch on YouTube here and author Dan Jones introduces the novel with a short video here.
The Essex Dogs trilogy will conclude with book #3 Lion Hearts which is expected to be published on July 31, 2025.
December 11, 2024
Though second to my favourite writer Bernard Cornwell, Dan Jones is a fantastic storyteller and one I’d like to keep returning to. The Wolves Of Winter is a rollicking piece of historical fiction and a dazzling sequel, set during the bloody Hundred Years’ War. Jones has a similarly vulgar and sarcastic flair to that of The Last Kingdom series which surprised me. Only most of his characters are potty mouthed and obscenity is used through almost the entire story to capture the grit and survival of hardened soldiers.
The Essex Dogs are back. A band of brothers caught in the clamorous war with France, with hopes of returning home to England with a decent pay. They’re all a bit of a mess but such satisfying, fulfilling characters. Loveday and Romford are two of the best characters for me. Complicated but driven by their own intentions which steers the plot and creates dangerous action. They had the most impact I felt on the development of the story.
I cannot wait for the third installment.
The Essex Dogs are back. A band of brothers caught in the clamorous war with France, with hopes of returning home to England with a decent pay. They’re all a bit of a mess but such satisfying, fulfilling characters. Loveday and Romford are two of the best characters for me. Complicated but driven by their own intentions which steers the plot and creates dangerous action. They had the most impact I felt on the development of the story.
I cannot wait for the third installment.
December 5, 2023
Better than the first installment, Essex Dogs. Dan Jones is stepping up his game and I can't wait to see what's coming up next.
December 24, 2024
I really enjoyed the 1st instalment Essex Dogs, and was excited when this fell into my hands.
While it is different from the 1st book, the quality research and character development remained the same.
Much of this revolves around the Siege of Calais which means the pace is much slower. What the novel does present is the machinations by both sides to survive the siege. This particular siege was only partially successful in sealing the town from supplies, and it was only some daring exploits, and espionage infiltration that lead to the capitulation of the town. What happens is now an immortalised tale personified by a famous statue in Calais, and Jones presents us with an excellent explanation through entertaining storytelling.
My only minor complaint was the perceived deterioration of the Essex Dogs as a group. It did make sense - idle time can be disruption to a group of mercenaries- but it also had an effect on how this series would continue if the group ( the main reason for being invested in the novel) completely broke up. I do have faith in Jones knowing exactly what he is doing and how he has structured the series to ensure one keeps reading.
I can't wait for the next volume, and I do encourage folks to read these very readable and well researched series.
While it is different from the 1st book, the quality research and character development remained the same.
Much of this revolves around the Siege of Calais which means the pace is much slower. What the novel does present is the machinations by both sides to survive the siege. This particular siege was only partially successful in sealing the town from supplies, and it was only some daring exploits, and espionage infiltration that lead to the capitulation of the town. What happens is now an immortalised tale personified by a famous statue in Calais, and Jones presents us with an excellent explanation through entertaining storytelling.
My only minor complaint was the perceived deterioration of the Essex Dogs as a group. It did make sense - idle time can be disruption to a group of mercenaries- but it also had an effect on how this series would continue if the group ( the main reason for being invested in the novel) completely broke up. I do have faith in Jones knowing exactly what he is doing and how he has structured the series to ensure one keeps reading.
I can't wait for the next volume, and I do encourage folks to read these very readable and well researched series.
October 18, 2023
With Wolves of Winter, Dan Jones proves he can do fiction on a consistent level after the brilliant first book in the series, Essex Dogs.
In fact, this novel is perhaps more of an achievement because introductions are easier than keeping the reader engaged and it’s quite remarkable that an author used to writing serious history has delivered such a great story again.
Jones’ ability as a storyteller probably shouldn’t come as a surprise; if you’ve read his history books you’ll know he is able to tell a narrative that feels storylike of The Wars of the Roses, of the Plantagenet dynasty, of the Peasants’ Revolt and more. It’s partly why these books are so readable and popular.
How does he keep things fresh with Wolves of Winter?
With three main devices:
• Switching up the locations
• Introducing very colourful new characters
• Interlacing even more historical authenticity through the story by showing the changing face of warfare and the approaches to it
Wolves of Winter feels grander in scope. There are more external influences and there are characters in many more different locations doing different things. We see a little more of the logistics and the politics, etiquette and expectations of the people involved in an overseas campaign too which further adds to the authenticity. In addition to this, there is also a feeling of more intrigue and discovery for the characters here which keeps us pulled in and invested. The characters we already know continue in their journeys and feel believable, flawed, real. We grow closer to them without being conscious of it.
*It was not a war between peoples. It was a war against the people.*
We also meet new characters, or become more familiar with those mentioned in Essex Dogs. There’s the mysterious and murderously vengeful Squelette, the vulgar and morally bereft Hircent – star of an eye-wincing and hilariously memorable scene atop a Cathedral altar. Both women even more striking than the daft orange wig atop one of the other new character’s heads, Hastings, who we heard about in Essex Dogs. We also meet another mysterious character which might be a little spoilery to speak about in the review.
The knights and lords are very distinct too which I really liked as much as I did having Northampton and his incentive sweariness back to enjoy. To be honest though, there is a lot of brilliant swearing throughout as well as a sprinkling of dark humour which adds an extra layer of depth to the overall feel.
Scotsman is of course brilliant as always as is our main character Loveday Fitztalbot. Romford however is perhaps the star of the story, I warmed to him much more and his character felt the best developed from the whole cast.
We see the introduction of the cannon in Wolves of Winter and the changing face of war. Our characters speak about how war is beginning to feel less personal and I appreciate how Jones gets these important details in there to add to the authenticity and immersion. We know it wouldn’t be long before Kings started to become less involved in the fighting with death becoming more of a random occurrence on the battlefield and this random death and fragility on the battlefield is definitely a theme that permeates the pages.
The author’s notes at the end are welcome and Jones informs us of the scarcity of sources on Calais and some of the proceedings covered in the book. He does a great job of filling in the blanks. In all honesty though, the characters are the stars of the show – these books would still be just as good if the places they march to and the names of the Kings and nations were completely made up. The characters shine strongly enough for it not to matter how closely Jones follows the history. It remains impressive all the same how he has adapted the gaps and the work he has put in with the sources available to make it feel genuine.
Wolves of Winter is a thrilling, immersive, action packed page turner. It will also probably make you laugh. You become one of the Essex Dogs while you’re reading and you miss them when you put the book down.
Can’t wait for book 3.
In fact, this novel is perhaps more of an achievement because introductions are easier than keeping the reader engaged and it’s quite remarkable that an author used to writing serious history has delivered such a great story again.
Jones’ ability as a storyteller probably shouldn’t come as a surprise; if you’ve read his history books you’ll know he is able to tell a narrative that feels storylike of The Wars of the Roses, of the Plantagenet dynasty, of the Peasants’ Revolt and more. It’s partly why these books are so readable and popular.
How does he keep things fresh with Wolves of Winter?
With three main devices:
• Switching up the locations
• Introducing very colourful new characters
• Interlacing even more historical authenticity through the story by showing the changing face of warfare and the approaches to it
Wolves of Winter feels grander in scope. There are more external influences and there are characters in many more different locations doing different things. We see a little more of the logistics and the politics, etiquette and expectations of the people involved in an overseas campaign too which further adds to the authenticity. In addition to this, there is also a feeling of more intrigue and discovery for the characters here which keeps us pulled in and invested. The characters we already know continue in their journeys and feel believable, flawed, real. We grow closer to them without being conscious of it.
*It was not a war between peoples. It was a war against the people.*
We also meet new characters, or become more familiar with those mentioned in Essex Dogs. There’s the mysterious and murderously vengeful Squelette, the vulgar and morally bereft Hircent – star of an eye-wincing and hilariously memorable scene atop a Cathedral altar. Both women even more striking than the daft orange wig atop one of the other new character’s heads, Hastings, who we heard about in Essex Dogs. We also meet another mysterious character which might be a little spoilery to speak about in the review.
The knights and lords are very distinct too which I really liked as much as I did having Northampton and his incentive sweariness back to enjoy. To be honest though, there is a lot of brilliant swearing throughout as well as a sprinkling of dark humour which adds an extra layer of depth to the overall feel.
Scotsman is of course brilliant as always as is our main character Loveday Fitztalbot. Romford however is perhaps the star of the story, I warmed to him much more and his character felt the best developed from the whole cast.
We see the introduction of the cannon in Wolves of Winter and the changing face of war. Our characters speak about how war is beginning to feel less personal and I appreciate how Jones gets these important details in there to add to the authenticity and immersion. We know it wouldn’t be long before Kings started to become less involved in the fighting with death becoming more of a random occurrence on the battlefield and this random death and fragility on the battlefield is definitely a theme that permeates the pages.
The author’s notes at the end are welcome and Jones informs us of the scarcity of sources on Calais and some of the proceedings covered in the book. He does a great job of filling in the blanks. In all honesty though, the characters are the stars of the show – these books would still be just as good if the places they march to and the names of the Kings and nations were completely made up. The characters shine strongly enough for it not to matter how closely Jones follows the history. It remains impressive all the same how he has adapted the gaps and the work he has put in with the sources available to make it feel genuine.
Wolves of Winter is a thrilling, immersive, action packed page turner. It will also probably make you laugh. You become one of the Essex Dogs while you’re reading and you miss them when you put the book down.
Can’t wait for book 3.
January 25, 2025
The Second installment in Jone's first foray into fiction.
The Essex Dogs are still in France, attached to King Edward's army as mercenaries fighting the 100 Years' War. Many changes have occurred, and their life there has grown nearly unbearable, No pay has come, there is a shortage of everything and all The Dogs want is to go home- wherever that may be.
I enjoyed being reunited with the Dogs, however, there was a lot of death and carnage that I needed to take in small doses at a time. This is no criticism of Jones. He stayed true to the facts of the events and there is no other way to explain the Medieval era.
Also, the youngest member of the group becomes despondent and begins to self-medicate himself. His dreams and hallucinations are vivid and disturbing. Lovejoy becomes obsessed with finding the runaway Capitan of The Dogs and he also falls into melancholy.
Book 3 is dues out this summer and I sure to grab it up as soon as it is available.
The Essex Dogs are still in France, attached to King Edward's army as mercenaries fighting the 100 Years' War. Many changes have occurred, and their life there has grown nearly unbearable, No pay has come, there is a shortage of everything and all The Dogs want is to go home- wherever that may be.
I enjoyed being reunited with the Dogs, however, there was a lot of death and carnage that I needed to take in small doses at a time. This is no criticism of Jones. He stayed true to the facts of the events and there is no other way to explain the Medieval era.
Also, the youngest member of the group becomes despondent and begins to self-medicate himself. His dreams and hallucinations are vivid and disturbing. Lovejoy becomes obsessed with finding the runaway Capitan of The Dogs and he also falls into melancholy.
Book 3 is dues out this summer and I sure to grab it up as soon as it is available.
July 30, 2025
5⭐️
Wow what a book! How an entire novel about a siege where the army barely moves can be so gripping and compelling is a testament to the authors skill.
The historical details help to make it feel so, so real but the flair with which the characters are realised is my favourite part. So many brilliant characters that its hard to choose a favourite….no its not actually its Northampton by a long way but the other characters are all still favourites in their own right.
‘How does that sound?’ He paused. ‘Actually, don’t tell me. Just say “thank you, Lord Northampton”.’ ‘My lord,’ Loveday began. ‘I wonder…’ Northampton grimaced. ‘Holy Christ, FitzTalbot, am I giving you orders in fucking Turkish? Should I send for the king’s jester and have him stick a sackbut up his arse and fart it out in song? I said: “just say ‘thank you, Lord Northampton’”.’
I cannot wait to pick up book three which luckily comes out tomorrow
Wow what a book! How an entire novel about a siege where the army barely moves can be so gripping and compelling is a testament to the authors skill.
The historical details help to make it feel so, so real but the flair with which the characters are realised is my favourite part. So many brilliant characters that its hard to choose a favourite….no its not actually its Northampton by a long way but the other characters are all still favourites in their own right.
‘How does that sound?’ He paused. ‘Actually, don’t tell me. Just say “thank you, Lord Northampton”.’ ‘My lord,’ Loveday began. ‘I wonder…’ Northampton grimaced. ‘Holy Christ, FitzTalbot, am I giving you orders in fucking Turkish? Should I send for the king’s jester and have him stick a sackbut up his arse and fart it out in song? I said: “just say ‘thank you, Lord Northampton’”.’
I cannot wait to pick up book three which luckily comes out tomorrow
September 14, 2025
It’s a bit tough to give this book a good review because it’s the second book in the series and I’ve never read the first one. I was not aware of that when I entered the giveaway for the book.
Historical fiction but it seems more like a medieval fantasy novel. Not something I would ever buy. After the first 100 pages or so I coasted through the rest of the book.
Thanks to Viking Penguin for the free copy to read and review.
Historical fiction but it seems more like a medieval fantasy novel. Not something I would ever buy. After the first 100 pages or so I coasted through the rest of the book.
Thanks to Viking Penguin for the free copy to read and review.
January 7, 2024
My first book of 2024, and I’m DNF’ing it 🙃🙃
Honestly though, I’m SO disappointed in this. I LOVED the first book so much, but the storyline has taken a pretty distasteful sharp turn to the left — which I absolutely didn’t see coming from the ending of the first book. I really didn’t feel it was going in that direction at all. And flicking forwards, it seems like the female representation — of which there is scant amount — which I had thought would be quite interesting and unusual from the first book, devolves into some pretty horrible, chauvinistic, blokeish bullshit indulging in the classic sex / object / death trope.
It is the year of our Lord 2024. HOW are men still allowed to write women like this???
Honestly though, I’m SO disappointed in this. I LOVED the first book so much, but the storyline has taken a pretty distasteful sharp turn to the left — which I absolutely didn’t see coming from the ending of the first book. I really didn’t feel it was going in that direction at all. And flicking forwards, it seems like the female representation — of which there is scant amount — which I had thought would be quite interesting and unusual from the first book, devolves into some pretty horrible, chauvinistic, blokeish bullshit indulging in the classic sex / object / death trope.
It is the year of our Lord 2024. HOW are men still allowed to write women like this???
May 19, 2024
The continuing story of King Edwards invasion of France, told by a small group of soldiers who are beginning to feel a bit underappreciated. The horror of a siege is pretty much the main story here. We follow the Essex Dogs as they go from vanguard to brothel muscle, to the first over the wall. All the while the Dogs are losing members and becoming disillusioned. Dan Jones has a slew of breezy Non-Fiction books on various era of European History, and this is his first attempt at Historical Fictions. looking forward to the final book in the trilogy.
July 31, 2024
I so loved Dan Jones, Essex Dogs that I couldn't wait to read the second in the trilogy, Wolves of Winter. With Dan Jones expertise as a medieval historian, the era at the start of The Hundred Years War is brought to life, but I would say with the sensibilities of our times.
We follow the characters we met in the Essex Dogs as they linger on at the long and brutal siege of Calais in 1347. Their former Captain is introduced in this episode, but he has gone his own way and no longer believes in the one for all and all for one mentality.
At the end, one is left with the wonder of what will happen next, so I will be on pins and needles until the next one is released.
We follow the characters we met in the Essex Dogs as they linger on at the long and brutal siege of Calais in 1347. Their former Captain is introduced in this episode, but he has gone his own way and no longer believes in the one for all and all for one mentality.
At the end, one is left with the wonder of what will happen next, so I will be on pins and needles until the next one is released.
June 6, 2024
Great continuation from the first book, Essex Dogs. The time period is so interesting and Dan Jones spares no details in paiting a picture of how people, on both sides, would experience a long, drawn out siege in the Middle Ages.
Great banter between characters keeps dialogue enjoyable, with some new characters added to keep the story fresh and expand the scope. Excited to see where this series goes.
Great banter between characters keeps dialogue enjoyable, with some new characters added to keep the story fresh and expand the scope. Excited to see where this series goes.
May 7, 2024
When Essex Dogs came out last year I bought and read it simply on the basis of the author, Dan Jones, whose books I have read before and enjoyed. I noted in my review of Dogs that Jones is that rare historian that writes for the benefit of the average reader, the reader that can most benefit from reading history. That book was touted as the beginning of a series which, based on the subject of that book was to be about the Hundred Years War. Well if this was to be a series it appears to be only a two book series so maybe I misunderstood the author's use of the word series . I also may have misunderstood the Jones' intent for the books because that intent seemed to have been made more clear in this book. By the end of Wolves of Winter the characters in this 2 volume story illustrate who profits from war and who doesn't and isn't anybody whose life is ever in peril. While this illustration is from the 14th century it remains true today.
While I truly enjoy Jones's work I give this book and its predecessor only 3 stars. That is my rating for a book that is worth the purchase price and the time needed to read it. Three stars means it's a good book but not great. Saying that, however, I must also say that this book will probably only appeal to a narrow field of readers because of its subject, 14th century medieval warfare. This book begins with the Battle of Crecy and ends with the lifting of the siege of Calais. In my review of the first book I took Jones to task for several issues and none of those issues has been addressed in this book so my rating remains the same for this book as it was for the first volume. If a reader wants to know what it was like to be a frontline warrior in France in the 14th century then you will enjoy this book and all its vulgarity, crudeness, profanity, filth, and barbarous behavior. By the end of the book you will probably be bored by it, I was. The reasons for this conflict are never really explained and that may have been in keeping with what low level soldiers knew. Why should the reader know if the soldiers never knew? All the soldier knew was that he was offered the opportunity to earn some money by committing to a 40 day enlistment for his lord or king or both. Six weeks and the promise of hard money and the chance for a little plunder was all it took to sign one's life away. But death and circumstances had a way of upsetting the expectations of such soldiers. By the end of the book the Dogs had served 8 1/2 40 days commitments and only the first one was voluntary.
This was not an easy book to read as Jones does a good job of recreating the true atmosphere of life in a military camp in the 14th century and it was ugly, filthy, noxious, and devoid of hope. If the lord that hired them was killed then so died the promise of payment for serving. In such circumstance a soldier would attempt to hire on to with another lord under less than ideal bargaining position but how was a man to get home and, hopefully, with some money for his time and effort? Survival was the primary motivating factor for all such soldiers. Like I said it's a difficult book to read but it is interesting. Enjoy???
While I truly enjoy Jones's work I give this book and its predecessor only 3 stars. That is my rating for a book that is worth the purchase price and the time needed to read it. Three stars means it's a good book but not great. Saying that, however, I must also say that this book will probably only appeal to a narrow field of readers because of its subject, 14th century medieval warfare. This book begins with the Battle of Crecy and ends with the lifting of the siege of Calais. In my review of the first book I took Jones to task for several issues and none of those issues has been addressed in this book so my rating remains the same for this book as it was for the first volume. If a reader wants to know what it was like to be a frontline warrior in France in the 14th century then you will enjoy this book and all its vulgarity, crudeness, profanity, filth, and barbarous behavior. By the end of the book you will probably be bored by it, I was. The reasons for this conflict are never really explained and that may have been in keeping with what low level soldiers knew. Why should the reader know if the soldiers never knew? All the soldier knew was that he was offered the opportunity to earn some money by committing to a 40 day enlistment for his lord or king or both. Six weeks and the promise of hard money and the chance for a little plunder was all it took to sign one's life away. But death and circumstances had a way of upsetting the expectations of such soldiers. By the end of the book the Dogs had served 8 1/2 40 days commitments and only the first one was voluntary.
This was not an easy book to read as Jones does a good job of recreating the true atmosphere of life in a military camp in the 14th century and it was ugly, filthy, noxious, and devoid of hope. If the lord that hired them was killed then so died the promise of payment for serving. In such circumstance a soldier would attempt to hire on to with another lord under less than ideal bargaining position but how was a man to get home and, hopefully, with some money for his time and effort? Survival was the primary motivating factor for all such soldiers. Like I said it's a difficult book to read but it is interesting. Enjoy???
October 28, 2023
Following the battle of #crecy Dan jones takes the #essexdogs to the 1346/7 siege of Calais. #danjones ‘ #wolvesofwinter published in 2023 continues the story of a group of mercenaries fighting for the English during the invasion of france in 1346. A boots on the ground action adventure, featuring the type of men that history cannot remember. It really shows how unpleasant and brutal sieges could be for both sides. The tone is slightly less comedic than the first entry in the series (except for the occasional bit of gallows humour) but that fits the plot/characters as the fault lines between the group widen and the characters go in their separate directions. A few of the plot threads from the first novel are developed (particularly the captain’s story, which is great so far) but I would have liked the book to be a little longer to further develop the French woman and spend a bit more time with millstone and Scotsman. Hopefully we will see more of them in book three. I really enjoy loveday’s portrayal as the old soldier past his prime but still pushing. Romford’s arc frustrated me at first as he didn’t seem to learn much from his experiences in the first book, but by the end of this book he is in such a different and interesting place I am keen to see where that goes. So many cliffhangers. Looking forward to the next instalment.
March 15, 2025
Dan Jones plotting mastery is on full display early as rows of seeds spout and evolve into satisfying set pieces. We watch them flower with a smile or a raised fist.
The first hundred pages of Wolves of Winter are flawless. Loveday, Romford, and Scotsman entangle with characters new and old in wildly creative ways. Romford has discovered hallucinogens and even as a tripping mess he carries the first half of the novel with narrative splendor. The naive archer is The Dog we most root for and identify with.
Our story grows a bit murky as scenes jump from inside and outside Calais and characters play the French and English against each other. Overall, this entry shines with less grandeur than Essex Dogs but is still well-done fun. The final book in this trilogy can hoists the series into the upper echelon of must-read historical fiction.
The first hundred pages of Wolves of Winter are flawless. Loveday, Romford, and Scotsman entangle with characters new and old in wildly creative ways. Romford has discovered hallucinogens and even as a tripping mess he carries the first half of the novel with narrative splendor. The naive archer is The Dog we most root for and identify with.
Our story grows a bit murky as scenes jump from inside and outside Calais and characters play the French and English against each other. Overall, this entry shines with less grandeur than Essex Dogs but is still well-done fun. The final book in this trilogy can hoists the series into the upper echelon of must-read historical fiction.
March 20, 2025
A great follow up to Essex Dogs, Wolves of Winter follows a similar retelling of the next phase of the Hundred Years’ War, largely focusing on the siege of Calais.
The writing continues the gritty approach to war, focusing on a reduced cast of characters, following the loss of key players. Even after the introduction of new figures such as the Captain and Marant, I think the more closely focused cast allows for better character development and depth, something which felt missing from the first novel.
That being said, I’d have liked to see more going on in this book. The siege of Calais felt drawn out (and I understand it was a long siege) but I felt like this compromised on the number of good action scenes in the book which would have kept the narrative going. I also felt the side story of Squelette didn’t feel like it ran its course.
Overall another enjoyable take on the Hundred Years War, which is commendable for focusing on the rank and file and their experiences of medieval warfare.
The writing continues the gritty approach to war, focusing on a reduced cast of characters, following the loss of key players. Even after the introduction of new figures such as the Captain and Marant, I think the more closely focused cast allows for better character development and depth, something which felt missing from the first novel.
That being said, I’d have liked to see more going on in this book. The siege of Calais felt drawn out (and I understand it was a long siege) but I felt like this compromised on the number of good action scenes in the book which would have kept the narrative going. I also felt the side story of Squelette didn’t feel like it ran its course.
Overall another enjoyable take on the Hundred Years War, which is commendable for focusing on the rank and file and their experiences of medieval warfare.
May 1, 2025
As much as I enjoyed the first book, I think I liked this one more. He did a great job with developing the Essex Dogs and really showing the rough times through these characters. I found the new characters sprinkled throughout a good way to keep the story interesting and they created a good contrast with the main group.
July 16, 2025
Mijn introductie tot de auteur Dan Jones waren deze fictieboeken over de "Essex Dogs" en ik moet zeggen dat ik fan ben. Als hij zijn non-fictie schrijft zoals zijn fictie, dan wordt mijn bibliotheek straks nog een beetje uitgebreid.
Nu over het boek zelf of liever de boeken, wil ik maar één ding zeggen. Mochten ze ooit van deze trilogie (3de boek uit op 31 juli) een hbo serie maken, dan kom ik mijn kot niet uit en binge ik ze.
Nu over het boek zelf of liever de boeken, wil ik maar één ding zeggen. Mochten ze ooit van deze trilogie (3de boek uit op 31 juli) een hbo serie maken, dan kom ik mijn kot niet uit en binge ik ze.
September 8, 2024
The honest truth is that I found this book disappointing in the end.
There is a good story that is ruined by an overuse of foul language which doesn't really work in terms of creating an "earthiness" and a "this is what war is about" feel to it. There is a great deal of gratuitous violence that is, ultimately, irrelevant (there's enough "violence" in the honest bits dealing with the siege of Calais that work really well and would suffice). There is too much of the drunken bunch of macho lads being course and pretending to be something that they'll wake up to be ashamed of tomorrow.
Poor, Dan, poor.
There is a good story that is ruined by an overuse of foul language which doesn't really work in terms of creating an "earthiness" and a "this is what war is about" feel to it. There is a great deal of gratuitous violence that is, ultimately, irrelevant (there's enough "violence" in the honest bits dealing with the siege of Calais that work really well and would suffice). There is too much of the drunken bunch of macho lads being course and pretending to be something that they'll wake up to be ashamed of tomorrow.
Poor, Dan, poor.
March 26, 2024
Started strong but took an unrecoverable turn. I get it’s the 100 years war and we must remember the atrocities of old and the suffering of a pre-air conditioning society. But the obscure details and choices of what is described felt like suffering was at the forefront instead of story telling. We get no payoffs and all of the evil people meet off screen deaths unlike the 20 pages of suffering our protagonists feel.
March 6, 2024
I really enjoyed Essex Dogs, and was looking forward to the next instalment in the trilogy; I wasn't disappointed. 'Middle' parts of trilogies are often packed with action to move the plot along, but it can sometimes be tricky to make them rounded stories in their own right. Dan Jones manages this really well here; yes, you really need to know the characters/situation already to get the most out of it, but the Seige of Calais makes a good framework for the book and you get a good sense of each personality thanks to his very gritty character portrayal and lively dialogue. I was fascinated by the details of the seige itself, knowing nothing about it, and the strategic elements of medieval warfare are always really interesting to me. The treatment of civilians and refugees was really shocking and the irony of the boating scene was sadly not lost on a modern day reader.
I really love the warts and all descriptions of everyday life, the grime, the swearing, the violence - it all feels shockingly realistic.
The pace was really good and I raced through the book, liked the new characters and mourned some of the old (not all!). Really hope that somehow they all make it back together and get what they deserve in the end. Can't wait to see how Dan rounds off the story in part 3!
I really love the warts and all descriptions of everyday life, the grime, the swearing, the violence - it all feels shockingly realistic.
The pace was really good and I raced through the book, liked the new characters and mourned some of the old (not all!). Really hope that somehow they all make it back together and get what they deserve in the end. Can't wait to see how Dan rounds off the story in part 3!
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