Customer Reviews
Passage at Arms - By: , 08 Nov 2001 
A fantastic work set at the start of the Hundred year war between England & France. The author injects the right mix of historical fact with "fictional adventure' to give this book both educational & entertainment elements. If you have enjoyed reading books by Bernard Cornwell you will love this! You may even note some similarities between this book & Cornwell's own Harlequin. I only hope that Daniel Hall continues writing, unfortunately sometime has elapsed since the publication of this book & the present. Fingers crossed.
A gripping historical read, whthout a dull moment. - By: , 08 Jul 2000 It is indeed rare to find a book that is hard to put down. Daniel Hall has created not only a believable hero Martin Kemp, but weaves a series of parallel stories & intrigue that has you reading faster & faster to keep pace with the action. The character of Martin Kemp develops into a realistic & human figure, who's exploits demand attention. I defy anyone by the end of the book not to feel that they have been actually living with Kemp. The vivid descriptions emotionally involve you to the extent that you feel like you need a rest & a bath after the battles. Hall has resisted the temptation for using ye olde Anglo-Saxon speaks, which can make so many historical novels really hard work. This book is easy to read, which means that your reading speed can match the tempo of the story...so important. All I can say is read it! Well done Daniel Hall for a book that is a gripping, straightforward & stonking read.
An absorbing page-turner. - By: Alec Johnson, 30 Apr 2000 
I really enjoyed this new author. The history is fascinating & well served up. I immediately ordered the nextin the series & pray for more. I'm an avid Sharpe fan & found this as interesting, but with the added attraction of shedding light into the experience of warfare during the 100 Years War. I'd love to see this developed for film or television.
RARE BREED OF HISTORICAL FICTION - By: , 05 Jan 1999 Historical fiction which does not fall into the crime or romance sub-genres is rare enough,so it was pleasing to encounter Daniel Hall's debut novel.His hero is Martin Kemp,not the Spandau Ballet version but a fourteenth century English peasant & a very engaging chap he turns out to be.I wont divulge too many plot details but basically Kemp is saved from hanging by joining Edward the Third's army as they are about to set off on an expedition to France during the Hundred Years War.His sentence of death is incurred by getting too close to the daughter of the local nobleman (for whom Kemp harbours strong,if misguided affections) & the theme of the book revolves around Kemp's naive ideas of chivalry & his ultimate aim of rising above his humble birth & claiming the girl as his own.As he soon finds out,the reality of the age of chivalry is somewhat less Athurian than he imagines. If the plotline sounds slightly formulaic,dont be put off ! Where Hall really excels isin his portrayal of Medieval warfare & the various set pieces are superbly written,especially the climactic description of the gruesome Battle of Crecy. The reader gets an informed insight into what the participationin such battles must have been like for the rank & file - the fears,desperation, fatigue & exultation.Hall's fluent,interesting writing style is maintained throughout & the reader soon achieves the author's aimin caring somewhat about the fate of Kemp & his well defined comrades. I would strongly recommend that you give this book a try,as its appeal is certainly not confined to those with an interestin the period.It succeeds as Historical Fiction certainly,but also as a good ,old-fashioned 'cracking read'.
