Customer Reviews

12 reviews

• Chris Gregory

  I was able to get an advance copy of the Swordsmith for review. I found it to be a gripping and engaging tale of a time that we only get to visit between the covers of great tales like this one. The vivid imagery and character development that Simon produced in his story held my imagination and made me regret it when the book was over. For those of us that like historical fiction written by authors with skill, this is a great read that will leave you hoping that Simon has another book in him to let out. Enjoy.

• Gavin Moody

  Great first novel by this author, a real page turner.

• Nicola coe

  A great read , I thoroughly enjoyed this book , would definitely recommend and looking forward to more from this author .

• Peter Williamson

  I chose the e-book format, which flows really nicely. I have already finished the Swordsmith within just a few days! I love well researched and engrossing medieval stories which there simply are not enough of, so this ticked all of my boxes off. Also, I really enjoyed exploring an area that I do not know a lot so I will be looking out for more East Angle / Anglo Saxon books like this in future. Thanks a lot!

• Brian

  I particularly like the blend of fact and fiction. I am a bit of a stickler for historical correctness but I think it works well. A solid first novel and exploration into an exciting tumultuous time our history.

• El Herrador

  The Swordsmith is a novel set in the early medieval period or Dark Ages. Very few stories seem to have been set in this post Roman period. It is a great read which goes beyond the “sword and sandals” genre. Although it covers 12 years, it races along. The places and people were believable, even though nothing is known about the seven historical figures found in the story. The main protagonist, Osgar, an Angle and his uncle, a Jute, occupy much of the tale. Osgar is an apprentice blacksmith to his uncle and eventually learns the skills of sword-making. There are skirmishes and battles to survive and antagonists, both Angle and Briton.
  There is a deeper meaning, which may relate to today, in much of the story. Immigration, slavery, growing up, security, religious and cultural clashes are part of every chapter. Probably most importantly, to the readers of this genre, it is a page turner with plenty of cliff edges. If you like The Last Kingdom, you will love this, set 300 years earlier.

• paul horner

  A fantastic read!

• S. Muelle

  This novel is a blinding burst of light into the darkest of Dark Ages, the settling of the Germanic tribes in the 6th century to create the land we know as England. As the true craftsman Simon Curtis is, he has carefully researched all the elements needed to forge this work. Where historians don't agree, we get a more than plausible description of how things might have been. Accurate descriptions of blacksmithing are a very rare occurrence in novels and films, as a Farrier turned Bladesmith I found myself delighting in the descriptions in the book, Simon's first hand, lifelong experience shines through.
  It's a joy to read, a true page turner that satisfies the reader on all accounts.
  

• Thomas Burch

  Really enjoyed this book. Excellent read.

• Wayne Upton

  Written by a storyteller who has a passion for this period of our small island’s history and an in depth knowledge of the geography of this area. He forges a gripping tale of a young blacksmith’s adventures. A captivating read.

• Ed C.

  A fast moving bloodthirsty thriller set 1600 years back, skillfully blending fact and fiction plus metalurgical technical knowledge and all based within miles of his lifelong home. Terrific.

• Hazel Rolfe

  I started reading The Swordsmith and thought that perhaps this is not for me.
  I was wrong, it is a great story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, how about another one Simon ?
  

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