Fear was my gateway to becoming interested in stories. My nanny growing up, a Scottish expat named Jackie with a fox pelt of red hair and a manic...
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A rousing new adventure series starring the "007 of the 1770s," C. C. Humphreys's Jack Absolute (Sourcebooks Landmark) marks the exhilarating beginning of an epic historical series.
Gregoras had vowed never to return to Constantinople, the cursed home that had betrayed and scarred not only his mind, but his face, for all to see. But now with 100,000 Muslim soldiers outside its walls, he can hear its desperate calls for his help, as it can only be held by men and mercenaries as skilled in battle as Gregoras, of which few remain. His return home, though, will mean not only having to face the constant hum of arrow and cannon, but also Theon, twin brother... and betrayer. And with him his beloved Sofia, lost when Gregoras was cast from his home, now bound to Theon in marriage. But the rewards of victory would not only be the glories of the battle, but the redemption of his name and his soul.
Review:
"Humphreys (Vlad: The Last Confession) offers a strong work of historical fiction set in the 1450s, about the battle of Mehmet, sultan of the Ottoman Turks, to conquer Constantinople, a target that has eluded the Muslims for generations. He approaches Constantinople with an insurmountable force. Standing against him is a unified front of Greeks, Italian allies and mercenaries, including Gregoras Lascaris, exiled from Constantinople after being wrongly accused of treachery, and disfigured. He is brought against his will to defend his city, find a lost manuscript for his new lover, Leilah, and confront Sofia, the woman he left behind. He discovers that Sofia is married to his treacherous brother Theon, and has a son who is actually Gregoras's. Gregoras fights to defend his city, regain his honor, and protect the people he loves, but he risks losing all against the inexorable encroachment of the Turks. Humphreys' skill with historical fiction is apparent on every page, and his ability to handle the large cast without tripping up readers is impressive. While the conquest is a foregone conclusion, Humphreys creates suspense and empathy for both sides of the conflict. Readers will enjoy reading a little-heard tale. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review:
"C.C. Humphreys is one of the very best historical novelists around." Simon Scarrow
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys was born in Toronto, lived till he was seven in Los Angeles, then grew up in the UK. As C.C. Humphreys, Chris has written seven historical fiction novels. Chris lives in Vancouver, Canada, with his wife and young son.
"Publishers Weekly Review"
by Publishers Weekly,
"Humphreys (Vlad: The Last Confession) offers a strong work of historical fiction set in the 1450s, about the battle of Mehmet, sultan of the Ottoman Turks, to conquer Constantinople, a target that has eluded the Muslims for generations. He approaches Constantinople with an insurmountable force. Standing against him is a unified front of Greeks, Italian allies and mercenaries, including Gregoras Lascaris, exiled from Constantinople after being wrongly accused of treachery, and disfigured. He is brought against his will to defend his city, find a lost manuscript for his new lover, Leilah, and confront Sofia, the woman he left behind. He discovers that Sofia is married to his treacherous brother Theon, and has a son who is actually Gregoras's. Gregoras fights to defend his city, regain his honor, and protect the people he loves, but he risks losing all against the inexorable encroachment of the Turks. Humphreys' skill with historical fiction is apparent on every page, and his ability to handle the large cast without tripping up readers is impressive. While the conquest is a foregone conclusion, Humphreys creates suspense and empathy for both sides of the conflict. Readers will enjoy reading a little-heard tale. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
"Review"
by Simon Scarrow,
"C.C. Humphreys is one of the very best historical novelists around."
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