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Blood on the Crown
- Struggle for the Crown, Book 1
- Narrated by: Marston York
- Series: Struggle for the Crown, Book 1
- Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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Publisher's Summary
Based on the actual events of the years 1367-1382, the novel shows the struggle for the crown through the eyes of a young warrior.
Blood on the Crown is set in the latter half of the 14th century.
Will, son of Harry, is about to join one of the freebooting mercenaries who serve the Black Prince in Gascony and Spain. Soldiers of fortune, they fight for pay and for loot. Circumstances mean that he comes to the attention of the heir to the English throne, Prince Edward, and is chosen as the bodyguard for his sons, Edward and Richard. When the Black Prince dies before his father and his elder brother, Edward, also dies, a young Richard of Bordeaux becomes heir to the throne, and Will has a greater responsibility than he expected. He becomes King at the age of just 10. Intrigue, attempted murder and a revolt by the peasants of Kent, Essex and London put both the young King and his bodyguard in mortal danger.
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What listeners say about Blood on the Crown
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Yvonne T, Griffin
- 06-10-20
Held my interest
The story was interesting and enjoyable. The book, however, needs a good editor as certain phrases were used repeatedly -- at times actually contradicting previous uses -- and the grammar and word choices were not up to par.
2 people found this helpful
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- alicia garcia
- 07-26-21
Written in crayon with stick figure characters
i feel the author tries to emulate Cornwell and Martin but without the same storytelling skills and character development that make these types of stories so much fun. some of the dialogue was ridiculously corny and everything is very predictable i had to cringe often.
the narrator and recording production quality were excellent though.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall
- Marc Laue
- 04-30-22
Very short books
The books are too short. I'm on the third book and I'm burning through credits. The last book I listened to was The way of kings and that's about 50 hours of listening time. The story is fine, the reader is great, but I think the author's publisher took one book and sliced it up for more profits.
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- Matthew
- 04-10-22
Fantastic!
For those used to medieval historical fiction, this won’t disappoint! I mean both the author/story, and the narrator!
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- Bradberry66
- 04-14-21
Epic
Fantastic author and story! This is my first Griff Hosker book but it won't be my last!
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- Mark
- 04-03-21
Commit to the series
This is the second Griff Hosler series I have read so you can apply this review to any of the Struggle for the Crown books. If you’re a fan of Bernard Cornwell these are great choices. Marston Yorks interpretation of the characters is first rate and his presentation of the stories keeps you wanting more. The stories are interesting and easy to follow and are a realistic dive into 13th century England. The series won’t dissapoint, but don’t blame me if you can’t get enough fast enough
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- David G.
- 01-11-20
Disappointed
I've read and enjoyed a few Griff Hosker books/series but the storyline was the weakest , with the least believable characters.
The narrator didn't help. Either mechanical/deadpan or almost comical .
3 people found this helpful
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- Ms P V Jennings
- 04-22-20
Great story, well told.
‘Blood on the Crown’ is the first book in ‘Struggle for the Crown’ series, and tells the story of Will Strongsword, who served his king dutifully, even though at times he is pulled in different directions.
The story, which is set in one of the most fascinating times in English history, is told from the perspective, not of the hierarchy, but of the sell swords who fought in the wars as a way to earn money by scavenging the battlefields for amour, weapons, coins, horses and food, in the hope of a better life when they return home.
This may not be a book for everyone if you like your historical reads to be factual, as this is a mix of legend and history, but if you love books with memorable characters that you can both love and despise at the same time, then this is a great listen.
Marston Yorks’ story telling is fantastic, loved his accents, although not always accurate.
It is a superbly told story that gripped me from beginning to end.
1 person found this helpful
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- Foxhole
- 03-08-22
Not the best from this time
Characters a little bland and under developed which isn't helped by some off-putting narration which comes across almost patronising at times. A little cheesy and unrealistic at times.
Good story though and enough to keep me investigated for the next one.
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- David Tilley
- 08-31-19
awsome
great storyline and captures you from the off. looking forward to hearing the next installment of Will and his journey.
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- Grahame Davis
- 06-11-19
I liked it I will follow this story to book 2
good story, and easy to find oneself being in 1300s and imagining how brutal life could be, but honour and spirit can take you a long way, and Will looks like he is in for quite a journey
1 person found this helpful