Bookreview: The Way Back

A great historical fiction book

Summary

Churchill tasked the SOE to set Europe ablaze - but it was the RAF
who got them there.

It was the start of the Allies way back into Europe that led to D-Day. For one
burned out pilot who had been judged to be 'Lacking Moral Fibre' it was
his own way back...

My review

As usual I started reading the sequel instead of the first book. 😀
However I easily came into the story. The main character was deepened out
very well and it also has a realistic story.

So, I really enjoyed "The Way Back". I recommend this book to all who love
historical fiction.

With lots of pleasure I give a 5 star rating for "The Way Back".

Note to the author: Please do write other books soon! 

The author

Malcolm started writing fiction around 10 years ago, self-publishing
three novels through Amazon including a mountaineering thriller,
The Last Mountain, which has had more than 10,000 downloads. He
also has two books published by a small publisher, including a collection
of WW1 stories which topped the Amazon anthology best-sellers list
at Christmas 2014.

His short stories have done well in a number of competitions, including
runner-up placings for those run by Henshaw Press and the Mere Literary Festival.

Having written in several genres early in his career, Malcolm has now settled
into writing historical fiction.

This includes LMF, a WW2 novel set during the RAFs controversial night
bombing campaign, Leviathan, a novella about a young, frightened pilot hunting
Zeppelins in the night during WW1, The Neutral Zone, a collection of short stories,
and Eleven Days, a novel set around the events of 'Bloody April' 1917.

LATEST NEWS!

The long-awaited sequel to LMF, The Way Back, is published 15 March 2021.

Booktasters

Of course I really want to thank booktasters for this splendid reading chance.
It actually was my 40th. book review for Booktasters ☝

Bookreview: Pit of Vipers

 Amazing series!

Summary

In Pit of Vipers, the second book in the Sons of Kings trilogy, the lives of
Alfred of Wessex and Eadwulf of Mercia continue to unfold against the ever
increasing threat of Danish raids.

Now back in his homeland, Eadwulf sets out on his determined quest for revenge,
whilst Alfred’s leadership skills develop at the courts of his successive brothers.
Before long, those skills will be put to the test . . .

The Danish invasion of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in 865 is merciless and relentless.
Every year more Norse ships come to join their comrades in a quest to plunder for
wealth and gain domination over the people.

The Wessex king is now Aethelred, Alfred’s last surviving brother, and Alfred becomes
his trusted second-in-command. Whilst the Danes take kingdom after kingdom,
the brothers wait with baited breath for them to set their sights on Wessex.

By 869 their worst fear is realised.

In the meantime, Eadwulf pursues the objects of his revenge.

My Review

First of all, I really liked the more mysterious book cover.

Secondly the books of Millie Thom always start with a clear description of
the characters and a map of the Anglo Saxon Kingdom, which always are 

very easy to follow. 

"The Pit of Vipers" is very nicely written and with a good mix of dialogues

and storytelling.  It made one thing very clear: Millie Thom knows a lot
of this period! I think it wasn't an easy time to live in.

"The Pit of Vipers" really is a page turner. I wanted to know the end of this
story 👀.

Last but no least, I will recommend this fantastic book and series for all
readers who like (royal) historical fiction! With pleasure, I give 
Pit of Vipers a 5 star rating on 5. 

The Author

Millie Thom is a former geography and history teacher with a degree in
geology and a particular passion for the Anglo Saxon and Viking era.
She was born in Southport, Lancashire, in 1947, and happily admits
to being a 'boomer'.

After completing a teacher training course in Liverpool in 1968, she moved
to Yorkshire to take up her first teaching post. This was at a secondary
school in a small mining village, where most of the children -
and more than a few of the staff - spoke in a dialect riddled with 'thees',
'thous', 'hast thas' and wilt thas'. She also met her husband to be at this time,
a teacher at a rival school - the rivalry always being in the not-so-gentle sport of
rugby!

In 1970 Millie and her husband moved down to Wantage for six years.
Wantage is known a King Alfred's town, since it is the place where he was born.
In 1976 she moved up to Nottinghamshire, and still lives there with her husband,
midway between Lincoln and Newark. Their six grown up children all live close by.

Since retiring from teaching, Millie has been writing the trilogy about King Alfred
that has been screaming to be born for so many years. Book 1, 'Shadow of the Raven'
is already published on Amazon, and Book 2, 'Pit of Vipers' is presently nearing
completion.

I think Millie Thom was a fantastic teacher. I would like to have had (royal)
history lessons from her! Luckily I can read these amazing series! 

BookTasters

I had the chance to read this splendid book for free via BookTasters. So thank you
very much!!! I hope to read more books from this excellent author! 

Source picture: Book Cover