Series of the Month: Master of War by David Gilman

By LoveReading | Posted: 1st September 2024 | Updated: 27th November 2024

The Master of War is the 8-book strong, immensely powerful and breathtaking historical fiction series by David Gilman set during the Hundred Years' War. If you're looking for fierce action and gripping heroics we highly recommend this series.

Widely revered, the series has been applauded from all areas. The Times described it as “heart-pounding action”, the Daily Mail as “page-turning and gritty” and Wilbur Smith prepares you to hang on for “a gripping ride.” Our Liz Robinson recently adored book 8 in the series, To Kill A King, awarding it a LoveReading Star Book and describing it as “the most wonderfully fierce and stimulating slice of battle-filled historical fiction.”

The latest instalment is so beautifully written, you could step into the middle of the series and read this as a standalone, but if you haven’t yet joined, do start with the first, Master of War. We absolutely love David Gilman’s writing, no matter the period or style, he has the ability to capture your attention from the get-go, and thoroughly immerse you in the world of extreme action he creates. The authentic historical setting, camaraderie amongst the men, and desperate deeds in the height of battle, all help to create a gripping and oh-so readable tale of heroics and death.

In the first instalment, Master of War, its 1346 and we meet young English archer Thomas Blackstone as he faces a choice - be hung for a murder he didn't commit or take up his bow and join the King's invasion of France. Facing battles that will change the course of his life and forges a legend.

The second book, Defiant Unto Death picks up Blackstone's story ten years on, betrayed to the King of France, traitors and the French King's army closes in Blackstone will have to defy friends, family and crown to stand and fight.

The third book of the series, Gate of the Dead picks up in Tuscany in 1358, where Blackstone has built up a formidable reputation in the warring of Italy's City States. But success brings enemies and he is certain he's heading for a trap when he is recalled to England. All shadowed by a notorious assassin.

1360 is when book four commences. Viper's Blood sees sieges, stalemate and possibilities of peace in the Hundred's Year War as Blackstone must escort the French King's daughter to Italy to marry into the family that rule Milan. But with old resentments will he leave Milan alive?

After two decades of conflict book five, Scourge of Wolves is set in 1361 and Blackstone is once again forced into battle to enforce Edward III's claim of territory. With his men killed, his name tarnished and his family hunted, he'll face his opponents alone.

Cross of Fire is book six in the series. It is winter of 1362 and after decades of successful campaigning the once common archer Thomas Blackstone is now Edward III's Master of War. However the title is a curse as much as a blessing with enemies only multiplying.

War is coming once again in book seven, Shadow of the Hawk when in 1364 Jean Le Bon, King of France is dead and his son Charles V has no intention of honouring his father's treaty with England and Blackstone is tasked with securing Brittany for England.

When we reach our latest book in the series, To Kill a King, it is 1367. Sir Thomas Blackstone must still honour his oath to the Prince of Wales, but tensions in the Hundred Years' War rise once more and now his son, Henry faces his own perilous journey, with enemies out to target the Master of War.

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David Gilman has enjoyed many careers, including paratrooper, firefighter, and photographer. An award-winning author and screenwriter, he is the author of the critically acclaimed Master of War series of historical novels, and was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize for The Last Horseman. He was longlisted for the same prize for The Englishman, the first book featuring ex-French Foreign Legionnaire Dan Raglan. David lives in Devon.