Craven's War

A Call to Arms

By: Nick S. Thomas

Narrated by: Duncan Galloway

Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Captain James Craven followed the army to war to make his fortune, not to fight battles.

In the spring of 1809 the British Army, spearheaded by Sir Arthur Wellesley, pushes north to drive the French out of Portugal. Captain James Craven, a prize fighter and rogue recruited to teach the use of cold steel, is along for the ride, seeking riches and wine. As quick with his mouth as he is with a blade, Craven is caught in a forbidden duel by Wellesley himself on the eve of battle. The outcome is not what he expected. Craven’s life is about to take a major turn and descend into a whirlwind adventure beyond his wildest imagination.

Ambushed at night by a treacherous Portuguese officer fighting for the French enemy, Craven must do more than lead soldiers into battle. He must also prove himself to Wellesley in the face of 20,000 enemy troops defending the city of Porto.

The Craven’s War series tells the exciting adventure of one rogue’s journey through the Napoleonic Wars as he tries to stay alive and make his fortune.

©2020 Nick S. Thomas (P)2020 Swordworks

For fans of clashing blades

I really enjoyed this story! I liked Captain Craven. He displays common sense and a certain underplayed generosity of spirit. While he is certainly flawed, and thinks he's only looking out for himself and his squad, he’s essentially a Good Guy.
I enjoyed the martial and dueling scenes too. I appreciate that it's difficult to describe and explain the technical details of an action scene and still maintain the narrative pace, but I always enjoy a good fight! And I thought the narrator did a fine job of voicing the different characters, although I would have expected more shouting from such an unruly mob.
I requested a free copy this audiobook and leave this voluntary honest review.

Craven's War

This was an engaging story with good characters.Duncan Galloway was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Excitement

This book is so exciting I cannot believe this man lives through all the fights. He’s an honorable man fighting dishonorable people. He is protective and not to me as an honorable man. I think you’ll love this book as much as I did if I have a go to book in the future to read then this will come back to me again.

Nice Captain Craven

For a swashbuckling ne'er-do-well, Captain Craven was awfully nice and polite. Even though, or maybe because, every fight was described in such detail it kind of took the excitement out of them. Actually, everything was described in great detail, down to the fullers on the swords. I definitely know a lot more about the weaponry of the time now. The story was ok, with a good plot, but maybe not as fast moving and gritty as I usually like. The narration was good, and I could recognize each of the main characters with no problem. This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Action Historical Fiction

If you like the Napoleonic Wars, historical fiction, duels, and the technicalities of fighting, this is the book for you! Duncan Galloway's narration is pretty darn good. I would have liked a little more excitement from his voice here and there, but overall it's a good performance, which occasionally hits heights when he really gets into playing certain characters.

Falls Short

Captain Craven, the protagonist, is somewhat of a cross between Flashman and Richard Sharpe. Unfortunately, this novel falls inadequately short of either one of the well-loved titles. Descriptions of the setting and the overall plot is mediocre, save for that of various sword fights. The dialogue between class-conscious British during the Regency Era sounds too modern or a poor attempt at what they may have sounded like. Worst of all the narrator makes the dialogue even more cringing. Had Patrick Tull been alive and lent his talent, it would have made even this sophomoric attempt mildly entertaining.