El Cid: Castilian Knight

Reconquista Chronicles, Book 1

By: Griff Hosker

Narrated by: Frazer Blaxland

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

This first instalment in the Chronicles tells of Rodrigo’s rise to prominence when he became the champion of Prince Sancho of Castile.

This is but the beginning of a tale which still stirs the blood a millennium after it began. The legend that was El Cid began more than 1,000 years ago, and time has meant that reality and fiction are intertwined like the threads of a spider’s web.

This is the story of a time when brother fought brother and Christian fought Christian. Power was all, and Spain was riven by strife which was political, religious and familial!

One man came from the harsh land of Castile to make one land and one state. Spain truly began with Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, El Campeador, El Cid. His story is told through the eyes of the warrior who spent his life at his side. William Redbeard came from humble origins, but he was destined for greatness too as he walked in the seemingly endless shadow of El Cid.

©2019 Griff Hosker (P)2020 W. F. Howes

Couldn’t put it down.

Wonderful historical fiction. Full of action, pace and detail, and from an unexpected point of view. A thoroughly enjoyable book.

Great story, one of the best

Enthralling, riveting story of the early days of El Cid. If you have no idea who he was, do a little research so you can put the story in its proper perspective as you listen to it.

Fun War Story

I’m a fan of historical fiction, I’ve read a little too much Harry Turtledove and Bernard Cornwell, as such a writer like Griff Hosker is right up my alley. El Cid is a captivating story and one that I really like seeing expanded upon. What I didn’t like in this story is Will Redbeard. He is an unbelievable character. There is no struggle with inner demons, there is no self discovery, no jealousy of his friend that he needs to come to terms with. Just a one dimensional warrior. I’ll listen to the next book but I don’t qualify this as the definitive El Cid story, at least not at this point. Maybe Will morphs into a real person in the next volume.

Excellent Story,

well told and entertaining, I am looking forward to hearing more of the story of El Cid

Gripping story

Good introduction to the story of El Cid. Moves fast and was much better than expected.

The Reign in Spain

Griff Hosker is one of my go to authors when I need a guaranteed good read. This is a series of books about the great Spanish warrior El Cid, whom I was interested after watching the series (not based on this book). The POV is a first person account of the life of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (c. 1043 – 10 July 1099) by his mentor and close friend Will Redbeard. Excellent narration and I look forward to Book 3 in the series.

pretty ok

solid story, solid narration. overall enjoyable and I plan to continue the series of three books.

Great story, but not really what I expected

I thought that as a story, it’s great, and is a fun listen. But in the end, this book is wayyyy more about the fictional William Redbeard than it really is about El Cid. The whole story follows William and El Cid just participates until the end when they finally recognize his insane skills, and then the story ends

Griff Hosker is the king of historical fiction

Excellent characters and setting. The whole world feels real and historically accurate enough to be believable, the characters fit in this medieval era perfectly. William is a relatable character as well as remarkable in his abilities; his struggle comes from his birth, born in a class that keeps him from achieving the level of prestige in Medieval society that he rightfully deserves. However there is one noble who appreciates his abilities more than anyone, and he is young and soon to be legendary El Cid! This story covers military training, discipline, and strategy of that historical era with fun minor characters that may have great potential later on. Most of the characters are Spanish Christians, however Muslim characters enter the story later on and both Christians and Muslims are depicted tastefully as great warriors of their time. I look forward to the next part of this sorry!

As good as other Griff Hosker books.

Good start to what I bet will be an amazing series. It took me a little while to understand the name difference but once I got that I went back and started over. I felt like I'd missed a few things because of name confusion. Anyway another great Griff hosker book I don't know how he does it. Fraser Blaxland did a fantastic job.