The Armor of Light

A Novel (Kingsbridge, Book 5)

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: John Lee

The long-awaited sequel to A Column of Fire, The Armor of Light, heralds a new dawn for Kingsbridge, England, where progress clashes with tradition, class struggles push into every part of society, and war in Europe engulfs the entire continent and beyond.

The Spinning Jenny was invented in 1770, and with that, a new era of manufacturing and industry changed lives everywhere within a generation. A world filled with unrest wrestles for control over this new world order: A mother’s husband is killed in a work accident due to negligence; a young woman fights to fund her school for impoverished children; a well-intentioned young man unexpectedly inherits a failing business; one man ruthlessly protects his wealth no matter the cost, all the while war cries are heard from France, as Napoleon sets forth a violent master plan to become emperor of the world. As institutions are challenged and toppled in unprecedented fashion, ripples of change ricochet through our characters’ lives as they are left to reckon with the future and a world they must rebuild from the ashes of war.

Over thirty years ago, Ken Follett published his most popular novel, The Pillars of the Earth. Now, with this electrifying addition to the Kingsbridge series we are plunged into the battlefield between compassion and greed, love and hate, progress and tradition. It is through each character that we are given a new perspective to the seismic shifts that shook the world in nineteenth-century Europe.

Critic reviews

Praise for The Armor of Light

"Ken Follett is a master storyteller . . . His works of historical fiction have made him a legend. . . . Follett’s latest marks the end of a storytelling journey that spans a thousand years. The Armor of Light is also the final entry in his Kingsbridge series."
—Jeff Glor, CBS

"We can’t stop turning the pages. . . . it is Follett’s generosity and adeptness with historical detail and nimble depictions of technical matters that set this book, like its predecessors, above mere historical melodrama."
—The Washington Post

"A treat for fans of historical fiction."
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"This epic canvas holds a mélange of relationships which all work out exactly as they should while Follett brings Kingsbridge up to the Regency era."
—Booklist

"An impressive and immersive epic."
—Publishers Weekly

Not like the rest

I wondered often if it was just AI. Had Follets formula but no heart. Didn’t care about the characters

Incredible as always

Another great installment in the kingsbridge series. Highly recommend. Felt pulled into the struggles of industrialization and class.

Ken Follet is still one of my favorite authors

But, I could barely stand the "sing-songy" rhythm of the narrator. It distracted me from the story and perpetually annoyed me.

I didn't feel as invested in the characters as I did earlier versions, but in his usual fashion Ken Follet is able to thread some realism into the storyline. I always enjoy that.
This is one book May may have enjoyed much more had I simply read it to myself. It's difficult to be such a big fan and submit such a poor review. Sorry

A little less engaging than previous books in the series

I did find the narrator’s pronunciation a little irritating. Perhaps folks in that time spoke like that, but I found it too wearing. I almost fast forwarded past some areas but resisted the urge in the end. I did enjoy the history lesson.

Rather Enjoyable

Not quite as in depth as the previous stories in the series, but I still found it quite enjoyable!