- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Orion; New edition edition (24 Oct 1996)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0575600349
- ISBN-13: 978-0575600348
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 10.9 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 423,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
A ship appeared 100 years ago in the waters off the Hebrionese coast. None on board her survived, but now, when the Western world is in flames, and the faithful are warring amongst themselves, an ancient logbook from the ship of the dead tells of a free land across the Western ocean.
About the Author
Paul Kearney was born and grew up in Northern Ireland. He lived for some years in Copenhagen, then spent two years in America before returning to Britain in 1998.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Hawkwood's Voyage is a story of war, politics and discovery. It is mainly set within the 5 kingdoms of normannia where there is fighting in the east, race purification in the west and a power struggle between the church and the kings of the land.
The book has a few different character POV's, but it primarily centres on Hawkwood, Corfe and King Abelyn. Corfe is fighting the Merduk invasion in the east but is struggling to choose between his duty as a soldier and his own personal safety. Abelyn's kingdom is in turmoil as an internal war is being waged against the church who are sending all the heretics and dweomer folk (magical people) they can get their hands on to burn in the pyres. Hawkwood is a captain of two boats whose crew is full of the so called heretics, so when he is offered the chance to take ship in search of new land with a few of the kings choice passengers he takes it with both hands.
This book is comparable to George RR Martins A Song Of Ice And Fire series in a few ways, namely the scope of the story and the fact that there isn't so much a good side and a bad side, but good and bad on both sides. It is also similar to Joe Abercrombie's work in that it is blunt and to the point with a bit of sex and violence as well.
Although I am not a fan of sailing myself and I am not clued up on the terms of sailing (he uses quite a lot of these) I was very impressed with the way the portions of the book set at sea were written, the explanations of life at sea were very vivid and made me feel claustrophobic and at times even sick (in my opinion a good bit of writing). He also writes exciting battle scenes that make you feel like you are in the thick of the action.
This is a great opening and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
The book has a few different character POV's, but it primarily centres on Hawkwood, Corfe and King Abelyn. Corfe is fighting the Merduk invasion in the east but is struggling to choose between his duty as a soldier and his own personal safety. Abelyn's kingdom is in turmoil as an internal war is being waged against the church who are sending all the heretics and dweomer folk (magical people) they can get their hands on to burn in the pyres. Hawkwood is a captain of two boats whose crew is full of the so called heretics, so when he is offered the chance to take ship in search of new land with a few of the kings choice passengers he takes it with both hands.
This book is comparable to George RR Martins A Song Of Ice And Fire series in a few ways, namely the scope of the story and the fact that there isn't so much a good side and a bad side, but good and bad on both sides. It is also similar to Joe Abercrombie's work in that it is blunt and to the point with a bit of sex and violence as well.
Although I am not a fan of sailing myself and I am not clued up on the terms of sailing (he uses quite a lot of these) I was very impressed with the way the portions of the book set at sea were written, the explanations of life at sea were very vivid and made me feel claustrophobic and at times even sick (in my opinion a good bit of writing). He also writes exciting battle scenes that make you feel like you are in the thick of the action.
This is a great opening and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A highly recommended book (and series for that matter). The only reason I haven't given it 5 stars, is that the comparison that springs to mind is George R. R. Martin's Clash of Kings. Hawkwood's Voyage offers the same in terms of scope but George Martin delivers more detail and deals will a larger cast. That said, this is a great and engrossing read and Paul Kearney delivers the story at breakneck speed. After reading this and the other books in the series, I'm amazed at how much he manages to pack into every chapter. So if you found Clash of Kings or the like a bit slow, add a star!
There are two main storylines in the series. The first deals with a clash of empires which parallels Europe's history enough to be familar (which helps the imagination fill in the details that Paul Kearney can't cover given the breakneck pace) but for me was the most gripping of the two tales. This is pretty much pure tactics and brute force; little scorcery creeps in.
If you like you fantasy, magic heavy, not to worry, Paul Kearney covers both bases. The "title" storyline involves a sea voyage undertaken by persecuted users of magic ... While this is the tale the title refers, it difficult to appreciate in just this single novel, as it plays a much larger role in the series.
This book and the rest of the series is worthwhile addition to your library!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This novel is set in a fantasy world somewhat similar to medieval Europe. It vividly portrays the competing religious and political powers in the storylines of several participants from uncommon soldiers, monks, royalty, sailors and (here's the fantasy element)wizards. My only complaint is that the storyline of Hawkwood's voyage to find a new land is the least gripping.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Intelligent and entertaining.
There is a lot packed into a small book.
The pace is quick with plenty of action.
The view switches for character to character regularly, with each of the... Read more
The pace is quick with plenty of action.
The view switches for character to character regularly, with each of the... Read more
Published 12 months ago by plot hound
Solid epic fantasy with plenty of religious and political strife
Ship owner Richard Hawkwood's return to Abrusio (capital of Hebrion and greatest port in the Five Kingdoms) coincides with the middle of a religious purge orchestrated by the... Read more
Published 17 months ago by quippe
Imaginative and gripping fantasy series - superb!
The whole of the Monarchies of God series is excellent and deserves to put Paul Kearney into the big league of fantasy writers. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2002
Great stuff- fast-moving, exhilarating, a terrific read.
Let me put it this way...it's intoxicating. However,if up until this point you have been reading Gemmil or Kay,then turn away... Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2000
Excellent, hard hitting, fantasy
Paul Kearney, comes close to Elizbeth Moon in his gripping detail of fantasy wars. The book has 3 main story lines, a war, a ship voyage and a Kings attempt to hold his throne in... Read more
Published on 6 Nov 1998
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