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Review
'The Devil's Own is a marvellous book, colourful in its descriptions, its detail and rousing stories of battle exploits and highly informative in its historical imput' - Peterborough Evening Telegraph; 'Those who enjoy going into battle with Sharpe will love joining forces with Sergeant Jack Crossman... he's a hell of a character' - Darlington Northen Echo
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Sergeant John Crossman of the 88th regiment fighting in the Crimean War, is singled out by his commanding officer to go on a series of suicide missions - known as "fox hunts" - against the vicious Cossacks. Crossman is determined to whip his men into shape and not only survive, but win.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Set in 1854, some forty years or so after the bulk of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe books, this first entry in Kilworth's"Fancy Jack" series finds the British Army in rather dire straights in the Crimea. The hero is a Sergeant in the 88th regiment (the mainly Irish Connaught Rangers aka The Devil's Own), who is an outsider in more ways than one. Born and bred a gentleman, "Fancy Jack" Crossman has done the unthinkable and renounced his upbringing and entered the army as a ranker. While in the Sharpe series, we see a lowborn orphan rise though the ranks, here we have a highborn Scotsman in much the same situation. Mostly hated by those below for his education and manners, he's also mostly hated by his superiors for being a class traitor.
Kilworth seems to be attempting to emulate Cornwell's template in presenting an unvarnished ground-level view of historical military exploits. The book is full of details on equipment, procedures, social composition of the British forces, et., plus a parade of real historical figures. However, it's not done nearly as smoothly and seamlessly as Cornwell (or George McDonald Fraser's Flashman series for that matter). Clunky prose and exposition somewhat mars the storytelling, as Fancy Jack is sent on a few secret missions behind enemy lines with a band of misfit soldiers. For example, we're told three different times that the Allied (British/French/Turkish) forces number 55,000. We're also privy to a number of scenes of high-level commanders bickering that don't have much to do with anything other than to get across the historical reading Kilworth's on the ineffectiveness of the leadership. And in case you didn't get how devastating cholera was to the army the first time it's discussed, don't worry, you'll get several more chances to absorb the information. Kilworth has apparently written a number of children's books, and often the prose reads as if it's intended for a younger audience.
But the battle scenes are plenty gory, and there are plenty of "adult themes", and a requisite love interest. All in all, it's a decent page turner, but not nearly as good as the Sharpe books. The Fancy Jack saga continues with Valley of Death, Soldiers in the Mist, and The Winter Soldiers, and perhaps in these later volumes Kilworth touch becomes more subtle.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Not bad at all. If you're twiddling your thumbs awaiting the next Cornwall or Mallinson novel you'll like this. It doesn't have the detail of a Mallinson, but this serves to keep the momentum up much like a Sharpe novel. The formula is the usual fare with the hero possessing incredible guile and luck, but it's nevertheless thouroughly enjoyable . Well, I enjoyed it!
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I thought that it was a marvellous book - great for adults and children alike. I enjoyed the 'Sharpe' series and thought that this is a worthy rival. It is packed with action (though a bit gory in some places!) It really gives you an idea of the horrors of the Crimean war. The characters are colourful and imaginative and this really helps to capture the reader's attention. I would definitely recommend this and the other books in the series, which are just as exiting, action packed and emotional.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
INTRODUCING FANCY JACK
A cracking read, characters are engaging and storyline satisfies both the need for entertainment and thirst for a bit of historical knowledge. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Douglas Brown
Cornwell, you've got competition
In my view this is an excellent book, brilliantly researched, and excitingly written, BUT: (sadly) not without its flaws. Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2004 by Sober_Alcoholic_235
Decent Fun, But it's No Sharpe
Set in 1854, some forty years or so after the bulk of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe books, this first entry in Kilworth's"Fancy Jack" series finds the British Army in rather dire... Read more
Published on 6 April 2003 by A. Ross
A new hero for lovers of Allan Mallinson/Bernard Cornwell
If you like Bernard Cornwell's RICHARD SHARP and Allan Mallinson's MATTHEW HERVEY you cannot help but enjoy this story in the same mould. You will not want to put it down. Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2001 by A. Coombes
Superb Start in a New Series !
Very much in the vein of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series, but set a few years later during the Crimean War, this is an excellent debut to the adventures of Sergeant Jack Crossman. Read more
Published on 8 May 2000
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