The Nizam's Daughters (Matthew Hervey 02)
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Historical fiction is enjoying a new golden age at present, with ever more impressive military heroes joining the ranks. Alan Mallinson, author of The Nizam's Daughters and a serving cavalry officer, has already achieved considerable praise for his brand of derring-do in his first novel A Close Run Thing, which is generally acclaimed as a debut of real excitement and verve. With The Nizam's Daughters, the author has overcome the second hurdle with equal aplomb.
In Mallinson's second novel, Matthew Hervey of the Light Dragoons, fresh from the Battle of Waterloo, is newly appointed as aide de camp to the Duke of Wellington. Hervey is sent on a clandestine mission to India (leaving behind his fiancée Henrietta) to travel to an alien land seething with intrigue. At the princely state of Chintal, Hervey undertakes his mission: to discover the intelligence that will allow the Duke to forge lasting alliances if (as he expects) he becomes Governor General of India. Needless to say, Hervey soon finds himself way out of his depth, as Chintal is a city threatened from all sides. The massing forces of the Nizam of Haidarabad, whose expansionist policies are backed up by the eponymous Nizam's Daughters, a legendary artillery brigade provide the most sinister menace.
Mallinson has studied the masters of the historical adventure genre well, and is particularly adroit at creating the dangerous and dirty reality of the soldier's lot. The author's experience of horseborne warfare serves him well in pitching the reader into the heart of the battles fought by his beleaguered hero. There are those who may fear that the author's military credentials may be the reason he has been commissioned to write these books rather than any storytelling skills but even a cursory glance at the first chapter should abuse anyone of that idea. Mallinson is a genuine storyteller, with a gift for the striking image:
Another volley came, felling two more. Hervey sprang up and rushed to one of them, lifting him across his shoulder and taking up his musket in his free hand. Peto did the same as another welter of musket balls assailed them. One struck the silver pouch of Hervey's crossbelt, and with such force that he was knocked clean to the ground. Peto, having dropped his man in a doorway, dashed to him, but he was already on his hands and knees retching with the pain and gasping for the air that had been knocked out of him. And still the firing continued...--Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"'Captain Hervey of the 6th Light Dragoons and ADC to the Duke of Wellington is back in the saddle...He is as fascinating on horseback as Jack Aubrey is on the quarterdeck.'The Times"
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This, the latest of the Matthew Hervey novels is a masterful follow-up to 'A Close Run Thing' and although it is a great story in its own right I advise reading the first novel prior to this one. I learned a lot about 19th century India from the book which I am certain is as well researched and factually correct (as far as a work of fiction can be) as Mallinson's first book. The military detail is again superb. The English is a delight, Mallinson brings to life again words which are seldom heard or seem in print today, and these in a prose style which is a joy and makes one eager for the next episode. Although, as with his first novel, there are frequent biblical references, in this story they do enhance the plot, and given the era, are this time more believable of the hero. There is one masterfully written and sensuous scene concerning the Raj Kumari, Hervey and a pair of Cobras which cannot fail to quicken the pulse! I await the next installment with eager anticipation
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It took a while to get into the first book (a close run thing) but this one is excellent in every way. The scene setting brings you into the heart of india and gives an excellent account of what life might have been like in the 1800's. A must for any fan of historical fiction.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm a great lover of historical novels and have. over the years, followed the fictitious lives of Hornblower, Bolitho and Sharpe. I've read a number of other 'heroes' but have never found any the grabbed my attention until my daughter bought me the first episode of the Matthew Hervey stories. After just half-a-dozen pages I was hooked. Allan Mallinson delivers a superb blend of historical information and a truly believable fictional character, exactly what historical fiction requires. I'm now up to book 4 of the series and the quality has never faltered. I strongly recommend this book (and the series) to any lover of this genre. FIVE STARS
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Nizam's Daughters
Another splendid example of Mallinson's art.Exciting with great knowledge of India at the time of the East India Company.It is exciting and difficult to put down. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Captain Robert W. Moland
the nizams daughters
allan mallinsons writing maybe not as crude n violent as other historical fiction writers, but his research n descriptions of the period are excellent and informing. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. Anthony D. Bateman
The British in India - Hervey vol 2
It's a big gamble for an author to end his first book about a Cavalry regiment with the Battle of Waterloo: where can we go from here? Read more
Published 8 months ago by John Middleton
give me some action
although allan mallinson is obviously a vastly knowledgeable man, in his Matthew Hervey series of books he seems to spend far too much time on trivia, religious quotes and hard to... Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2010 by Sandy Wilkie
Mediocre 'boys own' military adventure
This is the second installment of the Matthew Hervey of the Light Dragoons sequence and I think, the last that I will trouble myself to read. Read more
Published on 18 Nov 2002 by WJ Davidson
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