Monday, January 13, 2014

Sharpe’s Enemy - Bernard Cornwell (Audiobook)

Narrated by William Gaminara
Listened to: January 2013 (at age 34)
First time read

What to Expect:

This is the 16th book (of twenty-four, although three are short stories) in the Sharpe series of historical fiction set in the Napoleonic wars.  Don’t start here.


Sharpe's vicious mortal enemy is holding hostages at a strategic mountain pass: on the other side of the pass is Napoleon's Grande Armée. Outnumbered and attacked from two sides, Sharpe must hold his ground or die in the attempt.

My Reactions (spoilers!):

Overall: 
So.  Um.  Well.  I've reviewed too many of these books.  They’re starting to seem pretty much all the same.  I’m a bit tired of the same descriptions of battles and weapons, blood and death, and the writing seems a bit overwrought in places.  That said, the descriptions are good, the battles engaging, and we got to see one of the most loathsome villains I've read (Hakeswill) make a reappearance.  Otherwise – love, betrayal, blackmail, villainy, and heroism.  It was a decent way to pass a few hours of driving.

The overarching plot did advance, as well – introducing a new enemy (Ducos) and closing the doors on some longer-running story lines.  One story-line in particular, though (Theresa) didn't deserve to end in the offhand, unnecessary manner that it did. 

Rating: 3

Other Opinions:


Not much of a review, but that’s what there is.  Let me know if I missed one.

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