In Gallant Company by Alexander KentMy rating: 3 of 5 stars In the tradition of the Hornblower series, In Gallant Company is one of the early books in Kent’s Richard Bolitho series. Set during the American Revolutionary years, the novel chronicles Bolitho’s rise through the British Navy. The action is peppered with wonderful period details without detracting from the pace, and certainly Kent’s ability to create stalwart, living characters is, as always, spot on. Recommended…

The Changeling by Sile RiceMy rating: 2 of 5 stars No one could gainsay Sile Rice for this ambitious attempt. She had great material (the historical account of Harold’s rise to the monarchy of Anglo-Saxon Britain). She adopted a Chaucerian narrative which lent very much the feeling of the classical bard to the story. Her knowledge of the minutia of early medieval Britain is astounding. And yet I’d have to say overall the story failed,…