DEFIANT UNTO DEATH, the second part of the MASTER OF WAR series written by award-winning author and screenwriter David Gilman, is released today by Head of Zeus. It follows the story of former stonemason Thomas Blackstone, now a knight with a small fiefdom in northern France, as he is forced to defy everyone he loves and lives for in order to fight a traitor who has turned the king of France against him.
The first instalment of the series was launched last year and enthusiastically received. Gareth Wilson of the Falcata Times wrote ‘if you only read one historical debut this year, make it this one. The prose is sharper than a bodkin arrow, the pace faster than thought.’ And sales were swift too, with Thomas Blackstone's exploits entertaining more than 50,000 book buyers.
On 22 January, David was in Goldsboro Books signing the stunning hardcover edition at what can only be described as a defiant speed, scribbling away so quickly that the camera struggled to keep up!
Praise for the MASTER OF WAR series:
'A gritty book, sparing nothing in its descriptions of the realities of Medieval warfare. I'm sure readers will hope for more from this author.' – Kathy Stevenson, Daily Mail
‘First in a series of historical fiction based around the Hundred Years War by an author who can compete with Bernard Cornwell and, in places, wins on points. Exciting, informative and including battle scenes that made me reach for a firm surface. Love it!’ - Ani Johnson, Bookbag
‘As a debut novel, Gilman's MASTER OF WAR stands up well against its heavyweight predecessors …The writing is taut and the story fast-paced. … All lovers of this type of historical fiction will enjoy Master of War and look forward to the next instalment in a planned trilogy.’ – Greg Waite, Ontago Daily Times