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  • Crécy: The Age of the Archer

  • Sir John Hawkwood, Book 1
  • By: Griff Hosker
  • Narrated by: Marston York
  • Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (111 ratings)
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Crécy: The Age of the Archer cover art

Crécy: The Age of the Archer

By: Griff Hosker
Narrated by: Marston York
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Summary

A hero’s journey begins in an exhilarating new series by Griff Hosker. 

In 1335 the Black Death was just 13 years away from England, but there were other threats and dangers. Young John Hawkwood is forced to leave his home and seek a life in London. There he learns how to survive and, more importantly, how to fight. Leaving his life as an apprentice tailor he follows the army and King Edward to fight the Scots. He has a skill: he can not only use a bow, but he can use a sword and his mind. This is just the start for John Hawkwood, who will become - in the fullness of time - one of the greatest condottiere the world has ever seen, a man who, at the Battle of Castagnaro in 1387, shows the world that he was a great leader, too.

©2020 Griff Hosker (P)2021 W F Howes

What listeners say about Crécy: The Age of the Archer

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not a great story

I love this kind of story so was keen to try this, my first and now last, Griff Hosker. At times the story was told with a Jackanory tone and included too much self-praise and too many repeated platitudes. I will remember the hero by virtue that I cannot remember his name. He thought he was a good leader, well he might be in a 21st century choir boy stamp club but he is not a viscious killer that inspires his followers to work as an efficient killing machine. He sought praise and often praise was used to explain a missing chunk of the story "and the captain congratulated me on my quick thinking, 'had you not been so quick in taking that action we'd all be dead now'"

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5 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Dreadful

Absolutely awful. I had more excitement shopping in Tesco. Drab and the narration was only good to send me to sleep. Apparently are are more books in this series but I won’t be following them. I don’t care what happens to john

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

CRECY

A simply constructed story and well read. Although I have read many books on medieval history , I learned some interesting facts from this entertaining book. I thoroughly recommend it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Read about Sir John Hawkswood . This story brings him to life.

loved the historical detail. 100 years war always my favourite period of history as it was when we became a country. This book more or less explains the start of the career of a normal working lad who became one of the 14th centuries most famous generals.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

Griff Hosker's books must have their following, if only given the sheer number of titles published, which is impressive. Speaking though as a fan of Bernard Cornwell, Angus Donald, David Gillman and the like, I have to say that the quantity of Hosker's work is the only thing I find impressive about it.

I have wondered whether these books are targeted at a more juvenile audience, but I haven't seen anything to suggest that, on the audible website at least. Even if this is the case, I think the quality of Hosker's writing leaves something to be desired.

One irritating thing is the heavy smattering of tautologies; phrases such as "mounted horsemen". What other sort of horseman is there? Then there is the strange habit of King Edward's subjects to address him as "King Edward", rather than "Your Grace" or "Lord King", which I think would likely be the most period accurate. I suppose “King Edward” might just have been acceptable, but I’ve never come across this form of address in any other medieval-themed stories.

Marston York's narration is passable, but with some strange accent choices. These are perhaps minor quibbles, and I might have forgiven them... if I didn't find this book simply too bland for words! John Hawkwood, (marvellous name by the way) feels to me like a cardboard cutout. He has no particular character traits calculated to make me have any feeling for him, partisan or otherwise. He acquires his skills as a fighter more-or-less off stage, and his early personal challenges are told to us in such a matter-of-fact way that it inspires little to no emotional feeling. He also seems to have no vices nor virtues to set him apart from a crowd.

Journeys from place to place are accomplished almost in the flash of the pen, giving little sense of wonder, tedium or difficulty. Battles and melees are recounted with little more emotion or detail. I have yet to feel, in any scene, the sense of being drawn in, or that I might be seeing or hearing these things in fact.

Hawkwood also has, so far, no close friend or confidant. This robs the story of any feeling of drama, tension or suspense, because there is no one else we care about who might die, be wounded or ill, or have a quarrel with him. Hawkwood himself is obviously safe because of the first-person narrative. So the book boils down almost to a dry catalogue of events rolling along with little to excite, thrill, charm or entertain the reader.

So if you have enjoyed works by the other authors I have mentioned, and their many fellows, my advice is to give Hosker a miss. His work could serve as an introduction for young adults to the historical fiction genre, but otherwise I think there are far better books for the history buff to read or listen to.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good story but woeful narration

Good story but poor narration verging on boring. Almost put me to sleep would like to read the rest of the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant novel

Captivatingfrom start to finish just like all the other volumes. I highly recommend the series. Pity it had to end

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The age of the archer Well written and story

Narrator was great to listen to made the story enjoyable and the characters come to life

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Ripping yarn

Great tale, well narrated. Lovely range of accents from Marston York. Excellent way to pass 9 hours. Can’t wait for next instalment- will look out for other work by Griff Hosker.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good quality historical fiction

Good research. No overly fantasized details. Thoroughly enjoyable. I look forward to the next book when Hawkwoods life gets interesting.

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