I loved reading Essex Dogs last year, and was extremely excited to get an early chance to read book 2. I started reading the ebook version, but once the audiobook became available I jumped on it because I love Ben Miles an a narrator. And man he doesn’t disappoint.

The book itself is a great read. Non stop action from start to finish. Its gritty and brutal, and feels authentic. Dan Jones is one hell of a writer, especially considering this is only his second fiction book.

The plot itself feels slightly weaker than book 1, however this takes nothing away from what is a fun, action packed read.

The narration is brilliant, with Ben Miles nailing all accents and giving each character an individual, authentic voice.

Bring on book 3.

PS, what a cover!

4.5 stars

WOLVES OF WINTER continues the ESSEX DOGS' saga of war as they find themselves heading toward the siege of Calais in the aftermath of the battle of Crécy.

This book continues to show the grim reality of war, the drudgery, the dysentery, the pointless deaths, the boredom, and the pettiness of leaders. It is as brutal and violent as the previous book, but it also spends a lot of time on the nothingness of sieges, the endless waiting for the other side to give up before you.

I really like siege books. There's something about the close quarters and claustrophobia that leads to compelling stories. Unusually, though there is time spent inside the besieged city, much of this book is set in the camp outside, following the dogs as they try to survive the waiting. it's very unusual to see a siege from this perspective, and I loved it.

This series shows what medieval warfare was like not from the perspective of lords but ordinary men, how much they suffered for their leaders' decisions. Here, the dangerous conditions of a military camp are made worse by the pettiness of knights. It also furthered its look at the psychological toll fighting took on both Loveday (his need to find the Captain) and Romford. There are more losses, the last one in the harbour the most emotional for me.

Once more, this book takes real events and weaves them in, putting the dogs at the forefront of events with more chronicle extracts at the start. I really enjoyed seeing how it was drawing on specific events (and the historical note is very interesting.)

I mostly listened to this book and Ben Miles does a great job at capturing the many accents of the people involved. Given how many countries and regions the characters are drawn from, that is no mean feat.

I can't wait to see how this series end with the final book - and how anyone is going to be left standing at the end.

“I am the wolf
Without a pack
Banished long ago.”

My thanks to W F Howes for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘Wolves of Winter’ by Dan Jones. The audiobook is narrated by Ben Miles.

This is Book 2 in Jones’ Essex Dogs Trilogy. It is a work of medieval military fiction that follows the exploits of a small tight-knit company of soldiers during the Hundred Years’ War. As this is a trilogy, I would advise that it best to read the books in order for continuity for both its plot and character development.

Following an intriguing Prologue, the novel opens in August 1346. After the epic battle at Crécy, the six soldiers of fortune known as the Essex Dogs pick through the wreckage of the fighting.

A new siege is beginning and the Dogs are sent to attack the soaring walls of Calais. King Edward has vowed that no Englishman will leave France until this city falls. So in order to return home they must survive a merciless winter in a lawless camp that may prove deadlier than any battlefield.

In the midst of a skirmish Loveday glimpses a familiar figure: the Captain, who had originally led the Dogs and then vanished two years ago apparently abandoning them. Loveday becomes obsessed with finding him. Meanwhile, each of the other Dogs face their own challenges.

‘Wolves of Winter’ was an excellent work of historical fiction building on its predecessor. By the conclusion of ‘Essex Dogs’ I had become quite invested in the fates of the Dogs, especially of their leader, Loveday’ FitzTalbot and young Romford, who is increasingly dependent upon a hallucinogenic fungi in order to deal with the horrors of war.

Then there is the Scotsman, who has a new drinking companion in Hircent, who fights alongside her fellow Flemish soldiers: “The fact that Hircent was a woman passed unremarked by any of the men, either among the Dogs or her own crew”. While it was good to reconnect with them, the Dogs are clearly having a difficult time.

The unnamed woman from Valognes that Loveday had helped escape from the abuses of the Black Prince reappears. We learn that she calls herself Squelette and is engaged in a personal campaign: “Revenge on the English devils who had destroyed everything she loved. Revenge on the French devils who had done nothing to protect her.” She is like a wraith attacking her targets from the protection of the forest.

As I noted in my review of ‘Essex Dogs’ historian Dan Jones has not only meticulously recreated the medieval setting but immerses his readers in the sights, sounds, and, of course, the pungent smells of the camps and battlefields. It was undoubtedly a violent age and Jones does not romanticise it. I will note that the dialogue is earthy and often crude.

With respect to the audiobook, I was pleased that British actor, Ben Miles had returned as its narrator. His deep, rich voice effortlessly brought the action, characters, and settings vividly to life and was a pleasure to listen to.

Jones follows the main text with an informative Historical Note and suggestions for further reading on the siege of Calais.

Overall, ‘Wolves of Winter’ proved a strong second book in the Essex Dogs Trilogy. Given the nature of the subject matter, which spares no detail in its depiction of the lives of these fighting men along with others caught up in the conflict, at times a strong stomach was required. However, regardless of its grittiness, it is an outstanding work of historical fiction.

Highly recommended.

Dan Jones has done it again. Following on from the first in the series, Essex Dogs, he’s created a fast paced historical drama following the fortunes ( and misfortunes) of a band of soldiers involved in the Hundred Years War. Jones is a non fiction author of considerable talent and he uses his knowledge of 1300s to brilliant effect in this novel which brings the period vividly to life.

The group are holed up in Calais at the start of this adventure and the early scenes of looting and profiteering bring home the reality and brutality of war. The characters are real; they all have substance and with superb narration throughout, they feel like individuals that you like or loathe. As well as being a genuinely gripping drama, Jones brings out the voice of the common man. Why are they forced to obey and p,ace allegiance, why do they have to fight without being paid, what is the point if this long winded war? I’ve enjoyed every minute of this fast paced rollicking tale because it feels so real. I’m not a big fan of war stories generally, but this series is an exception. Jones writes with authority and vigour and I heartily recommend this outstanding historical epic.