"Discover real historical events played out on a stage with furry and feathered actors. "
1066, the year etched into many minds as the date for the Battle of Hastings, from school and catchy insurance adverts. Meaning it is clear from reading the title alone what will be covered in A Clash of Claws: 1066. This historical fiction brings the politics of the end of the Anglo-Saxon period to life with an anthropomorphic twist. Those that have read it may see comparisons in this style of storytelling to Redwall, I myself was mentally describing it as Disney’s Robin Hood taking on other English history tales.
The author is clear at the end of the book which characters he crafted and which were historic figures but both flowed together seamlessly to deliver a well rounded story. I liked the attention to detail to the historical facts and figures that will prove informative to younger readers. However, perhaps most important of all, it was entertaining. The anthropomorphic storytelling lends itself to underlining the viscous brutality of the battle scenes. There’s sufficient detail of the clashes to grip teen readers, but it doesn’t become too graphic. I also liked the inclusion of Alfie, Fay and the other characters that were included to represent the common people of the time, it gives the story an added dimension that really brings it to life. The author does a great job of getting into the minds of each key historical figure in order to make sure that they are fully fleshed out characters, a credit to the research and knowledge that must have been completed in preparation. A Clash of Claws: 1066 reads like it’s been crafted by someone who loves history and as a result is a compelling and easy to read story. A great premise that can be used to cover many historical events.
Charlotte Walker, A LoveReading4Kids Ambassador
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| Primary Genre | Indie Author Books |
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