Rating: 
Summary: Great historical novel of the 100 Years' War
Review: I picked up this book in England (where the title is Harlequin) because I had seen a lot of positive comments about Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series, which I have not yet read. After reading this book, I definitely look forward to the rest of the Grail Quest series, as well as delving into the Sharpe books. As a big fan of historical novels, this story was right up my alley - I particularly appreciated the way Cornwell worked in historical references and weaved his fictional characters into real events, such as the Battle of Crecy. While I do agree with some of the other reviewers that the character development was a little weak, overall this story moved along quickly; in particular, the graphic, detailed, well-researched descriptions of the battles (and there were many), as well as the devastation wrought on the French countryside and population, were excellent and absolutely gripping. Furthermore, the protagonist, the archer Thomas of Hookton, is an interesting character who is the centerpiece of a number of intertwined subplots involving a relic stolen from his home town, an intriguing family history, a rivalry with a sleazy but cunning English knight, romantic ties to two very different French women and the search for Holy Grail itself. The way Thomas goes about managing these many complexities kept the story interesting as the plot moved along from battle to battle across northern France. I am definitely looking forward to picking up Vagabond to continue the story.
Rating:
Summary: So You Thought You Couldn't Care About a Longbow...
Review: With The Archer's Tale, Bernard Cornwell has started a new series. Set in the fourteenth century on the eve of the Hundred Year's War, this one features Thomas of Hookton the sole survivor of a French raid on a poor, south England fishing village. In the prologue we meet Thomas, see his father--a priest--murdered, watch him kill his first Frenchmen with an arrow from his longbow, wonder why the raid has focused on retrieving an old lance--supposedly St. George's, learn that there is a mystery about his birth abd watch with him as a pretty young maid --probably carrying his child--is taken away by the raiders. All that in the first twenty pages! Cornwell, of course, is a master of historical fiction. And he is at the top of his game here. Using the typical device of placing ordinary men in extraordinary historical settings, Cornwell teaches us much about medieval life, towns and warfare. The book culminates with the great battle at Crecy--a battle which had been at the edges of my understanding for decades. As the story end, Thomas, callow no more, is called on to greater deeds--a quest for the Holy Grail no less! Hurry up publisher, get the next volume out ASAP. 'Tis great fun!
Rating: 
Summary: The Archer's Tale
Review: The most exciting book I have ever read is Bernard Cornwell's The Archer's Tale. The Archer's Tale is about a young English archer named Thomas. His village is raided in 1342 and a sacred relic is stolen from the church. He decides to join the English army as an archer during their war with France. While in the English army, he searches for the person who stole the relic. This search puts him in many life-threatening situations. Thomas is eighteen years old, tall, very strong, a hard-worker, very good at archery and making bows, and very well-liked. Thomas is the kind of person people trusted. When speaking of the holy relic, Father Ralph said, "Bring it home, Thomas, bring it home." Thomas promises that he will and starts on the adventure that is told in this book. The Archer's Tale takes place in England and France in the 1340s, during the medieval period. It is historical fiction. In this story, Thomas has to overcome many difficulties and problems to find the relic. I think that the theme is not to give up when you have an important job to do. There are many people who would like this book. People who like history would enjoy reading about life in medieval times. People who are interested in war would like the detailed battle scenes. People who like adventure stories would like the action-filled plot. The author, Bernard Cornwell, uses lots of description and details in his writing. It makes me feel as if I am actually there. For example, he wrote, "Spring was greening the land, giving a haze to the trees and filling the twisting laneways with bright flowers. New green moss grew on the thatch, there was white stitchwort in the hedgerows, and kingfishers whipped between the new yellow leaves of the riverside sallows." This kind of description makes the book enjoyable to read. The Archer's Tale is a great book and should be read by people who like historical fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: Going Medieval
Review: This violent, action-packed adventure is the first installment in what looks to be Bernard Cornwell's new Richard Sharpe-type series. Though the Sharpe series is fairly well known and very easy to find, I cannot claim to have read any of those books, and so cannot make any comparisons. This is, in fact, the first Cornwell book I've ever read. I had hoped to be introduced to this author through his novel, STONEHENGE, as it had me somewhat intrigued, but alas that was not to be my fate. I'd already had THE ARCHER'S TALE in my possession, and so I went to reading it. Now, more than a few months since having finished it, I very well suspect it was a poor choice to begin on. This story is set in England and France during the 14th century, the early beginnings of the Hundred Years War. The hero is Thomas of Hookton, bastard son of an expatriate French nobleman living in a small village along the southern coast of England. After that village is brutally attacked by French invaders and all its inhabitants, save Thomas, are killed, Thomas enlists himself as an archer in the English army of Edward III. In his quest to recover the lance of St. George, a sacred relic stolen from Hookton's church during the attack, Thomas refines his skills in archery and battle strategy. Throughout the story, it is in fact he who conceives key attack maneuvers that gain the English under the Earl of Northampton their victories, culminating finally with the famous battle at Crecy. Along the way, he rescues a widowed French countess from wolfish English soldiers sacking her village. He nurses her through trauma and, for a while, she becomes his cohort. Though Thomas fights in France and Brittany for the sole purpose of avenging himself on the mysterious "Black Knight" who had led the attack on Hookton and then stolen the lance, it's essentially the vicious Sir Simon Jekyll, a young English knight also fighting in the Earl's army, who is Thomas's main adversary throughout the course of this novel. While our hero gets himself into and out of one fine pickle after another, he bemoans the fact that he must ultimately fulfill the promise he made to his father to retrieve the sacred lance. Indeed, he has trouble keeping himself focused on that goal, and without the constant prodding by a priest accompanying the army, Father Hobbe, he likely would have lost his way. Cornwell's battle scenes are, as a whole, quite riveting, finely detailed and, far as I can tell, historically accurate. They are also gruesome and bloody - with men and horses hacked up mercilessly. I know I cannot fault the book on this point - War, after all, is war. It is upon other failings that I take censure: this is neither an in depth story filled with endearing, highly evolved characters as in Follett's PILLARS OF THE EARTH, nor is it an epic tale of honor and chivalry as in Sir Walter Scott's IVANHOE - neither a meaningfully worded, rousing heroic, nor epically enchanting saga is this. It is simply an historical adventure, and a graphically violent one at that. THE ARCHER'S TALE concluded on a rather scintillating note - very well set up for a sequel. That sequel is now out, and it's called VAGABOND. For those who enjoy fast-paced adventures, this series may certainly make for some good reading. I shall likely eventually give in and read VAGABOND sometime in the not so far distant future - as that mysterious Black Knight, Count Vexille "the Harlequin" is one of the more interesting villains I've come across in literature. I'll just have to grit my teeth and swallow my aversion to all this widespread medieval carnage.
Rating:
Summary: HISTORICAL FICTION AT ITS BEST
Review: Meet Thomas of Hookton, an Archer from England, and a soldier for King Edward III. We follow Thomas from the beginning of the HYW, through the epic battle of Crecy. This book will satisfy the most nit picking of Historical Fiction readers - count me as one. Other reviews mention that the Holy Grail side plot derails the historical fiction aspect. I agree, but Thomas is a man of his time and holy relics held a lot of power over the people. The battles are amazing with the final battle of Crecy taking the prize for some of the best-written battle scenes I've ever read.
Book 2, Vagabond is now in hardback. I hope that Cornwell turns Thomas into his next Sharpe!
Note: Horses didn't fare too well during battle and Cornwell doesn't shy away from accuracy - it is very graphic.
Enjoy
Rating:
Summary: Incredible, absolutely incredible!
Review: This has been one of the most pleasant and surprising reads I have encountered. Now, I read, on average, one large paperback novel a week. As an avid reader, I have also become quite picky. I enjoy the finer books, the gourmet. This novel was based upon the life and times of Thomas of Hookton, and his experiences in northern France during the opening of the Hundred Years War. After seeing Henry the Vth with Keven Brannaugh, I have been most curious about the war, and this was the single most accurate novel I have probably had the honor of reading. Get this book, read the series, and long live Mr. Cornwell!!
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Summary: Medevil Mastry
Review: This is the first book in a three book series - Archer's Tale, Vagabond, and Heretic. As I am an audiobook junky sorry to say I have only found them in abridged versions in audio (Bummer - if there is anyone out there who knows were unabridged audios of these books are please let me know). These are masterfully told and kept my attention throughout. These are my first Bernard Cornwell books but definitely won't be my last. If these are any indication of his story telling prowess then I'm definitely a new fan.
Thomas of Hookton is raised from childhood to be an English longbowman. Raised by his eccentric and mad relative (a priest) and orphaned young in his life the story of Thomas's search for the secrets of his family's past which hold within the secrets of the Holy Grail is fascinatingly told. Rich vivid characters and a rivoting storyline along with masterful storytelling. Well worth the time to read and one I will listen to again and again.
Rating:
Summary: The Archer's Tale
Review: If you enjoy entertaining medieval story telling, then this is the first of a trilogy for you. I happened upon B.C.'s books while browsing a store so I had no preconceived notions about this author. I can say that his historical fiction paints a bleak but fascinating picture of life in the 14th century.
Thomas, the main character, has a full life with his duty, oaths, and personal quest. His attitude, character development, and trials make him a likeable hero.
Rating:
Summary: Archer's Tale Hits The Mark
Review: A compulsively readable story set in the midst of the blood-soaked 100 Years War. The tale is historically accurate, but does not overwhelm the reader with unnecessary detail. Characterization closely parallels the real world, as almost everyone is evil (to a degree).
Highly recommended to history buffs, action/adventure aficionados, and *gasp* lovers of high fantasy.
Rating: 
Summary: Dissappointing...
Review: I bought this book some time ago because: 1) someone reccommended it to me and 2) it was set during the 100 Years War. As a holder of a History BA and having a keen interest in the Middle Ages (specifically the HYW) I was pretty interested in this, and perhaps my hopes were set too high. I found it to be pretty predictable, the main character had nothing that would keep me interested in him, and overall I found it pretty melodramatic. I think if I were 16 I might like it much more, but at 28 I have more discerning tastes. I think the main criticism I have about this book, however, is that like Chrighton's _Timeline_ at no point did I feel convincingly like I was in the mid 14th C.
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