Set in medieval England from 1199 to 1219 AD, Richard Cullen's novel is a gritty, realistic tale of life during the reign of King John. The story follows Estienne Wace, a country orphan sent to be fostered by William Marshal, England’s Earl and the greatest knight of Christendom.
Rebellion by Richard Cullen
Series: Chronicles of the Black Lion #1
Genres: Historical Fiction

The start of an epic new historical adventure series from Richard Cullen introducing The Black Lion

As war approaches, the lion will roar…

1213AD.

King Richard the Lionheart is dead, and his brother, John Lackland, sits uneasily upon the throne of England.

Across the sea, Prince Louis, heir to the powerful King Philip Augustus of France, looks to King John’s crown with a covetous eye.

But King John must be wary of rebellion, as well as invasion, for even his own barons would see their king unseated, and the French pretender put in his place.

Thrust amid this tumult is young Estienne Wace, orphan squire to Earl William Marshal – the greatest knight to ever serve the kings of England, and one of the few men who still holds faith in King John’s rule.

Raised by Marshal as his ward, Estienne must prove himself worthy of his adopted father’s name, but acceptance may be the least of his troubles. War is looming, as usurpers emerge from every quarter, determined to steal England's crown from its most wretched king.

Perfect for the fans of Bernard Cornwell, Ben Kane and Conn Iggulden.

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In this series: Valour
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I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Trained as a squire, Estienne Wace navigates the turbulence of the time, developing his skills in battle and loyalty to his liege.

The novel perfectly captures Estienne’s coming-of-age journey against the backdrop of medieval hardships, although I felt the pacing lagged a bit during his teenage years. It does pick back up after King John’s death in 1216 and William Marshal’s passing in 1219, when Estienne’s world is turned upside down by the discovery of a mysterious letter. This twist propels him toward a new life as he joins the Knights Templar on a crusade, leaving readers curious about his future.

I will say that this novel is not for the faint of heart. It is raw and real and if you are a lover of historical fiction then this is certainly the book for you. Cullen did an amazing job with this novel and I certainly cannot wait for the next one.