1565, Malta: a vital outpost between the divided nations of Europe and the relentlessly expanding Ottoman Empire. Faced with ferocious attack by a vast Turkish fleet, the knights of the Order of St John fear annihilation. Amongst those called to assist is disgraced veteran Sir Thomas Barrett. Loyalty and instinct compel him to put the Order above all other concerns, yet his allegiance is divided. At Queen Elizabeth's command, he must search for a hidden scroll, guarded by the knights, that threatens her reign.

As Sir Thomas confronts the past that cost him his honour and a secret that has long lain buried, a vast enemy army arrives to lay siege to the island...

Having visited Malta a couple of years ago and learnt about the seige for the first time, I was intrigued to read this account of it. It was a very modern telling of the story, which told the basics of the events of the siege with rather a lot of romanticism and quite a contrived plot, particularly the Walsingham connection. The philosophical wonderings of the main character were something that seemed very 21st century, though I could almost imagine somebody seeing what he had seen and coming to the same conclusions. The battle scenes didn't shy away from the violence and realities of war, and I think this was one of its strengths - no glorification of battle here. Overall, this was fine, but not much more.

Having visited Malta a couple of years ago and learnt about the seige for the first time, I was intrigued to read this account of it. It was a very modern telling of the story, which told the basics of the events of the siege with rather a lot of romanticism and quite a contrived plot, particularly the Walsingham connection. The philosophical wonderings of the main character were something that seemed very 21st century, though I could almost imagine somebody seeing what he had seen and coming to the same conclusions. The battle scenes didn't shy away from the violence and realities of war, and I think this was one of its strengths - no glorification of battle here. Overall, this was fine, but not much more.

At the viewpoint over the city (weather permitting!)