Disappointing.

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, despite having read the first two in this series, but this one was not good. HIs knowledge of political history might be OK, with a little help from some famous friends listed in the Acknowledgments, but his knowledge of the minor little details, and his assumptions and lack of deeper thinking really throw you. Such things as Loveday thinking in seconds before the concept of a minute was invented, for instance, Not knowing that 'rushes' on the floor were mats and not bits of rush (if they were, every woman in long skirts would sweep them from every room they entered and they'd be forever picking bits of rush from their hems, all day, every day - think about it). He hasn't worked out that 'dinner' was a midday meal and not eaten just before bed. These mark out a writer who doesn't know their stuff from one who does and helps to perpetuate Braveheart levels of inaccuracy. He also didn't check that the papacy wasn't actually sited in Rome in this period so Sir Thomas sending to Rome for help with his marriage wouldn't have addressed the pope - who was famously in Avignon until the 1370s. There are more - using a Catalan name for a Castilian - they were no more interchangeable than Welsh and Scottish at the time. Use of the nautical term 'port' for the left side of a boat which was only introduced in the mid 19th century because of the confusion between starboard and larboard.. I could go on....

I'm sure some of the grammatical errors and repetitions ('Mr' foll0wed on the next line by 'Mister') were added by the publisher (I hope) but the editor didn't pick out the constant use of 'to try and' instead of the correct to try + verb infinitive (try it the past tense, see how awkward it is). I suspect they also missed and couldn't be bothered the check the Spanish - use of the verb saber - to know instead of the intended saborar to taste really is unforgivable levels of 'couldn't be bothered'.

The writing is naïve - there is one singe instance of a person appearing on scene where he doesn't start the next line 'It was so-and-so.' Can't he think of something more creative?

There is an almost total lack of place in the novel - little real sense, other than the names of real people and events, that this couldn't have happened anywhere or time in history, helped by the constant anachronisms. There was no distinction of dress or fabric, or sense of a time. There was also a lack of sense of what made Edward III different. He's presented as someone who is a bit of a pain and has to pleased at all costs; authoritarian. But what marked his reign was his nobles didn't feel like that - they did extraordinary things for him but that motive is missing, that feeling towards him from the likes of earl of Northampton and Sir Thomas Holand. And I'm curious why the Prince of Wales is entirely absent from the story. He was at Winchelsea, commanded his own ship, but he's completely absent, despite the clear opportunity for mischief created by Romford's presence. Even at Windsor, it's as if Jones forgot what he wrote in book 1. Weird. And nothing really happens in the first half of the novel.

What he DOES manage to do is create the chaos of war and the mental side of it - it seems plausible to me, and he does manage to evoke PTSD without actually calling it that.

So, if you don't care about sense of time, accuracy of history or sophisticated or correct writing, and just want a jolly good romp with tons of swearing and male posturing, enjoy. But, please, don't approach this as either a model for writing or for learning much about history.

The last book of the trilogy following a band of men known as the Essex Dogs. Few remain. Some have died, some retired and some are missing. Only Millstone and Thorp fight on. This time, the job will be easier. Deliver the princesses trousseau to her at Castille. However, they face a foe more deadly than ever before. The plague.
Loveday has retired and owns his own inn. That too faces its particular challenges, and is not to be the contented life he envisaged.
As for Romford, he is taking the ease his riches have earned him, at court.
But in ones and twos, the dogs that are left find each other and embark on their greatest adventure yet.
Thrilling, exciting edge of seat and bitten fingernail adventures...what will I do without my beloved Essex Dogs..

What I adore about histfic is that as well as being entertained and transported, I learn. I find out about the people who lived at that time, the events and the politics.

Thank you to netgalley Head of Zeus and Dan Jones for letting me read this whole series. I will truly miss this unruly, foul mouthed, and probably insane group of lads who I have come to care about.
Suse

This book is very well written and researched and gives great insight into what life must have been like in the 1350's with the Black Death and the Castillian war ongoing at the time.
As the book in the third part of a trilogy it brings an end to the story but still reads well as a standalone for those that have not read the previous two books,
A must read trilogy for any fans of historical fiction.
Many thanks to Head Of Zeus, NetGalley and the author for providing me with an electronic copy of the book in exchange for a honest and unbiased review

My favorite war band returns, though was a bit slower and less engaging for me than the last two Dan Jones Essex Dogs I’ve read, especially given how miserable the dogs were, how far and hard they’d become. The narrative—or rather, the many interwoven narratives, though never quite enough—takes us through the harsh realities of life after war: the fading of “good times,” the endless sinking into mud, and the unbearable weight of loss.

Thank you Aria & Aries via NatGalley for DRC, this is my honest opinion.

After the Siege of Calais the band of warriors known as the Essex Dogs are either dead of scattered. Loveday is the owner of a ramshackle inn in Winchelsea where he gets roped into a smuggling ring. He is joined by chance by a couple of comrades but a raid by the predatory Castilian pirates means that one of their number is taken as a galley slave. Meanwhile Romford is on the rise, his war booty supporting his master at court but still looking for his former colleagues. As raids by the Castilians mean that England is set to go to war at sea, the Dogs are thrown together again.
What an absolute joy from end to end! This is not sanitised historical fiction, it's not romantic, but also there is a compelling narrative which means it is not all swords and shields. The relationships between the men have developed over three books and it is a testament to the quality of Jones' writing that there is a great story here as well as top-level historical detail. Of course there is lots of swearing and the use of the word 'pintle' but I especially loved the portrayal of Joan of Kent!

I absolutely loved the previous two books in this series – Essex Dogs and Wolves of Winter – which is set during the Hundred Years’ War. So I was excited to be reunited with the Essex Dogs, or to be more accurate, what remain of the Essex Dogs since quite a few have fallen by the wayside over the course of the books, either confirmed dead or gone missing.

As far as the Essex Dogs are concerned, they number just four: Loveday FitzTalbot, Millstone, Thorp and their newest recruit, Thorp’s nephew, the unpredictable Rigby. The reader knows there’s one other survivor of the original crew – Romford, who’s left behind his wild drink and drug-fuelled days to become squire to Sir Thomas de Holand. But could there be another comrade out there who’s cheated death once again?

As the book opens the Essex Dogs’ erstwhile leader, Loveday, has decided his fighting days are over. He’s now landlord of the Green Lion inn in Winchelsea which he runs with the help of a woman with a young son. Unfortunately he’s bought a pig in a poke because the building is falling apart, the roof leaks and it turns out there were dodgy roofers even in the 14th century. Add to that, an ordinance passed after the Black Death forbids paying a labourer over the odds for work, even if you’ve got the money. And anyway most of the skilled craftsman are busy building ships for the Navy, England being in a longstanding tussle with the Castilians who have been intercepting English merchant ships loaded with cloth.

When Loveday is approached by someone willing to bankroll the work he has no option but to accept. We all know there’s no such thing as a free lunch though and the ‘help’ comes with some risky obligations. Fortunately his former comrades, Millstone and Thorp, have just returned from a fruitless mission and are looking for their next job. Unfortunately, Rigby’s there too, a young man who can’t help getting into trouble.

Meanwhile Romford has found himself unofficial banker to the debt-laden Sir Thomas de Holand who is still waiting for the King to pay out the ransom for the Count of Eu, the French nobleman Sir Thomas captured on the battlefield. Unfortunately for Sir Thomas, his wife has expensive tastes. Joanie is one of the book’s most colourful characters. In real life known as ‘The Fair Maid of Kent’ (although not at the time), in the author’s hands she’s a boozy, foul-mouthed flirt but utterly entertaining. I was also pleased to see the return of the Earl of Northampton, unparelled when it comes to imaginative cursing all of which are too crude to reproduce here. (Rigby learns some pretty fruity Castilian ones as well, translated at the end of the book.)

Eventually all roads lead to Winchelsea for the epic final scenes. As in the previous books, the Essex Dogs find themselves caught up in events that are rooted in historical fact. In this case, it’s the so-called Battle of Winchelsea in which an English fleet of ships took on a Castilian fleet of much larger ships. Some of the seemingly ludicrous events described actually happened. For example King Edward, his knights and nobles really did sit on the deck of his flagship listening to minstrels playing until the very last moment before the enemy fleet was sighted. And the clifftops near Winchelsea really were lined with spectators watching the battle unfold.

The Essex Dogs have always been ruthless fighters, plying their trade to whoever can pay without much consideration for the morality of their actions. Not to say that hasn’t had consequences because there are things you can’t forget you’ve seen – or done. They owe their lives to each other but you can only escape death so many times before it catches up with you. I’ll freely admit there are scenes at the end that left me tearful. (Rather inconvenient since I was on a train at the time.)

I absolutely loved Lion Hearts. It kept me enthralled from start to finish. The book is billed as ‘the unmissable conclusion to the Essex Dogs trilogy’ yet a sentence at the end of the book- no spoilers – left me wondering…

Another brilliant book in the Essex Dogs series. Set in the fourteenth century around the Hundred Years War, the language is earthy and there is some graphic violence but it is a great read. The characters seem real. Although fighting men, Jones gives them a soft side to their camaraderie. The series should be read in order. Even though not every 'Dog' survives each book, there is enough left for another book, so hopefully Jones will give us one more.

Overall I enjoyed this, the characters were powerful and well developed. I really hope there will be another installment - and this would make a great Netflix series to binge watch!

It’s been three years since the siege of Calais. The year is 1350 and the Essex Dogs are scattered.
Loveday is the owner of an inn in the town of Winchelsea and he is barely getting by.
Romford is a squire at the court of Edward the Third and life is so much better than he could imagine.
The rest of the Dogs are lost or scattered, but fate has a funny way of drawing the Dogs back together.
With the ever present fear of the Black Death and a fleet of Castilian ships of the coast. Life is about to become very difficult for the King and his subjects, and it’s not too long before luck and chance bring the Essex Dogs back together for one final battle.
Lion Hearts is the finale in the trilogy of The Essex Dogs and boy what a finale.
I loved this series and hope someday Dan Jones might come back to writing about this group of characters.
Never has there been a more vivid and honest piece of writing about this period of history.
Dan Jones not only entertains the reader, he brings history to life like few other authors can.
I personally think that this is one of the best historical fiction series I’ve ever read and one I most definitely recommend.

Historian and novelist Dan Jone returns to the world of 14th Century Britain for the third of his Essex Dogs books – Lion Hearts. This series, which started with Essex Dogs and continued with Wolves of Winter, followed a misfit group of archers as they fought in France in the early years of the 100 Years War. In Lion Hearts, Dan Jones revisits these characters after three tumultuous years which included the first outbreak of the Black Death.
After a brief prologue, Jones takes readers to the small coastal village of Winchelsea in 1350 where Loveday Talbot, former leader of the Essex Dogs, has purchased a tavern. But Loveday is not particularly good at peacetime life and soon finds himself in debt and working for a local smuggler. The only upside is that this brings him back in touch with some of his old crew. Meanwhile, young archer Romford has become a squire to a high powered knight and this book finds them on their way to a celebration at the under-renovation Windsor Castle. Meanwhile the threat of Castilian raids and piracy grows.
The Essex Dogs series has been characterised by its ability to conjure a time and place but to do so through the eyes of a bunch of likeable rogues. Lion Hearts is no exception as Jones paints a picture of post-plague Britain (during which 60% of the population died) that is also still under threat from European warmongering. He does not spare the hard scabble or the violence of these characters but he also leavens this with warmth, camaraderie and humour. While there is a battle to cap off this novel, it paints a very different picture to the previous two which were both spent on the battlefield in France.
Once again the two central characters of this story are Loveday and Romford, both facing very different challenges to those they have faced before. Loveday is trying to put his wartime past behind him and be an innkeeper but is not too good at it and yearns for the time he spent in battle with his crew. Romford meanwhile is essentially financially supporting the knight for whom he works while also getting as deep understanding of the problematic way in which the British aristocracy works
It feels like Lion Hearts my be the final volume in this series (although the historical note suggests that more exploits of the Essex Dogs may be in the works). Either way Jones continues to build out and illuminate a fascinating time and place through a cast of loveably flawed and often dangerous characters.

I love the fact that all the books in the Essex Dogs trilogy had a different vibe and feeling.
Lion Hearts is the perfect conclusion to this eventful and thrilling story of the gang we grew to love so much.
Impeccable writing and details, and I'm no history geek, but even I enjoyed the masterfully interwoven historical details brought to life in all the books, and Lion Hearts was no exception to that wonderful work.
Scattered all over the world, our beloved crew found each other for a final adventure filled with danger, smuggling and bloodshed.
Safe to say, Loveday's plans for retirement and leading a peaceful life as an inn owner aren’t going as expected. Owing debts, the inn in such a bad shape, it's crumbling and a not so wise offer accepted sets the pace for this page—turning story, and I definitely couldn't put it down.
It's challenging to describe without getting into spoilers, but it's a perfect wrap-up for all the characters, and I enjoyed every gritty, emotional moment of it even more than the second book.

LION HEARTS concludes this often brutal but accurate examination of the Hundred Years' War with some naval action.

This book is very different to the others in the series, both structurally and in terms of what it is focusing on. Structurally, it is in three parts. The first follows Loveday, then the second part switches across to Romford in Windsor and his new employment as a squire. There is no in-story link between these two parts as they are untouching events, but they come together in the final part. This is quite different to the more linear story telling of the previous books, following the band who are largely together and interacting more.

This difference in structure gives the book a bigger scope to examine England in the aftermath of the first phase of the Hundred Years' War. Edward III has won his victories in France but the black death has now plagued England and finances are tight. From the commons - trying to get higher wages given their labour is in demand, but forced into a more informal economy thanks to rules aimed at restricting wages - to the wealthy who are in debt from the war and struggling to keep up appearances thanks to reduced revenues from their labourer-reduced land, this book shows the bad state England was in at this time. I appreciated the look at both ends of society.

Of course, in the middle of all this, the Essex Dogs are trying to survive. They've gone on quite different paths and their usual bad luck is with them again. Their reunions were so nice; having spent several books getting to know them, it was satisfying to see them come back together. And, naturally, they get caught up in the conflict with the Castillians.

The ending is a little abrupt, the entire climactic sequence over pretty fast and seeing them all caught up in battles again - despite some of their members' attempts to get free after WOLVES OF WINTER. I sat with it for a bit before deciding I liked how it reflected the reality of life for common folk with a background in war at this point; what else were they to do when the nobles were often fighting?

In all, I have enjoyed this trilogy about ordinary fighters in the first phase of the Hundred Years War and appreciated its attention to historical accuracy.

Now that his war years are behind him, Loveday runs a pub in Winchelsea with his beloved Gilda and her infant son Sammy. But when the roof starts to leak and he receives help from the strange Mr. Large, he unwittingly agrees to smuggle goods. In the meantime, the Spanish decide to side with the French and pirates target the English coast.

Lion hearts is the third and assumed the last book in this series about a group of soldiers - The Essex Dogs - during the miserable Hunderd Years' War. Though the ending leaves it open for a sequel. I loved the first book Essex dogs, but was somewhat disappointed by Wolves of winter so I didn't know what to expect.

Fortunately, I liked this book back a lot better. The first half we follow Loveday who has left his fellow dogs behind, survived The Black Death and now runs a tavern. He feels at peace until the Castilians decide to attack the English coastside. Afterwards, we also return to court with Romford at Windsor Castle, who's a knight to sir Thomas Holland.

This novel has a clear plot again and focuses on the battle of Winchelsea against the Spanish - a naval battle I didn't really know anything about. The Dogs find each other again, including a new addition, Thorp's nephew Rigby, who gets himself into a lot of mischief.

I found the personalities of Joan Of Kent and Thomas Holland not so easy to understand. I get that Jones wants to portray the common man versus the nobility. But Joan became a character for comic purposes, even though she was also a formidable woman.

I really enjoyed reading this book and I'm now curious if this is a goodbye or a see you soon?

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

He has done it again!
Dan Jones thank you for another Essex Dogs adventure.
As usual the start of the book was gripping with Loveday, the leader of the Essex Dogs retired to Winchelsea, the not so proud owner of the Green Lion Inn, which is falling down. With the black death killing so many people, tradesmen are hard to come by. Loveday is offered help by a local trader. His inn is soon looking more presentable but he has not been asked for any payment, he is already in debt. Mr Large asks him to help a smuggling gang who bring in expensive cloth and store it in his cellar. Thorp, Millstone and Thorp's nephew arrive at the Inn and part of the Dogs are reunited. All of the dogs are involved in the smuggling until it gets too dangerous and Loveday pulls out. In revenge Large gets him put into the stocks and he is badly beaten, his sudden release is because the Castilians have landed and are robbing and murdering their way through the town. The Inn is set alight.
In Windsor a former Dog Romford is a squire to Sir Thomas, an impoverished Knight who uses Romford's money. The castle is being altered so is chaotic. A meeting of the King's special Knights of the garter is held which is expensive for everyone. During a wrestling bout Romford sees Scotsman another former Dog, Scotsman is still huge but weakened by ill treatment, he is pleased to see Romford and a plan is hatched to remove a hostage from Windsor and claim a reward. They take their hostage to the port of Winchelsea and meet up with the other Dogs. so they are all together again. Their next task is to rescue Rigby and their opportunity arrives when they join the crew of a new ship, will they succeed and get back safely?
Thank you Dan, NetGalley and Ariel for this fantastic ARC

Lion Heart is the climactic ending to the Essex Dogs trilogy, a historical fiction based in the 1300’s war with France. I always find final books hard to review because spoilers for book one are so far from my mind when all I want to do is scream from the top of my lungs about the latest escapades that the Dogs find themselves in.

Personal expectations of this book were low, after book 2 didn’t give me the highs and enjoyment of book one. Lion heart took less than 3 chapters to pull me back into the world and be hooked with all the transgressions forgotten as I was whipped through the book at break neck speed.

This book was the definition of non-putdownable, it told you to strap in and its your fault if you fall out this rollercoaster.

A solid 5 star book to start and end this series and I will be recommending it if anyone does want a very non-magical historical fiction.

The epic conclusion of the Essex dogs trilogy. I probably would have dismissed this book as a man's book if I saw it in a bookstore but we read the first book at my local bookshop book club and from the first chapter I was invested in this uncouth band of characters. I was super excited to read the final instalment on NetGalley it was an instant download when I saw it. The book didn't disappoint finally we get to know what happens to each character since their years fighting has come to an end along with some new characters and more epic adventures. Like the other two in the series it's bloody and grisly and not for the feint hearted. I found the language in this third book a little too much at times it distracted from the story .
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC a great conclusion but is it ? Read on kindle for NetGalley

Loveday leader of the Essex Dogs has retired to run a pub in Winchelsea.
The pub is collapsing and in the wake of the Black death he has spent his booty accumulated fighting for Edward III in France on repairs.
When the roof collapses with no monet to repair it, he is offered a deal which leads to trouble, the payment being a price he wasn't prepared for.
At the same time the Castillian pirates are raiding the English coast.
King Edward gathers ships to fight their continuing menace so that the Essex Dogs re-united once more go to war.
A great light hearted read where English men at arms and the longbow is employed against the enemies of England.

Lionhearts is the epic conclusion to Dan Jones’s Essex Dogs trilogy and what a ride this series has been. I’ve loved every second of it, and it’s been five-star reads all the way through.

What I’ve enjoyed most is how we’ve followed one brilliant narrative thread (the life of a soldier) across three wildly different books. Essex Dogs gave us the thrill of battle, Wolves of Winter explored the burnout and disillusionment that follows, and now Lionhearts takes us into the aftermath life after the military.

Lionhearts wraps up Loveday’s journey, and the Essex Dog’s story, with a bang. If you loved book one but found book two a bit slow, I’d still highly recommend seeing it through Lionhearts delivers a strong finish that’s worth it.

We all know Dan Jones from his non-fiction work, but this first foray into fiction has been a wild, brilliant shift. His background as a historian shines through which I know might sound obvious, but as a history nerd myself, I really appreciated the depth it added. That historical insight brings the world and its characters to life on a whole different level.

Now... how soon is too soon for a re-read?

This is the third chapter in the story of the Essex Dogs and probably my favourite so far but could easily be enjoyed as a standalone. They return in a thrilling tale set around the town of Winchelsea and the royal court at Windsor in the years following the plague. As always the historical detail is finely tuned to create a realistic environment of a country trying to get back on its feet with all the trials and tribulations of hardship and loss. But civilian life does not always sit easy as Loveday, now retired and running The Green Man misses the old days. As the Castilians loom on the horizons, the remaining Essex Dogs gradually reunite, the familiar camaraderie restored and excitement reignites in his slightly larger belly
It is wonderful storytelling, drawing the reader into the lives of the characters both old and new yet keeping up the pace and momentum. The descriptions of the court, the building site that is Windsor Castle are lively and colourful (the language a little too colourful at times for me). I really enjoyed the short contemporary historical excerpts at the beginning of each chapter that remind the reader that the story revolves around real events.
There is plenty of action and intrigue, with smugglers and hostages and a riveting stand off at sea thrown in for good measure.
As danger threatens and loyalties are torn, Dan Jones thrusts the reader into the heart of the battle but never loses sight of the fact that, although mainly fictional, the characters represent the lives of real people.
The climax is dramatic and heart rending but, although depleted in numbers there is a gentle hint that we haven’t seen the last of the Essex Dogs and I look forward to whatever the future holds in store for them.

Time has passed and the surviving Dogs are about their own business. In a country barely past the plague a new threat, piratical Castilians, proves instrumental in the Essex Dogs fortuitous reunion and their resolve to rescue one of their own.
A memorable trilogy from an author worth following.