Reviews
An appealingly pacy adventure set in a rarely attempted period of history, The Half-Slave excels in gritty atmosphere and believable characterization. Fans of historical fiction will appreciate Bloom’s well researched and immersive take on a seldom-used period setting, whilst those seeking a traditional adventure will find his deftly-paced narrative and exciting fight sequences more than justify the entrance fee. Highly recommended.
Simon Regan www.thebookbag.co.uk
The realism in the characters and situations, and deftly woven plot strands made this a gripping story.
Janet Williamson, The Historical Novel Society
This is a compelling read, with flawless characterization. Ascha is a beautifully tormented hero. His lack of status makes him vulnerable, even as he picks up his first weapon. He falls clumsily in love, betraying his youth, and stumbles between factions, through violence and bloodshed, and we are beside him the whole time. Allies and foes materialize out of the marsh fog and seemingly change shape, the most notable being the villain Overlord, Clovis: deliciously sinuous in ‘soft, doeskin boots.
Jane Batkin, Level 4 Arts & Culture Magazine
Thoroughly convincing recreation of an entirely different era which kept me fascinated by the characters and wholly involved in the fate of the hero. Some gripping situations and moral dilemmas. I found it increasingly hard to put down, so a lot of midnight oil. A very plausible recreation of an important period – the beginnings of France and England. The ‘romantic’ interest is well managed and the confusion of the post-Roman period comes over but the author manages not to let the story become too confusing. A refreshing lack of idealisation – even of the hero. I believed in the characters and the the action scenes were excellent.
Hookline novel competition panel judges
What I want in a book is for it to take me someplace I’ve never been before and that’s exactly what Trevor Bloom does. Bloom delivers a fascinating amalgam of history, race, geography, politics, family, love and war, and he does it all with good old-fashioned plot, something sadly missing in many of today’s novels. When you consider the challenges of setting a book in this place and time… this really is remarkable storytelling. I hope more people in the United States find and enjoy The Half-Slave.
Steve Thayer, New York Times bestselling author of The Weatherman and The Wheat Field