Book Review: Sharpe’s Assassin (Sharpe #22) by Bernard Cornwell (four stars)
“He’s a remarkable-looking fellow, don’t you think?” “To quote you, Your Grace, I don’t know what he does to the enemy, but by God he frightens me.”
The battle of Waterloo ended yesterday. Sharpe is again thrust into the breach. The trick is, this time he’s trying to keep a war he hoped over from re-igniting. Deeply immersive combat action in early nineteenth century France.
“We are doing our utmost to keep Parisians calm. So try very hard not to start a war, Sharpe. Break some heads if you must, but I don’t want the streets of Paris running with blood.”
Cornwell does pulse-pounding historical fiction well. Approaching two dozen editions, the Sharpe chronicles may strike some as formulaic. Fans just want their addiction fed. This story will pump their adrenaline. For now
“I’ve seen you in a fight, Charlie, and you don’t fight. You look for somewhere to hide.”
Despite being toward the end of a long series, this book is accessible to new readers. Cornwell fills in backstory as needed and only as much as needed. Good job.
‘There had been a time when he welcomed a fight, but this night’s madness had made him apprehensive. It would be such a stupid time to die.’
As a Matter of Fancy 