Customer Reviews

Black Bartlemy's Treasure

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I loved this adventure story. The previous reviewer did a good job of summarizing the storyline. I found wonderfully diverse characters, a rollicking story of the high seas, pirates, love, vengeance, courage, survival on a deserted island, and more. I was shocked to have the story end "in the middle" with no resolution!! I immediately found "Martin Conisby's Vengeance" and for another 80 cents I had it in my Kindle in minutes and continued. His writing style reminds me a bit of Robert Louis Stevenson, particularly Kidnapped, with the bond between David Balfour and Alan. I will write a review of the second book, but if you like adventure stories (Haggard, RL Stevenson) you should find this a roller coaster of adventure filled with cliffhangers. Accurate historical details (they prime their flintlocks, patch their musket balls) and ships, ships, ships and life (and death) aboard ships. Courage, fighting, honor -- all in wonderful profusion.

The two reviews preceding mine are excellent and I will not venture to dismiss either in any manner. But let me add this: Martin Conisby's Vengeance - the sequel to Black Bartlemy's Treasure - is said by some to be even finer than the first. Indeed they were originally meant by Farnol to be published as one book but his publisher decided to split the tome in two so as to garner more loot. Seemed like a good idea at the time but this has driven many readers nuts in the pre-Internet Era. Some forty plus years ago, for instance, it took me five years to find Martin Conisby's Vengeance. Now I keep two copies of each on my shelf just as insurance. And, oh yes, for you diehard treasure seekers out there Farnol wrote a prequel to both called Adam Penfeather, Buccaneer. Happy cutlassing!

The Yuletide Kid

If you like a lot of swash with your buckle, this is the book for you. Previous reviews have dwelled upon the story line. Yes, there are plenty of cut-throat pirates, battles at sea and on land, facinating characters, etc., etc. Quite enough excitement to keep the adventure lovers happy. But it is also the story of one man's journey away from revenge and toward redemption and, unfortunately, back again. His father murdered, his body sold into slavery to the Spanish, English noble Martin Conisby escapes from his fate as a galley slave and returns to England with only one burning desire---revenge upon the man who caused the ruin of the House of Conisby, the head of the House of Brandon. Will his reignited love for Joan Brandon, daughter of Martin's nemesis, be enough to clear his heart of hate?

To answer the above question it will be necessary to read both this book and its sequel, "Martin Conisby's Vengeance." Enjoy!