The Arrows of Fealty
This book is a stand-alone follow-up to The Arrows of Mercy. It follows Haukyn, the son of a scarred, bitter war veteran, as he faces his own trials in both war and its tumultuous aftermath. The book is written in three parts, starting with Haukyn’s own harrowing experiences as an archer in the Hundred Years’ War. Through a series of chevauchées, brutal battle scenes, and scorched-earth warfare, all he wants is to return to his village. But he has tasted freedom and yearns for more than his life as a serf can provide. He’s unable to settle into his constricted life and has immense sympathy for others in similar straits, particularly the plight of an emotionally damaged woman, Ilotte. Finally, he is caught up in the peasant uprisings leading to the Great Revolt of 1381.
This structure shows off deep research into the times and an understanding of serf life and a knowledge of the politics at the time. After the dynamic and action-packed first act, the village scenes feel like they drag, almost a separate novel, until MacLean picks up momentum in the final act. Haukyn, Edmund and Ilotte are well-written characters whose trauma defines their lives. Many of the villagers are less interesting, and a lot of time is spent with them. While The Arrows of Fealty feels a little long, it is a tale worth reading and an impressive piece of historical research turned into compelling fiction.
