The Black Hawks

The Black Hawks follows Chel, a young man forced to become bodyguard to Prince Tarfel when their paths cross during a hostile takeover of the kingdom. Their journey takes them through dangerous territory as they seek safety and allies. They encounter the Black Hawks, a mercenary company with their own agenda and questionable loyalty. The story focuses on the developing relationships between Chel, the prince, and the mercenaries as they navigate political intrigue and immediate threats to their survival. The narrative maintains a fast pace through sword fights, pursuits, and tense negotiations. Magic exists in this world but remains in the background, with the emphasis staying on the characters and their choices. This debut fantasy novel explores themes of duty versus self-interest, and questions what true loyalty means in a world where everyone seems to have hidden motives. The story takes a pragmatic view of heroism and honor in a complex political landscape.

Readers describe The Black Hawks as a fun but flawed debut fantasy novel. Most note the witty dialogue and dark humor between characters, particularly highlighting the mercenary group dynamics. Readers appreciated: - Fast-paced action scenes - Sarcastic banter and character interactions - The gritty, realistic take on mercenary life - Subversion of typical fantasy tropes Common criticisms: - Pacing issues, especially in the first third - Underdeveloped worldbuilding - Hard-to-follow action sequences - Some found the protagonist frustrating Review Scores: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (100+ ratings) Fantasy Faction: 8/10 Select Reader Comments: "Strong character voices but needs tighter plotting" - Goodreads reviewer "Think Abercrombie-style grimdark meets Ocean's Eleven" - Amazon reviewer "Takes time to get going but worth sticking with" - Fantasy Book Review

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🏰 The Black Hawks is David Wragg's debut novel, launching his Articles of Faith series in 2019. ⚔️ The titular Black Hawks are a mercenary company, reflecting the author's interest in exploring the complex dynamics of mercenary bands in fantasy settings. 🌟 The book subverts traditional fantasy tropes by featuring a reluctant hero who actively tries to avoid adventure rather than seeking it out. 📚 Despite its dark themes, the novel is known for its wit and humor, particularly in the banter between characters. 🎭 The story draws inspiration from historical mercenary companies of medieval Europe, particularly the Italian condottieri and the Free Companies of the Hundred Years' War.