The descriptions of St. Elmo, the tensions as the Ottoman fleet presses in, the inner workings of the Knights—those parts felt real. But the dialogue on occasion felt a bit modern…
About the book
1565, Malta: a vital outpost between the divided nations of Europe and the relentlessly expanding Ottoman Empire. Faced with ferocious attack by a vast Turkish fleet, the knights of the Order of St John fear annihilation. Amongst those called to assist is disgraced veteran Sir Thomas Barrett. Loyalty and instinct compel him to put the Order above all other concerns, yet his allegiance is divided. At Queen Elizabeth’s command, he must search for a hidden scroll, guarded by the knights, that threatens her reign.
As Sir Thomas confronts the past that cost him his honour and a secret that has long lain buried, a vast enemy army arrives to lay siege to the island…
My review
I picked up Sword and Scimitar because anything about the Siege of Malta grabs me—after all, Malta is close enough to feel like family to the Order of St John, those stories are part of our history. Simon Scarrow’s novel had good things going for it: a well-researched backdrop, battles, moral conflict, secrets, and people trying to do right when everything is falling apart.
What I liked best was how Scarrow brings Malta to life. The descriptions of St. Elmo, the tensions as the Ottoman fleet presses in, the inner workings of the Knights—those parts felt real. As a Maltese reader, I could picture the battered walls.
Also, the secrets and loyalties Scarrow weaves in—Sir Thomas Barrett’s return, his divided loyalty between England (via Queen Elizabeth) and the Order—are good plot hooks. There’s romance, danger, betrayals, and a mission that adds another layer beyond just the war.
But it’s not perfect. Sometimes I felt the pacing wasn’t balanced. The first half of the book moves briskly, with promising tension, but in the last third things loosen up. Some plot threads lose urgency; the romance subplot, for example, felt sometimes forced, as though Scarrow needed to give readers something softer amid all the carnage, but it doesn’t always land. Also, a few characters felt underdeveloped—some I couldn’t connect with, which diminished their stakes in the final battles for me.
Another thing: the dialogue on occasion felt a bit modern – some thoughts, fears, moral doubts that made sense to us today but stretched credulity for someone in 1565. That said, this is historical fiction, but they just reminded me I was reading a novel shaped for a modern audience.
Overall, Sword and Scimitar is powerful and stirring. Ideal for anyone who likes war histories, knightly orders, or just stories where loyalty and courage are tested.
Book details
- ISBN:978-0755358366
- Print length: 448 pages
- Other info: see tags below (author, location language & year of publication)
