DUEL OF BEASTS by BOYD & BETH MORRISON
Genre ... Historical adventure
Publication Date ... 30th July 2026
Publisher ... Head of Zeus
Estimated Page Count ... 464
Standalone Novel in the Tales of the Lawless Land
Order Link ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Duel-Beasts-Tales-Lawless-Land/dp/1035921804
Málaga, Spain, 1352. Knight-errant Gerard Fox and his daring wife Willa seek young noblewoman Madelena to deliver news of her brother's death: an innocuous mission, yet one that plunges the couple into a fight for their lives against their most dangerous adversaries yet.
Madelena's sister-in-law Helvira desires two things that Madalena now possesses: a considerable inheritance, and a letter that provides grounds for Helvira's execution in both the Christian and Muslim worlds. With everything at stake, Helvira will stop at nothing to seize both.
Fox and Willa soon find themselves in a desperate battle to survive on a journey that will take them from the royal court at Seville to the mighty complex of the Alhambra Palace. To save Madelena and reveal the truth, the duo must outwit Helvira and her allies at every turn - and escape the ferocious creatures of Helvira's deadly menagerie.
The unmissable new novel in the Tales of the Lawless Land series, combining thrilling historical action and clever puzzles, from New York Times bestselling author Boyd and expert medievalist Beth Morrison.
A novel that sees the two protagonists venture through medieval Spain to protect a recently widowed noblewoman from a vengeful relative, a letter that provides grounds for an execution in both the Christian and Muslim worlds, a deadly menagerie.
Ooh! Sounds good, right?
Book four in The Lawless Tales series. Duel Of Beasts reads perfectly well as a standalone novel BUT {didn't you just know that there was a but coming? } ...
Enchanted by knight-errant Sir Gerard Fox and his remarkable wife Willa {more of them later}, whilst there were titillating insights into their back stories and the adventures that had brought them to Spain I just knew I was not going to be satisfied until I had read the tale from when it all began. *
Written by siblings Boyd and Beth Morrison. One of the things that struck me about this novel was that , unlike some books that are written by multiple authors in which differing writing styles and shifting character voices {to name but two of the issues} can be problematic, this flowed seamlessly.
A tale of action and adventure, of chivalry, of daring dos, deadly plots, treachery, duels, illicit love, hidden bestiaries, fabulous treasures, courtly intrigue ... oh and mythical beasts, mustn't forget the mythical beasts and then, and then there are the amazing characters; not all of them likeable I admit but all are highly readable for all of that.
Ok, getting back to the afore mentioned Sir Gerard Fox and Willa who, if asked to name my favourite fictional couple, would be way up there.
For all of his chivalry there is nothing of the chauvinist in Sir Gerard who, whilst his every instinct is to protect his wife, knows she is more than capable for there is nothing of the damsel in distress about Willa. Indeed an expert horse woman and archer, unless the occasion called for it Willa would no sooner swoon than, than ... well, you just wouldn't catch her swooning unless it was to her and Gerard's advantage that she do so.
A multi faceted read that demanded my attention from beginning to end. There was always something of note happening and yet, written in such a way that I never felt overwhelmed, the authors very cleverly balanced the action {of which there was more than plenty} with quieter periods that gave me pause to not only breath but to reflect.
A novel I could shout about from the roof tops. I'm sure that Duel Of Beasts will be enjoyed by not only those who love a read seeped in history but also by those who love a rollicking good adventure story and even those who are simply looking for a darn good read.
* The previous books in the Tales Of The Lawless Land series are ...
The Lawless Land
The Last True Templar
The White Fortress
With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy. One of several bloggers participating in the Blog Tour of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.
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