The sword of Damascus - Richard Blake

Murderous intrigue brings Aelric - Blake's engaging, murderous antihero - to Damascus as the triumphant Muslim caliphate sweeps up from Arabia to threaten Constantinople itself.
Aelric knows the secrets behind Greek Fire - the flame-throwers that have kept what is left of the once-mighty Roman empire safe until now.
And he has very little choice about sharing them with the new rulers.
Or so they think . . . for Aelric has not lost any of the cunning and courage that so far, have kept him alive.

Richard Blake is a historian, broadcaster and university lecturer. He lives in Kent with his wife and daughter.

www.richardblake.me.uk

It would be hard to over-praise this extraordinary series, a near-perfect blend of historical detail and atmosphere with the plot of a conspiracy thriller, vivid characters, high philosophy and vulgar comedy.
The Morning Star

If you like your Dark Age stories to be, well - particularly dark - then you'll love this.
Historical Novels Review

Blake's plotting is as brilliantly devious as the mind of his sardonic and very earthy hero.
Lancashire Evening Post

The Sword of Damascus is fast-paced and with as much gory action as you could shake a spear at.
Driffield Times