Rating: 
Summary: Cornwell does it again
Review: I have found that I like Richard Sharpe in India even more that I like him in Spain. This is likely because you don't see much fiction on the particular war in question elsewhere. Cornwell handles this setting well from details on how a cannon ball is meant to take out ranks to the culture of the foe and friend in India. As always the action is great, the battles realistic and the characters great. If there is any weakness to be found it is working under the limitations of a prequel. I think the arab servant would have been a great character to bring to England, (It would have made the next two books more interesting.) Of course we KNOW Sharpe will survive and his son will be in America to meet Starbuck. (I have this picture in my mind of Sharpe's young arab servant grown up and the mentor of Patrick in the Crimeria.) Cornwell writes a great book and his look at the British Army Circa 1800-1815 and the way the average soldier thinks is yet another reason to buy and enjoy this series. Lets hope Cornwell never gets bored with this character. We certanily wont.
Rating: 
Summary: Vintage Sharpe
Review: I must admit that I really liked the book aside from some obvious flaws. It had the great action that you expect from Cornwall, and a generally engaging plot. However, it has two problems in my estimation. First, Sharpe must be the absolute dumbest protagonist ever. When will he just be done with Hakeswell? Clearly, Sharpe will have to take things into his own hands. Second, while Cornwall has developed a pretty good plot, all of his books (the 7 or so Sharpe books that I've read) have essentially the same plot: Sharpe snubbed in some way for not being a 'gentleman' (or a Scot in this case) -- Sharpe develops some sort of antogonistic relationship with a repulsive person -- Sharpe's career at risk if he doesn't do something amazing -- Sharpe does something amazing -- repulsive person almost kills Sharpe -- Sharpe is a hero and is subsequently promoted. End of story. Oh, and throw in some veiled references to sex and you've gotten the basic plot (not necessarily in the right order).
Rating:
Summary: The end of Sharpe's time in India?
Review: In December 1803 the British Army had pushed back the Mahratta's to their last stronghold. A seemingly impenetrable fortress atop a mountain in a place named Gawilghur. Sharpe, now an officer, takes his heroism to a new level during the battle. The killing grounds of Gawilghur is where Sharpe becomes famous, already a hero to his General, he becomes a hero to the men.The book see's an end to Sharpe's time in India, but it's a great finale to an awesome campaign that has seen Sharpe go from a lowly raw recruit to a hero with a commission. As with all Sharpe books history is told through Sharpe, this makes the book highly educational and interesting, the story is gripping and packed with action. It's a great read and a must for all Sharpe fans. 4 Stars
Rating:
Summary: The end of Sharpe's time in India?
Review: In December 1803 the British Army had pushed back the Mahratta's to their last stronghold. A seemingly impenetrable fortress atop a mountain in a place named Gawilghur. Sharpe, now an officer, takes his heroism to a new level during the battle. The killing grounds of Gawilghur is where Sharpe becomes famous, already a hero to his General, he becomes a hero to the men. The book see's an end to Sharpe's time in India, but it's a great finale to an awesome campaign that has seen Sharpe go from a lowly raw recruit to a hero with a commission. As with all Sharpe books history is told through Sharpe, this makes the book highly educational and interesting, the story is gripping and packed with action. It's a great read and a must for all Sharpe fans. 4 Stars
Rating:
Summary: "Be sure your sin will find you out" - Numbers 32:23
Review: Most people are familiar with Richard Sharpe from the TV series based on later action in Spain. This novel (copyright 1999) steps back in time to 1803. The setting is India, and Sharpe has just risen from the ranks to become a somewhat old ensign, resented by his new regiment ("you can put a saddle on a cart horse, but..."). The story opens with action against Mahrattas at Argaum, and ends with the siege of Gawilghur. Sharpe is a poorly educated refuge from the streets and a foundling home, the son of a prostitute, who has found a home in the British Army. He is a rough individual, willing to slit a man's throat, especially if the person has done him wrong. He has limited luck with women and learns the meaning of "Never, never trust a woman. You'll be sorry if you do." He had some luck acquiring jewels as his share of the spoils after a previous battle, but has trouble concealing them and hanging on to them. Sharpe must contend with old enemies, such as Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill, and some new enemies. He is a good man to have on your side in a fight, and is admired by some officers for his accomplishments. The novel has lots of action, considerable violence, but little sexual content. I would give it a PG-13 rating.
Rating:
Summary: "Be sure your sin will find you out" - Numbers 32:23
Review: Most people are familiar with Richard Sharpe from the TV series based on later action in Spain. This novel (copyright 1999) steps back in time to 1803. The setting is India, and Sharpe has just risen from the ranks to become a somewhat old ensign, resented by his new regiment ("you can put a saddle on a cart horse, but..."). The story opens with action against Mahrattas at Argaum, and ends with the siege of Gawilghur. Sharpe is a poorly educated refuge from the streets and a foundling home, the son of a prostitute, who has found a home in the British Army. He is a rough individual, willing to slit a man's throat, especially if the person has done him wrong. He has limited luck with women and learns the meaning of "Never, never trust a woman. You'll be sorry if you do." He had some luck acquiring jewels as his share of the spoils after a previous battle, but has trouble concealing them and hanging on to them. Sharpe must contend with old enemies, such as Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill, and some new enemies. He is a good man to have on your side in a fight, and is admired by some officers for his accomplishments. The novel has lots of action, considerable violence, but little sexual content. I would give it a PG-13 rating.
Rating: 
Summary: Weakest of the Sharpe in India books
Review: Not a terrible book, but definitely the weakest of the Sharpe novels set in India (the "Rifles" prequels). The battle scenes are quite good, but the perfunctory romance story feels so tacked-on that that one suspects Cornwell only included the female character because his formula required it. And the handling of Obadiah Hakeswill at the end is just annoying; altogether too much like a James Bond villain's attempt to rid himself of Bond. To reiterate, not an awful novel, but it compares pretty poorly to the preceding "Sharpe's Triumph" or to the subsequent "Sharpe's Trafalgar."
Rating:
Summary: Weakest of the Sharpe in India books
Review: Not a terrible book, but definitely the weakest of the Sharpe novels set in India (the "Rifles" prequels). The battle scenes are quite good, but the perfunctory romance story feels so tacked-on that that one suspects Cornwell only included the female character because his formula required it. And the handling of Obadiah Hakeswill at the end is just annoying; altogether too much like a James Bond villain's attempt to rid himself of Bond. To reiterate, not an awful novel, but it compares pretty poorly to the preceding "Sharpe's Triumph" or to the subsequent "Sharpe's Trafalgar."
Rating:
Summary: Somewhat formulaic
Review: Of the four prequel pre-Peninsula campaign Sharpe's books this is the second worst. Cornwall seems to have written these more for the money than anything else. Tiger and Trafalgar I'd rate a four, Triumph a two. Hakeswill is in all three land based novels and a female relationship in three out of four. Cornwall seems to be writing by the numbers. Hakeswill escapes all the deaths that Sharpe arranges for him, as we know he will, but nothing is done to him, officially, even though higher up officers learn of Hakesill's nefarious deeds. Sloppy loose ends on Cornwall's part. As always, an interesting way to learn about British military history.
Rating:
Summary: Historical Fiction is fun - particularly Cromwell
Review: One of the best Napoleonic War genre books by one of the all time best writers of that era. Cromwell captures the essence of India during the Mahratta war era. The real "First world war" is under way. England and France, with all their proxy forces are clashing around the globe. India, the sub continent serves as the perfect vechicle for Cromwell to back-fill the Sharpe series. Here you meet the dirt-bag Hakeswill and learn to loath him from the start. You get a sense of the climate, the trials, and enormity of conducting land operations in a forbidding country. Cromwell is a master in telling a war story, this one does not disappoint.
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