SONG OF THE EIGHT WINDS
'RECONQUISTA' An Epic Tale of Medieval Spain
New PAPERBACK edition (Oasis-WERP) September 2014
ISBN 978-0-9573062-1-9
New KINDLE edition September 2014
ISBN 978-0-9573062-0-2
AmazonKindle USA
AmazonKindle UK
AmazonKindle SPAIN
SYNOPSIS:
From the author of the bestselling Snowball Oranges series of Mallorcan travel books comes a substantial and compelling novel inspired by one of the most momentous and lastingly-celebrated events in the history of this enchanting Spanish island.
It’s 1229, the year of the Christian ‘Reconquest’ of Mallorca from the Moors, a Muslim people of Afro-Arabic origin who have ruled Spain in cultural splendour for five hundred years. Heading the Christian invasion is King Jaume I, the dashing 21-year-old ruler of the northern Spanish kingdom of Aragon, who sets out for Mallorca with a mighty armada of one hundred and fifty ships carrying some fifteen thousand foot soldiers and fifteen hundred cavalry.
The helmsman of the royal galley is Pedrito Blànes, a strapping Mallorcan peasant of the same age as King Jaume. This is his story…
Pedrito has spent five years as a slave of Moorish pirates and is now eager to return to his family on the island. Despite their disparate backgrounds, a firm friendship develops between the two young men, a bond fortified by the perils of the sea voyage and destined to survive the disapproval of the youthful king’s entourage of powerful nobles and clergymen, as well as Pedrito’s patent lack of enthusiasm for the monarch’s zealous commitment to warfare in the name of religion.
Set against a backdrop of breathtaking Mediterranean scenery, described in the author’s hallmark style which transports readers right into the heart of the action, an enthralling saga dictated by the vagaries of fate unfolds. The horror and brutality of battle is countered by the tenderness shown to Christian Pedrito in an unexpected encounter with two Muslim women – one older than him, the other younger – which reveals heart-rending aspects of his past and sows the seeds of a forbidden romantic relationship punishable by death.
Yet there are threads of humour woven discreetly into this intense, action-packed yarn – a rare quality that puts Song of the Eight Winds in a niche unique within the genre of historical fiction.
Here, then, is a book that will appeal equally to devotees of Mallorca, who will be fascinated by depictions of familiar locations as they existed in a bygone age, and to those who simply love to read a good story, entertainingly-told.
TO READ THE FIRST CHAPTER, Click here...
REVIEWS
"An intelligent swashbuckler ... clarifies the historical relationship between Muslim and Christian polities almost without taking a side."
Amazon USA Reviewer
"Fantastico! Beautifully written, amazing research ... a joy to read."
polly uk - Amazon Review
"Peter's knowledge and love of this beautiful island flows from every page."
Lothian Life Magazine
"Researched in meticulous detail. Extremely well written in an easy style, with many exciting sub-plots.."
Books4Spain.com
"Peter Kerr's best book to date ... the excitement builds from the very start."
Amazon UK Reviewer
"An enthralling historical novel (about) the Christian Reconquest
of Mallorca from the Moors."
Euro Weekly News
"History comes to life through Kerr's skill as a storyteller."
Lisa J Yarde - 'Historical Novel Review
“A hugely entertaining read.”
Majorca Daily Bulletin
"A magnificent adventure ... an heroic tale ... a sweeping epic."
Dumfries & Galloway Standard
"An action-packed yarn ... entertaining and not just dry history."
East Lothian Courier
© Peter Kerr 2006
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