A Man of Honor by J.A. Nelson

Release: December 9, 2019
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Quill Point Press
Source: HFVirtual Book Tours
Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Google Play.

A Man of Honor tells the fictional tale of how one man’s oath gave birth to Hamlet’s legend.

How far would you go to keep a deathbed promise?

Surrounded by the bodies of slain monarchs, a dying prince extracts a promise from his friend, Horatio: “Tell my story.”

Rival kings of warring nations strive to lay claim to the throne, now vacant, but what will happen to the people who live there, at Helsingør’s Krogen Castle? How will Horatio preserve his honor and the prince’s legacy while surviving this murderous kingdom and the men who would rule it?

Despite the odds and threats against him, Horatio persists, weaving the story of his dear friend into the fabric of one of their oldest and most revered medieval texts.

But when a nefarious Spaniard thwarts his plans, Horatio must once again risk everything to fulfill his oath.

With the help of some unexpected allies in the form of Margrete, a courageous lady-in-waiting, and Lanier, a disgraced French nobleman, Horatio undertakes this perilous quest that will lead him on a journey none of them could have ever predicted, to a place none of them ever thought they would see.

And after their hard-fought journey, will it all be for naught?

Will Hamlet’s glory be Horatio’s downfall?

This historical adventure story tells the fictional tale of how Horatio’s oath gave birth to Hamlet’s legend.

About the Author:

J. A. Nelson’s passion for exploring connections between history, literature, and evidence in written texts has shaped her life—from a BA (Occidental College) and MA (The George Washington University) in cultural studies to a two-decade career at the National Archives of the United States, working with historical documentary treasures and helping people access unique stories in those records. Ms. Nelson is a native of Culver City, CA, a Los Angeles suburb. She lives with her husband in Northern Virginia. A Man of Honor or Horatio’s Confessions is her debut novel.

A Man of Honor Review:

I am not a fan of Shakespeare, but reading this story motivated me to revisit the classic!

To begin with, I read Hamlet years back when I was still in school. Hence I knew the events that transpired before reading this book and had no trouble getting into the plot. The book picks up right where the classic ends, and it is terrific!

The author did a beautiful job of narrating the tale. While the story initially focuses on the events that transpire just after Hamlet’s end, it eventually takes its course. The author adds adventure, suspense, and humor while still honoring the characters’ legacy from the classic tale. Some of my favorite scenes in the story include Horatio’s feud with Poul and the trio’s escape from Raynaldo and embark on the seafaring journey. I also loved the touches the author added to pay homage to the classic, like Horatio seeing Hamlet’s ghost.

Horatio is a beautiful protagonist with flaws, yet you want him to succeed in his quest. He is not the strongest of characters and doesn’t make the best decisions, but his motives are honorable. More than Horatio, I loved Lanier. He is the perfect “supporting” character, with a dark past but a good heart. There are also quite a few formidable villains like Reynaldo and Cristiern that spice the story nicely.

However, there were a few minors things, which I felt could be done better. The pacing is a bit off, where the story slows down halfway, and again picks when Horatio meets Margrete. Also, some characters like Fortinbras were not very prominent in the storyline.

Apart from that, I loved reading this book. Overall, I recommend it to anyone who loves a good historical novel (even if you aren’t a Shakespeare fan).

Giveaway

Enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on February 15th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Embed Code: Man of Honor

Blog Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the A Man of Honor by J.A. Nelson Blog Tour hosted by HFVirtual Book Tours. Check out my post, and make sure to enter the giveaway!