Startled to be able to report that STRONGHOLD has attracted a movie option even though it's only been on the bookshelves since the middle of August.
It's nice to see that the period element hasn't put anyone off, but I'm still a bit surprised.
Negotiations have only just commenced of course, so it's far too early to give the nitty-gritty, but one thing's for sure - those of you who've read the book will surely agree that it's impossible to see this one being released under anything less than an 18 certificate.
In the meantime, I'm chuffed to bits by the very entertaining review the book has received on Black Abyss:
Stronghold takes us far back into late 13th Century Wales where those pesky English are cutting a swathe of violence through the indigenous population. The taking of Grogen Castle and the subsequent physical and sexual abuse of the lady of the Castle, Countess Madalyn and her daughter Gwendolyn are the final straws. With her daughter held prisoner Madalyn seeks help from the practitioners of the old magic, the fabled Welsh Druids, and it’s not long before armies of the dead are rising up to reclaim the castle.
What follows is a gruesome account of the battle for Grogen Castle between the English defenders and the newly risen Welsh zombie army. It’s a veritable dictionary of anatomical terms as body parts are skewered, severed, chewed and burnt in increasingly bizarre ways.
Paul Finch utilises his excellent skill to weave historical detail into a horrific storyline. So not only do you get a full biology lesson but a thorough understanding of 13th century siege methods. It’s all excellent fun delivered in the worst possible taste fitting the series mentality perfectly.
My only criticism is that with such a broad canvas of the Welsh/English conflict the possibilities of extending the zombie battle onto a larger battlefield existed. Instead we are faced with a fairly small and claustrophobic encounter that feels like it should be part of a bigger campaign. I would also have liked to focus more on the druids and the “old magic” as this felt like it only skimmed the surface of what Finch could be capable of in that area. The mystical druidic tradition of Wales has huge potential in the hands of a writer of Paul Finch’s ability but maybe he is saving that for another day.
None of which matters at all of course as this series is about excitement, the thrill of the chase and zombies and on those fronts the book delivers perfectly. So for history lovers with a thirst for some zombie carnage this is highly recommended.
The full review can be found at: http://blackabyss.co.uk/?s=Stronghold
I too would like to see this tale evolve into something a lot bigger picture. All I'd say about that is anything can happen at any time. You never know.
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