After the battle of Crécy, Loveday Fitztalbot and young Romford along with the other remaining Essex dogs hope to receive their pay to return home. But the war is not over and King Edward III is keen to capture a port city under the English flag. His eye falls on Calais, but that will be a months-long siege and so the English set up a town of their own at Villeneuve where Loveday and his mates are tasked with running a brothel.
Wolves of winter picks up where Essex dogs left off and follows a group of English soldiers through the start of the Hundred Years’ War. You get to see a raw, almost useless side of the war. We follow the war mainly from Loveday and Romford, who are alternately speaking. And then sometimes there’s a third perspective from a woman – but the point of that completely eluded me.

The problem with this novel is that it’s set during a period of the war where things don’t seem to be moving forward. Not a whole lot happens. It’s also the second book of the trilogy – so there’s little introduction needed anymore but there’s also no end to the story in sight. So it all ripples on with little extra plotlines (e.g. Hircent and the woman’s perspective) to still allow something to happen. But I don’t think this works very well.

I really enjoyed Essex Dogs, but this sequel doesn’t really live up to it for me. Maybe also because I don’t like Romford’s character as much and the addition of the captain didn’t bring much to the table for me either.

Nevertheless, it’s well written and the historical note is very detailed. Jones starts from facts. You can see Rodin’s famous statue ‘The Citizens of Calais’ come to life at the end.

Will I read the third part? Yes, because I do want to know how this ends. Better than Cornwell and Iggulden? Not yet, but the next book may surprise me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Wolves of Winter is the second book in Dan Jones historical Essex Dogs trilogy which is following a crew of English soldiers in the early days of what was to become known as the hundred years war. The first volume, Essex Dogs, took the men from their landing in France to the battle of Crécy. After a brief cold open featuring a character who will become more prominent as the story goes on, the sequel picks up where the first book left off, with the men plundering the battlefield before being marched to the King’s next objective: Calais.
A few characters have died along the way, but the Essex Dogs are still being led by Loveday Fitztalbot, who is still trying to understand why their former leader, only known as The Captain, left them. The other main point of view character for this volume is the youngest member Romford, a crack bowman but also partial to mind-altering substances and the propensity to be efficiently and dangerously violent when needed. While there is some plundering on the way, the main narrative focusses on the lengthy siege of Calais during which time the Dogs have ups and downs including having to run a brothel in the siege town that is established against the walls and being put on trench digging detail.
Like Essex Dogs before it, Jones has delivered another fascinating slice of medieval history told from the ground. The story is violent, desperate and profane but also incredibly fascinating. While there are a couple of key characters, Jones makes readers care about the whole crew but also understand that this is war and that none of them are safe. He brings to life the divide between the haves and have-nots but also the esteem in which the common men hold royalty. Of interest, in particular, is the way in which Jones gets behind the reasons for the war in the first place which were predominantly mercantile. And for those looking for the actual potted history of the events portrayed in the book, Jones provides it at the end of the book, revealing some of the minor liberties he has taken to get his characters into the thick of the action.
The Wolves of Winter ends at quite a definitive point, although leaves at least one question dangling. But this is the second book in a projected trilogy and the hundred year war itself is far from over. It will be interesting to see how Jones brings things together and what aspect of this conflict he choses to cover in the final book in this series.

Another brilliant book by Dan Jones. As a follow up to Essex Dogs, the story centres on the siege of Calais. The middle section of the book is a bit slow but does reflect atmosphere of a siege. The language is very course but is realistic of the period. Despite being full of blood, guts and profanities, it's an enjoyable read. Highly recommended.

1347. Bruised and bloodied by an epic battle at Crécy, six soldiers of fortune known as the Essex Dogs pick through the wreckage of the fighting - and their own lives.

Now a new siege is beginning, and the Dogs are sent to attack the soaring walls of Calais. To get home, they must survive a merciless winter in a lawless camp deadlier than any battlefield.

Obsessed with tracking down the vanished Captain, Loveday struggles to control his own men. Romford is haunted by the reappearance of a horrific figure from his past. And Scotsman is spiralling into a pit of drink, violence and self-pity.

The Dogs are being torn apart - but this war is far from over. It won't be long before they lose more of their own.

‘Forget about hunting for the past. It’s gone. Think about the world that’s coming in.’

We are back getting down and dirty with the Essex Dogs. Last we saw them after the battle of Crécy, some of their number lost and now they march for Calais for their King, Edward III.
Transported back to the 14th century by Jones, it’s tough, dirty and blood soaked. I really love that it’s a proper story, well rooted in history, some of the characters are real people, Hugh Hastings really did have some sort of weird ginger wig which tickles me, but it is the Dogs that make it; the camaraderie and friendship is key to the whole thing. Jones knows his stuff, obviously, but it is the storytelling for me that is most captivating, medieval war in all its gory glory and had me hooked. It makes you feel like you are really there in the thick of it all.

‘They believe they rule everywhere and everyone. But there are other men behind them, who make it possible for them to play their games.’

I’m lucky enough to have tickets to see Dan Jones speak at Toppings in October and after reading this, I can’t wait!

This book is based around the Siege of Calais in the mid 14th century and it is brutal, crude, blasphemous, bloodthirsty, and more! I enjoyed reading the Historical Notes and matching them to the fictiotious plot. Dan Jones writes a good story and I shall read the third book but I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did the first book.

The next instalment in the story of the Essex Dogs is just as exciting and action packed as the first. Historically accurate Dan Jones writes fiction with authority and feeling. The characters come alive on the page, a little older, more weary and battle hardened than before. The strains of war both mental and physical do nothing to dampen their sense of loyalty and fair play and as old friends and demons hover in the background there is a suspicion that the war they are fighting is not as straightforward as they thought. The plot moves along at pace keeping the pages turning. A terrific read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Extract only so I can't give a detailed review.
Extract only so I can't give a detailed review.
Extract only so I can't give a detailed review.

It was messy at Crecy but the power play at Calais will drag the Dogs deeper into the mire and lose them one or two along the way. Meeting up with some Flemish equivalent (led by a right female Dog) they find themselves battling on all fronts as they confront pirates, pestilence and the threat of a returning French army under Phillippe. Whilst the high and the mighty battle for even more financial gain to be had from the taking of Calais Loveday and his Crew face the hardship and the fear, hoping to be paid (eventually) and return home. Throw in the mix magic mushrooms and was it the “Captain” Loveday saw and you have a full on tale that admirably follows the first book and has you immediately searching for the release date of the next.

Thrilling second part of the Essex Dogs trilogy (brilliant news it’s a trilogy!), developing the story of the remaining members of the Essex dogs as they build up to the Calais siege. Brilliant characterisation, each of the main parts really comes alive, and Jones brings his historical eye for detail in a light and engaging way. There’s clearly a wealth of detail embedded in the book but it’s delivered without being sledgehammered, not always the case with historians turned fiction writers. There’s a gritty sense of vérité as Jones draws out the deprivations experienced in both sides, with a side of hallucinatory sequences influenced by drugs or starvation…

Really looking forward to the final part

Another brilliant book by Dan Jones I love this series the Dogs are just the best and worst ! I am hoping there will be more and more.
If you like Matthew Harffy and Bernard Cornwell you will devour this in one sitting.
I would like to thank Head of Zeus for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
I loved it !

Loved following the Essex Dogs on their journey after the first book. The characters are just brilliant and it’s full of everything this type of historical novel should have. Very much looking forward to the final book!

The second in his trilogy, "Wolves of Winter" takes off where "Dogs of War" left off and continues the tale of the Essex Dogs as they move on from bloody victory in the Battle of Crecy and take part in the long drawn siege of Calais.

The tale is full of blood, swearing and gore and naturally, given the author's scholarly background, historically accurate too. This is an intoxicating brew of violence and even mysticism and the characters are brilliantly depicted.

A veritable Sharpe of the 14th century, I loved reading about the exploits of Loveday and his ever diminishing crew and look forward to the next and probably final instalment.

Another fantastic book in what is shaping up to be an incredible series! Dan Jones really has a way with words and it keeps me coming back. Fantastic.