Azincourt, more famously known as Agincourt, was a famous battle won by the English in the Hundred Years War that led to decades of English dominance over France. Bernard Cornwell is a master of historical fiction - I really loved his Warlord Chronicles trilogy about King Arthur - and Azincourt is another great read.

The novel follows the lead-up to Agincourt through the eyes of Nicholas Hook (a real archer at the battle, but heavily fictionalized) who is attached to the company of Sir John Cornwall, a famous knight. After the disastrous siege of Harfluer, the English army makes its way to Agincourt.

At Agincourt, the famous English longbows do their work against the nobility of France, and Cornwell pulls no punches describing the battle. It feels like more than half of the novel features descriptions of violence, and it's some of the most brutal I've ever read. If you're squeamish, don't bother with this one.

Like everything I've read from Cornwell, Azincourt is skillfully written, with dialogue that's simultaneously modern and engaging but also feels fitting for the setting. It's immensely readable, fast-paced without being rushed, and there's never a dull moment. This novel doesn't have the character development or deep plotlines of a longer series or more literary novel, but it's a great quick read that's really accessible.