Sharpe’s Fortress is the third (historically) of the Richard Sharpe series, and last of the Sharpe India trilogy, by English author Bernard Cornwell. It tells the story of ensign Sharpe, during the battle of Argaum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argaum) and the following siege of the Fortress of Gawilghur (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gawilghur) in 1803.

At the end of the previous Sharpe novel, Sharpe saved General Wellesley’s life, and was promoted up from the ranks to become an Ensign, a low ranking officer, in the army. Sharpe soon finds that his dream of being an officer is more like a nightmare. The officers don’t like him because he isn’t a noble, and Sharpe is set to demeaning tasks like making sure the men don’t run during a battle and escorting the supply train.

It isn’t Richard’s idea of fun, and he soon finds that he is being asked to sell his commission or move on somewhere else. He leaves the company he is attached to, only to find himself faced with his old enemy, Obadiah Hakeswill. The evil sergeant has it out for Sharpe, and his treachery leads Sharpe on a vengeful mission, and straight into a horrifying siege.

The third book in the Sharpe series is to the point, historically accurate, and a lot of fun to read. Lucky for me, there’s another 18 books or so. I’ll be reading the next one soon.

Rating: 3 out of 5 (What’s This?)

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