Captain Alatriste: A swashbuckling tale of action and adventure (The Adventures of Captain Alatriste) - Tapa dura

Perez-Reverte is very good at evoking the atmosphere of a teeming, corrupt and jaded Madrid...He is also superb at the precisely choreographed sword fights... (Toby Clements TELEGRAPH (23.7.05))

'A powerful cross between Zorro and D'Artagnan...this should be massive'. (THE BOOKSELLER (8.4.05))

...relaxed literary fun with pastiches of the verified combat of poets in rumbustious alehouses, and walk-on parts for such luminaries as Lope de Vega...a very high class entertainment. (Steven Poole THE GUARDIAN (30.7.05))

If it's swashbuckling escapism that you crave lounging beside the pool, Captain Alatriste is your man. A hired blade in 17th- century Spain, he cuts between an underworld peopled by pirates, assassins and smugglers, and a Royal Court that's abuzz with perilous plots. Trailing him is Inigo Balboa, his page and our narrator, who relates with relish the captain's sword-slinging adventures. (Hephzibah Anderson BLOOMBERG.COM)

There are all the elements required for a stirring and elegantly written adventure, including a lively collection of characters whom I look forward to meeting again. (Susanna Yager SUNDAY TELEGRAPH (14.8.05))

Splendid swashbuckler set in 1620 Madrid...Rousing adventure recounted with relish by young Inigo, the captain's page, whose knowledge of troubles yet to come gives his narrative both depth and poignancy. Alatriste's adventures have already sold millions on the Continent and this is the first of five to be published here. Warmly recommended. Escapism to stir the heart. (LITERARY REVIEW (October 2005))

A tale as timeless as an Errol Flynn movie. (GOOD BOOK GUIDE)