Confessions of a Janissary

*****RATED FIVE STARS BY THE HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY ON GOODREADS!*****

It is the late 14th Century. The young Ottoman Empire is on the rise. The Sultan's secret weapons are his elite Janissary soldier-slaves: Christian boys taken from their families, forcibly converted to Islam, and conscripted into a lifetime of military service to the Empire. Confessions of a Janissary is the epic journey of a boy who will become a man, a slave who will become a legend, a sworn celibate searching for his long-lost love, and a wandering sheep in need of a worthy shepherd.

Five Stars. "A modern-day classic... engaging, insightful, and full of unexpected twists. A meticulous blend of historical realism and an adventurous, epic journey." - Karen Petikyan

Five Stars. "Confessions of a Janissary was an absolutely excellent read. Companionship, adventure, massive battles, military training, drama, medieval themes, romance, politics, suspense, faith, just to name a few--it was all there. The author is a skilled writer and the adventures of Mirko and his companions leave a constant desire to continue reading. I just kept reading the book, couldn't put it down, and was able to do some reflection. The author's maps are very helpful in visualizing important historical contexts. I personally found these especially useful as my history of the 14th century is a bit cloudy. There are so many topics covered in this book, including multiple faiths. However, you do not have to be religious whatsoever to enjoy this book. Each faith is respected and the reader will likely have to think and feel for themselves. The author has an uncanny way of immersing you in the environment of the 14th century yet simultaneously making it extremely personally relatable. This book is both an intense, fun, and reflective read. I can only hope a sequel is written."
- Pedro

Five Stars. "Historical accurate and thought-provoking... Very interesting read. I was expecting Game of Thrones told from the perspective of the Unsullied, but received a more authentic tale due to its historical accuracy. It's obvious the author put a lot of time and effort into researching this book and it's very well written. Through Mirko, the main character, a number of heavy subjects are tackled head-on. I think readers who like stories from Colin Falconer or Matthew Harffy will also enjoy this book." - A. Jackson

Five Stars. "Excellent! A beautifully written tale of heart wrenching trials - through bonds formed by fellow slaves - from companions to friends to brothers - through the hardship and horrors of war, love, grief, pain and victory. And Mirko's letter - so beautiful it took my breath away! Enjoy!" - M, Amazon UK Review

Five Stars. "Enthralling! Well-written and extremely well-researched tale." - AliciaAMG

Five Stars. "Wow! I've always wanted to learn more about the Ottoman Empire, and this book doesn't hold back! The technique and framework on which this book was built around, was beautifully researched and well written. I found myself starved for more as I quickly turned the pages to find out what happened next, and I wasn't disappointed. Historical fiction is a favorite of mine, and I loved this story. Well done." - Lana Lindemann

Genres: Christian Historical Fiction; Military Historical Fiction; Middle Eastern History, European History; History of the Ottoman Empire; Action Adventure; Clean Romance