No Road to Khartoum, the first book in the Michael McGuire Trilogy by Nigel Seed, is a gripping and highly entertaining historical fiction novel set during the Sudan Campaign in the late 19th century. The story follows the life of Michael McGuire, an Irishman who joins the British Army at the age of seventeen and finds himself in Egypt and Sudan. Through his eyes, we witness the major events of the campaign, including the fall of Khartoum to the Mahdi and the retaking of the city years later.

Seed's writing is fast-paced and engaging, and the plot is complex and well-paced. Michael McGuire is an excellent military protagonist, intelligent, courageous, and capable, and his character is well-developed throughout the book. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn and add depth and richness to the story.

Seed's attention to historical detail is impressive, and he provides a chapter on the actual historical facts and characters, which adds to the book's authenticity. The descriptions of the landscapes, battles and cultural nuances of the region are vivid and immersive, transporting the reader to another time and place. ( )

Great start to a new series about an ugly but little known British war. Good characters and a plot that maintains interest nicely. Modern weapons vs spears and swords so the final outcome was inevitable. In WW2, the Italians did the same in Ethiopia and were called war criminals. Times change so it is hard to identify the good guys. The history is not pleasant but Mr. Seed tells a nice story, ( )