A few things. One: I just don't like his writing style. In my opinion, it's too cold, and calculated, and most of the time, boring. He can write about historical events, but not characters. Every single protagonist is a 6" tall superman, who is more amazing then his peers, who gets all the girl, and who all seem to have the personality of a wooden toy. I've read all the Sharpes, and I can honestly say, I don't know Sharpe at all. Other then he's a murdering, womanising, a-hole. Hey, sounds like Thomas of Hookton.
His can't seem to keep track of who to focus on. Numerous times he'll swap perspective of characters, quite a lot of the time during the same sentence. It's just my opinion, but I prefer it when the whole chapter is one character's perspective, or at least make it obvious that we're changing character with a break in the chapter. It's just messy, and, again, the historical setting in his books seem to be his characters, not the actual characters.
His continuity is nonexistent. All of his prequels contradict his original works.
Ah, and despite writing for 20 odd years about Redcoats, and The 95 Rifles, he knows NOTHING about muskets, or rifles, or firearms in general. See my Introduction thread for a proper whine. Some may find this petty, but if you're going to write a series of novels who's main focus are rifle wielding troops, then I would suggest you get the facts correct!
What makes it worse, is that in 20 plus years, the author hasn't corrected himself or even attempted to get his firearm, or military knowledge up to date, thus showing the colours of the smug, arrogant bloke.
He has single handedly ruined all further works about the military in Black Powder times. Every author who takes BC as an inspiration for writing copies his damn errors, 'cos, you know, Cornwall is clearly the gospel in these matters.
It infuriates me to no end that he's grabbed this mainstream holding in historical literature, and every book of his has about a gerzillion 5 star reviews all saying, 'It's amazing. Sharpes' amazing and does things with swords, and stuff.'
This must be how fantasy authors feel about Twilight.
The fact that every damn book has a 'If you like Sharpe, you'll love this!' sticker on it makes me so mad that I've been known to take the book to the rifle range and slam a one ounce musket ball through the thing.
