Books
The idea to write a book based on the Great Siege of 1565 blossomed during a summer vacation to Malta over twenty years ago.
Initially, I set out to write a single novel chronicling the Siege but, upon digging into the research, I realized the rich, layered history was too much for one book.
I also would've ended up with more pages than the Bible—not to mention no willing publisher.
And so, I divided the story into three volumes, each cresting with a pivotal battle.
The saga begins with Eight Pointed Cross, a number one bestseller set in sixteenth-century Europe. The series continues with Falcon’s Shadow and culminates in Ash Fall, the third and final instalment.
Browse Novels
The hostility between the Ottoman Sultan and the Knights of St John sets two great empires on a collision course, intertwining the fates of characters divided by faith, loyalty, and hundreds of leagues. Amid war, corruption, oppression, deceit, and disaster, the flourishing Renaissance clashes with the repressive Roman Inquisition.
Eight Pointed Cross takes place decades before the Great Siege of 1565, as tensions had been building for years. It brings to life the lesser-known but decisive 1551 Siege of Gozo.
Falcon’s Shadow follows in its aftermath, moving from quarry pits and grand estates to treacherous seas, dungeons, and warships, as chance connections forge, secrets surface, and betrayals unfold.
Ash Fall begins on the eve of one of history’s bloodiest battles, as an Ottoman army of 50,000 sets out from Istanbul to destroy the Knights of St John once and for all. For months, Malta becomes a battlefield, and no one emerges from the flames of war unscathed.
Editorial Review
"Fenech's Seige of Malta trilogy is an absolutely addictive read. As the saga spans decades, we experience the characters growing and changing in a deeply immersive way. The trials they face are realistic, heartbreaking, and fascinating. The depth of realism and research is simply stunning; I’ve never read historical fiction where I could so clearly picture what life was like for the average person. Ash Fall continues where Falcon's Shadow left off, giving us hope that characters torn from one another will one day be reunited and those that have been hurt will heal. We’re also promised a massive battle that the series has been building towards since the beginning. The Seige of Malta trilogy delivers an exceptional trifecta of entertainment, historical accuracy, and a wallop to your emotions."
Tina S. Beier, award-winning sci-fi author, founder of Rising Action Publishing, and book reviewer at Sound & Fury Book Reviews