Sharpe's Triumph takes place 4 years after Sharpe's Tiger, with Sharpe still in India, enjoying life as a Sergeant, but thinking of something more. His hopes of receiving a commission will have to wait, because Colonel McCandless - the east India Company man Sharpe rescued from the Tippoo - needs help capturing a Lieutenant Dodd, formerly of the Company. Now he serves the Scindia's army as a Major, and Sharpe's already been on the receiving end of his forces. The upshot of the mission is it carries him safely out of the reach of Sergeant Hakeswill, who has drummed up new charges as a chance to kill Sharpe and separate him from the Tippoo's jewels. Downside, it's taking him directly into the battle at Assaye.
Despite being shorter than the prior two books I've read, this one felt longer, or slower. Sharpe's given more time for introspection, to think about what he wants and why. He has doubts about whether he's cut out to be a soldier. Can he hold up under fire, or will he run? This seems like an odd doubt for a man to harbor after his deeds at Seringapatam, but Sharpe considers that something different from an actual battle. It's probably useful character development, but it isn't exciting reading.
And of course there's still Hakeswill's irritating presence. You know, if Sharpe would just stab the bastard instead of engaging in these stupid attempts at a sadistic death, he wouldn't have to keep worrying about the bad sergeant.
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