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nicolesa's review
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
I do love Chadwick's books. There is just this feel to them. They even make me want to live in that age. Even if I totally would have been dead by now.
This on is about Brunin FitzWarin, another character found in the mists of time. He was sent away for fostering, grew up and married the daughter of the house. But the story has more to tell than that. There is the shaky ground his family sits on regarding their lands. And the same thing is true about the de Dinan family. There is always someone else who has claim. And of course the beginning of the book also shows the power struggle for the English throne.
And midst all that we have a boy growing up, he is made to be unsure of himself (he did not have the easiest time at home). But he grows into a strong and sensible young man. Hawise de Dinan is a nice heroine, strong, but willful. There is also some rivalry between her and her foster sister (who I wanted to smack, that idiot!). I like the way she portrays daily life, because even when there was war and campaigns life went on. It was a rough life, but interesting to read about.
What more can I say than this was another Chadwick win for me.
This on is about Brunin FitzWarin, another character found in the mists of time. He was sent away for fostering, grew up and married the daughter of the house. But the story has more to tell than that. There is the shaky ground his family sits on regarding their lands. And the same thing is true about the de Dinan family. There is always someone else who has claim. And of course the beginning of the book also shows the power struggle for the English throne.
And midst all that we have a boy growing up, he is made to be unsure of himself (he did not have the easiest time at home). But he grows into a strong and sensible young man. Hawise de Dinan is a nice heroine, strong, but willful. There is also some rivalry between her and her foster sister (who I wanted to smack, that idiot!). I like the way she portrays daily life, because even when there was war and campaigns life went on. It was a rough life, but interesting to read about.
What more can I say than this was another Chadwick win for me.
sabregirl's review against another edition
5.0
Another book to prove why Elizabeth Chadwick is my favorite author. Had to immediately buy the second book to continue this great story.
oracleofaal's review
3.0
Overall, decent story. Being historical fiction we obviously don't know what the true personalities of any of these people really were but I liked what Chadwick did to flesh them out. There were a few moments that she lost me but it wasn't enough to make me throw the book or put it down completely. I'd like to give it 3.5 out of 5 but there are no partial stars and it isn't strong enough for me to give it 4.
robinskk7's review
5.0
Not sure whether is was due to high expectations but, I almost put this novel down out of boredom. Then out of no where the book transformed and drew me into its world. The characters navigate courage, fear, love, hate, and loss told through years. By the end of the book you want more. Good thing there's a prequel, L ores Of the White Castle or in the US The outlaw Knight. Overall, this being my first Chadwick novel I can now say I am a fan.
words_and_dreams's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As always with this author the book was extremely atmospheric and immersive. You can tell that she really knows this time period. All the small details really add to the authenticity without overpowering the story.
Brunin Fitzwarin at 10years old is sent to live with Joscelin de Dinan to learn knightly ways. There he meets Hawise, his mentors youngest daughter and the two become firm friends. Their friendship changes and complicates as they get older, especially when their parents arrange a marriage between them.
The coming of age story contains lots of politics, battles and romance. All of the characters feel vivid and interesting. My only criticism was there was one too many rape scenes for a particular character. I get its showing what an awful choice she made etc etc but it felt a bit overkill.
Brunin Fitzwarin at 10years old is sent to live with Joscelin de Dinan to learn knightly ways. There he meets Hawise, his mentors youngest daughter and the two become firm friends. Their friendship changes and complicates as they get older, especially when their parents arrange a marriage between them.
The coming of age story contains lots of politics, battles and romance. All of the characters feel vivid and interesting. My only criticism was there was one too many rape scenes for a particular character. I get its showing what an awful choice she made etc etc but it felt a bit overkill.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Violence, Sexual assault, and Murder
Minor: Suicide and Blood
drey72's review
5.0
Elizabeth Chadwick’s historical fiction novels are always an impressive melding of complicated characters with a strong sense of honor and times of turmoil, and Shadows and Strongholds is no different. Thrones are fought over, as are borders and castles. Loyalty is expected, sometimes rewarded, oftentimes not. And pledging it must have been the original form of gambling — especially when your life and the lives of your families and tenants are the price if yours isn’t the winning side. And no, “families” isn’t an error. Not when memories are long, and triumph’s reach longer…
We first meet Brunin FitzWarin at ten years of age. He’s a solemn boy, and you find out why when you meet his family. Good thing his father has a head on those shoulders — he fosters Brunin with a close family friend, hoping that a different influence will bring Brunin out of his shell while teaching him the skills he’ll need to become a Knight and the next Lord of Whittington.
Joscelin de Dinan and his wife Sybilla are good people, and Brunin’s initial wariness and surprise at the difference between their household and his family’s quickly dissipates as he settles into life at Ludlow. Not only does he get to ride a pony and train with weapons, Brunin also learns that girls are confounding creatures. Especially the younger di Dinan daughter, Hawise, who’s so much of a tomboy even Brunin is shocked upon meeting her.
Shadows and Strongholds‘s 522 pages are packed with characters who’ll stick with you. I don’t think I’m the only one to sigh with relief that Brunin gets to relax and grow into his own skin. I know I can’t be the only one who wants to strangle his grandmother, and give his mother a backbone. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to smack Marion — the di Dinan’s other fosterling — upside her head, and more than once or twice at that.
Some of Shadows and Strongholds will be hard to read, but Chadwick doesn’t soften the blows for the sake of sensibilities. Instead, you get how stark and sometimes desperate it can get when everything you have, and everything you are is on the line. I loved how real this story is, how real the characters are. And I wanted more of both even when I’d turned the last page. A must-read for historical fiction fans everywhere!
drey’s rating: Outstanding!
We first meet Brunin FitzWarin at ten years of age. He’s a solemn boy, and you find out why when you meet his family. Good thing his father has a head on those shoulders — he fosters Brunin with a close family friend, hoping that a different influence will bring Brunin out of his shell while teaching him the skills he’ll need to become a Knight and the next Lord of Whittington.
Joscelin de Dinan and his wife Sybilla are good people, and Brunin’s initial wariness and surprise at the difference between their household and his family’s quickly dissipates as he settles into life at Ludlow. Not only does he get to ride a pony and train with weapons, Brunin also learns that girls are confounding creatures. Especially the younger di Dinan daughter, Hawise, who’s so much of a tomboy even Brunin is shocked upon meeting her.
Shadows and Strongholds‘s 522 pages are packed with characters who’ll stick with you. I don’t think I’m the only one to sigh with relief that Brunin gets to relax and grow into his own skin. I know I can’t be the only one who wants to strangle his grandmother, and give his mother a backbone. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to smack Marion — the di Dinan’s other fosterling — upside her head, and more than once or twice at that.
Some of Shadows and Strongholds will be hard to read, but Chadwick doesn’t soften the blows for the sake of sensibilities. Instead, you get how stark and sometimes desperate it can get when everything you have, and everything you are is on the line. I loved how real this story is, how real the characters are. And I wanted more of both even when I’d turned the last page. A must-read for historical fiction fans everywhere!
drey’s rating: Outstanding!