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kiwi_fruit's review
4.0
I loved the first book in this trilogy.
The historical setting is England in the 13th century, the background of Welsh unrest is familiar to me, having read [b:Here be Dragons|77449|Here be Dragons (Welsh Princes, #1)|Sharon Kay Penman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1448657042s/77449.jpg|74826] in 2017. There the POV was from the Welsh side and the story focused on Llewelyn, the rebel prince of Wales. It was good to see the situation from the other side of the conflict (from the English perspective), besides while Penman’s book focuses on the nobility, Pargeter prefers shining light on the life of lower classes, merchants, artisans and villains.
In this first book, the protagonist is Harry Talvace, the second son of a minor Norman noble, turned stone mason who longs to build a splendid church as his masterpiece and legacy. There are obvious parallels with [b:The Pillars of the Earth|5043|The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge, #1)|Ken Follett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388193707s/5043.jpg|3359698] although I liked [b:The Heaven Tree|2054513|The Heaven Tree (Heaven Tree, #1)|Edith Pargeter|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1266499178s/2054513.jpg|2059681] more as it is better researched, more historically rich in details and accuracy.
I’m not a big fan of romance, but there have been exceptions in the past and this book is one of them. Harry is a very likeable character, possessing many virtues, such as bravery, loyalty, honor, etc. properly abiding to the chivalry social code. The first book concludes with a tragedy, which is very fitting of this genre, Benedetta emerging as the epitome of the medieval heroine, I loved her!
I’m looking forward to continuing the series with the second book.
Highly recommended to historical fiction lovers and readers who enjoy “chansons de geste” and courtly romance type novels.
The historical setting is England in the 13th century, the background of Welsh unrest is familiar to me, having read [b:Here be Dragons|77449|Here be Dragons (Welsh Princes, #1)|Sharon Kay Penman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1448657042s/77449.jpg|74826] in 2017. There the POV was from the Welsh side and the story focused on Llewelyn, the rebel prince of Wales. It was good to see the situation from the other side of the conflict (from the English perspective), besides while Penman’s book focuses on the nobility, Pargeter prefers shining light on the life of lower classes, merchants, artisans and villains.
In this first book, the protagonist is Harry Talvace, the second son of a minor Norman noble, turned stone mason who longs to build a splendid church as his masterpiece and legacy. There are obvious parallels with [b:The Pillars of the Earth|5043|The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge, #1)|Ken Follett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388193707s/5043.jpg|3359698] although I liked [b:The Heaven Tree|2054513|The Heaven Tree (Heaven Tree, #1)|Edith Pargeter|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1266499178s/2054513.jpg|2059681] more as it is better researched, more historically rich in details and accuracy.
I’m not a big fan of romance, but there have been exceptions in the past and this book is one of them. Harry is a very likeable character, possessing many virtues, such as bravery, loyalty, honor, etc. properly abiding to the chivalry social code. The first book concludes with a tragedy, which is very fitting of this genre, Benedetta emerging as the epitome of the medieval heroine, I loved her!
I’m looking forward to continuing the series with the second book.
Highly recommended to historical fiction lovers and readers who enjoy “chansons de geste” and courtly romance type novels.
mimima's review
4.0
This hovers between 3-4 stars (why is this story of my rating life? I have some sort of rating anxiety.) The story of two foster brothers, one noble and one not, who flee to Venice from early 1200s England, and then return to England as one is a master mason and his skills are needed to build a church.
It is a bit plodding in the execution, and definitely not a quick read. It was written in 1960, and it is evident in the styling. Having said that, the characters are well drawn, and the plot is very well woven. It is the first of a trilogy,and I will probably continue to read the rest.
It is a bit plodding in the execution, and definitely not a quick read. It was written in 1960, and it is evident in the styling. Having said that, the characters are well drawn, and the plot is very well woven. It is the first of a trilogy,and I will probably continue to read the rest.
mrasmus's review
4.0
It was a very well- researched and very thouroughly done story! The romance woven in was absolutely enthralling (weird, at times, but enthralling) but the writing was very thick and sometimes I had to read passages several times to understand them fully.
kaatje's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0