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coffee_and_wool's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
adundore13's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kiwi_fruit's review
4.0
Overall, this trilogy was an engaging story with great characterization and faithful to historical events. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Page 378
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.
4 stars for the fist book
Page: 639
I found this second book weaker than the previous one for a couple of reasons. First, the plot has less action and adventure than “The heaven tree” and a lot more political scheming amongst the lords of England and Wales. Unfortunately, the author assumes that the reader is already familiar with the historical characters mentioned; name dropping and not much explanations had me scrambling for google to make sense of who was who. Secondly, young Henry is a much weaker character than his father, far too naïve, obstinate and hot tempered for my liking, well deserving of a good smack once or twice. Then there’s a change for the worse in the lord of Parfois. While in the first book Ralf Isambard had some depth while fitting the role of the bad-guy, he had motives for his actions, in this second book it appears simply as a villain without reason.
It may well be that this second book serves only as a bridge, and given the Harry’s unresolved issues (No spoilers!) at the end of this novel, I do hope that the third book will be better and bring an enjoyable conclusion to this trilogy that started so well. 2.5 stars
There a clear change in the third and final book, Isambard is not the devil that was painted previously, and Harry has grown up and finally behaving in a responsible manner. A decent ending with some moving scenes and a dramatic siege conclude the trilogy. 3.5 stars
Page 378
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.
4 stars for the fist book
Page: 639
I found this second book weaker than the previous one for a couple of reasons. First, the plot has less action and adventure than “The heaven tree” and a lot more political scheming amongst the lords of England and Wales. Unfortunately, the author assumes that the reader is already familiar with the historical characters mentioned; name dropping and not much explanations had me scrambling for google to make sense of who was who. Secondly, young Henry is a much weaker character than his father, far too naïve, obstinate and hot tempered for my liking, well deserving of a good smack once or twice. Then there’s a change for the worse in the lord of Parfois. While in the first book Ralf Isambard had some depth while fitting the role of the bad-guy, he had motives for his actions, in this second book it appears simply as a villain without reason.
It may well be that this second book serves only as a bridge, and given the Harry’s unresolved issues (No spoilers!) at the end of this novel, I do hope that the third book will be better and bring an enjoyable conclusion to this trilogy that started so well. 2.5 stars
There a clear change in the third and final book, Isambard is not the devil that was painted previously, and Harry has grown up and finally behaving in a responsible manner. A decent ending with some moving scenes and a dramatic siege conclude the trilogy. 3.5 stars
morgoagogo's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
sophiaannew's review
5.0
Among my favorites. Beautiful. I cried. The first book in the series is the most perfect historical novel ever.
abomine's review
REVIEW WIP
There's really nothing wrong with this book, and it's just about as perfect as historical fiction can get. It's historically accurate, has a neat cast of characters, is beautifully written, and portrays the Dark Ages with love and respect without romanticizing it. So why the no-star review?
Historical fiction about the Medieval Age just isn't really my cup of tea. I started reading this on a whim in an attempt to branch out into genres that I'm not normally attracted to. Sometimes I discover new favorite books that way, but that just wasn't the case with this one. I've gotten as far as the end of the first book,[b:The Heaven Tree|2054513|The Heaven Tree (Heaven Tree, #1)|Edith Pargeter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1266499178s/2054513.jpg|2059681], but I just don't feel compelled to move on into books two and three. It's completely normal for me to get distracted by other books, but I'm usually able to stick to my guns so long as the book continues to keep me invested. Sadly, in this case the itch to move on to a different book was getting more and more powerful the closer I got to the end of The Heaven Tree.
If you're into historical fiction that takes place in Medieval Europe, you can't go wrong with this book. Don't let my no-star review deter you, because this book certainly deserves all of the praise it gets from Edith Pargeter fans. It's just not for me.
There's really nothing wrong with this book, and it's just about as perfect as historical fiction can get. It's historically accurate, has a neat cast of characters, is beautifully written, and portrays the Dark Ages with love and respect without romanticizing it. So why the no-star review?
Historical fiction about the Medieval Age just isn't really my cup of tea. I started reading this on a whim in an attempt to branch out into genres that I'm not normally attracted to. Sometimes I discover new favorite books that way, but that just wasn't the case with this one. I've gotten as far as the end of the first book,[b:The Heaven Tree|2054513|The Heaven Tree (Heaven Tree, #1)|Edith Pargeter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1266499178s/2054513.jpg|2059681], but I just don't feel compelled to move on into books two and three. It's completely normal for me to get distracted by other books, but I'm usually able to stick to my guns so long as the book continues to keep me invested. Sadly, in this case the itch to move on to a different book was getting more and more powerful the closer I got to the end of The Heaven Tree.
If you're into historical fiction that takes place in Medieval Europe, you can't go wrong with this book. Don't let my no-star review deter you, because this book certainly deserves all of the praise it gets from Edith Pargeter fans. It's just not for me.
elvenbookworm's review
5.0
I have no words. This book is intense, deep, and enveloping- passionate, rich, and indescribably wonderful. Any lover of Tolkien, fan of historical fiction, or romantic should read it. Simple as that.
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