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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
Blood of the Fifth Knight was an interesting second installment of the series. We catch up on Benedict and Theodosia several years after their marriage, when they are living quietly with their children as tenant farmers on the outskirts of a small town.
All is not well, neither in the village nor in the country as a whole. There is an undercurrent of tension in the village community as Theodosia struggles to be accepted by the other women, and there are whispers of sorcery with the discovery of various dead animals.
Political machinations are afoot again, as even though the King as defeated the rebellion of his wife and sons, her relatives are plotting to free her and to kill his mistress, Rosamund Clifford. So the King calls on Benedict Palmer again to protect her.
This novel presented an interesting alternative view of the events surrounding the brief life and career of the famous, or infamous 'Fair Rosamund'. She comes over as a spoiled, petulant and rather empty headed young girl. Obsessed with sex and determined to get her wicked way with any man who takes her fancy. Unfortunately for Palmer, she sets her sights on him, and he has to avoid her rather obvious attempts at seduction.
There are also plenty of twists and turns in the story, with the reader remaining unsure of who can be trusted and who might be the traitor (or traitors) working for the villain. Danger and peril is everywhere, and by the end one cannot help but feel some sympathy even at the fate of Rosamund.
Is it a tad Over The Top? Quite possibly. I'm really not sure Palmer could do half the things he did in that state. Also, I'm really not sure the attitude to witchcraft is that of this period. The paranoia over such things did not really take hold until a good two or three centuries later.
Overall though, it was a decent read. Some of the suggestive scenes, or Rosamund's er- fantasies warranted skipping over though.
All is not well, neither in the village nor in the country as a whole. There is an undercurrent of tension in the village community as Theodosia struggles to be accepted by the other women, and there are whispers of sorcery with the discovery of various dead animals.
Political machinations are afoot again, as even though the King as defeated the rebellion of his wife and sons, her relatives are plotting to free her and to kill his mistress, Rosamund Clifford. So the King calls on Benedict Palmer again to protect her.
This novel presented an interesting alternative view of the events surrounding the brief life and career of the famous, or infamous 'Fair Rosamund'. She comes over as a spoiled, petulant and rather empty headed young girl. Obsessed with sex and determined to get her wicked way with any man who takes her fancy. Unfortunately for Palmer, she sets her sights on him, and he has to avoid her rather obvious attempts at seduction.
There are also plenty of twists and turns in the story, with the reader remaining unsure of who can be trusted and who might be the traitor (or traitors) working for the villain. Danger and peril is everywhere, and by the end one cannot help but feel some sympathy even at the fate of Rosamund.
Is it a tad Over The Top? Quite possibly. I'm really not sure Palmer could do half the things he did in that state. Also, I'm really not sure the attitude to witchcraft is that of this period. The paranoia over such things did not really take hold until a good two or three centuries later.
Overall though, it was a decent read. Some of the suggestive scenes, or Rosamund's er- fantasies warranted skipping over though.
Another interesting and fast paced story, not as good as the first book but still a very enjoyable read. Starting book 3 :)
medium-paced
Well written, though tediously slow in places. I felt a handful of scenes were a little empty, and seemed to drag on, slowing the story down to a crawl.
Having said that, my own measure of a good fictional book (based on Earth) is how tangible the content is. If I can read the authour's words and, barring any specialised knowledge in the field, not know where fact merges with fiction then the book is a success. This book falls healthily into that category and given a little patience it is an enjoyable read.
Having said that, my own measure of a good fictional book (based on Earth) is how tangible the content is. If I can read the authour's words and, barring any specialised knowledge in the field, not know where fact merges with fiction then the book is a success. This book falls healthily into that category and given a little patience it is an enjoyable read.
2.5 stars
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I like medieval stories well enough, but when I'd hit the halfway mark in The Blood of The Fifth Knight is was already waiting for it to end.
In this sequel to The Fifth Knight (which I hadn't read) sir Benedict Palmer is called to King Henry II once again to save the day (and his precious mistress). Who exactly is playing the game of thrones?
It started quite interesting, even though I hadn't read the first book, but after some time it started to annoy me that I didn't have any connection with any of the characters. The story starts to drag a little, or I was just losing my interest as the plot twists were far from really unexpected and everyone seemed more naive than I would have been (should I've been thrown into a medieval court that is). Probably I would have enjoyed it better had I also read the first book, or perhaps this book just wasn't for me. The writing was quite nice too, but it couldn't save the book for me.
The Blood of The Fifth Knight is the second book in the series around sir Benedict Palmer. The first book is called 'The Fifth Knight'.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I like medieval stories well enough, but when I'd hit the halfway mark in The Blood of The Fifth Knight is was already waiting for it to end.
In this sequel to The Fifth Knight (which I hadn't read) sir Benedict Palmer is called to King Henry II once again to save the day (and his precious mistress). Who exactly is playing the game of thrones?
It started quite interesting, even though I hadn't read the first book, but after some time it started to annoy me that I didn't have any connection with any of the characters. The story starts to drag a little, or I was just losing my interest as the plot twists were far from really unexpected and everyone seemed more naive than I would have been (should I've been thrown into a medieval court that is). Probably I would have enjoyed it better had I also read the first book, or perhaps this book just wasn't for me. The writing was quite nice too, but it couldn't save the book for me.
The Blood of The Fifth Knight is the second book in the series around sir Benedict Palmer. The first book is called 'The Fifth Knight'.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I have a love hate relationship with this book. I loved The Fifth Knight and was very excited to start the next book. I also enjoyed the second book, but have not gone any further...
It's not that I don't like the stories, because I do! It just felt like the book would never end. I didn't hate what I was listening to and I can't say the writing was bad. I just felt like it dragged at times. I felt that a bit in the first book, too, but not as much.
It's been a while, to be honest, so I'm not too sure how else to describe it. I don't hate the book and would still recommend it. Someday, perhaps, I will continue the series.
It's not that I don't like the stories, because I do! It just felt like the book would never end. I didn't hate what I was listening to and I can't say the writing was bad. I just felt like it dragged at times. I felt that a bit in the first book, too, but not as much.
It's been a while, to be honest, so I'm not too sure how else to describe it. I don't hate the book and would still recommend it. Someday, perhaps, I will continue the series.
adventurous
medium-paced
It is now 1176, two years after the penitent Henry II has walked to Canterbury Cathedral, and now he calls for help from Sir Benedict Palmer. Palmer is reluctant to leave Theodosia and his children, but the life of the King's mistress has been threatened and Henry trusts no one else to find the culprit. Plots are woven by many of the King's enemies, but who can be trusted.
Really enjoyed this well-written tale, and liked the characters.
Really enjoyed this well-written tale, and liked the characters.
OMG I love books set in this time period. The problem I usually have is that the women are to whiny and the men to jerky (I know not a real word). That is not a problem with this book. As soon as I started to read this book, I felt transported back in time.
Benedict is called to help King Henry II. Some one is trying to assassinate an overthrow him. Benedict is the only man he trust to help him. But there is someone even more cunning at work.
I felt connected to all these characters. The drama and suspense just made this story so much better. I did not know that this was a sequel until I started typing this review. I do not feel like I missed to much from not reading the first book. But I do feel that when I go and read the first book that alot more things will be enjoyed in the second.
Besides all this I loved this book tremendously. I look forward to reading much more from this amazing author.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Benedict is called to help King Henry II. Some one is trying to assassinate an overthrow him. Benedict is the only man he trust to help him. But there is someone even more cunning at work.
I felt connected to all these characters. The drama and suspense just made this story so much better. I did not know that this was a sequel until I started typing this review. I do not feel like I missed to much from not reading the first book. But I do feel that when I go and read the first book that alot more things will be enjoyed in the second.
Besides all this I loved this book tremendously. I look forward to reading much more from this amazing author.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
It is now 1176, two years after the penitent Henry II has walked to Canterbury Cathedral, and now he calls for help from Sir Benedict Palmer. Palmer is reluctant to leave Theodosia and his children, but the life of the King's mistress has been threatened and Henry trusts no one else to find the culprit. Plots are woven by many of the King's enemies, but who can be trusted.
Really enjoyed this tale, and liked the characters. Before I read the third in the series sometime in the future I might have to go back and re-read the first two.
Really enjoyed this tale, and liked the characters. Before I read the third in the series sometime in the future I might have to go back and re-read the first two.
This is the third book by this author I've read in relatively quick succession. Two in this series and one in a series that follows on from it (I started with the 'later' book, but never mind that)
I am loving them. The world that the characters inhabit, the way that they're drawn, the obvious learning behind the books are all great. I rarely read historical novels because any minor anachronism that I notice tends to kick me out of the book too hard to re-capture it.
I don't know if it's that I don't know this period of history very well, or that the books are so well written that I don't mind the fudges, or most likely a combination of both, but E.M. Powell just drags me into the world and carries me along with the story until letting go at the end. I've also found myself reading actual history of the period (I have studied medieval history before, but not this area of it), as well as other related material.
I am loving them. The world that the characters inhabit, the way that they're drawn, the obvious learning behind the books are all great. I rarely read historical novels because any minor anachronism that I notice tends to kick me out of the book too hard to re-capture it.
I don't know if it's that I don't know this period of history very well, or that the books are so well written that I don't mind the fudges, or most likely a combination of both, but E.M. Powell just drags me into the world and carries me along with the story until letting go at the end. I've also found myself reading actual history of the period (I have studied medieval history before, but not this area of it), as well as other related material.