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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
Unfortunately, I gave up after the third chapter. Very reluctantly, as this is a period of history that I love. But the main characters just didn't come to life for me and the story dragged a little.
If you like rich, detailed and really LOOOOOONG books about English history, you'll love this book! Can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one had a great beginning and end, but was such a slog in the middle, I almost DNF-ed multiple times. The bulk of this book was siege after siege after siege after siege, and for me all the drama of the war got lost in the repetition. Hopefully the next book is more like the author's Welsh trilogy, which is awesome.
I would give this more like 3.5 stars. I love historical fiction, and this one was really well done. It takes place mainly in England during the reign of Stephen, who usurped the crown from Matilda (Maude) and details all the conflict as she tries to win back her crown. It also introduces us to Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Quite factual, yet still entertaining. It was also nice to read historical fiction without excessive sex. This isn't to say that the characters were all celibate. There just wasn't needless, uncomfortable details. You didn't read much more than kissing. Thank you, Ms. Penman!! What I didn't like? It was loooooong. And full of war. Battle after battle, siege after siege. I have NO interest in all the bloodshed, so it just made the story tedious to me. I enjoyed the scenes of the more intimate moments between characters where you really just learned about the relationships between them or what their character was really like. I especially enjoyed reading about Ranulf. Too bad he was the fictional character. :P Anyway. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction, especially British history.
adventurous
emotional
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Oh my Lord, what a great novel! I can't believe it's taken me this long to read a Sharon Kay Penman book. She draws you in and you become completely invested in the characters! I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of her novels.
This is a really enjoyable, although incredibly long, book.
Loved so much. Why, oh, why can’t these big historical fiction books be published still? I miss them so much. Fantastic—what made me love historical fiction. Also, why hasn’t Netflix grabbed this up? It has EVERYTHING. Thank heavens for HNS and their Sharon Kay Penman memorial or I’d never have known about this book.
Sharon Kay Penman is a master when it comes to historical fiction of the period. I love how her books are not only well-researched, but they make you feel as though you are truly a part of Medieval England. I have previously read the Welsh trilogy and was interested to take a step backward in time to the Anarchy. It was also very interesting to read Penman's interpretation of young Henry and Eleanor of Aquitaine. I will not only be continuing on with this series right away, but I will definitely be reading every one of Penman's books eventually.