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mimima's review against another edition
3.0
I read this when it was published, and just reread after having revisited the predecessor "Time and Chance." I remembered it as being not as strong as most of Penman's other books, and this reread has confirmed that impression. Usually, you get lost in Penman's story and feel like you are a fish out of water when not reading it. This is good, it's just not to that caliber. I'm not sure if it is the amount of political machinations that are involved or just the weariness of Henry and Eleanor.
However, a not-so-strong Penman is still more enjoyable than most fiction.
However, a not-so-strong Penman is still more enjoyable than most fiction.
lgallo's review
3.0
The first half of the book was extremely drawn out, and though I'm a stickler for chronological accuracy, I don't think all those chapters were even necessary to support the latter half of the novel. Once Eleanor is imprisoned, it's a given her sons and husband would fight each other ceaselessly until one or all of them died.
jenniedee's review against another edition
4.0
In news that will fail to shock anyone, I really enjoyed this latest book by SKP. I still would rank The Sunne in Splendour as my all-time favorite, but this will certainly be read and re-read. I appreciate all the work she does to maintain accuracy, including the notes at the end, and the fact that even with all that the characterizations are far from dry.
I bawled like a baby when Geoffrey died. Is that a spoiler? I shouldn't think so, anyway.
I can't wait for the next installment.
I bawled like a baby when Geoffrey died. Is that a spoiler? I shouldn't think so, anyway.
I can't wait for the next installment.
mbp's review
5.0
Just amazing - no one can write historical fiction like SKP. She takes the historical facts and brings to life the personalities, the emotions, the sights and sounds and smells that you imagine must have been there in the first place. Can't wait for Lionheart!
lnatal's review
5.0
Another wonderful book by SKP, where the struggle for the power between Richard´s sons prevails over most of his kingdom. The strong character of Eleanor shows already her fight for women rights on state decisions even in a medieval era. The dialogues between the main characters are very well written within an historical context based on a very careful historical research performed by SKP.
librarianonparade's review
3.0
I've waited a long time for this book and it doesn't disappoint. There isn't another writer of historical fiction out there who can make it as real and gripping as Sharon Penman. What I particularly liked about this book is the sense of sadness and age that overhangs it - Henry and Eleanor growing old, apart, their sons tearing the family apart with their battles, the remembrance of things past, happier times, from the previous books. Henry and Eleanor are such vivid, vital characters and you really feel everything with them in this book. The only thing I could never sympathise with was Eleanor's attachment to Richard at the expense of her other sons, but then I've never ascribed to Good King Richard/Evil King John legend.
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