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A review by kwurtzel3
The Rebel Princess by Judith Koll Healey
4.0
Man. Oh man oh man oh man. Where do I start?
The good: I was MUCH more impressed with this book than I was with [b:The Canterbury Papers|212985|The Canterbury Papers (Alais Capet, #1)|Judith Koll Healey|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347955063s/212985.jpg|1406089]. In fact, I picked up The Rebel Princess before I realized there was a sequel, and read it mainly to get to this book. The prose and general style are much more developed and mature, and I thought that it made points clearer. As well, the subplot concerning the Cathar religion was fascinating - it was something I had never heard of before and will promptly be taking out several books from the library on it.
The bad: I thought that the situation with Alais and the papal legate was formed as a far too black-and-white situation; there are always two sides to a story, after all. I was not impressed with Alais's attitude in parts of the book. I was also very disappointed when I realized how different the situations were between the real Alys, Countess of Vexin and this Princess Alais of France.
Overall: If there's a sequel, I'll read it, because I want to find out what happens with William and Francis, dammit. 3.75/5.
The good: I was MUCH more impressed with this book than I was with [b:The Canterbury Papers|212985|The Canterbury Papers (Alais Capet, #1)|Judith Koll Healey|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347955063s/212985.jpg|1406089]. In fact, I picked up The Rebel Princess before I realized there was a sequel, and read it mainly to get to this book. The prose and general style are much more developed and mature, and I thought that it made points clearer. As well, the subplot concerning the Cathar religion was fascinating - it was something I had never heard of before and will promptly be taking out several books from the library on it.
The bad: I thought that the situation with Alais and the papal legate was formed as a far too black-and-white situation; there are always two sides to a story, after all. I was not impressed with Alais's attitude in parts of the book. I was also very disappointed when I realized how different the situations were between the real Alys, Countess of Vexin and this Princess Alais of France.
Overall: If there's a sequel, I'll read it, because I want to find out what happens with William and Francis, dammit. 3.75/5.