A wonderful glorious and unique story about 6th century Ireland, one that I am so glad I did not miss. Another reviewer said this:"I found the first strokes of paint on the .. mostly blank, canvas that is our image and perception of our Irish or Gaelic past" and I so agree.. Few books today describe this hidden era, and fewer still with such accuracy.
I followed Áine/Cuime from the ditch where she was found beaten and left for dead to the convent where the sisters who saved her lived. They worked very hard to save her life and she felt comfort there although she had no memory of the almost lethal attack she had suffered.
Colman, a legal worker and her late brother's foster-brother Óengus feature prominently in this fine tale with it's surprising twists and turns.
I thank Kristin Gleeson for shedding light into the dark ages for me- and in a place where my ancestors really lived. Recommended for all readers especially lovers of very early Medieval times which shed light on our humanity
"As King Henry VI slips into insanity and the realm of England teeters on the brink of civil war, a child is married to the mad king’s brother. Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond, takes his child bride into Wales where she discovers a land of strife and strangers."
What an incredibly interesting book about the early life of Margaret Beaufort, a novel of course, as not much is known about her early years. I had to tear myself away from it to do anything else besides read. Now I must wait for the next book in the chronicles to continue with this tale.
To date I had not thought Margaret was very likeable, having had sympathies with her daughter in law Elizabeth, but this representation changed how I perceived her. She did not have much of a childhood, and her twice widowed mother seems to have used her for personal gain.
Apparently she loved her St. John siblings, especially her sisters.. wondering when they got together over the years?? I think she did see her younger brother John Welles when her son was king. Hoping to discover that in the next volume which definitely indicates a huge interest in this complicated family group.
As I read I was struck anew by how very hard life could be for girls and women with nothing to look forward to except an arranged marriage and children. I do hope that the day to day activities of the rest of her life made up for this difficult beginning. She did have her beloved Henry to love although probably mostly from afar.
Definitely recommend this supposed glimpse of Margaret Beaufort's younger years to all who relish these times and this family. Just out so get your copy at once! Extraordinary! 5 Stars.
I received an ARC via NetGalley from Endeavor Press for this review and am glad that I was given that opportunity .
I very much enjoyed this unique but basically plausible tale of Anne Boleyn's story. Midwives were often felt to have a sixth sense I think, definitely about gestation, so nothing unusual about Avis' visions. The different "voices" the story was told in I think worked well, although took a bit of getting used to. I am not sure it might not have worked just as well to know that her husband was "Tom the Rat Boy" earlier on in the novel, but it is the author's prerogative.
Historically it was quite sound and I am really hoping that this is not the last book by this author. Anne and Mary Boleyn and the Careys are very much favorites of mine.( Not so much Henry and the other relationships)
Recommended to those who enjoy this era, other royal family tales and Tudor fans. The book is published now and quite reasonable. Quickly get a copy
"Death and deceit stalk the bleak moorlands of medieval Devonshire in this captivating collection of short stories from the acclaimed author Michael Jecks."
A fine and enjoyable small collection of short stories which are easily read. "The Coroner's Tale","For the Love of Old Bones", "The Amorous Armorer" , "A Clerical Error" and "Dance of Death" are the titles. Your will have to choose your own favorite, I am still considering.
Michael Jecks is the author of the bestselling Knights Templar series, comprising thirty-two novels starring Baldwin de Furnshill who of course makes an appearance here. Other newer characters have appeared to enhance this great small volume, all written in this author's fine style.
I received an ARC from Netgalley courtesy of Endeavor Press for a review and am happy to do so.
5 Stars- Another great read as I hopscotch around the Brother Cadfael books. I must confess that I may have read this one years ago, along with a few others but rereading is always a joy also!
What I possibly like the best is that the series is superimposed on a pivotal era in English history, and one that I love to read. The Civil Wars between the Empress Matilda and her cousin Stephen of Blois eventually gave birth to the Plantagenet Kings my very favorite group.
In this tale a murderer does his crimes while supposedly helping this war effort. We know that a lot of evil flourished at this point , when "God and His Saints Slept. Cadfael and his great friend Hugh Beringer, at this time deputy Sheriff of Shrewsbury, finally assisted by Philip a merchant's son, solve a complicated series of murders.
Recommended highly
I would give more stars if I could! It was an absolutely marvelous book, even better than "I Am Livia" the first one. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me an ARC.
Livia, the wife of Emperor Augustus for more than 50 years, was one of the daughters the book was written about. The author, who has made Rome come to life in a vivid fashion for me, has made very long dead historical figures spring to life and tell their own stories.
Living on the Palatine Hill also were Cleopatra Selene daughter of Mark Antony and Cleapatra and her half brother Jullus( Iullus) Antony as foster children of Octavia sister to Augustus. Raised in the household of Livia and Augustus was Julia only child of Caesar and sometimes Livia's sons Tiberius and Drusus.
What an amazingly complicated life Livia lived; her father was killed at Phillipi and her mother killed herself.She was married quite young to her cousin Tiberius Nero, who she divorced when she was pregnant with her 2nd son. She divorced at the insistence of Octavian who she called Tavius who would be come Augustus.
Julia who has a lot of children with Agrippa who she did not wish to marry, was first married to her cousin Marcellus and lastly to Livia, her stepmother's son Tiberius. She rebelled in many ways including numerous adulterous affairs and lastly is exiled to a small island off Italy. Does she return?
Realizing now that when this book ends Livia and Augustus have a lot more years left~ Can I hope for a sequel? Please? Phyllis T. Smith is a remarkable and sophisticated writer who truly breathes life into her characters and her era. A masterful work and recommended highly.
I liked reading about Martin Luther and his wife. I knew a bit about the period but have read little about his personal or family life. I did some outside research and apparently they had a good sized household, consisting of homeless relatives and refugees,which Katharina ran effectively and economically.
The story began as Katharina is escaping the convent that she had been in since she was five years old. That fact alone is astounding and could have been more developed. Their life together evolved suscessfully. What more can you wish for?
Jody Hedlund did a good job making the historical facts fit into a readable and enjoyable fictional tale. It was a cross between a romance and a historical novel but well done as either. This couple's marriage and life would have been difficult to fit into either one.
Although not my usual genre, it was a fine read. Recommended for those who like this period and biographies.
