I am really busy hosting for The Coffee Pot Book Club and this is my second review post today! But before we get to my review, let's check out the blurb!
"Best battle description ever!"
1056...England lurches towards war as the rebellious Lord Alfgar plots against the indolent King Edward. Sussex thegn, Wulfhere, must defy both his lord, Harold Godwinson, and his bitter enemy, Helghi, to protect his beloved daughter.
As the shadow of war stretches across the land, a more personal battle rages at home, and when it follows him into battle, he knows he must keep his wits about him more than ever, and COURAGE AND FEAR MUST BECOME HIS ARMOUR…
My Review
As you would expect from a book that is set just before The Battle of Hastings, everyone is wondering who the next King of England will be. The king favours the Godwins, but they are not the only family who can lay claim to the throne. The political climate was masterfully portrayed and really set the scene for this story.
Although there are many characters in this book, the author does favour Wulfhere. Wulfhere really struggles throughout this novel, although some of his difficulties on the domestic front are due to his affair. His treatment of his wife was deplorable, but she was also no innocent participant in this dysfunctional family. Despite Wulfhere’s terrible betrayal I found it very difficult to sympathies with Ealdgytha for she was just so bitter, and although I could understand her depression there was no excuse for the way she treated her children. Her attitude, particularly towards her daughter in her hour of need, was deplorable.
This is an enjoyable story, but with hindsight, I do wish I had started with book one because I felt I had missed crucial parts of the story. Regardless of this, this is a novel that I would certainly recommend.
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