Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book a lot and would recommend it, but it will be best appreciated by those who love historical detail. The book paints a very vivid picture of the politics and practical ways of life and war and marriage that existed back in medieval England during the time where King Stephen and Queen Matilda battled for control of the country. It also involves the intervention of King David (who was related to both parties) and his Scottish army who waged war in northern England against King Stephen on behalf of Queen Matilda and incidentally profited from the resulting looting, raiding, and land gained from these actions. It portrays the brutality of war that existed back then, and I would say the romance possibly takes a back seat to the history, but I enjoyed the story that Gellis wrote. This is my first book of hers so I don't know how it compares to her others. It reminded me of books by Elizabeth Chadwick. The couple portrayed has a very sweet relationship that grows despite many barriers that prevent them from openly pursuing marriage to one another. I enjoyed seeing two unique and admirable characters find each other and joy amidst a very turbulent time period.
This was a long (488 pages) historical and I didn't realize it was originally published in 1985. If you want a lot of historical detail you may really enjoy this book. If you are looking for a romance focus I'd pass on this one. The characters are great and the heroine's talent for weaving is unique but there's a lot of politics and battle.
