Review: The Steel Beneath the Silk (The Emma of Normandy Trilogy #3) by Patricia Bracewell

A breathtaking conclusion to Bracewell’s Emma of Normandy Trilogy, brimming with treachery, heartache, tenderness and passion as the English queen confronts ambitious and traitorous councilors, invading armies and the Danish king’s power-hungry concubine.

In the year 1012 England’s Norman-born Queen Emma has been ten years wed to an aging, ruthless, haunted King Æthelred. The marriage is a bitterly unhappy one, between a queen who seeks to create her own sphere of influence within the court and a suspicious king who eyes her efforts with hostility and resentment. But royal discord shifts to grudging alliance when Cnut of Denmark, with the secret collusion of his English concubine Elgiva, invades England at the head of a massive viking army. Amid the chaos of war, Emma must outwit a fierce enemy whose goal is conquest and outmaneuver the cunning Elgiva, who threatens all those whom Emma loves. 

Kindle Edition, 

Expected publication: March 2nd 2021

 by Bellastoria Press

5/5 stars

I had been wondering for a number of years when the final instalment in the Emma of Normandy Trilogy was going to be released.  Excitement mounted in the fall when I heard that March 2nd would be release day.

The previous books in this series, Shadow on the Crown and The Price of Blood were both 5 star reads and this conclusion to the series followed suit.

It is the year 1012 when The Steel Beneath the Silk begins and I'll confess to being a little nervous that I didn't do a reread for fear of forgetting what happened previously.  But those fears were unfounded as people and circumstances were brought back with lots of 'oh right, I remember that' or 'yea I remember her now' - Elgiva comes to mind there.

Emma is one of those women I knew nothing about until I read this series and now I am on the lookout to learn more about her and the time period.  She was a formidable woman, a pawn for her family who lived life with courage, heartache and by the time this book takes places she has rooted herself in England. She was a woman ahead of her time, a queen with confidence and integrity.

This book was vivid in not just character development but with a story that was vivid.  I love what she wrote in the author notes -

Because I write fiction and not history, I do not claim that things happened exactly in the way, only that they could have.

Which is what I love in historical fiction.  This book was well researched and the author put me right there.  The closer I got to the end the faster I read, loving the ending though not at all what I expected - remember I didn't know my history on Emma.

This series is one I highly recommend. If you are a fan of Eleanor of Aquitaine you should give this series a go.

My thanks to the author and Netgalley for this digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Evening and the Morning (Kingsbridge #0) by Ken Follett

It is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns.

In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined. A young boatbuilder's life is turned upside down when the only home he's ever known is raided by Vikings, forcing him and his family to move and start their lives anew in a small hamlet where he does not fit in. . . . A Norman noblewoman marries for love, following her husband across the sea to a new land, but the customs of her husband's homeland are shockingly different, and as she begins to realize that everyone around her is engaged in a constant, brutal battle for power, it becomes clear that a single misstep could be catastrophic. . . . A monk dreams of transforming his humble abbey into a center of learning that will be admired throughout Europe. And each in turn comes into dangerous conflict with a clever and ruthless bishop who will do anything to increase his wealth and power.

Hardcover, 913 pages

Published September 15th 2020

 by Viking

4.5/5 stars

 Pillars of the Earth is one of my favourite reads, I love getting lost in a story with characters that I've come to connect and cheer for.  Add the historical element and well...I'm in my happy place. We so much hype and positive feedback about this new book I find it hard to write a review.

With The Evening and the Morning I was once again ready to me immersed though it has been awhile since I've tackled a book this size. I will confess that I finished the last 300 pages by listening to the audio book.  John Lee is the reader and again did a stellar job.

I was pulled right in with the first chapter, a Viking attack is the start of a journey for a young man left with nothing.  Follett had the right blend of history, setting and customs that kept me entertained.  There was heartache, love and betrayal, trust issues, violence and power struggles that kept me on my toes. The characters were developed nicely, and even though this had a large cast it wasn't hard to keep everyone straight.  Definitely a great read during this weird year of 2020 to get lost within the pages off.

Even though this is a prequel there is no reason to read Pillars of the Earth first. I might do a reread (via audio book) of Pillars before proceeding with World Without End.

This book is part of my 2020 Reading off my Shelf Challenge.

Review: 1066 What Fates Impose by G.K. Holloway

England is in crisis.

King Edward has no heir and promises never to produce one. There are no obvious successors available to replace him, but quite a few claimants are eager to take the crown. While power struggles break out between the various factions at court, enemies abroad plot to make England their own. There are raids across the borders with Wales and Scotland. Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, is seen by many as the one man who can bring stability to the kingdom. He has powerful friends and two women who love him, but he has enemies who will stop at nothing to gain power.

As 1066 begins, England heads for an uncertain future. It seems even the heavens are against Harold. Intelligent and courageous, can Harold forge his own destiny - or does he have to bow to what fates impose?

Paperback, 456 pages

Published January 2nd 2014 by Troubador Publishing

****

I always enjoy reading in time periods that are unfamiliar to me as well as historical figures I know little about.  Such was the case with this book, oh I've heard of William the Conqueror, King Edward and Harold but I knew nothing of their lives and how they got to be kings.

1066:What Fates Impose is a story that can applied to other time period in England's history.  It's full of deceit, betrayal, jealousy, love and of course violence,  blood relatives are not immune either.

  Beginning at the death bed of King William, the author takes us back 40 years to the reign of King Edward.  It's a couple decades before the Battle of Hastings but the author sets the stage for that scene.  It didn't take me long to get absorbed in the story.  Though there is a fair sized case of characters here, as the story lines entwine things flowed nicely.

Centered mostly around Harold Godwinson it wasn't hard to connect and side with him, to watch his jounrey to the crown was interesting.  Especially with not just his family but King Edward as well.  But the harder part was keeping that crown, which takes us to the Battle of Hastings.  A pivotal part of British history.

The writers pose really did bring this story to life, it wasn't hard to visual the life style and customs of the times.  The battle scenes were rather brutal, but it was a brutal time.  A lot of research went into this piece and you could feel the authors passion for the time period.  Definitely one that I would recommend.

Thank you to the author for providing a copy to review, in no way did this influence this review.

The Price of Blood by Patricia Bracewell

Menaced by Vikings and enemies at court, Queen Emma defends her children and her crown in a riveting medieval adventure

Readers first met Emma of Normandy in Patricia Bracewell’s gripping debut novel, Shadow on the Crown. Unwillingly thrust into marriage to England’s King Æthelred, Emma has given the king a son and heir, but theirs has never been a happy marriage. In The Price of Blood, Bracewell returns to 1006 when a beleaguered Æthelred, still haunted by his brother’s ghost, governs with an iron fist and a royal policy that embraces murder.

As tensions escalate and enmities solidify, Emma forges alliances to protect her young son from ambitious men—even from the man she loves. In the north there is treachery brewing, and when Viking armies ravage England, loyalties are shattered and no one is safe from the sword.

Rich with intrigue, compelling personalities, and fascinating detail about a little-known period in history, The Price of Blood will captivate fans of both historical fiction and fantasy novels such as George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series.

Hardcover, 448 pages

Published February 5th 2015 by Viking 
  source - library 
*****   
This has become one of my favorite series. It's a time period that is totally unfamiliar to me and I love that it's my 'first' experience learning about Emma of Normandy.  Shadow on the Crown was an audio read, which I enjoyed tremendously, this time I opted to read The Price of Blood - one of the advantages is the fact that I now know how to pronounce everyone's name.

Beginning where Shadow on the Crown left off there is a lot going on in this book.  Now don't get me wrong, it's not confusing or whelming at all, in fact the opposite.  With each story line I was (am) eager to find out the overcome.  There is the King who is still haunted by his brother's ghost,  from his POV we see his state of mind.  Queen Emma, protecting her young son and what she must do to keep him safe, it's about forbidden love and knowing who you can trust.  The Vikings continue to wreak havoc on England and that lady Elgiva spices things up and I like her. 

Like I said in my review of Shadow on the Crown, though there is not a lot of historical documentation from this time period and the author has woven a wonderful tale that kept me captivated and rather sad when it ended.  Patricia Bracewell's ability to fill in the gaps of history is exceptional, her knowledge of this time period shows the staggering amount of research that was involved in this series.  She created these real historical characters and situations into something authentic and believable.  My interest in this time period has peaked and having discovered a couple of other books that take place around the life of Emma I  am reluctant to read them until this series is completed.  Which makes me ponder when book 3 is coming out.

If you are a fan of HF with a strong female lead then start this series, but be sure to start at the beginning with Shadow on the Crown, trust me you won't be disappointed.

Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell

A rich tale of power and forbidden love revolving around a young medieval queen

In 1002, fifteen­ year old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.

Determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the affection of the English people. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.

Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Shadow on the Crown introduces readers to a fascinating, overlooked period of history and an unforgettable heroine whose quest to find her place in the world will resonate with modern readers.

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published February 7th 2013 by Viking Adult

arc - netgalley

*****

It's 1002 when Emma is introduced in this 1st book of a planned trilogy.  Having never read anything in this time period I looked forward to reading this with eager anticipation.

Right from the beginning I liked Emma, being sister to the Duke of Normany she was his political pawn.  Sent to England to marry the King, AEthelred it was negotiated that she would also be crowned Queen, thus creating enemies before she even had a chance to prove herself.  With a husband who could barely tolerate her, few friends and unknown enemies Emma struggled to adjust.

Emma is not the main focus of this book.  There are other characters that tell the story of their lives and how they all intersect with each other.  Forbidden love, mystery, political alliances and more are within the covers of this gem.  This is the authors debut and a fine one it is.  Her obvious knowledge of this time period is evident with rich details and descriptive settings.  Where historical facts are lacking Patricia Bracewell has filled in the gaps perfectly creating an intriguing plot and engaging characters.

This was a great start to the new year of reading.  Book two of the 'Emma of Normany Trilogy' The Price of Blood will be released today (Feb 5th) and this happy reader is #1 on the list at my library.

This book will appeal to fans of Eleanor of Aquitaine and other strong women in history.