The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick is more than just a novel. It is a story of one man and his honor, his dedication to family and country and to all the things that a true Knight of the Realm should be. A man that treads the fine line between wealth or poverty, high court standing or disgrace. An honor bound man that knows that patience brings rewards that could be snatched away so easily by giving into anger and impatience. This is a story that will grab you from the first word to the very last and make you savour each delicious morsel in between.This is the second book in the series with the first being "The Greatest Knight". You must read these in order or you will be completely lost in "The Scarlet Lion".
The Scarlet Lion starts right from where it's predecessor finished without much time loss in between. This is a meaty book that you will read more slowly than that of the light fluffy purely imaginative fiction books that are so readily available.
Our story starts out with Richard as King and William Marshall being more or less his right hand man. With the death of Richard, John is crowned King and William swears allegiance to him just the same as he has done with the four previous Kings before him.
There is quite a bit of turbulence in this book between King John and William Marshall as well as between William and his beautiful wife Isabelle. The latter caused by the earlier for King John is extremely paranoid.
The author has done an extreme amount of research here and it most certainly shows. From the colors, scents, sounds, emotions of people, places and things you can't help but feel as if you are a bystander watching the entire story unfold right before your very eyes. You will laugh, cry, cringe, hate, loathe and want to really ring someones neck. The author has made this story so viable that you cannot help but feel every emotion tingle throughout your being.
If you enjoy Historical Fiction then this is a story of caliber that you really should not miss.
Paperback: 576 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Original edition (March 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402229992
ISBN-13: 978-1402229992
1 comment:
Elizabeth Chadwick writes wonderfully atmospheric books that are excellently researched. As you said, her books are not for a quick read. You need to pay close attention to what you are reading. You will be rewarded.
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