Never Boring, Always Gripping and Character Driven Drama From The Middle Ages
932072
I found myself riveted to the plight of the characters.  I felt connections as well.  One really does care about what happens to each person and the lives that people lived in the middle ages.  Given also a good look at some of the social issues, religious conflicts, and the terrors brought about by kingdoms when laws were often whims of the leadership.  I felt so great about this book that I bought the paperback of the next volume since I wanted to keep reading, but so far it feels like each book is its own time and story, but I guess there are three total volumes.  Be prepared for a long read since each novel is over 1000 pages.  I much prefer reading this on my Kindle to the small print in the book that I purchased.  Oh well.  If you like a good story, interesting characters, and serious drama, one sound find this a riveting experience.
4499011
A wonderful cast of characters give heart to this medieval tale of loyalty and betrayal. I loved Lady Joanna's compassion for the peasants in her father's land, and her determination to champion their cause since they couldn't for themselves. Her secret relationship with Agnes and the two young men Agnes cares for proves to be beneficial when they come to her aid as the kingdom seems to be falling apart. The arrival of Lukas was timely as he helps solve the mystery of the stolen wool and reveal the culprits who are behind the plot to rob Joanna's father of everything. His goodness shines through in his kindness and devotion to Joanna, and I was rooting for him to win the tournament and her heart. Lord Gilbert's loyal knight Sir Edwyn was a steadying influence in Joanna's life as a father figure and his connection to Lukas brought the story full circle. This is a book that will be enjoyed by fans of Melanie Dickerson and I highly recommend it for both young adults and adults.

(I was provided a copy of the book by the publisher; all opinions in this review are my own)
3400748
I really enjoyed this work.  It is unlike other works of medieval historical fiction that I have read, in that this book does not have a lot of page-turning, stroke-by-stroke violence.  Where this work excels the others is the skill with which the author reveals the minds of two leading characters, Henry "Hotspur" Percy and King Henry IV.  These two characters are locked in a very intense Achilles vs. Agamemnon type of conflict, and the author brilliantly portrays the struggle in the mind of each, allowing you to clearly understand how such a conflict can escalate so quickly.  This intense emotional portrayal allowed me to not only experience the dramatic events in the book, but to feel them.  This book is not a thriller with lots of page-turning action, but for people with an interest in medieval history, this work of historical fiction offers an amazing and emotionally powerful window into a very fascinating period.  I highly recommend it.
4253301
I was reluctant to pick this up from the library because it was so long but now that I'm finished I'm really glad I did. It's turned out to be one of my favorite historical novels. A gritty tale beautifully told. His use of words is amazing.  I just kept saying, "YES!  That's exactly the word that describes it."  His metaphors were serious and relevant rather than confusing, lame or overly decorative.

Bernard Cornwell and Stephen Pressfield should be very worried.  Willocks combines Cornwell's characterization and drama with Pressfield's gritty, blood and entrails battle scenes.

If I had one complaint it would be some of the hero's luck was a bit too heavily daubed upon the scenes. A few too many serendipitous meetings in the middle of giant chaotic battle scenes.

While searching for the book to review I saw the word "trilogy" attached to it and I couldn't have been happier.
1801908
One of the best historical series I've read! As the consequences of choices from the earlier books come home to roost, the suspense is ratcheted up. . . the knights come to blows, the ladies twist their scarves at their restrictions, innocents are spared and sacrificed, the just find sparse justice, and the Gyptian's words haunt, in this third installment -- and I pray it is an installment and not the end!!! Ms. Gill leaves room for new adventures, but if she doesn't pen them, she has given us plenty of "tale" to give the readers hours and days to create our own, however lackluster they would be. . . Every page has meaning and while we are introduced to new historical figures, which led to more independent research, the story of our Estela and Dragonetz is always at the core. So much is revealed of family and love and treachery and deceit and who can you trust?? We meet those from both our main characters past who drove them to the decisions they had to make to be the persons they are today. You will delightedly, and self righteously, despise some of them, and pray for a change of heart in others! Never sure who will make it out alive, and you hold your breath until the last word. . . with such a surprising twist at the end, reminiscent of HItchcock to me. So glad I discovered this author and PRAY for a continuation of the travels of Estela and Dragonetz, Malik, Sascha, and Gilles, all those despicable sovereigns and their machinations, the commoners and high born whose lives the author weaves together in this lovely medieval tapestry of prose.
2797356
The Fool's Tale is not your usual medieval fiction. It's utterly compelling, with three main characters who are each lovable and hateful in equal measure (I love me some fallible characters). It makes for an excellent history lesson in terms of the relationship between Wales and England during the reign of Richard the Lionhearted (something I knew nothing about, previously). It's also an excellent story of human nature, obligation and power.

There's romance, but it's also not your typical setup. And nobody is made into a villain (and everybody is), and nobody is the hero (and everybody is). It's complex but not complicated, and although the first half was a bit slow and frustrating because I didn't like any of the three very much, by the middle of the book it took off. By the end, I was gasping and flipping pages like a fiend, skipping sleep and totally emotionally overwrought.

So, of course, I highly recommend it for fans of historical fiction, especially medieval. Also for fans of complex, three-dimensional characters with grey morality who are so real you feel like you could touch them. Also for fans of England, and Wales. And classic lit/myth (like Beowulf, Tristan & Isolde, Der Ring des Nibelungen, Arthurian legend, etc).
1837849
Whether or not you share an affinity for the legend of Robin Hood or Medieval England, there is no denying N.B. Dixons passion and dedication to the subject. The raw amount of historical knowledge injected into Heir of Locksley is not only admirable, but equally salubrious. It is comparable, if not superior, to many of the great historical fiction works from renowned authors, such as Diana Gabaldon or Philippa Gregory. Heir of Locksley doesnt dwell in the shadows. It is an independent effigy worthy of his place on any store shelf.

Dixons style of prose is completely infallible. The book is substantively well edited, showing salient signs that it has been rewritten countless times. There are no clunky sentences, and the language boasts a magical rhythm, which captivates and enthrals. Without a doubt, Heir of Locksley is one of the great monuments of independent literature.

The story itself is superb, whether you're familiar with Robin Hood or not. Heir of Locksley begins early in Robins childhood, following his relationships with many important characters of legend and detailing his many hard decisions that forged him into the man of legend. He is the heir to a rich manor, but resents everything his fathers status evokes, for the rich are rude and unforgiving to the lower-class. In contrast, due to losing his mother at a young age and being raised by his maid, Robin has developed a sense of empathy and kindness, growing to resent his nobility. He would much rather spend his time with a bow in his hand, or mingling among the peasants who call him their friend. Eventually, however, Robin must choose between a life of wealth or peasantry, yet both paths meander toward dangerous consequences. With plenty of twists and turns throughout, this is not just yet another retelling of the eternal legend; rather, this is a fresh take on tired tropes.

Heir of Locksley possesses an ensemble cast, all of whom leap off the page. They are all poignant, written with such finesse that any one of them could take control of a scene and carry the narrative on their back. None of them drag behind. Their emotions are authentic, and their personal histories of Shakespearean quality, particularly Gilbert White-Hands, who is guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye.

An insightful decision on Dixons behalf sees almost half of the book depicting Robin in his younger years, whereupon many seeds are sown for future encounters. The choice to structure the story with this split narrative eliminates the need for over-zealous exposition, opting to show the reader all of his early struggles, allowing Robins legacy to develop at a natural pace. It would have been far easier to simply hand-wave Robins genesis in the favour of his more famous years, but Dixons execution is more surgical, offering the reader an extended account of his childhood trials, his many relationships, and his evolution into a figure of history.

Some tentative readers might note that Heir of Locksley is marketed as having LBGTQ themes and might regard the concept of a bisexual Robin Hood as absurd, yet I must stress that Dixons execution of these themes is both intelligent and appropriate. Do not make the erroneous assumption that Heir of Locksley is an alternative romance novel. Nothing could be further from the truth. Robin insteadin addition to having various heterosexual relationshipsdevelops a raw and passionate relationship with a male counterpart, which I found very reminiscent of a Homeric character. Such a relationship is beyond infatuation, love or sex, and is far more indicative of loyal compassion, forged from friendship and respect. It is honest, beautiful and authentic.

I would highly recommend Heir of Locksley to any enthusiast of historical fiction. Every facet of N. B. Dixons style is outstanding, and it all comes together in a uniform novel that deserves the utmost praise. There is nothing boring or clich&eacute; here, only unmitigated talent, and I couldn't be more excited for Dixons upcoming sequel, Knight of Locksley.
4601352
Historically accurate setting, exciting action, tragic, emotionally gripping and at no point does this story lose momentum.  A great read for anyone interested in historical fiction outside the realm of typically European or American settings.
4191457
Becket is an extremely well done period drama that has not aged at all since it was made in 1964.  The literate and involving screenplay takes a few liberties with the facts, as far as they are known, but does and excellent job at conveying the characters and the political feel of the time.  The direction is always solid, and occasionally brilliant, but most importantly, Becket is flawlessly cast.  Supporting players John Gielgud, Donald Wolfit, Martita Hunt, and Pamela Brown turn in small but impressive performances, and ultimately help showcase Richard Burton's Thomas Becket, and Peter O'Toole's marvellous Henry.  Although Becket is technically the main character, it is Henry who provides the most memorable moments, and O'Toole is brilliant at portraying the slow descent of a fun-loving, if somewhat spoilt, young monarch into a strong and clever king, still somewhat spoilt, but much more dangerous, and also sadder.  The true genious of the film is its ability to make you sympathise completely with both characters although you are fully aware of their many faults.
541678
"Becket" explores the question put to Christ two millenia ago of whether man owes his primary loyalty to his monarch or to God.  The search for the resolution of that question, and how it was answered, makes "Becket" one of the best historical dramas ever made.  Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton are in top form as the young Henry II of England and his partner-in-mayhem Thomas Becket, whose primary interests are wine and women and not necessarily in that order.  England in the 12th century was devoutly Roman Catholic, and the Catholic hierarchy enjoyed a level of power and prestige equal to, if not higher than, the king himself.  But when the old archbishop dies and Henry needs to appoint a successor in his place, Henry outfoxes everyone by doing an end run around the bishops and naming Becket as the new archbishop.  The bishops are upset; they believe Henry intends for Becket to be a puppet figure to be used to further the king's own ends.  But to everyone's surprise, Becket takes his job more seriously than Henry ever intended.  No one could be more stunned and shocked at this development than Henry himself.

The confrontation between Henry and the clergy is set immediately following the old archbishop's death, when Henry informs the assembled bishops that there will only be one head honcho in England, and that is the king.  The bishops are not used to having their power abrogated by anyone outside the church; they answer only to the pope and to God.  The king and clergy are on collision course, and Henry, to his chagrin, finds that Becket is solidly on the side of the Church his king has appointed him to represent.  There will be no compromise here.  The stage is thus set for a fateful confrontation.

One has to wonder: when Henry blurted out his petulant rhetorical question "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?", did he really not expect to be taken at his word?  He's made it clear over and over again that he is the king, and the king is the law.  So it's hard not to feel a sense of disgust at Henry's hypocrisy as he undergoes a ritual flogging in the cathedral crypt to expiate his guilt at having instigated Becket's murder, and immediately afterwards announces on the church steps that Becket will be venerated as a saint.  Power-hungry to the last, Henry has abrogated to himself the privilege of an announcement that should have come from the new archbishop, or from the pope who alone has the power of canonization.

The film has everything going for it: a great plot, two excellent performances by Burton and O'Toole, terrific direction and cinematography, and fine historical accuracy.  The Gregorian chant running through the scenes in the cathedral transport the viewer 700 years back in time.  For two unforgettable hours, we're part of 12th century England.

And finally, let me add my request to those of the other reviewers of this excellent movie: Will someone please hurry up and release this film on DVD?  I'll be first in line to buy it.

This review is being UPDATED on 5/23/07 to add the following:

Since I first reviewed this movie three years ago, my opinion of the acting, plot, characterization and script writing has not changed.  This is a magnificent film by any criteria.  I wish I say the same for the DVD.  The picture quality is terrific.  The sound quality, however, is not nearly as good, and for anyone who is hearing-impaired, a very serious problem is that this DVD is NOT closed captioned.  The audio track is in English, French and Spanish.  There are English subtitles for those who require them, but accessing them is tricky on some DVD players.

It looks like whoever put this film on DVD was trying to cut corners.  This movie deserves better.

Judy Lind
3620858
The challenge with historical fiction is often multifaceted in that a writer must not only find an interesting story from the past to bring to light, but one that hasn't been told often or at all, such that it can educate and entertain readers simultaneously.  In Jesse Lee Vints William the Conquer vs King Harold he successfully captures all of these crucial elements.  Geared towards a young-adult audience, Vint gives his readers an exciting, nearly cinematic telling of events that few (if any) other literary works make accessible outside of dreary, droning non-fiction assessments that would put coma patients into an even deeper sleep.  Not only that, but the novel is filled with historical characters also found in several Shakespearean works that tend to be required reading for the targeted age-group which adds even more context and depth to these figures for evolving, inquisitive young minds.  That said, this novel is by no means purely for teenagers.  The adventures of William and King Harold kept me engaged to last page with action, comedy and new knowledge to be found within each chapter. My only complaint as an adult reader, is that I felt the author held back in some sections, opting for a more simplistic delivery of his descriptions rather than fully flexing his abilities as a writer which he clearly demonstrates in a number of passages.  But again, I believe this was done to cater to the target audience of young adults  to keep the story moving without losing them along the way.  Overall, this is a fantastic second novel from Jesse Lee Vint III and highly recommended reading for both young people and adults with a mind for history.
4073246
The characters are always engaging,  the stories gripping and well written.
4809076
Compelling and complex miniseries about a mythical land and its various, competing kingdoms and characters. Based on the books which are even more detailed than the miniseries, which does a fair job of sorting the storyline out. Sex, violence, knights, beautiful women, love, battles, monsters, dragons, intrigue, everything one might want in a medieval saga. I usually do not like fake ancient kingdom films or stories, but this one is great, an exception. The acting is fine, the costumes beautiful, recreation of the kingdoms brilliant and the suspense thrilling. The viewer is left longing for more! We are caught up in the personal lives of the characters and care about them. But just as you are rooting for a particular favorite, he or she may be suddenly and violently eliminated. More twists and turns than one can imagine. Great fun and riveting action.
973198
Michael Jecks delivers a brilliant read once again with some of my very favorite Medieval characters.  The story is so well constructed, so full of history and so well researched it is almost a heartbrake when it ends.  Please, Mr Jecks, do not return to the computer industry but do continue to write these wonderful tales of life in the 1320's in Britain (and France).  Superlative story telling!
1921
This book goes beyond the usual, classic, gay historical story. In fact and strangely as it seems it reminded me a lot of Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe, it has the same spirit. It's an epic medieval adventure with a beautiful young page in distress and an honorable knight in shining armor!

The story takes place in 12th century Outremer, after the final battle of Jaffa where Saladin was defeated by King Richard. In the heart of the desert where the most powerful rulers of all Christendom are gathered in the name of God, somewhere in the shadow a dirty game is being played. When all these dignitaries should work together, everyone thinks only about their own interest. When at one time there was greatness and honor now only pettiness and arrogance remain. Two powerful villains are conspiring against a possible truce between King Richard and Saladin. They have no interest left for Christianity, only for their own advancement and personal profit.

In an atmosphere full of danger, lies and corruption, Sir Kenneth, the Knight of the Hawk, a lowly Scottish Knight who is not without flaws seems the only one who remains true, honorable and loyal to Richard.

At one time Kenneth had thought himself in love with the lovely lady Joan, the King's cousin, but he knows it's a hopeless love. Then he has this strange dream where he sees Joan's face and body and then they fade away and are replaced by another very different face... Alex's! Richard's young page who is as pretty as a woman ....

There's a lot going on in that story, you won't have the time to get bored. A very varied and colorful cast of characters gives the novel great depth and strength. This book was very entertaining to read. I give 4 stars.
17554
I was delighted to see this book is still in print and available in paperback. It is a novel of the life of Charles of Orleans, his life, his ladies and his loves. It is also a spiritual journey, and focuses on the inner development of the soul so often ignored in historical novels. As authentic, colorful, and captivating as a living medieval tapestry, I never fail to be impressed at the research that went into this superb book. And yet it flows effortlessly and does not fail to entertain and inspire. Many historical characters make an appearance, including Jeanne d'Arc. One is totally in touch with Charles' poet's heart, so brave, so easily wounded, and ultimately, so wise. I recommend this novel without reservations. It is everything historical fiction should be!
3948899
I found "The Horse Healer" wholly absorbing, from the moment I opened the first page, all the way to end, 539 pages later. It portrays the turmoil of 13th century Spain (around the year 1200) from the perspective of a young man studying to become a veterinarian, who is dragged into the numerous wars between the Christian kingdoms of northern Spain and the Islamic empire that occupies southern Spain.

Diego de Malagon is the teenage son of a widowed innkeeper, who is abruptly orphaned during a surprise raid by the Imesebelen, the fanatical African bodyguard troops of the Arab caliph. The Imesebelen also murder Diego's sister, kidnap his two other sisters, and kill two knights who attempted to defend his family. The only family Diego has left is his Arabian mare, Sabba.

Diego becomes a refugee, and then the apprentice of a Muslim veterinarian in Toldeo. He learns that many Muslims and Jews have been forced to flee the Islamic empire after its takeover by a fanatical Islamic sect called the Almohads, who view everyone who doesn't follow their brand of Islam as heretics.

The rest of the novel follows Diego as he travels through Spain acquiring medical, literary and military skills. He is inexorably drawn into a network of knights, kings and churchmen trying to defeat the Almohads before the extremists conquer all of Spain and destroy every other culture within the country.

Diego is the type of hero a reader can cheer for -- fair-minded, passionately interested in learning new things and struggling not to be sucked into the rampant misconduct he sees all around him.

The novel also has many appealing secondary characters, such as Diego's love interests, friends, co-workers and enemies. It's a very "you are there" type novel that tries to be fair to all of the groups struggling to survive in medieval Spain. The novel does not romanticize the Middle Ages -- monasteries, knightly orders, churchmen -- even the feared and hated Imesebelen -- are shown as human beings with flaws and virtues.

Since the novel is set during a period of extended warfare in the Middle Ages, be prepared for a lot of violence, some rapes (though not graphically described), and repeated scenes of fear and suspicion.

This novel will interest medievalists, people interested in Spanish history, especially the "Reconquista" period, students of the Crusades, veterinarians, military history fans, and anyone interested in a story filled with adventure.