well written and describes a tale of old England with knights and cruel leaders. the hero is described as stead fast and honest.
591261
Elizabeth chadwick writes a very well written story that flows easily from page to page. the story is exciting and the danger is presented as a real happening
3817711
This is a delightful romp through the medieval period.  There have been no knight errands in hundreds of years, but Sir Michael decides to become one and forces a young man in his debt to be his servant.  They strive to do good, get it wrong, and save the day (mainly from their messes).  This is a fun read and we hope for more from this author.
1826726
Peter crafts a great tale. He has a spare, unvarnished, and simple writing style that stays focused on the story line and the small unit tactics. The writing is no-nonsense, just like the characters. If you like to-the-point military writing, you'll enjoy this book.
1494863
Malgwyn ap Cuneglas has been a farmer, a husband and father until his family was killed by the Saxon, a fierce warrior and leader against the Saxons until his right arm was severed in battle... and then an invalid and a drunk, before being dragged back as an advisor, by his King.  The King happens to be Arthur, and while there are names out of legends and tales, those here feel firmly a part of a gritty and realistic historical period.  The author might as well have used a historical king, but there is some amusement in seeing how the various characters are re-imagined.

In this tale historical character appear as Patrick comes to a nearby monastery for a visit--to see if the rumors of the spread of Pelagian heresy are true.  Arthur has come to check on a local lord's loyalty.  Malgwyn and Bedevere accompany Arthur, but Malgwyn is also requested by the abbot to look into the death of one of the monks.

The mystery is complex and extensive, involving much more that could possibly be guessed at.  The pacing is slow at the very first but quickly speeds up and continues on to involve trips and battle and conspiracies and politics, as well as personal lives and loves in the past and the present, and religion and beliefs.  There is a cast of characters, some well-drawn and others more quickly drawn with brief appearances, but none are two-dimensional.

I was impressed by how it all came together into a first class historical mystery, despite the Arthurian aspect, which could have just been a gimmick to hang a pedestrian mystery on.  I had also thought I was tired of Arthurian re-hashes, but this use of the characters was fresh enough to be interesting, and the storytelling and the mystery are definitely enough to overcome any qualm about it.  I am very much looking forward to more in this series.
4808020
Old English tales intrigue me.  It was possible to picture as the author wrote using descriptive language.  The book didn't contain anymore  vulgar language.
582815
This story, written from the point of view of a medieval scribe gives a good picture of the violence and politics of those days. The characters are real and the plot is well-constructed. The battle sequences are suitably violent.
2181218
I like the historical aspects of this book. The main character is adventurous and naive. I liked it. I've read the second one too and plan to read the 3rd.
3908112
If you like a good sword and sorcery adventure then this quick rough and tumble will make for a nice afternoon read. Good use of vocabulary but not ever presumptuous or wordy.  The writers make use of contrast to paint the world of Flan, a completely redesigned hero with a back story that I can't wait to find out more of. Looking forward to more and hopefully longer forays into this world they've begun.
1634690
This version of the Robin Hood story tells two adventurous tales and gives some historical context to the legends and facts surrounding Robin Hood.

The first tale is a pretty standard retelling of the most popular bits people know about Robin Hood. Robin robs from the rich to give to the poor who are being overtaxed by the Sheriff of Nottingham. The Sheriff lays a trap for Robin in the form of a contest. Robin competes in disguise and wins the contest by splitting a bull's eye arrow. The reward for winning the contest is a job--protector of the Sheriff's treasury. After all the greatest warrior in the land should be able to keep Robin's hands off it, right? There are some nice twists and turns at this point that made it more interesting to a veteran of Robin Hood tales like me. Jacob and Lucy loved the story.

The second tale is about Much Middleton, teenage son of the village miller. One day the Sheriff comes to collect taxes and a riot breaks out. Much's dad is captured and sent to the dungeon. Much escapes and finds Robin in Sherwood Forest, sure that he will help. Robin doesn't immediately act, other than bringing Much into his band and training him for the eventual conflict at the end of the tale. This was a new story to me and has that "kid gets to work with his hero" plot that engages readers well.

The final part of the book discusses life in the middle ages and the possible origins of Robin Hood. The original stories about him are from the 1200s and 1300s, with the first written reference in Piers Plowman. The stories spread all over England and many of them have conflicting details, e.g. some say he was once a wealthy lord while others claim he was a poor villager. The lives of the rich, the poor, and the outlaws are all described. The discussion around outlaws caused a tricky conversation with my children--trying to explain that most outlaws were evil men and Robin Hood was a very rare exception proved more difficult than I imagined.

The illustrations by Alan Marks are nice but not great. They suggest swashbuckling and the distant past but don't quite hit the mark. It doesn't detract from the text but doesn't provide a great enhancement either.

Overall, this is a fine introduction for children to Robin Hood.
2086318
The author uses language with cadence of the middle ages to create characters of modern sensibilities. The heroine has endured two bad marriages and escapes with a group of vassels to land in Scotland she thinks she owns.  The land is already occupied by the hero who also has an interest in staying and the two match sits in delightful ways. The supporting characters are strong and the story moves along well, nearly tightening loose ends.
1869602
Some myth, a lot of truth and a great bit of writing that portrays one of history's great murderers. I read it in two days and was a bit sorry that it ended.
832016
SHADOWS OF VALOR is a story akin to Robin Hood, The Scarlet Pimpernel and a medieval Batman in one. It has romance (PG-rated), adventure, mystery and believable characters with believable issues and concerns. It's set in the middle ages, but the writing is contemporary enough for the modern reader to enjoy. Sir Calan is a knight-spy for King Edward but has become cynical toward the human race due to his dealings with criminals. Elsbeth, a beautiful, but physically scarred woman, seems to be the only woman who can help his troubled soul. But they're both placed in danger as they investigate sinister plans against Elsbeth's uncle. Lies, deceit, smuggling, poisonings, sword fights and jousts are just some of the things that make this romantic action-adventure enjoyable for both men and women alike.
3120157
I enjoyed this. It reads quickly and is an interesting insight into medieval times. I felt like a slipped into medieval Germany for a short vacation.  I wish the characters were a bit more developed.
1605761
This 14th-century adventure book is surprisingly sweet and innocent, considering it includes scenes of battle, privation, and death. Originally published in 1949, and winner of a Newbery award, the story feels dated compared to books published more recently about medieval children's lives.  It contains lots of factual tidbits about castles, transportation, monastic life, warfare, and other topics, carefully woven into the tale.  A few of these seem anachronistic, such as the song Robin sings for the king - a song actually only a couple of hundred years old.  But in fairness, more is known today about historical accuracy than was known seventy years ago. Robin is an appealing character, though he's at the far end of the curve in pushing himself to do tasks that are difficult or dangerous for him. The men who sometimes carry him and his crutches on their backs seem astoundingly strong, schlepping the ten-year-old up and down hills and stairs and towers without tiring; this I found somewhat unbelievable. But Brother Luke's mantra, "Thou hast only to follow the wall long enough and there will be a door in it," is as insightful and useful today as it was for Robin.
3503618
The old English class code and greed mix it up with youthful lust and other uncertainties of young men.

A solid English bank provides plenty of money and, as always, stokes greed in the hearts and minds of the unscrupulous.

Here is the very well-told story of a family of bankers, their friends and their assorted hangers-on.

Reading more by Mr Follett!
4538891
Pestilence A Medieval Tale of Plague is very well written. I liked learning of Elaisse and her life through this first person fantasy narrative. It was interesting to see a tale told from the perspective of someone living through it rather than by a nonfiction narrative account of the Plague. I liked the storyline and the characters especially Fern and even Elaisse who changes throughout the narrative from a spoiled, selfish brat to someone who considers others and wants to help them. The only thing I found a bit disconcerting were the one or two page descriptions that started each chapter. The first one was well done, but I found that sometimes they were more distracting than helpful. I think they could have been better included as perhaps an afterword of sorts.
2529969
I enjoyed this book as much as the first two books in the series.  The plot was well thought out.  The main protaganist, is a highly honourable man.  It is since of honour that leads him to discover the killer of an obnoxious land owner and save a friend.
Th descriptions of the hard times of life during the medieval times are excellent and the characters well developed.  I look forward to the next installment.