This is what a historical novel should be!
583521
AMERICAS FIRST DAUGHTER is the best historical novel I have ever read, bar none! Granted at 600 pages, it cannot be read in one sitting, but don't let it deter you; it is so compelling, you will not skip one line. The authors used countless letters to recreate the life of Martha Patsy Jefferson, Thomas Jeffersons daughter, and through her eyes, we witness the American Revolution, the French Revolution, as well as the life of an admirable woman. It was not easy being the daughter of such a great man, and Patsy had to make many sacrifices, most of the time for her fathers career.

It is most commendable that Ms. Dray and Ms. Kamoie managed, with much flair and panache, to make AMERICAS FIRST DAUGHTER so lively and intimate; it is written in the first person, and it feels like were part of Patsys life, whether on a plantation or in the salons of Paris. AMERICAS FIRST DAUGHTER is very well written and everything flows seamlessly. Needless to say, it is extremely well documented, but also richly detailed, and the characters are described so vividly, they come alive on the page. AMERICAS FIRST DAUGHTER is a remarkable book that will captivate generations to come.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
1373550
This novel was well worth reading in every way. Follett not only writes well, but he develops his characters and plots wonderfully, weaving them together into a fine story that takes place during one of the bloodiest (and longest) English Civil Wars of medieval times. He immerses his reader from the first pages into medieval England's sights, sounds, and smells. It is a bloody, graphic novel that does not spare the reader any details from treachery, murder, rape, or betrayal. But it is also about enduring love and hope.
Although it is a long novel, I never felt like it dragged or was anxious to be finished with it, so I could start on a new book.
The reason I gave this book 4 stars is because I thought Aliena's pilgrimage to Spain in search of Jack rather brief and hurried. I also thought that the part dealing with King Henry and Thomas Becket's dispute rather rushed and not enough detail was spent on it. To me, the ending (with King Henry and Phillip) was totally unbelievable. I think that such a powerful novel should have a more stunning ending. It was almost as if Follett was ready to be finished with his novel, and hurriedly threw together the conclusion.
I would recommend this wholeheartedly to anyone interested in English medieval times or who just wants to be immersed in a well-crafted novel. It is well worth your time!
3171559
An on-point historical fiction. It strongly reminded me of The Gladiator; HOWEVER, is unique in its own right which is WHY I'm giving this 5 stars. The novel is well-written, filled with fresh dialogue and characters that you will love or hate. Keep in mind, I this is typically not a genre I read often, and I was engaged the whole time. So, the point?
-Engaging plot, memorable characters, and an ending so satisfying it will bring you to tears. (Well, it did for me and I don't recall last time a book make me teary). Bravo, Ethan Luke!
830140
For those who like Romantic and Historical Novels...you will love this one! I hope it will become a saga
Totally recommended
1601680
The Midnight Band of Mercy is a wonderful historical novel. Michael Blaine has done deep research into the mind set of the time, not just the manners and clothes, though he gets those details just right, too. His hero, the streetwise Max Greengrass, is admirable, just a little corrupt, smart and capable of self-decpetion when it suits him. In short, a complex human being. When he picks up the thread of his story, four cats killed in cold blood, right on the first page, the writer has you hooked. There is nothing simplistic here. You find yourself admiring some of the more evil characters and loathing some of the most high-minded. There are too many colorful characters to list here, but a few include the old reporter, Biddle, the cantankerous editor, Parnell, the larger than life lawyer, Howe, as well as Max's sister, the vaudevillian, Faye, who is addicted to Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup, some kind of narcotic. This novel is fun and frightening and funny all at the same time. It's definitely for anybody who loves fine historical novels.
826532
Peaceweaver, like The Coming of the Dragon, is absolutely top notch historical fantasy. The fantastical elements (the monsters, the intervention of deities, Hild's strange gift) don't in the least make the book feel less plausible, less truly set in the dark ages of Europe; the world-building happens organically and convincingly, with lots of details woven into the story, and not just flat-out told. Rebecca Barnhouse has proven herself to be an author of historical fiction who I feel I can read with the relaxed confidence that comes from trusting that no nasty little anachronistic bits are going to kick me out of the story.

Hild is a most excellent character. From the beginning of the book, she is sympathetic, but she grows up during the course of events, become more thoughtful about her world and her place in it. For instance, she's forced to question somewhat her assumptions about the slavery that's part of her culture--and although she doesn't repudiate it on moral grounds, which would be ridiculously anachronistic, she does have a moment of truth in which she realizes that there is more to the lives of those who are enslaved than their service to their captors.

She's a strong character, in that she isn't afraid to act, but her abilities don't strain credulity--she knows how to use a sword (that scene on the cover really happens), but she's no Valkyrie. Likewise, she wants to do the right thing, but she's no holier than thou, unselfish martyr about it, and she also wants for things to work out nicely for herself!

Peaceweaver can perfectly well be read on its own, but since it includes spoilers for The Coming of the Dragon, that one really should be read first. That being said, I think Peaceweaver is the more statisfying of the two in its pacing and its plot...

Note on age of reader: Hild is 16, so "young adult," but there's nothing in her story that makes it unsuitable for young readers. I'd be happy to hand this to a ten year old (which I see the publisher thinks too!). There's a bit of violent death here and there, but not so violent as to be traumatic. The arc of the story--happy young person's life is disrupted, a journey must be made and a fate chosen--is more, to me, a "middle grade" story than a "young adult" one. But boy, do I ever want the young adult story of what happens next!
3923615
As the subtitle says, this is a novel of the Maccabees during the silent years  the years between the Old and New Testaments of the Bible!  I loved it and thought it was a fabulous historical fiction novel.  Not only does the author do lots of research to provide as much real history as is known, she also has a way with words, spinning a story that keeps you wanting to turn page after page!  But, this is not a book for those who want a pretty story  Judah Maccabee is a warrior, defending his country and way of life against some wicked oppressors  the fighting is nasty, to say the least!

The author writes this story from the viewpoints of Judah Maccabee and his wife Leah, alternating from one to the other, giving the reader a greater depth to the story.  And I confess, at the beginning of the book I felt sorry for Leah, then I didn't like her, and finally I admired her  I don't usually change my feelings so much about a character in one book!

At the end of the book the author tells what parts of the book are fact and what is fiction  I liked knowing that the battles described really occurred and Im gaining real historical knowledge as I enjoy a good book.  Unfortunately, too though, the tortures described in the book really happened and some parts of it were hard to read.  But I do highly recommend this book!  I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I am freely writing a review - all thoughts and opinions are my own.
3656762
This is the best novel ever written by an author who has passed and is missed.  It is the sort of great fictional saga that is almost never found anymore among more modern authors.  It is historical fiction and I would not call it a romance since romance is hardly secondary to the story.  It is a story about starting over, learning a new life, and many forms of love, and respect.  The main character Charlotte, who often goes by "Charlie" to her family and friends, who starts out as a wild, barely basically educated, Irish girl, takes you through her own learning process as though you are right there with her.  The story is richly detailed and teaches you much about the development of fine Spanish sherry, at a time when so much change was going on in wine making and in Spain itself.  The historical period is tumultuous, covering World War I, the development of the Spanish civil war, and to a lesser extent the Irish rebellion that began in 1916 as well.  The twists and turns keep coming.  The villains, and the lovers, are not what they first seem, and the heroine makes us walk through her own discoveries of their real characters.  Even the weakest characters turn out to have surprising skills, insights and strengths.  The ending is a surprise, but it earns respect for the fictional heroine and the author who created her.  This is a novel mostly about strong women and both men and women are complex.  Hollywood starlets who really want to prove themselves would fight over the roles of the women in this novel if given the chance.
3823344
This is a terrific novel, that blends historical fiction with fantasy and magic. It is a pre-quel to "The Silver Wolf", in that it goes back about 800 years to tell us Maeniel's story. Although he is what could be termed, a 'werewolf', this is in no means your typical werewolf novel. There is no all-out horror as may be expected, but this novel focuses more on drama and human experience, as well as terrific historical detail from the time of Caesar, Cleopatra and Mark Antony. There are also plenty of gory fights and battles. Add to this, the magical scenes...for example, Calpurnia riding off on Pegasus after she has died, and the strange 'other-world' visited by Dryas, and you have what makes for a wonderful absorbing read. Highly recommended.
3668875
Being from Croation/Austrian descent, someone in my family highly recommended this novel to me.  At first, I thought this was going to be like reading a boring history book, not at all! The characters were so complete and so interesting I couldn't put it down.  And if you are very concerned with accurate history, this book is equally appealing.  Down to the minor details, the book was so accurate, it was like the author was sitting in on all the little stories I heard from my family growing up.  This novel is really out of the ordinary - I strongly suggest reading it.
3303529
I loved this book. Sandrick reminds me in many ways of Karen  Kingsolver. Her story is resolutely fact-based and rich in context. Her language is sparse yet engaging; totally satisfying. This book couples historical accuracy  with a compelling narrative. Sandrick offers deep character development and abundant detail about geography and culture. The characters are so real; some who proved in the end to be unselfish and heroic were not at all likeable for most of the book! This is historical fiction at its best, the  kind of story that can make us think twice about how we see world events. It should be on every book club list, and  required reading in every high school and college literature class.
3295364
This novel is rich in historical detail, in adventure, in magic, and in characters. I enjoyed every minute of the ride, and was particularly impressed by the subtlety of the point-of-view character, a strong swordsman, loyal captain, honorable man--who is also just a bit naive, a bit simple in his understanding of his world.  Asim's narration made his more clever friend Dabir seem even smarter and more capable, all without reducing Asim's charm in the least.  A terrific piece of work, and I can't wait for the next one!
4694796
I am a relatively recent convert to the genre of historical drama, although as a fan of fantasy I have frequently delved into works by authors such as Mary Stewart and Manda Scott. The strong element of fantasy in such novels appeals to me more than their historical or pseudo-historical content, yet I nevertheless find myself absorbing historical information as I delve deeper into the characters and plotlines. Such facets are essential for an engrossing read, and they were exactly what I found within the covers of I, The Sun, by Janet Morris.

I knew next to nothing about the Hittites before reading this novel, and learning about them and their place in history was not the reason I began the book. What I hoped to find were real characters with complex personalities; lives I could care about and become absorbed by. I knew from other works by Janet Morris that she is a past master at creating characters so deep and intriguing that they affect her readers deeply, and I was curious to see whether she could accomplish the same feat with a people and a main character from actual history, rather than the more fantasy-oriented novels I had read before.

Im delighted to report that I found exactly what I was hoping for. The life of the Hittite king Suppiluliumas (he of the unpronounceable name!) came to life almost by itself as I read: the mark, for me, of a true master of fiction. And as if by osmosis I absorbed the culture, political climate, historical flavor and machinations of the time, a revelation to someone who generally thinks of herself as rather shallow when it comes to ancient or classical historical knowledge. Authenticity shines from the pages of this novel, along with intrigue, betrayal, political maneuvering, brotherhood, loyalty, war and death. All human life, in fact!

Id strongly recommend this novel, and not only to lovers of historical drama.
1860192
This book captures everything that (to me) makes up a great historical fiction. It is exciting, historically accurate, and leaves you really wondering "what if". The characters the author creates are relatable and complex, leaving the reader thinking they could truly know them. Only thing I wish we saw more of was Anne/Henry story.
Overall, I simply cannot wait for the next book in this series!!! A must read!
39421
This book takes the cake as a history book.  It's almost like your reading a novel, but then you flip the pages and see the back cover where it says "history" and you curse, just a little, because you normally have sworn off history after high school but just can't find yourself able to throw the book down.  Bradford's enthusiasim for the history part isn't lost though; oh no, by far it's transformed into an endearing and worthwhile tale of the Knights of St. John.  His prose is so gentle yet sweeping that he easily delves into and out of side-descriptions and filler information, in fact a lot better than most modern novels do.  He gets you to feel the Aegean sun that battered the backs of these superb soldiers and first rate monks when they were at Rhodes, and I can tell you that from word one to word end "The Shield and the Sword" is the book to read for history, whether you like the Crusades, adventure, war-stuff, or heck, you just want a good read.  I'd personally recommend it for anyone- the stuffy nosed scholar or the curious child, the wondering joe off the street or the guy who sits at his computer screen reading this review (yes you, oh great and enlightened one!).  So yeah, five stars, it's excellent.
3827526
This is nearly a perfect work of historical fiction!!  I loved every page...the plot unfolded masterfully, yet held your suspense until the very end.  The amount of historical detail to religious prejudice, the new and emerging financial markets, fashion, classes difference and social mores was vast, yet so beautifully woven into the story line.  Plus, you really do love the protagonist!!  Do read...you won't be sorry!!
1525507
Amazing first novel! Toggles back and forth between present day and the 1880s and hinges around the discovery of a mysterious artifact. It's the sort of thing many people might pass up, but the novel's heroine is curious and starts to research it. I'm afraid I'm a biased reviewer because this novel contains elements of several things I like to read about: provenance, family history, Asian history, 19th century American history, romance, symbolism, moral dilemmas. Any author who can weave so many subjects into a single novel at first try, and make it utterly realistic, with well rounded characters -- deserves 5 stars and maybe 6. I was totally involved in the book from start to finish -- could not put it down. My only criticism (and you can ignore it because it doesn't seem to affect the power of the novel) is that it tends to get a bit emotionally dramatic at times. Or maybe that was just my perception because I kept having to wipe away tears! This is an exceptional tale drawing on many familiar themes, but with an entirely new approach. I can hardly wait for her next book and hope it's half as good as this one.