Honestly, her "Green Darkness" is one of my favorite books of all times. How is it possible that every single book she wrote other than that one was so awful? You'd think someone would have said something. ( )

One-sentence summary: Set in 10th century Britain, the book follows the tumultuous lives of French prince Rumon and Cornish lady-in-waiting Merewyn as they take part in court life and struggle to survive the constant Viking attacks.

Why did you get this book?: I love historical novels; I love Anya Seton; this is a time period I know very little about.

Do you like the cover?: Yes, because I like Pre-Raphaelite art, but I think it is the wrong image for the story; something more medieval would have been better.

Did you enjoy the book?: Very much so -- I found it slow to start, but within a chapter or two, it became very engrossing.

Other thoughts?: This wasn't a romance! There were definitely romantic subplots but the entire story was not built around a romance between Rumon and Merewyn, which I loved. I also enjoyed the two worlds portrayed in this book -- the first half described medieval court life in England while the second half detailed Merewyn's experience in Iceland and Greenland. Fascinating stuff. ( )

May, 2008

Romance about 2 star-crossed lover, Rumon and Merewyn during the time of the Viking raids in 10th century England. Merewyn believes herself to be descended from King Arthur, but is actually a bastard daughter of a Viking raider, who much later kidnaps her and takes her to Iceland, and later to Greenland where she marries and is content. Rumon, who has tried to follow and rescue her is swept off course and finds America. When he realizes she is married to a Viking, he returns to England and becomes a monk. When Merwyn's husband dies, she returns to England also.

Real people in the novel include Eric the Red; Leif Ericson; King Edgar; King Edward,the martyr; and King Ethelred,the unready, whose second wife is Emma. ( )

Very enjoyable. It was nice taking a travel through history in a period of time not so frequently written about. The up and down see saw of Merewyn's and Ruman's star crossed love was heartbreaking at times. I don't want to say more to give out the end.

It isn't Katherine by a long shot, but still a good read, and I would recommend to any lover of historical fiction. ( )

Anya Seton is a masterful storyteller, transporting the reader back to the Dark Ages, to be immersed in a period of Viking raids on the British Isles and deceit, treachery and murder on the English throne. As is an indicator of good historical fiction, I was inspired to find out more about this time period, to learn which characters and events were historically documented and which were products of the author's vivid imagination. I also highly recommend Seton's "Katherine" for those who enjoy historical fiction. ( )