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Loading... The Water Devilby Judith Merkle Riley
None.  romsfuulynn | Apr 28, 2013 |  “The Water Devil” is the third novel in Riley’s Margaret of Ashbury trilogy, but it stands by itself just fine. Set in 1360 England, it combines the supernatural, mental illness, a love story and much plotting and counterfeiting. With her family finally back all together after the war with France, Margaret- who not only talks to God, but has God answer her) is happy at home. That doesn’t last long, though, as her father-in-law promptly, Sir Hubert, invades her house with his rude manners and his problems. It seems that the abbot wants some of Sir Hubert’s ancient woods and sacred spring for himself and has come up with a bogus deed to them. The only defense against one bogus deed is another, so off Margaret goes to her old friends, Brother Malachi the alchemist and Mother Hilde the midwife, to one up the abbot. But too many people are plotting and things spin wildly out of control… The book is a fast, short read, but it is full of the flavor of medieval time, rich in detail, with characters that are complex. Very enjoyable! (  ) dark_phoenix54 | Jul 5, 2010 | I was actually very disappointed with this book. It didn't have the development of the characters or the storyline that many of her other books seem to incorporate. It seemed like she got bored and just wanted to finish it. (  ) JennileeFoster | Apr 13, 2010 | This was a quick read. In some respects a bit too quick. I'd actually give it a 3.5 stars if I could but in this case I'd go higher rather than lower.The story follows Margaret of Ashbury as her husband Gilbert de Vilers is heading off with the Duke of Lancaster to try to win France for Edward III. Only one or two chapters deal with their separation and it's a bit confusing as to what is going on. When they are reunited, Gilbert's family once again swoops down and creates havoc. So Margaret, Gilbert and family set off to the family estate in Brokesford. Once there they discover that Gilbert's sister-in-law is behaving quite oddly. The local well seems to be inhabited by a succubus and Gilbert's father is in danger of losing his land.Into this mix add Margaret's two manipulative, bratty daughters (my least favorite characters in this story), Madame (the girls tutor), corrupt monks, and the titular water devil and the story really gets rolling. It's enjoyable but I do wish it was a bit more fleshed out. But it's worth a quick read if you've read the others in the series. ( )1  drlake66 | Nov 7, 2008 | allykat | Oct 10, 2008 | no reviews | add a review
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(retrieved from Amazon Sun, 24 Apr 2011 23:17:11 -0400)
Returning to England after rescuing her husband, Gregory, from his French captors, Margaret turns to old friend Brother Malechi to help her save her young daughter from an unwanted marriage brokered by Gregorys meddling father, a situation complicated when warring factions rouse an ancient being that dwells in a spring at the heart of a disputed forest.… (more)
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Ghosts, a water spirit. Riley makes me smile, and lets me live in a world where god sighs when a sort of saint is arguing with him...
I didn't intend to reread these, they attacked me and sucked me in. (