Rivalry, an ancient family dispute, an impossible love and one man's fight to survive. 1184-1224. King John destroys Fulke Fitzwarrin's ambition to become Lord of Whittington castle in the Welsh Borderlands following a fight over a chess game. Accepting his fate he rebels. Danger reaches new heights with a passionate love affair that leads to marriage of the widow Maude Walter. ( )

This is book 2 in the FitzWaren novels, but you do not need to have read book 1 to follow along. This is the story about Fulke FitzWarin who likes his father wants his land and castle back.

Another book where King John is a total ass, honestly this guy deserve a kick in the behind. Fulke and prince John gets in a fight at 15 and hates each other for the rest of their lives. As all this happened a long time ago, and legends grow, we can't know it all. But yes I can see it happening like this. Later on Fulke becomes an outlaw when the now King John is a total asshat.

Fulke is, well a man oh his time. He can be so stubborn at times, a right idiot. But he loves his family. He sure wants Whittington back and he is a man of honor. And I liked how he went up against King John, now that is how a legend is made.

It was a hard time, but a great time to read about. You know it's good when I have to go google different people I read about,´even though I have googled them before.

An interesting story, but I must admit I wish the could have ended it a bit before the end. I did not need to know that which I shall not say. Then again, I had already read Chadwick's own words so I knew what would happen. But I like the illusion of everyone staying young and happy.

History at it's best. ( )

Another beauty by Elizabeth Chadwick. This woman just knows so well how to transport her readers to another time and place, all the while sucking them into a fantastic story and making them love the characters in it.

The author does another number on her readers as she transports them back in time to medieval England and Wales, to the turbulent time of King John and Richard the Lion-Hearted. She uses small details woven throughout the narrative to create a sensual experience and treat for her reader's senses. You don't just read the story; you live it. From the misty hills of Wales to the tense world of the Angevin court to the everyday life of a medieval keep, Elizabeth will make the surroundings in her books just leap off the page and into your brain, there to stay far after you've finished reading.

Another thing I loved, that is so common in Chadwick's work, is how three-dimensional her characters are. Filled with virtues and foibles alike, the people that populate her pages seem like real people that could walk into your front door and say hi (maybe ignore the chainmail and crown though LOL). I think I especially liked Maude, her main heroine. She can be unforgiving and blind to some of life's circumstances. Yet, she's also a damn brave woman who protects those she loves and is loyal till the sun dies out. And besides, who doesn't love a medieval woman who can whip out a bow and shoot down a bad guy just as well as embroider a stitch?!

And then there's the story. And what a story! I think I got more enjoyment out of it, knowing that parts of it were true. With a few similarities to the Robin Hood legend, Chadwick weaves a story that makes her readers so engaged with characters and their fates that they don't want to stop reading, ever! I like how the author did engage some Robin Hood similarities, but they were few and far between. The actual meat of the story was very different. Survival, betrayal, love, loyalty, and a bunch of dudes riding around in armor and waving swords around... What's not to love?!

This book has just given me another example of how well Elizabeth Chadwick can write. She excels at historical setting world-building, characterization, and telling a story that keeps her readers engaged like nobody's business. If you want a historical novel that will sweep you off your feet, read this one! ( )

Another great read from Elizabeth Chadwick she never disappoints. ( )

Chadwick's writing is masterful and I appreciated very much the follow-up chapter of the 'real' facts and her research into Fulke Fitzwarin. The book has a definite "Robin Hood" feel because of the three years Fulke must live as an outlaw. It was a privilege to be invited into the lives of Fulke and Maude, to witness the birth of their children, to worry and wonder if the "family keep" (Whittington Castle) would ever come back into the Fitzwarin family, to grieve when death came to the family, to rejoice when joy crept back in. The herbal medicine element appealed to me very much as well - woven in deftly throughout. A satisfying ending was written for the book and I like to think of Fulke still out there, carrying on. ( )