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20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Second book to trilogy..., July 20, 2000
This is the second book to the Plantagenet Trilogy. The first is FALCON AND THE FLOWER and the third is THE MARRIAGE PRIZE. This story is about Princess Eleanor Plantagenet, the King's "Precious Jewel". After King John died, his children King Henry III, Richard of Cornwall and Princess Eleanor were left alone to basically run England. Their mother Queen Isabella married another and moved on. This is the great love story of Princess Eleanor Plantagenet and the famous warlord Simon de Montfort, the Earl of Leicester. This true story of these two passionate people is told with such flair and sensuality that only Virginia Henley could tell. True the story is compressed to about three years, when in reality is was more like thirty. But she pulls it off with no problem. The sequel, and last book to this trilogy begins in the year 1253, this book ends in 1240. That is the reason for the dropping off at the end. The story continues into the next book, for all those complaining about the sudden abrupt ending. The characters from the first book make many appearances in this one, namely their son Sir Rickard de Burgh. He is appointed the Princess's gaurd. In the beginning of the story their is about 190 pages of story between Eleanor and her first husband, the Earl of Pembroke, William Marshal. He was much older than her and when she became a widow at the age of 17, she took a vow of chastity of perpetual widowhood. Simon first saw her and fall in love. He had to have her at any cost. The passionate love these two shared and the enemies and treachery they endured, is awe inspiring. Simon is breathtaking, a great warlord of his time, and Eleanor is beautiful and strong willed. She is a woman ahead of her time. This story will make you smile and feel like you are there with Simon and Eleanor. Henley has an uncanny knack of bringing the reader into her world. I could almost hear the swords clanking and the King shouting. This is an excellent read, don't miss it. I have read this many times, and still find myself enthralled everytime. Virginia Henley is an extrememly talented writer, she brings these people to life and shows you the sacrifices they made for their beloved country, when civil war was knocking at England's door. Simon was a great warlord and leader, I think you will enjoy this great 13th century love story in all it's glory. It's a keeper.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Love Story For The Ages & Excellent Historical Fiction!, February 16, 2004
Virginia Henley brings 13th century England to life with this historical novel about Princess Eleanor Plantagenet, daughter of King John and sister to King Henry III, and her warrior hero husband Simon de Montfort. Married at age 10 and widowed by age 16, Eleanor swore a vow of chastity to the Church. She didn't figure on someone like Simon de Montfort, a disinherited aristocratic Frenchman who become an English earl, entering her life. Swept away by their passionate love for each other they risked the wrath of King and Church to wed. Ms. Henley, an award-winning author, tells a tale filled with conflict, treachery, betrayal, pageantry and true love with such skill that the reader truly gets a picture of life in medieval England and a look into one of history's most intense romances. A great read that is hard to put down.
JANA
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
favorite by V Henley, second favorite romance EVER, August 2, 2002
I received this book as a gift from a college roommate and I have read it over and over. It is one of my all-time favorites. And since I read this first Henley book, I have built a collection of about 11 of her novels. Simon de Montfort is my dream hero, and the most romantic leading man ever. He sees what he wants and he takes it! My only warning is this, if you love Simon and Eleanor, DON'T read THE MARRIAGE PRIZE. They are here as an older couple and it is heartbreaking. I also highly recommend DREAM LOVER by V. Henley. There is a little bit of violence but if you love Simon de Montfort, you will also love Sean O'toole. Nobody writes romances as well as Virginia Henley.
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