The Edge on the Sword [Hardcover]

Rebecca Tingle (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

"You will be important to many people," her mother tells fifteen-year-old AEthelflaed. This is obvious enough. She is King Alfred's eldest daughter, after all. But her royal blood makes her a target as well, vulnerable to those who would wish to hurt the king.

Suddenly betrothed to the king's ally, AEthelflaed finds herself constrained by the presence of Red, a gruff new bodyguard assigned to protect her and deliver her to her new home. At first, she tests the limits of Red's control, but soon she learns that Red has much more than protection to offer her. He begins teaching her how to battle like a man. And when enemies threaten the borderlands, Flaed turns first to her guardian, and at last to her own inner resources and battle skills to save her life and protect the lives of her men.

Medieval history says little of AEthelflaed, an actual noblewoman who seized power in central England a thousand years ago. Tingle recreates her early life in an elegantly-told medieval tale of courage, conviction and honor. AEthelflaed became the greatest heroine in Old English medieval history. This is the thrilling story of what turned a girl into a leader (historical note included).

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Medieval history buffs will be enthralled byTingle's first novel. The author sets her tale in the late 800s and imagines the formative years of an actual historic figure, the West Saxon King Alfred's oldest child (a daughter), ’thelfl‘d. Heavily saturated with political and military strategy, it will likely hold boys' attention as well as girls. Fifteen-year-old Fl‘d's life becomes endangered when she is betrothed to Ethelred, chief aldorman of Mercia,because enemies opposed to the union start plotting against both royal families. Fl‘d escapes one kidnapping, but later, on her way to Mercia to wed Ethelred, a pack of raiders attack her party. Fl‘d must employ all she's learned about battle from books, her father and her faithful guard, Red. In this meticulously researched novel, which alludes to the poem Beowulf and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Tingle brings to life the mindset and emotions of her heroine, whose loyalty tinged with a rebellious streak is convincing enough to lay the groundwork for her destiny as "the greatest woman in Old English military history" (according to the closing historical note). If Fl‘d's wisdom and bravery seem larger than life, her regret over leaving her homeland and ambivalence about marriage make her all too human. Ages 12-up.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10-Queen thelfl d of Mercia, noted in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for extraordinary achievements, is depicted as a teen in this novel. The eldest daughter of King Alfred, spirited Fl d is well educated and loves studying, almost as much as being with her mother and sisters or wandering the West Saxon countryside with her brother Edward. She understands that she is expected to marry, but the 15-year-old is dismayed to learn how soon this destiny must be fulfilled. Her betrothal to the much older Mercian King Ethelred curtails her independence beyond endurance. She resents her new round-the-clock bodyguard, Red, although she is curious about the slave collar and bracelets that the free man wears. When Fl d uses her considerable intelligence to evade Red's protection, the horrifying consequences change their relationship. Red becomes Fl d's tutor in weapons and warfare, training her as a battle leader, a role she will be forced to play before she becomes a bride. Fl d's story is filled with exciting action, interesting characters, and convincing historical details of the late ninth century that bring to life this distant and violent time in Britain.
Starr E. Smith, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 277 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (June 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399235809
• ISBN-13: 978-0399235801
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,130,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating historical novel., June 20, 2001

By 

Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Edge on the Sword (Hardcover)

In the late 800s, the role of a king's daughter was to marry to benefit her father's kingdom. That is the role that fifteen-year-old Aethelflaed has know all her life would someday be hers. But she never expected it to happen so soon, and is shocked when her father announces that she will marry Ethelred of Mercia to strengthen an alliance against the Danes. She couldn't be less prepared for this news, and is shocked by the fact that in a few short months, she will have to leave her family to marry a man that she has never even met. And there are those men that would wish to stop this alliance - Welsh and Danish raiders. Because of this, Flaed's new fiance has sent a bodyguard for her, Red, a gruff man with a mysterious past. But Red has more to offer Flaed then just protection. He can teach her to defend herself using fighting skills that have traditionally only been taught to men. These are skills Flaed will need if she is to face the men who are plotting against her. This historical novel was both exciting and fascinating. Aethelflaed grew up to be a great heroine, but I had never heard of her before. I loved reading about this strong and very real girl who became a leader at a time when women's roles were limited.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Historical Fiction Novels I've ever read, April 3, 2002

By 

Nancy E. "Nancy" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Edge on the Sword (Hardcover)

AEthelflaed (or Flaed for short) lives in late 9th century England. At 15 she lives a happy life as the Kings daughter and a wannabe scholar. But when she learns that her father has, for political reasons, betrothed her to a man she's never met before she watches in shock as the little freedom she has left drifts away. Her father hires a guard named Red to protect her. In the beginning Flaed finds ways to escape from his watchful gaze but when something horrible happens Flaed realizes the seriousness of the situation she's in. Red teaches her how to defend herself, how to fight and use a shield. But when her skills are put to the test will she emerge victorious?

This is truly one of the best historical fiction novels I've ever read. Based on the real life story of one of England's most influential women, The Edge on the Sword weaves a wonderful tale of a strong young girl and her life. I recommend this books to fans of such historical novels as Anna of Byzantium and medieval novels such as the Crown and Court Duel.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Miss this exciting medieval adventure!, August 28, 2001

By 

Cranston - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Edge on the Sword (Hardcover)

I was caught up in the life of the intelligent, courageous and compassionate heroine, Aethelflaed. I enjoyed the action-packed saga. The coming of age story of a 15 year old princess who must leave her home has universal appeal. It was great to journey alongside a young girl as she matures into a great leader. The author did a superb job in bringing to life the medieval period and succeeded in creating true to life characters.