4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific historical fiction, June 6, 2006
When I picked up The Blood Red Horse a year ago, I did not know what to expect. I found myself dropped into the world of The Crusades and cheering for three young people caught up in those turbulent times.
Green Jasper continues the story of Will and Gavin De Granville and the heiress, Ellie. Home from the Crusades, Gavin is uneasily settling in as the new lord of the manor. The loss of his arm is difficult to handle. His younger brother, Will, has been gifted a title and lands by King Richard. Although closer to Will from childhood, Ellie has agreed to marry Gavin as they have been betrothed since she was very young. In the middle of the marriage ceremony, she is kidnapped by the vile Constable deScabious. DeScabious is Prince John's man and John is making his move for the throne of England as King Richard has not returned from the Holy Land.
Meanwhile, in Palestine, the dying sultan, Saladin, orders young Kamil to take a message to King Richard. Against his will, he must travel to Europe to find Richard who is a captive in Austria. Richard charges Kamil with a new mission, to take the news that he is still living to the DeGranville brothers as their loyalty to the king is certain.
Loyalty and the bonds of brotherhood between kin and between cultures set the stage for the action that follows. The throne of England and their lives are at risk. As a stranger in Europe, where will Kamil's loyalties lie? Hosanna, the amazing horse trained by Will and briefly owned by Kamil will have a role to play.
Grant richly evokes the times but the history never overwhelms the story. I have truly enjoyed reading these books.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Decent, but Disappointing, May 18, 2006
3.5 or maybe even 4 stars overall, but compared to Grant's previous novel? Closer to 3.
I found "Blood Red Horse" amazing because of Hosanna, the almost mythical horse who travels the world, befriends all who gaze upon him, and yet remains a true horse. When the "bad guy" mounts up and we think Hosanna, Will's loyal steed, must refuse to budge, only to be reminded that he is, after all, a horse: he gallops off under the pressure of the man's inch long spurs, away from Will.
"Green Jasper" is, in my mind, a poor continuation of Hosanna's tale. The story focuses more on the human characters introduced in the first book (and some new ones), with Hosanna only the glue to hold the bits together. He has also evolved into a "super horse," knowing what is right or wrong and how to act for the best. I am a firm horse enthusiast, but seeing Hosanna regress into a mere fictitious miracle-pony left me saddened and unfulfilled. I had waited months for this sequel, only to have it disappoint.
The second in the de Granville trilogy is still a decent book, it just cannot compete with the magic introduced in its predecessor. Granted, that is from the perspective of one who was reading it for the horse. If you loved Will, Gavin, and the others as much or more than the blood red horse, "Green Jasper" may be gold. I still plan on reading the third when it comes out, though somewhat reluctantly.
I would advise borrowing this one from a library before spending money for a hardback copy, or at least going with the cheaper paperback version.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Really good book, October 7, 2009
This review is from: Green Jasper (de Granville Trilogy) (Paperback)
I really think that Green Jasper is a very good continuation of Blood Red Horse. It doesn't focus on Hosanna that mush but is a very good book. This book is probably the worst in the series but i still love it.
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