Customer Reviews

Joanna (The Roselynde Chronicles, Book 3)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Joanna" is Book Three in Roberta Gellis' marvelous "Roselynde Chronicles." As with all the individual novels that make up the series, this one stands alone, on its own merit. The novels actually do chronicle history, with meticulous accuracy, so it is helpful to read the books in sequence to understand the politics and reigns of each king. The characters are so richly drawn, even the minor ones, that it is an added touch to watch them grow and mature with every new book.

The story opens during the reign of King John. The treacherous, cruel King has taxed his people heavily; there is political intrigue and moral laxity at court; international problems with the French, Welsh, and Irish bode ill for England's security; and the barons are unhappy with their monarch. The Church is unhappy with John also. He has tried to take control of the Church through his choice for the archbishop of Canterbury, and has been seizing Church revenues for the Crown. The Pope has excommunicated him.

Joanna, Alinor of Roselynde's teenage daughter, has consented to a betrothal with Sir Geoffrey Fitzwilliam, her stepfather's squire of old, who is now a landed knight and budding warrior. He is also the illegitimate son of the King's half brother, and so has royal Plantagenet blood. Alinor and her husband Ian, leave for Ireland to assist the Earl of Pembroke in keeping the peace. They place 20 year old Geoffrey in charge of their vassals in case of war with the Welsh, knowing that Geoffrey's father will back him up if necessary. Joanna is to take charge of their land holdings. Like her mother, Joanna is literate, independent, and trained to care for her people and land, making difficult decisions when needed. Her temperament is less volatile than her mothers and she keeps her feeling to herself. Although she is pleased with her betrothed, who she has known since childhood, she is afraid to love. She has seen war, suffering and loss, including the death of her beloved father some years before. Joanna is a courageous young woman, but fears to lose her heart to Geoffrey, and hopes for a steady, companionable relationship, no more.

As Joanna's and Geoffrey's relationship changes, so does the political climate in England. There are more storms than fair days here, however. A hard war begins with Wales. The Pope absolves all men from their fealty to King John. Philip of France now holds Normandy, which belongs to John. And the King, and Isabella, his Queen, conspire against Geoffrey and Joanna.

Ms. Gellis takes us on an incredible journey through the King's court, medieval keeps, sieges and battles for life, land and honor, the horrific fire that devastated London in 1212, the signing of the Magna Carta by King John at Runnymede and his repudiation of the charter later. Civil War tears the country apart and King Philip invades England with mercenaries. This is exciting stuff!

Joanna and Geoffrey love, marry and are separated by the many events that impact the country. Joanna, at one point must travel, during the war with the French, to rescue her husband who is near death.

I liked this book very much, to say the least. However, it does not merit the five stars I gave the first two books in the series. Because of the turmoil of John's reign, the many problems are reflected in the relationship between the two main characters. While this is realistic, it was difficult to read about depressing times and depressed people. But, hey! Four stars is very good!
JANA

Do not let the cheesy 70's cover fool you; this is solid historical fiction and not a mindless bodice ripping romance. Joanna is the daughter of Alinor of Roselynde and heiress to her mother's great landholdings. Her mother and step-father, Ian de Vipont want to betroth Joanna to Geoffrey Fitzwilliam who is the illegitimate son of King John's half brother William Salisbury. As Joanna and Geoffrey are called to court, they are caught up in the prevalent intrigues and corruption of John's court. King John's wife Isabella hates Geoffrey and his father and schemes to have Joanna seduced at court to cause embarrassment to Geoffrey.

Joanna and Geoffrey are afraid to admit their feelings for each other, even as the attraction burns between them. They have many ups and downs and misunderstandings and separations as John battles the Welsh, infuriates his barons into rebellion, his attempts to recapture Normandy to the signing of the Magna Carta. As I said previously, this is not a light fluffy romance; a large part of the book is taken up meticulously recounting the history of John and his court, and may be a dry reading for some. However, if you are a fan of historical fiction, particularly Medieval, with a good romance thrown into the package this is worth your while if you can get your hands on a copy. The prices for this used paperback are a bit steep, but I shopped around and found one quite a bit less than listed here.

"Joanna" is the 3rd book in the "Roselynde Chronicles" and while it may not be as riveting as the first 2, it is an excellent read nonetheless. During this part, we see Joanna trying to protect herself from the hurt inherent in any true relationship and Geoffrey, her intended, unsure of how best to break through. We become more familiar with Geoffrey's history and family, and are entertained once more with the very captivating story of Alinor, who is all a woman should be and then some. We learn more of King John's treachery, and learn the some of the causes for the writing of the Magna Carta. A truly enjoyable read.

Roberta Gellis more than any other author I know of continues to give us a story rich in historical detail. This book brings to live the characters we are already familiar with in the two previous books, with an insiders look at the politics, and court intrege of King Johns reign. Both Joanna and Geoffrey bring alive the responsibilities and tensions of the era.

In the 3rd book of the Roselynde series, we spend several years with Joanna and Geoffrey. This book was very frustrating for me, because all through the book (about five years), the two are completely in love and totally at odds. They're both miserable because neither will tell each other what is really going on. They're too busy trying to protect themselves and each other. Then, at the end, instead of us getting a glimpse of some kind of illuminating conversation, they're just suddenly happy and everything is perfect. Wait. What? I like the historical aspect of the book, but I'm not sure the story served any real purpose except to set up the next book in the series.

"A love so rare it becomes the deadliest risk of all" is a love that Joanna is afraid to experience.

In the time of King John before the Magna Carta, England seethed with uneasiness, uncertainty, cruel wars, and intrigues that fermented to the point of exploding.

Fifteen-year-old Joanna, Alinor's daughter and heiress to Roselynde is capable, intelligent, and can manage a castle well. She controls servants and men-at-arms with fairness and firmness. She manages accounts and metes out justice with authority and with an even hand. Yet, she is a good-humored, gentle, biddable beauty who loves her BIG dog Brian--given to her by a longtime friend Geoffrey Fitzwilliam.

The men who ride with Joanna as she tends to business at all the family holdings, have a high regard for her and protect her at all cost. She goes about her business without fear, but she does fear the tender love of a man. She does not want to suffer like her mother and her friend Ela do when their much-loved husbands go to war. Joanna vows to wed a good friend and companion but NOT to fall in love. This is a strong theme throughout the story.

Geoffrey Fitswilliam, bastard son of William of Salisbury King John's brother, is hated by the king and Queen Isabella. They never cease looking for ways to hurt or even kill him. Well-trained in the ways of war by Ian who is Joanna's stepfather, Geoffrey serves the king with his abilities even though neither he nor Ian believe in what the king is doing to his subjects. When the king sends him to subdue the people of Wales with whom he has close ties, Geoffrey is hard pressed to stay faithful.

While many noblemen hate the King's overbearing ways and his break with the church, they feel "However your head hurts you, it is better to keep it than to have it chopped off". They fear their country will fall apart if King John is deposed, so they do his bidding and thread an uneasy path.

Secondary characters and how they influence Joanna and Geoffrey's lives keep an undercurrent of turmoil bubbling. Henry Braybrook, the queen's lackey tries his best to compromise Joanna and gets outfoxed time and again. When it seems he will finally succeed Brian, the BIG dog, comes along and plays havoc with the plan (a delightful bit of comic relief).

How the people cope with horrific wars, the London fire of 1212, and the court conspiracies adds many sub-plots to Joanna and Geoffrey's story. The war scenes, the court scenes, and the king's conflict with the church overshadow their beautiful love story at times. I found myself skimming to get back to them. Roberta Gellis creates wonderful scenes showing how both of these young people handle responsibility while all the time maturing emotionally. She helps the reader share Joanna's and Geoffrey's inmost thoughts in a memorable way. These two strong characters truly make a "hero's journey". Their tenacity, loyalty, and unfailing efforts to make a safe and better life for all make Joanna compelling.

Originally posted at The Long and Short of It Romance Reviews

I read this when it was first published, but it does not read like an old, dated book. The chracters are well drawn & Ms. Gellis, does a wonderful job with the time period.

Richly detailed, a story as beautifully illuminated as a medieval chronical, characters that fascinate me, and occasionally astound me, a wonderful love story, and great sex. I no longer read this tale, I live it. I'm back for another copy that still has all the pages glued in.

Third in the Roselynde Chronicles, this is an incredible meaty story set in England in the days of John Lackland. I really wish I could know these women...I really, really wish I knew these men...{though not King John}. Thanks to the author in measure full rich and overflowing. Buy several copies of this book if you plan to live awhile.

Roberta Gellis' Roselynde Chronicles are a MUST read..all of them, not just this book. Start at the beginning with Roselynde. I don't usually do series books but these were the best I've read in a long time.