King of the Wood [Import] [Hardcover]

Valerie Anand (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Headline (1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747200548
• ISBN-13: 978-0747200543
• Product Dimensions: 1.3 x 1.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fealty vs. Honor in Medieval England!, September 19, 2002

By 

Kimberly Gelderman (Spring Lake, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: King of the Wood (Hardcover)

This is the tale of Ralph de Aix of Normandy and of William Rufus-King of England. Ralph is a huntsman who desires knighthood and eventually lands of his own. He finds he cannot achieve his goal anytime soon in Normandy with his present lord and decides to look elsewhere for advancement. Advancement comes in the shape and guise of William Rufus, son of William the Bastard of Normandy. Ralph really cares about Rufus, on a genuine level of friendship, but is willing to do what it takes to succeed at court. Rufus, not known for normal "appetites" is attracted to Ralph and their strange relationship begins. Ralph endures Rufus in the hope of being granted lands after knighthood.

A run down Chenna's Tun is his "reward" for "services rendered." However, he tries to make a go of it and with current knowledge of the god Herne, becomes involved in the Saxon cult where he becomes a "lord" in his own right. There is much action and mystery involved in his life but not much money. He wants a wife and in time finds one who is, in the beginning, reluctant to leave her childhood home. As time goes on, things do not improve. Weather and health disasters are a never ending concern and many people hunt the "royal deer" in order not to starve. This brings about the most important role Ralph will ever play in his life, starring Rufus and Rufus' younger brother Count Henry, soon to become King Henry I of England.

Medieval life is brought realistically back to life as is a lessor known religious cult. Anand's style of writing keeps the reader emeshed in a life of intrigue, mystery, danger, and scandal, in the late eleventh and early twelfth centuries. Many of her novels are out-of-print but are well worth the search! They transport the reader back into time.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who did kill William Rufus of England?, October 21, 2007

By 

Misfit (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: King of the Wood (Hardcover)

Ralph de Aix is a younger son who strikes out from Normandy to England with hopes of better advancement in his talents as a huntsman and horseman. Eventually Ralph attracts the attention of William Rufus, King of England, and Ralph is willing to use that attraction to advance his prospects as a courtier. I do give the author credit for tactfully handling Rufus' unusual "activities" in the bedroom, and Ralph's mixed feelings about his relationship with Rufus and his relief when he is freed from it and able to return to more normal relationships with women.

Eventually William gives Ralph some land at Chenna's Tun in the New Forest, and he brings his young bride Sybil to live with him there. Ralph is quickly drawn in to his Saxon tenant's ancient worship in the forest, and William's ambitious younger brother uses his knowledge of Ralph's activities to force him into committing a heinous deed.

This is top rate, well written historical fiction. The author does take her time in building her characters, and things really didn't start cooking until about page 300 or so as Ralph realizes that Herne, the ancient God of the Wood has chosen the ultimate sacrifice to The King of The Wood. Some readers who need action packed excitement on every page might find some of this book a bit dull, but I loved every minute of it, especially involving "The King of the Wood" in the still mysterious death of William Rufus. Five stars.

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Tale of an Interesting Time, April 5, 2008

By 

Miranda Good "Miranda" (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: King of the Wood (Hardcover)

This very readable novel offers an inventive answer to the old mystery of Who Killed William II? None of the previous works of historical fiction I have encounted dealt with this particular time in English history, namely the reign of William Rufus, homosexual son of William the Conqueror, who assumed the crown on his father's death. The author has deftly interwoven story lines of numerous persons, fictional and historical, who had motive to do in Rufus. Her solution to this historical whodunit is quite original as well as feasible. Anand's investigation of the ancient pagan rites of Beltane and the "King of the Wood" is fascinating and meshes seamlessly with the factual part of her narrative. Rich in historical and cultural detail, this is a quick read which gets better and better as the tale unfolds. The multitude of personalities in play is initially a bit confusing, but who's who becomes clearer as the story progresses. Well written, original and fast-paced, this is a great choice for lovers of historical fiction.