Customer Reviews

The Legend of Lady Ilena

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Go to Dun Alyn. Find Ryamen." Those were the last words of Ilena's late father, who told her that she had an important fate, and it did not lie in her home of Vale of Enfert. With her parents Grenna and Moren gone, Ilena, a fifteen year old girl, sets out on a journey from her safe valley to follow her father's wishes, having no clue where her quest will take her. After meeting many characters (falling in love with one, too), much assistance, confusion, and danger Ilena finally arives at Dun Alyn. Ilena was not welcome. Ilena says that she is the daughter of Grenna, and Moren, but many do not believe her. The mysterious Druid named Ogern who she had often seen during her travel to Dun Alyn then falsely accuses Ilena of being a shapeshifter, and meaning harm to the city. Ilena is then imprisoned, with hungry, and ferocious wolves surrounding her. This is the least of her problems, though. Ilena is rescued, but left to deal with bigger dilemmas. How will she find out her true destiny? What is her destiny? Does it have ties to Dun Alyn?

I wasn't expecting much after paying only $5.50 for this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. "The Legend of Lady Ilena" is set in 500 A.D. Scotland. It starts with her father on his deathbed, and his last words to Ilena start a journey to find out where she comes from and who she really is. She encounters several obstacles along the way, and makes a few friends. In the end she has to decide whether she will stay and fight, or go back to the only home she has ever known. Overall its a good story, and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.

When I finished this book, I was CRYING!!! I'm not going to give away the book, but all I'm going to say is that it's a great adventure story with a lot of suspense, a great plot, a little bit of romance, and an absolutely FANTASTIC, emotional ending! This is definately one of the best and most enjoyable historical fiction books I've ever read. The main character, Ilena, is a great heroine. I don't know why people are complaining about the present tense - that was actually, I think, the best way the author could have presented the book. You have GOT to read this book!

I loved this book. It was one of the few connected to the Arthurian legends who got the aproximate date correct, 500 AD, not the usual 900 to 1000 AD, which has been proven inacurate by many historians. I have a facination with the middle ages, and I found this book to be, for the most part, very acurate historicly.

One thing that bothered me was the tense it was written in. A first person narritive, but written so much in the persent tense that some parts get confusing. I got used to this by the end of the book, however.

I was lucky enough to be able to meet Ms. Malone; she lives in Chicago; and she is as intresting as her book. This is her first book, and I hope she will write another. Overall, a great book, and an accurate portrail of Britian in the dark ages.

"Go to Dun Alyn. Find Ryamen."

With both of her parents dead, young Ilena, mystified by her father's last words, sets off to find out who she is. Raised as a simple village girl, but trained by her father in the ways of war, she is determined to learn about her lineage. Without clearly understanding the reasons for her father's instructions, she starts off for this neighboring tribal kingdom and has several dangerous adventures along the way.

Once she arrives in Dun Alyn, she locates Ryamen and begins to understand the secrets of her family. She discovers a power struggle between the chieftain Belert, a Christian, and his rival Ogern, a Druid who believes in human sacrifice. Ilena ia thrust in the center of this struggle and becomes a leader. A follower of King Arthur and a dwarf loyal to Belert assist her.

Why is Ilena is so important to the fortunes of Dun Alyn? There are a number of reasons, but you have to read the book to find out.

At long last, someone has written a book about sixth century Britain that has a feminist twist. Men weren't the only warriors of this time, and it is to Ms. Malone's credit that she has chosen a feminist heroine to star in this wonderful novel.

Told in the first person, the novel has an immediacy mostly lacking in historical fiction. Young women cannot help but identify with this brave heroine who is determined to learn her destiny.

"The Legend of Lady Ilena" is an excellent story about Celtic life and one young woman's search to find her identity. "Legend" is rich in detail, and the characters are well-developed, from the headstrong Ilena to the noble Sir Durant. The plot has lots of action and takes many twists and turns as Ilena journeys across Scotland to find out why she is so different from the people with whom she grew up. The ending was perfectly set up for a sequel, and I hope to see one soon.

The novel is set in Britain at the time of King Arthur. The protagonist is a young teenage girl. It is a tale of mystery, suspense and high adventure. The story moves rapidly yet draws an accurate and complete picture of the place and time in which it is set. The author's meticulous research and attention to detail places the reader in the setting without sacrificing reading fun. As a former teacher and, currently, a grandmother book buyer, I'm sure young teens will love this book.

The book is very well written with apparently a lot of extensive research. It isn't so filled with technical stuff though that it is hard to read.I think young adult girls will really enjoy it.The story holds together well. No wondering what you just read. It held my interest from beginning to end.

I picked out the book The Legend Lady Ilena randomly and read it just to see how it is. The book shows vivid characters, descriptions, and events at the times of King Arthur.
Fifteen-year old Ilena is bound to find her true destiny, a destiny outside the village that she is in, one that lies in the East at Dun Alyn. Following the death of her father, Ilena travels east in with the courage of a warrior and heroine. Having met with a liege to King Arthur, Ilena finds friends and allies that help her through her journey. When reaching the town of Dun Alyn, Ilena finds herself feared and distrusted among members of Dun Alyn, exept for the chief and a few loyal subjects. When called upon to tell the truth of her lineage, Ilena discovers her true position and title, the heir to Dun Alyn.
Lady Ilena is portraited as both a herione, warrior, and a lady. Through her perilous journey in seek for the truth, her destiny, Lady Ilena is a striking figure of the times in the sixth century Europe. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages!

I have to admit I found this book a bit predictible. Of COURSE the main character will turn out to be heir to a throne. Of COURSE they will win the battle. As an adult reader, I saw that coming from the beginning. The only twist I did enjoy was the way she was discovered to be the heir (don't worry, I won't ruin it for you).

Also, the first person point of view was hard to read. It lacked the emphasis and suspense that a different point of view would have offered. Even in battle scenes, I didn't quite feel the energy the author was trying to portray.

Overall, the book was not bad. Recommend it to older readers who already have an interest in Arthurian legends and British tales.