Customer Reviews

The Marriage Prize

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

In 1253 England, adolescent Rosamond Marshal learns that her older brother died in a jousting accident. Three days later, strongly encouraged by her guardians Simon and Eleanor de Montfort, the shocked twelve-year-old heiress numbly agrees to one day marry Rodger de Leyburn.

Five years later, Rodger arrives to marry his betrothed, but Rosamond prefers another knight. Still, she sees another facet to Rodger that leads her into marrying him. As they begin to fall in love, war explodes between King Henry and Simon. Rodger is loyal to the King's son while Rosamond is devoted to her former guardian, leaving their struggling relationship shaky and a probable victim of the war.

Virginia Henley is renowned for her sensual historical romances that stir the blood of the reader. Her latest tale, THE MARRIAGE PRIZE, is a powerful conclusion to the author's wonderful Plantaganet trilogy (see THE FALCON AND THE FLOWER and THE DRAGON AND THE JEWEL). The story line is fast-paced and filled with action. The historical references show once again Ms. Henley's love of history as the tidbits and real persona enhance the plot with important roles. Though Rosamond seems more like the lead character in The Taming of the Shrew, she and Rodger provide a point and counterpoint reference that mirror the feelings of the divided country that Ms. Henley gracefully explores in this enjoyable medieval romance.

Harriet Klausner

This is the third book to the Plantagenet trilogy that started with THE FALCON AND THE FLOWER-book was centered around King John Plantagenet, the second book is called DRAGON AND THE JEWEL-wich is about King Henry III, King John's son. This book, THE MARRIAGE PRIZE, is about King Edward's rise to power. It is a true "fairy tale" in every sense. Rosamond Marshal is the royal ward of Simon and Eleanor de Montfort,(the main characters from THE DRAGON AND THE JEWEL). She is betrothed to Sir Rodger de Leyburn when she's 12, but when she turns 17 and Sir Rodger comes to collect his bride, she refuses to wed him. Eventually he shows her to love, and he falls madly in love with her. But England is about to erupt in civil war with none other than her protector since she was a child, Simon de Montfort and King Henry III. Sir Rodger is Prince Edward's steward, when war is right on the horizon, Rosamond and Rodger's love is in danger. What side will Rosamond take? Can thier love survive? This is a heartwrenching story of survival and sacrifice. Virginia Henley is true to her history. We get to see two sides of this story from two books. The second of the trilogy, Simon's side and then this, the third, the King's side. She also brings back the character Rikard de Burgh from the 1st book. This is a piece of history not to be missed. Henley is a wonderful and senual storyteller, she brings these people to life. None should miss any of these books. They are all keepers. =)

At the tender age of twelve young Rosamond Marshal is betrothed to Sir Rodger de Leyburn, future royal steward and loyal comrade of the heir to the throne, Prince Edward Plantagenet. Rosamond has been left an orphan by the deaths of her parents, and the subsequent tragic death of her older brother Giles, at a jousting tournament. Alone in the world, Rosamond is taken as a ward under the guardianship of the powerful Warlord, Earl Simon de Montfort and his wife Princess Eleanor, sister to King Henry. The deMontfort's holding, Kenilworth supplies Rosamond with all of the security and comforts befitting a young heiress. Although Rosamond has no desire to wed, she agrees to the marriage in deference to the de Montforts who are trying to create stronger ties with young Prince Edward, in with the hopes that he will be able to influence his father the dissolute King Henry, to call Parliament, and stop favoring foreigners over his English subjects. As the years pass by, Rosamond grows into a stunning beauty with glorious golden hair. One glance at her, and Rodger de Leyburn is instantly attracted not only to Rosamond's beauty, but also her willful spirit. However, England is starting to come apart at the seams as the Barons loyal to Simon de Montfort, and those loyal to the crown prepare to face off in an inevitable civil war. Rosamond is torn between loyalty to her former guardians the de Montforts, and her husband,Rodger de Leyburn who is loyal to Prince Edward. In the ensuing conflict, secrets are revealed and trusts broken, as Rosamond and Rodger face a catastrophe that can either bind their love for eternity, or destroy it forever.

Ms.Henley succesfully weaves a tender and passionate love story into the folds of a bloody civil war. She demonstrates her knowledge of history with great skill, and gives all of her characters both historical and fictional, a distinctive flair and unique presence. Bringing her Plantagenet trilogy to a close, this book certainly sums up the lives of the characters in all three books. In all a wonderful end to a fascinating lesson in medieval history, and the challenges facing women in Plantagenet England.

Don't you just love its cover? It's so much more romantic than the usual half naked couple you get from the paper back romance books. The story is just as beautiful. Virginia Henley is a master at mixing romance and history. At the beginning I was skipping the historical background, but very soon I was just as involved with the political power struggle as the relationship between Rodger and Rosamond.

If you like this book, you would love A YEAR AND A DAY too. I think its cover is even more beautiful than this book's. But you may not fall in love with the hero Lynx as early as you might Rodger, for Rodger is such a lovely man!

Rosamond Marshal had been betrothed to Sir Rodger de Leyburnsince she was twelve years old and he, fourteen. And since the age oftwelve, Rosamond had been plagued with hellish nightmares of someone charging down on her on a big black horse. Rosamond Marshal was very independent and knew exactly what she wanted. And what she didn't want. And what she didn't want was Sir Rodger de Leyburn. The King figured that now that she was seventeen and Sir Rodger had just returned from acquitting himself admirably on the battlefield, it was high time their betrothal was consummated. When Sir Rodger arrived at Kenilworth Castle to claim his bride, he instantly knew that he had his hands full. Not only would the woman not marry him, she wouldn't even talk to him! It would take a lot of patience to break through that ice wall she had put around herself. But break through it he would. She was his, and Sir Rodger had every intention of claiming his rights! This latest Virginia Henley saga of medieval England is a sexy history lesson of England's struggle over her throne. The battle between the royal Plantagenet family and the wealthy Simon de Montfort over control of England has been told in many different manners. But never has it been told with so much humor, insight and sexy plots as Ms. Henley's version. A definite five stars!

The book was a peice of art. You can't help but fall in love with Rod and Rosamond. Their life is no fairy tale but full of twists and turns. Love and hate fill there every day and night. I garenty you will love every minute of this book. and when you find Rosamond with child you won't be able to put down the book until the child is born. this book is filled with advanture, mistory, hate, and love, but most of all a romantic love story you will never forget

I suggest reading this trilogy in order. PLANTAGENET TRILOGY: THE FALCON AND THE FLOWER........ THE DRAGON AND THE JEWEL....... THE MARRIAGE PRIZE.

Once again, this is the kind of book that is not for everyone. Some might enjoy it to the fullest yet some find it too tedious because of its historical facts. Some might even hate it for the gruesome faith that awaits Simon De Montfort, who I believe everyone loved in THE DRAGON and the JEWEL. I on the otherhand, loved this book. I did find it somewhat a slow read. When I said SLOW read, I didn't mean it to as a derogatory comment. It's somewhat slow for me because I wanted to absorb the historical portion of this book. I wanted to remember the details that way when I do some researched about it, I could compare or differentiate it. I find Pince Edwards character quite intriguing. His friendship to Roger (and Roger's loyalty to him) and the Prince's relationship with Simon De Montfort was all an interesting read. Even the secondary characters, fiction or non-fiction, all piqued my curiosity. Roger and Rosamund's love story was kind of a secondary interest to me. Their romance was a bit simple, too conventional perhaps and is not particularly my top favorite yet I did enjoy them. They have their own spot which I admit added spice to the whole novel.

I was devastated to have finally read the horrific death of Simon De Monfort (Didn't want this to be a spoiler and I wouldn't have mention this part but then others already have...). Even if I already knew by history that this would happend, it seems I was still unprepared. Perhaps it's the way V. Henley wrote it or perhaps it's just cuz I've love Simon and Eleanor in THE DRAGON and THE JEWEL that I sympathize for both of them. They are so much in love that it aches to read such heart wretching moment. I cried and felt so sad for Eleanor and her children. I admired her in TDATJ and seeing her strength here made me admire her even more. Simon's death affected me so much that I thought about it for days afterwards, wishing it would have ended differently. I am a sucker for HAPPY ENDINGS and reading his death didn't particularly suit me well. Had I not read about him in TDATJ, I am sure I wouldn't be this devastated. However, I eventually come to terms with it and have decided that if Virginia Henley rewrote Simon's story differently, this book won't probably affect me this way nor would it leave an impressive mark like it did now. It is amazing how V. Henley challenged her readers this way... to have readers love a character who is to die in the next book. Truly amazing!

After reading Virginia Henley's P. Trilogy, I did some more research about the Plantagenets and learned a lot through the process. I also researched about Simon De Montfort, the Marshals, the De Clares and even the name Roger Leyburn, who is our hero in this book. I made an interesting findings! If a historical romance novel can piqued my interest this strongly for me to do some researching to enhance my knowledge on the matter then I say it's truly a worthy book. I am impress by the way Ms. Henley corporated this trilogy. Full of facts, mixed with her own unique ideas of romantic interlude. Overall, this book is a grand read. Cry, smile and learn!

I suggest reading this trilogy in order. PLANTAGENET TRILOGY: THE FALCON AND THE FLOWER........ THE DRAGON AND THE JEWEL....... THE MARRIAGE PRIZE.

Once again, this is the kind of book that is not for everyone. Some might enjoy it to the fullest yet some find it too tedious because of its historical facts. Some might even hate it for the gruesome faith that awaits Simon De Montfort, who I believe everyone loved in THE DRAGON and the JEWEL. I on the otherhand, loved this book. I did find it somewhat a slow read. When I said SLOW read, I didn't mean it to as a derogatory comment. It's somewhat slow for me because I wanted to absorb the historical portion of this book. I wanted to remember the details that way when I do some researched about it, I could compare or differentiate it. I find Pince Edwards character quite intriguing. His friendship to Roger (and Roger's loyalty to him) and the Prince's relationship with Simon De Montfort was all an interesting read. Even the secondary characters, fiction or non-fiction, all piqued my curiosity. Roger and Rosamund's love story was kind of a secondary interest to me. Their romance was a bit simple, too conventional perhaps and is not particularly my top favorite yet I did enjoy them. They have their own spot which I admit added spice to the whole novel.

I was devastated to have finally read the horrific death of Simon De Monfort (Didn't want this to be a spoiler and I wouldn't have mention this part but then others already have...). Even if I already knew by history that this would happend, it seems I was still unprepared. Perhaps it's the way V. Henley wrote it or perhaps it's just cuz I've love Simon and Eleanor in THE DRAGON and THE JEWEL that I sympathize for both of them. They are so much in love that it aches to read such heart wretching moment. I cried and felt so sad for Eleanor and her children. I admired her in TDATJ and seeing her strength here made me admire her even more. Simon's death affected me so much that I thought about it for days afterwards, wishing it would have ended differently. I am a sucker for HAPPY ENDINGS and reading his death didn't particularly suit me well. Had I not read about him in TDATJ, I am sure I wouldn't be this devastated. However, I eventually come to terms with it and have decided that if Virginia Henley rewrote Simon's story differently, this book won't probably affect me this way nor would it leave an impressive mark like it did now. It is amazing how V. Henley challenged her readers this way... to have readers love a character who is to die in the next book. Truly amazing!

After reading Virginia Henley's P. Trilogy, I did some more research about the Plantagenets and learned a lot through the process. I also researched about Simon De Montfort, the Marshals, the De Clares and even the name Roger Leyburn, who is our hero in this book. I made an interesting findings! If a historical romance novel can piqued my interest this strongly for me to do some researching to enhance my knowledge on the matter then I say it's truly a worthy book. I am impress by the way Ms. Henley corporated this trilogy. Full of facts, mixed with her own unique ideas of romantic interlude. Overall, this book is a grand read. Cry, smile and learn!

Rosamund Marshal is betrothed as a marriage prize to the valiant Sir Rodger de Leyburgh - and after an uneventful meeting in the past, Rosamund had matured into a nublie woman who earns the attention of Rodger and he is enchanted by her startling beauty. Their union is however taunted by a raging battle waged by Simon de Monfort whom Rosamund's loyalty is pledged to as her guardian and Prince Edward. As a royal steward to Edward, Rodger has to choose between his friend and mending his marriage vows for he knows Rosamund is a wildfire who will not tolerate his betrayal...

THE MARRIAGE PRIZE, tailored with rich historical details and bawdy sensuality, is stamped with Ms. Henley's regaling style. This story is actually a continuation from its Plantagenet predecessors - the Falcon and the flower and the Dragon and the Jewel, where central characters like Simon de Monfort and Eleanor are wovened into the plot and an abrupt death of Simon in the throes of the battle waged when he joins forces with the barons. Rosamund and Rodger is one hot couple who will stop at nothing to make each other submit to love and it is their passion that makes the read lusty and engaging.

Ms. Henley's writing is infectious and I find her style resplendent - but her string of recent work from A Woman of Passion, The Marriage Prize and her forthcoming THE BORDER HOSTAGE no longer holds that element of surprise like I experience when I read her previous efforts like Enslaved and Seduced. Perhaps her work now becomes too saturated with medieval times and court intrigue - that readers can expect what they are going to get. THE MARRIAGE PRIZE is on safe ground, but a change of style could actually do her talents good.

I loved the book. I cried when Simon de Montfort was killed. The love story between Eleanor and Simon was one of the best of all time. I can't read The Dragon and the Jewel again. I hurt for Eleanor. I don't care that Rickard de Burgh is in love with Eleanor. He can't take the place of Simon.