Shadows and Strongholds (Paperback)

~ (Author) "On the day that Brunin FitzWarin encountered the men who were to change and shape his life, he was ten years old and wandering the..." (more)
Key Phrases: wyvern shield, weapons chest, dais table, Gilbert de Lacy, Lord Joscelin, Ernalt de Lysle (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The best writer of mediaeval fiction currently around' - HISTORICAL NOVEL REVIEW 'From the first page the characters gripped me. They are beautifully drawn, varied and wonderfully real. The plotting is intricate and it moves along at a satisfying pace. This is a terrific read and the only problem is the inability to put it down' - Marina Oliver

Review

“The best writer of medieval fiction currently around.”---Historical Novel Review

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Sphere (August 4, 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0751532738
• ISBN-13: 978-0751532739
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #330,005 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chadwick's books just can't be bad, November 30, 2005

By	Lilly Flora "by Lilo Drandoff" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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This review is from: Shadows and Strongholds: A Novel (Hardcover)

Because I bought this book in an English bookstore in Amsterdam, I've read it before it has been published in the USA. This book is very good, it's even better the Lords of the White Castle, and is certainly worth reading for the back-story on how the FitzWairin family loses Whittington Castle.

England in the time of the civil war between Stephen and Matilda is not a fun place to be. Because of the war between the kingly ones, justice is not getting dispensed to those in need. For this reason, strong alliances are more important than ever. Thus, Hawise de Dinan and Brunin FitzWairin, two teenagers who have known each other their whole lives are made to wed so that Brunin can help protect Hawse's family estate, Ludlow, which is under almost constant attack from Gilbert de Lacy.

Readers of Lords of The White castle will be delighted to read the romantic and stunning story of the parents of Fulke FitzWairin, who unfortunately aren't seen much in LOTWC.

All The characters are real people of their time with true personas and real motivations, and as always, this is not some nice neat tale of midlevel life. It's dirty and gritty and very realistic. It's also not really fair to classify this as a romance novel, since there isn't that much sex in the book. Chadwick has done it again!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, June 10, 2006

By	DoubtfulMuse (WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadows and Strongholds: A Novel (Hardcover)

Elizabeth Chadwick's ability to create both believable characters and believable medieval settings is nothing short of amazing. Shadows and Strongholds is a romance, but it's far superior to most category romances, and really, it's superior to most historical novels in general. I can hardly wait for Chadwick's next book.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Chadwick goes light on the romance in Shadows and Strongholds, February 11, 2006

By	Kristen "historical fiction junkie" (Central Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadows and Strongholds: A Novel (Hardcover)

Elizabeth Chadwick relies on her time proven formula of following a child underdog to heroic adult glory in Shadows and Strongholds, but she has omitted some of the romance that devoted readers know she is capable of.

This history of Brunin FitzWarin and the feuds over castles which filled Chadwick's Lords of the White Castle seems sluggish compared to some of her other works. Certainly, the history behind the superior story of LOTWC is interesting. However, this book contains multiple side storylines which are too developed to merely be supporting or background information, and too underdeveloped to interest the reader as side stories capable of standing on their own. The constant simpering of Marion, the ward brought up alongside Hawise and Brunin was distracting, as was the nasty constant disapproval of Lady Mellit. Perhaps Chadwick included them to the extent that she did to remain true to history, but I believe their role in the history of Whittington and Ludlow could have been made with less imposition on the reader's patience. Those who rely on Chadwick for medieval romance may find themselves wishing she'd spent more time developing a flirtation and chemistry between Brunin and Hawise before their marriage.

As with all of Elizabeth Chadwick's historical romances, Shadows and Strongholds is a light and easy read, perfect for escaping to medieval England.