Swords Across the Thames (Warrior Queen Series) [Paperback]

Haley Elizabeth Garwood (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Garwood focuses on conquering the Vikings, but uses romance to temper the tale of blood and battle. -- Evelyn Ryan The Dominion Post Aug 23, 1999

Garwood's fascinating portrait of a queen who sacrifices to protect her country is told in "Swords Across the Thames." -- Patty Engelmann Booklist, April 1999

In SWORDS ACROSS THE THAMES we see warrior women that make us proud. -- Kathe Robin Romantic Times Magazine April, 2000

About the Author

Dr. Haley Elizabeth Garwood wrote her first historical novel at the age of eleven, which she sold for a notebook and two pencils.

Although she writes full time now, she has taught creative writing, been an airline stewardess, and a high school principal. She lives on a farm with eight horses, numerous cats, cows, and other creatures.

Product Details

• Paperback: 385 pages
• Publisher: Writers Block (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965972186
• ISBN-13: 978-0965972185
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating glimpse into a little-known time, June 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Swords Across the Thames (Warrior Queen Series) (Paperback)

I was delighted to learn about this little-known warrior queen, Aethelflaed, and very impressed by the author's ability to set aside 20th century values in a very credible attempt to create the atmosphere of 10th century culture as it might have been - and then to get at the soul of the woman doing such extraordinary things in that very different time. I learned a great deal about English history of this time; I've been enjoying books about Roman and Arthurian times lately, too, and this carries those conflicts forward quite believably. I was disappointed in the prose style, finding it rather dull and the dialog not really belivable, and wish the author had gone into more detail over military strategies and campaigns, but still enjoyed the book very much and am grateful that this story is being put forth for people to find. If Aethelflaed is responsible for half the feats this book describes, she was extremely important in helping to shape the Great Britain we know today (and the research the book inspired me to do indicates that, though some scholars believe the kings in her family did these things, not this queen, a good case at least can be made for her influence on these events). In any case,Queen Aethelflaed should indeed be better remembered. The author knows what she's saying when Aethelflaed names her sword Boadicea: whether this is "fact" or "fiction," there is truth in it. I'd give the book more stars except for that Achilles heel - those looking for fine writing style will be disappointed. Me, I was happy just to hear the story, however clumsily it was told.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical fiction that highlights 9th century woman who can, April 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Swords Across the Thames (Warrior Queen Series) (Paperback)

In the late ninth century, Princess Aethelflaed always assists her father King Aelfred and her spouse Red whenever they prepared for war. However, Lae, as she is affectionately called, always dreamed of raising a sword in battle. When the opportunity arises for Lae to enter the war with the Vikings, she does.

Even as she fights as a soldier, Lae has other problems. When she becomes the Queen, she saves her island country Mercia from the Viking invasions. She and Red rule with justice, but she wonders if her daughter is capable of succeeding her as a competent monarch. Lae turns to the Stan, the son of her brother and his mistress, as a more viable ruler. Her strategy is simply to teach Stan and ultimately get him to marry her daughter. When Red becomes ill, Lae takes on even more responsibility as she tries to lay a secure foundation for her beloved country.

Women have always been a major part of Great Britain's history. There have been rulers like both Elizabeths and Victoria. There has been Ms. Thatcher. Haley Elizabeth Garwood goes back to the pre-Normandy invasion to showcase a powerful female monarch who establishes many of the underlying principles that rule the island for centuries to come. The story line also focuses on women struggling with constant fear of invaders and death of their loved ones due to non-stop wars. SWORDS ACROSS THE THAMES, the second novel in the "Warrior Queen" series (see THE FORGOTTEN QUEEN) is a fabulous historical fiction work that showcases women should be emulated by women and men today for their courage, compassion, and intelligence.

Harriet Klausner

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, January 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Swords Across the Thames (Warrior Queen Series) (Paperback)

I was excited to read this book since I thoroughly enjoyed HEG's The Forgotten Queen. Aware there is little to no information on Aethelflaed I was disappointed at the portrayl of her character. Lae seemed out of place: a woman with 20th centurty values stuck in the 10th century. Lae's worries about her balance between family and "work" and her desire for female solidarity were awkward. I believe this weakened the book considerably making it far from credible. I commend HEG for her Warrior Queen Series but did not see the need for modernizing her main character, a true warrior queen.