Customer Reviews

Swords Across the Thames (Warrior Queen Series)

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

 

 

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.

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

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.

This is the story of the little known Queen Aethelflaed, nicknamed "Lae." The tale takes place in the late 9th & early 10th centuries when women where supposed to be dominated by men. Lae doesn't know she is not supposed to be an outspoken warrior, military leader and wife and mother. She does it all, except her success as a mother is not what she had hoped for. She was Queen of Mercia and strove to rid her land of the Vikings. It was her greatest dream partially realized by the wars she, her husband "Red," brother "Edward," and her esteemed father "Alfred the Great" waged on the Danes.

Although, she bravely tries to hate the enemy she unwillingly becomes a friend to Eiric son of a Viking leader and his family. The story is beautifully told with much description of the times she lived in and the traditions she tried to follow but ended up breaking. She was a strong willed character who was born before her time.

The only drawback from this book is that it had such an abrupt ending. I believe that it could have been drawn out a lot more than it was. It left many loose ends. However, I really enjoyed this book and anyone who enjoys reading about strong female characters with power, such as Queen Boadicea, will really enjoy it! I have read her two other books in the Warrior Queen Series: "The Forgotten Queen," and "Ashes of Britannia." These were also page turners. Enjoy!

This was a very good novel. Haley Elizabeth Garwood has an excellent writing style, meshing historical data and an intriguing story plot so well that it is hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. I am aware that a lot of this story is speculation and based on legends and tales told thru many generations, but it comes across as very realistic. I loved finally reading about a Queen that was more than a worthless window ornament. Lae actually gets out there and fights alongside her men and leads them in war, but she does not come across as invincible or perfect either. I especially enjoyed the shocking action she takes at the end of the novel to ensure her kingdom is ran properly and the happiness of her subjects is ensured upon her death. Though it is Garwood's assumption of what may have happened, it is truly plausible and commendable and shows a woman that cares more for her country than herself, unlike so many others I have read about. Why did I give this four starts instead of 5? There was a little too much talk about forts, making for dull reading at times and Lae's husband was portrayed as every woman's dream man.. Just a bit too pit pat for my taste. Otherwise, a very good work of historical fiction.

Here is the second novel in Haley Elizabeth Garwood's acclaimed Warrior Queen Series-a glorious blend of fact, magic, and myth. The reign of Queen Aethelflaed is a time of rebellion. It takes all the talent Aethelflaed has inherited from her father, Aelfred the Great, to stand against the enemies of her realm. It is writing that is both beautiful and brilliant.

Swords Across the Thames demonstrates the power of determined women across the ages. Although the text was often times covered in romantic sentimentality that got seriously old after a few pages, the story was a great read.

This book defines powerful women during an incredibly powerful time, and often un-researched time.