Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This is the first book in the Wales trilogy (the others are Falls the Shadow and The Reckoning). Penman emerged long ago as one of the best historical novelists and continues to solidify her reputation with each new release. Her special genius lies in the bright and shining historical detail that she can weave into both plot and dialog (she's a very good student of history and at times is absolutely brilliant in conveying to us the workings of medieval minds). There is no doubt that Penman's novels will stand as great reads for ages to come. Her plots are always complex (because the history of these times was quite convoluted). She does an excellent job of keeping it all straight for us as she leads us through the maze of characters. If you read the history of these times you quickly come to see what a great job she does in her design of the story. There may be a bit too much time spent on the romance of Llewelyn and Joanna, but there does seem to be a calculated story line running that proves itself as the bond between the two weaves itself into the historical facts of the complex relationship between King John and Llewelyn. Penman's true genius is the broad historical scope that is painted on top of the shimmering details of brief moments. It truely does feel as if you are living the story yourself, and it is this bringing us readers in as witnesses that stands as Penman's contribution to the art of the historical novel. If you prefer to read in chronological order: 1101-1154 When Christ And His Saints Slept (Vol 1 of Trilogy) 1156-1171 Time And Space (Vol 2 of Trilogy) 12th Cent Devil's Brood (Vol 3 of Trilogy)- not yet released 1192-1193 The Queen's Man 1193 Cruel As The Grave 1183-1232 Here Be Dragons (Vol 1 of Welsh Trilogy) 1231-1267 Falls The Shadow (Vol 2 of Welsh Trilogy) 1271-1283 The Reckoning (Vol 3 of Welsh Trilogy) 1459-1492 The Sunne In Splendour