Action: ♠.♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣♣.♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥ / Sensuous: ♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠.♠
Action: 1.5 / Emotion: 4.5 / Romance: 3 / Sensuous: 1 / Suspense: 3.5 // Historical Flavor: 4 / Laughter: 1 / Tears: 7
Want to point out that The Golden Rose took place during a very tumultuous time in England's history -- the "War of the Roses" (timeline). This "War of the Roses" takes place between the years 1455 to 1487. Two branches born with royal blood in their veins (the Yorkist's and the Lancastrian's) each want their ancestor to sit on the throne of England.
The Battle of Bosworth (August 22, 1485) was a key factor to the characters in The Golden Rose. The Mandeville men stood with their monarch, King Richard III on the battlefield -- facing the forces of Henry Tudor. During this battle, Lord Thomas Stanley and his brother Sir William Stanley switched sides and fought for Henry. Not only were the Yorkist forces defeated, but Richard was killed, and Henry became the new king.
The history of this battle is important because Andrew Mandeville, third son to the Earl of Rosmar, was with his grandfather and elder brothers, Thomas (first son) and Hugh (second son) at Bosworth. Andrew saw his grandfather and eldest brother die and witnessed the dishonorable actions of the Stanley brothers. The young Mandeville brothers were throw into the Tower and Rupert Stanley was given the Mandeville lands and titles.
Fourteen years later King Henry gives Andrew back the Mandeville lands and title when Rupert dies (ignominiously). King Henry, now happily married, is trying to end any possible uprisings by trying to tie Yorkist supporters to Lancastrian supporters via marriage. For Andrew's descendants to retain custody of Rosmar, he must marry the Stanley widow. As expected, Andrew hates all things "Stanley" but will marry the widow to secure his heritage.
What Andrew does not expect, however, is that Rupert's widow, Catherine Avery Stanley, wants nothing to do with marriage (having been married to an abusive tyrant for the past fifteen years). Catherine returns to her home after burying her husband to find Andrew the new Lord of Rosmar and legal guardian to her five-year-old daughter Eleanor "Nell" Stanley. The cynical, bitter Andrew, lacking in any courtly skills, tells Catherine that unless she marries him, he will not let her be with her daughter. Now a different war ensues.
After complaining about Cody's inability to inspire a depth of emotion in the previous two books of the trilogy, can say that was not the case in this third book. Must confess that by the time finished this book, experienced true hatred towards Joan Mandeville, the mother of the Mandeville brothers, and anyone who had royal blood in their veins. However, must explain that the tears and anguish Cody managed to generate was tied to the relationship between Hugh and Andrew -- not to the growing relationship between Andrew and Catherine.
Dom Hugh Mandeville is with his brother at Rosmar when Catherine arrives. Although Andrew loves his brother, he hates him as well -- for not protecting him from the guards in the Tower when he was an injured boy of seventeen -- forgetting that Hugh was a young man of twenty, also imprisoned and suffering the same degradations. For the longest time, Andrew and readers are completely puzzled that Hugh decided to become a Cistercian monk a year after being released from the Tower. Hugh is so richly developed (even given a point of view voice a couple of times) that he steals the spotlight away from Andrew several times. Hugh is so vivid, bold, charismatic, and tortured by the past that want Cody to write him a book giving him a happily-ever-after too.
Hugh is not the only secondary character that garners great interest. Sir Michael Dennison lives in the manor next to Rosmar. Andrew grew up as a boyhood friend to Michael and Catherine developed a friendship with Michael and Joan Dennison during her years at Rosmar. Now that Michael is a widower, Catherine turns to him -- asking him to marry her so she can thwart the plans of the domineering, commanding Andrew. Michael, however, goes to Andrew and gives him one month to court Catherine -- to win her heart and hand. Michael also informs Andrew that he is now a spy for King Henry -- and that the political climate in London is unstable and he should not go there. Michael's character was not as well-developed as Hugh's, but he was a wonderful addition to the story. He is one of those fascinating secondary characters that stands out in a crowd and has one hoping that the author would write his story as well.
Hugh is not the only Mandeville brother to grace the pages of the book. The happy, joyful youngest brother, Jamie (nineteen), arrives at Rosmar. It seems a London merchant's daughter has turned up pregnant and names Jamie as the father. Since there is a special something about Jamie that draws people to him, Andrew is not surprised Alice would want to marry him. Hugh, however, doubts Jamie and forces him into the confessional to prove his innocence. Jamie shines a bright light onto the otherwise darkly haunted images flooding the other Mandeville brothers. Enjoyed Jamie's addition to the cast of characters. Cody, however, did not tie up the loose end of Alice. Somehow the angry merchant father that caused Jamie to flee to Rosmar, disappeared into the woodwork.
Two other bright, shiny, minimally-developed characters added interest to the book. Catherine's daughter, Nell, quickly won readers' and Andrew's heart. Particularly enjoyed the scene at Michael's where Nell revealed the 20th-century-sounding name to the puppy Michael had given her. Catherine was guardian to her beautiful sixteen-year-old cousin Anne. The budding interest between Jamie and Anne played a small part in the story -- and eventually revealed to Catherine that marrying the man you love is more important than marrying for lands and titles.
Even through they were minimally developed, liked that Cody included two other supporting characters to the story, Catherine's loquacious, elderly long-time maidservant was always in the shadows. Owain ap Morgan, Catherine's elderly, loyal steward, played a minimal role, but enjoyed the picture Cody painted of this character.
Although understood that Cody had to quickly heal the animosity between Andrew and Catherine so they could declare their undying love for one another (so she could develop the second, suspenseful half of the book), it almost felt forced. It just didn't ring true that the long-term grudge-holding Andrew, would be the first one to present himself as vulnerable to Catherine. Andrew and Catherine made love with a lot more emotion than heat and sizzle -- understandable since Andrew had to tread slowly with a battered wife who never experienced joy during sex before.
Once they were in love, in historical Mandeville fashion, once a Mandeville's bride fell for him, they became a deeply devoted couple. (Except, of course, for Joan Mandeville, who not only betrayed her husband, but also her sons.) When Andrew took Catherine to London (ignoring Michael's warning) to sign King Henry's marriage documents, he found himself mired in another Yorkist plot.
Cody did an excellent job of keeping the reader tied to the pages as Andrew, Catherine, Hugh and Michael struggled to keep Andrew alive and safe after he was lured into a trap set by Edmund de la Pole, Earl of Suffock. It seems that Edmund is angry at not being awarded Rosmar and will go to any length to acquire it. It is during this very emotional, suspenseful time of the story that anger flared and tears flowed. Hugh's very deep, dark secret was revealed to explain why (even though his nature did not lend itself to such a calling) he became a priest.
When picked up The Golden Rose to finish the trilogy, saw that had read this book before. Although was not assigning a rating to books back then, sometimes wrote a couple of words about liking the book. The words revealed that found this book to be very good, but they also indicated that my tastes have changed or I was in a different frame of mind then, because it seems this book came across as more sensual eleven years ago than it did this week. Does this perception have something to do with the way the genre has changed because twenty-first century readers require more spice and sizzle in their books? Think so. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Don't know. However, find it sad that the same book that inspired sensuality eleven years ago fails to do so today.
All in all, found The Golden Rose, by Denée Cody, the third book in The Mandeville Trilogy, to be (at times) an exciting, suspenseful, romantic, emotional read. Cody very creatively, painted a picture of what could have happened to a wealthy, powerful family loyal to the king when said king is killed in battle. She realistically portrayed the bitterness and angst suffered by Andrew, a dispossessed son. The turmoil of Catherine, a widow battling against being forced into another, possibly brutal, marriage. The deep emotions that passed between Hugh and Andrew, brothers who endured war, prison and a cruel fate. The suspense of having to outwit a villain who covets their lands and titles. The Golden Rose is an enjoyable, interesting book, well worth reading.
--Vonda M. Reid (Monday, April 9, 2012 : 10:31 p.m.) [229]
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
Books In The Series: The Mandeville Trilogy
| # | Date | Title | Hero | Heroine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | 08-1996 | The Court of Love | Stephan de Mandeville, Earl of Rosmar | Julianna Devereux, Countess of Rosmar |
| 02. | 06-1997 | Queen of the May | Alexander de Mandeville, Baron of Wolfhurst | Giselle / healer to Robyn of Sherwood's band |
| 03. | 06-1998 | The Golden Rose | Andrew Mandeville, Earl of Rosmar | Catherine Avery Stanley, Lady of Rosmar |
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
The Golden Rose Quotations:
| 30 | They leave holes in us, when those we love die. |
| 156 | Others with a stronger faith than he possessed would have to be brave enough to ask for that grace. |
| 173 |
"Hatred corrupts us. |
| 262 | There were times the need to hold another person, to feel the simple contact of that touch drove him nearly mad with painful longing. |
| 262 | There was no one he shared his heart with, no one he whispered dreams to, no one who erased his fears. His life was above all else solitary and the barrenness of it was at times more than he could endure. |
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
Characters Found In "The Golden Rose"
| Character / Location | Description / Relationships |
|---|---|
| Andrew Mandeville, Earl of Rosmar | [Hero] (10) large man; low, dark voice (17) lived in exile in Flanders; rumored to sail seas, remove cargo; dangerous; powerful presence; born to title Earl of Rosmar (18) a warrior; familiar with command (19) large hand with thick white scar on back; long strong fingers (21) open display of emotion made him uneasy (26) injured in battle (31) in Tower 3 months; good man; difficult to see past wide, deep barriers (32) thick chested (45) mask of cynicism; eternally dissatisfied for failure to meet his high expectations for himself (48) not extravagant (50) attractive in a fierce, unapproachable way (57) injured arm healed improperly, could not fully straighten (59) tightly controlled manner; disinclined to violence (65) dark; intense; unsettling gaze (67) beard (92) an enigma (108) dark hair hung over his collar (132) wide chest; described scar on shoulder (175) face almost severe; thin nose; sharp cheekbones; dark brows; glittering black eyes; few strands of silver in dark brown hair with reddish highlights; carried himself proudly; wide, strong shoulders; straight back; long legs (176) |
| Catherine Avery Stanley, Lady of Rosmar | [Heroine] recently widowed (7) married to Rupert for 15 years; had learned to appear meek and obedient to escape Rupert's displeasure (17) bore Rupert four children, only one lived (19) no beauty; plain; small (26) retained composure (28) not yet 30; only child; sent to marry at twelve (35) transformed from a tight-lipped, angry woman to one of charm and beauty (75) core as strong as steel; stubborn (81) red-gold hair, the color of dark amber with sunlight shining through it; smelled of roses; attractive (96) never good at solving puzzles (108) cautious; careful; structured; made lists, followed them (109) 27-y-o (112) quiet grace and strength (156) |
| . . . | . . . |
| Anne | [Secondary Character] Catherine's young cousin (8) beautiful; innocent (18) 16-y-o; Catherine's ward when orphaned (55) kind; a gentleness that made her charming; uncommonly beautiful; red-gold hair; creamy skin; bright green eyes; dowry not immense (56) quiet; shy (90) |
| Duchess of Burgundy | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] plotting to put a York on throne (148) |
| Cecilia | [No Appearance] woman Hugh fell in love with at 21 (302) |
| Joan Dennison | [No Appearance] Michael's beloved wife (71) died three years ago (79) |
| Sir Michael Dennison | [Major Secondary Character] Rosmar's neighbor; Dennison Manor (9) known as fair and generous lord (30) large, steady hands (65) taller than Andrew; blond; loose, easy grace; open; generous; caring (67) Henry's spy; charming; ingenuous to a fault (80) best dogs, finely trained (139) mother Irish; 5 brothers, 3 sisters (142) |
| Adam Francis | [No Appearance] London merchant; lodged serious complaint against Jamie (43) |
| Alice [Francis] | [No Appearance] merchant's daughter (45) |
| Gertrude | [Secondary Character] Catherine's elderly maidservant (8) slept deeply; woke immediately; accomplished more in day's time than most people in fortnight; ample shoulders (54) long gray hair braided, hung down her back (_) Catherine's childhood nurse (163) loquacious (182) |
| ___ Mandeville | [No Appearance] Andrew's father; powerful; loud; opinionated; expected loyalty and obedience from sons; died two years before Bosworth (143) |
| Elizabeth Mandeville | [One Appearance] Andrew and Catherine's 2-y-o daughter (338) dark hair and eyes like father (341) |
| Dom Hugh Mandeville | [Major Secondary Character] Andrew's brother (10) monk and priest (11) rubbed thumb across top of index finger when agitated; usually grimly controlled (13) simple white habit and black scapular of Cistercian monk (15) sensual mouth (16) second son (27) far too handsome; tall; blond; incredible gray eyes; resonant dark voice; priest in archbishop of Canterbury's household (30) older than Andrew by 2-3 years; twenty when at Bosworth, in Tower (32) year after release from Tower went to Cistercians at Tintern Abbey in Wales; with Archbishop Morton last two years (32) air of innocence (33) gaunt from fasting (45) worked hard at being holy; eternally dissatisfied since set such high principles for himself (48) scholar (58) remembers everything he reads (116) profoundly regal; glowing aura of pride (134) obvious presence and charisma; careful and deliberate in word and gesture; broad shoulders; tall frame (134) clever; intelligent; efficient; do not belong with monks (263) |
| Jamie Mandeville | [Major Secondary Character] youngest brother; in London (30) easy going; happy, irresistible child; bright heart that brought joy to those around him (43) honest; dutiful (44) disconcertingly handsome; curling dark hair; same silvery-gray eyes as Hugh; 19-y-o; tallest brother; lean; powerful; subtle grace; cheerful and generous personality (45) purity of heart; something special about Jamie; never seen battle; not scarred (48) |
| Joan Mandeville | [No Appearance] Andrew's mother (273) |
| Richard Mandeville | [One Appearance] Jamie and Anne's son (342) |
| Thomas Mandeville | [No Appearance] Andrew's brother; eldest son; dead at Bosworth (25) |
| Marie | [Brief Appearance] Rosmar maid (29) |
| Mary | [One Appearance] new nurse (341) |
| Maud | [Brief Appearance] Rosmar maid; young, but no child; big breasts; lush, round hips that sway with invitation; cold appraising eyes (41) heavy perfume disguised rancid odors of sweat and dirt clinging to her skin, clothes, hair; pretty, in ripe ordinary way; voice high as little girls; petulant as a jade (42) felt herself equal to Catherine (43) |
| Owain ap Morgan | [Occasional Appearances] Catherine's loyal steward; old enough to be her grandfather (8) skiff of white hair growing around the bald dome of his head (9) |
| Archbishop Morton | [Actual Historical Character / Brief Appearances] Hugh's boss (31) |
| Brother Peter | [One Appearance] ancient monk; bald; escorted Catherine (256) |
| King Richard Plantagenet | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] died at battle of Bosworth; Mandeville's loyal to their king (27) |
| Edmund de la Pole, Earl of Suffock | [Actual Historical Character / Major Secondary Character] Duchess of Burgundy's nephew (148) cold, calculating eyes; dangerous animal (200) |
| John de la Pole | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] King Richard named him as his heir; Richard's nephew; killed (148) |
| Roderigo Gonzalva de Puebla | [Actual Historical Character / One Appearance] Spanish ambassador (207) |
| Edith [of Rosmar] | [One Appearance] Tomkin and Margery's baby (101) |
| Margery [of Rosmar] | [One Appearance] Tomkin's wife (101) |
| Tomkin [of Rosmar] | [One Appearance] Rosmar farmer; worked tenancy for nine years; father before him (101) |
| Eleanor "Nell" Stanley | [Secondary Character] Catherine's 5-y-o daughter (8) pale gold hair, carefully plaited (115) charming, sweet child (156) blue eyes (158) |
| Henry Stanley | [No Appearance] Catherine's little boy of four (129) |
| John Stanley | [No Appearance] Catherine's oldest son (129) tall; strong; handsome boy of fourteen; rode horse too big and strong; took week to die (130) |
| Lady Margaret Stanley | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] Catherine's sister-by-law; her husband brother to Rupert; king's mother; stern; virtuous; fair (37) Countess of Derby (196) most powerful woman in England; born a Beaufort (196) Countess of Richmond and Derby (199) |
| Mary Stanley | [No Appearance] Catherine's daughter; born 10 years ago; died of fever; only few months old (129) |
| Rupert Stanley | [No Appearance] Catherine's deceased husband; proud; died choking on a piece of pork roast (7) youngest of several brothers (20) servants served with fear; disliked; no loyalty (29) 30 years older than Catherine; neither kind nor patient (131) selfish; self-indulgent (140) |
| Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] William's brother; married to king's mother (12) Margaret's fourth husband (196) Earl of Derby (196) |
| William Stanley | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] joined enemy's army at Bosworth; joined one of first rebellions against Henry Tudor; executed (12) |
| King Henry Tudor | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] king (12) notorious for reversing the attainders of men whose support he wished to curry (16) happily married sovereign (36) greedy for every penny felt entitled to (37) attractive man in his youth; ruddy complexion; red hair, now thinning; years made him hard, humorless; serious man; punctilious about protocol (288) |
| Earl of Warwick | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] in Tower (143) nephew of late King Richard; to be tried in Star Chamber (144) |
| Elizabeth of York, Queen of England | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] plump blond woman (199) warm; motherly; obtuse at times; not guilty of deliberate cruelty or pettiness; life revolved around pleasing her husband (288) |
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
The Golden Rose Reviews:
| Rated | Posted | Site | Notes, Comments, Etc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.50 average | {4 reviews} | Amazon | as of: May 24, 2012 |
| 4.00 average | {1 review} | Barnes & Noble | as of: May 24, 2012 (mine) |
| -- | -- | Fantastic Fiction | List of Books |
| -- | -- | Fiction DB | List of Books |
| 5.00 | 04-10-2001 | GenreFluent Books of the Week | also on Amazon |
| 4.00 average | {1 review} | Good Reads | as of: May 24, 2012 (mine) |
| 3.50 average | {4 ratings} | Library Thing | as of: May 24, 2012 (mine) |
| 4.25 average | {3 reviews} | Paperback Swap | as of: May 24, 2012 |
| 3.50 average | {2 reviews} | Shelfari | as of: May 24, 2012 |
| 4.00 | 04-10-1998 | The Romance Reader | excellent helpful review |
| 4.25 | 05-24-2012 | Wolf Bear Does Books | shorter post on Amazon, B&N, fdb, GR, LT, Shelfari ♥ |
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
♥ Disclaimer: I Purchased This Book
♥ Very Subjective Rating
♥ Willing to share Cheat Sheet
♦ in whole or in part
♦ WordPerfect or PDF
♣ Will add your The Golden Rose review link to table, just ask
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Denee Cody -- Queen of the May
Rated: ♥ ♥ ♥ . ♥ {3.90}
Action: ♠♠♠♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣.♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥♥ / Sensuous: ♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠
Action: 4 / Emotion: 3.5 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 1 / Suspense: 3 // Medieval Flavor: 3 / Laughter: 1 / Teary: 2
Same author . . . . same series . . . . second book. Why was it more enjoyable? Not quite sure. It just was. Even though was disappointed in The Court of Love, the first book in The Mandeville Trilogy by Denée Cody, decided to go ahead and read the second book of the series, Queen of the May. Liked this book much better because: {1} the story line was more enjoyable; {2} had more action and adventure scenes; {3} included Stephan and Juliana; and {4} had interesting supporting characters. This book, however, had some of the same drawbacks as the first book: {1} lack of deep emotional connection to characters; {2} reduced medieval feeling to book; and {3} lack of sensuality.
Queen of the May takes place in 1202 England -- thirteen years after book one. Met Alexander de Mandeville, the Baron of Wolfhurst when he was a young, impressionable knight in the first book of the trilogy. The older, wiser Alexander has just arrived at his estate of Wolfhurst after spending twelve years fighting in the holy land with the now deceased King Richard. Alexander finds that the village and his estate are in serious disrepair and that the greedy steward that oversaw Wolfhurst in his absence had not stored a surplus of goods, thus leaving the village to face a lean, difficult winter.
Alexander's first effort to prove to the villagers that he is interested in their welfare and will be a fair and honorable lord is to go after the wolf that attacked and killed a little girl. Alexander asks his newly knighted cousin, Geoffrey de Mandeville to stay and oversee his estate as he heads into the woods to trap the wolf.
One of the things that did not like about Queen of the May was the fact that Cody did not answer the questions that arose regarding the de Mandeville family relationships while reading the first book of the trilogy. In fact, instead of answering those questions, became even more confused. When met, William de Mandeville, Lord Essex in The Court of Love, he is featured as the father of Alexander and his older brother, Stephan de Mandeville, Earl of Rosmar. Since his two sons were illegitimate, his nephew, Geoffrey, was the Essex heir. In Queen of the May, Lord Essex is now presented as Geoffrey's father, Geoffrey FitzPiers, Earl of Essex. The book would have been more enjoyable if Cody had included the details that explained how she jumped from one Lord Essex to another.
Hated that the advent of Alexander's birth was considered incidental. Was curious about the details of the relationship between Alexander's father and mother. Rather than reveal any details about Alexander's childhood, Cody totally glossed over Alexander's illegitimacy by remarking that it was not as detrimental to his psyche as it had been to his brother Stephan's. In fact, Alexander's mother was not even given a name, she was just a peasant in his father's past. Alexander seemed to be very well-adjusted for being the illegitimate son of an Earl and a peasant.
As in the previous book of the trilogy, Cody spent a lot of time inserting her opinions regarding the great gulf between the commoners and nobles in the 13th century. It was evident that Cody was trying to point out that people experienced the same dreams and desires and are honorable or not, whether they are born into entitlement and wealth or into poverty and servitude. She managed this by placing the heroine, not only in the world of commoners, but also making her a member of a band of outlaws living in the Wolfhurst forest.
Thankfully, Cody explained (in a note at the end of the book) why she took creative license when she painted a different picture of the story of Robin Hood. Giselle was trained to be a healer by the old woman, Maeve, who raised her. Before Maeve died, she took Giselle to live with Robyn of Sherwood and his band of outlaws. And even though Robyn's background was not any more developed than Alexander's childhood, it was difficult to perceive him as once being a member of the noble class. But Cody did create the perception that -- in his own unique way -- Robyn was just as honorable a man as Alexander.
Giselle's best friend was Marian, the impulsive, tiny, arrow-shooting wife of Robyn. Just as Robyn's past was not developed, neither was Marian's -- nor how she came to be the wife of an outlaw. Even though they did not spend a great deal of time in the story, Marian and Robyn were wonderful, entertaining additions to the book.
Another fascinating, but weakly developed character was the village priest, Father Michael. Do not understand why Cody promoted interest in Father Michael by revealing details about him (like Alexander noticing that it was obvious he was of noble blood), and then leaving the reader totally in the dark about his background. Father Michael is one of those secondary characters that just seems to stand out in a story. He is intelligent, educated, honorable, and was a conduit not only between Robyn and the villagers, but also tied to Father Bernard, his predecessor, the senile herbalist at Blyth Abbey.
Alexander got to meet Giselle and her family of outlaws because he was accidentally shot by the arrow Giselle had set for a deer while he was returning home after killing the wolf. Because Giselle had the kind, compassionate nature of a healer, she took the unconscious man back to her cave to tend to his wound. Giselle, who has turned away from the interest of her fellow outlaw, John Little, finds herself totally fascinated by the well-made, handsome nobleman she is tending.
When Robyn confiscates Alexander's horse and clothing and sends him home, Giselle never expects to see him again. Giselle, however, encounters Alexander at Guisborne Castle when she and Marian arrive to infiltrate the serving class in their efforts to find and free Alice of Barnsdale from Guy of Guisborne, who forced Alice to become his mistress. (Alan of Barnsdale, a member of Robyn's band, loves Alice as much as she loves him.)
Giselle and Marian are not the only ones who want to help Alice. Stephan, his wife, Julianna, and their children, Rose (eleven), William (nine), Jordana (five) and Isabel (baby) arrive at Wolfhurst to travel with Alexander to Guisborne Castle to participate in the tournament being held at Blyth. Upon arrival at Guisborne, Stephan, Julianna and Alexander take the evil-hearted, harsh Guy of Guisborne into immediate dislike. Alexander even steps forward to stop Guy from striking Alice. The only reason his interference is tolerated is because Guy is obsequious to his higher ranking brother, Stephan.
One other surprising person is added to the cast of characters. Julianna has invited her friend Elizabeth FitzWilliam, countess of Gloucester (newly divorced from King John) to join the family at the tournament. Alexander has always considered Elizabeth a friend and even, surprisingly, suggests they marry. Elizabeth, however, would like to remain friends with Alexander and would like his help to free the unhappy, mistreated Alice.
Elizabeth brings with her two more family members -- her constantly bickering niece and nephew -- Maud de Clare and her brother Gilbert. (Remember Gilbert, Julianna's betrothed from book one.) Cody spends a great deal of time developing the personalities of the characters to give them the same foibles and mannerisms as people of today's era. Because of this effort to make the characters seem more real, and because Cody uses modernistic terms like "Coz," the book loses a lot of its medieval flavor.
Stephan, Alexander and Rose play instrumental roles in the action-filled and a tad-bit suspenseful scenes that result in Marian, Giselle and Alice's freedom from the clutches of Guy of Guisborne. Alexander uses this opportunity to take possession of (claiming as a hostage) the beautiful, red-haired angel who tended his wounds. Thus, Giselle finds herself living with Alexander and his noble family at Wolfhurst Castle. As Giselle interacts with Alexander's large family, she learns that nobles experience the same feelings and fears as commoners.
And even though Giselle knows that Alexander cannot marry her and that she is setting herself up for a broken heart, she willingly becomes his mistress. Found the love scenes that followed to be more emotional than sensual -- there was a decided lack of sizzle. Naturally, this detracted from the total enjoyment of the book.
The suspense factor attributed to the book is not in trying to figure out Giselle's past -- Cody's hints were way too revealing to doubt that -- but in wondering how Cody is going to keep Alexander and Giselle alive before they put the pieces of the puzzle together. It was also intriguing that Alexander turned to Robyn for help to mitigate the damages that Guy of Guisborne is inflicting on Wolfhurst.
Would readily recommend Queen of the May as an enjoyable read. Would also recommend that the first book of the series, The Court of Love, be read beforehand. Having read the first book understood {1} what all the whistling was about; {2} why Julianna was so comfortable and supportive of Giselle and her relationship with Alexander; and {3} why Stephan warned Alexander away from making Giselle his mistress.
--Vonda M. Reid (Friday, April 6, 2012 : 2:05 a.m.) [227]
Books In The Series: The Mandeville Trilogy
Queen of the May Quotations:
Characters Found In "Queen of the May"
Queen of the May Reviews:
Notes:
♥ Disclaimer: I Purchased This Book
♥ Very Subjective Rating
♥ Willing to share Cheat Sheet
♦ in whole or in part
Action: ♠♠♠♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣.♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥♥ / Sensuous: ♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠
Action: 4 / Emotion: 3.5 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 1 / Suspense: 3 // Medieval Flavor: 3 / Laughter: 1 / Teary: 2
Queen of the May takes place in 1202 England -- thirteen years after book one. Met Alexander de Mandeville, the Baron of Wolfhurst when he was a young, impressionable knight in the first book of the trilogy. The older, wiser Alexander has just arrived at his estate of Wolfhurst after spending twelve years fighting in the holy land with the now deceased King Richard. Alexander finds that the village and his estate are in serious disrepair and that the greedy steward that oversaw Wolfhurst in his absence had not stored a surplus of goods, thus leaving the village to face a lean, difficult winter.
Alexander's first effort to prove to the villagers that he is interested in their welfare and will be a fair and honorable lord is to go after the wolf that attacked and killed a little girl. Alexander asks his newly knighted cousin, Geoffrey de Mandeville to stay and oversee his estate as he heads into the woods to trap the wolf.
One of the things that did not like about Queen of the May was the fact that Cody did not answer the questions that arose regarding the de Mandeville family relationships while reading the first book of the trilogy. In fact, instead of answering those questions, became even more confused. When met, William de Mandeville, Lord Essex in The Court of Love, he is featured as the father of Alexander and his older brother, Stephan de Mandeville, Earl of Rosmar. Since his two sons were illegitimate, his nephew, Geoffrey, was the Essex heir. In Queen of the May, Lord Essex is now presented as Geoffrey's father, Geoffrey FitzPiers, Earl of Essex. The book would have been more enjoyable if Cody had included the details that explained how she jumped from one Lord Essex to another.
Hated that the advent of Alexander's birth was considered incidental. Was curious about the details of the relationship between Alexander's father and mother. Rather than reveal any details about Alexander's childhood, Cody totally glossed over Alexander's illegitimacy by remarking that it was not as detrimental to his psyche as it had been to his brother Stephan's. In fact, Alexander's mother was not even given a name, she was just a peasant in his father's past. Alexander seemed to be very well-adjusted for being the illegitimate son of an Earl and a peasant.
As in the previous book of the trilogy, Cody spent a lot of time inserting her opinions regarding the great gulf between the commoners and nobles in the 13th century. It was evident that Cody was trying to point out that people experienced the same dreams and desires and are honorable or not, whether they are born into entitlement and wealth or into poverty and servitude. She managed this by placing the heroine, not only in the world of commoners, but also making her a member of a band of outlaws living in the Wolfhurst forest.
Thankfully, Cody explained (in a note at the end of the book) why she took creative license when she painted a different picture of the story of Robin Hood. Giselle was trained to be a healer by the old woman, Maeve, who raised her. Before Maeve died, she took Giselle to live with Robyn of Sherwood and his band of outlaws. And even though Robyn's background was not any more developed than Alexander's childhood, it was difficult to perceive him as once being a member of the noble class. But Cody did create the perception that -- in his own unique way -- Robyn was just as honorable a man as Alexander.
Giselle's best friend was Marian, the impulsive, tiny, arrow-shooting wife of Robyn. Just as Robyn's past was not developed, neither was Marian's -- nor how she came to be the wife of an outlaw. Even though they did not spend a great deal of time in the story, Marian and Robyn were wonderful, entertaining additions to the book.
Another fascinating, but weakly developed character was the village priest, Father Michael. Do not understand why Cody promoted interest in Father Michael by revealing details about him (like Alexander noticing that it was obvious he was of noble blood), and then leaving the reader totally in the dark about his background. Father Michael is one of those secondary characters that just seems to stand out in a story. He is intelligent, educated, honorable, and was a conduit not only between Robyn and the villagers, but also tied to Father Bernard, his predecessor, the senile herbalist at Blyth Abbey.
Alexander got to meet Giselle and her family of outlaws because he was accidentally shot by the arrow Giselle had set for a deer while he was returning home after killing the wolf. Because Giselle had the kind, compassionate nature of a healer, she took the unconscious man back to her cave to tend to his wound. Giselle, who has turned away from the interest of her fellow outlaw, John Little, finds herself totally fascinated by the well-made, handsome nobleman she is tending.
When Robyn confiscates Alexander's horse and clothing and sends him home, Giselle never expects to see him again. Giselle, however, encounters Alexander at Guisborne Castle when she and Marian arrive to infiltrate the serving class in their efforts to find and free Alice of Barnsdale from Guy of Guisborne, who forced Alice to become his mistress. (Alan of Barnsdale, a member of Robyn's band, loves Alice as much as she loves him.)
Giselle and Marian are not the only ones who want to help Alice. Stephan, his wife, Julianna, and their children, Rose (eleven), William (nine), Jordana (five) and Isabel (baby) arrive at Wolfhurst to travel with Alexander to Guisborne Castle to participate in the tournament being held at Blyth. Upon arrival at Guisborne, Stephan, Julianna and Alexander take the evil-hearted, harsh Guy of Guisborne into immediate dislike. Alexander even steps forward to stop Guy from striking Alice. The only reason his interference is tolerated is because Guy is obsequious to his higher ranking brother, Stephan.
One other surprising person is added to the cast of characters. Julianna has invited her friend Elizabeth FitzWilliam, countess of Gloucester (newly divorced from King John) to join the family at the tournament. Alexander has always considered Elizabeth a friend and even, surprisingly, suggests they marry. Elizabeth, however, would like to remain friends with Alexander and would like his help to free the unhappy, mistreated Alice.
Elizabeth brings with her two more family members -- her constantly bickering niece and nephew -- Maud de Clare and her brother Gilbert. (Remember Gilbert, Julianna's betrothed from book one.) Cody spends a great deal of time developing the personalities of the characters to give them the same foibles and mannerisms as people of today's era. Because of this effort to make the characters seem more real, and because Cody uses modernistic terms like "Coz," the book loses a lot of its medieval flavor.
Stephan, Alexander and Rose play instrumental roles in the action-filled and a tad-bit suspenseful scenes that result in Marian, Giselle and Alice's freedom from the clutches of Guy of Guisborne. Alexander uses this opportunity to take possession of (claiming as a hostage) the beautiful, red-haired angel who tended his wounds. Thus, Giselle finds herself living with Alexander and his noble family at Wolfhurst Castle. As Giselle interacts with Alexander's large family, she learns that nobles experience the same feelings and fears as commoners.
And even though Giselle knows that Alexander cannot marry her and that she is setting herself up for a broken heart, she willingly becomes his mistress. Found the love scenes that followed to be more emotional than sensual -- there was a decided lack of sizzle. Naturally, this detracted from the total enjoyment of the book.
The suspense factor attributed to the book is not in trying to figure out Giselle's past -- Cody's hints were way too revealing to doubt that -- but in wondering how Cody is going to keep Alexander and Giselle alive before they put the pieces of the puzzle together. It was also intriguing that Alexander turned to Robyn for help to mitigate the damages that Guy of Guisborne is inflicting on Wolfhurst.
Would readily recommend Queen of the May as an enjoyable read. Would also recommend that the first book of the series, The Court of Love, be read beforehand. Having read the first book understood {1} what all the whistling was about; {2} why Julianna was so comfortable and supportive of Giselle and her relationship with Alexander; and {3} why Stephan warned Alexander away from making Giselle his mistress.
--Vonda M. Reid (Friday, April 6, 2012 : 2:05 a.m.) [227]
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
Books In The Series: The Mandeville Trilogy
| # | Date | Title | Hero | Heroine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | 08-1996 | The Court of Love | Stephan de Mandeville, Earl of Rosmar | Julianna Devereux, Countess of Rosmar |
| 02. | 06-1997 | Queen of the May | Alexander de Mandeville, Baron of Wolfhurst | Giselle / healer to Robyn of Sherwood's band |
| 03. | 06-1998 | The Golden Rose | Andrew Mandeville / knight | Catherine Avery Stanley, Lady of Rosmar |
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
Queen of the May Quotations:
| 51 | . . . people had eyes to see only what they were accustomed to, and did not look for the unexpected. |
| 55 | Happiness was fleeting, and not to be grudged another human. |
| 57 | He'd not listened, any more than most young men listen to the voice of experience . . . |
| 168 | Doing the right thing did not, however, mitigate the pain. It seldom did. That was why honor was so difficult . . . |
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
Characters Found In "Queen of the May"
| Character | Description / Relationships |
|---|---|
| Alexander de Mandeville, Baron, lord of Wolfhurst | [Hero] (8) bastard born; hair so fair it was almost white; tall; fair; warrior (10) had been baron over a decade; first time in England since leaving on crusade with King Richard twelve years earlier (11) fear of forest a remnant of childhood experience (12) unmistakable arrogance to hard-planed face (19) hard, broad chest (23) scars cris-crossed his body (24) eyes blue as clear sky in June; beautiful; broad shoulders; deep chest from years of wielding a sword; narrow waist; narrow hips; long and strong of leg; fine lines around eyes; well made face; straight nose; high cheeks (25) dark brows and lashes; soft, clean hair (26) man of his word (38) some wealth (48) good man; kind; proud; strong; forceful (139) large, rough, warm hands (152) clear blue eyes; high, sharp cheeks (164) wide cheeks; sensual lips (179) tall; lean; long, strong legs; broad, muscled chest; gold hair matted on his chest; graceful as a cat (180) slow to anger (278) |
| Giselle | [Heroine] (18) wary of horses (20) healing skills (22) fiery-haired angel (26) tall; strong; self-sufficient (27) Maeve brought her to Robyn 6-y-a (28) green eyes; purity; kindness (44) uncommon beauty (45) afraid of horses (153) 20-y-o (165) humor; tenderness; quiet dignity; calmness; peaceful (167) smooth, thick, curling red hair down to her thighs (169) selfish; lazy; too quick with her tongue (179) mixture of gentleness and wildness; calm and passion (182) |
| . . . | . . . |
| Father Abbott | [Brief Appearance] Blyth Abbey; tall man; sharp nose; dark eyes; gray brows; carefully neutral face (319) |
| Alan of Barnsdale | [Secondary Character] member of Robyn's band; mischievous smile in dark face (29) Irish; played harp; handsome; smiling; in love with Alice (31) |
| Alice of Barnsdale | [Secondary Character] Alan's love (31) small; very blond; huge gray eyes; pale face (70) beautiful; very young (73) fourteen; miserable; orphan (74) |
| Sir John of Barnsdale | [No Appearance] Alice's father; a poor knight; no real family (74) |
| Father Bernard | [Brief Appearances] priest at Wolfhurst for more than 30 years (141) Lady Giselle's tutor and household priest (150) at Blyth Abbey 20 years; herbalist (230) |
| William Braose | [Brief Appearance] Stephan's knight; most handsome man Giselle even saw; black hair; face made exotic by strange upward tilt of pale eyes (252) |
| Brede | [One Appearance] shepherd boy (276) |
| de Clare | prolific clan; one of most powerful in England (67) |
| Aveline de Clare | [No Appearance] married earl of Essex; Gilbert and Maud's aunt (93) |
| Gilbert de Clare | [Secondary Character] once betrothed to Julianna; Elizabeth's nephew (87) pale blue eyes; tall; lean; powerful; young; healthy; strong; energetic; slightly younger than Geoffrey (94) |
| Maud de Clare | [Secondary Character] Gilbert's sister (87) 13 or 14; tomboy-ish (90) argumentative; independent-minded; high-spirited (91) body and face of a woman; young; healthy; beautiful; substantial dowry (219) |
| Richard de Clare, earl of Hertford | [No Appearance] brother to Geoffrey's step-mother (67) |
| Father Edgar | [Brief Appearance] Blyth Abbey monk; brown eyes (150) |
| Geoffrey FitzPiers, Earl of Essex | [No Appearance] Geoffrey's father (71) king's justiciar; one of most powerful men in England (72) (93) recently married Avelina de Clare (93) |
| Elizabeth FitzWilliam, countess of Gloucester | [Secondary Character] Julianna's aunt; ill-used by husband, John, divorced after 11 years of marriage due to barrenness (85) sweet; gentle; shy; voice of angel; laughter to lift a man's soul; a lady in truest meaning of the word; charity flowed from her hands; genuine caring (86) small; delicate; "Beth"; confident; mature (88) John treated cruelly, never hit; faint lines around blue eyes; slim (92) |
| Gertrude | [Brief Appearance] Wolfhurst maid; round cheeks red with sun; smile revealing crooked teeth (136) |
| Lady Giselle of Guisborne | [No Appearance] same look as Giselle; red hair; dead more than 20 years (150) |
| Guy of Guisborne | [Major Secondary Character] brutal; greedy lord; stole Alice to be his mistress (54) harsh man; high in king's favor (67) middle-aged; hard; lean; red hair beginning to turn white; rugged face (68) shrewd (72) bastard (150) |
| Hawyse from Finningley | [Brief Appearance] worked in kitchen of Guisborne Castle; large woman; red face; grinning; ample behind (79) huge hands quick and graceful (80) |
| King John | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] Richard's brother; current ruler (11) taxed barons heavily; risking barons' land in France (66) corrupt; cruel; dishonorable; preference for men of like temperament (67) |
| John Little | [Secondary Character] member of Robyn's band; beard; thick dark brows; big man (19) feelings for Giselle (20) |
| Maeve | [No Appearance] old woman who had taught Giselle healing skills (25) |
| Eleanor de Mandeville | [Secondary Character] Stephan, Julianna's daughter; died at five (47) died less than year ago (84) |
| Geoffrey de Mandeville | [Secondary Character] Alexander's cousin (8) newly knighted; the de Mandeville dark hair; young; tall; angular; heir to the earldom of Essex (10) pale blue eyes; tall; lean; powerful; young; healthy; strong; energetic (94) |
| Isabel de Mandeville | [Secondary Character] Stephan, Julianna's youngest daughter (46) less than year old (47) |
| Jordana de Mandeville | [Secondary Character] Stephan, Julianna's daughter (47) 5-y-o (69) |
| Julianna de Mandeville | [Major Secondary Character] [Heroine of Book 1] Stephan's wife (42) smelled of lavender (43) pretty green eyes (49) rode with easy grace and confidence (54) pregnant (84) |
| Rose de Mandeville | [Secondary Character] Stephan, Julianna's 11-y-o daughter; eldest (47) pride; straight small shoulders (64) oval face (65) |
| Stephan de Mandeville, Earl of Rosmar | [Major Secondary Character] [Hero of Book 1] Alexander's brother (42) methodical; logical; long legs (46) quiet; observant (56) illegitimate; eldest son (147) mother a Jew (232) |
| William de Mandeville | [Secondary Character] Stephan, Julianna's son (47) second child; 9-y-o (64) skinny legs (75) |
| Marian | [Secondary Character] Robyn's wife; newly pregnant (29) dark hair, cut to shoulders, bounced in curls around her face; dressed as man; pointed chin; small; dark (52) ideas and attention jumping from one thing to next (53) mercurial moods and wit (54) slitted eyes in cat face; bold (55) impulsive (111) |
| Odin | [Secondary Character] (22) Giselle's huge, black, one-eyed dog (27) big, square head (29) |
| King Richard | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] dead three years (11) |
| Robyn of Sherwood | [Major Secondary Character] lead band of outlaws that resided in woods of Nottingham; powerful shoulders (29) not bloodthirsty; pragmatic (30) long, lean body (129) sometimes called "Hood" (242) shrewd hazel eyes (279) |
| Brother Theobald | [Brief Appearance] Blyth Abbey guest master; pudgy hands (134) bulky (136) |
| Michael Tuck | [Secondary Character] village priest (40) neither corrupt nor venal; cared for his people (41) of noble birth; dark intelligent eyes; educated; vital link to villagers; wary; enigma (42) big man (197) |
| Sir John de Clare of Wolfhurst | [No Appearance] Crusader; Giselle of Guisborne's husband (150) |
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
Queen of the May Reviews:
| Rated | Posted | Site | Notes, Comments, Etc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.00 | 10-....-2002 | A Romance Review | |
| 4.34 average | {3 reviews} | Amazon | as of: May 23, 2012 |
| 4.00 average | {1 review} | Barnes and Noble | as of: May 23, 2012 (mine) |
| -- | -- | Fantastic Fiction | List of Books |
| -- | -- | Fiction DB | List of Books |
| -- | -- | Genrefluent Books of the Week | very positive inflection |
| 4.00 average | {1 review} | Good Reads | as of: May 23, 2012 (mine) |
| 4.00 average | {3 ratings} | Library Thing | as of: May 23, 2012 (mine) |
| 3.50 average | {3 reviews} | Paperback Swap | as of: May 23, 2012 |
| 3.50 average | {2 reviews} | Shelfari | as of: May 23, 2012 |
| 5.00 | 04-21-1997 | The Romance Reader | liked |
| 3.90 | 05-23-2012 | Wolf Bear Does Books | shorter post on Amazon, B&N, fdb, GR, LT, Shelfari |
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
♥ Disclaimer: I Purchased This Book
♥ Very Subjective Rating
♥ Willing to share Cheat Sheet
♦ in whole or in part
♦ WordPerfect or PDF
♣ Will add your Queen of the May review link to table, just ask
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Denee Cody -- The Court of Love
Rated: ♥ ♥ ♥ {3.00}
Action: ♠♠.♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣.♣ / Romance: ♥♥.♥ / Sensuous: ♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠
Action: 2.5 / Emotion: 3.5 / Romance: 2.5 / Sensuous: 1 / Suspense: 3 // Medieval Flavor: 3 / Laughter: 2 / Tears: 4
After reading the back cover, decided that The Court of Love, the first book in The Mandeville Trilogy by Denée Cody, sounded like it would be an exciting, intriguing medieval romance (on a Medieval Romance reading binge). Cody did an excellent job of grabbing and keeping interest as the story progressed, but this book lacked that magic that was looking for -- a book that would draw one deep into the story and inspire a deep emotional connection to the characters.
A truly gifted author is one who writes such an engrossing story that it so engages the emotions that it makes the reader feel like she is the heroine and that the hero is her knight in shining armor. Will say that even though Cody failed to inspire this depth of connection, she did manage to bring moments of heartfelt tears and instances of laughter -- so the book was not a total wash.
There were several instances when frustration overrode interest while reading The Court of Love. One particular frustration was tied to the way Cody spent an inordinate amount of time in the mind of the hero, Stephan de Mandeville, as he bemoaned the secret of his birth that kept him at arms length from the rest of the world. Can understand that Cody was trying to build up the intrigue factor of the story and was leading up to some kind of emotional, life-altering moment of revelation, but it started getting old -- kept thinking, what can be that awful -- enough of this build-up -- tell us, alright already!
When the story started to drag, did something very abnormal -- went to Amazon to read a couple of reviews to see if should continue to read this book. It happened! Usually, do not want to take the risk that a reviewer would insert (hopefully, inadvertently) an enjoyment-ruining spoiler (The very reason that reading reviews before reading the book is such a "no-no".) Sure enough, one reviewer revealed Stephan's big secret. Thankfully, this time, the spoiler did not ruin the book -- it helped rather than hindered the flow of the story. In fact, it brought more enjoyment to the read because now understood where Cody was leading Stephan. (Probably because was so frustrated by the amount of time Stephan spent fretting about his secret and why it made him unworthy.)
Cody started out the book with a bang. She immediately took the reader back in time, by having the nineteen-year-old heroine, Julianna Devereux, Countess of Rosmar, tell the overweight, malodorous Bishop of London that "no" she would not allow herself to become betrothed to her eight-year-old cousin, Gilbert de Clare. Before being banished to her small room, Julianna revealed to the reader the underlying theme that was emphasized throughout the rest of the story -- that a Englishwoman in 1189 had no say so over her life.
The biggest reason for finishing the book was to find out how an inconsequential knight such as Stephan could outwit and outmaneuver the man he violently abhorred -- the black-hearted, spoiled, evil Prince John Plantagenet. Cody went to great lengths to weave actual historical events and characters into the story. She introduced Stephan, his father, William de Mandeville, Lord Essex, and his brother Alexander "Alex" de Mandeville sitting on their warhorses outside Chinon Castle in France where their liege lord, King Henry II lay dying. It was here that Stephan's hatred towards John was revealed. John was responsible for the death of his beloved sister, Maud, at the impressionable age of fourteen. (Even though Cody never told the entire story of what happened between John and Maud -- it was obvious what happened years ago between a licentious royal and an innocent maiden.)
Cody also used this introductory scene to present another topic that she richly-developed during the telling of Stephan and Julianna's story -- that some men were inherently honorable and loyal (like the Mandeville men) and that they had to answer to men like Richard the Lion Heart, duke of Normandy, who could be most affable, yet brutal and arbitrary. Not only did the Mandeville men have to answer to Richard and John, but also to their mother, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Cody used her vivid imagination to develop Queen Eleanor as a point of view character. Julianna, Isabella, and Elizabeth had been sent to stay with Eleanor at Winchester. Upon King Henry's death, the new king, Richard, sent Stephan (newly appointed as the head of Queen Eleanor's mesnie), Alexander and the man who lead King Henry's mesnie for the past 20 years, William Marshal, to free Eleanor and name her Regent until he could return to England. (Definition of mesnie.)
The interesting thing about Queen Eleanor (as portrayed by Cody) was that she considered herself much like her deceitful, manipulative son, John, and yet she favored Richard. Queen Eleanor is revealed to have a maternal side in spite of her high royal opinion of herself. (Cody included a very cute, personality-revealing scene between Thomas de Vere, a seven-year-old page and Eleanor. (page 165)) Eleanor expects everyone to be as dishonest as herself and does not seem to know how to deal with such openly honest people as Julianna and the Mandeville brothers.
Another thing that may have made the book feel more modern than medieval was the way Cody gave the characters multi-faceted personalities and painted a picture of what their everyday lives may have been like -- and that they acted just like people of today. Rather than show Stephan only as a fierce warrior, performing great deeds on the battlefield who won his lady fair -- he was also a son, a brother, a friend, a leader of men who experienced frustrations with each of these roles.
Alexander was likewise developed. Although wish to know so much more about him (and can do so in his book, Queen of the May), Alexander was a typical younger brother who: {1} looked up to his older brother; {2} was frustrated because his father and Stephan always left him out of their secret whisperings; and {3} was full of mischief and charm that led him into trouble. Really liked the very masculine camaraderie-revealing scene that highlighted Alexander's personality when he met his boyhood friend, Robin "Rob" Arundel when the Arundel brothers arrived at Westminster Palace (page 182).
Several minor characters were introduced with such masculine, interesting personalities that wished they had their own novellas -- wanted to know more about them. {1} Bernard Delacroix arrived at the palace with members of his large family to pledge his fealty to the new king. Bernard understood Stephan's exasperation with Alexander, having six younger brothers of his own to corral. Stephan experienced envy while watching the boisterousness and familiarity that existed between the Delacroix family. {2} Having fostered together, Thomas Arundel was a close friend of Stephan's. The prickly, solemn Thomas had the same difficulty trying to keep Rob out of trouble whenever he was around Alexander as Stephan. Thomas was the Arundel brother who had to face the queen when Alexander and Rob decided to take matters into their own hands and help Stephan and Julianna in their floundering dreams of happily-ever-after.
William Marshal, Stephan's mentor and commander was a wonderful additional to the story. Because of his years of faithful service to King Henry, William was given the hand (and lands and titles) of the heiress, Isabella. There were several parallels that ran between William and Isabella's relationship and Stephan and Julianna's. {1} William and Isabella fell in love at first sight. {2} William went from a landless knight to a powerful, wealthy peer of the realm upon his marriage. Although William did not spend a lot of time on the pages of the story, what time he did spend painted him as a wonderfully interesting, vivid, memorable figure.
Even though he stayed mostly in the background, Stephan's father, Lord Essex had such an aura of power and honor about him, that wished more details had been included about his life. Lord Essex obviously loved his two illegitimate sons and trained them as befit the strictures of 12th-century England, but he was unable to make them his heirs. The really big missing pieces of the puzzle, however, were: {1} how did Stephan's father meet his mother; {2} how long did they have together before Johanna's death; {3} who is Alexander's mother; {4} if William is so fecund, why doesn't he have any legitimate children? (There is a mention of Stephan and Alexander's step-mother, Christian.)
Being a zealous romance book reader, was looking for the warm, fuzzy feelings that arise when reading romance books. Wanted: {1} to "feel" the emotions and attraction between Stephan and Julianna; {2} to experience the sensual sizzle when Stephan and Julianna made love; {3} to experience excitement as Stephan and Julianna move from one moment of action and adventure to another; {4} to hold breath in anticipation of what is going to happen next. And while, there was a modicum of each of these items, Cody failed to deliver the depth of these experiences that make for a truly great read. Wished that The Court of Love was more romantic, not just a forum for Cody to espouse about {1} the lack of control heiresses had over their lives; {2} the difficulties knights faced when dealing with dishonorable royalty; and {3} the differences between the classes (how noblewoman were taught to not see commoners as people).
--Vonda M. Reid (Tuesday, April 3, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.) [226]
Books In the Series: The Mandeville Trilogy
The Court of Love Quotations:
Characters Found In "The Court of Love"
The Court of Love Reviews:
Notes:
♥ Disclaimer: I Purchased This Book
♥ Very Subjective Rating
♥ Willing to share Cheat Sheet
♦ in whole or in part
Action: ♠♠.♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣.♣ / Romance: ♥♥.♥ / Sensuous: ♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠
Action: 2.5 / Emotion: 3.5 / Romance: 2.5 / Sensuous: 1 / Suspense: 3 // Medieval Flavor: 3 / Laughter: 2 / Tears: 4
A truly gifted author is one who writes such an engrossing story that it so engages the emotions that it makes the reader feel like she is the heroine and that the hero is her knight in shining armor. Will say that even though Cody failed to inspire this depth of connection, she did manage to bring moments of heartfelt tears and instances of laughter -- so the book was not a total wash.
There were several instances when frustration overrode interest while reading The Court of Love. One particular frustration was tied to the way Cody spent an inordinate amount of time in the mind of the hero, Stephan de Mandeville, as he bemoaned the secret of his birth that kept him at arms length from the rest of the world. Can understand that Cody was trying to build up the intrigue factor of the story and was leading up to some kind of emotional, life-altering moment of revelation, but it started getting old -- kept thinking, what can be that awful -- enough of this build-up -- tell us, alright already!
When the story started to drag, did something very abnormal -- went to Amazon to read a couple of reviews to see if should continue to read this book. It happened! Usually, do not want to take the risk that a reviewer would insert (hopefully, inadvertently) an enjoyment-ruining spoiler (The very reason that reading reviews before reading the book is such a "no-no".) Sure enough, one reviewer revealed Stephan's big secret. Thankfully, this time, the spoiler did not ruin the book -- it helped rather than hindered the flow of the story. In fact, it brought more enjoyment to the read because now understood where Cody was leading Stephan. (Probably because was so frustrated by the amount of time Stephan spent fretting about his secret and why it made him unworthy.)
Cody started out the book with a bang. She immediately took the reader back in time, by having the nineteen-year-old heroine, Julianna Devereux, Countess of Rosmar, tell the overweight, malodorous Bishop of London that "no" she would not allow herself to become betrothed to her eight-year-old cousin, Gilbert de Clare. Before being banished to her small room, Julianna revealed to the reader the underlying theme that was emphasized throughout the rest of the story -- that a Englishwoman in 1189 had no say so over her life.
Julianna felt like chattel to be sold to the highest bidder, expected to dumbly accept her fate and not inconvenience those charged with making decisions for her. For months no one listened to her. Now they did. (page 9)One of things that really enjoyed about The Court of Love was the inclusion of Julianna's two best friends, Isabella de Clare, countess of Pembroke, and Elizabeth. It was a method Cody utilized to show the readers how orphaned heiresses were bartered and how they may have dealt with having no control over their own lives. As the three girls talked in Julianna's chamber, Cody also revealed that she had not researched the jargon of this era -- the dialogue that followed sounded too modernistic. In fact, it was this touch of twentieth century-sounding discourse throughout the remainder of the book that lessened the enjoyment of the story. When reading a medieval romance want it to "sound like" a medieval romance! Look at the specific example of a blatant lingo blunder; namely, Stephan is trying to talk himself out of his lustful interest in Julianna:
"He chided himself for a fool. A whore would take care of his itch." (page 75)The lack of emotional depth to the story flowed over into the lack of romantic zing that passed between Stephan and Julianna. Stephan and Julianna spent copious amounts of time thinking about and desiring the other after they took one look and felt that facet of heretofore unimaginable magic -- "Love At First Sight." Naturally, Stephan and Julianna spent quite a few pages rhapsodizing about how unlikely and hopeless was their possibility of marriage -- he was an illegitimate knight with a "big secret" and she was a noble heiress. Was disappointed because just did not "feel the love" whenever Stephan and Julianna were together. Cody spent more time regaling readers with the political climate by having Stephan and Julianna engage in disagreements that revealed how different each of them perceived the ways of world.
The biggest reason for finishing the book was to find out how an inconsequential knight such as Stephan could outwit and outmaneuver the man he violently abhorred -- the black-hearted, spoiled, evil Prince John Plantagenet. Cody went to great lengths to weave actual historical events and characters into the story. She introduced Stephan, his father, William de Mandeville, Lord Essex, and his brother Alexander "Alex" de Mandeville sitting on their warhorses outside Chinon Castle in France where their liege lord, King Henry II lay dying. It was here that Stephan's hatred towards John was revealed. John was responsible for the death of his beloved sister, Maud, at the impressionable age of fourteen. (Even though Cody never told the entire story of what happened between John and Maud -- it was obvious what happened years ago between a licentious royal and an innocent maiden.)
Cody also used this introductory scene to present another topic that she richly-developed during the telling of Stephan and Julianna's story -- that some men were inherently honorable and loyal (like the Mandeville men) and that they had to answer to men like Richard the Lion Heart, duke of Normandy, who could be most affable, yet brutal and arbitrary. Not only did the Mandeville men have to answer to Richard and John, but also to their mother, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Cody used her vivid imagination to develop Queen Eleanor as a point of view character. Julianna, Isabella, and Elizabeth had been sent to stay with Eleanor at Winchester. Upon King Henry's death, the new king, Richard, sent Stephan (newly appointed as the head of Queen Eleanor's mesnie), Alexander and the man who lead King Henry's mesnie for the past 20 years, William Marshal, to free Eleanor and name her Regent until he could return to England. (Definition of mesnie.)
The interesting thing about Queen Eleanor (as portrayed by Cody) was that she considered herself much like her deceitful, manipulative son, John, and yet she favored Richard. Queen Eleanor is revealed to have a maternal side in spite of her high royal opinion of herself. (Cody included a very cute, personality-revealing scene between Thomas de Vere, a seven-year-old page and Eleanor. (page 165)) Eleanor expects everyone to be as dishonest as herself and does not seem to know how to deal with such openly honest people as Julianna and the Mandeville brothers.
Another thing that may have made the book feel more modern than medieval was the way Cody gave the characters multi-faceted personalities and painted a picture of what their everyday lives may have been like -- and that they acted just like people of today. Rather than show Stephan only as a fierce warrior, performing great deeds on the battlefield who won his lady fair -- he was also a son, a brother, a friend, a leader of men who experienced frustrations with each of these roles.
Alexander was likewise developed. Although wish to know so much more about him (and can do so in his book, Queen of the May), Alexander was a typical younger brother who: {1} looked up to his older brother; {2} was frustrated because his father and Stephan always left him out of their secret whisperings; and {3} was full of mischief and charm that led him into trouble. Really liked the very masculine camaraderie-revealing scene that highlighted Alexander's personality when he met his boyhood friend, Robin "Rob" Arundel when the Arundel brothers arrived at Westminster Palace (page 182).
Several minor characters were introduced with such masculine, interesting personalities that wished they had their own novellas -- wanted to know more about them. {1} Bernard Delacroix arrived at the palace with members of his large family to pledge his fealty to the new king. Bernard understood Stephan's exasperation with Alexander, having six younger brothers of his own to corral. Stephan experienced envy while watching the boisterousness and familiarity that existed between the Delacroix family. {2} Having fostered together, Thomas Arundel was a close friend of Stephan's. The prickly, solemn Thomas had the same difficulty trying to keep Rob out of trouble whenever he was around Alexander as Stephan. Thomas was the Arundel brother who had to face the queen when Alexander and Rob decided to take matters into their own hands and help Stephan and Julianna in their floundering dreams of happily-ever-after.
William Marshal, Stephan's mentor and commander was a wonderful additional to the story. Because of his years of faithful service to King Henry, William was given the hand (and lands and titles) of the heiress, Isabella. There were several parallels that ran between William and Isabella's relationship and Stephan and Julianna's. {1} William and Isabella fell in love at first sight. {2} William went from a landless knight to a powerful, wealthy peer of the realm upon his marriage. Although William did not spend a lot of time on the pages of the story, what time he did spend painted him as a wonderfully interesting, vivid, memorable figure.
Even though he stayed mostly in the background, Stephan's father, Lord Essex had such an aura of power and honor about him, that wished more details had been included about his life. Lord Essex obviously loved his two illegitimate sons and trained them as befit the strictures of 12th-century England, but he was unable to make them his heirs. The really big missing pieces of the puzzle, however, were: {1} how did Stephan's father meet his mother; {2} how long did they have together before Johanna's death; {3} who is Alexander's mother; {4} if William is so fecund, why doesn't he have any legitimate children? (There is a mention of Stephan and Alexander's step-mother, Christian.)
Being a zealous romance book reader, was looking for the warm, fuzzy feelings that arise when reading romance books. Wanted: {1} to "feel" the emotions and attraction between Stephan and Julianna; {2} to experience the sensual sizzle when Stephan and Julianna made love; {3} to experience excitement as Stephan and Julianna move from one moment of action and adventure to another; {4} to hold breath in anticipation of what is going to happen next. And while, there was a modicum of each of these items, Cody failed to deliver the depth of these experiences that make for a truly great read. Wished that The Court of Love was more romantic, not just a forum for Cody to espouse about {1} the lack of control heiresses had over their lives; {2} the difficulties knights faced when dealing with dishonorable royalty; and {3} the differences between the classes (how noblewoman were taught to not see commoners as people).
--Vonda M. Reid (Tuesday, April 3, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.) [226]
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
Books In the Series: The Mandeville Trilogy
| # | Date | Title | Hero | Heroine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | 08-1996 | The Court of Love | Stephan de Mandeville / knight | Julianna Devereux, Countess of Rosmar |
| 02. | 06-1997 | Queen of the May | Alexander de Mandeville / knight | Giselle / healer to Robyn of Sherwood's band |
| 03. | 06-1998 | The Golden Rose | Andrew Mandeville / knight | Catherine Avery Stanley, Lady of Rosmar |
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
The Court of Love Quotations:
| 104 | What was so compelling about the man that her thoughts centered back to him no matter what she tried to distract herself with? |
| 106 | How could one know so quickly and so surely, without doubt? |
| 110 | There is always risk if you have the courage to follow your heart. |
| 354 | "There is but one God," Stephan said. "It is we who tear Him apart and create walls against our fellows and nourish our contempt for one another." |
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
Characters Found In "The Court of Love"
| Character / Location | Description / Relationships |
|---|---|
| Stephan de Mandeville | [Hero] one of King Henry's fiercest and most devoted knights (bc) honorable; loyal; responsible (29) bastard by birth (32) loner by necessity (40) tall; black hair; piercing gray eyes (61) handsome (63) would rather die than cheapen his honor; word is his oath; doesn't steal; is not cruel; quickly angry at injustice; killing is hard on him; something happened in Jerusalem that haunts him (93) |
| Julianna Devereux Countess of Rosmar | [Heroine] (7) stubborn determination (8) 19-y-o; heiress to half the Devereux family wealthy; would bring Rosmar and other fiefs to marriage (9) see how the world should be and fight for what you find unfair and unreasonable (13) auburn hair; body that inspires men to act like beasts (15) stubborn (17) big green eyes; lush body (65) hair bright with red and gold; curious mix of shyness and maturity; full of curiosity and laughter (75) no good at deception (114) |
| . . . | . . . |
| His Excellency The Bishop of London | [One Appearance] priest presiding over ceremony of Julianna's betrothal to Gilbert // bloodshot eyes nearly hidden within folds of pale flesh; smell of old sweat; overpowering stink of his breath, potent with odors of garlic and rotting teeth (7) |
| Adar | Julianna purchased; stallion of dusky gray; black mane and tail; magnificent; courageous; strong; noble (118) name means: "prince" or "fire" (119) |
| Alais | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] French king's sister; betrothed to Richard in infancy; Eleanor raised with her girls; lush; Henry's mistress (73) |
| Arthur duke of Brittany | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] King Henry's nephew; 2-y-o (44) |
| Harry Arundel | [Brief Appearances] arrived at Westminster // youngest brother; quiet (182) |
| Robin "Rob" Arundel | [Brief Appearances] arrived at Westminster // middle brother; tall; strong; Alexander's friend (182) irrepressible (316) |
| Thomas Arundel | [Brief Appearances] arrived at Westminster // eldest brother; tall strong; impatient (182) Stephan's friend; prickly; solemn (316) |
| queen of Castile | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] Eleanor's daughter (58) |
| countess of Champagne | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] Eleanor's daughter (58) |
| Christian | [No Appearance] Lord Essex's wife; Stephan's step-mother (334) |
| Lady Amice de Clare | [Secondary Character] Richard's wife (8) kindhearted; married as told; content with her life (12) thin hands (25) |
| Gilbert de Clare | [Secondary Character] Julianna's cousin; bane of her existence (7) 8-y-o; awkward, difficult childhood; obsessed with dogs. horses and hawks; skinny brat (9) |
| Richard de Clare Earl of Hertford and Clare | [Secondary Character] Julianna's uncle (8) took responsibilities toward his three charges seriously (14) kind; even-tempered (15) stubborn (17) obsessive at lineage (18) |
| Richard de Clare earl of Pembroke | [No Appearance] [Hero of "The Conquered Heart"] known as Strongbow: won lands in Ireland; marriage to princess; Isabella's father (52) |
| Isabella de Clare countess of Pembroke | [Secondary Character] (11) restless when confined (11) daughter of Irish princess and Norman warlord; orphaned early in life; Richard her cousin, nearest male kin (11) sensible; more clever in her defiance (11) see the world as it is, accept it, determined to make the most of what offered; confined to Tower 14 years (13) heiress to quarter of Ireland and earldom of Pembroke in Wales (14) 18-y-o (22) pale gold hair; eyes the blue of gentians; delicate pink and white skin; slim, graceful body; beautiful; generous nature (60) fair; dainty; smile full of mirth (65) determined pragmatism behind mask of disarming femininity (105) |
| Joan de Clare | [Brief Appearance] Richard and Amice's youngest daughter (21) |
| Bernard Delacroix | [Brief Appearances] arrived at Westminster Palace to pledge fealty to new King; he and brothers joined Stephan's guard // large man; covered with thick curly back hair everywhere but on his bald head (84) six younger brothers (86) |
| Jordan Devereux | [No Appearance] Julianna's father (345) |
| Patrick Devereux earl of Salisbury and Rosmar | [No Appearance] Julianna's grandfather; brother to William de Clare's mother (146) |
| Diza | mare Julianna purchased; chestnut; desert blood (117) delicate head; not skitterish; no fear; graceful; fluid movement (118) "joy" (119) |
| Queen Eleanor | [Actual Historical Character / Major Secondary Character] lived as king's prisoner (24) Richard devoted; John held enmity (53) elegant; charming; intelligent (56) 70-y-o (73) thrived on action; drawing vigor from danger and intrigue; enjoyed being in command, being heard, being obeyed; power was her wine (102) |
| Elizabeth [FitzWilliam] | [Secondary Character] Julianna's youngest aunt; sweet innocent; one year difference in ages (10) shy; unaffected goodness; natural and open (11) betrothed to king's youngest son, John (15) amazingly beautiful, original needlework (21) simplicity (110) |
| Geoffrey bastard chancellor of England | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] King Henry's son (43) |
| Gertrude | [One Appearance] William's Marshal's Goodrich servant; plump; rosy skin; clean; large hands made red with work (296) |
| late Earl of Gloucester | [No Appearance] Earl's father a bastard to King Henry I; father to {1} Julianna's mother; {2} Amice; {3} Elizabeth (10) |
| Ranulf de Granville | [Brief Appearance] Eleanor's scrupulous jailor (59) |
| Harald | [One Appearance] squire guarding door to Richard's solar (20) |
| King Henry Plantagenet | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] temper capable of violent destruction (27) frugal; constant vigilance; true love of England (102) |
| David ben Isaac | [Rare Appearances] moneylender (127) handsome man; middle years (128) honorable (131) same gray eyes as Judith (248) Stephan's cousin; wore a beard; shorter than Stephan; longer hair (250) |
| Judith ben Isaac | [Rare Appearances] (83) little girl; flowing dark hair; gray eyes like Stephan's (245) David, Rachel's daughter (248) 10-y-o (256) |
| Rachel ben Isaac | [Rare Appearances] David's wife; small women; dressed in dark silks (129) spoke in crisp, authoritative manner, no frivolity or coyness (130) |
| Johanna | [No Appearance] Stephan's mother; joyful; smelled of new bread and summer; laughing whenever William was near (244) David's mother's sister (249) |
| Prince John | [Actual Historical Character / Secondary Character] shared sire's temper capable of violent destruction; son of King Henry (27) barbed pride (32) spoiled, useless ingrate; black, selfish heart (36) cruel; dangerous (37) not a brave man; deals in treachery and stealth, woven together on loom of lies (46) notably handsome; dark hair; dark eyes (363) |
| William Marshal | [Major Secondary Character] Stephan's mentor / married Isabella // Julianna's cousin through a Devereux connection; a crude knight; younger son of a minor baron; in 40s; well-liked by king; renowned for his courage; won great favor in tournaments; honorable, gallant man; head of king's mesnie for 20 years (22) large, calloused hands (45) sun-tanned skin; curly brown hair; brown eyes made him dark; gentle eyes in kind face; deep resonant voice full of warmth; valiant knight; renowned bravery (63) cannot read (107) |
| Alexander de Mandeville | [Major Secondary Character] [Hero of Book 2] Stephan's younger brother (26) young; impressionable (37) blond hair (45) long, elegant gait (47) handsome (63) |
| Maud de Mandeville | [No Appearance] Stephan's little sister; sweet; fourteen that summer; beautiful with promise; John responsible for Maud's death six years ago from tower at Walden (30) shared mother with Stephan (94) voice of an angel, always singing or humming (263) happy; innocent (264) |
| William de Mandeville Lord Essex | [Secondary Character] (26) Stephan's father; scars of previous battles etched in his flesh (26) Lord Essex: formidable, despite his years; long year's as king's lieutenant in Normandy; man of careful mien and great dignity (27) taught sons well (29) once powerful body had grown heavier; a man to fear; more gray in hair than black (38) William the Wise (164) |
| Matilda | [Brief Appearance] Charmant cook; square, stout woman; red of face; gray haired (180) |
| Earl of Oxford | [No Appearance] Thomas de Vere's father (165) |
| Richard the Lion Heart duke of Normandy: | [Actual Historical Character / Secondary Character] could be most affable, brutal and arbitrary (26) shared sire's temper capable of violent destruction; son of King Henry (27) drawn to men rather than women (47) rare and disquieting man, who by force of character drew others to himself (52) Henry's stubbornness; Eleanor's pride (73) |
| Rosamund | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] King Henry's mistress (73) |
| queen of Sicily | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] Eleanor's daughter (58) |
| Geoffrey [de Vere] | [No Appearance] Margaret's husband (157) |
| Margaret de Vere | [One Appearance] attended Eleanor's day of "a court of love" (154) Stephan's stepmother's sister; talked incessantly (151) pretty; plump; glowing with health (155) |
| Thomas de Vere | [One Appearance] queen's page (165) 7-y-o (167) |
| William Earl of Salisbury | [Actual Historical Character / No Appearance] King Henry's bastard; not of age (44) |
| Guy of Worcester | [One Appearance] William Marshal's knight (287) |
| Raymond de Wulf | [One Appearance] attended Eleanor's day of "a court of love" (137) outlandish clothing (138) |
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
The Court of Love Reviews:
| Rated | Posted | Site | Notes, Comments, Etc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| article | 09-1997 | All About Romance | The Importance of Research by Denee Cody |
| 3.00 average | {3 reviews} | Amazon | as of: May 22, 2012 |
| 3.00 average | {1 review} | Barnes & Noble | as of: May 22, 2012 (mine) |
| -- | -- | Fantastic Fiction | List of Books |
| -- | -- | Fiction DB | List of Books |
| 4.00 average | {2 reviews} | Good Reads | as of: May 22, 2012 |
| 3.13 average | {6 ratings} | Library Thing | as of: May 22, 2012 (only mine) |
| 3.50 average | {11 ratings} | Paperback Swap | as of: May 22, 2012 |
| 3.50 average | {2 reviews} | Shelfari | as of: May 22, 2012 |
| 3.00 | 05-22-2012 | Wolf Bear Does Books | shorter post on Amazon, B&N, fdb, GR, LT, Shelfari |
♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦ . . . . . . . . . ♠ . . . . . . . . . ♣ . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . ♦
♥ Disclaimer: I Purchased This Book
♥ Very Subjective Rating
♥ Willing to share Cheat Sheet
♦ in whole or in part
♦ WordPerfect or PDF
♣ Will add your The Court of Love review link to table, just ask
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)