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Spoil of War
SPOIL OF WAR is a fascinating account of early Britain, a gripping tale of lust, love and the horrors of ancient warfare. Beautifully written, filled with myriad period details and compelling characters, it takes you deep into the heart of a brutal era -- and into the nature of feminine honor, feminine courage. I was enthralled. - JENNIFER BLAKE, NY Times Bestselling Author
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Elsbeth of Olmsbury desires nothing beyond helping her father run his dukedom - until the duke's forces are overwhelmed, his castle torched and Elsbeth seized for the invading king's personal spoil. Expecting the same abuse as the other surviving women of her house, Elsbeth instead finds the king, Leodegrance, treating her with a civility that belies his flagrant desire for her. A desire that will have her his consort in Cameliard once he can convince her rank and duty alone forced his hand against her father.
But Elsbeth is not so easily won. There is the matter of Leodegrance gifting his steward with an unwilling young handmaid from Elsbeth's household. Of his marriage of convenience to his Byzantine queen. And of his plans to subjugate more of Britain's citadels and unite the wild isle under Roman rule.
If Elsbeth can't find her tangled way to forgiveness with the king - or escape the dark designs and perverse desires of Uther Pendragon, enemy to them both - then a legend of Camelot may never be conceived, never be born, and never change history forever ...
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Please This novel takes place in a harsh era when spoils were often treated as commodities. While the violence toward women and children is period-appropriate and for mature adults only, it is never gratuitous. The story focuses on adaptation, survival and, ultimately, love in the Dark Ages before Arthur was made king.
__________
Elsbeth of Olmsbury desires nothing beyond helping her father run his dukedom - until the duke's forces are overwhelmed, his castle torched and Elsbeth seized for the invading king's personal spoil. Expecting the same abuse as the other surviving women of her house, Elsbeth instead finds the king, Leodegrance, treating her with a civility that belies his flagrant desire for her. A desire that will have her his consort in Cameliard once he can convince her rank and duty alone forced his hand against her father.
But Elsbeth is not so easily won. There is the matter of Leodegrance gifting his steward with an unwilling young handmaid from Elsbeth's household. Of his marriage of convenience to his Byzantine queen. And of his plans to subjugate more of Britain's citadels and unite the wild isle under Roman rule.
If Elsbeth can't find her tangled way to forgiveness with the king - or escape the dark designs and perverse desires of Uther Pendragon, enemy to them both - then a legend of Camelot may never be conceived, never be born, and never change history forever ...
__________
Please This novel takes place in a harsh era when spoils were often treated as commodities. While the violence toward women and children is period-appropriate and for mature adults only, it is never gratuitous. The story focuses on adaptation, survival and, ultimately, love in the Dark Ages before Arthur was made king.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2011
18 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 14, 2012
I didn't want to like him!
This story was not what I would have normally read. I may like a man to take care of me but in those times they went a little overboard. At first I was stubborn in the fact that LEO was a complete cave man (although this story depicts a time when all men were like that) but gradually he made me see things from his point of view. I really liked the story. It's a tale of long ago when men did not always have the free choice to do what was right. Sometimes they had to do what was expected of them, weather they wanted to or not. I may not have liked everything that he did but I could tell that what he did, he did out of honor. It's worth it to read. I saw some bad reviews on this book. One said "Beyond Offensive and shouldn't be classified as romance." Really? That's a little harsh. The Author wrote very historically convincingly about a time when women were considered second class. Are you honestly telling me that these things never happened? It would have been wrong of the Author to paint a pretty picture for us, when that's not the reality. Just because it is a romance does not mean that there should be no basis for reality. It's a good book if you like a read that will actually challange your view on what a hero should be.
This story was not what I would have normally read. I may like a man to take care of me but in those times they went a little overboard. At first I was stubborn in the fact that LEO was a complete cave man (although this story depicts a time when all men were like that) but gradually he made me see things from his point of view. I really liked the story. It's a tale of long ago when men did not always have the free choice to do what was right. Sometimes they had to do what was expected of them, weather they wanted to or not. I may not have liked everything that he did but I could tell that what he did, he did out of honor. It's worth it to read. I saw some bad reviews on this book. One said "Beyond Offensive and shouldn't be classified as romance." Really? That's a little harsh. The Author wrote very historically convincingly about a time when women were considered second class. Are you honestly telling me that these things never happened? It would have been wrong of the Author to paint a pretty picture for us, when that's not the reality. Just because it is a romance does not mean that there should be no basis for reality. It's a good book if you like a read that will actually challange your view on what a hero should be.
January 15, 2018
Hide yo kids, hide yo wife, hide yo husband
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June 17, 2018
Originally posted on Feminist Romantic blog: http://feministromantic.blogspot.com/...
3.5 stars
This book came up on the free list on Amazon, and of course it caught my attention. Then I started reading the reviews, and they were so mixed that I really wanted to see for myself what's the fuss was about. See that Please Note that I highlighted? THAT really made me curious! So I braced myself for the child rape, and started reading.
The thing is, I can't tell you how many times I was reading books and imagining what I would do if I was unwilling bride/slave girl/woman in the X century with no rights/sold to harem/etc... and my conclusions were that yes, I would fight back however I can, but I am a survivor, and eventually I would give in. I've realized that I would choose to live as a well fed slave, then starve as a free woman. Not very heroic right? Maybe not even "strong". But I always tried to put myself in the shoes of those women, who tried to make the best out out of their situations and this is the conclusion I came up with. Well, this is the conclusion that Elsbeth comes up with too. And that's why I LOVED this book!
Elsbeth questions everything that Leo does, she doesn't forget that he killed her father and destroyed her home, that he took her prisoner and kept her as concubine, when his wife was in the same castle. She wants to get free and rid of him. She resists! She eventually gives in, and tries to make the best of the situation, and it's HER choice! She tries to make the best out of situation that she was thrown in, and I think she does pretty well for herself. Because in reality, what could anyone expect out of her? Die? Because that would be the only way out, and Elsbeth makes it pretty clear that she would like to live. I wasn't bothered by the fact that she fell in love with her captor either, because I tried to think in the terms of that time period. War was normal, slavery was normal, women were property. She got elevated pretty high in status, and Leo was in LOVE with her to the point of catering to almost every one of her whims.
I tried not to think about the situation from the modern women's perspective, instead recalling the words of my favorite history professor at the university "The concept of gender equality did not exist at the time". Even so, Elsbeth was pretty "modern" if I try to relate her action and thinking to the modern world. Our world still struggles with rape, and women are treated as spoils of wars in the current warfare, so why would it have been different during the Dark Ages? Even the rape of an 11 year old girl didn't turn me off this book (and her age was speculation, later on it was said that she was 13). Yes, I was disturbed, until I remembered a romance novel I've read where a girl was sold to harem and she was 13. And no, I'm not condoning the rape, I just think that it was probably expected at that time period and during war. Women always suffer when war happens, and this book actually dared to show the terrible things that happen to them.
I also think it to be ironic that author put that note in the description. Was she expecting all the criticism she got? Hmm..... interesting. And because of that, I can't say that those readers were not warned.
Overall, I really liked the book and I thought it to be pretty realistic in terms of women experiences during that time. I don't know how historically accurate it was in other aspects, but at least from the women's perspective I think it did a great job. Why did I give it only 3.5 stars if it was that great? Check out below.
Nitpicks
Why is the hair of the girl on the cover BROWN?! The books makes such a big deal out of the color of her hair, and in current day and age it is not that hard to change the color of hair. I bet even I could figure it out!
One final thing. Lynette could not conceive a child after 3 years of actively trying, and Leo only *supposedly* had 1 bastard. Elsbeth lives with him for over 6 month, where he comes to her bed pretty often. With him being THAT obsessed over a heir, he doesn't even ONCE thinks about the possibility of Elsbeth getting pregnant? Nor is she! And then she gets raped too, and doesn't even worry that she MIGHT get pregnant?! That seems so not believable for me. Of course, in the end she magically gets pregnant right away. I kinda want to know, who is the daddy? Considering she got raped repeatedly when she was in captivity.....
Recommended For
Anyone who likes darker books, or who is interested in women's perspective and lives during the time of war.
3.5 stars
This book came up on the free list on Amazon, and of course it caught my attention. Then I started reading the reviews, and they were so mixed that I really wanted to see for myself what's the fuss was about. See that Please Note that I highlighted? THAT really made me curious! So I braced myself for the child rape, and started reading.
The thing is, I can't tell you how many times I was reading books and imagining what I would do if I was unwilling bride/slave girl/woman in the X century with no rights/sold to harem/etc... and my conclusions were that yes, I would fight back however I can, but I am a survivor, and eventually I would give in. I've realized that I would choose to live as a well fed slave, then starve as a free woman. Not very heroic right? Maybe not even "strong". But I always tried to put myself in the shoes of those women, who tried to make the best out out of their situations and this is the conclusion I came up with. Well, this is the conclusion that Elsbeth comes up with too. And that's why I LOVED this book!
Elsbeth questions everything that Leo does, she doesn't forget that he killed her father and destroyed her home, that he took her prisoner and kept her as concubine, when his wife was in the same castle. She wants to get free and rid of him. She resists! She eventually gives in, and tries to make the best of the situation, and it's HER choice! She tries to make the best out of situation that she was thrown in, and I think she does pretty well for herself. Because in reality, what could anyone expect out of her? Die? Because that would be the only way out, and Elsbeth makes it pretty clear that she would like to live. I wasn't bothered by the fact that she fell in love with her captor either, because I tried to think in the terms of that time period. War was normal, slavery was normal, women were property. She got elevated pretty high in status, and Leo was in LOVE with her to the point of catering to almost every one of her whims.
I tried not to think about the situation from the modern women's perspective, instead recalling the words of my favorite history professor at the university "The concept of gender equality did not exist at the time". Even so, Elsbeth was pretty "modern" if I try to relate her action and thinking to the modern world. Our world still struggles with rape, and women are treated as spoils of wars in the current warfare, so why would it have been different during the Dark Ages? Even the rape of an 11 year old girl didn't turn me off this book (and her age was speculation, later on it was said that she was 13). Yes, I was disturbed, until I remembered a romance novel I've read where a girl was sold to harem and she was 13. And no, I'm not condoning the rape, I just think that it was probably expected at that time period and during war. Women always suffer when war happens, and this book actually dared to show the terrible things that happen to them.
I also think it to be ironic that author put that note in the description. Was she expecting all the criticism she got? Hmm..... interesting. And because of that, I can't say that those readers were not warned.
Overall, I really liked the book and I thought it to be pretty realistic in terms of women experiences during that time. I don't know how historically accurate it was in other aspects, but at least from the women's perspective I think it did a great job. Why did I give it only 3.5 stars if it was that great? Check out below.
Nitpicks
Why is the hair of the girl on the cover BROWN?! The books makes such a big deal out of the color of her hair, and in current day and age it is not that hard to change the color of hair. I bet even I could figure it out!
One final thing. Lynette could not conceive a child after 3 years of actively trying, and Leo only *supposedly* had 1 bastard. Elsbeth lives with him for over 6 month, where he comes to her bed pretty often. With him being THAT obsessed over a heir, he doesn't even ONCE thinks about the possibility of Elsbeth getting pregnant? Nor is she! And then she gets raped too, and doesn't even worry that she MIGHT get pregnant?! That seems so not believable for me. Of course, in the end she magically gets pregnant right away. I kinda want to know, who is the daddy? Considering she got raped repeatedly when she was in captivity.....
Recommended For
Anyone who likes darker books, or who is interested in women's perspective and lives during the time of war.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2013
This is a very odd book. It is utterly misrepresented by its cover -- where I expected a super-smutty historical romance, light reading with an emotional focus, I found a mostly-smutless historical book, built around a vaguely romantic relationship but focused much more on the difficult circumstances of the heroine and a variety of social and philosophical issues of the time.
Which, um, wasn't exactly what I was looking for when I picked it up, but would've been fine if I'd felt like it was 100% historically accurate -- as it was, much of its depiction of religion and British/Roman tensions struck me as trite and oversimplified, and many of the philosophical ideals expressed by the heroine were clearly echoing of the author's more modern views and opinions.
Oh, and most of the book has NO PLOT DEVELOPMENT to speak of. Yeah, that was a problem.
On the plus side, the hero wasn't abhorrent (well-reasoned and sympathetic, actually), and there was no rape-glorifying (which I'd been worried would be a thing), so hey, kudos to Ms. Sullivan for not falling into those pitfalls of the gritty-historical-romance genre.
Which, um, wasn't exactly what I was looking for when I picked it up, but would've been fine if I'd felt like it was 100% historically accurate -- as it was, much of its depiction of religion and British/Roman tensions struck me as trite and oversimplified, and many of the philosophical ideals expressed by the heroine were clearly echoing of the author's more modern views and opinions.
Oh, and most of the book has NO PLOT DEVELOPMENT to speak of. Yeah, that was a problem.
On the plus side, the hero wasn't abhorrent (well-reasoned and sympathetic, actually), and there was no rape-glorifying (which I'd been worried would be a thing), so hey, kudos to Ms. Sullivan for not falling into those pitfalls of the gritty-historical-romance genre.
August 5, 2016
Despite the (misleading) cover, it started out to be a good, historically accurate book. Three quarters into the story, though, I was ready to give it up. I could not believe the same thing was going to happen to her again, and then it happened again! I almost did not finish the book ... I kept reading, however, and I believe the author mostly redeems herself.
Word of caution, though: it is not for those who cannot read with historical perspective in mind. Many things that were commonplace in those times are simply unacceptable today, but that was the way of the world and I believe that is what the author wanted to show.
Word of caution, though: it is not for those who cannot read with historical perspective in mind. Many things that were commonplace in those times are simply unacceptable today, but that was the way of the world and I believe that is what the author wanted to show.
March 17, 2014
This book was so unbelievably different from anything that i have read, that i actually struggles to get through it. I usually day a few hours to two days to finish books, this one has been weeks in progress. It is a very good book, very details but at times it takes a really long time to get to a climax which gives it the air of being drawn out. The relationships of the characters are very complicated. This book is a piece of literary genius. I think what makes it such a hard read is the distance between each climax and the fact that the book was very realistic (Like a History Novella)
March 12, 2014
I had a hard time reading this story. I cannot deal with the rape in this book. It was not what I thought it was going to be and I should have listened to my intuition and put the book down because it irritated the hell out of me. The only reason I gave this a second star is because the first part of the book was pretty brilliant (only about 10%) and I loved the story of the siege.
October 8, 2020
This was more like historical fiction as opposed to a typical medieval romance book because, oh my god, this was A LOT. It was like someone writing a historical romance in the most realistic of senses where the time period wasn’t sanitized or viewed through rose colored glasses. I was only a chapter or so in and wartime people were having sex with dead bodies and raping children. Like, what the hell did I get myself into? As a whole, the world just got more and more brutal the farther in that I got. It honestly got pretty mentally exhausting at times and I had to set it aside quite a bit. The entire Ruth situation made me so upset. She was probably the only character without fault in the book and the way Elsbeth dealt with Ruth’s trauma was so damn insensitive. In general, I guess points for realism. That said, just because it was historically accurate doesn’t mean that I was ever okay with these certain characters and able to look past their disgusting actions to root for them.
The relationship between Elsbeth and Leo started so awkwardly for me. By the end, I was willing to go along with it, but Elsbeth’s feelings for him came so out of nowhere that I spent a good chunk of the story put off by how random it seemed. There were a lot of discussions about women choosing between two bad options, so I could understand if Elsbeth had decided to go along with sleeping with Leo because it was the easier road to travel. That said, Elsbeth watched her father be murdered, her home burned, , and yet a day later she’s lusting after the psycho responsible for it. There were all these moments of burning loins and quickening breaths and it was weird as hell because there was nothing leading up to it that would make me believe she would be into this man. The worst was the scene where .I had to read that section multiple times to make sure I hadn’t misunderstood what was going on and nope, those were really her thoughts.
Overall, despite any negatives and the numerous dumbass decisions Elsbeth made, I was fully invested in this book. I have to say though that the final chapter or so was super jarring when compared to the tone of everything that had previously happened. It was all doom and gloom and then I was hit with the most optimistic, uplifting happy ending. It felt a little out of place.
The relationship between Elsbeth and Leo started so awkwardly for me. By the end, I was willing to go along with it, but Elsbeth’s feelings for him came so out of nowhere that I spent a good chunk of the story put off by how random it seemed. There were a lot of discussions about women choosing between two bad options, so I could understand if Elsbeth had decided to go along with sleeping with Leo because it was the easier road to travel. That said, Elsbeth watched her father be murdered, her home burned, , and yet a day later she’s lusting after the psycho responsible for it. There were all these moments of burning loins and quickening breaths and it was weird as hell because there was nothing leading up to it that would make me believe she would be into this man. The worst was the scene where .I had to read that section multiple times to make sure I hadn’t misunderstood what was going on and nope, those were really her thoughts.
Overall, despite any negatives and the numerous dumbass decisions Elsbeth made, I was fully invested in this book. I have to say though that the final chapter or so was super jarring when compared to the tone of everything that had previously happened. It was all doom and gloom and then I was hit with the most optimistic, uplifting happy ending. It felt a little out of place.
May 28, 2021
This felt like a very long read, when in actuality it appears I finished it in about a week. This is a very loose, and I mean loose, take on the Arthurian saga so don’t expect it to be anywhere close to the normal story.
Being a spoil of war, don’t expect this to be a beautiful love story. There are some difficult scenes to get through. Life isn’t now, nor has it ever been, fair and just. If you’re expecting the females to be treated as such, you may be disappointed.
Overall it’s not a bad story. It leaves you feeling there will be another book, but as of this review I have no idea if there is.
Being a spoil of war, don’t expect this to be a beautiful love story. There are some difficult scenes to get through. Life isn’t now, nor has it ever been, fair and just. If you’re expecting the females to be treated as such, you may be disappointed.
Overall it’s not a bad story. It leaves you feeling there will be another book, but as of this review I have no idea if there is.
May 28, 2014
Elspeth is the daughter of Duke Gunther and his only child. He is away warring against his neighbor a king. When Gunther returns, King Leodegrasse follows. The Keep falls to the king's superior forces. The King claims Elspeth as a spoil of war. He and his army eat and drink. Drunk on mead and victory, Leo takes Elspeth to her father's rooms. Before he can have her, duty calls him to see over fights over spoils. He charges a youth to keep her safe and get her to the Duke's chambers. The youth is also drunk and wanting a woman. Elspeth is not strong enough to stop him. He has nearly completed when Leo returns and angrily has some of his guards remove the man from her. All can see her virgin's blood. Leo is angry that his prize had been used so harshly. He banishes the man, posts his guards, places his sword down the center of the bed, promising that by his honor he will not take her until she agrees to have him.
Elspeth saw her father slain before her, so many of her friends and servants dead. She is devastated and that is before she was brutishly raped. She keeps Leo at arms length reminding him of his honor and his pledge as they travel days to his castle. He insists that they share a tent and bed, and that she ride before him on his horse. She is ever aware of him and as the shock begins to wear off she is thinking maybe Leo is not so bad. Then they arrive at his castle and are met by his Queen. Elspeth cannot see herself as a mistress. She is given a room that is very nice with an adjunct room for a maid. A young 12 year old girl from her keep is assigned as her lady's maid. But the young girl was also been given to Leo's 2nd in command and Elspeth must try to sleep through the rough love making going on nearly nightly.
When Leo has her join him at dinner, she feels the hatred of his people. When she meets the Queen she expects even worse. But the Queen has no love for Leo. She has no choice but to welcome him to her bed until she can give him an heir. But it just isn't happening. As the Queen befriends her, she tells Elspeth that she would be doing the Queen a personal favor to take Leo as a lover.
Eventually she gives into Leo. She finds his lovemaking to be so much more than she expected. But she is moody, and there are times she denies him. He is angry but never hurts her.
War continues in the land. Elspeth tries to be true to her King and the friendship of the Queen. A Knight arrives while Leo is gone. The Queen is fascinated by him, but he wants Elspeth. The Queen interrupts Patrice raping Elspeth and believes Patrice's lies that it was Elspeth who lured her.
Leo applies to the emperor and the Church to put his wife the Queen away due to her barrenness, and requests that he be allowed to marry Elspeth. Many miscommunications, secrets, a running away where Elspeth becomes the victim of a sadist, and kills Patrice whom Leo believes to be true to him as that man tries to kill Leo.
Will Elspeth get her happily ever after? Will the emperor and the Church allow their marriage? What of the Queen? What about Leo's people, will they ever accept her? Will the wars ever end? Will Britain win its independence from Rome and finally be its own kingdom? And if so, who will rule it?
Elspeth saw her father slain before her, so many of her friends and servants dead. She is devastated and that is before she was brutishly raped. She keeps Leo at arms length reminding him of his honor and his pledge as they travel days to his castle. He insists that they share a tent and bed, and that she ride before him on his horse. She is ever aware of him and as the shock begins to wear off she is thinking maybe Leo is not so bad. Then they arrive at his castle and are met by his Queen. Elspeth cannot see herself as a mistress. She is given a room that is very nice with an adjunct room for a maid. A young 12 year old girl from her keep is assigned as her lady's maid. But the young girl was also been given to Leo's 2nd in command and Elspeth must try to sleep through the rough love making going on nearly nightly.
When Leo has her join him at dinner, she feels the hatred of his people. When she meets the Queen she expects even worse. But the Queen has no love for Leo. She has no choice but to welcome him to her bed until she can give him an heir. But it just isn't happening. As the Queen befriends her, she tells Elspeth that she would be doing the Queen a personal favor to take Leo as a lover.
Eventually she gives into Leo. She finds his lovemaking to be so much more than she expected. But she is moody, and there are times she denies him. He is angry but never hurts her.
War continues in the land. Elspeth tries to be true to her King and the friendship of the Queen. A Knight arrives while Leo is gone. The Queen is fascinated by him, but he wants Elspeth. The Queen interrupts Patrice raping Elspeth and believes Patrice's lies that it was Elspeth who lured her.
Leo applies to the emperor and the Church to put his wife the Queen away due to her barrenness, and requests that he be allowed to marry Elspeth. Many miscommunications, secrets, a running away where Elspeth becomes the victim of a sadist, and kills Patrice whom Leo believes to be true to him as that man tries to kill Leo.
Will Elspeth get her happily ever after? Will the emperor and the Church allow their marriage? What of the Queen? What about Leo's people, will they ever accept her? Will the wars ever end? Will Britain win its independence from Rome and finally be its own kingdom? And if so, who will rule it?
March 24, 2013
Spoil of War contains so many things a lover of Arthurian myth desires: passion and loyalty, vengeance and betrayal, all against the backdrop of a Britain so realistically portrayed it was difficult to believe I wasn't actually there experiencing Elsbeth's emotions alongside her. I did not simply understand her emotions. I felt them; felt her rage, her disillusionment, even her conflicted passions. More than anything I felt her desire to be in control of her own life, and found myself rooting for her unabashedly as she fought to gain that control.
Elsbeth's journey is not an easy one. It is rife with danger, both physical and emotional, and there are times when I wondered how she would possibly survive. However, in spite of the danger, Elsbeth's fiery spirit does not falter (nor does her delightfully sharp tongue) as she devises ways to triumph over those much more politically powerful than she. Elsbeth is a force to be reckoned with, a heroine who will be raved about for her strength and resilience for years to come.
Many Arthurian characters appear throughout the novel, and here Sullivan showcases her talent for making old characters new again. Leodegrance is a powerful leader torn between his desire for power and his desire for love. Uther is a beastly villain; the kind of character one loves to hate. And along the way we meet other familiar faces, each of whom will influence the future of Britain, along with some new characters who will enchant and enrage. Lynette and Irene were two of my favorites. Each influenced Elsbeth's life in an unforgettable way.
Lastly, I expected a saga of this complexity to be a bit of a time investment. In reality, I read through this story in a matter of days. I was, more often than not, unable to put it down even to do necessary things, like sleeping or eating at a reasonable time. I simply had to know what was going to happen to Elsbeth next.
In short, when people say page-turner, "Spoil of War" is what they mean.
Elsbeth's journey is not an easy one. It is rife with danger, both physical and emotional, and there are times when I wondered how she would possibly survive. However, in spite of the danger, Elsbeth's fiery spirit does not falter (nor does her delightfully sharp tongue) as she devises ways to triumph over those much more politically powerful than she. Elsbeth is a force to be reckoned with, a heroine who will be raved about for her strength and resilience for years to come.
Many Arthurian characters appear throughout the novel, and here Sullivan showcases her talent for making old characters new again. Leodegrance is a powerful leader torn between his desire for power and his desire for love. Uther is a beastly villain; the kind of character one loves to hate. And along the way we meet other familiar faces, each of whom will influence the future of Britain, along with some new characters who will enchant and enrage. Lynette and Irene were two of my favorites. Each influenced Elsbeth's life in an unforgettable way.
Lastly, I expected a saga of this complexity to be a bit of a time investment. In reality, I read through this story in a matter of days. I was, more often than not, unable to put it down even to do necessary things, like sleeping or eating at a reasonable time. I simply had to know what was going to happen to Elsbeth next.
In short, when people say page-turner, "Spoil of War" is what they mean.
April 9, 2012
I am entirely torn on what to say about this book. On the one hand, Elsbeth is one of the best heroines I've read this year, and Sullivan's research is top-notch and well-woven so as to flesh the world without distracting from the plot. On the other hand, ALL THE RAPING, dear God, ALL THE RAPING. Elsbeth is raped by a random soldier after Leo takes the castle, then her handmaiden, Ruth (WHO IS TWELVE YEARS OLD) is raped repeatedly and dies bearing her abuser's (WHO IS LEO'S BIFFLE AND IS SUPPOSED TO BE SEEN AS HEROIC-ISH BY THE END) child, then some soldiery stuff happens, then Elsbeth is raped again by a knight errant, then she's captured by Uther (of Arthurian fame) and raped a whole bunch in a parody of a BDSM scene, and then...happy ending? Look, I get that women were chattel until very recently in history, and that rape was pretty much a fact of life in war. I can even get that Elsbeth might be better at...compartmentalizing...her feelings on the subject as a matter of simple necessity. Elsbeth as heroine of a frank historical fiction? WIN. Elsbeth as heroine of a historical romance with id-tropes, castles, and pretty things? WIN. But you try to stitch the two of them together, and it starts getting weird. I spent most of the book wanting Elsbeth to stab Leo in the face and other tender places a whole bunch, snatch Lynette up, and go found a pseudo-historical lesbian commune somewhere. Morgause also makes a brief appearance towards the end; I don't know if Sullivan is going with the version of the myth wherein Morgause and Morgan le Fay are the same people are the one wherein they're sisters, but Morgan's hateboner for Camelot is looking pretty danged understandable, even sensible, in light of Ector.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2013
This was an intense book, kept me on the edge whole the time. It was a struggle to get through it, not because it was bad, on contrary it was really really good. The book is about a time long lost, where women were to be used and thrown away. They were disposable and they had to live somehow, even if it meant to not own their own body or soul. I have seen some negative reviews that complain about the view on women and the means choice and I just have to ask myself if these people are so damned ignorant or very sheltered that they don’t realize that horrors of war that are somewhat similar to this book are still happening! Rape is still a powerful weapon in war to degrade women and thereby their race/family/religion etc etc. Through women’s degrade you destroy everything! Look at the wars in the 90’s like Rwanda or even closer to the Western hart of democracy ex Yugoslavia!
Back to the book. I loved the characters, I even somehow liked Leo even if he bugged the hell out of me with his choices but I read the book with an open mind. I did not agree with him and his tactics and not to have a leash on his knights and men because in war if you wish you still could keep your honor and not act like a damn animal, rape women and kill children. Near the end of the book I started to cry, I don’t want to cast any spoilers but it was an intense scene that was just to painful for the heroin.
One thing that bothered me was the cover, even if it is a hot picture I don’t know how it works with the actual story? Ok, the guy I can see as Leo but the girl no way. Do it again, do it better!
Back to the book. I loved the characters, I even somehow liked Leo even if he bugged the hell out of me with his choices but I read the book with an open mind. I did not agree with him and his tactics and not to have a leash on his knights and men because in war if you wish you still could keep your honor and not act like a damn animal, rape women and kill children. Near the end of the book I started to cry, I don’t want to cast any spoilers but it was an intense scene that was just to painful for the heroin.
One thing that bothered me was the cover, even if it is a hot picture I don’t know how it works with the actual story? Ok, the guy I can see as Leo but the girl no way. Do it again, do it better!
November 26, 2013
Elsbeth was there when her home was invaded, witnessed her father killed and then had to deal with becoming just another item to be dealt with in the aftermath.
Leo, the king of Cameliard, was there to lead his troops into victory, to witness the spirit and fire that was within Elsbeth and to also, on the victory night discover her (after he claimed her as his) being raped by one of his drunken knights.
Elsbeth wants to hate Leo for ruining her life, but there is something about him that draws her to him. And, truth be told, she would rather be his concubine than to be a whore for whomever and be forced to go that path. Leo shows her kindness and consideration even when claiming to be her king and conqueror. When Leo's wife, Lynette, befriends Elsbeth and encourages her to sleep with Leo, Elsbeth eventually agrees and becomes Leo's mistress in truth.
Afraid to be left behind, as another knight is harassing her, Elsbeth goes with Leo to war only to have him push her away when he thinks she has betrayed him. In trying to escape, she is captured by the enemy, Uther Pendragon. When Leo discovers this accidentally, he frees her and together they do their best to stay together.
I viewed this as a fantasy sort of story. Although some facts were added only to give the story flavor and were not accurate to the time period, I read it mainly for the underlying story of two people in difficult circumstances overcoming the odds and falling in love. There some slow spots within the story, but there was enough substance to keep me interested through the end.
Leo, the king of Cameliard, was there to lead his troops into victory, to witness the spirit and fire that was within Elsbeth and to also, on the victory night discover her (after he claimed her as his) being raped by one of his drunken knights.
Elsbeth wants to hate Leo for ruining her life, but there is something about him that draws her to him. And, truth be told, she would rather be his concubine than to be a whore for whomever and be forced to go that path. Leo shows her kindness and consideration even when claiming to be her king and conqueror. When Leo's wife, Lynette, befriends Elsbeth and encourages her to sleep with Leo, Elsbeth eventually agrees and becomes Leo's mistress in truth.
Afraid to be left behind, as another knight is harassing her, Elsbeth goes with Leo to war only to have him push her away when he thinks she has betrayed him. In trying to escape, she is captured by the enemy, Uther Pendragon. When Leo discovers this accidentally, he frees her and together they do their best to stay together.
I viewed this as a fantasy sort of story. Although some facts were added only to give the story flavor and were not accurate to the time period, I read it mainly for the underlying story of two people in difficult circumstances overcoming the odds and falling in love. There some slow spots within the story, but there was enough substance to keep me interested through the end.
December 14, 2014
Elsbeth loses everything she has ever held dear when her home falls to the enemy in a war. She finds herself at the mercy of men she despises. Her freedom is lost.
While in captivity, she sees the powerlessness of herself and her people in graphic and disgustingly brutal detail.
Over time, she accepts her fate and falls in love with the king that holds her as his personal property and prisoner. But things never go as planned, and when a strange man comes to the castle while the king is away and takes an unwelcome liking to her, it leads her to do things that result in her suffering more abuse at the hands of cruel men.
Will she ever find freedom and happiness again? In a world where a woman is nothing more than property of men?
I struggled to decide if the main character was stupid or just so damn spirited she wanted to make life harder on herself. I found some of her self-made conflict over the top (but she was a redhead…). I also found that no matter where she turned she was being used sexually or flat out raped the entire book. I know that at the time period women were used with no thought as to their comfort or desire, but shouldn’t there have at least been a couple decent men around? The king was about halfway decent, but that was the closest any man in the title was to having a heart.
Despite all of that, the time period was believable, as were a majority of the characters. I did like the book, and although there were some grammar mistakes, they were few and far between.
While in captivity, she sees the powerlessness of herself and her people in graphic and disgustingly brutal detail.
Over time, she accepts her fate and falls in love with the king that holds her as his personal property and prisoner. But things never go as planned, and when a strange man comes to the castle while the king is away and takes an unwelcome liking to her, it leads her to do things that result in her suffering more abuse at the hands of cruel men.
Will she ever find freedom and happiness again? In a world where a woman is nothing more than property of men?
I struggled to decide if the main character was stupid or just so damn spirited she wanted to make life harder on herself. I found some of her self-made conflict over the top (but she was a redhead…). I also found that no matter where she turned she was being used sexually or flat out raped the entire book. I know that at the time period women were used with no thought as to their comfort or desire, but shouldn’t there have at least been a couple decent men around? The king was about halfway decent, but that was the closest any man in the title was to having a heart.
Despite all of that, the time period was believable, as were a majority of the characters. I did like the book, and although there were some grammar mistakes, they were few and far between.
September 19, 2015
3.5 stars.
Unlike most historical fiction, Sullivan doesn't flinch from harsh reality. Women were often mistreated and had no rights. This novel doesn't sugar coat it in any way. While it could be difficult to read at times, I think the author's portrayal was more accurate than many others out there.
But there were some decisions and actions of the main character that just seemed odd to me.
Unlike most historical fiction, Sullivan doesn't flinch from harsh reality. Women were often mistreated and had no rights. This novel doesn't sugar coat it in any way. While it could be difficult to read at times, I think the author's portrayal was more accurate than many others out there.
But there were some decisions and actions of the main character that just seemed odd to me.
December 27, 2011
This novel is a prequel to the story of Arthur and Guinevere and tells the story of Guinevere's parents, Elsbeth and Leo from Elsbeth's point of view. I was irritated by the repeated brutality in this novel. For example, Elsbeth is raped by not one, not two, but three men over the course of the novel. However, during war in that time period, I suppose that was the reality of life. I also didn't find the storyline of Leo's wife Lynnette plausible or believable. The cover of this book is way too over the top and makes the novel look like it's going to be more raunchy than it actually is. Plus, the novel makes countless references to Elsbeth's red hair - the cover girl is clearly a brunette.
May 6, 2012
This was a kindle freebie. I found it an interesting read. Elsbeth's father, home and kingdom are conquered by an invading roman king and she and what remains of her father's kingdom become the spoils of war. The king is attracted to Elsbeth because of her stunning beauty and red northerner hair, and her fiesty spirit, she is unique compared to all the dark haired Romans. He decides to keep her as his concubines and his wife, actually become friends. Most of the book covers the development of Elsberh and Leo's relationship thru more war, more attacks, and the life of a woman in those hard times. Warning, this not a warm and fuzzy romance read.
April 9, 2013
This book was fraught with complications, and made me feel uneasy with the way it dealt with issues like sexual abuse. That's not necessarily a bad thing, to be challenged like that. the events were so horrific that I didn't want to keep reading but at the same time I couldn't put it down. It is a very triggering book and not one I would recommend to people in search of a light read or those without a strong stomach, but it is definitely interesting and compelling nd not a book I will forget in a while.
April 21, 2012
Forewarning for anyone interested in this book. This is not necessarly a love story. This book is graphic, including scenes of rape, and harsh reality of those times. This is not for the faint of heart or for someone looking for all men to be honorable. Even when saying this, I did like this book. Although violent, this was the reality then and in a way it was refreshing to read something that was flowery. I still enjoyed the end but there are still portions of this book that will haunt me.
December 30, 2012
I am not just a fan, but am obsessed with the Arthurian legend: I found nothing to like in this novel. This is not remotely historical fiction. I am only on page 32 and the historical flip-flops have merely made me mad-in the true sense of word. (Not angry) Worst novel I have read. Even worst "Arthurian" novel ever published.
September 26, 2016
I ended up getting this book for free but would have gladly paid for it! An adventure to the end, I completely enjoyed it from start to finish! An interesting take on the beginnings of Arthurian legend!
The plot moved along quickly enough that I was never bored with it and the characters were easy to love from the get go.
What a wonderful story!
The plot moved along quickly enough that I was never bored with it and the characters were easy to love from the get go.
What a wonderful story!
July 2, 2011
If you're a fan of the legend of King Arthur you will enjoy this book. It's a prequel, of sorts, to the Arthurian legend (although no Arthurian connection is apparent until the last few chapters of the book). The ending leaves one to believe that there will be more books to follow.
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December 31, 2015Kindle Freebie.
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I can think of...it's a weird mid-genre type book. It's not a romance, it's not historical fiction and it has some geniuine ick moments. Overall, it's not a story that I really enjoyed.
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I can think of...it's a weird mid-genre type book. It's not a romance, it's not historical fiction and it has some geniuine ick moments. Overall, it's not a story that I really enjoyed.
March 15, 2013
This book is not a light hearted romance, I was shocked at first with the rape but then I remember this is a historical romance and in this time period that was common, once I got past that it was a wonderful book and could not put it down
March 23, 2013
Liked it. Different story line with the struggle of one who is considered a spoil of war. She struggles to come to terms with what she is and what she means to her captor. A little different from the norm romance but still pretty good.
June 5, 2013
An excellent precursor to the Arthurian cycle. I loved the depth of the characters and the growth among all the characters, even minor. I will be searching out books by this author's even if the subject is not the same.
June 19, 2011
A great story that touches your heart in many ways. Something you can read many times without losing it's charm.
July 24, 2012
At bloody last! I thought it was never going to end.....
November 1, 2012
Not A review just an observation. Why does the cover not have a woman with red hair. The book made so much emphasis to put someone else on the cover....Hmmmm.
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