Coat of Arms

by Susannah Kells

The magnificent saga of an aristocratic dynasty, caught between modern day scandal and an ancient feud.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Susannah Kells is a pseudonym for Judy Cornwell, wife of Bernard Cornwell

Reviews

[Phil Syphe · Rating 3 out of 5]

With this being listed with the Crowning Mercy series I expected it to be about the decedents of the Lazen family. Turns out this has nothing to do with that fictional family, thus it's in no way related to anything in books 1 and 2 of the Crowning Mercy series, so can't figure out why it's included in the same bracket.

This tale centres around aristocratic rivalries, particularly regarding an estate named Howarth. In this respect the story works well enough, but it lacks sparkle.

There're several clever twists, some good characters, but no individual character stands out. There's no Campion at the heart of the story like in books 1 and 2 of the Crowning Mercy series. The closest thing to her is Hilary, whom I thought was going to emerge as the main star - after first thinking her Aunt Pearl was going to do - but she, like most of the cast, drift in and out of the narrative. These two were my favourite characters, though if Pearl was real I doubt I'd like her other than for her good looks.

I liked the parts better than the whole with this one. At times I was bored, at times I was engaged, and in some occasions I was most impressed. The last ten pages or so were well written, giving this otherwise lacklustre tale a dramatic ending, but at the same time I felt the story for several characters was left unfinished. It did end in such a way to leave it open for a sequel, though I'd be in no rush to read it if one had been written.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this trilogy by Bernard Cornwell and his wife, Susannah Kells and this last book was a great read. I finished the book in two days and could not put it down. It had everything, romance, betrayal, spice and historical detail. I loved how the author/s referenced the family lines of British aristoracy.

Joanne
http://www.historicalromancereview.com

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

i did enjoy it but not as much as the other two and was disapointed that it had nothing to do with the family and estate that featured in the first two

[Dark-Draco · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a bunch of completely dislikeable people? Greedy, manipulative, selfish and completely out for themselves - there's only a couple of 'bit' characters that seem to have any integrity and they're just not in the book long enough to lift it to any sort of level.

That said, I did read it, mainly because I wanted to see if the author could find a way that they all lost out. I think I would have been quite happy to see Howarth burnt to embers, as they would have all been taught something. As it was, the ending happened to be the best bit of the book, as the action ramps up a little and there are a number of mild twists to keep the reader interested.

An ok read, just disappointed as I always expect much more from this author.

[Jodi Gerardis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book but didn't carry on from the Lazender's like I thought it was supposed. The end was fantastic and had me sitting on the edge of my seat till the end!