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The Rest of His Days
"A stunning addition to the genre." –Karen Brooks, International Bestselling author of The Good Wife of Bath
From the International Bestselling author of the Second Son Chronicles, Pamela Taylor, comes a new story, The Rest of His Days.
When Sir Guy promised Will's dying mother he'd look after her son, he couldn't imagine where that oath would lead. So, he takes Will on as a man-at-arms for the worst job in England-guarding the deposed king. Will's fondness for making friends in the tavern and for the occasional company of barmaids runs contrary to Guy's personal code of honor -devotion to God and king. But the young man is a competent soldier and well-liked by his companions, so Guy settles for the occasional, public admonishment to keep the others from going down what he considers Will's path of dissolution.
Until the night Will does the unforgiveable, leaving Guy's honor and his career as a knight in tatters. And leading him to swear another oath to seek retribution from Will for the harm and havoc he created. Harm and havoc that touch not just Sir Guy, but bishops, barons, earls, and even the young king Edward III. An oath that will lead Guy from the Stews of London to Ireland and France and eventually to the early skirmishes of the looming Hundred Years War. As Guy descends into obsession with the restoration of his honor, Will has finally found a worthy purpose in life and pours every ounce of his cunning and courage into it.
Set against the mystery of the death of Edward II of England, this is a tale of power struggles writ both large and small, finding redemption, and the true meaning of honor.
From the International Bestselling author of the Second Son Chronicles, Pamela Taylor, comes a new story, The Rest of His Days.
When Sir Guy promised Will's dying mother he'd look after her son, he couldn't imagine where that oath would lead. So, he takes Will on as a man-at-arms for the worst job in England-guarding the deposed king. Will's fondness for making friends in the tavern and for the occasional company of barmaids runs contrary to Guy's personal code of honor -devotion to God and king. But the young man is a competent soldier and well-liked by his companions, so Guy settles for the occasional, public admonishment to keep the others from going down what he considers Will's path of dissolution.
Until the night Will does the unforgiveable, leaving Guy's honor and his career as a knight in tatters. And leading him to swear another oath to seek retribution from Will for the harm and havoc he created. Harm and havoc that touch not just Sir Guy, but bishops, barons, earls, and even the young king Edward III. An oath that will lead Guy from the Stews of London to Ireland and France and eventually to the early skirmishes of the looming Hundred Years War. As Guy descends into obsession with the restoration of his honor, Will has finally found a worthy purpose in life and pours every ounce of his cunning and courage into it.
Set against the mystery of the death of Edward II of England, this is a tale of power struggles writ both large and small, finding redemption, and the true meaning of honor.
- GenresHistorical FictionAdult
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2024
50 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Taylor
13 books56 followersPamela Taylor brings her love of history to the art of story-telling. An avid reader of historical fact and fiction throughout her life, she finds the past offers rich sources for character, ambiance, and plot that allow readers to escape into a world totally unlike their daily lives.
“I’d tried my hand at several ideas and wasn’t quite satisfied with any of them,” she says. “I’ve always been intrigued by the importance of first sentences and first paragraphs. So when the opening of Second Son came to me, utterly unbidden, during one of those nights when one’s mind won’t shut down and let sleep take over, I knew I had to see where it would take me.
“Once I found Alfred’s voice, his story began to unfold. By the end of the first book, I was completely in love with him and knew that he had so much more to tell.
“Step into Alfred’s world. Once you do, I’m confident you’ll be as eager as I’ve been to discover what happens next.”
“I’d tried my hand at several ideas and wasn’t quite satisfied with any of them,” she says. “I’ve always been intrigued by the importance of first sentences and first paragraphs. So when the opening of Second Son came to me, utterly unbidden, during one of those nights when one’s mind won’t shut down and let sleep take over, I knew I had to see where it would take me.
“Once I found Alfred’s voice, his story began to unfold. By the end of the first book, I was completely in love with him and knew that he had so much more to tell.
“Step into Alfred’s world. Once you do, I’m confident you’ll be as eager as I’ve been to discover what happens next.”
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 10, 2025
This is a wonderfully engrossing narrative that retells a small piece of British medieval history from an alternative point of view. (Even if you're not a Plantagenet-history nerd like I am, I think you'll be swept up in the story and the story-telling.)
Traditional history says that King Edward II of England was an unpopular and weak (and possibly homosexual) ruler who was deposed and killed in 1327, probably on the orders of his wife and her lover. This novel, by contrast, paints a decent, religious Edward who likes nothing better than gardening and playing chess--and who escapes from attempted assassination through a rip-roaring series of disguises, near-misses, horseback chases, and more.
Author Pamela Taylor has done an impressive amount of research. And to her credit, she uses just the right amount of period language -- ah, God's bollocks, they knew how to curse in those days! - without overdoing it.
For an American, the geography can get confusing, but the whirlwind ride is so much fun!
Traditional history says that King Edward II of England was an unpopular and weak (and possibly homosexual) ruler who was deposed and killed in 1327, probably on the orders of his wife and her lover. This novel, by contrast, paints a decent, religious Edward who likes nothing better than gardening and playing chess--and who escapes from attempted assassination through a rip-roaring series of disguises, near-misses, horseback chases, and more.
Author Pamela Taylor has done an impressive amount of research. And to her credit, she uses just the right amount of period language -- ah, God's bollocks, they knew how to curse in those days! - without overdoing it.
For an American, the geography can get confusing, but the whirlwind ride is so much fun!
January 30, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, Black Rose Writing, & to Pamela Taylor for this ARC of The Rest of His Days! This is the first book I've ever read by Pamela Taylor and I have clearly been missing out. If you are a fan of historical fiction, I absolutely suggest you take a look at this book! I also think if you're a fan of history and looking to try a fiction novel that The Rest of His Days would be a really good fit for you. Pamela Taylor did such a great job taking a historical mystery and crafting a brilliant "what if" story. I don't think you need to have prior knowledge of Medieval England or King Edward II's situation to enjoy this book. All of that context is explained well!
I found myself unable to put this book down! It's very easy to read because of how the text pulls you in. The Fieschi letter and what it could mean if true fascinates me, and I very much enjoyed a book dealing with this. It's the perfect combination of dealing with known historical facts and imagining & taking creative license in crafting a tale of what could have been as a backdrop for a really rich story with brilliant characters.
The storytelling is the best part of this book in my opinion. There are several different perspectives and the book spans a decade. All of these aspects could've complicated the book, but I found it to be so well-done. It says a lot about how skilled Pamela Taylor is at writing that she was able to make the story flow as well as it did. As I said I couldn't put it down!
I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, but I promise you The Rest of His Days truly stands out to me in the genre. I just absolutely loved this book. I loved exploring a very intriguing mystery. I love seeing bonds made and broken among the characters. I loved how emotionally invested I got in this story, which kind of surprised me! And so, if you find yourself looking at the description of The Rest of His Days and think you might be interested- I definitely think you should give it a try. I'm happy I did! Pamela Taylor did such a good job with this and I look forward to reading her series The Second Son Chronicles just for another chance to see her writing.
I found myself unable to put this book down! It's very easy to read because of how the text pulls you in. The Fieschi letter and what it could mean if true fascinates me, and I very much enjoyed a book dealing with this. It's the perfect combination of dealing with known historical facts and imagining & taking creative license in crafting a tale of what could have been as a backdrop for a really rich story with brilliant characters.
The storytelling is the best part of this book in my opinion. There are several different perspectives and the book spans a decade. All of these aspects could've complicated the book, but I found it to be so well-done. It says a lot about how skilled Pamela Taylor is at writing that she was able to make the story flow as well as it did. As I said I couldn't put it down!
I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, but I promise you The Rest of His Days truly stands out to me in the genre. I just absolutely loved this book. I loved exploring a very intriguing mystery. I love seeing bonds made and broken among the characters. I loved how emotionally invested I got in this story, which kind of surprised me! And so, if you find yourself looking at the description of The Rest of His Days and think you might be interested- I definitely think you should give it a try. I'm happy I did! Pamela Taylor did such a good job with this and I look forward to reading her series The Second Son Chronicles just for another chance to see her writing.
June 18, 2024
How did King Edward II die? For a long time, we were told that he was impaled while a prisoner at Berkeley Castle (I'm sparing the gruesome details). The other common knowledge is that Edward was gay, which is why he had very close male friends. But recently, there has been speculation that these may be political epithets spewed up decades after the deposed king died. In particular, a letter from a contemporary papal notary named Fieschi details a quite different story.
Pamela Taylor gives a wonderful story that takes the Fieschi letter to heart. Will Makepiece, a young rapscallion, is situated with the troops guarding Edward of Caernarfon (what Edward was subsequently called after his removal from the throne), headed by Sir Guy Bickerstaffe. There is a legitimate threat to Caernarfon's life, which happens to make it to the ears of Will, who takes it upon himself to smuggle the ex-king out of prison. Sir Guy's honor is tarnished, and he makes it his life's goal to make Will pay for that degradation. This becomes the main plot through the better part of the last 2/3 of the novel.
Pamela Taylor's story is historically credible and a fun read. In fact, it becomes a page-turner. My main complaint is that Will's character is a bit unrealistic. While he starts off as a rowdy louse, he suddenly becomes a highly moral young man. Some character development would have made this transition easier to believe. Also, the map provided is too densely marked, making it hard to follow where the chase ensued.
But I protest too much. The Rest of His Days is an excellent bit of historical fiction and makes me want to read other books by its author.
Pamela Taylor gives a wonderful story that takes the Fieschi letter to heart. Will Makepiece, a young rapscallion, is situated with the troops guarding Edward of Caernarfon (what Edward was subsequently called after his removal from the throne), headed by Sir Guy Bickerstaffe. There is a legitimate threat to Caernarfon's life, which happens to make it to the ears of Will, who takes it upon himself to smuggle the ex-king out of prison. Sir Guy's honor is tarnished, and he makes it his life's goal to make Will pay for that degradation. This becomes the main plot through the better part of the last 2/3 of the novel.
Pamela Taylor's story is historically credible and a fun read. In fact, it becomes a page-turner. My main complaint is that Will's character is a bit unrealistic. While he starts off as a rowdy louse, he suddenly becomes a highly moral young man. Some character development would have made this transition easier to believe. Also, the map provided is too densely marked, making it hard to follow where the chase ensued.
But I protest too much. The Rest of His Days is an excellent bit of historical fiction and makes me want to read other books by its author.
December 31, 2025
In history, there is no definitive evidence of what actually happened to Edward II of England in the 14th century. Taylor has taken this what-if opportunity to create a robust and convincing tale of Edward II’s life after deposition.
Working with extensive research and constructed with seamless fiction, Taylor has developed a story that carries you through turbulent travels around Europe - conjuring fear, exhaustion, resilience, loyalty, honour and despair.
Royal entourage are cunning, malicious, greedy, determined and relentless in their quest. You never know who to trust.
I never knew a lot about the Edward II and III reign, and the conspiracy theories attached to it. I am so thrilled to have learned more about it through this great read.
NOTE: Refer to the family tree diagrams to keep track of who’s who. Read the Author’s Notes (at the end) - it helps put so much into perspective.
April 18, 2024
Meticulous Research and Colorful Storytelling Make This Medieval Saga Truly Memorable
The Rest of His Days, by Pamela Taylor, is an engrossing historical adventure of the late Medieval period. Set against the mystery of the death of Edward II of England, the novel is a rollercoaster of a tale that will ensnare readers in its complex and constantly shifting plot. Taylor is impressive in her knowledge of the era, painting each setting with striking detail and creating characters whose dialog is engagingly authentic while allowing for the frequent display of the author's formidable wit. There is not a dull moment in this often heroic saga of lust for power and pursuit of revenge. Yet the story is rich with nobler sentiments as well, as the reader enjoys a privileged view into the blossoming relationship between a deposed king and the young. initially naive man-at-arms tasked with protecting him. This book is historical fiction at its best, backed by meticulous research and animated by Taylor’s uniquely colorful style of storytelling. I heartily recommend The Rest of His Days to readers who enjoy a bold, action-packed story of kings and the intrigues that often surround them.
The Rest of His Days, by Pamela Taylor, is an engrossing historical adventure of the late Medieval period. Set against the mystery of the death of Edward II of England, the novel is a rollercoaster of a tale that will ensnare readers in its complex and constantly shifting plot. Taylor is impressive in her knowledge of the era, painting each setting with striking detail and creating characters whose dialog is engagingly authentic while allowing for the frequent display of the author's formidable wit. There is not a dull moment in this often heroic saga of lust for power and pursuit of revenge. Yet the story is rich with nobler sentiments as well, as the reader enjoys a privileged view into the blossoming relationship between a deposed king and the young. initially naive man-at-arms tasked with protecting him. This book is historical fiction at its best, backed by meticulous research and animated by Taylor’s uniquely colorful style of storytelling. I heartily recommend The Rest of His Days to readers who enjoy a bold, action-packed story of kings and the intrigues that often surround them.
September 15, 2025
I was drawn to this book by the plot—what happened to England’s King Edward II after he was deposed from the throne? However, what ultimately had me racing through the book in record time was Pamela Taylor’s non-royal characters. When those individuals came into conflict, I couldn’t put the book down.
Sir Guy Bickerstaffe, bound by honor and devotion to king and God, finds his world upended by Will Makepeace, a young soldier whose penchant for following his conscience rather than orders destroys Guy’s career and reputation. What begins as a sworn oath of protection twists into an obsession for vengeance, driving Guy across England, Ireland, and France during the turbulent rise of Edward III. The whole time I was reading, I couldn’t help but think of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables and the relentless rivalry between Jean Valjean and Javert.
With its mix of political intrigue, personal betrayal, and the search for redemption, The Rest of His Days is a masterpiece of historical fiction. And it leaves the reader asking, “the rest of whose days?”
Sir Guy Bickerstaffe, bound by honor and devotion to king and God, finds his world upended by Will Makepeace, a young soldier whose penchant for following his conscience rather than orders destroys Guy’s career and reputation. What begins as a sworn oath of protection twists into an obsession for vengeance, driving Guy across England, Ireland, and France during the turbulent rise of Edward III. The whole time I was reading, I couldn’t help but think of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables and the relentless rivalry between Jean Valjean and Javert.
With its mix of political intrigue, personal betrayal, and the search for redemption, The Rest of His Days is a masterpiece of historical fiction. And it leaves the reader asking, “the rest of whose days?”
December 29, 2023
The Rest of Hi Days is historical/speculative fiction about the Fieschi letter found in 1878 supposedly written by England's Edward III regarding the true endings of his father, the deposed Edward II.
So, we get the story of exploits that may or may not have happened to Edward of Caernarfon. If nothing else, we get a story of adventure,friendship, bonding and great storytelling! And a long the way, we even get a secondary story based within the first, which just adds to everything!
I love historical fiction, but this... It flowed and I never knew how much of the book I read - I read until I put the book down. Had it been up to be, I would have read this book in one sitting! Another perk: just about evenin the book is kept to period, which I know is not easy.
This book will definitely appeal to lovers of historical fiction, and more specifically, lovers of English historical fiction. Just be prepared, once you start, you won't want to stop!
So, we get the story of exploits that may or may not have happened to Edward of Caernarfon. If nothing else, we get a story of adventure,friendship, bonding and great storytelling! And a long the way, we even get a secondary story based within the first, which just adds to everything!
I love historical fiction, but this... It flowed and I never knew how much of the book I read - I read until I put the book down. Had it been up to be, I would have read this book in one sitting! Another perk: just about evenin the book is kept to period, which I know is not easy.
This book will definitely appeal to lovers of historical fiction, and more specifically, lovers of English historical fiction. Just be prepared, once you start, you won't want to stop!
November 17, 2024
5/5 STARS! Once you read a Pamela Taylor historical fiction, you will never again look at the genre the same way. She raises the bar so high with her incredible writing & highly researched characters, you will be time traveling right to that period & staying there until the very end! This is an action packed & quick paced tale, with interesting characters, & such a fascinating story & plot that you won't be able to stop reading through the night (okay, I confess, I read in the dark lol). You really fall in love with the characters (Will is the best!) & feel a part of their world. Cant recommend this enough to people! A must read.
February 14, 2024
I received this book by winning a contest. It's an ARC and will be available to the public 4/04/2024.
The story begins in the year 1327 and tells us the riveting tale of King Edward II and his mysterious death.
Part of the synopsis on the rear cover reads:
This is a tale of power struggles writ both large and small, finding redemption, and the true meaning of honor.
I truly enjoyed this story. It intermingles both historical facts as well as fiction and weaves a beautiful and compelling account that left me wanting more! I selfishly hope for a sequel someday, to continue the further adventures of Will Makepeace, our main character.
The story begins in the year 1327 and tells us the riveting tale of King Edward II and his mysterious death.
Part of the synopsis on the rear cover reads:
This is a tale of power struggles writ both large and small, finding redemption, and the true meaning of honor.
I truly enjoyed this story. It intermingles both historical facts as well as fiction and weaves a beautiful and compelling account that left me wanting more! I selfishly hope for a sequel someday, to continue the further adventures of Will Makepeace, our main character.
February 6, 2025
The Rest of His Days is a medieval adventure that imagines what might have happened to Edward II of England. It’s a story full of loyalty, honor, and friendship that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Although I’m usually drawn to more recent historical fiction, this one quickly immersed me in its medieval setting. Pamela Taylor’s extensive research is evident. She made the story around Edward II’s mysterious death accessible and totally engaging.
March 4, 2024
As with her internationally best-selling series, The Second Son Chronicles, Pamela Taylor sets the reader firmly into medieval times in this page-turner. Drawing on a historical mystery, her characters are alive on the page. Between that and her fabulously created kingdom, and the chase for the deposed king, I was glued to the page. Even if you’re not a history buff, you’ll love this book!
December 21, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! The book was an engaging read that had me hooked from beginning to end. The characters were well-developed, and the setting was brought to life with vivid descriptions that made me feel immersed in the story. The pacing flowed smoothly, striking just the right mix between historical depth and captivating storytelling. Can't wait to read more books from this author!
December 31, 2024
Excellent! Highly recommend for historical fiction lovers, very well written and superbly researched, 5 stars ⭐️
October 7, 2025
A truly engrossing book. I learned about King Edward II, England, and the English government in the 1320-30s. .
December 20, 2024
I received an advanced review copy of "The Rest of His Days". This book tells a very plausible story of what if Edward II of England was not killed and instead survived. The adventures are couched in the story of Sir Guy who is tasked with keeping the deposed king alive, as well as his cousin Will who is not as righteous as Guy. It turns out, Will is a key figure in keeping Edward II alive, but Guy does not understand this, and believes that Will is a traitor. The story is entertaining, and held my attention until the end. I highly recommend this book.
November 19, 2024
A man's honor is everything and Guy's mission to restore his good name is his obsession. His best intentions are turned unraveling his good name. A beautiful Historical Fiction novel and Pamela Taylor is the ultimate maestro. The plot twist and nail biting chase scenes never let up while the vivid details are so immersive you are there. .
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews