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The Roselynde Chronicles #6
Sybelle
She was a headstrong beauty caught in the flood tides of passion and war.
Tempestuous, amber-eyed hairess to the magnificent Roselynde dynasty, Sybelle knew that her time had come to choose a husband. But she was ruler of her own lands and would bow to no man's will - until she met a rugged, handsome rebel leading a daring revolt against the king. From the moment Walter de Clare first captured her in his powerful embrace, Sybelle claimed his greatest allegiance and his endless desire.
They were two free spirits bound by honor and passion, the beautiful, headstrong heiress to the Roselynde dynasty and a handsome rebel leading a revolt against the king are caught in a powerful, heart-stopping love destined to consume them both.
Tempestuous, amber-eyed hairess to the magnificent Roselynde dynasty, Sybelle knew that her time had come to choose a husband. But she was ruler of her own lands and would bow to no man's will - until she met a rugged, handsome rebel leading a daring revolt against the king. From the moment Walter de Clare first captured her in his powerful embrace, Sybelle claimed his greatest allegiance and his endless desire.
They were two free spirits bound by honor and passion, the beautiful, headstrong heiress to the Roselynde dynasty and a handsome rebel leading a revolt against the king are caught in a powerful, heart-stopping love destined to consume them both.
404 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
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171 people want to read
About the author
Roberta Gellis
56 books185 followersRoberta Gellis has been one of the most successful writers of historical fiction of the last few decades, having published about 25 meticulously researched historical novels since 1964. She was married to her husband Charles for over 50 years and they lived together in Lafayette, Indiana with a lively Lakeland terrier called Taffy. She has one child called Mark.
Her page at the Internet Speculative Fiction DataBase
Her page at the Internet Speculative Fiction DataBase
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 28, 2016
The story of Sybelle, Geoffrey and Joanna's daughter, and Alinor's granddaughter and heiress to Roselynde was for many years the last of the Roselynde series by Gellis. In it we continue the tradition of seeing the women of Roslynde find a mate,choosing a man and negotiating the difficult issue of getting them recoginsed by their man as being a strong woman owning her own properties in an era where this was unheard of. But even more entrancing to me as the romance were the small trivial stories of everyday castle life in the 1100-1200's. The fascinating details of troop movements, besieging castles, warhorses, jousts and armour. The politics of the various kings and the struggles of the Barons of what are now England and Wales to come to term with them.
In terms of an interesting main character Sybelle does not disappoint, beautiful and smart, at sixteen she is much older than most married women of her class and the requirements of her and her family are higher than many. Why they all fix upon Walter de Clare is a bit mystifying but ok, they do. Since both Walter and Sybelle are sensible, likable, characters the attempts to create the necessary tension in their relationship is considerably more forced that in previous Roselynde novels.
This novel is so much more about the romance than previous novels by Gellis; there is almost no mention of the king and his politics, the battles are good but few, far between, and too soon over. Very little mention of the day to day living is thrown in, even less that had not already been covered by previous novels.
I own all the previous Roselynde books and re-read them often, I had only read Sybelle once though, years ago and had not found a copy for sale until recently. I remembered it as less interesting than other Gellis novels and it was with some trepidation that I started it again. It really does not measure up to the fascinating historical details of the previous books, but is still pretty good in it's own right.
In terms of an interesting main character Sybelle does not disappoint, beautiful and smart, at sixteen she is much older than most married women of her class and the requirements of her and her family are higher than many. Why they all fix upon Walter de Clare is a bit mystifying but ok, they do. Since both Walter and Sybelle are sensible, likable, characters the attempts to create the necessary tension in their relationship is considerably more forced that in previous Roselynde novels.
This novel is so much more about the romance than previous novels by Gellis; there is almost no mention of the king and his politics, the battles are good but few, far between, and too soon over. Very little mention of the day to day living is thrown in, even less that had not already been covered by previous novels.
I own all the previous Roselynde books and re-read them often, I had only read Sybelle once though, years ago and had not found a copy for sale until recently. I remembered it as less interesting than other Gellis novels and it was with some trepidation that I started it again. It really does not measure up to the fascinating historical details of the previous books, but is still pretty good in it's own right.
August 23, 2017
Good historical. Lots of details and visuals.
September 5, 2025
Love the whole series and Author
July 26, 2013
This is the last book in the Roselynde Chronicles. Having read book five I decided to read six and was not disappointed. There were a few things that came out in the previous book not answered but still a strong book that stands on its own and makes you want to go back and read the other books so that you are able to meet the characters that started this whole storyline.
In Sybelle, we find Sybelle, Geoffrey and Joanna’s daughter, granddaughter of Alinor; heiress to the Roselynde lands and legacy.
Only sixteen but it is time to marry and carry on the line. Sybelle has fallen for much older, Walter de Claire, who along with the Earl of Pembroke are in a rebellion against Henry III.
If only things could be so easy for someone to find and have that one special person, but as always there is someone that stands in the way and in this case we have the Earl’s widowed sister-in-law. Earl’s sister-in-law also fancies herself wanting Walter. What is poor Sybelle to do?
Never fear Sybelle is a strong woman and when she comes up against this evil woman that is trying to interfere in the happiness and marriage of Sybelle and Walter she doesn’t stand a chance.
Ms. Gellis once again takes us into the lives of how strong women are and the men who happen to love those women.
I loved how she touched on the people from the other stories to tie them altogether. She has an ease with putting beauty and wealth together along with being a smart women determined to succeed. Why couldn’t they portray women being strong though out history?
This story takes us on a journey where we find out that all relationships have their ups and downs and if we have a strong beginning we can survive.
Reviewed by Robin
Book Provided by Publisher
Review Originally Posted @ Romancing the Book.
In Sybelle, we find Sybelle, Geoffrey and Joanna’s daughter, granddaughter of Alinor; heiress to the Roselynde lands and legacy.
Only sixteen but it is time to marry and carry on the line. Sybelle has fallen for much older, Walter de Claire, who along with the Earl of Pembroke are in a rebellion against Henry III.
If only things could be so easy for someone to find and have that one special person, but as always there is someone that stands in the way and in this case we have the Earl’s widowed sister-in-law. Earl’s sister-in-law also fancies herself wanting Walter. What is poor Sybelle to do?
Never fear Sybelle is a strong woman and when she comes up against this evil woman that is trying to interfere in the happiness and marriage of Sybelle and Walter she doesn’t stand a chance.
Ms. Gellis once again takes us into the lives of how strong women are and the men who happen to love those women.
I loved how she touched on the people from the other stories to tie them altogether. She has an ease with putting beauty and wealth together along with being a smart women determined to succeed. Why couldn’t they portray women being strong though out history?
This story takes us on a journey where we find out that all relationships have their ups and downs and if we have a strong beginning we can survive.
Reviewed by Robin
Book Provided by Publisher
Review Originally Posted @ Romancing the Book.
August 20, 2008
This final entry by Gellis in her Roselynde Chronicles is the story of Sybelle, Geoffrey and Joanna's daughter, and Alinor's granddaughter and heiress to the Roselynde lands and legacy. Now sixteen, it is time for her to marry and she sets her sights on the older Walter de Clare who along with the Earl of Pembroke (William Marshal's son) is in rebellion against Henry III. Pembroke's widowed sister in law Marie sets her sights on Walter as well and her evil manipulations threaten to interfere with Sybelle's and Walter's marriage and happiness.
While this was an entertaining enough read it didn't have me glued to the very end like the first three in the series did. I hate to say it, but the chemistry between the pair just didn't sing to me, and there was one love scene where they um ah "did it" without really doing it that was just a little weird, and then not much of anything on the wedding night. However, I did enjoy the way the author brought back the memory of Simon, Alinor's first husband on Sybelle's wedding day. That was a nice touch.
As always, Gellis provides lots of historical detail on the period and political intrigues of the times, but in this book you will find more of that and less of any real romance. Three stars for the love story between Sybelle and Walter and four stars for Gellis' superb historical details. 3.5 stars.
While this was an entertaining enough read it didn't have me glued to the very end like the first three in the series did. I hate to say it, but the chemistry between the pair just didn't sing to me, and there was one love scene where they um ah "did it" without really doing it that was just a little weird, and then not much of anything on the wedding night. However, I did enjoy the way the author brought back the memory of Simon, Alinor's first husband on Sybelle's wedding day. That was a nice touch.
As always, Gellis provides lots of historical detail on the period and political intrigues of the times, but in this book you will find more of that and less of any real romance. Three stars for the love story between Sybelle and Walter and four stars for Gellis' superb historical details. 3.5 stars.
May 4, 2008
I picked up this book at a library book sale more for the red-head on the cover than any other reason. Imagine my suprise when this wonderful book turned out to be the last in a series of six detailed portraits of strong women and the men who love them. On paper, 16-year old Sybelle is a ripe prize; heir to all the wealth of Roselynde, she is also blessed with beauty to drive men wild. Unfortunately for Walter, her beauty and wealth are matched by her brains and determination; she, not her husband, will rule her lands. Raised by two generations of strong women to protect what is hers, Sybelle is torn between her feelings for Walter and her fear that he cannot accept all that she is. Their tumultuous love story plays out against a backdrop of war and intrigue in King John's England, and the rich historical details provided by Gellis are what truly make the story. I finished Sybelle in one sitting, and immediately started scouring the internet for copies of the preceding five books. Start with Roselynde if you can, but know that any of these books can stand alone as a tribute to Gellis' skill and passion for her subject.
June 4, 2012
Loved this series. Read them when they were first out and just read them all agin. I think these books were what fostered my love for historical fiction, especially those with kings,queens and their knights. Good, good book.
June 14, 2009
historical
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews