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Aelf Fen #6
Blood of the South
Apprentice healer Lassair encounters a mysterious veiled noblewoman who brings unexpected peril"
When Lassair encounters a veiled noblewoman on the quay at Cambridge one morning, set on by an angry mob, she assumes involvement with her will be brief. She has no idea that the woman, alone but for her infant child, brings both mystery and peril. Then a devastating flood hits the fens, and among the wreckage and debris washed up at Aelf Fen is a body; Lassair, in the company of a sheriff's officer, wonders if she is dealing with murder...
Meanwhile, in the south, Lassair s partner Rollo is moving with relief towards the conclusion of his mission for King William in the Holy Land. But then disaster strikes, and, with the mighty forces of an emperor on his heels, abruptly he turns from hunter to hunted. In order to escape alive, he risks help from a stranger, and embarks on a voyage that turns out to be far more dangerous than he could ever have imagined.
When Lassair encounters a veiled noblewoman on the quay at Cambridge one morning, set on by an angry mob, she assumes involvement with her will be brief. She has no idea that the woman, alone but for her infant child, brings both mystery and peril. Then a devastating flood hits the fens, and among the wreckage and debris washed up at Aelf Fen is a body; Lassair, in the company of a sheriff's officer, wonders if she is dealing with murder...
Meanwhile, in the south, Lassair s partner Rollo is moving with relief towards the conclusion of his mission for King William in the Holy Land. But then disaster strikes, and, with the mighty forces of an emperor on his heels, abruptly he turns from hunter to hunted. In order to escape alive, he risks help from a stranger, and embarks on a voyage that turns out to be far more dangerous than he could ever have imagined.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
12 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Alys Clare
46 books222 followersAlys Clare is the pen name used by Elizabeth Harris for the Hawkenlye series of historical mysteries.
Alys Clare is the pseudonym of a novelist with some 20 published works to her name. Brought up in the countryside close to where the Hawkenlye Novels are set, she went to school in Tonbridge and later studied archaeology at the University of Kent. She lives for part of the year in Brittany, in a remote cottage deep in an ancient landscape where many past inhabitants have left their mark; on her doorstep are relics that date from the stone circles and dolmens of the Neolithic to the commanderies, chapels and ancient tracks of those infamous warrior monks, the Knights Templar. In England, Alys's study overlooks a stretch of parkland which includes a valley with a little spring. The waters of this spring are similar in colour and taste to Tunbridge Wells's famous Chalybeat Spring, and it was this that prompted Alys's setting of her fictional Hawkenlye Abbey in the very spot where her own house now stands.
Alys Clare is the pseudonym of a novelist with some 20 published works to her name. Brought up in the countryside close to where the Hawkenlye Novels are set, she went to school in Tonbridge and later studied archaeology at the University of Kent. She lives for part of the year in Brittany, in a remote cottage deep in an ancient landscape where many past inhabitants have left their mark; on her doorstep are relics that date from the stone circles and dolmens of the Neolithic to the commanderies, chapels and ancient tracks of those infamous warrior monks, the Knights Templar. In England, Alys's study overlooks a stretch of parkland which includes a valley with a little spring. The waters of this spring are similar in colour and taste to Tunbridge Wells's famous Chalybeat Spring, and it was this that prompted Alys's setting of her fictional Hawkenlye Abbey in the very spot where her own house now stands.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 23, 2014
I'm not positive, but I think this is story number six in the Aelf Fen Mystery series by author Alys Clare. I have read several of her novels in the Hawkenlye series and was intrigued to see what this set of novels was about. I was definitely not disappointed. For someone living in the American South the fens of England carry a mystique all by themselves so when you add in a mystery set during Norman times this was pretty hard for me to resist.
Since I had not read any previous novels in the series I wanted to see how easily I could become assimilated into the world created here by both geography and character. Make no mistake, the location in the fens area for the major portion of this book plays a definite role in the story and Alys Clare has described it wonderfully for someone who has never experienced it first hand. The torrential rainfall combined with a high tide produces flooding on a widespread scale which contributes to the discovery of the body of a woman. Lassair, healer and student of Gurdyman, was requested by Jack Chevestrier to accompany him from Cambridge to Aelf Fen to try to locate the family of the wealthy woman and her infant son who have arrived in town with no information of who her husband's relatives are or where they live. Since they both are on the scene when the woman's dead body is discovered and Chevestrier works with the sheriff of Cambridge and Lassair knows the fens like the back of her hand they are instructed to solve the riddle of the identity of both women, the living and the dead.
If you are a follower of this series you will be glad to know that this book is almost equally divided between what is happening to Lassair in England and Rollo Guiscard as he makes his way in the treacherous business of acting as a spy for King William. By traveling throughout the East he has seen the results of clashes between Christians, Jews, and Turks in the Holy Land. His destination now is Constantinople where he must try, with no credentials at all, to gain an audience with Alexius Comnenus, ruler of this great city with the enemy Selijuk Turks on its doorsteps.
This was an interesting way to present this portion of the series; take two of the main characters and have them advance the story arc forward while keeping them apart. I had very little problem with understanding how this portion of the story fit with what might have come before, although it did make me curious and desirous of reading the previous novels. Instead of having the entire story written in an 800 page novel which can be rather overwhelming to contemplate, here the stories were presented in manageable pieces that allowed for full character development in addition to a good mystery for me to help solve. I enjoyed this very much. The mysticism didn't overwhelm the story or the characters because it simply seemed a normal part of Lassair and an augmentation of her healer gifts. She made great strides to becoming an independent woman in this novel and I'm interested in seeing where her relationship with the shining stone will take her.
I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley
Since I had not read any previous novels in the series I wanted to see how easily I could become assimilated into the world created here by both geography and character. Make no mistake, the location in the fens area for the major portion of this book plays a definite role in the story and Alys Clare has described it wonderfully for someone who has never experienced it first hand. The torrential rainfall combined with a high tide produces flooding on a widespread scale which contributes to the discovery of the body of a woman. Lassair, healer and student of Gurdyman, was requested by Jack Chevestrier to accompany him from Cambridge to Aelf Fen to try to locate the family of the wealthy woman and her infant son who have arrived in town with no information of who her husband's relatives are or where they live. Since they both are on the scene when the woman's dead body is discovered and Chevestrier works with the sheriff of Cambridge and Lassair knows the fens like the back of her hand they are instructed to solve the riddle of the identity of both women, the living and the dead.
If you are a follower of this series you will be glad to know that this book is almost equally divided between what is happening to Lassair in England and Rollo Guiscard as he makes his way in the treacherous business of acting as a spy for King William. By traveling throughout the East he has seen the results of clashes between Christians, Jews, and Turks in the Holy Land. His destination now is Constantinople where he must try, with no credentials at all, to gain an audience with Alexius Comnenus, ruler of this great city with the enemy Selijuk Turks on its doorsteps.
This was an interesting way to present this portion of the series; take two of the main characters and have them advance the story arc forward while keeping them apart. I had very little problem with understanding how this portion of the story fit with what might have come before, although it did make me curious and desirous of reading the previous novels. Instead of having the entire story written in an 800 page novel which can be rather overwhelming to contemplate, here the stories were presented in manageable pieces that allowed for full character development in addition to a good mystery for me to help solve. I enjoyed this very much. The mysticism didn't overwhelm the story or the characters because it simply seemed a normal part of Lassair and an augmentation of her healer gifts. She made great strides to becoming an independent woman in this novel and I'm interested in seeing where her relationship with the shining stone will take her.
I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley
January 22, 2019
Why doesn't this series does not get more attention in the historical-fiction genre? Could it be the deft characterization of Lassair, who despite her role as an apprentice healer, acts like she is age 19 in 11th century England (making this a fine read for late teen readers)? Or is it the mysticism she is also apprenticed in? Whatever the reason, ignore the experts. Alys Clare's Aelf Fen series is one that should be on your reading list.
In this, the sixth book of the series, Lassair is brought into tend to a foreigner and her child after the sheriff's men break up a riot intent on throwing her out of town after the theft of a second load of bread. Exactly the mood expected in a land still repressed and pillaged one generation after the Norman Invasion of 1066. After a quick legal settlement of the situation by Jack Chevestrier, he assists the recently widowed Lady to find the family she travelled to England to meet - that of Harald Fenmanson. Which keeps Lassair in the story as his assistant, as her family is from the Fens, the only clue that the name brings to the search.
The books in the series are relatively self contained, although the relationship between Lassair and Rollo (a spy for King William) in the secondary plotline would be better understood if you read the books in order. The author has expanded her world with each book, and has tied in historical and political events to add flavor to the stories. This may be my favorite, if for no other reason, Lassair has experienced a lot in her short life and is now asserting her will to do what she wants, not as she has been told to do. With the specter of the magical in her background, I look forward to the next installment to see if her wisdom keeps up with her knowledge (two separate things that any parent of post teenagers can attest to).
In this, the sixth book of the series, Lassair is brought into tend to a foreigner and her child after the sheriff's men break up a riot intent on throwing her out of town after the theft of a second load of bread. Exactly the mood expected in a land still repressed and pillaged one generation after the Norman Invasion of 1066. After a quick legal settlement of the situation by Jack Chevestrier, he assists the recently widowed Lady to find the family she travelled to England to meet - that of Harald Fenmanson. Which keeps Lassair in the story as his assistant, as her family is from the Fens, the only clue that the name brings to the search.
The books in the series are relatively self contained, although the relationship between Lassair and Rollo (a spy for King William) in the secondary plotline would be better understood if you read the books in order. The author has expanded her world with each book, and has tied in historical and political events to add flavor to the stories. This may be my favorite, if for no other reason, Lassair has experienced a lot in her short life and is now asserting her will to do what she wants, not as she has been told to do. With the specter of the magical in her background, I look forward to the next installment to see if her wisdom keeps up with her knowledge (two separate things that any parent of post teenagers can attest to).
October 2, 2014
How very exciting this new Aelf Fen books was! The Preorder link is posted so order your copy right now. Thanks Netgalley and Severn for letting me preview this one at this time for a review. I give it 5 stars.
When you read this: "When Lassair encounters a veiled noblewoman on the quay at Cambridge one morning.. she assumes involvement with her will be brief. She has no idea that the woman, alone but for her infant child, brings both mystery and peril. Then a devastating flood hits the fens..Lassair, in the company of a sheriff's officer, wonders..What?"
How could you know how connected Lassair would be in all of this? If you read "Land of the Silver Dragon", you might just begin to suspect that Lassair's family of origin is expending. What ever happened to her Uncle who fled England after the Battle of Hastings? What does South refer to and what is this we have learned about Iceland?
How do a baby boy, and Icelandic sea captain and a Norman sheriff's officer begin to bring astonishing changes to Aelf Fen? You really must find out, so glad that I did and cannot wait for the next book because all of my questions were not answered.
When you read this: "When Lassair encounters a veiled noblewoman on the quay at Cambridge one morning.. she assumes involvement with her will be brief. She has no idea that the woman, alone but for her infant child, brings both mystery and peril. Then a devastating flood hits the fens..Lassair, in the company of a sheriff's officer, wonders..What?"
How could you know how connected Lassair would be in all of this? If you read "Land of the Silver Dragon", you might just begin to suspect that Lassair's family of origin is expending. What ever happened to her Uncle who fled England after the Battle of Hastings? What does South refer to and what is this we have learned about Iceland?
How do a baby boy, and Icelandic sea captain and a Norman sheriff's officer begin to bring astonishing changes to Aelf Fen? You really must find out, so glad that I did and cannot wait for the next book because all of my questions were not answered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2016
Another in Alys Clare's series featuring the healer Lassair, Blood of the South puts Lassair in the position of investigating the mysterious death of a young blond woman; who is she, how did she die, and how did her body end up in the fens? Lassiar is also trying to find the family of a mysterious noblewoman, who always wears veils and doesn't have much interest in her baby. Asking her assistance in these investigations is a handsome Norman sheriff. Meanwhile, Lassair's magical abilities are tested and enhanced by a shining stone.....
Lots going on in this book, and the characters are very engaging. I was rooting for Lassair and her sheriff as they investigated all the strange happenings. I did figure out who was who before the end (which is unusual for me!), and was sort of surprised it took Lassair as long as it did, but still the story held my attention and was very enjoyable.
Lots going on in this book, and the characters are very engaging. I was rooting for Lassair and her sheriff as they investigated all the strange happenings. I did figure out who was who before the end (which is unusual for me!), and was sort of surprised it took Lassair as long as it did, but still the story held my attention and was very enjoyable.
May 17, 2015
This is the second book I have read by Alys Clare. Like her other historical fiction novels, it is set in the Middle Ages. The main character is a female, always a plus in my "book"! If you are looking for a light-hearted mystery (set in the Middle Ages), and a page turner, I highly recommend Blood of the South, ("blood" meaning "kin" or "clan"; the book is not bloody, not at all--which is what I presumed when I checked it out of the library).
October 30, 2021
Lassair is at the quayside in Cambridge when she helps a woman being attacked. Lassair and the assistant sheriff, Jack take the woman to the Fens area to find her relatives. Following a flood naked body is washed. As Lassair the Jack try to identify the women they also look for the relatives. Meanwhile Rollo is in Constantinople having his own adventures whilst undertaking a spy mission for the King.
July 30, 2015
I guess this is a children's series? It is not classified as young adult...but the level of story telling, magic mixed with history,naive heroine? I have to do more research before I pick up a book that is classified as historical fiction. I picked it up at my library since it was in the adult fiction shelves. I did read it since I don't object to simplicity, but I will not read any others.
April 24, 2025
These books are about all my brain can handle at the moment, and they continue to deliver enough historical and character-driven intrigue to keep me reading. They are also getting increasingly better as time goes on. The decision to split the main heroine Lassair from her sort-of love interest Rollo and have two plots going at the same time works. Especially since we get a few scenes set in medieval Constantinople out of it. But it's an unexpected choice. I can only imagine Rollo will make an appearance in an upcoming installment. In fact, a which-boy-should-I-choose love triangle (my least favorite plot device!) is brewing with a sturdy, ethnical constable back in Cambridge, whom Lassair meets in this book, as the triangle's third side. At the end of the day, I can only do so much eye-rolling. As Rollo escapes Asia Minor on his secret mission for King William, Lassair is back in Cambridge unraveling the identity of a mysterious noblewoman. Yes to all of this, and the next installment.
February 12, 2019
I've been following this series for a while and whilst its not my favourite historic murder mystery series I'm happy enough to continue reading it.
Its an easy read but it is an odd mix of historical murder mystery and fantasy (there is 'magic' involved) so its a little hard to categorise at times. We learnt a little more about the main character and her family history and were introduced to a new character who I liked very much. I didn't feel there was much character progression for any of the other characters who've become fixtures in this series. In some ways I felt this made the book a little bland.
I probably will continue reading the series because I want to know what happens!
Its an easy read but it is an odd mix of historical murder mystery and fantasy (there is 'magic' involved) so its a little hard to categorise at times. We learnt a little more about the main character and her family history and were introduced to a new character who I liked very much. I didn't feel there was much character progression for any of the other characters who've become fixtures in this series. In some ways I felt this made the book a little bland.
I probably will continue reading the series because I want to know what happens!
January 27, 2023
Book 8 in the Aelf Fen Series finds a mysterios lady with a 6 month old coming to Lassair's village seeking relatives to live with as she says her husband has died. The woman claims she is a Lady from nobility. Concurrent in the story is Lassair's growing relationship with the magical stone given to her by her grandfather. Also lawmen Jack Chevestier is becoming Lassair's confidante and maybe more in the future. This is another good story and a period piece on an era not often explored.
May 17, 2021
Split narratives are usually frustrating to me, even when the narratives tie to each other. Love following Lassair as she learns more about her powers of healing, as a seer and solving mysteries. The sections about Rollo off on spy mission for King William in the Mediterranean sea was less interesting, though has bearing on the mystery back in England.
June 17, 2019
This book continues the story from the previous book, Land of the Silver Dragon. No spoilers except a heads up that a new man is introduced to Lassair. Clare may be moving that aspect of the series in a new direction. The story is well written and well plotted.
August 1, 2018
Similar to Peter Tremayne Sister Fidelima series.
September 18, 2022
This is a great series! For historical murder mysteries, Alys Clare, C.S. Harris and Kerry Greenwood are my top recommendations
May 24, 2019
There are many series available to readers of medieval mysteries with a female protagonist. The adventures of Lassair the healer vaguely fit into the genre. Lessair is young and learning her trade, and like many other sleuths, murder seems to find her. However, there is not much sleuthing in this novel. There is not much history. There is only slight adventure. It is hard to classify this as a murder mystery. I would classify it more like fiction or romance.
The setting is Cambridge, England ca. 1081 - shortly after the Norman conquest. Lassair lives in a town where she is studying "something" under the guidance of a middle-aged male mentor. She learned her healing arts from her aunt; and her new mentor is an alchemist; but he is not teaching her alchemy. The author is not clear. However, when there is a sudden need for Lassair to follow the dashing, handsome, and manly deputy sheriff to the fenland with a mysterious veiled aristocratic lady, nobody seems to object. The origins of the mysterious woman constitute the mystery.
However, there is the obligatory body of a woman found after a terrible storm surge (is Cambridge in the fenland?). Lassair, the deputy sheriff, and the local lord are desperate to identify the woman. No clues? No problem! Lassair is also a witch? Magician? She has a magic stone that shows her "stuff." Nobody questions a lady and her magic rock throughout the book. Her rock's visions guide them to the truth. So, there is very little sleuthing for the murder.
In addition to the manly deputy sheriff, who strangely intimidates the local lord, Lassair has a heartthrob on a secret mission to Constantinople. It appears that King William the Conqueror, who in 1080 was still subduing revolts, was deeply concerned about the Seljuk Turks and sent his spy master to investigate and study the Turks. This heartthrob had some adventure in the city, dodging someone...the book is not clear. But it ties into Lassair in some fashion.
The spymaster eventually hooks up with Lassair's distant relative, arch nemesis, and evil mastermind. Lassair's family ask Lassair to use her magic rock to spy on the villian - no he did not kill the woman in the fenland. Instead, he made a harrowing trip to Constantinople. Apparently, it was a major undertaking for the villain, although there is no awe at the hero's trip to the city. Lassair's family wants to know what the villain is doing. The author keeps considerable mystery surrounding the final destination. However, the villain was looking for Asgard, home of the Norse gods. It is just south of the Dardenelles. I will not spoil the ending; but it is anything but climactic.
Overall, I thought the book was torture to finish. Lassair's emotional connection to the sheriff, the spy, and her rock by far overshadowed the murder mystery and the strange foreign woman. There was little or no attempt at historical accuracy, even incidental details such as the constant revolts of the nobility during King William's reign. The plot was mostly gibberish. Most likely it was just filler for the Aelf Fen book series.
The setting is Cambridge, England ca. 1081 - shortly after the Norman conquest. Lassair lives in a town where she is studying "something" under the guidance of a middle-aged male mentor. She learned her healing arts from her aunt; and her new mentor is an alchemist; but he is not teaching her alchemy. The author is not clear. However, when there is a sudden need for Lassair to follow the dashing, handsome, and manly deputy sheriff to the fenland with a mysterious veiled aristocratic lady, nobody seems to object. The origins of the mysterious woman constitute the mystery.
However, there is the obligatory body of a woman found after a terrible storm surge (is Cambridge in the fenland?). Lassair, the deputy sheriff, and the local lord are desperate to identify the woman. No clues? No problem! Lassair is also a witch? Magician? She has a magic stone that shows her "stuff." Nobody questions a lady and her magic rock throughout the book. Her rock's visions guide them to the truth. So, there is very little sleuthing for the murder.
In addition to the manly deputy sheriff, who strangely intimidates the local lord, Lassair has a heartthrob on a secret mission to Constantinople. It appears that King William the Conqueror, who in 1080 was still subduing revolts, was deeply concerned about the Seljuk Turks and sent his spy master to investigate and study the Turks. This heartthrob had some adventure in the city, dodging someone...the book is not clear. But it ties into Lassair in some fashion.
The spymaster eventually hooks up with Lassair's distant relative, arch nemesis, and evil mastermind. Lassair's family ask Lassair to use her magic rock to spy on the villian - no he did not kill the woman in the fenland. Instead, he made a harrowing trip to Constantinople. Apparently, it was a major undertaking for the villain, although there is no awe at the hero's trip to the city. Lassair's family wants to know what the villain is doing. The author keeps considerable mystery surrounding the final destination. However, the villain was looking for Asgard, home of the Norse gods. It is just south of the Dardenelles. I will not spoil the ending; but it is anything but climactic.
Overall, I thought the book was torture to finish. Lassair's emotional connection to the sheriff, the spy, and her rock by far overshadowed the murder mystery and the strange foreign woman. There was little or no attempt at historical accuracy, even incidental details such as the constant revolts of the nobility during King William's reign. The plot was mostly gibberish. Most likely it was just filler for the Aelf Fen book series.
December 26, 2015
It's hard to classify this book, which in this case is important because it's at the root of what makes it so deeply unsatisfying.
Is it a mystery? It has some of the trappings, with the healer girl and the sheriff's man roaming the English countryside looking for clues in one of the most obvious postmortem cases imaginable. So yes, but not a good one ... a poor reflection of Brother Caedfel.
Is it a fantasy? Lassaire, the healer and heroine of the piece, has a magic bowling ball that lets her see events far away before they have happened and she's apprenticed to the local witch doctor, but aside from using the "shining stone" as a clumsy plot device, it doesn't really factor into the story.
Is it a romance? Lassaire's lover, Rollo, is off on some medieval James Bond caper in Constantinople while she's riding around with the handsome Jack Chevestrier -- him of the sheriff's office. (The sheriff, all incompetence and corruption, is a cartoon villain out of Robin Hood, and as easily hoodwinked, as it were). But the only kiss is a farewell to a corpse, so not much of a romance.
Nor is it much of a history -- it's set in the turbulence following the Battle of Hastings, but chockful o' bits that don't make any sense. Like Rollo, the brilliant spy, expecting to waltz into the Emperor's presence to discuss grand strategy or his surprise to find a Viking longboat show up as his ride from the Black Sea to England at a time when the sailors most capable of making such a trip were -- Vikings.
Ultimately, it's less than the sum of its parts, relying on astronomic coincidence after coincidence to stitch together the loosest of loose ends, with characters standing around reciting vast swathes of backstory to solve problems -- like the problem of what to do with an orphaned baby. Hey, I just remembered, my second cousin and her husband who live two hovels over have been trying for seven years to have a baby! Let's send it there! Even though the cousin hasn't even been mentioned until this point!
In the end, I do recognize this genre ... it is, essentially, a soap opera. Pass.
Is it a mystery? It has some of the trappings, with the healer girl and the sheriff's man roaming the English countryside looking for clues in one of the most obvious postmortem cases imaginable. So yes, but not a good one ... a poor reflection of Brother Caedfel.
Is it a fantasy? Lassaire, the healer and heroine of the piece, has a magic bowling ball that lets her see events far away before they have happened and she's apprenticed to the local witch doctor, but aside from using the "shining stone" as a clumsy plot device, it doesn't really factor into the story.
Is it a romance? Lassaire's lover, Rollo, is off on some medieval James Bond caper in Constantinople while she's riding around with the handsome Jack Chevestrier -- him of the sheriff's office. (The sheriff, all incompetence and corruption, is a cartoon villain out of Robin Hood, and as easily hoodwinked, as it were). But the only kiss is a farewell to a corpse, so not much of a romance.
Nor is it much of a history -- it's set in the turbulence following the Battle of Hastings, but chockful o' bits that don't make any sense. Like Rollo, the brilliant spy, expecting to waltz into the Emperor's presence to discuss grand strategy or his surprise to find a Viking longboat show up as his ride from the Black Sea to England at a time when the sailors most capable of making such a trip were -- Vikings.
Ultimately, it's less than the sum of its parts, relying on astronomic coincidence after coincidence to stitch together the loosest of loose ends, with characters standing around reciting vast swathes of backstory to solve problems -- like the problem of what to do with an orphaned baby. Hey, I just remembered, my second cousin and her husband who live two hovels over have been trying for seven years to have a baby! Let's send it there! Even though the cousin hasn't even been mentioned until this point!
In the end, I do recognize this genre ... it is, essentially, a soap opera. Pass.
December 28, 2014
Alys Clare Blood of the South
Alys Clare is the pseudonym of Elizabeth Harris, who is well known for her Hawkenlye medieval novels and the Norman novels of the Aelf Fen series. She lives in the region and understands the ecology/ environment well, which coupled with her understanding of human nature and descriptive writing make her novels excellent reading.
This is the sixth novel, closely following the 2013 Land of the Silver Dragons. Indeed I highly recommend reading them in order if you are not familiar with this author. The character development and overarching plots are more interesting, and greater appreciated, although the individual novels can stand alone. I especially enjoyed Music of a Distant Star, read excitedly through Land of a Silver Dragon, and looked forward to the continuation of the story. Her novels can be long (800 pgs) as they are full of evocative description and peopled with fascinating (often interrelated) characters of their times.
Blood of the South follows two stories in Norman (1093) England, that of Lassair, an apprentice healer which takes place in East Anglia, in the fens between Ely and the Wash, and her partner, Rollo, a Norseman who is on a mission for King William (II) to Constantinople.
Lassair is young, but very insightful, learning to understand her healing gift, while growing into her magic under the tutelage of Gurdyman. Her kindness involves her with a stranger and her child. And Jack Chevestrier, Norman lawman, enters her life. Together they are compelled to uncover the mystery surrounding the child, a body ravaged in the severe flooding (torrential rain complicated by tidal conditions, which was all too appropriate this year in the massive flooding in England). This complicated tale is connected through the Mediterranean journey and political intrigues of Rollo. I enjoyed the alternating, complimenting stories equally.
4 stars
Read on
If you like Susanna Gregory, SJ Ransom, Bernard Cornwell, Ariana Franklin, or Ellis Peters.
Quotes
The opening line: "There is a collective evil that comes over a crowd of people intent on bullying someone."
"Gurdyman is the wisest of the wise; my teacher, my mentor, my companion and my friend. In addition, he is a wizard-..."
"Rollo Guisars, who is my one and only lover; the man who stays in my heart although he is usually far away and we are together only rarely."
"The seriousness of the moment struck home: beeswax candles are fearfully costly, and Gurdyman had just lit four. Somewhere close by, incense was burning; sniffing, I detected the strong heady smell of frankincense; another very expensive commodity. In addition I smelt cumin, dill and garlic. All four substances are used for protection."
"You'd be amazed how many folk don't know not to vomit into the wind."
Read as an ARC ebook from NETGALLY
Alys Clare is the pseudonym of Elizabeth Harris, who is well known for her Hawkenlye medieval novels and the Norman novels of the Aelf Fen series. She lives in the region and understands the ecology/ environment well, which coupled with her understanding of human nature and descriptive writing make her novels excellent reading.
This is the sixth novel, closely following the 2013 Land of the Silver Dragons. Indeed I highly recommend reading them in order if you are not familiar with this author. The character development and overarching plots are more interesting, and greater appreciated, although the individual novels can stand alone. I especially enjoyed Music of a Distant Star, read excitedly through Land of a Silver Dragon, and looked forward to the continuation of the story. Her novels can be long (800 pgs) as they are full of evocative description and peopled with fascinating (often interrelated) characters of their times.
Blood of the South follows two stories in Norman (1093) England, that of Lassair, an apprentice healer which takes place in East Anglia, in the fens between Ely and the Wash, and her partner, Rollo, a Norseman who is on a mission for King William (II) to Constantinople.
Lassair is young, but very insightful, learning to understand her healing gift, while growing into her magic under the tutelage of Gurdyman. Her kindness involves her with a stranger and her child. And Jack Chevestrier, Norman lawman, enters her life. Together they are compelled to uncover the mystery surrounding the child, a body ravaged in the severe flooding (torrential rain complicated by tidal conditions, which was all too appropriate this year in the massive flooding in England). This complicated tale is connected through the Mediterranean journey and political intrigues of Rollo. I enjoyed the alternating, complimenting stories equally.
4 stars
Read on
If you like Susanna Gregory, SJ Ransom, Bernard Cornwell, Ariana Franklin, or Ellis Peters.
Quotes
The opening line: "There is a collective evil that comes over a crowd of people intent on bullying someone."
"Gurdyman is the wisest of the wise; my teacher, my mentor, my companion and my friend. In addition, he is a wizard-..."
"Rollo Guisars, who is my one and only lover; the man who stays in my heart although he is usually far away and we are together only rarely."
"The seriousness of the moment struck home: beeswax candles are fearfully costly, and Gurdyman had just lit four. Somewhere close by, incense was burning; sniffing, I detected the strong heady smell of frankincense; another very expensive commodity. In addition I smelt cumin, dill and garlic. All four substances are used for protection."
"You'd be amazed how many folk don't know not to vomit into the wind."
Read as an ARC ebook from NETGALLY
July 24, 2015
Started out slow, and the writing is somewhat flat, but that might just be 'cause I am comparing it to *Hild*, which I also just finished, and which is a masterpiece of beautiful writing. I liked the characters more as the story went along. I liked the voice of Rollo more than Lassair's voice, actually. And I figured out the mystery by the end of the first third of the book, but oh well. I will read another one of hers.
May 2, 2016
It was all right. I felt a bit as though I'd come into the middle of a conversation. This is #6 and I think you should start with #1. Also, I was very unclear as to the time frame the book was set. All I knew was post-Norman Conquest, pre-1100 ad. I'm an historian. Dates are helpful to me.
December 28, 2014
Good story. Looking forward to the next one.
April 18, 2016
I have such a fascination with historical mysteries set in this time period, and Alys Clare is a wonderful writer!
February 11, 2015
I can't lie. I was really looking forward to this book, but was disappointed with what I read. It felt like a filler book. I hope the next one is better.
February 11, 2015
Much better than I expected it to be, with likeable characters and a mystery set in medieval times. My favorite genre.
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