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The Shattered King
Gareth & Gwen travel deep into enemy territory in the seventeenth Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mystery!
January 1151. For most of the past year, Gareth and Gwen have been trapped between armies. Although once allies, King Owain of Gwynedd and King Cadell of Deheubarth are now at odds, to the point that Cadell has invaded Ceredigion, seeking to recapture lands he claims Owain stole in a past war. In so doing, he has set his half-brothers against their own cousin. Although Gareth and Gwen are holding out hope that more bloodshed can be averted, by January of 1151, Cadell has laid siege to Prince Hywel's castle at Aberystwyth.
And then the war takes an unexpected turn for everyone involved …
Complete Series reading The Good Knight, The Uninvited Guest, The Fourth Horseman, The Fallen Princess, The Unlikely Spy, The Lost Brother, The Renegade Merchant, The Unexpected Ally, The Worthy Soldier, The Favored Son, The Viking Prince, The Irish Bride, The Prince's Man, The Faithless Fool, The Honorable Traitor, The Admirable Physician, The Shattered King. Also The Bard's Daughter (prequel novella).
January 1151. For most of the past year, Gareth and Gwen have been trapped between armies. Although once allies, King Owain of Gwynedd and King Cadell of Deheubarth are now at odds, to the point that Cadell has invaded Ceredigion, seeking to recapture lands he claims Owain stole in a past war. In so doing, he has set his half-brothers against their own cousin. Although Gareth and Gwen are holding out hope that more bloodshed can be averted, by January of 1151, Cadell has laid siege to Prince Hywel's castle at Aberystwyth.
And then the war takes an unexpected turn for everyone involved …
Complete Series reading The Good Knight, The Uninvited Guest, The Fourth Horseman, The Fallen Princess, The Unlikely Spy, The Lost Brother, The Renegade Merchant, The Unexpected Ally, The Worthy Soldier, The Favored Son, The Viking Prince, The Irish Bride, The Prince's Man, The Faithless Fool, The Honorable Traitor, The Admirable Physician, The Shattered King. Also The Bard's Daughter (prequel novella).
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2025
48 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Woodbury
165 books749 followersWith over a million books sold to date, Sarah Woodbury is the author of more than forty novels, all set in medieval Wales. Although an anthropologist by training, and then a full-time homeschooling mom for twenty years, she began writing fiction when the stories in her head overflowed and demanded that she let them out. While her ancestry is Welsh, she only visited Wales for the first time at university. She has been in love with the country, language, and people ever since. She even convinced her husband to give all four of their children Welsh names.
Sarah is a member of the Historical Authors Fiction Cooperative (HFAC), the Historical Novel Society, and Novelists, Inc. (NINC).
She makes her home in Oregon.
Sarah is a member of the Historical Authors Fiction Cooperative (HFAC), the Historical Novel Society, and Novelists, Inc. (NINC).
She makes her home in Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 30, 2025
Another intriguing tale!
I’ve waited for this book, eagerly! I love Sarah Woodbury’s tales of medieval Wales! Gareth and Gwen are like old friends! They find themselves in the midst of history, often in peril, but always determined to find themselves truth. This time the family must navigate the treacherous Dehuebarth dynasty after King Cadel is ambushed by Normans and entire personal band of soldiers slaughtered. Gareth’s sons and wife, Gwen, his wife, are thrust into solving murder and exposing conspirators before all three princes are murdered and a Norman-backed usurper placed on the throne. Of course, they must survive a war and forced march as they proceed. I love that these books are based upon real historical people and events. Ms. Woodbury does her research and allows the reader to become immersed in the story!
I’ve waited for this book, eagerly! I love Sarah Woodbury’s tales of medieval Wales! Gareth and Gwen are like old friends! They find themselves in the midst of history, often in peril, but always determined to find themselves truth. This time the family must navigate the treacherous Dehuebarth dynasty after King Cadel is ambushed by Normans and entire personal band of soldiers slaughtered. Gareth’s sons and wife, Gwen, his wife, are thrust into solving murder and exposing conspirators before all three princes are murdered and a Norman-backed usurper placed on the throne. Of course, they must survive a war and forced march as they proceed. I love that these books are based upon real historical people and events. Ms. Woodbury does her research and allows the reader to become immersed in the story!
September 9, 2025
During conflict between Hywel and King Cadell of Deheubarth, Cadell and his telluride are ambushed at a meeting with everyone left for dead. Llelo, Gareth’s adopted son, realizes that Cadell is still alive. Then Iestyn ap Meurig and some of his men arrive, and they help get Cadell on the road to Caerfyrddin. Meanwhile, Gareth and family are with Maredudd, Prince of Deheubarth, working to solve a murder as they, too, travel to Caerfyrddin. There is another murder on the way. What happens when they all meet up in Caerfyrddin? Will they find the murderer? Will Cadell recover from his wounds?
September 12, 2025
Besides many twists and turns, the book shows significant character development of the two boys become men, Dai and Llelo. I would say that I enjoyed the development of this historical picture and learning the hard ways of living it must have been. Walking so many miles and caring for an infant at the same time is beyond our current experience today.
If one has been to Wales you can appreciate the beauty of this country and grieve their lost independence and the brutality which brought this about.
If one has been to Wales you can appreciate the beauty of this country and grieve their lost independence and the brutality which brought this about.
August 28, 2025
Brilliant villainy
As ever Gareth and Gwen, and family, are involved in intrigue from all quarters. Working with past conspirators and sometimes enemies they show their true colours and deal in honour and truth. Another bewitching tale that is hard to put down. A pleasure to read and I want to reread the whole series once again to be ensconced in Sarah Woodbury's medieval world.
As ever Gareth and Gwen, and family, are involved in intrigue from all quarters. Working with past conspirators and sometimes enemies they show their true colours and deal in honour and truth. Another bewitching tale that is hard to put down. A pleasure to read and I want to reread the whole series once again to be ensconced in Sarah Woodbury's medieval world.
August 28, 2025
A pleasure…
It is a pleasure to be reunited with Gareth and Gwen and the rest of their family and friends. The characters are well developed and I am invested in their continued journey.
The mystery was a good one and kept me engaged in following the clues left for Gareth, Gwen and Lelo and Dai to follow. I liked getting more acquainted with Rhys and his brother Maurredd.
It is a pleasure to be reunited with Gareth and Gwen and the rest of their family and friends. The characters are well developed and I am invested in their continued journey.
The mystery was a good one and kept me engaged in following the clues left for Gareth, Gwen and Lelo and Dai to follow. I liked getting more acquainted with Rhys and his brother Maurredd.
August 28, 2025
I love this whole series and was looking forward for its release. It was well worth the wait. I binge read it, finishing it by evening. I will likely read the whole series soon. It is like visiting old friends.
October 27, 2025
Another engaging installment of ancient Wales history. It was enjoyable but I felt like the author tried a bit too hard to give all the major players a role. The inner workings of Wales is hard enough to follow!
December 15, 2025
Really a very high 3½. But significantly better than others in this series.
January 12, 2026
A very enjoyable story in this series, this involves the treasonous actions of enemies of the king of southern Wales in 1156. A very good addition to the series.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews