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Conquered Hearts #3
Captives: Kingdoms Rule Hearts
Normandy. 1067.
England has been brought to its knees by the invasion of William the Conqueror and his Norman troops.
Lady Catheryn, an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman, is taken against her will to Normandy after the invasion.
She arrives, a prisoner, at the castle of Lord Geffrei, a ruthless invader who hopes to gain a ransom for her.
Her husband Selwyn is dead, slain in the Conquest, and her daughter Annis has been left behind in England at the mercy of the invaders.
Catheryn is treated like an animal, and left in a cell until she begins to despair.
When Queen Matilda, William the Conqueror’s wife, sees her plight, she takes pity on her.
Catheryn is sent to the castle of the noble FitzOsberns – but will her new captivity be any better than the cruelty she faced at Geffrei’s hands?
She finds her hostess cold and embittered, but when her husband William FitzOsbern returns from the Conquest, Catheryn’s heart is torn by unwanted emotions.
She becomes entangled in the quarrels and heartbreaks of her jailers even as she tries to remember her place among them.
Is she falling in love with the man who helped to destroy her homeland?
Can Catheryn betray her Anglo-Saxon roots, and her late husband?
Or will she break free, and find her way back to Annis?
‘Captives’ is a moving historical story of love and loss, and the strength of one woman even in the most dangerous of times. It is the sequel to ‘Conquests’.
'An enthalling saga.' - Robert Foster, best-selling author of 'The Lunar Code'.
Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and novelist. She lives in York. She is also the author of ‘Conquests’ and ‘Love Letters’ in the same series.
Endeavour Press is the UK’s leading independent publisher of digital books.
England has been brought to its knees by the invasion of William the Conqueror and his Norman troops.
Lady Catheryn, an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman, is taken against her will to Normandy after the invasion.
She arrives, a prisoner, at the castle of Lord Geffrei, a ruthless invader who hopes to gain a ransom for her.
Her husband Selwyn is dead, slain in the Conquest, and her daughter Annis has been left behind in England at the mercy of the invaders.
Catheryn is treated like an animal, and left in a cell until she begins to despair.
When Queen Matilda, William the Conqueror’s wife, sees her plight, she takes pity on her.
Catheryn is sent to the castle of the noble FitzOsberns – but will her new captivity be any better than the cruelty she faced at Geffrei’s hands?
She finds her hostess cold and embittered, but when her husband William FitzOsbern returns from the Conquest, Catheryn’s heart is torn by unwanted emotions.
She becomes entangled in the quarrels and heartbreaks of her jailers even as she tries to remember her place among them.
Is she falling in love with the man who helped to destroy her homeland?
Can Catheryn betray her Anglo-Saxon roots, and her late husband?
Or will she break free, and find her way back to Annis?
‘Captives’ is a moving historical story of love and loss, and the strength of one woman even in the most dangerous of times. It is the sequel to ‘Conquests’.
'An enthalling saga.' - Robert Foster, best-selling author of 'The Lunar Code'.
Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and novelist. She lives in York. She is also the author of ‘Conquests’ and ‘Love Letters’ in the same series.
Endeavour Press is the UK’s leading independent publisher of digital books.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2014
380 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Emily E.K. Murdoch
177 books279 followersEmily E.K. Murdoch is also known as Emily Murdoch.
Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and writer. Throughout her career so far she has examined a codex and transcribed medieval sermons at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, designed part of an exhibition for the Yorkshire Museum, worked as a researcher for a BBC documentary presented by Ian Hislop, and worked at Polesden Lacey with the National Trust. She has a degree in History and English, and a Masters in Medieval Studies, both from the University of York. Emily is currently working on a new four part Regency novella series, two of which are now published.
You can follow her on twitter and instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/theemilyekmurdoch, and read her blog at www.emilyekmurdoch.com
Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and writer. Throughout her career so far she has examined a codex and transcribed medieval sermons at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, designed part of an exhibition for the Yorkshire Museum, worked as a researcher for a BBC documentary presented by Ian Hislop, and worked at Polesden Lacey with the National Trust. She has a degree in History and English, and a Masters in Medieval Studies, both from the University of York. Emily is currently working on a new four part Regency novella series, two of which are now published.
You can follow her on twitter and instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/theemilyekmurdoch, and read her blog at www.emilyekmurdoch.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 11, 2016
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
This was my favourite installment in the Hearts Rule Kingdoms series as it was the one that made me realize that each book was allineated with the others, instead of just being set in the same era as I had previously assumed. The first two books can be read as standalones, and seem to bear no alignment with each other. This book references both its predecessors and you learn that the second book actually has a direct result on the first. Events in the first book are also referenced to here, although viewed from a different protagonist's perspective. Although each book does not have to be read in order, or at all, to understand the others, this was such an exciting addition to the book as it is unusual for the reader to bear more information than the characters. This definitely was the crowning glory of these companion novels and nicely tied all three together.
Unlike the other stories, this one was not such a straight forward romance with a predictable ending. Whilst I did really enjoy the others, they performed the task of pure, mindless escapism. This book, however, took a much darker and complex route and I was forever second guessing all the character's motives and emotions. The themes touched on also displayed more depth but I shan't go into any more detail on those without giving away the story line.
Like the others, this book featured feisty female protagonists with a strength that betrayed their era but totally aligned me to their cause. Their modern, feminist ideologies and independence made their stories compelling and far more than the simple love stories I had presumed them to be.
This was my favourite installment in the Hearts Rule Kingdoms series as it was the one that made me realize that each book was allineated with the others, instead of just being set in the same era as I had previously assumed. The first two books can be read as standalones, and seem to bear no alignment with each other. This book references both its predecessors and you learn that the second book actually has a direct result on the first. Events in the first book are also referenced to here, although viewed from a different protagonist's perspective. Although each book does not have to be read in order, or at all, to understand the others, this was such an exciting addition to the book as it is unusual for the reader to bear more information than the characters. This definitely was the crowning glory of these companion novels and nicely tied all three together.
Unlike the other stories, this one was not such a straight forward romance with a predictable ending. Whilst I did really enjoy the others, they performed the task of pure, mindless escapism. This book, however, took a much darker and complex route and I was forever second guessing all the character's motives and emotions. The themes touched on also displayed more depth but I shan't go into any more detail on those without giving away the story line.
Like the others, this book featured feisty female protagonists with a strength that betrayed their era but totally aligned me to their cause. Their modern, feminist ideologies and independence made their stories compelling and far more than the simple love stories I had presumed them to be.
December 6, 2017
This is the final book from the Hearts Rule Kingdoms series, following Conquests and Love Letters. The story is set a few years after the Norman Conquest of England, and centers on Lady Catheryn, an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who has lost her husband and young son to the conquest, and believes her daughter Annis (whom we first read in Conquests) dead, too. She is ferried off to Normandy by his jailer, who gives her the most inhumane treatment. It is by some fortunate circumstance that Matilda, William the Conqueror’s wife, takes notice of her condition and sends her to a more compassionate warden named William FitzOsbern. Catheryn abhors the Normans who took over their lands and country, but over time, she has learned to care for her warden’s family as she would care for her own. She has also developed feelings for William (and he for her), which does not bode well for them both.
As explained in her Afterword, the author wrote more about history and real-life personalities in this book. From Queen Matilda’s coronation in Westminster to the massive destruction of northern England caused by William the Conqueror’s Harrying of the North , every page seemed like a learning spot. This is also the first time I heard about William FitzOsbern, and how his fictional affair with Catheryn ended in this book seems plausible enough amid the dark and seemingly unromantic period in England’s history that is the Norman Conquest. But to be honest, their love story was bittersweet, too. There is hardly any romantic moment between them, really, but nevertheless it was still a love story worth reading. Just light, and honest.
As explained in her Afterword, the author wrote more about history and real-life personalities in this book. From Queen Matilda’s coronation in Westminster to the massive destruction of northern England caused by William the Conqueror’s Harrying of the North , every page seemed like a learning spot. This is also the first time I heard about William FitzOsbern, and how his fictional affair with Catheryn ended in this book seems plausible enough amid the dark and seemingly unromantic period in England’s history that is the Norman Conquest. But to be honest, their love story was bittersweet, too. There is hardly any romantic moment between them, really, but nevertheless it was still a love story worth reading. Just light, and honest.
July 30, 2016
Woman of certain age keeps her wits about her during the Norman conquest
Catheryn, wife of Selwyn, is the matriarch of an Anglo-Saxon noble family that has been decimated by the Norman invasion of 1066. Captured by England’s new rulers, she is spirited away to the continent and held captive with the household of a local lord until the powers-that-be can figure out what to do with her. The challenge lying before her is how to survive alone in a hostile land.
Emily Murdoch has created an exemplary character with grace and fortitude and placed her in a story that does not play by the rules of historical romance or historical fiction. My expectations were foiled at every turn – in a good way. I had no idea where Murdoch was taking the story, proving enough convincing twists to prevent me from putting the novel down. We meet with romance and tragedy; friendship and enmity. While Catheryn is constantly under threat, in no way does she lose her humanity, instead adapting to shifting situations yet without losing sight of her needs and aspirations.
Captives is all the more remarkable for having a middle-aged (for the times – ahem!) woman as the heroine, as opposed to some maiden or ingénue, which is quite rare. Her experience and worldliness come through in her actions, and her fate as an unpromising piece of war booty comes across as convincing. It is clear the Ms Murdoch has done her research on the lives of women of the time. We see her as a wife, a wife, a mother, a close friend, and as a lover, with no contrivances along the way.
The secondary characters were well-drawn and certainly not boring. The tension between them and Catheryn was kept as a low boil until changing circumstances fuelled the flames of open conflict.
The history of the Norman invasion is effectively woven into the narrative, with fine insight into its significance for the ruling parties as well as the English nation. This, too, reflects the deep research of the author. And the twin tales are not just parallel, although I will leave it to future readers to learn how they intertwine.
This is part of a series of novels featuring Catheryn and the Norman conquest of England. I look forward to seeing where fate has taken and will take the lady, or rather where the lady leads herself.
February 17, 2015
The story is about the shattering of the Saxon world, after the arrival of William the Conqueror and his Normans. The conquest, seen through the eyes of a noble Saxon lady, Catheryn, is an aching experience. She lost husband and son during the assault of their castle, while her young daughter simply disappeared, but she'll never lose hope to find her... one day.
Her captivity is really hard at first, but a lucky meeting with Norman royalty makes her destiny less dull. She moves to Normandy, in the comfortable castle of the FitzOsbern family. She is a guest for all - never a friend - except for Fitz, the lord of the castle, who respects and appreciates her. There is also the spark of love between Catheryn and Fitz, but is a fire that will never burn because they are on different sides of the conquest and because Fitz is married.
Only once Fitz reveals his heart: "My love", Fitz whispered, "and I will call you my love, even if it is for the first and last time - just because I do not say that I love you, show that I love you, marry you, that does not mean that I do not feel what I feel for you". (pos. 2956)
Fitz never experienced love in his marriage with his cold wife. Catheryn loved her husband passionately and she simply cannot think to live the rest of her life without love. You can feel in your bones the desperation of these two people, not young anymore, divided by war and duty, who perceive they are losing their last chance of happiness. They are captives of their own loneliness.
As already displayed in "Conquests", the writer has a special touch for her characters and for the setting that is faultlessly medieval.
Her captivity is really hard at first, but a lucky meeting with Norman royalty makes her destiny less dull. She moves to Normandy, in the comfortable castle of the FitzOsbern family. She is a guest for all - never a friend - except for Fitz, the lord of the castle, who respects and appreciates her. There is also the spark of love between Catheryn and Fitz, but is a fire that will never burn because they are on different sides of the conquest and because Fitz is married.
Only once Fitz reveals his heart: "My love", Fitz whispered, "and I will call you my love, even if it is for the first and last time - just because I do not say that I love you, show that I love you, marry you, that does not mean that I do not feel what I feel for you". (pos. 2956)
Fitz never experienced love in his marriage with his cold wife. Catheryn loved her husband passionately and she simply cannot think to live the rest of her life without love. You can feel in your bones the desperation of these two people, not young anymore, divided by war and duty, who perceive they are losing their last chance of happiness. They are captives of their own loneliness.
As already displayed in "Conquests", the writer has a special touch for her characters and for the setting that is faultlessly medieval.
February 9, 2017
Much like the other books in this series, I was held captive by this story and could not release myself from its pages, until I had read every last word!
My heart broke for Lady Catheryn, who endured more in a very short span of time than any woman should have to. Her husband is killed on the battle field fighting to keep the dreaded Normans from overtaking England. Then, during a Norman invasion in her town, her young son is brutally slaughtered. And, to top things off, she is kidnapped, taken to Normandy, thrown in a tiny, cold filthy cell and left to wonder if her teenage daughter, Annis, is even still alive.
For months and months, she languishes inside the four walls of the miserable imprisonment of her room. When finally rescued, she is still unable to find out what has happened to her daughter back in England or glean if she is even still alive. And, as if this were not enough, it is all downhill from here for poor Lady Catheryn.
Several different types of heart break are prevalent in this story: The loss of a child to death, the loss of another child to an unknown fate, the loss of home, hearth and country, the loss of a true love and the loss of a love that could never be. Murdoch does a splendid job of distinguishing and exploring the different subtleties that are a part of each kind of loss. You come to care for and empathize with Catheryn the heart sick mother, Catheryn the mourning wife, Catheryn the loyal compatriot, Catheryn the scorned foreigner and Catheryn the beleaguered captive. You begin to admire and silently cheer for Catheryn the compassionate friend, Catheryn the bastion of quiet strength, Catheryn the determined survivor and Catheryn the resilient victress.
This story is one of tragedy and triumph. This story one of a heart break as deep as the ocean and a love that spanned the breadth of an ocean. This story is one you should read!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in order to read and provide a voluntary and honest review.
My heart broke for Lady Catheryn, who endured more in a very short span of time than any woman should have to. Her husband is killed on the battle field fighting to keep the dreaded Normans from overtaking England. Then, during a Norman invasion in her town, her young son is brutally slaughtered. And, to top things off, she is kidnapped, taken to Normandy, thrown in a tiny, cold filthy cell and left to wonder if her teenage daughter, Annis, is even still alive.
For months and months, she languishes inside the four walls of the miserable imprisonment of her room. When finally rescued, she is still unable to find out what has happened to her daughter back in England or glean if she is even still alive. And, as if this were not enough, it is all downhill from here for poor Lady Catheryn.
Several different types of heart break are prevalent in this story: The loss of a child to death, the loss of another child to an unknown fate, the loss of home, hearth and country, the loss of a true love and the loss of a love that could never be. Murdoch does a splendid job of distinguishing and exploring the different subtleties that are a part of each kind of loss. You come to care for and empathize with Catheryn the heart sick mother, Catheryn the mourning wife, Catheryn the loyal compatriot, Catheryn the scorned foreigner and Catheryn the beleaguered captive. You begin to admire and silently cheer for Catheryn the compassionate friend, Catheryn the bastion of quiet strength, Catheryn the determined survivor and Catheryn the resilient victress.
This story is one of tragedy and triumph. This story one of a heart break as deep as the ocean and a love that spanned the breadth of an ocean. This story is one you should read!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in order to read and provide a voluntary and honest review.
September 18, 2017
Kingdoms Take Precedence
The story begins with Lady Catherine held captive onboard ship to Normandy. Mistreated, yet feared because of her status, her captors do little to care for her. She wants to know what happened to her daughter. No one knows. Though somewhat emotionally hard to learn what she goes through, it is well worth reading to the end! I highly recommend this book!
The story begins with Lady Catherine held captive onboard ship to Normandy. Mistreated, yet feared because of her status, her captors do little to care for her. She wants to know what happened to her daughter. No one knows. Though somewhat emotionally hard to learn what she goes through, it is well worth reading to the end! I highly recommend this book!
August 12, 2016
Captives is the third book of the Conquered Heart series set in Anglo-Saxon/Norman England of the 11th century.
It follows the story of Catheryn, a noble Anglo-Saxon we had met in Love Letters. She has lost everything to the Norman conquest, including her husband and son, and is brought to Normandy. At first, she is treated more like a prisoner rather than an hostage, but her situation significantly improves further to a royal intervention, at least in terms of comfort.
Nevertheless, she has to live a life far from home, with no news about her daughter, who may be the only living member of her family.
While its plotline is chronogically parallel to Conquests by the same author, everything seems different in this book primarily its characters.
Catheryn is an adult, and always acts responsibly, she is empathetic and selfless. I liked the fact she shows resilience and moral strength, even when her situation is terrible. In Conquests, Avis was defined by anger. Catheryn is all about caring about others.
The main male character, Fitz, was, to me, less likeable than Melville in Conquests : like Melville, he is obsessed with his duty and ethics, but in a much colder way. That’s fine, because this story is meant to be bittersweet and doesn’t need a faultless white knight. I had the feeling he was the reason why the author gave the title "CaptiveS" (plural) to the novel: Fitz is a prisoner of his own beliefs and commitments.
I also appreciated that secondary characters were more developed than in Conquests or Love Letters, like Adeliza.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable historical novel.
My rating : 4 stars
It follows the story of Catheryn, a noble Anglo-Saxon we had met in Love Letters. She has lost everything to the Norman conquest, including her husband and son, and is brought to Normandy. At first, she is treated more like a prisoner rather than an hostage, but her situation significantly improves further to a royal intervention, at least in terms of comfort.
Nevertheless, she has to live a life far from home, with no news about her daughter, who may be the only living member of her family.
While its plotline is chronogically parallel to Conquests by the same author, everything seems different in this book primarily its characters.
Catheryn is an adult, and always acts responsibly, she is empathetic and selfless. I liked the fact she shows resilience and moral strength, even when her situation is terrible. In Conquests, Avis was defined by anger. Catheryn is all about caring about others.
The main male character, Fitz, was, to me, less likeable than Melville in Conquests : like Melville, he is obsessed with his duty and ethics, but in a much colder way. That’s fine, because this story is meant to be bittersweet and doesn’t need a faultless white knight. I had the feeling he was the reason why the author gave the title "CaptiveS" (plural) to the novel: Fitz is a prisoner of his own beliefs and commitments.
I also appreciated that secondary characters were more developed than in Conquests or Love Letters, like Adeliza.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable historical novel.
My rating : 4 stars
August 1, 2017
This is a gripping story about Lady Cathryn and her fall from Anglo-Saxon aristocracy to prisoner of war after the Norman invasion. The tale of her captivity first onboard a ship bound for Normandy to live as a servant/prisoner, then later in life to be released back to England in search of her daughter if she still lives. Cathryn's captivity is heart wrenching as she is barely able to remember the days of suffering not only during her time aboard ship but also living in a dungeon in Normandy for months. Some unexpected turns of events find her living as a servant to a family who despises her and considers her among the lower classes. But Cathryn proves herself to be a caring part of the household as she tends to a gravely ill daughter and husband of the house. During this time, Cathryn experiences an unrequited love for the husband who eventually comes to hate her and blames her for the deaths of his daughter and later his wife. I cannot even imagine the sorrow Cathryn had to go through. She is eventually turned out of the household with a young man who has pledged to help Cathryn find her way home to a very different England in search of her daughter who is, hopefully, still alive. This is a long and arduous trip for Cathryn with emotional ups and downs not knowing the outcome of her search. This a very well written book by Emily Murdoch. I have come to appreciate her knowledge of this time period and her creativity and imagination as witnessed in this story. It is my hope that she continues to write more of these tales for all of us to enjoy. I highly recommend reading this one. I feel privileged to have been given an ARC copy of this book to read and review.
June 28, 2016
Excellent, absorbing book. I read the first and second of this trilogy and loved them. I also found this third one excellent. It is set after the horrors of the Norman invasion when the Anglo-Saxons are being slaughtered. Again there is the backdrop of suspicion, tension and hatred. Lady Catheryn is captured and taken as prisoner to Normandy where she is kept in the household of Fitz and Adeliza, a noble Norman couple. Their treatment of her is uncertain and inconsistent but she integrates herself uneasily into the household. You wonder how they can all overcome the clash of their cultures and find understanding. She is determined to seek her daughter Annis whom she was forced to leave behind in Britain. Will they ever be reunited and will the country find peace again? The ending is both sad (in some ways) but also joyous and satisfying. The author vividly creates the feel of the period with all its dangers and sumptuousness and it lends itself perfectly to conflict, tension and passion. Highly recommended.
I received this book in a publisher review initiative in return for an honest review.
I received this book in a publisher review initiative in return for an honest review.
July 10, 2016
I was offered this book by the publisher for an honest review.
Captives is the third book in a series set in the 11th century. I haven't read the others, but that didn't seem to matter. Catheryn has lost her husband and her son to the terror of the Norman conquest, and is brought as a hostage to Normandy. Desperate for news of her daughter Annis, who she left behind in England, she cannot easily settle into her new life in a Norman household. Though drawn to Fitz, the Norman Lord who keeps her captive, he is already married, and in the end this is more of a drama than a romance, but nevertheless it kept me gripped throughout. Emily Murdoch has a lovely clear storytelling style, and the details of medieval life were convincingly drawn. Recommended.
Captives is the third book in a series set in the 11th century. I haven't read the others, but that didn't seem to matter. Catheryn has lost her husband and her son to the terror of the Norman conquest, and is brought as a hostage to Normandy. Desperate for news of her daughter Annis, who she left behind in England, she cannot easily settle into her new life in a Norman household. Though drawn to Fitz, the Norman Lord who keeps her captive, he is already married, and in the end this is more of a drama than a romance, but nevertheless it kept me gripped throughout. Emily Murdoch has a lovely clear storytelling style, and the details of medieval life were convincingly drawn. Recommended.
March 29, 2018
Maybe I missed something as I thought Emily was a romance author because this only had a little romance that was completely destroyed later in the book. It was absolutely horrible and I ended up hating Fitz (he really turned out to be ridiculous). This book was well written as historical fiction and really presented a lot of the history that seemed to be fairly accurate in its grimness for the time period. Maybe I made a mistake thinking there would be some romance which is the only reason I gave it 3 stars. A horrible story in my mind, but well written.
October 30, 2017
This is more of an historical fiction book. There is a little romance but no HEA for the heroine. It is a very dark story with a lot of history built around Catheryn's tale. There is a happy ending as mother is reunited with her daughter but a lot of ups and downs throughout. I did listen to this as an audiobook and enjoyed the different vocals done by the narrator.
I received the audiobook as a gift, and this is my unsolicited review.
I received the audiobook as a gift, and this is my unsolicited review.
March 10, 2018
Captives is a well written and well researched historical novel with elements of romance. I grew up reading medieval romance and poetry, and the period is usually bathed in a glow of romanticism and the true love of a knight for his lady. In reality it was one of the harshest and most brutal of periods, when the life expectancy of a soldier was short and the real sufferers were the women and children left behind, even more so if you had the misfortune of being on the side of the conquered. Lady Catheryn is taken captive and despite having value as a political prisoner, she is treated with the utmost distain and cruelty. It is only when King William and his prospective Queen visit the fortress where she is being kept, and they discover her condition, that she finds some relief as she is transferred to a more humane stronghold. Life gets easier for Catheryn, but her sorrow and anguish over the whereabouts of her daughter do not diminish one bit. With time she becomes valuable to her hosts but their distrust and disrespect do not change. When Lord FitzOsbern returns from war, there is an instant connection and affinity between Catheryn and Fitz, but it could never be acted upon. Times becomes more troubled for the family and Catheryn is caught in the middle. It is only when the greatest loss comes that Catheryn is eventually released to embark on a quest for find her daughter. Captives is a realistic reflection of the times, and leaves one with a feeling of melancholy. However it is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of a woman and a mother who will do anything to find her child. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
October 24, 2017
This part of the story is from the mother, Lady Catheryn's perspective and it tells of her capture, imprisonment and hunt for her daughter, Avis.
This story, as with the others in this series, is a well written adventure telling of the hardships of that era and how people managed to survive it. It also tells of love and caring and the attempts of some of the people to better their lots in life as well as that of others around them.
The audiobook is narrated by Katie Bunn and makes for an easy listen.
The above is my honest and unbiased review of a free audiobook version of the story from the author.
This story, as with the others in this series, is a well written adventure telling of the hardships of that era and how people managed to survive it. It also tells of love and caring and the attempts of some of the people to better their lots in life as well as that of others around them.
The audiobook is narrated by Katie Bunn and makes for an easy listen.
The above is my honest and unbiased review of a free audiobook version of the story from the author.
August 19, 2018
What a fantastic book! I must admit, I thought it was going to be yet another bodice ripping historical romance (there's nothing wrong with this as I generally love this genre - it can just get too much sometimes!), I almost didn't bother reading the book. I'm glad, to say the least, that I did make the effort. No bodice ripping and minimal romance...and yet....the characters were authentic and had a depth with many layers to them; the descriptions were accurate and relevant; and the issues raised about the aftermath of war were insightful. It should have come as no surprise when I read the author's notes and discovered that the author is also a medieval historian.
This is the first book of Emily Murdoch's that I have read, I received it free through Bookbub, I look forward to reading many more of her works and would highly recommend this book and author.
This is the first book of Emily Murdoch's that I have read, I received it free through Bookbub, I look forward to reading many more of her works and would highly recommend this book and author.
August 9, 2018
Great Book!
Captives is a wonderful book about the struggle of the English people after the Norman conquest.
Lady Catherine was forcefully taken from her home, away from her daughter,and carried to Normandy. All the time she is there She has no word of the daughter she left behind. What happens to Catherine next is full of surprising twists that keeps the readers intrigued from start to finish. This is a must read!!
Captives is a wonderful book about the struggle of the English people after the Norman conquest.
Lady Catherine was forcefully taken from her home, away from her daughter,and carried to Normandy. All the time she is there She has no word of the daughter she left behind. What happens to Catherine next is full of surprising twists that keeps the readers intrigued from start to finish. This is a must read!!
August 12, 2018
I finished it
I never quite got into the characters and really felt nothing when they died. I felt like I read a rough draft that had been published. I love historical fiction but when I finish a book I don’t want to feel like it was a chore to complete. I want to miss the characters enough to see if the story continues or at least care if it does. I found neither occurred. I would not recommend this book.
I never quite got into the characters and really felt nothing when they died. I felt like I read a rough draft that had been published. I love historical fiction but when I finish a book I don’t want to feel like it was a chore to complete. I want to miss the characters enough to see if the story continues or at least care if it does. I found neither occurred. I would not recommend this book.
October 31, 2018
Engrossing historical fiction set and France and Great Britain
Fast paced with excellent character development. The reader become, quite invested in what will happen to the main characters. Many things are happening all at once with the different characters, but the writing is clear and you never lose your place or are unable to figure out what’s going on. This book is one of the best Historical fiction books I have read the in last several years!
Fast paced with excellent character development. The reader become, quite invested in what will happen to the main characters. Many things are happening all at once with the different characters, but the writing is clear and you never lose your place or are unable to figure out what’s going on. This book is one of the best Historical fiction books I have read the in last several years!
March 24, 2019
Después de haber leído el segundo de esta trilogía, me pensé mucho seguirla... Pero me alegro mucho de haberle dado la oportunidad de resarcirse.
En este tercer libro nos adentramos en la vida de Catheryn, la madre de Annis/Avis. Volvemos a tener una protagonista fuerte, valiente, bondadosa, amigable, prejuiciosa (entendible), etc. La verdad es que me ha encantado esta mujer y sus circunstancias de la vida en el siglo XI.
No le encuentro ningún "pero" importante a esta obra.
En este tercer libro nos adentramos en la vida de Catheryn, la madre de Annis/Avis. Volvemos a tener una protagonista fuerte, valiente, bondadosa, amigable, prejuiciosa (entendible), etc. La verdad es que me ha encantado esta mujer y sus circunstancias de la vida en el siglo XI.
No le encuentro ningún "pero" importante a esta obra.
May 12, 2019
Excellent
This book is well written, and history accurate. The author has been able to Wright an emotional story from the view point of three strong characters, who have lived very different lives surrounding the Norman consequent. I especially like the fact that although the story did have a happy ending, it was not a traditional ending.no won't give the ending away as it would spoil other people's enjoyment.
This book is well written, and history accurate. The author has been able to Wright an emotional story from the view point of three strong characters, who have lived very different lives surrounding the Norman consequent. I especially like the fact that although the story did have a happy ending, it was not a traditional ending.no won't give the ending away as it would spoil other people's enjoyment.
July 6, 2019
I write this after listening to the audiobooks for this series.
The women captured and brought across the sea, is treated as an animal, by the Norman overlord.
She believes her husband had been killed in battle, and then the invaders had come and killed all in her home. Did her daughter survive? She knew where she was when they had come, but what happened afterward. So she survives, and life changes, and she refuses to give up hope, that her daughter still survives.
The women captured and brought across the sea, is treated as an animal, by the Norman overlord.
She believes her husband had been killed in battle, and then the invaders had come and killed all in her home. Did her daughter survive? She knew where she was when they had come, but what happened afterward. So she survives, and life changes, and she refuses to give up hope, that her daughter still survives.
August 5, 2018
Historical fiction and well done!
There is much sadness in this book, as it is set in a time of war, but Catheryn is a rich character, the book is descriptive, the plot is good. Every once in a while, the dialogue was awkward, but that helped convey a sense of the two languages being spoken. A recommended read!
There is much sadness in this book, as it is set in a time of war, but Catheryn is a rich character, the book is descriptive, the plot is good. Every once in a while, the dialogue was awkward, but that helped convey a sense of the two languages being spoken. A recommended read!
August 15, 2018
Parental Love
This was a story about family relationship s and parental love. It is a sequel to an earlier book of a more traditional love story This book,however can be enjoyed as a stand alone story. It is a sweet and clean , set in the middle ages,right after the Norman Conquest of Britton. I would recommend this book to everyone.
This was a story about family relationship s and parental love. It is a sequel to an earlier book of a more traditional love story This book,however can be enjoyed as a stand alone story. It is a sweet and clean , set in the middle ages,right after the Norman Conquest of Britton. I would recommend this book to everyone.
April 25, 2020
Historical
I loved the characters in this book. It was written by a medieval historian.
Catherine was kidnapped from her home in England taken to Normandy.
Her daughter Annis is somewhere in England or dead.
Find out how this book unfolds.
Lots of emotions, also twists and turns.
#6 Bookhoarders Challenge - Read in April.
I loved the characters in this book. It was written by a medieval historian.
Catherine was kidnapped from her home in England taken to Normandy.
Her daughter Annis is somewhere in England or dead.
Find out how this book unfolds.
Lots of emotions, also twists and turns.
#6 Bookhoarders Challenge - Read in April.
July 1, 2018
I wasn't terribly impressed with the first two books in the series and can't figure out why they're presented in such a mixed-up fashion, but at least all the chinks have been filed and we get closure.
August 3, 2018
Fantastic Read
A wonderfully written book. This is the second one and is beautifully creative, historical, and filled with hope, disappointed, and intriguing characters. I was hopeful in the exploration that mother and daughter would someday find one another. A fascinating read.
A wonderfully written book. This is the second one and is beautifully creative, historical, and filled with hope, disappointed, and intriguing characters. I was hopeful in the exploration that mother and daughter would someday find one another. A fascinating read.
October 22, 2019
Disappointed
Whilst getting into this story I was enjoying the history but as it went on , I found it hard to concentrate on the story. The ending seemed to be hurried and was very disappointing.
Whilst getting into this story I was enjoying the history but as it went on , I found it hard to concentrate on the story. The ending seemed to be hurried and was very disappointing.
May 7, 2020
History as it was being made
A little poetic license, but keeping to historic preservation of fact as closely as possible, we visit a land and it's people as they are taken by the forces of war.
A little poetic license, but keeping to historic preservation of fact as closely as possible, we visit a land and it's people as they are taken by the forces of war.
March 28, 2021
So nice to read good and clean historical fiction...but I was so disappointed that you didn't see that Selwyn lives; it would have been such a wonderful ending to such a heart rending story. I know you can't change history but wasn't Selwyn fictional??
Judy Lea
Judy Lea
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2018
I received this audio book from the author for a review. I thought this was a great book to listen to while driving to work. The ending surprised me but I liked it.
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