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Heaven Tree #2
The Green Branch
(2nd book of The Heaven Tree trilogy)Young Harry Talvace, the son of Ralf Isambard's master-builder who raised the great church of Parfois and was put to death by his jealous patron, has grown up at the court of Llewelyn, Prince of North Wales. Deep in his heart he nurses a desire for vengence, and when Harry become innocently involved in the tragedy which strikes Llewelyn's marriage he sets out to avenge his father's death. Alone he makes his way to Parfois to challenge Isambard. But enmity can prove as complex as love, Harry discovers, as in his turn he falls under the spell of the old warrior.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1962
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368 people want to read
About the author
Edith Pargeter
47 books186 followersaka Peter Benedict, Jolyon Carr, Ellis Peters (later editions of her work are sometimes published under this pseudonym), and John Redfern
West Midlands Literary Heritage website biography
Novelist. Born September 1913 at Horsehay, Shropshire. Her father was a clerk at a local ironworks. Edith attended Dawley Church of England School and the Coalbrookdale High School for Girls. Through her mother, she grew to love the history and countryside of Shropshire, her home for all of her life.
Before World War II she worked as a chemist's assistant at Dawley. During this time she started writing seriously for publication while gathering useful information on medicines that she would draw upon later when tackling crime stories. Her first published novel was Hortensius, friend of Nero (1936), a rather dry tale of martyrdom that was not a great success but she persevered and The city lies foursquare (1939) was much more warmly received.
During the war she worked in an administrative role with the Women's Royal Navy Service in Liverpool, a relatively brief period away from Shropshire, and for her devotion to duty she received the British Empire Medal. Many more novels appeared at this time, including Ordinary people (1941) and She goes to war (1942), the latter based on her own wartime experiences. The eighth champion of Christendom appeared in 1945 and from now on she was able to devote all her time to writing. She was particularly proud of her Heaven tree trilogy, which appeared between 1961 and 1963, which had as a backdrop the English Welsh borderlands in the twelfth century.
It was not until 1951 that she tackled a mystery story with Fallen into the pit, the first appearance of Sergeant George Felse as the investigating police officer. Her other great character, and the one for which the author will continue to be known the world over, Brother Cadfael, was to follow many years later. The first appearance of this monk at Shrewsbury Abbey was in A morbid taste for bones (1977) and he mixed his herbs and unravelled mysteries in this atmospheric setting for a further nineteen novels. This kept the author very busy for the remaining 18 years of her life, to the virtual exclusion of all other work.
The name "Ellis Peters" was adopted by Edith Pargeter to clearly mark a division between her mystery stories and her other work. Her brother was Ellis and Petra was a friend from Czechoslovakia. A frequent visitor to the country, Edith Pargeter had begun her association and deep interest in their culture after meeting Czechoslovakian soldiers during the war. This was to lead to her learning the language translating several books into English.
She won awards for her writing from both the British Crime Writers Association and the Mystery Writers of America. She was also awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), an honorary Masters Degree from Birmingham University and the Gold Medal of the Czechoslovak Society for Foreign Relations. There is a memorial to her in Shrewsbury Abbey.
After her death in October 1995, The Times published a full obituary that declared that here was "a deeply sensitive and perceptive woman....an intensely private and modest person " whose writing was "direct, even a little stilted, matching a self-contained personality".
West Midlands Literary Heritage website biography
Novelist. Born September 1913 at Horsehay, Shropshire. Her father was a clerk at a local ironworks. Edith attended Dawley Church of England School and the Coalbrookdale High School for Girls. Through her mother, she grew to love the history and countryside of Shropshire, her home for all of her life.
Before World War II she worked as a chemist's assistant at Dawley. During this time she started writing seriously for publication while gathering useful information on medicines that she would draw upon later when tackling crime stories. Her first published novel was Hortensius, friend of Nero (1936), a rather dry tale of martyrdom that was not a great success but she persevered and The city lies foursquare (1939) was much more warmly received.
During the war she worked in an administrative role with the Women's Royal Navy Service in Liverpool, a relatively brief period away from Shropshire, and for her devotion to duty she received the British Empire Medal. Many more novels appeared at this time, including Ordinary people (1941) and She goes to war (1942), the latter based on her own wartime experiences. The eighth champion of Christendom appeared in 1945 and from now on she was able to devote all her time to writing. She was particularly proud of her Heaven tree trilogy, which appeared between 1961 and 1963, which had as a backdrop the English Welsh borderlands in the twelfth century.
It was not until 1951 that she tackled a mystery story with Fallen into the pit, the first appearance of Sergeant George Felse as the investigating police officer. Her other great character, and the one for which the author will continue to be known the world over, Brother Cadfael, was to follow many years later. The first appearance of this monk at Shrewsbury Abbey was in A morbid taste for bones (1977) and he mixed his herbs and unravelled mysteries in this atmospheric setting for a further nineteen novels. This kept the author very busy for the remaining 18 years of her life, to the virtual exclusion of all other work.
The name "Ellis Peters" was adopted by Edith Pargeter to clearly mark a division between her mystery stories and her other work. Her brother was Ellis and Petra was a friend from Czechoslovakia. A frequent visitor to the country, Edith Pargeter had begun her association and deep interest in their culture after meeting Czechoslovakian soldiers during the war. This was to lead to her learning the language translating several books into English.
She won awards for her writing from both the British Crime Writers Association and the Mystery Writers of America. She was also awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), an honorary Masters Degree from Birmingham University and the Gold Medal of the Czechoslovak Society for Foreign Relations. There is a memorial to her in Shrewsbury Abbey.
After her death in October 1995, The Times published a full obituary that declared that here was "a deeply sensitive and perceptive woman....an intensely private and modest person " whose writing was "direct, even a little stilted, matching a self-contained personality".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 17, 2023
How does one evaluate a trilogy? Is it 3 separate books or one long book divided into three parts? This is the second book of the Heaven Tree Trilogy and while enjoyed the first book a great deal this one was just okay. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this book but just not as much as the first so it gets my passing grade but not my above expectations grade. This is where I began to wonder if it is fair to evaluate this work until I've finished the third book. The second book might very well simply act as a bridge between the beginning and ending books and not really meant to have the same merit as the other two works. I decided to review each book separately and then after reading the third decide if a review of the entire work is appropriate.
As for this book it continues the historical fiction revolving around Harry Talvace in early 13th century England. The story is set in a rather obscure portion of English history, the border conflicts between the English and the Welsh. In this second book the protagonist is now Harry's namesake son and the next generation is introduced. Harry Jr. is about the same age as Harry Sr. when the first book began. Jr. is living in Wales under the protection of Prince Llewellen of Wales. An violation of the code of honor of the highest order takes place and young Harry is an unwitting tool of the affair. With his honor questioned Harry sets off to redeem himself and encounters his father's patron and nemesis Count Isambard. Isambard takes on all the appearances of an arch villain and torments young Harry in a series of apparently cruel actions. However, these torments seem to be aimed at challenging young Harry so I am not convinced that Isambard is as evil as young Harry believes. Isambard's role in the book, however, will not be definitely defined until the third book as his relationship with young Harry enters a new phase at the end of this book. I hate cliffhangers but at least I have the third book on the shelf waiting to be read. The core of this book seems to be about young Harry's coming of age and his developing understanding of honor, duty, forgiveness, and compassion. Harry doesn't behave well in this book and frequently deserves to have his backside kicked so he doesn't garner a lot of sympathy from this reader. Maybe when he grows up that feeling might change and that is why I suspect the Isambard character is cruel to a noble purpose and this is something that may entice the reader on to book three. This was a good book. Not as good as the first but a serviceable bridge to the third.
As for this book it continues the historical fiction revolving around Harry Talvace in early 13th century England. The story is set in a rather obscure portion of English history, the border conflicts between the English and the Welsh. In this second book the protagonist is now Harry's namesake son and the next generation is introduced. Harry Jr. is about the same age as Harry Sr. when the first book began. Jr. is living in Wales under the protection of Prince Llewellen of Wales. An violation of the code of honor of the highest order takes place and young Harry is an unwitting tool of the affair. With his honor questioned Harry sets off to redeem himself and encounters his father's patron and nemesis Count Isambard. Isambard takes on all the appearances of an arch villain and torments young Harry in a series of apparently cruel actions. However, these torments seem to be aimed at challenging young Harry so I am not convinced that Isambard is as evil as young Harry believes. Isambard's role in the book, however, will not be definitely defined until the third book as his relationship with young Harry enters a new phase at the end of this book. I hate cliffhangers but at least I have the third book on the shelf waiting to be read. The core of this book seems to be about young Harry's coming of age and his developing understanding of honor, duty, forgiveness, and compassion. Harry doesn't behave well in this book and frequently deserves to have his backside kicked so he doesn't garner a lot of sympathy from this reader. Maybe when he grows up that feeling might change and that is why I suspect the Isambard character is cruel to a noble purpose and this is something that may entice the reader on to book three. This was a good book. Not as good as the first but a serviceable bridge to the third.
September 28, 2012
I hesitated momentarily between 4 and 5 stars for this second in the Heaven Tree trilogy, but then realised I was comparing it to the first volume which I would have liked to have been able to award 6 stars out of 5, rather than with the multitude of other published books.
As usual Edith Pargeter's historical details, her writing and her characterisations are brilliant and very thorough. A few passages here made me aware that the same period and many if the same events told from another perspective occur in one of the Brothers Gwynedd quartet, which made the landscapes and events seem familiar but not less moving for that.
Most second books, like second and subsequent films may fail to live up to the imagination of the first, but here Edith Pargeter builds a new life and a new central character with all her usual skill. Now to get straight onto the third and final part of this trilogy!
The only minor criticism I have says more about my age, memory and the time it has been (separated by much other reading) since I read the first volume. I found it occasionally difficult to remember the relationships between the characters and would have liked a key like one sometimes sees at the beginning of a Shakespeare play:
Llewellyn Prince of Aberffraw and Lord of Snowdon,
David his second son, first legitimate son and heir to his throne,
Griffith his oldest, illegitimate son etc..
The only other gripe I have is that these are slim volumes, all too soon I reach their ends, which is why I normally ration myself to reading the ones I have not yet read, occasionally.
As usual Edith Pargeter's historical details, her writing and her characterisations are brilliant and very thorough. A few passages here made me aware that the same period and many if the same events told from another perspective occur in one of the Brothers Gwynedd quartet, which made the landscapes and events seem familiar but not less moving for that.
Most second books, like second and subsequent films may fail to live up to the imagination of the first, but here Edith Pargeter builds a new life and a new central character with all her usual skill. Now to get straight onto the third and final part of this trilogy!
The only minor criticism I have says more about my age, memory and the time it has been (separated by much other reading) since I read the first volume. I found it occasionally difficult to remember the relationships between the characters and would have liked a key like one sometimes sees at the beginning of a Shakespeare play:
Llewellyn Prince of Aberffraw and Lord of Snowdon,
David his second son, first legitimate son and heir to his throne,
Griffith his oldest, illegitimate son etc..
The only other gripe I have is that these are slim volumes, all too soon I reach their ends, which is why I normally ration myself to reading the ones I have not yet read, occasionally.
July 11, 2025
j'ai trouvé ça vraiment pas pertinent en plus isambard était plutôt intéressant à la base et puis là JSP il a vrillé... plus qu'un tome !!!
August 13, 2016
Há muito tempo que um livro não me tocava tão profundamente. É maravilhosa a forma, quase poética, com que a autora descreve pessoas, sentimentos, situações e uma época em que a palavra e a honra de um Homem o libertavam e o aprisionavam. Inesquecível!
February 26, 2017
It's hard to write a good second book in a trilogy. The structure of this book lends credibility to Pargeter's comments that she wrote the first book, loved the characters and wanted to see what happened, and wrote the second part. But the second part was so long, it turned into two books.
The emotional plot climax is in the middle of this story and it's a doosey! The truly amazing thing about it is that the twist is a historical fact that Pargeter has fictionalized! These scenes, and how Pargeter brings them about are BRILLIANT, the best of historical fiction. Pargeter has woven her tale so close to the turbulent history of war between Wales and England that you learn a great deal simply by reading. And if you are like me, reading historical fiction motivates internet research to determine where the line between fact and fiction falls.
A continued strength of this series are the strong male leads, which give the books appeal beyond the typical historical fiction female audience. In fact, the men (Harry Talvace, Llwellyn, Isambard, de Breos, Owen, Prince David and Adam) are more clearly articulated and influential in the plot than the women (Princess Joan, Gilleis, and somewhat Madonna Benedetta).
The ending of this book lacks the strength of the first work, and for that reason, I'm giving it four stars. As an individual work, this book is probably not as strong as book 1, but it is still an excellent contribution to the series (especially that plot twist!), and I'm looking forward to book 3!
The Scarlet Thread (Heaven Tree Trilogy #3), Pargeter, 1963
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The emotional plot climax is in the middle of this story and it's a doosey! The truly amazing thing about it is that the twist is a historical fact that Pargeter has fictionalized! These scenes, and how Pargeter brings them about are BRILLIANT, the best of historical fiction. Pargeter has woven her tale so close to the turbulent history of war between Wales and England that you learn a great deal simply by reading. And if you are like me, reading historical fiction motivates internet research to determine where the line between fact and fiction falls.
A continued strength of this series are the strong male leads, which give the books appeal beyond the typical historical fiction female audience. In fact, the men (Harry Talvace, Llwellyn, Isambard, de Breos, Owen, Prince David and Adam) are more clearly articulated and influential in the plot than the women (Princess Joan, Gilleis, and somewhat Madonna Benedetta).
The ending of this book lacks the strength of the first work, and for that reason, I'm giving it four stars. As an individual work, this book is probably not as strong as book 1, but it is still an excellent contribution to the series (especially that plot twist!), and I'm looking forward to book 3!
The Scarlet Thread (Heaven Tree Trilogy #3), Pargeter, 1963
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
November 17, 2010
Set in the reign of Henry III, the Green Branch is a sequel to The Heaven Tree. The last book ended with gifted mason Harry Talvace being executed by Sir Ralf Isambard, while his family escaped over the border into Wales. Now Harry's son (also named Harry) has grown up under the protection of Prince Llewellyn and he has vowed vengeance. Harry attempts his revenge on Isambard, helped and hindered by Welsh border politics and the twisted character of Isambard himself.
The novel falls into roughly two halves, with the first detailing the situation in Wales and the second following Harry and Isambard's interactions.
Pargeter mixes some of her favorite historical personage (notably, the Welsh royal family) with the fictional Harry, who is hotheaded, naive, and likable. Ralf Isambard is a fascinating villain. His motives are remarkably unclear. He is always one step ahead of Harry, always knows what buttons to push, always the master of the situation.
Pargeter has a drier, less emotional, less soapy feel than many other authors who write in the same era (Penman, I'm looking at you), which may make her prose slow going for some. There is a refreshing lack of angst.
As is usual, Parteger's creates a wholly believable medieval world, whose inhabitants act thoroughly of their age and time, and yet whose motives and feelings are easily understood by a modern reader. I enjoyed it very much and am eager to read the follow-up.
The novel falls into roughly two halves, with the first detailing the situation in Wales and the second following Harry and Isambard's interactions.
Pargeter mixes some of her favorite historical personage (notably, the Welsh royal family) with the fictional Harry, who is hotheaded, naive, and likable. Ralf Isambard is a fascinating villain. His motives are remarkably unclear. He is always one step ahead of Harry, always knows what buttons to push, always the master of the situation.
Pargeter has a drier, less emotional, less soapy feel than many other authors who write in the same era (Penman, I'm looking at you), which may make her prose slow going for some. There is a refreshing lack of angst.
As is usual, Parteger's creates a wholly believable medieval world, whose inhabitants act thoroughly of their age and time, and yet whose motives and feelings are easily understood by a modern reader. I enjoyed it very much and am eager to read the follow-up.
September 30, 2016
Harry Talvace the son grows and goes forth. Ultimately this series of novels has a lot to say about human nature, the growth of individuals (or lack of it) and that a book (person) should never be read by its cover. Ultimately, it is about the possibility and power of redemption and about forgiveness and finally, about the nature and value of creative genius and the ultimate value of Life, the Universe and Everything......so, a bit more than straight HF. You will either love the lilting language that evokes Wales or you will find it , perhaps, mannered.
This trilogy was compared to Walter Scott's Ivanhoe. Not unreasonably, I would say.
This trilogy was compared to Walter Scott's Ivanhoe. Not unreasonably, I would say.
October 2, 2019
I have to say, I adore Edith Pargeter's style and I intend to get my hands on more of it ASAP. That being said, this book never reached the heights of The Heaven Tree, being a bit oddly paced and a bit heavy on the politics and name-dropping of historical figures that the layman probably won't be familiar with... but of course all that pales in comparison to the rich, vivid prose and characters. I am also a fan of the romance in this book, being always sensuous and never explicit. I like it like that. I will of course be reading the next book in the series immediately.
January 8, 2019
I found this second book weaker than the previous one for a couple of reasons. First, the plot has less action and adventure than “The heaven tree” and a lot more political scheming amongst the lords of England and Wales. Unfortunately, the author assumes that the reader is already familiar with the historical characters mentioned; name dropping and not much explanations had me scrambling for google to make sense of who was who. Secondly, young Henry is a much weaker character than his father, far too naïve, obstinate and hot tempered for my liking, well deserving of a good smack once or twice. Then there’s a change for the worse in the lord of Parfois. While in the first book Ralf Isambard had some depth while fitting the role of the bad-guy, he had motives for his actions, in this second book it appears simply as a villain without reason.
It may well be that this second book serves only as a bridge, and given the Harry’s unresolved issues (No spoilers!) at the end of this novel, I do hope that the third book will be better and bring an enjoyable conclusion to this trilogy that started so well. 2.5 stars
It may well be that this second book serves only as a bridge, and given the Harry’s unresolved issues (No spoilers!) at the end of this novel, I do hope that the third book will be better and bring an enjoyable conclusion to this trilogy that started so well. 2.5 stars
October 29, 2012
An excellent trilogy this. The story continues with young Harry Talevace, who was whisked from danger by his mother and Madonna Bernadetta as a baby. But he has a score to settle with the man who put to death his father and he means to carry it out no matter what. Unfortunately Ralf Isambard is a formidable enemy. It is hard to see which way the story will go! Love, hate, hate, love which is it???
A fantastic read, by a great historical writer. It keeps you guessing the whole way.
If you enjoy historical novels you are bound to love this, it is superb.
A fantastic read, by a great historical writer. It keeps you guessing the whole way.
If you enjoy historical novels you are bound to love this, it is superb.
May 17, 2019
Young Harry Talvace Junior is raised in Wales by a foster father and loving mother. He chafes at rules and court etiquette and wants to become a man to revenge his beloved father. Fate brings the two foes together, as the son learns his father's craft of stonemasonry. Beautiful characterization, setting and historical context.
May 3, 2025
I've been firmly convinced for years that most people come to Goodreads just to write rave reviews -which, of course, the Publishing Industry (of which, I'm sure, Goodreads is a part) simply LOVES...
So, I wasn't too amazed when I came to take a look at reviews for this book and by and large, found them 4/5 Stars... Good Grief... Even though the comments clearly indicated that 'this one wasn't' as good as the first....
I've read all of Edith's Cadfael books - all of them more than once over the years - delightful reading, so I thought I'd try The Trilogy -the first book was merely OK... no particular 'delight' - darker plot, and with lots of 'politics & history' to get through... didn't like the ending of course. But... on to #2!!
Talk about Dark Plots... this book was about 90% total PAIN... - chapters and chapters of disappointment, meanness, and spite. And lots more of the 'politics & history too. But I weathered it... with hope for better. Didn't like the ending of this one either.
While I certainly do get that medieval times were largely not what modern society would call anywhere near pleasant and fair for most people - I simply don't get anyone writing an entire book (or Trilogy) that consists of nothing but depressive loss and disappointment... Nor, why people (readers) cannot see the lack of necessity for such. Not sure I'll bother with #3.
So, I wasn't too amazed when I came to take a look at reviews for this book and by and large, found them 4/5 Stars... Good Grief... Even though the comments clearly indicated that 'this one wasn't' as good as the first....
I've read all of Edith's Cadfael books - all of them more than once over the years - delightful reading, so I thought I'd try The Trilogy -the first book was merely OK... no particular 'delight' - darker plot, and with lots of 'politics & history' to get through... didn't like the ending of course. But... on to #2!!
Talk about Dark Plots... this book was about 90% total PAIN... - chapters and chapters of disappointment, meanness, and spite. And lots more of the 'politics & history too. But I weathered it... with hope for better. Didn't like the ending of this one either.
While I certainly do get that medieval times were largely not what modern society would call anywhere near pleasant and fair for most people - I simply don't get anyone writing an entire book (or Trilogy) that consists of nothing but depressive loss and disappointment... Nor, why people (readers) cannot see the lack of necessity for such. Not sure I'll bother with #3.
June 28, 2024
In this second book in the trilogy, young Harry Talvace takes up the mantle of his father's name. His father was put to death by his patron and while his son has been raised at the court of the Prince of North Wales, his greatest desire is to avenge his father's death. When the boy is unwittingly involved in a betrayal of Prince Llewelyn, Harry flees the only home he knows and sets out set on vengeance against Ralf Isambard. But the old enmity between Isambard and his father is a complicated relationship and vengeance proves a much more complicated task than he could have imagined.
I liked that we got to know new characters in this book, namely Prince Llewelyn and his wife and see how fully they have embraced young Harry into their home and hearts. It is fitting that Harry is determined to live with the same steadfast devotion to honor and being true to his word that his father lived by.
The characters in these books remain almost too good to be true. They live by principle rather than emotions although they are not infallible. Despite being shorter than the first book, this felt like a long read, likely because it began to drag for me. The obsessive nature of Isambard's fixation on Harry Talvace and now his son seems almost unbelievable.
I liked that we got to know new characters in this book, namely Prince Llewelyn and his wife and see how fully they have embraced young Harry into their home and hearts. It is fitting that Harry is determined to live with the same steadfast devotion to honor and being true to his word that his father lived by.
The characters in these books remain almost too good to be true. They live by principle rather than emotions although they are not infallible. Despite being shorter than the first book, this felt like a long read, likely because it began to drag for me. The obsessive nature of Isambard's fixation on Harry Talvace and now his son seems almost unbelievable.
January 19, 2018
The second book of the Heaven Tree Trilogy follows the experience of the son of the stonemason from the first book. He has been brought up in the court of Llewelyn the Great, who took the family in after the devastating event at the end of the first book of the trilogy.
The book is a very interesting look at how an enemy can actually form the teenager into a man. The enemy had paid for a church to be built on his land, but more work by stonemasons could happen. However the teenager had been brought up as a fighting man, and so joined the others from the castle in lessons, although not allowed the same freedoms.
Edith weaves the threads really well again, with war coming and the word of the lad being taken so he can go and fight for the Welsh but be expected to return when peace is agreed upon again.
The book is a very interesting look at how an enemy can actually form the teenager into a man. The enemy had paid for a church to be built on his land, but more work by stonemasons could happen. However the teenager had been brought up as a fighting man, and so joined the others from the castle in lessons, although not allowed the same freedoms.
Edith weaves the threads really well again, with war coming and the word of the lad being taken so he can go and fight for the Welsh but be expected to return when peace is agreed upon again.
July 11, 2018
The Green Branch continues the story of The Heaven Tree through Harry Talvace's son, who comes of age in Wales under the fostering of Prince Llewellyn. This middle book in the trilogy is frustrating in some ways, in and of itself, and therefore can't be fully judged until one has finished the whole trilogy. I will say it was fun to see Llewellyn and Joanna from a different but entirely sympathetic perspective than that of Sharon Kay Penman. (If you haven't read Here Be Dragons, do so right now.) But Harry is the center of the story, and he is more than enough to keep it on track, charging towards its inevitable ending.
October 1, 2017
The Heaven Tree was amazingly compelling, but this one was a bit of a slog. The fascinating and nuanced villain Isambard returns in this book, but is a one-note bad guy with an amused smirk whose motivations aren't clear. Harry Talvace's son Harry Talvace is not as organically admirable and comes off as a bit of a naive idiot. It's hard to get into a story when the characters aren't that likeable. I still highly recommend book one but this one can probably be skipped.
March 14, 2019
Missed part one so had to fill in some in my mind but was worth a read. Though prefer Brother Cadfael tales
August 18, 2019
Enjoying this trilogy, despite the fact half of it is like trying to read backwards!
December 10, 2019
Not quite as good as the first, but that would have been very difficult to achieve.
August 11, 2021
Love, hate, betraysl,revenge, and honour. What more could you want?
August 24, 2021
The knowledge of historical happenings on the Welsh Borders is outstanding & helps to make the story of Harry Talvace such a good read. Looking forward to the final book.
September 17, 2021
What beautiful writing! The author instills an affection for her characters that I cannot resist.
January 10, 2022
I actually enjoyed this one much more than the 1st book of the trilogy.
I was so enthralled with the character development of Harry, and was so encouraged by his desire to do right.
I was so enthralled with the character development of Harry, and was so encouraged by his desire to do right.
October 22, 2022
Wonderful 2nd book in the trilogy.
Edith really loves her characters, they shine on the page, their emotions so beautifully told.
Action packed, it's a veritable feast of a historical novel.
Edith really loves her characters, they shine on the page, their emotions so beautifully told.
Action packed, it's a veritable feast of a historical novel.
May 18, 2025
Book 2....Not quite as riveting as the first one but still a great story with depth, character development and a engaging narrative....
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
August 19, 2025
Unfortunately this book is clearly a middle book of a trilogy. While "The Heaven Tree" can stand on its own - this book picks up on young Harry's life when is 13 years old and a variety of wars are threatening England from within and without. Within a few chapters he has fled home to face down and kill Lord Isambard - but by the end of the book, he has faced his enemy multiple times, left & returned multiple times - and nothing has happened! Benedetta waits in the background, but barely appears. The book seems to drag on but action hits almost immediately and barely rises or falls from then on. I was also confused by the historical details of the wars and quarells amongst the various areas and Lords in England, Wales & France; I couldn't keep the historical information straight nor did it really add to the book.
December 23, 2016
Not nearly as heartbreaking as the first book, but this on is slightly less enthralling.
February 10, 2016
The son's story is not as compelling as his father's.
Despite many similarities between the two characters the father made me like him right from the fist scene while the son is an acquired taste.
Another thing which bothers me is that unlike the first book, this one doesn't have an ending.
Still I want to know the rest of Isambard's road to redemption though I'd enjoy it much more if Harry never redeemed his captor's great sins.
Despite many similarities between the two characters the father made me like him right from the fist scene while the son is an acquired taste.
Another thing which bothers me is that unlike the first book, this one doesn't have an ending.
Still I want to know the rest of Isambard's road to redemption though I'd enjoy it much more if Harry never redeemed his captor's great sins.
August 9, 2015
Just not that into it... More love/hate dynamics that I just don't want to read. I want my characters more complex than this--they are too focused on one aspect of their personality ('goodness', loyalty, stubbornness, jealousy, etc.) for my liking.
Stopped on page 85, though, so I suppose it might get better.
Stopped on page 85, though, so I suppose it might get better.
October 3, 2011
This is the middle book of a trilogy. Really like her writing style. Kind of difficult, actually, but beautifully done and makes you think. A book to ponder and savor while reading. Good story too--I wanted to know what happened so I went right to the third book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews