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The Troubadours Quartet #1
Song at Dawn: 1150 in Provence
1150 in Provence
On the run from abuse, Estela wakes in a ditch with only her lute, her amazing voice, and a dagger hidden in her underskirt. Her talent finds a patron in Ali Enor of Aquitaine and more than a music tutor in the Queen's finest troubadour and Commander of the Guard, Dragonetz los Pros.
Weary of war, Dragonetz uses Jewish money and Moorish expertise to build that most modern of inventions, a paper mill, arousing the wrath of the Church. Their enemies gather, ready to light the political and religious powder-keg of medieval Narbonne.
Set in the period following the Second Crusade, Jean Gill's spellbinding romantic thrillers evoke medieval France with breathtaking accuracy. The characters leap off the page and include amazing women like Eleanor of Aquitaine and Ermengarda of Narbonne, who shaped history in battles and in bedchambers.
On the run from abuse, Estela wakes in a ditch with only her lute, her amazing voice, and a dagger hidden in her underskirt. Her talent finds a patron in Ali Enor of Aquitaine and more than a music tutor in the Queen's finest troubadour and Commander of the Guard, Dragonetz los Pros.
Weary of war, Dragonetz uses Jewish money and Moorish expertise to build that most modern of inventions, a paper mill, arousing the wrath of the Church. Their enemies gather, ready to light the political and religious powder-keg of medieval Narbonne.
Set in the period following the Second Crusade, Jean Gill's spellbinding romantic thrillers evoke medieval France with breathtaking accuracy. The characters leap off the page and include amazing women like Eleanor of Aquitaine and Ermengarda of Narbonne, who shaped history in battles and in bedchambers.
340 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2011
697 people are currently reading
1922 people want to read
About the author
Jean Gill
45 books239 followersJean Gill is a Welsh writer and photographer living in the south of France with two scruffy dogs, a beehive named 'Endeavour', a Nikon D750 and a man. For many years, she taught English in Wales and was the first woman to be a secondary headteacher in Carmarthenshire. She is mother or stepmother to five children so life was hectic.
Publications are varied, including prize-winning poetry and novels, military history, translated books on dog training, and a cookery book on goat cheese. With Scottish parents, an English birthplace and French residence, she can usually support the winning team on most sporting occasions.
Sign up for Jean's newsletter at www.jeangill.com for updates and a free book. If you review one of Jean's books you can add a dog to Jean's Readers Dogs Hall of Fame on her website. Contact Jean at jean.gill@wanadoo.fr with comments or questions. She loves to hear from readers.
Publications are varied, including prize-winning poetry and novels, military history, translated books on dog training, and a cookery book on goat cheese. With Scottish parents, an English birthplace and French residence, she can usually support the winning team on most sporting occasions.
Sign up for Jean's newsletter at www.jeangill.com for updates and a free book. If you review one of Jean's books you can add a dog to Jean's Readers Dogs Hall of Fame on her website. Contact Jean at jean.gill@wanadoo.fr with comments or questions. She loves to hear from readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
September 29, 2021
The young girl woke with a start, curled against the warmth of a big dog, filthy and in a ditch. She could hear the horses coming – would she flee, or wait? She gave her name as Estela de Matin and the mandora (lute) along with her musical voice was her passport to safety. Dragonetz was accompanying Aliénor of Aquitaine, the Queen of France, and her entourage, who were travelling from Carcassonne to Narbonne. Dragonetz eventually took Estela under his wing, passing on his musical knowledge to better her skills. Estela soon became a member of the court, but she had to continually take care as she couldn’t afford to have her secrets revealed.
1st in The Troubadours Quartet by Jean Gill, Song at Dawn is set in Provence, France in 1150. There were many characters and with the language making the names hard to recognize, I found myself unable to get into the story. Estela is a unique character, courageous in her wish to be free from her past, and in following her dreams. Unfortunately, Song at Dawn was not for me.
1st in The Troubadours Quartet by Jean Gill, Song at Dawn is set in Provence, France in 1150. There were many characters and with the language making the names hard to recognize, I found myself unable to get into the story. Estela is a unique character, courageous in her wish to be free from her past, and in following her dreams. Unfortunately, Song at Dawn was not for me.
March 15, 2018
"She remembered that she had a plan but the girl who made it was dead. Had to be dead and stay dead. So who was she now? She needed a name."
When you see these opening lines in a book, you can't help but take the book in your hands and stay away from the rest of the world for a while.
Historical Fiction being one of my favourite genre, I had an exciting time with Song at Dawn.
Breathtaking plot, believable characters, marvelous narration had a spellbinding effect on me.
You read the book and acknowledge why it deserves to win the awards for best historical fiction. It had been a long time since I read a Romance + Historical Fiction which was charming.
I appreciated the detailed narration of historical accounts. As much entertaining it was, it had equally informative tales to tell about the past.
Well researched and nothing less than a gem!
I look forward to reading next installments.
When you see these opening lines in a book, you can't help but take the book in your hands and stay away from the rest of the world for a while.
Historical Fiction being one of my favourite genre, I had an exciting time with Song at Dawn.
Breathtaking plot, believable characters, marvelous narration had a spellbinding effect on me.
You read the book and acknowledge why it deserves to win the awards for best historical fiction. It had been a long time since I read a Romance + Historical Fiction which was charming.
I appreciated the detailed narration of historical accounts. As much entertaining it was, it had equally informative tales to tell about the past.
Well researched and nothing less than a gem!
I look forward to reading next installments.
December 17, 2019
Rating: 3.5/5
Song at Dawn is the first instalment in a romantic thriller series entitled The Troubadours Quartet written by Welsh author Jean Gill and it is set in medieval Occitania after the Second Crusade. In short, we follow Estela de Matin, a sixteen-year-old girl, who ran away from an abusive household, in order to start afresh and forget her past. For the first time in Estela’s life, luck is on her side because she encounters Aliénor of Aquitaine, the Queen of France, and her entourage, who are travelling from Carcassonne to Narbonne. By virtue of her beautiful voice and by the way she plays the lute (mandora), Estela convinces the queen and her men-in-arms that she is not a threat to them and she is invited to join the royal court as a musician. However, Estela will soon find out that life at court is full of political intrigue, gossip, competition between the ladies, promiscuity and murder attempts. Estela needs to adapt to her new life and identity because the last thing she wants is the truth to be revealed.
Estela de Matin is a very courageous girl who risks it all just to be free and to follow her dream of becoming a troubairitz. After entering the queen’s court, she is tutored by Dragonetz to help her improve her music skills. Though Estela is grateful for being taken seriously by the troubadour she admired the most, the girl suffers from low self-esteem and she’s intimidated by Dragonetz, who looks down upon her. Even if Dragonetz is the most complex and layered character of the book, Estela also takes action, especially in life-threatening situations or when she confronts Lady Emergarda, who forced her into an unwanted marriage. Estela is smart, imaginative, talented, thirsty for knowledge adaptable and learns from her mistakes. Throughout the first instalment, Estela grows both as an artist and human: from a rebel girl who thought that love was a lie, to a skilled lady of the court who became Dragonetz’s secret mistress. Estela wants to find out who attempted to kill Dragonetz and harm her; therefore she begins to focus on the ladies’ trivial conversations and gathers the information she needs.
“ (…) she was Estela de Matin, she was going to be a troubairitz, she had earned the rune-jewel of a Norse Prince, the fealty of a true knight and the praise of the best troubadour in Occitania.” (p. 187)
Dragonetz los Pros is Aliénor of Aquitaine’s Master Troubadour, commander, spy and sometimes lover. He is very loyal to the queen when it comes to matters of state, that’s why he accompanied her on the Second Crusade which was Aliénor’s greatest failure. Besides Dtagonetz’s good looks and mastery of song and lute, this troubadour is also a visionary because he dreamed of building a paper mill and selling the paper to the Church, in order to get rich. Though Dragonetz is a typical medieval man who despises Jews and Muslims, he has a close friendship with his Muslim servant from Andalus, the mysterious and fascinating Al-Hisba who teaches Estela the proprieties of herbs. And talking about Estela, Dragonetz is not impressed by her voice and music skills, but somehow he figures out from the start that she might be of noble blood; that’s why he protects her and her reputation. Though Dragonetz is a bit arrogant, quick-tempered and jealous, he treats Estela differently from his other mistresses because he saves her from harm and he’s very gentle with her.
“He had rutted like any other soldier and paid court to a Queen. From the moment he realised his effect on women he had fine-tuned it to an art, given generously to the moment and walked away with an appropriate expression of courteous regret.” (p. 229)
There are many interesting characters such as Aliénor of Aquitaine who is a patron of the arts, but also a strong woman who tries to be in charges of her life and country, Lady Emergarda (Viscountess of Narbonne) an unusually mature woman for her tender age of fourteen who both admires and envies the queen, the wise Al-Hisba, the other ladies of the court, prelates etc.; but you can discover all of them by reading the novel. I love the fact that all these characters are morally grey and have dark secrets buried deep in their past. However, the issue I had with them was that I was overwhelmed by this large cast and I was sometimes confused because some characters have similar names like Ramon Raimon, Raymon, Raymond etc.
Though the premise of the novel was up my alley, I enjoyed it less than I’ve expected. Don’t get me wrong, the story felt authentic with all its political intrigue, social tensions, and medieval mentality of the characters. Unfortunately, I found the book hard to get into, there are many subplots and backstories I lost track of, the pacing was very slow and I couldn’t warm up to most of the characters. This book is a romantic thriller, but I found just a few intense scenes and suspenseful moments woven into the story. However, I appreciate the effort the author made to write this authentic novel. Besides the beautiful court of love scene I adored, I was happy to read Provencal lyrics written by real troubadours in the book. At the end of the volume, Jean Gill attached a historical note, a list of historical figures present in the novel and some historical sources she used for this story.
Song at Dawn is the first instalment in a romantic thriller series entitled The Troubadours Quartet written by Welsh author Jean Gill and it is set in medieval Occitania after the Second Crusade. In short, we follow Estela de Matin, a sixteen-year-old girl, who ran away from an abusive household, in order to start afresh and forget her past. For the first time in Estela’s life, luck is on her side because she encounters Aliénor of Aquitaine, the Queen of France, and her entourage, who are travelling from Carcassonne to Narbonne. By virtue of her beautiful voice and by the way she plays the lute (mandora), Estela convinces the queen and her men-in-arms that she is not a threat to them and she is invited to join the royal court as a musician. However, Estela will soon find out that life at court is full of political intrigue, gossip, competition between the ladies, promiscuity and murder attempts. Estela needs to adapt to her new life and identity because the last thing she wants is the truth to be revealed.
Estela de Matin is a very courageous girl who risks it all just to be free and to follow her dream of becoming a troubairitz. After entering the queen’s court, she is tutored by Dragonetz to help her improve her music skills. Though Estela is grateful for being taken seriously by the troubadour she admired the most, the girl suffers from low self-esteem and she’s intimidated by Dragonetz, who looks down upon her. Even if Dragonetz is the most complex and layered character of the book, Estela also takes action, especially in life-threatening situations or when she confronts Lady Emergarda, who forced her into an unwanted marriage. Estela is smart, imaginative, talented, thirsty for knowledge adaptable and learns from her mistakes. Throughout the first instalment, Estela grows both as an artist and human: from a rebel girl who thought that love was a lie, to a skilled lady of the court who became Dragonetz’s secret mistress. Estela wants to find out who attempted to kill Dragonetz and harm her; therefore she begins to focus on the ladies’ trivial conversations and gathers the information she needs.
“ (…) she was Estela de Matin, she was going to be a troubairitz, she had earned the rune-jewel of a Norse Prince, the fealty of a true knight and the praise of the best troubadour in Occitania.” (p. 187)
Dragonetz los Pros is Aliénor of Aquitaine’s Master Troubadour, commander, spy and sometimes lover. He is very loyal to the queen when it comes to matters of state, that’s why he accompanied her on the Second Crusade which was Aliénor’s greatest failure. Besides Dtagonetz’s good looks and mastery of song and lute, this troubadour is also a visionary because he dreamed of building a paper mill and selling the paper to the Church, in order to get rich. Though Dragonetz is a typical medieval man who despises Jews and Muslims, he has a close friendship with his Muslim servant from Andalus, the mysterious and fascinating Al-Hisba who teaches Estela the proprieties of herbs. And talking about Estela, Dragonetz is not impressed by her voice and music skills, but somehow he figures out from the start that she might be of noble blood; that’s why he protects her and her reputation. Though Dragonetz is a bit arrogant, quick-tempered and jealous, he treats Estela differently from his other mistresses because he saves her from harm and he’s very gentle with her.
“He had rutted like any other soldier and paid court to a Queen. From the moment he realised his effect on women he had fine-tuned it to an art, given generously to the moment and walked away with an appropriate expression of courteous regret.” (p. 229)
There are many interesting characters such as Aliénor of Aquitaine who is a patron of the arts, but also a strong woman who tries to be in charges of her life and country, Lady Emergarda (Viscountess of Narbonne) an unusually mature woman for her tender age of fourteen who both admires and envies the queen, the wise Al-Hisba, the other ladies of the court, prelates etc.; but you can discover all of them by reading the novel. I love the fact that all these characters are morally grey and have dark secrets buried deep in their past. However, the issue I had with them was that I was overwhelmed by this large cast and I was sometimes confused because some characters have similar names like Ramon Raimon, Raymon, Raymond etc.
Though the premise of the novel was up my alley, I enjoyed it less than I’ve expected. Don’t get me wrong, the story felt authentic with all its political intrigue, social tensions, and medieval mentality of the characters. Unfortunately, I found the book hard to get into, there are many subplots and backstories I lost track of, the pacing was very slow and I couldn’t warm up to most of the characters. This book is a romantic thriller, but I found just a few intense scenes and suspenseful moments woven into the story. However, I appreciate the effort the author made to write this authentic novel. Besides the beautiful court of love scene I adored, I was happy to read Provencal lyrics written by real troubadours in the book. At the end of the volume, Jean Gill attached a historical note, a list of historical figures present in the novel and some historical sources she used for this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2016
Spell-binding and highly entertaining. Song at Dawn, first and FREE book of 'The Troubadours Quartet' is set in 1150 in Provence, France. It is the “troubadour era”, and the period following the Second Crusade, and follows the adventures of the young Estela de Matin.
Fleeing abuse, Estela is found in a ditch by Aliénor of Aquitaine (Queen of France at the time), who, impressed with Estela’s beautiful singing voice and lute skills, welcomes the girl into her court. Aliénor takes Estela to Ermengarde, Viscomtesse of Narbonne’s court, where the girl’s musical talent is nurtured by Dragonetz, the Queen’s best troubadour and Commander of the Guard.
A Crusader with no wish to return to the Holy Land, where he learned about paper, Dragonetz dreams that everyone should have access to paper and thus remove the control of literacy from the Church. His building of a paper mill evokes the Church’s wrath and, through the many plot turns and twists, medieval Narbonne becomes a stage for the cultural, religious and political intrigue of the 12th century.
I was especially interested in the historical aspects of this story, learning a lot about the era –– of Ermengarde and Aliénor, two of the most powerful women in European history. Reading such accurate and memorable stories from the past is one of the reasons I enjoy such well-written historical fiction.
I would recommend this entertaining romance of Estela and Dragonetz, woven into a spell-binding thriller that brilliantly evokes medieval France, to all lovers of historical fiction.
Fleeing abuse, Estela is found in a ditch by Aliénor of Aquitaine (Queen of France at the time), who, impressed with Estela’s beautiful singing voice and lute skills, welcomes the girl into her court. Aliénor takes Estela to Ermengarde, Viscomtesse of Narbonne’s court, where the girl’s musical talent is nurtured by Dragonetz, the Queen’s best troubadour and Commander of the Guard.
A Crusader with no wish to return to the Holy Land, where he learned about paper, Dragonetz dreams that everyone should have access to paper and thus remove the control of literacy from the Church. His building of a paper mill evokes the Church’s wrath and, through the many plot turns and twists, medieval Narbonne becomes a stage for the cultural, religious and political intrigue of the 12th century.
I was especially interested in the historical aspects of this story, learning a lot about the era –– of Ermengarde and Aliénor, two of the most powerful women in European history. Reading such accurate and memorable stories from the past is one of the reasons I enjoy such well-written historical fiction.
I would recommend this entertaining romance of Estela and Dragonetz, woven into a spell-binding thriller that brilliantly evokes medieval France, to all lovers of historical fiction.
January 21, 2020
I loved Song At Dawn - what a brilliant start to the series! Full of fascinating historical detail, political intrigue and a good dash of romance and adventure the story brings medieval France and Estela’s journey to vivid life. Jake Urry’s narration adds another level of enjoyment by conjuring up different tones for the multitude of characters and guiding the listener safely through the complex plot. A fabulous audio experience and a great book - Jean Gill just can’t go wrong for me! Now all I need is the next instalment coming out on audio!
June 25, 2022
4,5 stars - English Ebook
This book is so well-written and researched that I found myself highlighting and looking up unfamiliar words and place names just to gain better context on what I mistakenly assumed would be a familiar and well-worn story.
Queen Eleanor is really just a wry and sometimes exasperating secondary character in this story about a minor noble's runaway daughter who has joined the train of the young queen of France while en route to Narbonne. But if, like myself you began reading this hoping for a great yarn about royal intrigue during the Middle Ages featuring some of the usual suspects, you won't be disappointed.
I was especially impressed to learn about Ermengarda of Narbonne, whose life seems to have followed some of the same parallels as Eleanor's. Both were female rulers operating with complete autonomy in their respective kingdoms, sometimes while under tremendous threat from other petty lords from neighboring states. Both ladies also supported the troubadour tradition of song and storytelling, with similar "courts of judgement", concerning matters of the heart.
The main characters, both members of the troubadour tradition, are depicted here with more depth and humor than your usual boy-meets-girl character tropes.
From this one book I learned more about the complex Arab-Franco-Israelite relationships and issues that faced these disparate cultures as a result of fallout from the Second Crusade than I could've ever imagened.
I also learned a bit about the manufacture of paper, and its disruptive effect on the Christian clergy's control of thought and information. Pretty prescient stuff. Well done!
This book is so well-written and researched that I found myself highlighting and looking up unfamiliar words and place names just to gain better context on what I mistakenly assumed would be a familiar and well-worn story.
Queen Eleanor is really just a wry and sometimes exasperating secondary character in this story about a minor noble's runaway daughter who has joined the train of the young queen of France while en route to Narbonne. But if, like myself you began reading this hoping for a great yarn about royal intrigue during the Middle Ages featuring some of the usual suspects, you won't be disappointed.
I was especially impressed to learn about Ermengarda of Narbonne, whose life seems to have followed some of the same parallels as Eleanor's. Both were female rulers operating with complete autonomy in their respective kingdoms, sometimes while under tremendous threat from other petty lords from neighboring states. Both ladies also supported the troubadour tradition of song and storytelling, with similar "courts of judgement", concerning matters of the heart.
The main characters, both members of the troubadour tradition, are depicted here with more depth and humor than your usual boy-meets-girl character tropes.
From this one book I learned more about the complex Arab-Franco-Israelite relationships and issues that faced these disparate cultures as a result of fallout from the Second Crusade than I could've ever imagened.
I also learned a bit about the manufacture of paper, and its disruptive effect on the Christian clergy's control of thought and information. Pretty prescient stuff. Well done!
July 24, 2012
'Song at Dawn' by Jean Gill is a fabulous historical novel.
It is the story of Estela, a gifted young musician, who is swept up into the retinue of one my favourite historical characters of all time: Aliénor (Eleanor) of Aquitaine. Then the Queen of France, the cultured Aliénor takes Estela on a visit to the court of Ermengarde, Viscomtesse of Narbonne, where the natural talent of the beautiful girl is tutored by the dashing Knight and troubadour, Dragonetz.
Rich in historical detail, this novel brings alive the political intrigue, culture and harsh reality of court life in the twelfth century. Despite their scheming and their obvious rivalry, I loved the characters of Ermengarde and Aliénor. Two of the most powerful women in European history, they shared a common passion and jointly promoted the ideal of ‘Courtly Love’, while surrounded on all sides by would-be assassins, misogynistic churchmen, jealous noblemen and the problems caused by unwanted, inept husbands.
Weaving through this ambitious novel is the wonderful and tender love story of the mysterious Estela and the ambitious Dragonetz. Determined to thwart the bigoted clergy in both their business monopoly over paper, and in their in their plots to cleanse France of Jews and Muslims, Dragonetz is a complex and wily adversary as well as a brave, loyal and attractive lover; a hero for our own time.
I found the politics and the large cast of unfamiliar, foreign names a little confusing at first, but my perseverance was well-rewarded and I thoroughly enjoyed 'Song at Dawn.' This is an intelligent and entertaining historical novel which vividly brings alive the mediaeval era and major characters of the time.
It is the story of Estela, a gifted young musician, who is swept up into the retinue of one my favourite historical characters of all time: Aliénor (Eleanor) of Aquitaine. Then the Queen of France, the cultured Aliénor takes Estela on a visit to the court of Ermengarde, Viscomtesse of Narbonne, where the natural talent of the beautiful girl is tutored by the dashing Knight and troubadour, Dragonetz.
Rich in historical detail, this novel brings alive the political intrigue, culture and harsh reality of court life in the twelfth century. Despite their scheming and their obvious rivalry, I loved the characters of Ermengarde and Aliénor. Two of the most powerful women in European history, they shared a common passion and jointly promoted the ideal of ‘Courtly Love’, while surrounded on all sides by would-be assassins, misogynistic churchmen, jealous noblemen and the problems caused by unwanted, inept husbands.
Weaving through this ambitious novel is the wonderful and tender love story of the mysterious Estela and the ambitious Dragonetz. Determined to thwart the bigoted clergy in both their business monopoly over paper, and in their in their plots to cleanse France of Jews and Muslims, Dragonetz is a complex and wily adversary as well as a brave, loyal and attractive lover; a hero for our own time.
I found the politics and the large cast of unfamiliar, foreign names a little confusing at first, but my perseverance was well-rewarded and I thoroughly enjoyed 'Song at Dawn.' This is an intelligent and entertaining historical novel which vividly brings alive the mediaeval era and major characters of the time.
December 17, 2011
I really liked Song at Dawn by Jean Gill. I really love the time period and try and read anything that comes out like this . Song at Dawn really gave me a feel of what it was like to be at court around the time of the crusades. It tells us just how much intrigue was present even among performers and servants. I liked all the characters and thought the romance was very realistic and believable.
The story was very interesting and was well written and researched . I would recomend this book to anyone who is interested in reading historical fiction and Im so happy I won and could add this one to my library so I can read it again in the future. If you like historical fiction for the time period around the crusades or if you just like some juicy palace intrigue this is a great book to have in your library as well.
The story was very interesting and was well written and researched . I would recomend this book to anyone who is interested in reading historical fiction and Im so happy I won and could add this one to my library so I can read it again in the future. If you like historical fiction for the time period around the crusades or if you just like some juicy palace intrigue this is a great book to have in your library as well.
May 3, 2018
I'll start with a disclaimer; I never read historical fiction. I love history and always chose non-fictional history books over fictional stories. Having said that, I enjoyed Song at Dawn hugely. I wasn't really expecting to as I do get frustrated when there are inaccuracies in historical fiction books. Jean Gill has kept a very close line to the true nature of the politics of the time. I highly commend her for the huge amount of diligent research she must have undertaken to get this story so accurate. It was also fascinating to learn about the life of a troubadour, as their role in Royalty's court is not fulsomely documented. Jake Urry provides exquisite narration, and what a task he had, providing voices for female singers as well as the troubadours, French aristocracy and the Jewish and Muslim characters. What an enormous and overwhelming challenge this must have been. Mr Urry rose to the occasion and must be congratulated on his success with so many difficult roles.
Am I a convert to historical fiction? Will I now be adding it to the list of genres I will read? Honestly, no, I like my history completely factual, even though I appreciate this makes me sound like an old curmudgeon! I will however be looking out for the next in this excellent series. If I'm going to break out of my comfort zone, it can only be with a writer who exhibits high standards and class, and Ms Gill is certainly that writer. Felicitations all round!
Am I a convert to historical fiction? Will I now be adding it to the list of genres I will read? Honestly, no, I like my history completely factual, even though I appreciate this makes me sound like an old curmudgeon! I will however be looking out for the next in this excellent series. If I'm going to break out of my comfort zone, it can only be with a writer who exhibits high standards and class, and Ms Gill is certainly that writer. Felicitations all round!
January 26, 2019
I have now read all the stories in Gill's Troubadour Quartet – Song at Dawn, Blade Song, Plaint for Provence and Song Hereafter – and plan to read each again in the near future. The storylines are page-turners, but you have to pay attention to pick up hints and plot threads, too. The main characters are multi-talented and complex: Dragonetz Los Pros, a knight of noble birth is far more than the usual flawed hero. The emotionally-wounded heroine is of more humble origins and goes by her court name of Estela de Matin. Estela combines ambition and desire for a better life with the tensions of being married to one man and loving another. As Dragonetz and Estela act and interact in carefully researched historical events, each of them keeps secrets from the other; each of them has a private affliction or sadness to overcome. The reader wills them to be happy together, but their relationship is never easy – and that is another aspect of Gill’s story-telling, for she understands human strengths and our weaknesses very well. Estela also has a fabulous big, white dog, who has a part to play in their story, especially in Song Hereafter – but to say more would be a terrible spoiler.
Song Hereafter, the final book, is poignant and compelling, bringing together all the plot threads and resolving the troubled relationship between the gifted troubadours and lovers. Dragonetz is summoned to the court of Queen Alienor (Eleanor of Aquitaine) and offered the chance to clear his name (for perceived past misdeeds) by undertaking an intelligence-gathering task that will help her become Queen of England alongside her husband Henry. Estela insists on joining him, leaving their son Musca in the care of trusted friends and servants, and the big, white dog. Together, they journey to Gwalia (Wales), where there are battles, intrigue and song, a near-death experience in a secret gold mine, and the consolidation of the traumatic romance begun in Song at Dawn.
This novel, like the others, captures the essence and stark contrasts of the epoch – the elegance and the cruelty, the sophistication of palaces and the primitive livelihoods of peasants – here, we read about the exquisite architecture of Moorish Spain and what can only be described as the brutish lives of those living in the mud-ridden hovels of rural Gwalia (Wales) – and yet even in this constant strife and mire there is a certain beauty. Jean Gill, who now lives in Provence, lived and worked in Wales for many years so all details about Gwalia ring true.
Gill also has a special way with words. She brings to life these dichotomies without ever labouring the point. In Song Hereafter, for example, there is an almost paradoxically ironic scene where Dragonetz and Estela, two highly-skilled court musicians play music with a rabble of a male-voice choir on a rainy Welsh hillside. It takes a certain skill to create the scene in the first place, but to make it so memorable requires a special talent.
I recommend reading the quartet in order to better understand and appreciate the relationship between Dragonetz and Estela, and to follow the historical events and intrigues. Many characters in the books are mentioned in history. It is not necessary to have a working knowledge of the twelfth century, though – I don’t – because you will learn a lot as you go along. Historical fiction fans will appreciate the author’s use of contemporary domestic details, her description of journeys and battles and bathing houses, Damascus steel and even early paper-making. Those who enjoy a convincing historical romance are in for a real treat.
Song Hereafter, the final book, is poignant and compelling, bringing together all the plot threads and resolving the troubled relationship between the gifted troubadours and lovers. Dragonetz is summoned to the court of Queen Alienor (Eleanor of Aquitaine) and offered the chance to clear his name (for perceived past misdeeds) by undertaking an intelligence-gathering task that will help her become Queen of England alongside her husband Henry. Estela insists on joining him, leaving their son Musca in the care of trusted friends and servants, and the big, white dog. Together, they journey to Gwalia (Wales), where there are battles, intrigue and song, a near-death experience in a secret gold mine, and the consolidation of the traumatic romance begun in Song at Dawn.
This novel, like the others, captures the essence and stark contrasts of the epoch – the elegance and the cruelty, the sophistication of palaces and the primitive livelihoods of peasants – here, we read about the exquisite architecture of Moorish Spain and what can only be described as the brutish lives of those living in the mud-ridden hovels of rural Gwalia (Wales) – and yet even in this constant strife and mire there is a certain beauty. Jean Gill, who now lives in Provence, lived and worked in Wales for many years so all details about Gwalia ring true.
Gill also has a special way with words. She brings to life these dichotomies without ever labouring the point. In Song Hereafter, for example, there is an almost paradoxically ironic scene where Dragonetz and Estela, two highly-skilled court musicians play music with a rabble of a male-voice choir on a rainy Welsh hillside. It takes a certain skill to create the scene in the first place, but to make it so memorable requires a special talent.
I recommend reading the quartet in order to better understand and appreciate the relationship between Dragonetz and Estela, and to follow the historical events and intrigues. Many characters in the books are mentioned in history. It is not necessary to have a working knowledge of the twelfth century, though – I don’t – because you will learn a lot as you go along. Historical fiction fans will appreciate the author’s use of contemporary domestic details, her description of journeys and battles and bathing houses, Damascus steel and even early paper-making. Those who enjoy a convincing historical romance are in for a real treat.
September 18, 2018
A Tale of Queens
In the time of the Crusades, religions tore the world apart. Not that constant warfare wasn't the standard of the day, but now questions of faith had an additional fire to them as ecclesiastic and royal politics conspired and feuded, and Courtly Love inspired song, but was despised by clergy. This story somewhat follows the travels of Aliénor (Eleanor) of Aquitaine, Queen of France, newly returned from the Holy Lands, across France, with an extended stay in Narbonne on her way to Paris. Ermengarda of Narbonne, who wished to preserve in harmony her kingdom's status as a crossroad of enterprise and learning, did her best to protect her Jewish and Muslim populations. A strong, well-researched background for the love story of Estela and the troubadour Dragonetz!
The warm, rough voice of Jake Urry, narrator, softens and smooths into dulcet tones for the ladies as he brings us face to face with the brutal world author Jean Gill describes with intense attention to detail. With all the treachery and brutality one would expect, there are also tender moments and humor as the historically restrictive lives of women are explored.
In the time of the Crusades, religions tore the world apart. Not that constant warfare wasn't the standard of the day, but now questions of faith had an additional fire to them as ecclesiastic and royal politics conspired and feuded, and Courtly Love inspired song, but was despised by clergy. This story somewhat follows the travels of Aliénor (Eleanor) of Aquitaine, Queen of France, newly returned from the Holy Lands, across France, with an extended stay in Narbonne on her way to Paris. Ermengarda of Narbonne, who wished to preserve in harmony her kingdom's status as a crossroad of enterprise and learning, did her best to protect her Jewish and Muslim populations. A strong, well-researched background for the love story of Estela and the troubadour Dragonetz!
The warm, rough voice of Jake Urry, narrator, softens and smooths into dulcet tones for the ladies as he brings us face to face with the brutal world author Jean Gill describes with intense attention to detail. With all the treachery and brutality one would expect, there are also tender moments and humor as the historically restrictive lives of women are explored.
June 2, 2016
‘Day is nigh…we must be parted’
So sings the troubadour leaving his beloved’s bed as the sun’s rays turn the sky to pale rose and gold.
The only thing I wanted to do when I finished ‘Song at Dawn’ was to download Book 2 in the series and find out what happens next in the enthralling love story of Estela and Dragonetz. Review it? No time! I was hooked, a 12th century history junkie, transported to Occitania, caught up in this medieval French version of ‘Game of Thrones’, or, as a grieving Raimon Trencavel calls it, ‘this game of kingdoms’, where a cast of marvellous characters breathes life into the complicated political and religious alliances and intrigues of the time.
Fans of gripping historical TV series will love this story set in 12th century Narbonne, a sophisticated cosmopolitan empire and famous trading hub, ‘centre of the civilised universe’, where Viscomtesse Ermengada awaits the arrival of one of the most powerful and notorious women of the time, Aliénor, Duchess of Aquitaine and Queen of France. Or, as she is also known ‘the whore of Antioch’.
The book’s dramatic opening–a runaway girl in a ditch guarded by a giant dog, an assassin lying in wait, his crossbow aimed at Aliénor’s retinue winding its way through the Corbières–sets the pace for this action packed story with its background tapestry rich in atmospheric detail. The colours, sounds and emotion of the big cinematic epics burst from the pages. Horses gallop through hills topped by walled fortresses, the air is filled with the clank of armour, the creaking of wooden carts, the brassy peal of fanfares. Southern sunlight flashes on deadly blades, cloth of gold and fluttering pennants; as daylight fades the sun’s rays ‘burnish the distant hills’, campfires flicker, cicadas begin their song. Silk and brocaded gowns rustle through stone-flagged palaces with secret spyholes, logs blaze in the Great Hall as Queens and Duchesses with their entourage of Ladies, knights, men-at-arms, jongleurs and troubadours gather to feast on platters of boar and geese feet, and watch the spectacles on display at Ermengada’s court. Behind the glittering façade, hatreds are nurtured and murders plotted; alliances are forged and split through weddings and beddings; oaths are sworn and promises broken. Outside in the narrow streets tensions build, fuelled by religious bigotry and sectarian power struggles. Jean Gill’s magic pen adds even more texture to this world of sensory delights, bringing us the perfumes of the Mediterranean maquis, thyme, rosemary lavender, the sharp taste of a ‘salty blue cheese from Roquefort’, the silken texture of Estela’s midnight hair as Dragonetz introduces his lady to the world of love and jouissance.
There’s so much to say about this wonderful book, but it would be impossible to end a review without mentioning the music. This is the world of troubadours and trobairitz, the plaintive chords of the mandora and the beat of the tambour, the mingling of rich baritone with sweet soprano in songs of love and loss, of wicked ribaldry and malicious gossip, brought to the reader in the mysterious language of ‘Oc’.
But as the aubade reminds us, lovers must part and take their chances in this ‘world in turmoil’ where local rulers cast a jealous eye on the possessions of their neighbours, where Jews and Cathars are massacred at home and Crusades dreamt of in the far off lands Oltra mar.
What dangers lie ahead for our two protagonists and their companions as The Troubadour Quartet continues?
So sings the troubadour leaving his beloved’s bed as the sun’s rays turn the sky to pale rose and gold.
The only thing I wanted to do when I finished ‘Song at Dawn’ was to download Book 2 in the series and find out what happens next in the enthralling love story of Estela and Dragonetz. Review it? No time! I was hooked, a 12th century history junkie, transported to Occitania, caught up in this medieval French version of ‘Game of Thrones’, or, as a grieving Raimon Trencavel calls it, ‘this game of kingdoms’, where a cast of marvellous characters breathes life into the complicated political and religious alliances and intrigues of the time.
Fans of gripping historical TV series will love this story set in 12th century Narbonne, a sophisticated cosmopolitan empire and famous trading hub, ‘centre of the civilised universe’, where Viscomtesse Ermengada awaits the arrival of one of the most powerful and notorious women of the time, Aliénor, Duchess of Aquitaine and Queen of France. Or, as she is also known ‘the whore of Antioch’.
The book’s dramatic opening–a runaway girl in a ditch guarded by a giant dog, an assassin lying in wait, his crossbow aimed at Aliénor’s retinue winding its way through the Corbières–sets the pace for this action packed story with its background tapestry rich in atmospheric detail. The colours, sounds and emotion of the big cinematic epics burst from the pages. Horses gallop through hills topped by walled fortresses, the air is filled with the clank of armour, the creaking of wooden carts, the brassy peal of fanfares. Southern sunlight flashes on deadly blades, cloth of gold and fluttering pennants; as daylight fades the sun’s rays ‘burnish the distant hills’, campfires flicker, cicadas begin their song. Silk and brocaded gowns rustle through stone-flagged palaces with secret spyholes, logs blaze in the Great Hall as Queens and Duchesses with their entourage of Ladies, knights, men-at-arms, jongleurs and troubadours gather to feast on platters of boar and geese feet, and watch the spectacles on display at Ermengada’s court. Behind the glittering façade, hatreds are nurtured and murders plotted; alliances are forged and split through weddings and beddings; oaths are sworn and promises broken. Outside in the narrow streets tensions build, fuelled by religious bigotry and sectarian power struggles. Jean Gill’s magic pen adds even more texture to this world of sensory delights, bringing us the perfumes of the Mediterranean maquis, thyme, rosemary lavender, the sharp taste of a ‘salty blue cheese from Roquefort’, the silken texture of Estela’s midnight hair as Dragonetz introduces his lady to the world of love and jouissance.
There’s so much to say about this wonderful book, but it would be impossible to end a review without mentioning the music. This is the world of troubadours and trobairitz, the plaintive chords of the mandora and the beat of the tambour, the mingling of rich baritone with sweet soprano in songs of love and loss, of wicked ribaldry and malicious gossip, brought to the reader in the mysterious language of ‘Oc’.
But as the aubade reminds us, lovers must part and take their chances in this ‘world in turmoil’ where local rulers cast a jealous eye on the possessions of their neighbours, where Jews and Cathars are massacred at home and Crusades dreamt of in the far off lands Oltra mar.
What dangers lie ahead for our two protagonists and their companions as The Troubadour Quartet continues?
January 14, 2019
This is the first book I have ever read by this amazingly talented author but it surely will not be my last as she has me completely enthralled on this the first historical novel in a quartet, set in 12 century France. Ms Gill draws the reader into the intricacies of the noble courts of the times, where gossip abounds between the ladies in waiting full of treachery and malice, and romance, love and adventure follow. The reader gets to follow the life of Estela, the girl of mysterious origins who wants to be a troubadour, Dragonetz, who is the commander of the Queen of France, Alienor and who is one of the most sought after troubadours and Al-Hisba, the moor from Al-Andalus, also of mysterious origins, who befriends Dragonetz and Estela. We encounter these beautiful characters at a time when hatred was brewing between Christians, Moors and Jews, these same who previously had worked together, studied and shared knowledge with one another to the benefit of all especially as seen through mutual trade. Behind all the strings being pulled, of course we find the Catholic Church who was ever jealous of sharing its power and its knowledge, realising that knowledge was in fact power and they had no qualms at all on how to go about stopping anyone threatening their power. A splendid riveting first book in the Troubadour quartet which I just know I have to continue reading. The characters of Estela and Dragonetz and Al-Hizba are charming and their story surely continues in the following books in the series!
September 13, 2021
Je tiens à remercier the 13th sign éditions et le site Netgalley de m'avoir permis de lire ce livre.
On y retrouve Estella qui à fuit sa famille à cause de mauvais traitements. Elle se réveille un jour dans un fossé n'ayant que son luth à côté d'elle, sa belle voix et sa dague cachée sous ses vêtements. Elle va proposer ses talents à Aliénor d’Aquitaine et c'est auprès de Dragonetz los Pros qu'elle va accroitre son art.
Quand à Dragonetz, il veux construire un moulin à papier, ce qui réveille la colère de l’Église.
Un livre lu d'une traite tellement j'ai de suite accroché à l'histoire si prenante, captivante, addictive, remplie d'intrigues, de suspens et de rebondissements avec des personnages attachants. J'adore la plume de l'auteure.
On y retrouve Estella qui à fuit sa famille à cause de mauvais traitements. Elle se réveille un jour dans un fossé n'ayant que son luth à côté d'elle, sa belle voix et sa dague cachée sous ses vêtements. Elle va proposer ses talents à Aliénor d’Aquitaine et c'est auprès de Dragonetz los Pros qu'elle va accroitre son art.
Quand à Dragonetz, il veux construire un moulin à papier, ce qui réveille la colère de l’Église.
Un livre lu d'une traite tellement j'ai de suite accroché à l'histoire si prenante, captivante, addictive, remplie d'intrigues, de suspens et de rebondissements avec des personnages attachants. J'adore la plume de l'auteure.
September 22, 2015
This is the first book in The Troubadours Quartet series and it certainly won't be my last - I absolutely loved it. I do love historical fiction but I've never read anything set in the medieval period; I feel like I've learned so much along the way as all I ever knew of Eleanor of Aquitaine was that she was Richard the Lionheart's mother. So this book was a real treat for me.
It's hard to get to grips with the medieval French names at first but it's surprising how familiar they become so quickly. The story revolves around three very strong female characters - Estela, Aliénor and Ermengarda. Estela is a mysterious young girl who Aliénor finds in a ditch by the roadside. Aliénor includes Estela in her entourage as they travel to Narbonne. Aliénor is the Queen of France and very dissatisfied with her husband, King Louis VII. Ermengarda is the vivacious Vicomtesse of Narbonne, in whose colourful court this story is set. Dragonetz is the man who links them as a knight, a troubadour and a lover.
There is so much going on in this fabulous book that I was so disappointed when it ended - there are Vikings, highland-style games, the first production of paper, with a sprinkling of treachery and jealousy in the court. It's like Game of Thrones but with real places and real people from history - I felt like I was actually having a magical glimpse into the past. I'm not going to spoil any of the story but I just have to mention an absolutely amazing scene when Estela is stuck in the bathtub - I applauded her resourcefulness although I found I was gripping my Nook a bit too tightly until she was safely out of the bathroom.
I enjoyed reading about Dragonetz and the moor, Al-Hisba. I couldn't help but liken Al-Hisba to Morgan Freeman's character, Azeem, in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. It must be so difficult for Al-Hisba being so far from home but bonds with Estela and Dragonetz through their music. Dragonetz bought Al-Hisba but, in the style of Robin Hood and Azeem, treats him as a friend and equal. There are moments in the book when I wondered whether Dragonetz was right to trust Al-Hisba and the way that this question is answered is simply magnificent.
Jean Gill's storytelling had me engrossed from start to finish with a very cleverly timed ending that ensured the next book in the series is an absolute must read.
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
It's hard to get to grips with the medieval French names at first but it's surprising how familiar they become so quickly. The story revolves around three very strong female characters - Estela, Aliénor and Ermengarda. Estela is a mysterious young girl who Aliénor finds in a ditch by the roadside. Aliénor includes Estela in her entourage as they travel to Narbonne. Aliénor is the Queen of France and very dissatisfied with her husband, King Louis VII. Ermengarda is the vivacious Vicomtesse of Narbonne, in whose colourful court this story is set. Dragonetz is the man who links them as a knight, a troubadour and a lover.
There is so much going on in this fabulous book that I was so disappointed when it ended - there are Vikings, highland-style games, the first production of paper, with a sprinkling of treachery and jealousy in the court. It's like Game of Thrones but with real places and real people from history - I felt like I was actually having a magical glimpse into the past. I'm not going to spoil any of the story but I just have to mention an absolutely amazing scene when Estela is stuck in the bathtub - I applauded her resourcefulness although I found I was gripping my Nook a bit too tightly until she was safely out of the bathroom.
I enjoyed reading about Dragonetz and the moor, Al-Hisba. I couldn't help but liken Al-Hisba to Morgan Freeman's character, Azeem, in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. It must be so difficult for Al-Hisba being so far from home but bonds with Estela and Dragonetz through their music. Dragonetz bought Al-Hisba but, in the style of Robin Hood and Azeem, treats him as a friend and equal. There are moments in the book when I wondered whether Dragonetz was right to trust Al-Hisba and the way that this question is answered is simply magnificent.
Jean Gill's storytelling had me engrossed from start to finish with a very cleverly timed ending that ensured the next book in the series is an absolute must read.
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2015
Song at Dawn is historical fiction at it’s absolute finest. You will immediately be entranced and in love with everything about this book. Setting the scene in 12th Century France, Jean Gill paints an incredible picture of life at the time. It’s the perfect pairing of history, romance and mystery. To describe this novel in a word: Masterful.
Dragonetz los Pros is Commander of the Guard to Queen Alienor of Aquitaine. In addition to acquiring this noble status of Knight at such a young age, Dragonetz is also the finest troubadour of the time; making music and creating lyric that have only cemented his fame and reputation. His sharpened good looks, charm, creative talent and heart of a warrior draw women to him like moths to a flame; women he was often quick to welcome with open arms. This all changed, however, the day he stumbled upon a beautiful young lady standing alone on the side of the road; And so entered the one woman that Dragonetz wanted to keep at a distance.
Estela de Matin is a young girl with nothing but question marks where her past is supposed to be. When Alienor and her Court find her on the side of the road, she is even reluctant to give away her true name. Dragonetz and Alienor are prepared to kill the girl and continue on their journey until they uncover Estela’s incredible gift; her voice. Estela’s angelic voice earned her an invitation to join the Court as they traveled to the kingdom of Narbonne.
Neither Dragonetz nor Estela is quick to trust, let alone form any sort of attachment to people, but it doesn’t take long for a bond between them to flourish. Their relationship blossoms naturally and feels very realistic to the reader. Jean Gill writes with an authenticity that leads you to forget that the people and events described are fictional. It’s pure magic.
Song at Dawn is a romantic, brilliant, and compelling game of literary chess; a stunning network of moves and counter-moves weaved into every chapter. The plot and characters are wonderfully complex and alluring. Jean Gill is a marvelous writer and it would be a crime against humanity not to recommend her work to everyone I meet. Rest assured that I will absolutely be reviewing Book 2 in the series (Bladesong).
For additional reviews please visit http://www.readingonrepeat.com
Dragonetz los Pros is Commander of the Guard to Queen Alienor of Aquitaine. In addition to acquiring this noble status of Knight at such a young age, Dragonetz is also the finest troubadour of the time; making music and creating lyric that have only cemented his fame and reputation. His sharpened good looks, charm, creative talent and heart of a warrior draw women to him like moths to a flame; women he was often quick to welcome with open arms. This all changed, however, the day he stumbled upon a beautiful young lady standing alone on the side of the road; And so entered the one woman that Dragonetz wanted to keep at a distance.
Estela de Matin is a young girl with nothing but question marks where her past is supposed to be. When Alienor and her Court find her on the side of the road, she is even reluctant to give away her true name. Dragonetz and Alienor are prepared to kill the girl and continue on their journey until they uncover Estela’s incredible gift; her voice. Estela’s angelic voice earned her an invitation to join the Court as they traveled to the kingdom of Narbonne.
Neither Dragonetz nor Estela is quick to trust, let alone form any sort of attachment to people, but it doesn’t take long for a bond between them to flourish. Their relationship blossoms naturally and feels very realistic to the reader. Jean Gill writes with an authenticity that leads you to forget that the people and events described are fictional. It’s pure magic.
Song at Dawn is a romantic, brilliant, and compelling game of literary chess; a stunning network of moves and counter-moves weaved into every chapter. The plot and characters are wonderfully complex and alluring. Jean Gill is a marvelous writer and it would be a crime against humanity not to recommend her work to everyone I meet. Rest assured that I will absolutely be reviewing Book 2 in the series (Bladesong).
For additional reviews please visit http://www.readingonrepeat.com
July 30, 2015
Writing about the 12th century and doing it with authenticity is a daunting task. Jean Gill has stepped up to the challenge and achieved success in “Song at Dawn: 1150 in Provence”, Book One in the Troubadour Series. Blending true events with the imagined experiences of both real and fictional historical characters, Gill has created a story that takes hold and won’t let go. From the moment Estela, her lute, and her canine companion Nici awake in a ditch my attention was focused on their adventures and what would become of them. Soon they are joined by Dragonetz los Pros and Alienor of Aquitaine in a journey of discovery and revelation where Christians, Jews, and a mysterious Moor live in an uneasy community.
Inadvertently using her lute and magical voice to capture the attention of Queen Alienor and her famous Commander of the Guard and troubadour Dragonetz, Estela is drawn into the intrigue of the court of Ermengarda in Narbonne. What ensues is a beautifully developed love story and tale of political conspiracies that will keep the reader guessing until the very end. It’s impossible to read this book without falling in love with the characters. Cheering on the heroes, angry with the villains, and shocked by the duplicitous, each character brings the flavor of the time period to the plot, enriching the story with his or her unique personality.
I am so enthralled with this story that I have already begun Book 2 of the series, “Bladesong: 1151 in the Holy Land.” Rarely has an author captured my attention with characters that live and breathe, stepping out of the pages and into my heart. I highly recommend this exquisitely written book. Whether a fan of historical fiction or not, this story will captivate any reader who enjoys a well told romantic thriller.
Inadvertently using her lute and magical voice to capture the attention of Queen Alienor and her famous Commander of the Guard and troubadour Dragonetz, Estela is drawn into the intrigue of the court of Ermengarda in Narbonne. What ensues is a beautifully developed love story and tale of political conspiracies that will keep the reader guessing until the very end. It’s impossible to read this book without falling in love with the characters. Cheering on the heroes, angry with the villains, and shocked by the duplicitous, each character brings the flavor of the time period to the plot, enriching the story with his or her unique personality.
I am so enthralled with this story that I have already begun Book 2 of the series, “Bladesong: 1151 in the Holy Land.” Rarely has an author captured my attention with characters that live and breathe, stepping out of the pages and into my heart. I highly recommend this exquisitely written book. Whether a fan of historical fiction or not, this story will captivate any reader who enjoys a well told romantic thriller.
September 16, 2015
Song At Dawn is the perfect title for this literary masterpiece. The story takes place in southern France in the twelfth century following the second Crusade. This was a time when strong women ruled, specifically Alienor of Aquitane and Ermengarde of Narbonne.
The story is told with a careful balance of violence, deception, romance, honor, and the will to fight for that honor. Author Jean Gill masterfully weaves this fictional tale with accurate Medieval history in a way that I have not experienced in a long time. All at once, I am surrounded by knights, crusades, and Templar politics.
Aside from the accurate historical account of these times, I love the way the writer’s description involves all of the senses, making this sensual tome easy to fall into. I was especially impressed by the way the author handled the romance between her two main characters, Estela and Dragonetz. More importantly, Jean Gill brings to life the significant role that the Troubadours played in this dark and dangerous time by daring to advance romantic love with their bold and lyrical music.
For me, Jean Gill’s writing is as lyrical as the songs her characters sing. The following example is a taste of her eloquent prose in reference to Estela, one of her main characters… “She learned to make his body her playground, trading scar for scar. With her eyes shut, she could distinguish between each type of hair on his lean body. She knew how many hand spans measured the distance up his spine.” There is no sexual disclosure in this story, but rather a true sensual adventure into the intimate human love and joyous connection between a woman and a man.
I fully enjoyed this wonderful book and highly recommend it to anyone who is searching for a thoroughly satisfying read.
The story is told with a careful balance of violence, deception, romance, honor, and the will to fight for that honor. Author Jean Gill masterfully weaves this fictional tale with accurate Medieval history in a way that I have not experienced in a long time. All at once, I am surrounded by knights, crusades, and Templar politics.
Aside from the accurate historical account of these times, I love the way the writer’s description involves all of the senses, making this sensual tome easy to fall into. I was especially impressed by the way the author handled the romance between her two main characters, Estela and Dragonetz. More importantly, Jean Gill brings to life the significant role that the Troubadours played in this dark and dangerous time by daring to advance romantic love with their bold and lyrical music.
For me, Jean Gill’s writing is as lyrical as the songs her characters sing. The following example is a taste of her eloquent prose in reference to Estela, one of her main characters… “She learned to make his body her playground, trading scar for scar. With her eyes shut, she could distinguish between each type of hair on his lean body. She knew how many hand spans measured the distance up his spine.” There is no sexual disclosure in this story, but rather a true sensual adventure into the intimate human love and joyous connection between a woman and a man.
I fully enjoyed this wonderful book and highly recommend it to anyone who is searching for a thoroughly satisfying read.
November 20, 2018
A Lady's Love, A Knight's Dream
"Song At Dawn" takes hold at once and never lets go. It's not a quick read, but it is well worth the time. It’s deep, but not a burden. I'm definitely going to read the entire series.
We are introduced to Estela under an assumed name at the very start. When the reveal comes a good third of the way through the story, it sneaks in quietly and then explodes. The surprise is total, unexpected and perfect. And it isn't the only one. The Lady Sancha has her own secret, and I promise you, you'll never see it coming. Dragonetz has his reasons to not give in to his passion for Estela. He fails at this out of his love - and political necessity. Gill handles that with truly rare skill and you'll not be disappointed with the love or the politics.
Court intrigues do come to life here. We get to enjoy every dirty trick and worry about our favorites. It's gruesome sometimes, so be warned. The bloodshed and hacked body parts are unnerving. But I couldn't stop reading in spite of my squeamishness. The story is too good to give up.
The effects of old history and new technology are as uplifting and devastating to these people as they are to us now. (That new technology is paper, by the way)
I think these people invented the words "It's complicated..."
Their morals (or lack of them)
are bizarre and sometimes funny. The distinctions between lovers and spouses will either make you disapprove or make you laugh. I did both.
There is so much more.
All of it rewarding, and very little of it boring. The mystery never lets up. And you don't even realize you've been holding your breath until Ms. Gill allows you to breathe.
"Song At Dawn" takes hold at once and never lets go. It's not a quick read, but it is well worth the time. It’s deep, but not a burden. I'm definitely going to read the entire series.
We are introduced to Estela under an assumed name at the very start. When the reveal comes a good third of the way through the story, it sneaks in quietly and then explodes. The surprise is total, unexpected and perfect. And it isn't the only one. The Lady Sancha has her own secret, and I promise you, you'll never see it coming. Dragonetz has his reasons to not give in to his passion for Estela. He fails at this out of his love - and political necessity. Gill handles that with truly rare skill and you'll not be disappointed with the love or the politics.
Court intrigues do come to life here. We get to enjoy every dirty trick and worry about our favorites. It's gruesome sometimes, so be warned. The bloodshed and hacked body parts are unnerving. But I couldn't stop reading in spite of my squeamishness. The story is too good to give up.
The effects of old history and new technology are as uplifting and devastating to these people as they are to us now. (That new technology is paper, by the way)
I think these people invented the words "It's complicated..."
Their morals (or lack of them)
are bizarre and sometimes funny. The distinctions between lovers and spouses will either make you disapprove or make you laugh. I did both.
There is so much more.
All of it rewarding, and very little of it boring. The mystery never lets up. And you don't even realize you've been holding your breath until Ms. Gill allows you to breathe.
October 11, 2022
I would say this is a 2.5-2.75. The main issues I had with this was the language and the jumping between characters. There was just too many people who were getting POVs and things happening at once.
The book has a good plot and if the focus was on Estela, I would have found it much easier to follow. The cast of characters was vast and they were interesting, but their wasn't enough to drag you into it. The fact that POVs were shifting mid-chapter, as opposed to one chapter following one person and the next someone else made it much harder to get into. The first few pages were amazing - then it lost me when there was maybe 4 POVs before the end of chapter 2. It just felt like you were never getting the full story because there was too many subplots and backstories to include.
The main characters were interesting and well rounded for the most part. The slow release of their pasts and why they both wanted certain things in life was very well done. Given the time period, it makes sense that Dragonetz has multiple mistresses and a short temper.
Overall, it was a perfectly adequate book. I probably won't continue the series myself but I can see the appeal for others. The language would interest many, especially those who enjoy long descriptions. I would recommend having a cheat sheet for all the mistresses and who is with who.
The book has a good plot and if the focus was on Estela, I would have found it much easier to follow. The cast of characters was vast and they were interesting, but their wasn't enough to drag you into it. The fact that POVs were shifting mid-chapter, as opposed to one chapter following one person and the next someone else made it much harder to get into. The first few pages were amazing - then it lost me when there was maybe 4 POVs before the end of chapter 2. It just felt like you were never getting the full story because there was too many subplots and backstories to include.
The main characters were interesting and well rounded for the most part. The slow release of their pasts and why they both wanted certain things in life was very well done. Given the time period, it makes sense that Dragonetz has multiple mistresses and a short temper.
Overall, it was a perfectly adequate book. I probably won't continue the series myself but I can see the appeal for others. The language would interest many, especially those who enjoy long descriptions. I would recommend having a cheat sheet for all the mistresses and who is with who.
February 5, 2014
I really enjoyed reading “A Song at Dawn” by Jean Gill. Any book that has something to do with Eleanor of Aquitaine grabs my interest right away. I also thought the author’s writing style had a nice flow to it, which made it easy to read. I thought the intrigue in the novel between the characters was interesting, and it kept me interested and the suspense in the story kept me reading to find out what would happen next. There were some really great and unexpected twists within the novel, which was great, but I did feel a little lost at times with the when new characters or twists were introduced without enough information for me.
I also liked the sexual tension that existed between Dragonetz and Estela. It definitely piqued my interest and kept me rooting for them to get together!
The author did a great job with imagery and descriptions in the novel, especially when describing the music, as a reader you could almost imagine you could hear the clear tunes from Dragonetz’s music.
I’ve read several books about Eleanor, so it was great to read a book that focused on the “normal” people who surrounded her on a daily basis. I love getting a look at what life was like during the time that Eleanor was alive, and this novel really brought it to life for me. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction.
I give this novel a FOUR out of FIVE stars.
I also liked the sexual tension that existed between Dragonetz and Estela. It definitely piqued my interest and kept me rooting for them to get together!
The author did a great job with imagery and descriptions in the novel, especially when describing the music, as a reader you could almost imagine you could hear the clear tunes from Dragonetz’s music.
I’ve read several books about Eleanor, so it was great to read a book that focused on the “normal” people who surrounded her on a daily basis. I love getting a look at what life was like during the time that Eleanor was alive, and this novel really brought it to life for me. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction.
I give this novel a FOUR out of FIVE stars.
October 18, 2015
It will make you sing at dusk, too!
I was told that “Song at Dawn” was a work of historical fiction. I am not so sure. If you just change the names of people, and throw in a televised political debate or two, we could be talking about modern times.
That is the joy of this book. The characters are all too human, as are their intrigues. Human passion, desire, greed, and lust know no centuries. And the skill of the author is such that emotions are made timeless, but the historical accuracy is maintained.
Of particular interest to me was the manner in which Ms Gill outlines the politics of so-called god-men, and the treachery of rulers, who ruthlessly advance their self-interest, but demand fealty of all others. Nothing seems to have changed since the twelfth century!
Oh yes, in the midst of all this, we are treated to a tender romance, which illustrates the nuances that the human condition is capable of, just as surely as the savagery that we know all too well. These contrasts paint a very full picture of characters who are often presented as one-dimensional beings by history books.
And that is the real skill of the author, who has given us a song which will keep us singing from dawn to dusk!
I was told that “Song at Dawn” was a work of historical fiction. I am not so sure. If you just change the names of people, and throw in a televised political debate or two, we could be talking about modern times.
That is the joy of this book. The characters are all too human, as are their intrigues. Human passion, desire, greed, and lust know no centuries. And the skill of the author is such that emotions are made timeless, but the historical accuracy is maintained.
Of particular interest to me was the manner in which Ms Gill outlines the politics of so-called god-men, and the treachery of rulers, who ruthlessly advance their self-interest, but demand fealty of all others. Nothing seems to have changed since the twelfth century!
Oh yes, in the midst of all this, we are treated to a tender romance, which illustrates the nuances that the human condition is capable of, just as surely as the savagery that we know all too well. These contrasts paint a very full picture of characters who are often presented as one-dimensional beings by history books.
And that is the real skill of the author, who has given us a song which will keep us singing from dawn to dusk!
May 9, 2019
The book is an interesting and easy read due largely to the author's excellent writing mechanics. The main characters are fictitious, but they carry the story lines in good fashion. The historical aspects of the book interested me most. The book is set in the 12th century in the south of France where Jews, Christians, and Muslims live. My historical take is as follows:
1) The Jews, Christians, and Muslims get along until their separate agendas cause disharmony.
2) The troubadours sang about past and present subjects thus keeping history alive for all people.
3). Europe and Asia relied upon trade between and among one another. Trade embargoes, regardless of how they occur or of what they may be called, are mighty weapons.
The book begged for more historical background which I went looking for on my own. If a book makes the reader think and search for more information, it has served a good purpose.
Thank you, Ms. Gill, for a good read.
1) The Jews, Christians, and Muslims get along until their separate agendas cause disharmony.
2) The troubadours sang about past and present subjects thus keeping history alive for all people.
3). Europe and Asia relied upon trade between and among one another. Trade embargoes, regardless of how they occur or of what they may be called, are mighty weapons.
The book begged for more historical background which I went looking for on my own. If a book makes the reader think and search for more information, it has served a good purpose.
Thank you, Ms. Gill, for a good read.
November 29, 2017
Started out below average...
The book is not well written and moves at an incredibly slow pace. I was willing to try and finish it since the summary sounded exciting. I got about 75% into the book and then BAM sex scenes suddenly came out of nowhere. Seriously? It didn’t add anything vital to the development of the characters and I was kind of expecting a clean read (my bad). I’m not going to finish the book; it isn’t worth my time.
The book is not well written and moves at an incredibly slow pace. I was willing to try and finish it since the summary sounded exciting. I got about 75% into the book and then BAM sex scenes suddenly came out of nowhere. Seriously? It didn’t add anything vital to the development of the characters and I was kind of expecting a clean read (my bad). I’m not going to finish the book; it isn’t worth my time.
October 31, 2018
The complex narrative of Song at Dawn is breathtaking. This, combined with the narration by Jake Urry make this a compelling read. I'm always in awe how Urry adds an eery, seductive quality to the characters. It brings the story into another dimension that's hard to put into words. The sound quality and production of the audiobook was excellent. The background music added virtue and an authentic feel throughout the book.
September 10, 2021
Firstly, historical fiction is my favourite genre and I particularly like medieval history. I have read a few books about Eleanor of Aquitaine and was looking forward to reading this. I really enjoyed most of it but sadly was spoiled by the ending which just seemed to fizzle out.
August 4, 2015
I liked the story but there were just too many people to keep track of. I'm not sure if I will read the next one.
August 6, 2018
Estela de Matin has secrets and that made her an engaging character right from the beginning. Alienor is intrigued too and takes her into her household out of curiosity. The women build a kind of trust even as politics and scheming threaten Queen Alienor and those around her. The Victomtess of Narbonne, Ermengarda, has to put her people first and the whole of France second. Estela is talented in both singing and playing her mandora, so she’s placed as a troubadour in training.
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction. The history aspect was first and foremost. I loved all the details that made me feel like I was learning even while I was entertained. The fashion and gender roles of 12th century France are well incorporated to the tale. For example, it was fashionable for the ladies to have high foreheads, so some would modify their hairline by shaving part of their hair off to extend their foreheads.
While there were strong gender roles during this time period, the ladies were not sidelined in this tale. There is indeed romance, but they don’t spend all their time on it. So refreshing! I loved that the female characters would talk about all sorts of things and not just romance. They drove the plot and didn’t always have to rely on bedroom skills to do so.
Dragonetz was an interesting character as well. He’s a knight and a troubadour. He is sworn to serve the Queen but he also has a secret lover. He also has a dedicated spy and confidant – Sancha (spelling?). She’s a unique character in that she’s really a man who has chosen to live as a woman for decades. I really hope the series explores her character more.
I did leave the story feeling a little confused on three points. First, would Estela really have left home with so little? She comes from a privileged family and it’s not clear to me what could have forced her out on her own, literally sleeping in ditches. Second, I don’t get why Estela gave up her virginity when she did to who she did. I was left wondering if she just wanted it over with so she could stop worrying about it. Third, I don’t get Arno. The one weak thread in this novel is this idea of love above and beyond station, family, marriage, etc. I think Arno was caught up in that and was supposed to be this example of unrequited courtly love… and yet it didn’t feel like a complete picture to me. With that said, some of these points might be made whole in the sequel.
The story ends with several dramatic scenes, wrapping up the main mystery of who has been leaving threats for the Queen. There’s still a larger mystery that Dragonetz must solve plus the politics of Narbonne are practically on fire at this point. The crusades weren’t all glory and profit and I loved that several aspects were displayed through the characters. All told, 4.5/5 stars.
The Narration: Jake Urry is always a treat to listen to. He has an excellent voice and I have enjoyed several stories that he has narrated. With that said, his female character voices could use a touch more variation. He can do a decent female voice, but all the ladies sounded like alto ladies. There wasn’t much difference from lady to lady. There was some singing in this book and often it was in a foreign language – and Urry did a great job with these songs. I also liked the little snippets of music between chapters. I know this is a small thing, but it took me forever to figure out that it was ‘Moor’ and not ‘maul’ that Urry was saying, referring to the one Moorish character in the story. 4.5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Jake Urry. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction. The history aspect was first and foremost. I loved all the details that made me feel like I was learning even while I was entertained. The fashion and gender roles of 12th century France are well incorporated to the tale. For example, it was fashionable for the ladies to have high foreheads, so some would modify their hairline by shaving part of their hair off to extend their foreheads.
While there were strong gender roles during this time period, the ladies were not sidelined in this tale. There is indeed romance, but they don’t spend all their time on it. So refreshing! I loved that the female characters would talk about all sorts of things and not just romance. They drove the plot and didn’t always have to rely on bedroom skills to do so.
Dragonetz was an interesting character as well. He’s a knight and a troubadour. He is sworn to serve the Queen but he also has a secret lover. He also has a dedicated spy and confidant – Sancha (spelling?). She’s a unique character in that she’s really a man who has chosen to live as a woman for decades. I really hope the series explores her character more.
I did leave the story feeling a little confused on three points. First, would Estela really have left home with so little? She comes from a privileged family and it’s not clear to me what could have forced her out on her own, literally sleeping in ditches. Second, I don’t get why Estela gave up her virginity when she did to who she did. I was left wondering if she just wanted it over with so she could stop worrying about it. Third, I don’t get Arno. The one weak thread in this novel is this idea of love above and beyond station, family, marriage, etc. I think Arno was caught up in that and was supposed to be this example of unrequited courtly love… and yet it didn’t feel like a complete picture to me. With that said, some of these points might be made whole in the sequel.
The story ends with several dramatic scenes, wrapping up the main mystery of who has been leaving threats for the Queen. There’s still a larger mystery that Dragonetz must solve plus the politics of Narbonne are practically on fire at this point. The crusades weren’t all glory and profit and I loved that several aspects were displayed through the characters. All told, 4.5/5 stars.
The Narration: Jake Urry is always a treat to listen to. He has an excellent voice and I have enjoyed several stories that he has narrated. With that said, his female character voices could use a touch more variation. He can do a decent female voice, but all the ladies sounded like alto ladies. There wasn’t much difference from lady to lady. There was some singing in this book and often it was in a foreign language – and Urry did a great job with these songs. I also liked the little snippets of music between chapters. I know this is a small thing, but it took me forever to figure out that it was ‘Moor’ and not ‘maul’ that Urry was saying, referring to the one Moorish character in the story. 4.5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Jake Urry. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
September 1, 2018
**I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Jake Urry. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.**
While I've never read/listened to anything by Jean Gill, I've become a big fan of Jake Urry's narration. I also love historical fiction, so when I saw he was reading this novel, I was all over it.
I have...mixed feelings about my choice.
On the one hand, the story was intriguing, with complexity and layers to it that kept the reader guessing. The details were rich, vivid, and seemed historically appropriate. On the other hand, I think this book may have been more enjoyable for the reader who has a vaster knowledge/familiarity with the Crusades than my passing fancy. There were A LOT of names introduced and events referenced in the opening passages, and I found that I had a hard time keeping everything straight. In addition to the initial overload of information, there were a number of scenes and descriptions that turned me off. The first of those I encountered fairly early on in the protagonist's treatment of her dog. I wasn't super thrilled to read about how she kicked him to drive him away--though the reader is assured it "wasn't too hard". Sorry, don't care if it was hard or not, it started me off with a sour impression of Estela that took some time to remedy.
In spite of my early misgivings about Estela's character and my struggle to keep people, places, and things straight, I will say that I quickly grew to enjoy Ms. Gill's writing style. It's pretty, almost lyrical writing, and she does seem to be a master craftswoman when it comes to detailing her settings and characters. She spun an interesting story in "Song at Dawn", with the kind of depth and color that made it easy to picture what was happening. The plot became complex early on and the pace picked up nicely as secrets were revealed, motivations were brought to light, and relationships were formed. Be warned, though: this is not an easy, you-can-pay-half-attention-and-still-get-it story. On more than one occasion, I found myself having to backtrack and listen again because my attention had been pulled away by something else for a minute. (The outside world does have an annoying way of intruding!)
Jake Urry did a decent job narrating this story, though I have to admit that I'm not a fan of his singing voice. It was too unmelodic and off-beat for my tastes. His performance was quite good otherwise, however, and as I've come to expect with Mr. Urry, he truly brought the scenery and characters to life. The audio quality was clean and professional, with no distracting noises, volume changes, etc.
Bottom line: Unless you're really, really into complicated historical fiction, I'd recommend giving this a pass...or at least only listening when you won't be even the tiniest bit distracted. I still love Jake Urry and I might give Jean Gill another try, if I can find something a bit lighter.
While I've never read/listened to anything by Jean Gill, I've become a big fan of Jake Urry's narration. I also love historical fiction, so when I saw he was reading this novel, I was all over it.
I have...mixed feelings about my choice.
On the one hand, the story was intriguing, with complexity and layers to it that kept the reader guessing. The details were rich, vivid, and seemed historically appropriate. On the other hand, I think this book may have been more enjoyable for the reader who has a vaster knowledge/familiarity with the Crusades than my passing fancy. There were A LOT of names introduced and events referenced in the opening passages, and I found that I had a hard time keeping everything straight. In addition to the initial overload of information, there were a number of scenes and descriptions that turned me off. The first of those I encountered fairly early on in the protagonist's treatment of her dog. I wasn't super thrilled to read about how she kicked him to drive him away--though the reader is assured it "wasn't too hard". Sorry, don't care if it was hard or not, it started me off with a sour impression of Estela that took some time to remedy.
In spite of my early misgivings about Estela's character and my struggle to keep people, places, and things straight, I will say that I quickly grew to enjoy Ms. Gill's writing style. It's pretty, almost lyrical writing, and she does seem to be a master craftswoman when it comes to detailing her settings and characters. She spun an interesting story in "Song at Dawn", with the kind of depth and color that made it easy to picture what was happening. The plot became complex early on and the pace picked up nicely as secrets were revealed, motivations were brought to light, and relationships were formed. Be warned, though: this is not an easy, you-can-pay-half-attention-and-still-get-it story. On more than one occasion, I found myself having to backtrack and listen again because my attention had been pulled away by something else for a minute. (The outside world does have an annoying way of intruding!)
Jake Urry did a decent job narrating this story, though I have to admit that I'm not a fan of his singing voice. It was too unmelodic and off-beat for my tastes. His performance was quite good otherwise, however, and as I've come to expect with Mr. Urry, he truly brought the scenery and characters to life. The audio quality was clean and professional, with no distracting noises, volume changes, etc.
Bottom line: Unless you're really, really into complicated historical fiction, I'd recommend giving this a pass...or at least only listening when you won't be even the tiniest bit distracted. I still love Jake Urry and I might give Jean Gill another try, if I can find something a bit lighter.
October 14, 2019
Rewiew originally published at: A young girl is found in a ditch beside the path Alienor of Aquitaine’s entourage traverses. She is afraid for her life, and escaping from a dark past, she makes up a new name. Estela de Matin closes so a chapter in her life and starts a new one. Thanks to her musical talents, Alienor and Dragonetz los Pros, a renowned troubadour and crusader, decide to take her in and let her travel with them to Narbonne, to visit Ermengarde’s court.
Historic and fictitious characters interact in this novel, beautifully written, and where the plot is framed by real events. It is clear that Jean de Gill has done some deep historical research to be able to write this book. For the ones expecting plenty of action and a rollercoaster of events, I want to say that this is not that kind of book. This is a story to be slowly savored, paying attention to every small detail, because it will matter in the large scheme of things. I think it is useful to be somewhat familiar with this part of medieval history, and at least know who is who and what was at stake then and there.
This is mainly a book about women of the era, and how they lived and experience things like love, sex, and justice, and how hypocrisy was accepted as part of a righteous life, and publicly defended. I had issues relating to Estela, and some of the other women, but I think this is mainly to how different is life nowadays to what it used to be.
There are several mysteries to be resolved here, and despite some initial suspicions, there are several twists that I did not see coming. Somehow the book seems to be more focused on Estela and her love life than the mysteries and murder attempts, but I think both subjects made a quite exquisite combination. I think it is justified that a book about troubadours should have a beautiful language and the author is allowed to dance around the subject in order to provide a masterpiece.
Jake Urry delivered an awsome narration, with good cadence and very appropriate intonation to the book style. He did an excellent job also with the various poems sang and recited in this book, most of them in what I guess was Aquitainain. The only thing I missed a bit was a bit more differentiation among characters. This was a complex story, and following some dialogs was not an easy task, with all the secrets, lies, and conspiracies.
It took me a little while to get into this book, but it was worth it. I think it will be mostly enjoyed by people with some interest in medieval history.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Historic and fictitious characters interact in this novel, beautifully written, and where the plot is framed by real events. It is clear that Jean de Gill has done some deep historical research to be able to write this book. For the ones expecting plenty of action and a rollercoaster of events, I want to say that this is not that kind of book. This is a story to be slowly savored, paying attention to every small detail, because it will matter in the large scheme of things. I think it is useful to be somewhat familiar with this part of medieval history, and at least know who is who and what was at stake then and there.
This is mainly a book about women of the era, and how they lived and experience things like love, sex, and justice, and how hypocrisy was accepted as part of a righteous life, and publicly defended. I had issues relating to Estela, and some of the other women, but I think this is mainly to how different is life nowadays to what it used to be.
There are several mysteries to be resolved here, and despite some initial suspicions, there are several twists that I did not see coming. Somehow the book seems to be more focused on Estela and her love life than the mysteries and murder attempts, but I think both subjects made a quite exquisite combination. I think it is justified that a book about troubadours should have a beautiful language and the author is allowed to dance around the subject in order to provide a masterpiece.
Jake Urry delivered an awsome narration, with good cadence and very appropriate intonation to the book style. He did an excellent job also with the various poems sang and recited in this book, most of them in what I guess was Aquitainain. The only thing I missed a bit was a bit more differentiation among characters. This was a complex story, and following some dialogs was not an easy task, with all the secrets, lies, and conspiracies.
It took me a little while to get into this book, but it was worth it. I think it will be mostly enjoyed by people with some interest in medieval history.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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