What do you think?
Rate this book
New World Rising #1
Der Thron der Dornen
Die Rosenkriege sind vorbei, doch der englische Thron ist voller Blut und Dornen.
Sevilla 1483: Jack Wynter wurde von seinem Vater auf eine geheime Mission nach Spanien entsandt, um eine verschlossene Kiste zu bewachen und sie mit seinem Leben zu schützen. Doch dann wird Jacks Vater des Hochverrats angeklagt, und die ganze Familie steht im Mittelpunkt einer tödlichen Intrige. Jack kann nicht anders: Er muss das Geheimnis der rätselhaften Truhe lüften und zurück nach England reisen, wo der junge Prinz Edward den Thron besteigen soll und dessen Onkel Richard von Gloucester bereits plant, die Herrschaft an sich zu reißen …
Sevilla 1483: Jack Wynter wurde von seinem Vater auf eine geheime Mission nach Spanien entsandt, um eine verschlossene Kiste zu bewachen und sie mit seinem Leben zu schützen. Doch dann wird Jacks Vater des Hochverrats angeklagt, und die ganze Familie steht im Mittelpunkt einer tödlichen Intrige. Jack kann nicht anders: Er muss das Geheimnis der rätselhaften Truhe lüften und zurück nach England reisen, wo der junge Prinz Edward den Thron besteigen soll und dessen Onkel Richard von Gloucester bereits plant, die Herrschaft an sich zu reißen …
577 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2016
43 people are currently reading
861 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Young
38 books490 followersRobyn Young is the Sunday Times bestselling author of the BRETHREN and INSURRECTION trilogies and the NEW WORLD RISING series. She also writes crime thrillers as Erin Young.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 31, 2020
Years ago, I plowed through Robyn Young's BRETHREN trilogy while on vacation and remember thinking how much I enjoyed the books and lamenting how few of these types of stories are published in the U.S. Young's lead characters are male, involved in nefarious deeds with ancient secret societies; her emphasis is on intrigue and adventure, with fierce battle scenes, set in a well-researched, evocative historical era. Perhaps because her books fail to fit the publisher mold for historical fiction in the U.S., where the predominating factor is a female protagonist (I should know, I write them), she hasn't enjoyed the immense success here that she has both in the U.K. and internationally - and it's a shame for U.S. readers because she brings immense fun to the table.
SONS OF THE BLOOD is the first book in her new trilogy, following her epic biographical fiction threesome on Robert the Bruce. She returns to Brethren form with a lead fictitious character, Jack Wynter, whose illegitimate birth has relegated him to obscurity and resentment over his father's treatment of him. Thomas Vaughn, his father, is a high-placed man at court, appointed guardian of Edward IV's heir, and Jack has been dispatched all the way to Seville, entrusted with a mysterious map he disregards as he embarks on a dissipated rebellion of drink, women, and brawling. But when Edward IV dies and the king's dark-horse brother, Richard, unexpectedly seizes power, taking both the heir and his younger brother into custody in the Tower and executing Thomas Vaughn in a bloody wipe-out of opposition to his reign, things turn dicey for Jack.
After narrowly escaping a murderous attempt in Seville to seize the map, Jack makes his way home to England, determined to discover the truth about his father. As you can imagine, the truth isn't easy to unravel, as two vying cults race to find him and the map, while Richard III upends the realm in his zeal to consolidate his power and defeat Henry Tudor, an upstart contender exiled in Brittany, who mounts a campaign to challenge Richard's claim to the throne. As Jack begins to decipher the secret behind the map, Vaughn's legitimate other son, Harry, contends with the fall-out of his father's death and loss of his own prestige, embarking on a lethal quest for vengeance.
Young weaves the disappearance of the princes in the Tower, a mystery to this day, into her fictional tale of the two Vaughn brothers destined to be mortal enemies. She presents a compelling portrait of Richard III and Henry Tudor's enmity, as well: both hell-bent on becoming king, with equal motivation to see Edward IV's sons vanish. Young's explanation for the princes' unexplained disappearance may be controversial but it makes historical sense; she's clearly put a lot of thought and research into it. Cameos by canny Elizabeth Woodville, trapped in her sanctuary at Westminster Abbey, and the petite, ferocious Margaret Beaufort, Henry Tudor's mother, add extra spice to the shenanigans.
While this first entry in the series can be challenging with its plethora of characters and points of view, it allows for a wide-ranging look at England during a dangerous time when no one was sure who would emerge victorious, though today we know who won the battle for the crown. And the bumpy start smooths out as we get further into Young's lavish tale, with Jack maturing from a petulant n'er do well into a hardened young man thrust into a conspiracy he barely understands. By the final pages, Young has hooked us and we're desperate to read more.
In that vein, I immediately started book 2, COURT OF WOLVES, and am looking forward to Jack Wynter's continuing adventures.
SONS OF THE BLOOD is the first book in her new trilogy, following her epic biographical fiction threesome on Robert the Bruce. She returns to Brethren form with a lead fictitious character, Jack Wynter, whose illegitimate birth has relegated him to obscurity and resentment over his father's treatment of him. Thomas Vaughn, his father, is a high-placed man at court, appointed guardian of Edward IV's heir, and Jack has been dispatched all the way to Seville, entrusted with a mysterious map he disregards as he embarks on a dissipated rebellion of drink, women, and brawling. But when Edward IV dies and the king's dark-horse brother, Richard, unexpectedly seizes power, taking both the heir and his younger brother into custody in the Tower and executing Thomas Vaughn in a bloody wipe-out of opposition to his reign, things turn dicey for Jack.
After narrowly escaping a murderous attempt in Seville to seize the map, Jack makes his way home to England, determined to discover the truth about his father. As you can imagine, the truth isn't easy to unravel, as two vying cults race to find him and the map, while Richard III upends the realm in his zeal to consolidate his power and defeat Henry Tudor, an upstart contender exiled in Brittany, who mounts a campaign to challenge Richard's claim to the throne. As Jack begins to decipher the secret behind the map, Vaughn's legitimate other son, Harry, contends with the fall-out of his father's death and loss of his own prestige, embarking on a lethal quest for vengeance.
Young weaves the disappearance of the princes in the Tower, a mystery to this day, into her fictional tale of the two Vaughn brothers destined to be mortal enemies. She presents a compelling portrait of Richard III and Henry Tudor's enmity, as well: both hell-bent on becoming king, with equal motivation to see Edward IV's sons vanish. Young's explanation for the princes' unexplained disappearance may be controversial but it makes historical sense; she's clearly put a lot of thought and research into it. Cameos by canny Elizabeth Woodville, trapped in her sanctuary at Westminster Abbey, and the petite, ferocious Margaret Beaufort, Henry Tudor's mother, add extra spice to the shenanigans.
While this first entry in the series can be challenging with its plethora of characters and points of view, it allows for a wide-ranging look at England during a dangerous time when no one was sure who would emerge victorious, though today we know who won the battle for the crown. And the bumpy start smooths out as we get further into Young's lavish tale, with Jack maturing from a petulant n'er do well into a hardened young man thrust into a conspiracy he barely understands. By the final pages, Young has hooked us and we're desperate to read more.
In that vein, I immediately started book 2, COURT OF WOLVES, and am looking forward to Jack Wynter's continuing adventures.
January 3, 2018
Outstanding beginning to a new series set in late 15th-century England and Europe that mixes history and mystery so well - this first novel focuses on the reign of Richard III. What a time that was....
September 6, 2017
Review to come.....
July 23, 2017
This was not an easy book to read. The extensive details sometimes slowed down the flow of the narrative. However, I was truly caught up in this perspective of the Battle of Bosworth Field as portrayed by Robyn Young. And the thread of Jack Wynter's story was well woven through the larger plot. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!!
November 2, 2017
An entertaining read full of half truths and unproven theories which could very well be true but...? It's good, but it's not Iggulden.
December 29, 2018
This 1st volume of the "New World Rising" series is a most remarkable and exciting book.
First of all the book has been thoroughly researched historically and wonderfully explained within the author's note.
Besides that at the end of the book it contains a well defined character list, and whether they are real or fictional they feature all in their own kind lifelike way, and thus making this thrilling book such a joy to read.
Last but not least, at the beginning of the book you'll find two beautifully drawn maps of Britain and Western Europe in the 15th Century.
Storytelling is of a very good quality, for the author has managed in her own kind of fashion to make this a wonderful gripping tale where real human emotions and devotions come to the forefront, by simply showing us how the characters really feel, live and act within this tale.
The story is set, in my opinion and by reading the author's note, as from the year AD 1483 until AD 1485, and it really starts off after the death of King Edward IV, and when Jack Wynter, bastard son, mercenary soldier and keeper of a powerful secret, is forced to head back to England from Seville, where he has lived for some years, to try to help his father Sir Thomas Vaughan, who's been arrested for treason.
What follows is a fascinating tale in which Jack Wynter has to deal with a world of intrigue, corruption, mystery and war, besides that he has to deal with the taunts and attempts on his life by his vengeful half-brother Harry, and to survive within this dangerous and foul world he must find the strength and believe if he wants to overcome all these ordeals.
Highly recommended, for this book is for certain "A Very Gripping Opening Scene"!
First of all the book has been thoroughly researched historically and wonderfully explained within the author's note.
Besides that at the end of the book it contains a well defined character list, and whether they are real or fictional they feature all in their own kind lifelike way, and thus making this thrilling book such a joy to read.
Last but not least, at the beginning of the book you'll find two beautifully drawn maps of Britain and Western Europe in the 15th Century.
Storytelling is of a very good quality, for the author has managed in her own kind of fashion to make this a wonderful gripping tale where real human emotions and devotions come to the forefront, by simply showing us how the characters really feel, live and act within this tale.
The story is set, in my opinion and by reading the author's note, as from the year AD 1483 until AD 1485, and it really starts off after the death of King Edward IV, and when Jack Wynter, bastard son, mercenary soldier and keeper of a powerful secret, is forced to head back to England from Seville, where he has lived for some years, to try to help his father Sir Thomas Vaughan, who's been arrested for treason.
What follows is a fascinating tale in which Jack Wynter has to deal with a world of intrigue, corruption, mystery and war, besides that he has to deal with the taunts and attempts on his life by his vengeful half-brother Harry, and to survive within this dangerous and foul world he must find the strength and believe if he wants to overcome all these ordeals.
Highly recommended, for this book is for certain "A Very Gripping Opening Scene"!
December 22, 2016
After a trilogy of books about Robert The Bruce, followed by a Templar trilogy, Young moves forward in history to the War of the Roses, the short reign of Richard III (who apparently did not say, "A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse") and a rather convoluted story about a map, a secret society, the downfall of Richard and the end of the Plantagenants as rulers of England and the ascension of the Tudors, led by Henry Tudor, or Henry VII. Yep, the father of Henry VIII. Lots of very realistic battle scenes, it keeps moving right along and doesn't get bogged down in meaningless details. The only problem is there are so many characters! You literally can't tell the characters without a scorecard for the first 100 or so pages by which time you'll finally figure out who's who. But, realistically, you have to have a lot of characters when you're writing about a real period in history because there were a lot of people involved! You have to believe that the next installment will focus more on the characters who wound up central to the plot in this one which will make that scorecard unnecessary.
For those who are interested in a rip-roaring trip through the history of England - highly recommended. If not, well, there's always Harry Potter.
For those who are interested in a rip-roaring trip through the history of England - highly recommended. If not, well, there's always Harry Potter.
December 15, 2016
This book probably deserves 4 stars, it's a very good read but I found myself getting lost with so many characters (many with multiple names & titles), how they are interrelated, and moreso the fact that all of this was constantly evolving as loyalties were being broken & then forged anew... If I had read this book in a two or three weeks (rather than months), I'd have found it a lot easier to follow.
So, I recommend you read this as quickly as you can.
There's a very rich description of olde England and other parts of France & Spain; I found it very easy to become immersed in this world. The story itself is an interesting one, if a little difficult to keep track of, but patience will be rewarded towards the end when everything begins to fall into place.
So, I recommend you read this as quickly as you can.
There's a very rich description of olde England and other parts of France & Spain; I found it very easy to become immersed in this world. The story itself is an interesting one, if a little difficult to keep track of, but patience will be rewarded towards the end when everything begins to fall into place.
August 24, 2016
As a great fan of Robyn Young books, I can only say this is her best to date and as her series tend to come in three`s I only hope the next one will not be to long in appearing. Once again we have great research and the attention to detail takes you back to England just after the War of the Roses and like all good storytellers Robyn has you captivate from page one. The high light of the book for me and there are many, was the fight in the Bank of Medici , a great bit of swashbuckling.
November 10, 2016
I received Robyn Young's book in a Goodreads giveaway and have to say it is one of the best historical novels I have read in a long time. It is the first of a new series set at the close of the Wars of the Roses and is thoroughly well researched, with great characters both real and imaginary. There are some fascinating theories put forward about Richard III, the young Princes in the Tower and the Woodvilles and and I am now a firm fan and cannot wait for the next episode in this series.
Want to read
January 30, 2017Book 2, Court of Wolves, will be out this July!
Reference: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...
Reference: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...
July 11, 2019
Solid start to a new series, I am interested to see where it goes. The alternate view surrounding the Princes in the Tower is compelling.
October 10, 2020
Meinung
Bei diesem Buch habe ich mich überraschen lassen, denn es liegt eigentlich nicht in meinen Genre Bereich. Doch im Nachhinein muss ich gestehen, hat mich das Buch positiv überrascht.
Die Autorin hat einen sehr schönen Schreibstil der sehr Detailgetreu ist. Ebenfalls kann man sagen, dass hier eine gute Recherche dabei liegt, denn neben Fiktion, lassen sich hier auch eine Menge wahrer Begebenheiten und Geschichte finden.
Ich muss gestehen, dass ich gleich zu Beginn mit den ersten 100 Seiten kämpfen musste, denn die Geschichte startet gleich und ist ziemlich Komplex. Was ich auf der einen Seite sehr gut gefunden habe, auf der anderen Seite mich das Ganze aber einfach überfordert hat. Denn gleich von der ersten Seite an gerät man in die Machenschaften der beiden Häuser York und Gloucester. Hier ist das ganze etwas Zäh, da man sehr genau lesen muss um ja nichts zu verpassen.
Hin und wieder hätte ich mir zu gerne eine Art Stammbaum oder dergleichen gewünscht, einfach das man einen bessern überblick hat, wer mit wem Verwand ist. Zur besseren Stütze sozusagen. Nach und nach habe ich mich aber besser zurecht gefunden und man kann klarere Linien ziehen. Auch wurde für mich der Perspektiv Wechsel ersichtlicher, denn man schlüpft hier gleich in mehrere Charaktere.
Einmal in die Geschichte hineingefunden war von einem Kampf nicht mehr die Spur, bis natürlich die wo im Buch beschrieben werden. Hier hat die Autorin wirklich für klasse Kopf Kino gesorgt, denn die Kampfszenen sind so spannend geschildert, fast schon ein wenig Blutrünstig. Aber ich muss gestehen, es hat mir sehr gut gefallen.
Die ganzen Intrigen sind sehr schön durchdacht und regt den Leser an mit zu Rätseln was es mit der Kiste und den Plänen der einzelnen Charaktere auf sich hat und sorgen für Spannung. Ehrlich gesagt kann ich mich an keine Stelle erinnern die irgendwie hätte langweilig sein könne, denn es passiert wirklich immer etwas.
Romanzen im Buch sind nicht wirklich zu finden, manchmal gibt es Situationen wo man als Schnulzen Leser vielleicht einfach zu viel hineininterpretiert könnte. Doch auch das hat mich nicht wirklich stören können, da die Autorin einfach mit der gesamten Story überzeugen konnte.
Die Charaktere finde ich sehr gelungen. Dadurch dass man das Ganze nicht nur aus einer Perspektive geschildert bekommt, taucht man auch in deren Geschichte ein. So sind sie doch sehr überzeugen und Facettenreich. Besonders Jack ist hier sehr schön ausgearbeitet und kann mit seiner Bewegenden Vergangenheit wirklich überzeugen.
Fazit
Ein wirklich gelungener historischer Roman der mit einer tollen Mischung aus Fiktion und Geschichte überzeugen kann. Die Autorin hat einen wirklich genialen Schreibstil der es vermag seine Leser zu fesseln und in eine Welt des 15ten Jahrhunderts entführen zu können. Einzig kleines Manko an dem Buch ist für mich gewesen, dass ich anfangs nicht recht hineinfinden wollte, da mich die Flut an Informationen wirklich eingeschüchtert hatte und ich Probleme hatte die vielen Charaktere einzuordnen. Das Problem hat sich aber im Laufe des Buches aufgelöst und am Ende ist es für mich ein 4 Stern Buch und bin wirklich schon gespannt wie es weiter geht.
Bei diesem Buch habe ich mich überraschen lassen, denn es liegt eigentlich nicht in meinen Genre Bereich. Doch im Nachhinein muss ich gestehen, hat mich das Buch positiv überrascht.
Die Autorin hat einen sehr schönen Schreibstil der sehr Detailgetreu ist. Ebenfalls kann man sagen, dass hier eine gute Recherche dabei liegt, denn neben Fiktion, lassen sich hier auch eine Menge wahrer Begebenheiten und Geschichte finden.
Ich muss gestehen, dass ich gleich zu Beginn mit den ersten 100 Seiten kämpfen musste, denn die Geschichte startet gleich und ist ziemlich Komplex. Was ich auf der einen Seite sehr gut gefunden habe, auf der anderen Seite mich das Ganze aber einfach überfordert hat. Denn gleich von der ersten Seite an gerät man in die Machenschaften der beiden Häuser York und Gloucester. Hier ist das ganze etwas Zäh, da man sehr genau lesen muss um ja nichts zu verpassen.
Hin und wieder hätte ich mir zu gerne eine Art Stammbaum oder dergleichen gewünscht, einfach das man einen bessern überblick hat, wer mit wem Verwand ist. Zur besseren Stütze sozusagen. Nach und nach habe ich mich aber besser zurecht gefunden und man kann klarere Linien ziehen. Auch wurde für mich der Perspektiv Wechsel ersichtlicher, denn man schlüpft hier gleich in mehrere Charaktere.
Einmal in die Geschichte hineingefunden war von einem Kampf nicht mehr die Spur, bis natürlich die wo im Buch beschrieben werden. Hier hat die Autorin wirklich für klasse Kopf Kino gesorgt, denn die Kampfszenen sind so spannend geschildert, fast schon ein wenig Blutrünstig. Aber ich muss gestehen, es hat mir sehr gut gefallen.
Die ganzen Intrigen sind sehr schön durchdacht und regt den Leser an mit zu Rätseln was es mit der Kiste und den Plänen der einzelnen Charaktere auf sich hat und sorgen für Spannung. Ehrlich gesagt kann ich mich an keine Stelle erinnern die irgendwie hätte langweilig sein könne, denn es passiert wirklich immer etwas.
Romanzen im Buch sind nicht wirklich zu finden, manchmal gibt es Situationen wo man als Schnulzen Leser vielleicht einfach zu viel hineininterpretiert könnte. Doch auch das hat mich nicht wirklich stören können, da die Autorin einfach mit der gesamten Story überzeugen konnte.
Die Charaktere finde ich sehr gelungen. Dadurch dass man das Ganze nicht nur aus einer Perspektive geschildert bekommt, taucht man auch in deren Geschichte ein. So sind sie doch sehr überzeugen und Facettenreich. Besonders Jack ist hier sehr schön ausgearbeitet und kann mit seiner Bewegenden Vergangenheit wirklich überzeugen.
Fazit
Ein wirklich gelungener historischer Roman der mit einer tollen Mischung aus Fiktion und Geschichte überzeugen kann. Die Autorin hat einen wirklich genialen Schreibstil der es vermag seine Leser zu fesseln und in eine Welt des 15ten Jahrhunderts entführen zu können. Einzig kleines Manko an dem Buch ist für mich gewesen, dass ich anfangs nicht recht hineinfinden wollte, da mich die Flut an Informationen wirklich eingeschüchtert hatte und ich Probleme hatte die vielen Charaktere einzuordnen. Das Problem hat sich aber im Laufe des Buches aufgelöst und am Ende ist es für mich ein 4 Stern Buch und bin wirklich schon gespannt wie es weiter geht.
November 23, 2017
I wanted to give this four stars. I really did. Just a short while before I have read a history of the Wars of the Roses and so I felt this would be a great historical fiction as a fun follow up to that. As far as historical fiction goes, it played the part superbly. The depictions of Richard and Henry Tudor were pretty much exactly as I had pictured them to be. The actual battle scenes were only adequate but the drama and the political processes that led to those events were compelling.
The story centers on James "Jack" Wynter, the bastard child of Thomas Vaughan (Who I don't picture to be the noble good guy portrayed here). He is in Seville protecting a secret map that hints of a new world beyond the ocean. While Wynter is in Seville, Richard betrays the heir apparent about to be crowned (Prince Edward) and sets himself up as king. While this final saga of the decades long War of the Roses simultaneously, there is an "evil" group trying to find where this map has been hidden so they can destroy it as well as a "good" group trying to figure out where Vaughan had hidden it for safekeeping before the Richard the usurper had him killed for treason. Meanwhile, Jack Wynter has no idea who to trust and who to run from and his search for answers ends up getting him swept into the grander schemes of this civil war.
All of this was playing out nicely until finally we get to the "big reveal" of who these two groups are. It ends up being so cliche I was half tempted to just dnf the book even though I was already more than 80% done. I did finish and I probably will continue on with the sequels but only because I already have them on my computer. If this was something I had to pay money on, I definitely wouldn't. Overall I give this book 4.5 stars when it comes to historical fiction, or maybe just 4. But I also give this book a generous 2 stars tops for being a cheap hack, unoriginal poor parody of a cliche secret Illuminati society type novel.
The story centers on James "Jack" Wynter, the bastard child of Thomas Vaughan (Who I don't picture to be the noble good guy portrayed here). He is in Seville protecting a secret map that hints of a new world beyond the ocean. While Wynter is in Seville, Richard betrays the heir apparent about to be crowned (Prince Edward) and sets himself up as king. While this final saga of the decades long War of the Roses simultaneously, there is an "evil" group trying to find where this map has been hidden so they can destroy it as well as a "good" group trying to figure out where Vaughan had hidden it for safekeeping before the Richard the usurper had him killed for treason. Meanwhile, Jack Wynter has no idea who to trust and who to run from and his search for answers ends up getting him swept into the grander schemes of this civil war.
All of this was playing out nicely until finally we get to the "big reveal" of who these two groups are. It ends up being so cliche I was half tempted to just dnf the book even though I was already more than 80% done. I did finish and I probably will continue on with the sequels but only because I already have them on my computer. If this was something I had to pay money on, I definitely wouldn't. Overall I give this book 4.5 stars when it comes to historical fiction, or maybe just 4. But I also give this book a generous 2 stars tops for being a cheap hack, unoriginal poor parody of a cliche secret Illuminati society type novel.
June 4, 2017
I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
It is my first book by this author, and I don´t really know what happened during that period in England, so I decided to just jump into the story and no worry if it is historically accurate or not.
It was maybe the best book I read in May, it suffered a bit as I refused to leave it home and was squashed in maybe too small bags.
We follow Jack on his epic journey through adulthood and through so many conspiracies that it was hard to follow who was with who and who against whom. His father left him a very important mission and more important burden that he needs to protect in the mid of a new coronation at the head of England.
The action is not very fast paced and luckily there is not a lot going on, which is very much appreciated when there is so many new characters appearing at each chapters.
I am very happy to hear that this is just the first opus, as I would be sad to leave Jack now; I want to learn more about Amelot (my favorite), I want to know who were the other mercenaries and if we will know more about the Princes.
The main action is set up in London during the beginning of the reign of the new King Richard III, with a lot of political turmoil’s, with some part in France. As a Londoner I was happy to try to imagine the London from the book, compared to our 2017 London.
I heartily recommend this book for all the historical, political and adventure lovers.
It is my first book by this author, and I don´t really know what happened during that period in England, so I decided to just jump into the story and no worry if it is historically accurate or not.
It was maybe the best book I read in May, it suffered a bit as I refused to leave it home and was squashed in maybe too small bags.
We follow Jack on his epic journey through adulthood and through so many conspiracies that it was hard to follow who was with who and who against whom. His father left him a very important mission and more important burden that he needs to protect in the mid of a new coronation at the head of England.
The action is not very fast paced and luckily there is not a lot going on, which is very much appreciated when there is so many new characters appearing at each chapters.
I am very happy to hear that this is just the first opus, as I would be sad to leave Jack now; I want to learn more about Amelot (my favorite), I want to know who were the other mercenaries and if we will know more about the Princes.
The main action is set up in London during the beginning of the reign of the new King Richard III, with a lot of political turmoil’s, with some part in France. As a Londoner I was happy to try to imagine the London from the book, compared to our 2017 London.
I heartily recommend this book for all the historical, political and adventure lovers.
December 15, 2019
This semi-fictional book begins it's story in the final years of the wars of the roses, around the time of Henry Tudor's rise to prominence. The book borrows part of the overall plot from historical events, but also injects plenty of it's own fiction and posing it's own theories for historical uncertainties.
The thing I struggled with the most in this book are the huge time gaps. The fictional plot revolves around a few characters, who all follow their own story arcs. However, because many of these arcs are dependent on political movements that actually happened, the plot will often necessitate that these very personal stories be suspended for months on end. So characters will find themselves sat around doing nothing, which the narrative does jump over as it must. However, it adds a degree of separation to these stories that ultimately makes connecting to them very difficult. This wouldn't be an issue if the nature of the individual stories weren't as pressing.
It's okay for historical kings and lords to sit around for months on end and still write a cohesive story about them and their political maneuverings (because those maneuvers do take that long). It's far more difficult to do so for unknown fictional characters with personal stories as all urgency in their story completely dissipates.
Not a bad book, but if you're after compelling fiction about the war of the roses, try Conn Iggulden's series instead.
The thing I struggled with the most in this book are the huge time gaps. The fictional plot revolves around a few characters, who all follow their own story arcs. However, because many of these arcs are dependent on political movements that actually happened, the plot will often necessitate that these very personal stories be suspended for months on end. So characters will find themselves sat around doing nothing, which the narrative does jump over as it must. However, it adds a degree of separation to these stories that ultimately makes connecting to them very difficult. This wouldn't be an issue if the nature of the individual stories weren't as pressing.
It's okay for historical kings and lords to sit around for months on end and still write a cohesive story about them and their political maneuverings (because those maneuvers do take that long). It's far more difficult to do so for unknown fictional characters with personal stories as all urgency in their story completely dissipates.
Not a bad book, but if you're after compelling fiction about the war of the roses, try Conn Iggulden's series instead.
October 27, 2018
Unfortunately I slogged through this book which is such a shame as I very much enjoyed Robyn’s two other trilogies.
I thought perhaps it was my state of mind but I’ve since started reading another book and I’m getting into that one much more easily.
I think the narrative of this book was too slow. There are so many descriptions that at times I found myself skipping over them. Also the subject matter didn’t hold my interest as much as I thought I would, this could be content fatigue though as I’ve read a lot of books set around the time of the wars of the roses.
I also didn’t really like the mystery part of the story and found this complicated an already pretty complicated political situation.
The writing is impeccably researched just didn’t quiet hold my attention enough to make the book one of my must reads.
I thought perhaps it was my state of mind but I’ve since started reading another book and I’m getting into that one much more easily.
I think the narrative of this book was too slow. There are so many descriptions that at times I found myself skipping over them. Also the subject matter didn’t hold my interest as much as I thought I would, this could be content fatigue though as I’ve read a lot of books set around the time of the wars of the roses.
I also didn’t really like the mystery part of the story and found this complicated an already pretty complicated political situation.
The writing is impeccably researched just didn’t quiet hold my attention enough to make the book one of my must reads.
May 1, 2020
Ce roman nous propulse en Angleterre, au moment ou la guerre des "Deux-Roses" s'achève : vers l'année 1483.
Le coté historique m'a passionné. Après avoir refermé le livre J'ai eu une envie irrépressible d'effectuer quelques recherches sur la période concernée (merci Wikipédia)...
La plume de l'autrice est agréable et reste fluide malgré les nombreuses descriptions et mise en situation inhérente au roman historique.
Petit bémol sur les personnages auxquels Je n'ai pas réussi à m'attacher.
En bref, j'ai passé plutôt un bon moment avec ce roman. La partie historique est très intéressante mais il l'histoire en elle-même ne me laissera pas un souvenir impérissable et sera vite oubliée...
Le coté historique m'a passionné. Après avoir refermé le livre J'ai eu une envie irrépressible d'effectuer quelques recherches sur la période concernée (merci Wikipédia)...
La plume de l'autrice est agréable et reste fluide malgré les nombreuses descriptions et mise en situation inhérente au roman historique.
Petit bémol sur les personnages auxquels Je n'ai pas réussi à m'attacher.
En bref, j'ai passé plutôt un bon moment avec ce roman. La partie historique est très intéressante mais il l'histoire en elle-même ne me laissera pas un souvenir impérissable et sera vite oubliée...
June 5, 2017
I thought Sons of the Blood was moderately good, good enough that I'll probably read the next book in the trilogy, but not great.
My main gripe is that it took 2/3 or 3/4 of the book before we got to the exciting bits where I was finally emotionally committed to finding out what was going to happen next. Maybe this is the effect of a trilogy where the author sees the greater story and spends a lot of the first book on introductions, but I think we could have gotten past that bit sooner.
I did really like the mystery and the idea behind it.I think she could have developed it a bit better and left less loose ends, but maybe it'll get more flushed out in the next books.
My main gripe is that it took 2/3 or 3/4 of the book before we got to the exciting bits where I was finally emotionally committed to finding out what was going to happen next. Maybe this is the effect of a trilogy where the author sees the greater story and spends a lot of the first book on introductions, but I think we could have gotten past that bit sooner.
I did really like the mystery and the idea behind it.I think she could have developed it a bit better and left less loose ends, but maybe it'll get more flushed out in the next books.
July 7, 2018
Oh, the joy of reading of a battle tactic successfully defeating the evil king. A classic drama all the way.
I have loved reading tales of knights and battles since I was a kid and by growing up have wanted the stories more and more to be complex, where no one is only a hero or a villain. Robyn Young does that kind of story once more.
As this is her third set of books I'm reading it's not the best of them, all the same this is a thrilling book and rewarding getting through the 500 pages. I want more of this.
I have loved reading tales of knights and battles since I was a kid and by growing up have wanted the stories more and more to be complex, where no one is only a hero or a villain. Robyn Young does that kind of story once more.
As this is her third set of books I'm reading it's not the best of them, all the same this is a thrilling book and rewarding getting through the 500 pages. I want more of this.
September 15, 2017
I was lucky to receive a copy of this through Goodreads giveaways for an impartial review
I am glad that I did. I have always enjoyed reading fiction set around the 15th Century and this did not let me down. The main characters surround the Wars of the Roses and their storylines intertwine the facts that are known of that time. It does, however, have a mysterious twist that will hopefully lead to more action and conspiracy in the next books. I look forward to reading them.
I am glad that I did. I have always enjoyed reading fiction set around the 15th Century and this did not let me down. The main characters surround the Wars of the Roses and their storylines intertwine the facts that are known of that time. It does, however, have a mysterious twist that will hopefully lead to more action and conspiracy in the next books. I look forward to reading them.
April 11, 2018
2.5 stars. This book was fine - not gripping but nothing bad about it - until the end. I would have given it three stars had the ending not been such a disappointment. Not that I was invested in the characters really, but the book ends with them failing to do either of the things they’ve been trying to do the whole book. It’s not even a dramatic failure where they die trying or something, it just feels super anticlimactic and lame.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2021
Robyn Young is one of my favourite authors and having read all her other books I knew I was in for a good read. I was not disappointed, this novel is set at the time of Richard III and his rise to becoming king and his downfall. As with her other novels Robyn Young blends fact and fiction excellently, I put her up there with likes of CJ Sansom and Kate Mosse. This is an excellent book, really recommend it.
November 14, 2017
Robyn Young, non mi stancherò di ripeterlo, ha fatto un lavoro grandioso nello spolverare un’epoca sanguinosa e violenta, rendendola intrigante e, a tratti, attuale ma anche suggestiva. Un romanzo che non dovrebbe mancare nelle librerie degli appassionati del genere.
Continua a leggere: http://stambergadinchiostro.altervist...
Continua a leggere: http://stambergadinchiostro.altervist...
August 14, 2018
Good reading.
Very good bok, basis of historical fact couched in fiction.
I only wish they would permit DNA testing of the White Tower remains, & solve the mystery of whom they belong to.
Have to admit I like the idea of one escaping!
This is the first Robyn Young book i have read, but it definitely be the last
Very good bok, basis of historical fact couched in fiction.
I only wish they would permit DNA testing of the White Tower remains, & solve the mystery of whom they belong to.
Have to admit I like the idea of one escaping!
This is the first Robyn Young book i have read, but it definitely be the last
October 22, 2016
Roses Book
A very complex period of history to address, however, a solid plot, entertaining, and I now look forward to the development of the central character and plot in the next book
A very complex period of history to address, however, a solid plot, entertaining, and I now look forward to the development of the central character and plot in the next book
June 7, 2018
I've read a lot of books regarding this era of history, being an avid Richard III supporter (he wasn't the underdog then, but he is to history!) - this book was a really refreshing change, with another pltline that made me want to turn the page, and full interesting well-rounded characters x
December 30, 2020
Someone needs to tell Young to lay off the adverbs and adjectives. The plotline of this novel was relatively interesting, but didn't quite come together for me. The writing was the true struggle. This book could easily have been half as long and twice as good just by removing the copious amounts of unnecessary descriptions. I personally wouldn't read anything further by Young for this reason.
October 3, 2017
Not exactly the most gripping book I have read this year.
July 21, 2018
An enlightening and interesting take on the battle of the roses. The names are a bit of a confusion but can become getting used to.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews