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Prince Wulfstan #1
In Two Minds
Hurled twelve hundred years into the past, into someone else’s body, things could hardly be worse. And then the body’s owner wanted it back. Museum curator Thomas and ten year old Anglo Saxon Wulfstan have to cope with a fifty year age gap, a huge culture clash and never knowing from one moment to the next who’s going to be in control. They also face almost certain death in a year’s time because Wulfstan’s father King Offa of Mercia has challenged him to find a team of untrained women who can beat his champions in battle. Out there somewhere are ten amazing women, women with vision, women with courage, women willing to take on the impossible and show the world just what they can do. But where are they, and can Thomas use his knowledge to find some kind of edge within the confines of eighth century Britain with all its colour, violence, ignorance, and a disturbingly cavalier attitude to hygiene?
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2019
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2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 13, 2020
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I loved the idea and the inspiration behind this book!
The blurb for the book really intrigued me and I couldn't wait to get started on the story - and I have to say that it well exceeded my expectations - it was a brilliant story!!
I loved the setting for the book and I thought that the characters were excellent too. They were really well developed and the author really brought them to life. It was a great mix of historical fiction and fantasy that worked really well.
It is 5 stars from me for this one, I thought that it was an excellent story and a brilliant idea and concept - very well written and very highly recommended!!
I loved the idea and the inspiration behind this book!
The blurb for the book really intrigued me and I couldn't wait to get started on the story - and I have to say that it well exceeded my expectations - it was a brilliant story!!
I loved the setting for the book and I thought that the characters were excellent too. They were really well developed and the author really brought them to life. It was a great mix of historical fiction and fantasy that worked really well.
It is 5 stars from me for this one, I thought that it was an excellent story and a brilliant idea and concept - very well written and very highly recommended!!
May 16, 2020
In Two Minds is the fascinating story of what happens if the natural order of dying and going to the afterlife is altered. In the Dark Ages, 10 year old Prince Wulfstan is involved in a very unfortunate accident where he’s running around playing, and is hit in the temple by the hilt of a sword. In present day, Thomas, a museum curator is killed after an incident where he’s blown over a bannister by steam, and lands on an exhibit – straight onto a spear. Separated by year, but seemingly happening at the same time as far as the universe is concerned, the two see each other on their way to the beyond… but are ripped from death after the touch, shooting back down and both entering Wulfstan’s body. Though no one knows why, it’s instantly obvious Wulfstan is different. More mature, wiser, and intent on changing the norm – things his mother, the Queen, is behind, but not everyone feels the same. His father isn’t appreciative of this new, bolder boy, and the two (the King and Thomas) set a bet. Wulfstan has a year to prove he can run a manor healthier, and better, than anyone else, and then defend it. Using only 10 female slaves he’s trained up as warriors. They’ll have to fight against the king’s own men, but Thomas is confident. With all he’s learned, and can teach others, he’s sure they’ll win the bet. So much so, he immediately begins recruiting the same night.
Written in 3rd person with both Thomas and Wulfstan as our main characters, we witness the world through their eyes. The really intriguing part however, is while they’re both in one body, each can spiritually slip free, and travel around, witnessing going ons they wouldn’t otherwise be privy to. We’re also treated to the full Dark Ages experience, with the twist of time travel on Thomas’s part, so gain his understanding and perspective. Both are different characters but work well together. The characterization is impeccably strong in this novel. Thomas is in his 60s, well educated, and has a keen eye for justice. He’s a religious man, but he’s also versed in science and being modern, so has zero time for people who believe God’s will means sitting back and doing nothing. He’s sensitive to not go too far against the grain, but within a few days he makes it clear he does not a for a moment believe the church is above the law. On the other hand, Wulfstan is young, easily upset… and easier to distract. He’s also wonderfully raised, perfectly polite, knows his role in life and already expertly plays the game, but he’s still a child. While Thomas helps Wulfstan grow up, Wulfstan helps Thomas rekindle his youth, and together, they make a formidable force. Every character within this novel is also well realized. The king is externally tough, haughty, and unafraid to hurt anyone’s feelings. He’s also a husband and father, and behind closed doors listens to his wife, and takes all she has to say on board. He loves his children, but the two worlds don’t merge. He, like everyone else, has a role to play.
The women in this though, are where things truly shine. Every woman has an inner strength, and when given the opportunity to rise from the role life has given them, showcase power and confidence. The Queen is the only female character who doesn’t have to overcome anything, but from the moment we see her, she’s assured, well spoken, and commands the room without effort. She loves her husband, and doesn’t do anything to publicly undermine him, but in the privacy of their bedroom, as we get a glimpse of, they’re equals, and she’ll speak her mind. There wasn’t a single woman in this who wasn’t empowering – even if they began as slaves, and physically needed ‘saving’. This is a wonderful novel for fantastic female characters.
The men were also great, but of course this is an egotistical man’s world, so many men come off as arrogant and cocksure. For the setting, it’s perfect, and I adored how immersive the novel is. I could fully imagine the scenes, and after a very short amount of time, I wasn’t seeing words on a page, I was in the moment. If I had to pick a favorite character, I’d have to go with my standard and admit I fell hard for a side character. Hengist, the soldier accidentally responsible for Wulfstan’s death at the start, is just a babe. He carries himself with dignity, despite the punishment he receives, and all the while is actually very modern in thought. He doesn’t seem sexist, or full of himself. He’s kind, listens to everyone, and makes judgements based on consideration. Compared to everyone else, except Wulfstand, Thomas, and a couple others, Hengist is level, and bridges the gap between our leads, and the rest of the world, well. He’s just a sweetheart, what else can I say? If you love novels that are character driven, and show off a wide variety of people, good or bad, this is a fantastic read.
I read this over a couple days, never feeling lost when I needed to take a break or leave it to read a few chapters of something else. The story is beautifully paced, and the plot blossoms naturally, in a fluid, free flowing way. Genuinely, it’s stunning how naturally everything moves. I did wonder, at the very start, what the bulk of the plot would be (as I’m awful and don’t read blurbs, as you know), so when it crept in and announced itself, I was blown away by how it trickled in, and then continued smoothly onto the next scene. The plot as a whole is of course fantastical, but resides firmly in ‘realistic’ time travel. That’s not to say there aren’t out of the box, wonderfully unique ideas at play – it’s just as realistic as possible, which I loved. That pacing though. Umph. It’s glorious. I urge you, if you enjoy a variety of genres, and just want something great, add this to your TBR.
All in all, In Two Minds is a beautifully written novel, that takes a unique, fascinating idea, and continues to add twists and ‘what ifs’ into the world. The perspective its written in is amazing, and by having two characters who can spiritually wander, we see a lot, without head hopping or venturing into omniscient. It’s unusual, in an exciting way, and one I’ll be rereading in the future, and hope you check out.
Written in 3rd person with both Thomas and Wulfstan as our main characters, we witness the world through their eyes. The really intriguing part however, is while they’re both in one body, each can spiritually slip free, and travel around, witnessing going ons they wouldn’t otherwise be privy to. We’re also treated to the full Dark Ages experience, with the twist of time travel on Thomas’s part, so gain his understanding and perspective. Both are different characters but work well together. The characterization is impeccably strong in this novel. Thomas is in his 60s, well educated, and has a keen eye for justice. He’s a religious man, but he’s also versed in science and being modern, so has zero time for people who believe God’s will means sitting back and doing nothing. He’s sensitive to not go too far against the grain, but within a few days he makes it clear he does not a for a moment believe the church is above the law. On the other hand, Wulfstan is young, easily upset… and easier to distract. He’s also wonderfully raised, perfectly polite, knows his role in life and already expertly plays the game, but he’s still a child. While Thomas helps Wulfstan grow up, Wulfstan helps Thomas rekindle his youth, and together, they make a formidable force. Every character within this novel is also well realized. The king is externally tough, haughty, and unafraid to hurt anyone’s feelings. He’s also a husband and father, and behind closed doors listens to his wife, and takes all she has to say on board. He loves his children, but the two worlds don’t merge. He, like everyone else, has a role to play.
The women in this though, are where things truly shine. Every woman has an inner strength, and when given the opportunity to rise from the role life has given them, showcase power and confidence. The Queen is the only female character who doesn’t have to overcome anything, but from the moment we see her, she’s assured, well spoken, and commands the room without effort. She loves her husband, and doesn’t do anything to publicly undermine him, but in the privacy of their bedroom, as we get a glimpse of, they’re equals, and she’ll speak her mind. There wasn’t a single woman in this who wasn’t empowering – even if they began as slaves, and physically needed ‘saving’. This is a wonderful novel for fantastic female characters.
The men were also great, but of course this is an egotistical man’s world, so many men come off as arrogant and cocksure. For the setting, it’s perfect, and I adored how immersive the novel is. I could fully imagine the scenes, and after a very short amount of time, I wasn’t seeing words on a page, I was in the moment. If I had to pick a favorite character, I’d have to go with my standard and admit I fell hard for a side character. Hengist, the soldier accidentally responsible for Wulfstan’s death at the start, is just a babe. He carries himself with dignity, despite the punishment he receives, and all the while is actually very modern in thought. He doesn’t seem sexist, or full of himself. He’s kind, listens to everyone, and makes judgements based on consideration. Compared to everyone else, except Wulfstand, Thomas, and a couple others, Hengist is level, and bridges the gap between our leads, and the rest of the world, well. He’s just a sweetheart, what else can I say? If you love novels that are character driven, and show off a wide variety of people, good or bad, this is a fantastic read.
I read this over a couple days, never feeling lost when I needed to take a break or leave it to read a few chapters of something else. The story is beautifully paced, and the plot blossoms naturally, in a fluid, free flowing way. Genuinely, it’s stunning how naturally everything moves. I did wonder, at the very start, what the bulk of the plot would be (as I’m awful and don’t read blurbs, as you know), so when it crept in and announced itself, I was blown away by how it trickled in, and then continued smoothly onto the next scene. The plot as a whole is of course fantastical, but resides firmly in ‘realistic’ time travel. That’s not to say there aren’t out of the box, wonderfully unique ideas at play – it’s just as realistic as possible, which I loved. That pacing though. Umph. It’s glorious. I urge you, if you enjoy a variety of genres, and just want something great, add this to your TBR.
All in all, In Two Minds is a beautifully written novel, that takes a unique, fascinating idea, and continues to add twists and ‘what ifs’ into the world. The perspective its written in is amazing, and by having two characters who can spiritually wander, we see a lot, without head hopping or venturing into omniscient. It’s unusual, in an exciting way, and one I’ll be rereading in the future, and hope you check out.
May 13, 2020
I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser and the author for letting me take part in this tour and for sending me a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
You will know by now that I adore anything and everything fantasy and historical fiction, and this book gave me everything I want from a great read. The blurb really intrigued me and I am so glad that I decided to pick this one up. We follow our two main characters, Thomas - a present-day old man who is a museum curator - and Wulfstan - a ten-year-old Prince from the Middle Ages - as they both end up in Wulfstan's body after an accident in both their timelines. After recovering from his injuries, Wulfstan, with Thomas inside his body (more like in his mind, not weird like two people in the body), goes down to eat with his family (the king and queen of Mercia and all their attendants) and his father and Wulsftan end up making a bet that he can win a battle in a year's time against one of the king's best warriors. The problem is, Wulfstan can only choose female slaves as his champions.
I don't want to say too more to give anything away, but I absolutely adored this book. I was a bit sceptical about this one at first, but I loved every minute. The setting was so whimsical, the characters were so enjoyable and the female rep was absolutely great! I read a lot of fantasy and science fiction, and oftentimes the female rep isn't great, but the fact that Thomas and Wulfstan would only choose female slaves that had a special spark and that throughout the book, they complimented their uniqueness, gifts and abilities, just made this book so much better. As Thomas is inside Wulfstan's body and their "consciousness" shifts from one to the other without warning, Thomas ends up teaching Wulfstan and the people living in his manor so many things, along with respect of women and it was just great to read about it.
I really loved this book and could gush about it for ages, but if you like fantasy with a touch of historical fiction, especially set in the Middle Ages with strong characters, a really unique plot-line and incredible female rep, this book is for you. I highly recommend and will be reading the next book in the series as soon as I get my hands on it.
You will know by now that I adore anything and everything fantasy and historical fiction, and this book gave me everything I want from a great read. The blurb really intrigued me and I am so glad that I decided to pick this one up. We follow our two main characters, Thomas - a present-day old man who is a museum curator - and Wulfstan - a ten-year-old Prince from the Middle Ages - as they both end up in Wulfstan's body after an accident in both their timelines. After recovering from his injuries, Wulfstan, with Thomas inside his body (more like in his mind, not weird like two people in the body), goes down to eat with his family (the king and queen of Mercia and all their attendants) and his father and Wulsftan end up making a bet that he can win a battle in a year's time against one of the king's best warriors. The problem is, Wulfstan can only choose female slaves as his champions.
I don't want to say too more to give anything away, but I absolutely adored this book. I was a bit sceptical about this one at first, but I loved every minute. The setting was so whimsical, the characters were so enjoyable and the female rep was absolutely great! I read a lot of fantasy and science fiction, and oftentimes the female rep isn't great, but the fact that Thomas and Wulfstan would only choose female slaves that had a special spark and that throughout the book, they complimented their uniqueness, gifts and abilities, just made this book so much better. As Thomas is inside Wulfstan's body and their "consciousness" shifts from one to the other without warning, Thomas ends up teaching Wulfstan and the people living in his manor so many things, along with respect of women and it was just great to read about it.
I really loved this book and could gush about it for ages, but if you like fantasy with a touch of historical fiction, especially set in the Middle Ages with strong characters, a really unique plot-line and incredible female rep, this book is for you. I highly recommend and will be reading the next book in the series as soon as I get my hands on it.
December 16, 2019
Love time displacement books?
Some times one stumbles upon real gems, praise the lord so did I when I found this real gem. I am a big fan of alternative worlds and time displacements when it comes to fiction. Didnt have that big hopes when starting to read the book. I just wanted sth to kill the time while my girlfriend studied the night before her exam. I plowed trough the book all night long, its now 06 sth and I need to take a shower before work. So just one word to all you out there who hesitates whether to read it or not READ IT!
Some times one stumbles upon real gems, praise the lord so did I when I found this real gem. I am a big fan of alternative worlds and time displacements when it comes to fiction. Didnt have that big hopes when starting to read the book. I just wanted sth to kill the time while my girlfriend studied the night before her exam. I plowed trough the book all night long, its now 06 sth and I need to take a shower before work. So just one word to all you out there who hesitates whether to read it or not READ IT!
May 18, 2020
In Two Minds is an incredibly engaging story that is smart, clever, and fascinating. Time displacement tales have always intrigued me, but none so much as this one where an older man named Thomas from our current time ends up on a complicated journey that connects him to a ten-year-old boy in Medieval England. How exciting could a ten-year old’s life be? Remarkably, since he is the son of a king, who has just been challenged by his father to run an estate and raise a team of female warriors who can defeat his number one warlord along with 10 of his best warriors.
Thomas and Wolfstan share the latter’s body and control it as needed. Is it divine intervention or just a cosmic mix-up? That question is put on the back burner as Thomas takes his 21st-century knowledge as a museum curator and advances the ideas of the average medieval mind.
What I loved the most about this story was the formation of an all-female band of warriors who are as endearing as they are amazing fighters. They each have their own set of untapped skills that Thomas quickly acknowledges and utilizes to make what he hopes will be an unstoppable team of warriors. I couldn’t help but be engrossed in their individual stories as well as Thomas / Wolfstan’s. I especially loved Melody being able to choose her name and was intrigued by the unusual glow around her. The fierce independence and determination of Rowena and Berthilda, not to mention Freawaru and Storm, who had me cheering out loud as the story unfolded. It’s always wonderful to read a book that empowers women and showcases their ability to be successful in a man’s world.
I can only imagine what it must have been like to have the wise words of Thomas come out of Wolfstan’s mouth. It must have been disconcerting for the people around him. But, it was easy for me to suspend disbelief and enjoy the story as is – not worrying how crazy that would be.
The modernization of Hengist’s manor and its citizens is creative and many times fun. Thomas tackled hygiene first and from there started crop rotations and slight changes in weapon crafting. Minor changes, but they each had a huge impact and made the medieval setting easy to immerse in. I loved Thomas’ wit and cleverness when dealing with societal problems. He tackled schooling, abuse of powers by priests, and bullying with the same reflective attention to details that he applied to practical matters, showing the citizens what it meant to respect and be respected. He created a whole new world in a short amount of time.
This is the most entertaining story that I have read this year, maybe even longer than that. It has so many elements that make it hard to put down, and that will put a smile on your face.
Thomas and Wolfstan share the latter’s body and control it as needed. Is it divine intervention or just a cosmic mix-up? That question is put on the back burner as Thomas takes his 21st-century knowledge as a museum curator and advances the ideas of the average medieval mind.
What I loved the most about this story was the formation of an all-female band of warriors who are as endearing as they are amazing fighters. They each have their own set of untapped skills that Thomas quickly acknowledges and utilizes to make what he hopes will be an unstoppable team of warriors. I couldn’t help but be engrossed in their individual stories as well as Thomas / Wolfstan’s. I especially loved Melody being able to choose her name and was intrigued by the unusual glow around her. The fierce independence and determination of Rowena and Berthilda, not to mention Freawaru and Storm, who had me cheering out loud as the story unfolded. It’s always wonderful to read a book that empowers women and showcases their ability to be successful in a man’s world.
I can only imagine what it must have been like to have the wise words of Thomas come out of Wolfstan’s mouth. It must have been disconcerting for the people around him. But, it was easy for me to suspend disbelief and enjoy the story as is – not worrying how crazy that would be.
The modernization of Hengist’s manor and its citizens is creative and many times fun. Thomas tackled hygiene first and from there started crop rotations and slight changes in weapon crafting. Minor changes, but they each had a huge impact and made the medieval setting easy to immerse in. I loved Thomas’ wit and cleverness when dealing with societal problems. He tackled schooling, abuse of powers by priests, and bullying with the same reflective attention to details that he applied to practical matters, showing the citizens what it meant to respect and be respected. He created a whole new world in a short amount of time.
This is the most entertaining story that I have read this year, maybe even longer than that. It has so many elements that make it hard to put down, and that will put a smile on your face.
June 26, 2020
In two minds is a time travel fantasy story about a body that shares two personalities, a Museum curator called Thomas and a ten-year-old anglo Saxon Wulfstan. The year gap alongside the difference in culture alone should have made things complicated enough. But still, the story took the reader that extra mile, letting you know that the body could swap personalities at any time.
The fact that two minds had to work together in one body in order to function was fascinating to read, but the story didn’t end there, it had an additional storyline casting ten women who were also just as marvellous.
The work was intricate and required depth for the whole story to work out. The author did an excellent job layering all the storylines, and the dialogue added to its nature of fulfillment. The literature had a fast pace to it, and it paid attention to details where it was needed.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes twisted stories and fantasy readers.
The fact that two minds had to work together in one body in order to function was fascinating to read, but the story didn’t end there, it had an additional storyline casting ten women who were also just as marvellous.
The work was intricate and required depth for the whole story to work out. The author did an excellent job layering all the storylines, and the dialogue added to its nature of fulfillment. The literature had a fast pace to it, and it paid attention to details where it was needed.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes twisted stories and fantasy readers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews