Pestilence

Second Son Chronicles #3

by Pamela Taylor

At the dawn of the Renaissance, Alfred - the eponymous second son - must discover the special destiny foreseen for him by his grandfather. Now, the unthinkable has happened: Alfred’s brother is king. And it isn’t long before everyone’s worst fears are realized. Traditional allegiances are shattered under a style of rule unknown since the grand bargain that formed the kingdom was struck over two hundred years ago. These will be the most dangerous years of Alfred’s life, forcing him to re-examine his duty to personal honor and to the kingdom, while the threats posed by his brother constantly remind him of his father’s final words of advice. What choices will he have to make to try to protect the things he holds most dear?

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction

234 pages, Paperback

Published June 11, 2020

About the author

Pamela Taylor brings her love of history to the art of story-telling. An avid reader of historical fact and fiction throughout her life, she finds the past offers rich sources for character, ambiance, and plot that allow readers to escape into a world totally unlike their daily lives.

“I’d tried my hand at several ideas and wasn’t quite satisfied with any of them,” she says. “I’ve always been intrigued by the importance of first sentences and first paragraphs. So when the opening of Second Son came to me, utterly unbidden, during one of those nights when one’s mind won’t shut down and let sleep take over, I knew I had to see where it would take me.

“Once I found Alfred’s voice, his story began to unfold. By the end of the first book, I was completely in love with him and knew that he had so much more to tell.

“Step into Alfred’s world. Once you do, I’m confident you’ll be as eager as I’ve been to discover what happens next.”

Reviews

[A.J. Sefton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pestilence is a fantasy series about a feuding family dynasty. Like a disease, the thirst for power spreads quickly and kills many.

This is the third in the series but stands alone; however it is preferable to read the previous books to get to know the characters better and more quickly. The story is set in a fictitious kingdom that sounds European and Anglo-Saxon. There is a familiarity with the characters having the names of English kings - Edward, Alfred, Harold and John for example - but these are not the men from history and therefore the story messes with the foundations somewhat, particularly Alfred when he starts keeping a record of events in the same way King Alfred the Great did.

Fortunately the story takes over as the characters show the displaced and fractured loyalties, conspiracies and plotting. Written in the first person, present tense, from the point of view of Alfred (the eponymous Second Son), this is where the reader's focus is. The internal conflict between maintaining integrity alongside the fear of treason and the age-old sibling rivalry is central. The mother of the feuding sons serves to hone in on dysfunctional families and uses subterfuge to further the plot.

There is a Medieval feel to this family saga with the many knights trying to win favour and seek reward, heretics and priests, as well as ancient references to lands 'across the sea' and other Norse-sounding names. At the same time there is something very current about the situations the characters find themselves in...and I don't mean the pestilence, either. A pleasant, easy to read, engaging story.

[kathleen r. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this book a try, but I failed. The story never goes anywhere near a "pestilence" until perhaps the last five pages, even then describing only a fever and numerous deaths, but from what, no one knows. Second son, Alfred, apparently is exposed to this fever, and is on the verge of collapse, but at the last moment, apparently he reaches his home and family....safely. The story ends abruptly, therefore, no conclusion can be reached.
The problems I have with this series is of course, it is fantasy. Although the names of many of the characters were also those of some well known and remembered actual historical figures, there is no connection to real life. But regional accents depicted, such as "T'was, T'were, "ere" and "dinna" are all very Anglo-Saxon and/or Scots in nature. So are we to think this place is just south of the British Isles, or North of the Scandinavian territories? Again, I realize it's fantasy, but it's hard to imagine a "Kingdom of the Territories" or next to
"The Peaks" without some reference to geography, no matter how fantastical it is supposed to be.
For contextual setting therefore, the reader is left to their own assumptions.

In the book, there are two brothers. One is kind, caring, intelligent and progressive. The other is harsh, selfish, conceited, vain, and rather stupid. Guess which one is king?

Of course. Much like 47, the stupid one is the king. And a bad, bad king to boot. But the second son, the brother Alfred, is the hero, albeit powerless and despised by his royal brother. One makes seemingly intentional, horrible, cruel mistakes, the other seeks to counteract and correct. Back and forth, one plays against the other in a pointless struggle that eventually becomes a one-sided war. This "war" is entered into against non-aggressor border "nations", there's not much hope for the King to win-and of course, he doesn't. This will probably play out over the next two books in the series.

Interestingly, most persons in the book seem to be very fond of brandy, as a refreshment, a restorative or a medicinal liquor. Brandy was not invented until 1311-1411, first distilled in France by Benedictine monks, so there might be a location and a time frame for reference from that, but I doubt it. When Alfred is writing his narrative of John's "reign" the only reference given is the "14th or the 15th
of that name, in the 213th year since the founding of the kingdom"....This is vague and pointless. It doesn't give enough information to actually understand the dynasty, if that is what it might be. But apparently, they enjoyed brandy. I will give them that.
Again, I realize, it's fantasy, but it needs a starting point to develop an understanding of the nature of the kingdom, the hierarchy, the politicals scene and the powers that propel this dynasty through time. Whenever that "time" is.

There are too many contextual ad lib moments to offer other points. There is a great deal of emphasis on hygiene, stating that the current Queen is, apparently, challenged to achieve and maintain personal cleanliness. I don't know why that would be important, but it does mock her status as a royal person, so she is treated with much less respect than might normally be given.

Of some interest, there is a puzzle gateway to the royal library, a place that the current King apparently discards as unnecessary, while Alfred and many others revere it with awe and respect for the manuscripts and texts stored within. This puzzle is part of the final key to trying to put John in his place, and although Alfred is not attempting to overthrow his accepted government, he does seem to be active in keeping it rather useless and ineffective. In his zeal to prevent King John from destroying this library, the puzzle is utilized as a device to allow the library contents to be rescued and removed to safety.

To me, fantasy is about dragons, dungeons and trolls. Good kings and bad brothers notwithstanding, I suppose there is some entertainment value here, but the story is juvenile and plods along at a dogged pace. I think it might best be directed at 8th grade reading level, since the text is simple and keeps any action to a minimum. There is no real complexity to the strategy or the concepts of governance.

One point I stumbled over is that if Alfred is so consumed by love and devotion to his loyal wife, Gwen, why on earth does he tumble a wench who captivates his imagination, giving vent only to lust and not to any other respectable concept? That makes him as base as his whore-mongering brother King John, whose liaisons "must never be seen in the corridors". That one sarcastic riddle and jibe is part of the basis for the machinations that allow Alfred to, once again, assume some sort of mastery over his base-thinking but royal brother. I thought it was kind of a snide and crude gaffe, and definitely shows some type of willingness to deceive on the part of the saintly Alfred. He might be heroic, but he is flawed and rather common, to not be able to control his lust even for just a few moments. It seemed to be a tacky and pointless artifice that didn't do anything to establish Alfred as a truly decent man. He's as flawed as anyone else, the pretence is annoying and graceless. Noble and intelligent he might be, but he has the morals of a snake, and doesn't seem to care about his vow to his wife in the moment he indulges his sexual thirst. Not much to admire, there.
All in all, the author tries, but this series is lost on me. I doubt I will read more.

[Jean Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Son Chronicles by Pamela Taylor

Vol 1- Second Son

Vol 2- My Father, My King

Vol 3- Pestilence

Genre- Historical Fiction/ Fantasy

Publisher- Black Rose Writing

Published- 2018, 2019, 2020

Available: ebook, paperback

Series: yes



Sex: 💗 mild

Violence:😨 mild



Reviewers Note: I was given a free copy of all three books in exchange for a fair and honest review.



The Plot in Brief: The Second Son Chronicles follows Lord Alfred, second son of the second son of the ruling house. In book one, Alfred is captured while on a mission for his Grandfather, the king. While captive he reflects on his life as the second son and despite his distance from the crown, his grandfather's belief that his destiny holds great promise. Back in the present, he must escape his captor and return to his family. Book two opens with the death his beloved grandfather and sees the rise in turn of his uncle and his father to the throne. Each has their own management style and each value Alfred's ability as a trusted advisor. In book three, Alfred's feckless brother John, the first born, assumes the throne and in a matter of weeks, dismantles all the positive gains of his ancestors, setting the kingdom on a course of destruction.



The Characters: I enjoyed Lord Alfred and following his progress over the course of the series. He is virtuous and steadfast in his loyalties. Gwen, his smart, progressive and loving wife is his female counterpart. Virtually all of the characters are model citizens save his brother John, who is bad from the get-go, he is Alfred's foil. John's wife is a stark contrast to the lovely Gwen. Gundrea is a difficult foreign-born woman who ways are antithesis to the women of the kingdom. She is portrayed as dirty, ignorant and a slave to her religion. The characters line up in stark contrast to each other, in a good versus evil playbook.



The History: Although described as historical fiction, the setting for this story is imaginary as are all the characters. The time period is described as the dawn of the Renaissance, but I'm not sure you can translate this book into real history. I would say it has more the flavor of that time, with kings, queens, lords and ladies, castles and knights, all the accouterments of medieval Europe.



The Writing: Normally I would start this by saying how much I dislike stories written in first person/present tense. But, this was extremely well done and I barely noticed the present tense. This is not easy to pull off so kudos to Pamela Taylor for a job very well done. The pace is crisp, the narrative zips along and held my interest. I found book one and book three to be a bit more engaging, especially book three when things start to go wrong. The editing is tight and I don't think I spotted a single typo, a rare feat these days.



Overall: These books read, to my mind, more like an adult fable than historical fiction. The characters are very predictable and their actions unsurprising. Alfred has a touch of the 'chosen one' in his character, we hope he will ultimately save the day. He and his brother John seem more like allegorical characters than real people. This seems to be especially true in book 3, Pestilence, in which you could make the case, is a reflection on the current state of affairs. The title of the book is a bit misleading, yes an epidemic occurs, but not until the latter scenes, the true pestilence is King John whose actions bring his once thriving kingdom to it's knees. I have no idea if this was the author's intent, or if it was just my Covid isolation interpretation of her writing.



I really enjoyed this series, I found the stories engaging and appreciated the writing. I am hoping that there is a forthcoming book as I would like to know what happens to Lord Alfred and his family.



Recommendations: I highly recommend these book to readers of historical fiction/ historical fantasy, lovers of kings, queens and knightly stories.



I rate these books 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and give them a readers choice award!

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told from the perspective of Lord Alfred, the favoured second son of the late King Harold and second in line to the throne, Pestilence takes the reader into a fictional kingdom where its traditions and customs are being eroded by the whims of a power-hungry and selfish King John. His demands and changes disrupt the peaceful lives of those at court and while the royal family look upon some of these with amusement, they dare not disobey.

Lord Alfred is aware that his position is tenuous due to the strained relationship he has with his brother. To avoid conflict, he removes himself and his family from court, hoping that his absence will shield him from King John's focus and allow him to write a chronicle of events for posterity.

It soon becomes clear that King John is on a path to avenge every slight made against him in the past. Well-respected lords and knights are dismissed from long held and trusted positions to be replaced with men of dubious character. Family are not exempt from this purge. King John's mismanagement brings poverty, fear and unrest to the realm, but of greater concern is the purpose of the army that he is amassing.

Even though this is the third book in the series, it works well as a stand-alone. However, I would have liked more physical descriptions of the characters, such as their ages etc. This may have been addressed in the previous two novels and is probably not an issue for those that started the series from the beginning. Regardless, the moral qualities of the characters and their allegiances are apparent as the story unfolds and makes their reactions to King John's dictates very credible, and the risks they are willing to take to protect their families and the future of the kingdom.

Pestilence is a fast-paced, easy read, with plenty of action to satisfy the discerning historical reader. Despite its fictional setting, the threads taken from history are smoothly integrated into the narrative. The use of traditional English names (Harold, Alfred and John) immediately give it that medieval flavour and help create a believable world. The women, too, are a presence here: the Dowager Queen, Alice, exerts her influence on King John as no-one else can and Lord Alfred's wife, Gwen, is also a woman of courage and sense.

While I may not go back to read the first two volumes, I would like to know what happens to Lord Alfred, his family and supporters, and the kingdom. So I will be looking out for the next book in the series.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Review Copy.

One might suggest that reading Pamela Taylor's third volume in her Second Son Chronicles, entitled Pestilence, during the recent difficult weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic might have been an unfortunate choice on my part. What I discovered, however, was that the health-related parallels between her characters' world and ours (albeit coincidental), made me wonder if and what other similarities might be layered into the story.

At the heart of Ms. Taylor's Chronicles series (and indeed, its dedication) lies the question of whether thoughtfulness, compassion, respect, and rational dialogue can triumph over bigotry, greed, mistrust, and self-righteousness -- and at what cost? Having enjoyed the first two volumes of her series immensely as well-crafted and engaging storytelling, and now on the lookout for subtext, I started to notice rather thought-provoking events and details that provided the basis for considering how many of the challenges that her protagonist Alfred faces remain with us today. I tend to read more rapidly than I should chasing plot developments, but this volume considers some issues detailed and rich enough to justify slowing down and taking a second or third look.

Ms. Taylor's characters are finely drawn, from her primary circle surrounding Alfred to secondary and even passing players, who are detailed and realistic, enriching the sense of family and kingdom well beyond Alfred's immediate family and bringing his world to life.

I fully enjoyed this finely textured and engaging story and now find myself impatient with its cliff-hanger of an ending, waiting for the next chapter of Alfred's life.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Please note: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.)

I have always had a fascination with medieval and renaissance times, especially with the royalty. Pamela Taylor’s historical novel takes place in an imaginary realm, complete with lords, ladies, kings and peasants, much like a medieval world.
It is the third book in her Second Son Chronicles and although it can be read as a stand-alone (which I did), I feel it would be enhanced by reading the other books.
I was quickly drawn into the conflict between Lord Alfred, the second son, and his older brother John who is crowned king.
It is Alfred’s voice who narrates the story and even provides a recorded history of what befalls the kingdom. I was fully invested in following his struggles – with John, with his loyalty to his kingdom vs loyalty to John. There is lots of action, plotting, and fascinating characters.
As I read, I could not help but compare the indifferent, incompetent king, the resulting lawlessness and the hatred towards immigrants (and even the pestilence) with what is happening today.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and highly recommend it. With the cliff-hanger at the end, I cannot wait for Book 4!

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

As a fan of ancient history, especially the age of the Vikings and the Angelo-Saxon days of early Europe, it was a treat to see a setting in a similar fashion take center stage in this amazing read. Although I have not read the previous two entries in the series, the book does an excellent job of creating a story and atmosphere that holds strong on its own, although for character reference it is probably a good idea to read the first two books.

The author beautifully captured the tone and feel of a classic tale of ancient kingdoms and knights, warring kings, and politically driven family dramas. Although a fictional setting, the influence of history is evident in every page of this book and creates a unique flow of the story as the characters grow and evolve throughout this story.

The Verdict

A must-read novel, author Pamela Taylor has a smith hit with Pestilence, the third book in her Second Son Chronicles. Evenly paced and entertaining, the novel does a great job of leaving readers on the edge of their seats and sets up a cliffhanger ending that should take readers deep into the future of the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

[Sublime Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Rating = 4.67

Storyline & Concept = 4.5

Writing & Delivery = 4.5

Editorial = 5

Pestilence is the third novel in the Second Son Chronicles, and it continues the story of Alfred, an honorable man who values the traditional ways of his ancestry. In this installment of the series, Alfred’s brother inherits the crown and sets aside the welfare of the kingdom for his own gain and petty vengeances.

This novel is a well-written, enthralling account of Alfred’s continued struggles to protect his values and the people he loves and respects. The author’s love of history shines in her creation of mythical kingdoms, characters, and traditions. As is Ms. Taylor’s intent, the novel leaves you yearning for more and eager to read the next in the series. If you haven’t already, you’ll also be keen to read the first two installments of the Second Son series.

Sublime Line: “This is another winning addition to the Second Son series for fans of well-written, captivating historical fiction.”

[Louise Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series of the Second Son Chronicles. This is a standalone book. You do not have to read the other books to be able to know what is going on. However it might be worthwhile as you get to know the characters better and can relate to them more.

The King is dead, it is time for the eldest son to take over the throne. Much to many people's dislike.

King John loves the power of the crown, he can do whatever he wants. He is the King after all. His brother Alfred is constantly kept under his watchful eye.

What will happen to the crown? Will John's power consume him?

A great fantasy story. The book is well written and the author was able to transport me to a magical fantasy place. The plot is full of great twists that keep me on edge.

I did not read the other books but felt I should have in order to get to know the characters properly.
But this book did not disappoint. Brilliant book. I really enjoyed reading it.

[The Christian Book Critic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pestilence is the third book in the second Second Chronicles by Pamela Taylor. It is only fair to admit that I did not read the first two stories in the series; however, the author's keen ability to create a story will allow the reader to understand the concept of this story entirely.
Pestilence occurs during the Renaissance period, with the death of a beloved King and rise of King John, the eldest son, whose egocentric need for power forecast the end of the jubilee period for the Kingdom. King John, driven by the need for power, will stop at nothing to make sure his younger brother, Alfred, never becomes king. Forced to take the advice given to him by his late father, Alfred must leave the castle and conspire with those outside the Kingdom, to protect everything that he holds dear.
Pestilence is one suspense novel that holds your attention from the beginning to the end. I can't wait to read the book in the series.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Review Copy. Ms. Taylor weaves a detailed and captivating story which continues from the first two books in the series. Here Alfred is kept under the watchful eye of his brother John who seemingly is only interested in power, revenge, and conquest. Alfred's telling of the story draws the reader in and creates an emotional bond with the characters of the book as the world and kingdoms that Ms. Taylor has created come to life. The cliff-hangers at the end of each book keep me coming back for more. I can't wait to read the next installment in the series.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the third book in the series and going into this book, I had not read the previous two. The story seemed to continue from the previous book and it took me a little bit to get a feel for the characters. Once I had figured them all out, the story really drew me in. I was transported to a world of kings, queens, knights and battle. I enjoyed Alfred's story and cannot wait to find out what happens next! As I await the fourth book in this series, I will definitely be going back and reading the first two.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two books of the Second Son Chronicles, but this volume is the best to date. The plot is full of high stakes twist and turns and I found it nearly impossible to stop reading every night. Alfred and the kingdom endure all manner of hardships throughout, and neither is safe at the end of this book. Waiting for the next volume to be published will be difficult, but unfortunately it’s the only way I’ll discover what happens next.

[Wytzia Raspe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A royal prince, the second son, sees his older brother destroy their kingdom and he has to fear for his own life. Society is disrupted by hatred against immigrants and a pestilence creates havoc. The king however wants to go to war.
I thought this a slow story in the middle of an epic and as a novel less captivating. Maybe the writer had better combined it with the next one in the series as now you feel like there is an open ending.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Unwise King

Alfred's father has died, and now his older brother is king. John is a foolish and incompetent ruler. He only thinks of his own desires and not what is best for the kingdom. Alfred tries to keep an eye on things but is limited in what he can do since he has to be careful not to appear to be in opposition to his brother. John's neglect of the kingdom leads to poverty, riots, pestilence, and war. Can Alfred and the other lords save the kingdom before it is completely destroyed?

[Jim Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading more about Alfred, Gwendolyn and all the characters in this third book of the Second Son Chronicles. Pamela Taylor knows how to tell a story, and clearly enjoys bringing the reader into a fascinating world that reflects the history of medieval Europe. Now I’m looking forward to book 4!

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

The saga continues

Well this King john, although fictional, reminds me of a real King John. I truly love this story and the author's writing style that I can't stop reading. You will come to feel very comfortable with all the characters and to what happens to them. On to the final book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read keeps me wanting more !!!

I find it hard to put his series down !!! The main characters Alfred and his wife are mesmerizing. I have enjoyed this book and can't wait to start the next !!! Anyone who enjoys a really historical fiction should read this series. They will not be disappointed !!

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful series

This has been a wonderful series so far I'm just sad this was such a short book and now I have to wait for the next and have no idea how long that will be but I am looking forward to it she has a wonderful ability of storytelling and can really grab your interest.

[Jimmy Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Another good story in the series. I feel that the review is not necessary in that if I like a book, I'll want to read the next one. If I don't like it, I'm not going to finish it.

[Karon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 is just as good as 1 & 2

I keep reading, and it just gets better. The story feels very real and yet it is fantasy. Relationships abound and yet the author keeps them all straight.

[richard durand · Rating 5 out of 5]

pestilence

This book is well written as are the other two. Spoiler alert—parts of this story are consistent with the trials and tribulations faced by the world under Trump’s presidency (note I do not say reign).

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come

[Jeffrey A. Dewey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Awesome read with twists and turns as treachery abounds while the royal struggle to maintain the kingdom as King John diminish the realm's integrity.

[david ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

PTSSC

First class read that takes one out of oneself to a place and time that captivates the mind and imaginations that it feels as if you're living it with the characters

[Barbi Vandermolen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m enjoying this series. At times I find myself wishing they went deeper into certain parts of the story but I am always happy that they didn’t. I’m enjoying this adventure with Alfred!

[Sandra Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

very absorbing

The pace and story were very captivating. The characters were vivid. I would tell any one who likes medieval stories to read this one. Read the whole series

[Ray Knighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

The author Pamela Taylor has a great imagination! Lots of thoughts have gone into writing these novels! Now, we need to see how our hero survives!