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Conquest #3
Conquest III: The Anarchy
Unhappily married to Stephen de Marais, the Welsh princess, Nest, becomes increasingly embroiled in her countrymen’s resistance to the Norman occupation of her family lands. She plans to visit King Henry in the hope of securing a life away from her unwanted husband, but grieving for the loss of his son, the King is obsessed with relics and prophecies.
Meanwhile, Haith tries to avoid the reality that Nest is married to another man by distracting himself with the mystery of the shipwreck in which the King’s heir drowned. As Haith pieces together fragments of the tragedy, he discovers a chest full of secrets, but will the revelations bring a culprit to light and aid the grieving King?
Will the two lovers be united as Nest fights for independence and Haith struggles to protect King Henry?
Meanwhile, Haith tries to avoid the reality that Nest is married to another man by distracting himself with the mystery of the shipwreck in which the King’s heir drowned. As Haith pieces together fragments of the tragedy, he discovers a chest full of secrets, but will the revelations bring a culprit to light and aid the grieving King?
Will the two lovers be united as Nest fights for independence and Haith struggles to protect King Henry?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
389 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2020
6 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Tracey Warr
24 books49 followersTracey Warr was born in London, lived in southwest Wales and now lives in southern France. The castles and landscapes of Wales and France inspire her historical fiction. She is the author of six historical novels set in medieval Europe. She draws on old maps, chronicles, poems and objects to create fictional worlds for readers to step into. Sign up for her quarterly newsletter for book offers, events, and articles on writing and publishing. https://justmeandering.substack.com
Her writing awards include an Author’s Foundation Award, a Literature Wales Writer’s Bursary, the Rome Film Festival Book Initiative, and a Santander Research Award.
She has also published books on contemporary art including The Artist's Body and Remote Performances in Nature and Architecture. She is the author of future fiction: Meanda (French edition) and The Water Age and Other Fictions. She has also published the workbooks: The Water Age Art and Writing Workshops and The Water Age Children's Art and Writing Workshops.
Before becoming a full-time writer she worked as a contemporary art curator and art history academic. She teaches on MA Poetics of Imagination at Dartington Arts School, UK.
She is a member of the Society of Authors, the Historical Novel Society, Historical Writers Association.
Her writing awards include an Author’s Foundation Award, a Literature Wales Writer’s Bursary, the Rome Film Festival Book Initiative, and a Santander Research Award.
She has also published books on contemporary art including The Artist's Body and Remote Performances in Nature and Architecture. She is the author of future fiction: Meanda (French edition) and The Water Age and Other Fictions. She has also published the workbooks: The Water Age Art and Writing Workshops and The Water Age Children's Art and Writing Workshops.
Before becoming a full-time writer she worked as a contemporary art curator and art history academic. She teaches on MA Poetics of Imagination at Dartington Arts School, UK.
She is a member of the Society of Authors, the Historical Novel Society, Historical Writers Association.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 18, 2023
Wow what a trilogy that was I myself lived in west wales and had no idea of all the history that was there especially cardigan, so much research and thought has been put into all three books and you won’t be disappointed
April 27, 2023
This was the third book in the series, and I have enjoyed all three books. They are quite long and have lots of details, lots of historical information, and names of people that I can’t always keep straight. As the historical notes in the back of the books say, this is based on history, and it’s amazing how this series encompasses so much and brings it all together. There is a lot going on in The Anarchy. It focuses a lot more on Haith; I felt the story with him trying to find out what happened to The White Ship went on too long, partly because I couldn’t always keep track of the historical names. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 11, 2023
Really love the conclusion of Nest story, such a strong woman that stay strong in all of her misfortunes and did everything to protect her family. I enjoy to observe more chapters in Haith prespective, his chapters almost seem like a dective plot full of intriges and murders when he tries to discover the true behind sinking of The White Ship. King Henry lost his heir in the sinking and know is his reign is treated.
I so happy that Nest and Haith could be together in the end, their love story is so sweet. Both deserve happiness and both suffered too much to not be together.
I so happy that Nest and Haith could be together in the end, their love story is so sweet. Both deserve happiness and both suffered too much to not be together.
October 27, 2024
Kindle edition. I wanted to finish this trilogy but it was a bit of an effort. The complications of Welsh rule and their struggle to repudiate the Normans/English were new information for me and interesting. I got bogged down with the parallel struggles in Normandy and who was involved in the mystery of the White Ship.
October 17, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I’m glad that Nest got her happy ending.
June 2, 2023
This story is the third in a series of three, based on real historical events around the Anglo-Norman kingdom of the late 11th and early 12th century.
Nest has married Stephen de Marais, the Constable at Cardigan Castle. In a cruel twist of fate, her true love Haith - presumed drowned on board the ill-fated White Ship - returns just too late to prevent the marriage.
It turns out that Haith disembarked before the ship sailed; however, he investigates events leading to the sinking and discovers a trail of deception that places his own life in danger.
Haith's sister, Ida, is now a renegade nun, hiding under the protection of King Henry but lives in fear of the bard Breri, one of the few men who can identify her.
Nest's youngest brother Gruffudd and his feisty wife Gwenllian are plotting to overthrow the Normans and reclaim the kingdom of Deheubarth. The Welsh rebels have a plan to mine gold and milk the profits to fund their campaign.
It is a difficult situation for Nest, who is torn between loyalty to her brother and her half-Norman sons who are supporting King Henry.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series about a remarkable and courageous woman. Tracey Warr skilfully depicts the central relationships between Nest and the various men in her life, and there is palpable tension at times as events unfold.
Although Nest has to suffer loss along the way, she is able finally to find the happiness she deserves.
This is a fascinating period in history. So often we read of powerful men and forget the powerful women behind them. Thanks to Tracey Warr, we now know a lot more about Nest ferch Rhys.
I received a review copy of this book for free via Booksirens, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Nest has married Stephen de Marais, the Constable at Cardigan Castle. In a cruel twist of fate, her true love Haith - presumed drowned on board the ill-fated White Ship - returns just too late to prevent the marriage.
It turns out that Haith disembarked before the ship sailed; however, he investigates events leading to the sinking and discovers a trail of deception that places his own life in danger.
Haith's sister, Ida, is now a renegade nun, hiding under the protection of King Henry but lives in fear of the bard Breri, one of the few men who can identify her.
Nest's youngest brother Gruffudd and his feisty wife Gwenllian are plotting to overthrow the Normans and reclaim the kingdom of Deheubarth. The Welsh rebels have a plan to mine gold and milk the profits to fund their campaign.
It is a difficult situation for Nest, who is torn between loyalty to her brother and her half-Norman sons who are supporting King Henry.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series about a remarkable and courageous woman. Tracey Warr skilfully depicts the central relationships between Nest and the various men in her life, and there is palpable tension at times as events unfold.
Although Nest has to suffer loss along the way, she is able finally to find the happiness she deserves.
This is a fascinating period in history. So often we read of powerful men and forget the powerful women behind them. Thanks to Tracey Warr, we now know a lot more about Nest ferch Rhys.
I received a review copy of this book for free via Booksirens, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 4, 2025
One last huzzah for historical fiction!
November 7, 2023
Love this book series.
Enjoyed the drama and the twists and turns of this story line.
Well worth the read.
Enjoyed the drama and the twists and turns of this story line.
Well worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews