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The Heirs of Anarchy #2
Melusine
Summer 1128
Matilda, once Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, daughter and heir to the King of England, has been married for the sake of politics to Geoffrey, heir to the Count of Anjou; an untested, untitled boy.
Through hard years of marriage, Matilda seeks to maintain her position as heir to the thrones of England and Normandy, and to be seen as a worthy successor to her father. In this time she will encounter monsters, in herself and in others, and will face darkness, deceit and danger as each step on this path takes her closer to the crown.
Melusine is Book Two in the series The Heirs of Anarchy by G. Lawrence
The author's thanks are due to Julia Gibbs, the proof reader of this work and Consuelo Parra, who designed the cover artwork
Matilda, once Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, daughter and heir to the King of England, has been married for the sake of politics to Geoffrey, heir to the Count of Anjou; an untested, untitled boy.
Through hard years of marriage, Matilda seeks to maintain her position as heir to the thrones of England and Normandy, and to be seen as a worthy successor to her father. In this time she will encounter monsters, in herself and in others, and will face darkness, deceit and danger as each step on this path takes her closer to the crown.
Melusine is Book Two in the series The Heirs of Anarchy by G. Lawrence
The author's thanks are due to Julia Gibbs, the proof reader of this work and Consuelo Parra, who designed the cover artwork
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2020
216 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
G. Lawrence
50 books282 followersI am an independently published author, and proud to be so. Living in a little cottage in Wales in the UK, I love where I live as much as I love to write.
The age of the Tudors has been an obsession for me since I was a child, and many of my upcoming books will center on that time, but I also pen the odd dystopian fiction or historical fiction from other time periods. I will be releasing all my titles on amazon, for kindle and then hopefully for print later.
I studied Literature (with a capital L) at University and usually have twenty or more books I'm currently reading. Reading and writing are about mood for me, and I haven't found a genre I didn't enjoy something about so far...
You can often find me on Wattpad or Twitter when I'm not writing...
The age of the Tudors has been an obsession for me since I was a child, and many of my upcoming books will center on that time, but I also pen the odd dystopian fiction or historical fiction from other time periods. I will be releasing all my titles on amazon, for kindle and then hopefully for print later.
I studied Literature (with a capital L) at University and usually have twenty or more books I'm currently reading. Reading and writing are about mood for me, and I haven't found a genre I didn't enjoy something about so far...
You can often find me on Wattpad or Twitter when I'm not writing...
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 12, 2020
So sad to see Matilda without her beloved Heinrich... the book starts with her unhappy marriage to the boy Geoffrey of Anjou; between them they were to bring about the era of the Plantagenets, with the later birth of their son, who would become Henry II of England (one of my favourite kings).
Matilda is very much a Lawrence heroine; born centuries before her time, independent, always questioning, deeply perceptive, self-critical, capable of much dark thought but with a great strength and capacity for love, and the belief that she can make great changes in the world. This is a slower-paced book than the first, with much philosophical pondering and magical symbolism (which Ms Lawrence does so well), and also some delightful insight into the way in which the people lived. I love to read this, in particular, especially when she provides little snapshots of the lives of the common people.
My favourite part of the book was the last third when it stepped up a notch, with more events, such as Matilda's return to Anjou, her reconciliation and progress with Geoffrey, the births of their children and the conflict with her father. This part, in particular, was fabulous, and I was completely engrossed.
Melusine ends with the news that Stephen of Blois has taken the English throne - I have long been fascinated by how this could be allowed to happen, and the struggle Matilda faced simply because she was a woman, so very much look forward to the next book!
Matilda is very much a Lawrence heroine; born centuries before her time, independent, always questioning, deeply perceptive, self-critical, capable of much dark thought but with a great strength and capacity for love, and the belief that she can make great changes in the world. This is a slower-paced book than the first, with much philosophical pondering and magical symbolism (which Ms Lawrence does so well), and also some delightful insight into the way in which the people lived. I love to read this, in particular, especially when she provides little snapshots of the lives of the common people.
My favourite part of the book was the last third when it stepped up a notch, with more events, such as Matilda's return to Anjou, her reconciliation and progress with Geoffrey, the births of their children and the conflict with her father. This part, in particular, was fabulous, and I was completely engrossed.
Melusine ends with the news that Stephen of Blois has taken the English throne - I have long been fascinated by how this could be allowed to happen, and the struggle Matilda faced simply because she was a woman, so very much look forward to the next book!
November 25, 2024
I am absolutely loving this series!!! Not only is it about a time and dynasty I find very interesting, but the strong heroine, Princess Matilda, is a force to be reckoned with! The writing is compelling and full of emotion without being melodramatic. It’s often poetic, with a pacing that is languorous and really beautiful when Matilda is reflecting upon herself and the situations at the time. I also appreciate how there are mythological references, fables, and beliefs interwoven throughout the book and done in tandem with themes in the storyline. The characters and their relationships are nuanced and complicated - both blessing and curse at times, yet all the more realistic because of that. All of the description (sights, smells, nature, wildlife, etc.) create such vivid images that it draws you in and makes you feel like you are up on the battlements with Matilda on a cold winter night with the wind in your hair, too. What a great escapist binge read!
I’ve already got the next book & am excited to continue enjoying Matilda’s incredible adventurous tale!
I’ve already got the next book & am excited to continue enjoying Matilda’s incredible adventurous tale!
February 8, 2024
MELUSINE
Book two of
The Heirs of Anarchy
G. LAWRENCE
Review by Author Roy Murry
"It mattered not my birth, experience, or my intelligence. What mattered was that I was less than them because I was a woman, not a man." Matilda, Lady of the English, 1135 AD. The Lady's Journey continues from Book One, which I read in 2020.
G. Lawrence's prose flows with these little nuggets throughout this novel of King Henry the First Daughter's battle to be Queen of England. In her mid-twenties, her father directs her to marry a newly knighted fifteen-year-old for political reasons - she is property, and her son is heir.
Matilda's fictional words include historical drama. Her psychological development moves into philosophy, which is sometimes wordy.
The novel is long but worth the historical adventure read.
Book two of
The Heirs of Anarchy
G. LAWRENCE
Review by Author Roy Murry
"It mattered not my birth, experience, or my intelligence. What mattered was that I was less than them because I was a woman, not a man." Matilda, Lady of the English, 1135 AD. The Lady's Journey continues from Book One, which I read in 2020.
G. Lawrence's prose flows with these little nuggets throughout this novel of King Henry the First Daughter's battle to be Queen of England. In her mid-twenties, her father directs her to marry a newly knighted fifteen-year-old for political reasons - she is property, and her son is heir.
Matilda's fictional words include historical drama. Her psychological development moves into philosophy, which is sometimes wordy.
The novel is long but worth the historical adventure read.
July 30, 2020
Disappointed
After reading Child of Water I was hoping for another great book but was disappointed. After a good start I found it became boring and descriptions seemed repetitive . Although the story picked up towards the end I wouldn't recommend this book.
After reading Child of Water I was hoping for another great book but was disappointed. After a good start I found it became boring and descriptions seemed repetitive . Although the story picked up towards the end I wouldn't recommend this book.
August 30, 2020
Enjoyed reading about these women
I’m a big fan of this author, and reading about these great women throughout history. I also really enjoy the small details the author includes to fully flesh out life back then, going into great detail about food and environments.
I’m a big fan of this author, and reading about these great women throughout history. I also really enjoy the small details the author includes to fully flesh out life back then, going into great detail about food and environments.
January 1, 2021
This really brought Matilda to life. You get to see a woman who not only designs her own fate (within the system she is living in) but also reviews her choices.
A really vivid and believeable tale.
¡Muy bien! A mi gusta mucho.
A really vivid and believeable tale.
¡Muy bien! A mi gusta mucho.
May 6, 2021
Intriguing and fact based loosely.!!
Well written and fact based loosely!! Interesting g read. Brings forth many views still felt today as women. Author realizes she has to bring forth knowledge.
Well written and fact based loosely!! Interesting g read. Brings forth many views still felt today as women. Author realizes she has to bring forth knowledge.
June 3, 2021
Someday, I hope to read a good book about Empress Matilda.
Unfortunately, since the first book in this duology was too bogged down with description, it won't be this one--or that one.
Did not start.
Unfortunately, since the first book in this duology was too bogged down with description, it won't be this one--or that one.
Did not start.
July 21, 2020
Good book!!!!
July 24, 2020
Great read. Looking forward to book 3.
Good story line and different view of Matilda. I enjoyed this book and will try more from this author. Like.
Good story line and different view of Matilda. I enjoyed this book and will try more from this author. Like.
September 13, 2020
kept my attention every bit as good as the first, gotta get my hands on the next book.
April 27, 2021
A bit too much musing and self-reflection for my taste, but I'll still read the next one when it comes out.
June 17, 2021
Excellent read
A well written historical novel. It flows well and holds the story lines together. I will read the third book in this series.
A well written historical novel. It flows well and holds the story lines together. I will read the third book in this series.
February 5, 2024
Book two in The Heirs of Anarchy is phenomenal. Written with such depth of the characters and life around them in 12th Century England and Normandy. This is a series you don't want to miss.
July 30, 2024
3,70 stars
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews