The Challenges of a King

The Road to Hastings #1

by K.M. Ashman

The fight for England began long before 1066…

AD 1045. Godwin of Wessex, one of the most powerful earls in the country, prepares for the marriage of his daughter to King Edward of England. The mood is jubilant, his family’s relationship with the Crown secured through matrimony. But one man seeks to undermine him at every opportunity.

French-born Bishop of London, Robert of Jumièges, has the ear of the king. As a trusted adviser, his position is one of power and privilege, and he wields it to gain ever-greater influence over the English Crown for his kinsmen in Normandy, at Godwin’s expense.

As the bishop’s control increases, the king’s relationship with the House of Godwin frays until, eventually, it breaks down completely. With civil war looming, Godwin fights to pull England back from the brink. But with the king under Norman influence, it could be too little, too late.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Medieval, Anglo Saxon, British Literature

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2021

About the author

Kevin Ashman is the author of twenty-six novels including the best-selling Roman Chronicles and highly ranked Medieval Sagas.

Always pushing the boundaries he found further success with the India Sommers Mysteries as well as three other stand-alone projects, Vampire, Savage Eden and the dystopian horror story, The Last Citadel. These cross-genre books have now been added to by the two Sci-fi novels, The Legacy Protocol and The Seventh God.

Kevin was born and raised in Wales in the United Kingdom and now writes full time having been signed by a major publishing company. He is married with four grown children and enjoys cycling, swimming and watching rugby as his hobbies.

Recent works include the Blood of Kings trilogy and the follow-up books, Warrior Princess and The Blade Bearer.

The most recent project is a five-book series about the Templars during the 12th century. Templar Steel, Templar Stone, Templar Blood and Templar Fury are already on sale and Templar Glory is due for release in Oct 2021.

An exciting project is also underway, a three-book series chronicling the years leading up to and beyond the Battle of Hastings.

Reviews

[Melisende · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in England during the 1040s and 1050s, when Edward the Confessor was King, "Challenges of a King" details the rise and fall of the family of Godwin, Earl of Wessex.

The narrative alternates between Edward and the Godwins, and gives us a sense that Edward was in control of his own destiny and of the political machinations that would ultimately lead up to the events at Hastings as we know them. One cannot but side with the Godwins against Edward's Norman advisers.

Whilst the action is confined to the halls of power, once gets a true sense of the impending drama that is about to unfold.

Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! This book had me from the first page to the last. I have read other books on the Godwin family but this was the best. The author does an amazing job of truly making you feel so engaged with the characters and the story. You will find it very hard to put down. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Brian Murgatroyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top class read.😎

This novel is a flowing and exciting historic tale of the times and events leading up to 1066.K M Ashman is a masterful writer of historic fiction based on fact and are novels to be recommended.😎😎

[Jkane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tough one for me to rate. I was almost disinterested for the entirety of the book, mostly because I could not get behind either side. On one hand, we have the King of England, who appears to be fairly oblivioius, and not all that intelligent; he's being manipulated by the church (no surprise). On the other hand, you have the Godwins. The problem with the Godwins is the first born son, Swain, is a truly despicable human being; Swain's father is being manipulated by Swain. So, with two sides of the conflict, and no protagonist to get behind, it was hard to feel invested in the story or in either side. As the story climaxes, we are finally given a side to get behind. [No spoiler] The final scene between the King and the Earl of Godwin was a sufficient plot mechanism to finally allow the reader to become invested in the story. I would've given this 3 stars for the first 90% of the story, but I'll bump it up to 4 stars solely because the conclusion elevated the story.

[John Mccormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
Having seen the cover and read the blurb I expected an action packed story to close the gap in my Historical fiction left by the end of Bernard Cornwells Uhtred series, but in fact there was little or no action in the story, the first in a series leading to the battle of Hastings. So you assume I didn't enjoy the book WRONG, this well written and researched story was an engaging read from start to finish. Authentic atmospheric full of mystery politics and subterfuge with a real feel for time and place. Totally absorbing from first to last page.
Completely and utterly recommended.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know there was a lot of intrigue and shenanigans surrounding the period before the Norman Conquest of 1066, but had little knowledge of exactly what.
The first book in this new series starts to set the scene very well.
The characters are well drawn & engaging. The language is fairly contemporary, but in this case this does not detract from the story in any way.
Well plotted, but also well researched, this is well up to Ashmans’ high standards in his other series.
A cracking tale, accurately told, in an accessible way. The gold standard in historical fiction for those who simply like a good, entertaining read - whilst learning a lot and enjoying the process along the way!!
I look forward with eagerness to the next in the series…

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

K M Ashman manages to bring history alive in an easy way to understand. Building good characters so you feel carried along in their story. Not my favourite era of history yet brought to life as Ashman does leads me to read up more on the family and helps me understand who comes where so putting together families and their grievances makes more sense.

I loved the outcome for Sweyn, Goodwin of Wessex's son, have looked him up already! Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

Looking forward to delving into #2.

[James Gault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cake a Touch Flat

I mostly enjoyed the read: this cake has all the ingredients, well mixed, excellent writing style and editing but somehow fell a little flat in its final form. I have no doubts about the historical authenticity of the setting & characters but I suspect efforts in that regard detracted from the flow of the story. Equally, much like any first part of a pre-planned series, the ending leaves the reader hanging.

[Toni Kely-Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This came up as a recommendation on my ereader and what a find!

Set 20 years before the Battle of Hastings it focuses on the Godwin family who were the most powerful family in England second only to King Edward (known as the Confessor to history). This the historical fiction I love – not “chick lit, romantic or inaccurate” but well-researched and full of politics, battles and intrigue.

Excited this is the first in a trilogy.

[Estela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth or sixth book I've read from K.M. Ashman. I have enjoyed his historical fiction because he breathes life into the characters that he writes about. I leave his books wanting to know more about the events he writes about. His writing is clear, entertaining, and I imagine as accurate as historical details will allow.

[BBJWEIHE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding Historical Fiction

My first KM Ashman book and I was pleasantly surprised and pleased. Historically accurate, Interesting and fun are the best descriptors to match this book. Next book releases this month, May 22

[Christine Kemp]

Interesting story about Harold and his family. Stopped well short of 1066 though which was disappointing. One really annoying ploy of the writer is to start every other paragraph with: 'two days later ...', 'later that day...', 'one week later...' . It began to get on my nerves after a while.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found a new Favorite author of Historical Fiction.

Picked this up on a whim. Pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed. Don’t know a whole lot about this period so I can’t say how accurate the history is but the story was fantastic. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Terry Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A superb account of pre- 1066 built England showing the desire of Godwin's who were the forerunner off the De Montfort and subsequent dynasties

[M L Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

Really enjoyed the story line, good mix of narrative with suspense and intrigue built in to keep you want I g to read.

[Snakeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable road to Hastings novel.

Looking forward to the next two books !

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

21. Obviously, the synopsis sounded great but I just found it a tad ploddy. I also managed to lose track of the dramatis personae.

[Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, been waiting a good while for a book that caught my interest about 1066 and what happened afterwards. A very informative book as well

[Mark waite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction at its best certainly looking forward to the continuation of the story in book two when it arrives

[Terry Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Start of a good series

The actions per 1066 leave the uncertainty of a poor king. Weakness uncertainty and mind games from Crown and earl alike. The possibility of an intriguing series is imminent