When Meg time traveled to 1268 Wales and landed in the arms of Prince Llywelyn, she changed the course of history forever. For most citizens of Earth Two, those changes were for the better, but one family in particular was torn apart …
Orphaned since the death of her parents when she was three, Lizzie has spent years praying for someone to rescue her and her sisters from a life of drudgery in their isolated convent. She knows they were meant for greater things, and if only the right person were to discover their suffering, they would once again be treated like the princesses they were born to be.
But when strangers arrive in the middle of the night promising to restore them to their former way of life, Lizzie surprises herself not only by running away, but by turning for help to the very person who'd ruined her life in the first place: Queen Marged of Wales.
It just went to show, as Lizzie's old abbess told her more than once, that she needed to be careful what she prayed for. God answered every prayer, but sometimes that answer was no—and sometimes the answer came in a wholly unexpected fashion that made a girl wish she'd never prayed at all.
With over a million books sold to date, Sarah Woodbury is the author of more than forty novels, all set in medieval Wales. Although an anthropologist by training, and then a full-time homeschooling mom for twenty years, she began writing fiction when the stories in her head overflowed and demanded that she let them out. While her ancestry is Welsh, she only visited Wales for the first time at university. She has been in love with the country, language, and people ever since. She even convinced her husband to give all four of their children Welsh names.
Sarah is a member of the Historical Authors Fiction Cooperative (HFAC), the Historical Novel Society, and Novelists, Inc. (NINC).
A completely different viewpoint on the familiar 'Earth Two' scene - very enjoyable! Told primarily from the (3rd person) viewpoint of King Edward's daughters, you see the new medieval world we've all come to love from the eyes of someone who kinda sorta doesn't appreciate these newcomers... Queen Meg and David and their followers. They killed the girls' father, after all. It serves to refresh the reader's opinion of the 'good guys', too, which was fun. I especially enjoyed Llywelyn's place in this book. Will definitely be a frequent re-read, along with Prince of Time, Crossroads, and Exiles.
The only thing I could say negatively about the book (*only* - I absolutely love this series and its characters!) is there were several major events occurring in regards to David's family. This being the downfall of the enjoyment of having most of the book told from 'outsiders' perspectives: we didn't get as much of the family discussions/inner thought streams that I love so much about this series - getting that very up close and personal look at how they see their stressors etc.
More than excited for the next book to be published to see how all these new plot twists will play out! :)
Though I had forgotten a lot of the previous stories. Was worried at first at the seemingly unrelated storyline or for a good portion of the beginning of this one then realized who most of the main characters in the past books were in this ps one and Bob's your Uncle I got back into the beloved story and all the old and now, once again. New characters. The list is very long! I do get a bit lost in this super he's more than all MS Woodbury is books combined but after rereading some passages and plugging on I generally get caught up! I do love the AFTER CILMERI Series so very much. I hope the books keep coming and never end. Sarah Woodbury is as wonderful a writer as the best in the world. She is prolific and keeping up will be tough for one now if they discover her expertise in Everything Wales Historically and everything relating to Wales in the Middle ages and beyond in both historical directions. I love all her series and have read and purchased All her books. I highly recommend Sarah Woodbury as books ...all of them...including this one. Bon Apetit!
Even after all these books I never tire of a new one in this series. Each and every read is just as exciting as the last, and this was no exception. Filled to the brim with AMAZINGLY strong, brave, exceptional women amidst treachery, intrigue, adventure, mansplaining of the worst kind 😉, and lots of adrenaline filled fun! Get ready for a great read that will draw you right in. I can't get enough of these characters, and already can't wait for the next book!!! Yup, I fully admit it...I need a support group 😉. #AfterCilmeriOrBust
Another outstanding book in this series. The author spends a lot of time developing a different story line dedicated to 3 sisters forgotten by time as their life was disrupted and they were left in a convent with nuns as their parents were dead. Many of the previous characters are not included in this book and King David and his wife don’t really make an appearance until we’ll towards the end of the book. For those following this saga it’s a very relevant story. A good read
One might think that after 19 books (counting the 2 novellas) these stories would become trite and offer the reader nothing new. Amazingly, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, this may be my favorite yet.
Sarah Woodbury’s obvious passion for medieval history, combined with her creativity, seems to supply her with endless points of view and possible plots.
Brava, Sarah! And thank you for providing so many fun and interesting books for your devoted followers.
It is amazing to see just how much Ms Woodbury has matured as an author. To produce 20 books yet be able to achieve a totally fresh approach to the world and the characters. Nothing short of amazing. And wonderful. I've loved this series from the first book. But I didn't expect such a new fresh approach to telling the story through totally new characters. I loved it and can hardly wait for the next book.
"After Cilmeri" is still one of my all-time favourite series. Book #17, "Hidden in Time," differs somewhat from all the previous books in the series in that the usual cast of characters did not dominate the storyline in their usual fashion. Having recently read this author's book, "Paladin," I found the somewhat divergent portrayal of certain same characters also appearing in this book rather intriguing.
I have not read anywhere that this was the last book in the series, but it had that feel to it. It felt like it was ready to go off in a whole new direction. I can’t wait to get the audio copy so I can give it a listen and see if I missed anything. Thank you Sarah another very good read !
I enjoyed the perspective of this book, though it’s a slight departure from how most of the others in the series read. I’m interested in how these new characters are going to add to the story in the future.
Great read, intriguing historical backdrop to explore
Sarah has done it again. Wonderful story, spinning a tale with historic figures who stepped out of the pages of history and give them a voice and interweave some of our favorite characters into a moving story.
Omg there are so many names! The aliases and pet names, stations in life and rehashing things that happened six years ago in the series was overwhelming. My old brain can’t keep up with it all.
A very different installment in the After Cilmeri series
This adventure focuses on three daughters of King Edward who become pawns in the plans of two Clares to take the throne of England. Another great story, but much less focused on David and his family than most of the others.
This book focuses on the (probably) unintended victims of the war with King Edward, his daughters. And how each side of a conflict has it's own perceptions, some accurate and some not.
I enjoyed my second read better than first probably because I was impatient to get to David, his family and friends. I was also uncomfortable reading how influenced Lizzie by her grandmother’s stories and opinions, so I skimmed their sections a bit my first read through. I’m looking forward to read where E1’s daughters fit into the After Climeri world. Some things I’m most curious in next story:
1) if E1’s son and heir, Edward,is truly alive…Gwenllian was contracted to marry him at the end of Prince of Tides!
2) Abdication and elections!
3) What’s happening in Avalon that Meg & Daisy just blipped instead of staying there? I’m a little worried about Chad’s health and well-being
4) Daisy and William sittin’ in a tree🎶… Also, Christopher and Isabelle
5) follow up on all the friends and family after Normandy, Aquitaine and France.
GAH! Another year’s wait!! 😏
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Although I was somewhat confused when I started this book; after a few pages I realized that it was being written about King Edward's daughters and not the main characters from the previous books. However I continued to be interested in the story and eventually we come upon some of the main characters as they begin to interact with King Edward's daughters. I was "slightly" disappointed at the ending of this book as it did not give me any indication if there would be another book in this series; but, it did end with the "hopefulness" of one! I certainly hope there is another book in the series as there is so much more that, I feel, could be written.
Re-read this book in December 2023 so I could start the next/newest book in the series "Legacy of Time", knowing what had happened here.
The book opens at St. Margaret’s Covent where Daisy (Princess Margaret), Molly (Princess Mary), and Lizzie (Princess Elizabeth), King Edward I’s three youngest daughters have been living. Men have come from Lord Tudur to take them away. Things are not what they seem, so only Daisy and Molly go with the men while Lizzie hides, then escapes to figure out what is going on. Another plot to take the throne from David, what else.