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The Dragon Lord's Daughters
Meet the daughters of King Arthur's descendant, Lord Pendragon. They have an appetite for adventure and a gift for driving men wild with desire. Marrying them off may seem an easy task, but it's only going to prove that when it comes to these girls, trouble follows in threes.
AVERIL - She may be the Lord's eldest and illegitimate daughter, but Averil knows her dazzling beauty can buy her what she wants most: marriage to a great and powerful lord. But fate has other plans in the rugged form of Rhys Fitzhugh. Thinking her the sole heiress, the penniless bailiff kidnaps the beauty. Now, to salvage his honor, he must marry the openly hostile Averil and accept his greatest challenge... winning her love, loyalty, and trust...
MAIA - As the legitimate heiress with a hefty dowry, Maia can have any man she chooses, namely Emrys Llyn, a descendant of Lancelot and the Lady of the Lake. But strange, dangerous rumours surround the handsome Emrys... his name means "immortal," and two of his wives have died suddenly under mysterious circumstances. Can her unwavering love prove his innocence... or will Maia suffer the same fate as Emry's previous wives?
JUNIA - As charming as she is irrepressible, Junia is the Lord's youngest daughter. Her father has long since given up trying to control her whims and passions, and Junia is content to roam the countryside where she can be alone with the gentle, golden-haired young man she meets and loves in secret. For he is the son of her father's sworn enemy, and loving him may cost her more than she could ever imagine...
AVERIL - She may be the Lord's eldest and illegitimate daughter, but Averil knows her dazzling beauty can buy her what she wants most: marriage to a great and powerful lord. But fate has other plans in the rugged form of Rhys Fitzhugh. Thinking her the sole heiress, the penniless bailiff kidnaps the beauty. Now, to salvage his honor, he must marry the openly hostile Averil and accept his greatest challenge... winning her love, loyalty, and trust...
MAIA - As the legitimate heiress with a hefty dowry, Maia can have any man she chooses, namely Emrys Llyn, a descendant of Lancelot and the Lady of the Lake. But strange, dangerous rumours surround the handsome Emrys... his name means "immortal," and two of his wives have died suddenly under mysterious circumstances. Can her unwavering love prove his innocence... or will Maia suffer the same fate as Emry's previous wives?
JUNIA - As charming as she is irrepressible, Junia is the Lord's youngest daughter. Her father has long since given up trying to control her whims and passions, and Junia is content to roam the countryside where she can be alone with the gentle, golden-haired young man she meets and loves in secret. For he is the son of her father's sworn enemy, and loving him may cost her more than she could ever imagine...
364 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2004
102 people are currently reading
560 people want to read
About the author
Bertrice Small
216 books1,128 followersBertrice Williams was born on December 9, 1937 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA, the daughter of Doris S. and David R. Williams, both broadcasters. She studied at Attended Western College for Women and Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School. On October 5, 1963, she married George Sumner Small, a photographer and designer with a History Major at Princeton. They had a son Thomas David. She lived on eastern Long Island for over 30 years. Her greatest passions were her family; Finnegan and Sylvester, the family cats; Nicki, the elderly cockatiel who whistles the NY Mets charge call; her garden; her work, and just life in general.
Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.
Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.
Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.
Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 7, 2010
I picked this up at the UBS sometime ago, I'd come across BS before in Fascinated and seen her name mentioned here on GRs. However I don't normally read romance set in Ancient Britain/Dark Ages/Medieval times so this sat on the back burner for some months. Then inspired by some recent reviews I'd read for some of Smalls other books I took the plunge. This book was not what I expected! I enjoyed each of the three short stories, which revolve around Merin Pendragons daughters, immensely. The daughters are all half sisters to each other and each has her own dream of how she shall find true love, and the attributes a good husband should have. Needless to say their actual marriage stories are somewhat different to their imagined ones.
Merin Pendragon is a direct descendant of King Arthur and this story includes some of the Arthurian Myth which I found very interesting, a complicated story which Small manages to condense, so that as reader you suddenly know the story of betrayal between Arthur,Lancelot Arthurs step sisters and the lady of Shallot without actually having to think too hard about it.
The main story is actually 3 novellas about Averil the eldest [but illegitimate:] of Merins daughters who finds her true love after a well meaning but ill thought out kidnapp attempt backfires, Maia the middle [and legitimate:] daughter who finds her true love though magic and mystery but has to prove her love in a fight between the mortal and fairy worlds. And Junia the youngest and also illegitmate daughter, whose story is one of love and loss and who endures terrible pain finally finding love from and unlikely corner.
This did'nt read like a 'standard historical romance' but more like a story~tellers tale, which is probably the reason I enjoyed it so much. The three stories flow well and the epilogue draws everything together in a satisfactory way and doesn't leave the reader wondering 'what happens next'.
Reading this has encouraged me to search out more of Smalls books and also wonder why I've never anything by her before.
4 stars but I will re~read.
NOTE Junias story contains a graphic and violent rape scene.
Merin Pendragon is a direct descendant of King Arthur and this story includes some of the Arthurian Myth which I found very interesting, a complicated story which Small manages to condense, so that as reader you suddenly know the story of betrayal between Arthur,Lancelot Arthurs step sisters and the lady of Shallot without actually having to think too hard about it.
The main story is actually 3 novellas about Averil the eldest [but illegitimate:] of Merins daughters who finds her true love after a well meaning but ill thought out kidnapp attempt backfires, Maia the middle [and legitimate:] daughter who finds her true love though magic and mystery but has to prove her love in a fight between the mortal and fairy worlds. And Junia the youngest and also illegitmate daughter, whose story is one of love and loss and who endures terrible pain finally finding love from and unlikely corner.
This did'nt read like a 'standard historical romance' but more like a story~tellers tale, which is probably the reason I enjoyed it so much. The three stories flow well and the epilogue draws everything together in a satisfactory way and doesn't leave the reader wondering 'what happens next'.
Reading this has encouraged me to search out more of Smalls books and also wonder why I've never anything by her before.
4 stars but I will re~read.
NOTE Junias story contains a graphic and violent rape scene.
August 13, 2014
This was picked for my August book for the Pick-It-For-Me over in Western and Medieval Romance Lovers. I've read and enjoyed books by Bertrice Small before, call me weird if you want, but I like her stories. Mostly I enjoy the sense of time and place she puts in. Sure, her love scenes make me giggle with the manroots and love juices, but I like her style.
This book was actually three stories, though they flowed together pretty seamlessly. The three sisters were all the usual run of heroines in Small's stories, tiny, unbearably beautiful, delicate little feisty girls. They were all strong-willed, and spoiled by their father, the Dragon Lord. The tale of the family's descent from the lines of King Arthur was interesting, I'm always a sucker for Arthurian tales. I was kind of thinking that the set-up of the girls all having different mothers was odd, but it worked in the realm of the story. I liked how the lord's wife, Argel, mother of daughter Maia, and heir Brynn, was kind and understanding, and accepted the daughters from the concubines as well as she did her own. I was liking her character, even though I was not personally thrilling at the open marriage sort of deal that was going on. I'd never share my husband willingly, he'd have to kill me first, lol. I liked the first concubine a lot as well, Gorawen, Averil's mother. She was the most beloved of the lord, but didn't wield it over the others. The other woman, Ysbail, mother of Junia, was not as endearing, she was a shrew and full of complaints and accusations.
As for the girls...
Eldest daughter Averil's story was first. I liked her hero Rhys. Despite his abduction of her, he proved to be a likable man. I especially liked how kind and caring he was of his young half-sister. As he was illegitimate, she inherited everything from their father, but he never once was angry or jealous. He took responsibility for her safety and well-being with no complaints. Little Mary was a likable child as well, though she had an amazing vocabulary and sense of responsibility for a six year old. She was more well-spoken than a lot of adults, and at times I found it rather unbelievable, but I went with it, suspending disbelief for the sake of the tale. I found myself laughing a bit at how Averil came to the decision to accept Rhys, after putting up a fight first. I thought they went together pretty well. When tragedy strikes the little family, I was a bit sad, but it worked out for the best in the end.
Middle daughter Maia's tale came next, and I found hers to be the most fascinating of the bunch. There was a big dose of fantasy and magical elements in this part, which surprised me a little at first. I enjoyed it though. Her hero Emrys turned out to be the immortal son of Lancelot and the Lady of the Lake. He was cursed with immortality until he could find a woman who would love him no matter what, and I was intrigued by the way it all tied in with the Arthur legend, coming full circle with him marrying Maia with her Arthurian bloodlines. The couple had to go through trials and tests before they could have their happily ever after, and the Lady of the Lake's role in things was interesting. I really liked how it worked out, how Maia proved herself to the Lady without even knowing that she was doing so.
Last was Junia's tale. Hers was the most serious, and saddest part of the book. When she falls in love with the son of her father's sworn enemy (though neither of them knows who the other's family is), I was wondering how it could work out. Simon's father was a horrible, horrible man, and the things he did, and forced his son to do were deplorable. I had faith that the Dragon Lord would be willing to work things out for his daughter, but with Simon's father being what he was, it soon became rather hopeless. The largest portion of the story dealt with Junia's time in captivity in the keep of Simon's father, and for a huge chunk of time, I was certain that despite the problems, somehow things would just have to work out so that they could have a HEA. So imagine my surprise when Simon was killed! I was like... wait! How's that supposed to be a romance? Then the author quickly introduces a new guy, William, who Junia's father finds to marry her off to after the near-scandal with Simon, one who is much older and wiser. Despite his brief introduction and page time, I kind of liked him. I thought his and Junia's relationship and marriage was way rushed though. I found it kind of odd that so much time was given to the development of Simon's character, and the relationship between he and Junia, only to have him offed and the new guy thrown in, wham, bam, thank you ma'am, two pages later they're declaring their undying love for the ages and it's HEA and curtains, story's over. So even though I liked William, and I liked Junia, I thought more time should have been given to their relationship and how they came to care for each other.
All in all, it was another entertaining read from Small. It was a bit different than the few other things I've read by her, but I liked it well enough. I know I'll read more by her in the future. Manroots and all! xD
This book was actually three stories, though they flowed together pretty seamlessly. The three sisters were all the usual run of heroines in Small's stories, tiny, unbearably beautiful, delicate little feisty girls. They were all strong-willed, and spoiled by their father, the Dragon Lord. The tale of the family's descent from the lines of King Arthur was interesting, I'm always a sucker for Arthurian tales. I was kind of thinking that the set-up of the girls all having different mothers was odd, but it worked in the realm of the story. I liked how the lord's wife, Argel, mother of daughter Maia, and heir Brynn, was kind and understanding, and accepted the daughters from the concubines as well as she did her own. I was liking her character, even though I was not personally thrilling at the open marriage sort of deal that was going on. I'd never share my husband willingly, he'd have to kill me first, lol. I liked the first concubine a lot as well, Gorawen, Averil's mother. She was the most beloved of the lord, but didn't wield it over the others. The other woman, Ysbail, mother of Junia, was not as endearing, she was a shrew and full of complaints and accusations.
As for the girls...
Eldest daughter Averil's story was first. I liked her hero Rhys. Despite his abduction of her, he proved to be a likable man. I especially liked how kind and caring he was of his young half-sister. As he was illegitimate, she inherited everything from their father, but he never once was angry or jealous. He took responsibility for her safety and well-being with no complaints. Little Mary was a likable child as well, though she had an amazing vocabulary and sense of responsibility for a six year old. She was more well-spoken than a lot of adults, and at times I found it rather unbelievable, but I went with it, suspending disbelief for the sake of the tale. I found myself laughing a bit at how Averil came to the decision to accept Rhys, after putting up a fight first. I thought they went together pretty well. When tragedy strikes the little family, I was a bit sad, but it worked out for the best in the end.
Middle daughter Maia's tale came next, and I found hers to be the most fascinating of the bunch. There was a big dose of fantasy and magical elements in this part, which surprised me a little at first. I enjoyed it though. Her hero Emrys turned out to be the immortal son of Lancelot and the Lady of the Lake. He was cursed with immortality until he could find a woman who would love him no matter what, and I was intrigued by the way it all tied in with the Arthur legend, coming full circle with him marrying Maia with her Arthurian bloodlines. The couple had to go through trials and tests before they could have their happily ever after, and the Lady of the Lake's role in things was interesting. I really liked how it worked out, how Maia proved herself to the Lady without even knowing that she was doing so.
Last was Junia's tale. Hers was the most serious, and saddest part of the book. When she falls in love with the son of her father's sworn enemy (though neither of them knows who the other's family is), I was wondering how it could work out. Simon's father was a horrible, horrible man, and the things he did, and forced his son to do were deplorable. I had faith that the Dragon Lord would be willing to work things out for his daughter, but with Simon's father being what he was, it soon became rather hopeless. The largest portion of the story dealt with Junia's time in captivity in the keep of Simon's father, and for a huge chunk of time, I was certain that despite the problems, somehow things would just have to work out so that they could have a HEA. So imagine my surprise when Simon was killed! I was like... wait! How's that supposed to be a romance? Then the author quickly introduces a new guy, William, who Junia's father finds to marry her off to after the near-scandal with Simon, one who is much older and wiser. Despite his brief introduction and page time, I kind of liked him. I thought his and Junia's relationship and marriage was way rushed though. I found it kind of odd that so much time was given to the development of Simon's character, and the relationship between he and Junia, only to have him offed and the new guy thrown in, wham, bam, thank you ma'am, two pages later they're declaring their undying love for the ages and it's HEA and curtains, story's over. So even though I liked William, and I liked Junia, I thought more time should have been given to their relationship and how they came to care for each other.
All in all, it was another entertaining read from Small. It was a bit different than the few other things I've read by her, but I liked it well enough. I know I'll read more by her in the future. Manroots and all! xD
March 11, 2020
Absolute trash, I'm trying to get through the large stack of books I've purchased over the years, and this one was unfortunately one of them. I remember I bought it as a 5 for 2.99 deal but it is worth much less! If I didn't have OCD about finishing books I never could have completed it. WORST book I've ever had the misfortune of reading.
Plot summary: three 15 year old girls of are married off and have lots of babies by their older husbands, argue over whose man is hotter, one girl is pseudo gang-raped and everyone is relatively chill about it as long as she can remarry??? Very little about this is historically accurate (@ literally everyone else's reviews??), even the mythology is mostly incoherent. I never review books but this pile of rubbish has me riled up smh
Plot summary: three 15 year old girls of are married off and have lots of babies by their older husbands, argue over whose man is hotter, one girl is pseudo gang-raped and everyone is relatively chill about it as long as she can remarry??? Very little about this is historically accurate (@ literally everyone else's reviews??), even the mythology is mostly incoherent. I never review books but this pile of rubbish has me riled up smh
July 6, 2017
DNF @ page 100. Honestly, I probably could have given up earlier, all the signs of a classic rape-mance were there, and the writing quality was poor, but I wanted to give it a chance to redeem itself with the first daughter's "marriage."
Nope, nope, nope. Okay, she isn't raped, she's just bride-napped and forced by "honor" as well as her father and the Prince to marry her abductor. But of course he turns out to be the perfect combination of slightly dangerous and intriguing, and patient and kind, so her deflowering goes (relatively) well and she's not horribly traumatized by it.
Listen, I get that rape fantasies are a thing, as well as abduction fantasies and all sorts of variations on being "forced" without actually being forced. And I don't want to make anyone think I'm shitting on readers who enjoy that, because I'm not. Read what you want, no kink-shaming here.
But the romance genre has thankfully moved away from that being the primary set of tropes involved, and in this particular instance (written in 2004, not even in the height of rape-mance in the '80s and early '90s) the writing is just so bad. In the first hundred pages I was treated to hearing the titular three daughters' hair colors listed five times, being reminded of their shared eye color (green) six times, and getting detailed descriptions of their clothes, but no one else's, four times. More times than I can count, the actions of the previous few pages were summarized in dialogue by one character to bring another up to speed--but seriously, I just read that three pages ago, I don't need a reminder already. There are times to use expository dialogue, but not like that!
Nope, nope, nope. Okay, she isn't raped, she's just bride-napped and forced by "honor" as well as her father and the Prince to marry her abductor. But of course he turns out to be the perfect combination of slightly dangerous and intriguing, and patient and kind, so her deflowering goes (relatively) well and she's not horribly traumatized by it.
Listen, I get that rape fantasies are a thing, as well as abduction fantasies and all sorts of variations on being "forced" without actually being forced. And I don't want to make anyone think I'm shitting on readers who enjoy that, because I'm not. Read what you want, no kink-shaming here.
But the romance genre has thankfully moved away from that being the primary set of tropes involved, and in this particular instance (written in 2004, not even in the height of rape-mance in the '80s and early '90s) the writing is just so bad. In the first hundred pages I was treated to hearing the titular three daughters' hair colors listed five times, being reminded of their shared eye color (green) six times, and getting detailed descriptions of their clothes, but no one else's, four times. More times than I can count, the actions of the previous few pages were summarized in dialogue by one character to bring another up to speed--but seriously, I just read that three pages ago, I don't need a reminder already. There are times to use expository dialogue, but not like that!
April 27, 2025
This book centers around the three daughters of Merin Pendragon a descendant of King Author. lives at Dragon’s Lair. His household is an unusual one though not as unusual as it seems for he lived during the medieval times. He lives with his wife but also the mother’s of his two illegitimate daughters. The oldest of his daughters is Averil who despite not being her status dreams of marriage to a handsome Lord. Her dreams are dashed it seems when the illegitimate son of another lord decides that the only way to gain a rich wife is to steal one. He mistakenly assumes Averil is the Dragon Lord’s legal heir. Averil has no choice but to marry Rhys Fitzhugh the overseer of his half sister’s keep Everleigh. Now Averil must learn to help her husband oversee his keep while raising his young half sister to one day be mistress of the keep and eventually a wife .Will her dreams of what could have been haunt her or will she eventually love her new husband ? Mia the true daughter is haunted by dreams of a man who never shows his face he has magic and she swears she will love no other. Her dream lover turns out to be Emrys Llyn Lord of the lake descended from Lancelot. Maia will have to avoid the fate of his first two wives. If she wants to break her beloved husband’s curse and prove her love. Junia loves Simone de Bohun and unknowingly reawakens an ancient family feud that will change both their lives forever. This medieval fantasy romance has a lot of spice and some content that some readers may find upsetting to read it has a touch of magic as well.
May 4, 2021
I have a love hate relationship with Bertrice Small's books. The emotions. The love. The hate. The betrayal.
The first two sister's stories were great and kinda predictable. That's what I like to do predict that the H/h will have a HEA and how they're going to get there. Then part 3 happened.
The last story was a huge disappointment. I was rooting for Junia and Simon. Why ever would an author spend so much time and detail on their story then kill him off? Seriously? The poison was supposed to actually be a sleeping draft because he deserved a painless death. I really thought they would come out at the end. True love and all.
So for Junia to forgive and forget, then forget she was headstrong and willful, forget she was in love with Simon for 2 years, then spend 5 seconds falling in love with anyone else tanked this book for me. The ending was rushed and gave me whiplash.
The first two sister's stories were great and kinda predictable. That's what I like to do predict that the H/h will have a HEA and how they're going to get there. Then part 3 happened.
The last story was a huge disappointment. I was rooting for Junia and Simon. Why ever would an author spend so much time and detail on their story then kill him off? Seriously? The poison was supposed to actually be a sleeping draft because he deserved a painless death. I really thought they would come out at the end. True love and all.
So for Junia to forgive and forget, then forget she was headstrong and willful, forget she was in love with Simon for 2 years, then spend 5 seconds falling in love with anyone else tanked this book for me. The ending was rushed and gave me whiplash.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2018
I tried. And I kind of liked the first story in the book, despite the heroine being 15. I don't care if it's set in the Middle Ages and social mores were different. No. And then the second story lost me quickly. I was not up for finding the dramatics of Yet Another 15yo girl interesting, especially in the face of "BUT I LOVE HIM". Again, no. I made it a couple chapters in before I threw in the towel. I usually love Small's novels, despite some of the more florid language. This one is a rare exception.
July 27, 2023
This was... different. I've never read a historical like this before - I would call this more historical fiction than historical romance, but what do I know.
The story is told in 3 parts, one for each daughter - I enjoyed each one; they were all incredibly different and felt very true to the time. Some of the love scenes were VERY cringe, but again, I quickly started looking at this as a historical fiction novel and not a romance.
I did enjoy this, but will not be adding Bertrice Small to my historical romance author TBR.
The story is told in 3 parts, one for each daughter - I enjoyed each one; they were all incredibly different and felt very true to the time. Some of the love scenes were VERY cringe, but again, I quickly started looking at this as a historical fiction novel and not a romance.
I did enjoy this, but will not be adding Bertrice Small to my historical romance author TBR.
September 27, 2017
I'm usually not a fan of the time during the "Dark Ages". I guess I like a few of the more modern amenities such as basic plumbing but Beatrice Small does do romance and history and adventure quite well. Too sick to write a better review today. But if you can deal with lack of plumbing you will certainly enjoy the book!
September 7, 2019
Not one of my favorites
I love Bertrice. She introduced me to love, sex, and what it means to be a woman. This story is well written. But in particular, the third section left me wanting. Its ending seemed contrived and did not rings true. It was not up to parr, especially at the final chapter.
I love Bertrice. She introduced me to love, sex, and what it means to be a woman. This story is well written. But in particular, the third section left me wanting. Its ending seemed contrived and did not rings true. It was not up to parr, especially at the final chapter.
February 20, 2019
I loved this book, everyone's story is told in this book.
August 13, 2019
Left me wanting more about each of the daughters but the epilogue was a nice ending.
September 19, 2020
This book made me cry I can't believe Simon died he was a victim as much she was he thought he was better for him to sleep with then his father or random men . The loved each other
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2021
Good
Good book ... Story follows Junia,“Averil, & Maia.. Daughters of Merin descents of King Arthur... Three parts and each part is bout one of the ladies...
Good book ... Story follows Junia,“Averil, & Maia.. Daughters of Merin descents of King Arthur... Three parts and each part is bout one of the ladies...
wnr
November 18, 2023Also have softcover edition from 2004
January 22, 2024
A very enchanting tale
A very enchanting tale about the pendragon legacy. From the beginning to the end, it kept your attention and you cheered on the family and their happiness.
A very enchanting tale about the pendragon legacy. From the beginning to the end, it kept your attention and you cheered on the family and their happiness.
September 18, 2025
Interesting take on the ancestors of King Arthur . A enjoyable read for the most part .
June 29, 2022
The Dragon Lord's Daughters
This book brings to mind how authors have evolved from when I was just started out reading in my teens .Cariters
This book brings to mind how authors have evolved from when I was just started out reading in my teens .Cariters
February 16, 2019
This was just as good as I thought it would be. I couldn't stop reading it, and at times when I had to I would catch myself picking it back up. I can't wait to read more from this author.
September 9, 2010
Would have been better as a trilogy then as a single novel with 3 parts there was so much more she could have done with each part. After all those years of hearing Kathy bad mouth Beatrice Small I did not expect much of her. But it was actually pretty good, although somewhat underdeveloped. I was honestly surprised how well the Dragon Lord’s three women got along and also the bond between the 3 daughters without any jealousy over beauty or birthright.
Part 1 Averil-- The first born and most beautiful. She is illegitimate.
Of the 3 parts this it the best, although highly predictable. I guessed that Mary was going to die pretty early in the book. It did end rather abruptly. Mary’s dead, several months later a child is born, and now everything is all better.
At time seemed very rushed and forced
Part 2 Maia -- The legitimate daughter
If this part had been a full novel I may have liked it the best. She could have done so much with it, expanded on the dream visits and developed the character of Morgant with only a little work she could have been a good and proper villain- plus her end was very anticlimactic
I shouldn’t even mention the fact that the Lady of the Lake could not have been a lover and wife of Lancelot’s. in all the myths she was like a mother to him.
Part 3 Junia-- The youngest daughter, illegitimate
Must we have a girl raped by the man who is suppose to lover her in front of his father and men at arms? It was a good thing that Simon was killed or Junia never would have been able to heal. It was obvious by the fact that she would not let him touch her again that she would only ever see him as her rapist.
I am glad that she found love with William. I was also pleased when she did not invite her mother to live in her household. That woman deserved misery for the rest of her life, just for thinking the worst of her daughter and the horrible things she said to her.
This is the only of the three that I did not wish to be longer. It was complete in what it was and I do not think there was a single thing that could have been added that would have added anything important to it.
Part 1 Averil-- The first born and most beautiful. She is illegitimate.
Of the 3 parts this it the best, although highly predictable. I guessed that Mary was going to die pretty early in the book. It did end rather abruptly. Mary’s dead, several months later a child is born, and now everything is all better.
At time seemed very rushed and forced
Part 2 Maia -- The legitimate daughter
If this part had been a full novel I may have liked it the best. She could have done so much with it, expanded on the dream visits and developed the character of Morgant with only a little work she could have been a good and proper villain- plus her end was very anticlimactic
I shouldn’t even mention the fact that the Lady of the Lake could not have been a lover and wife of Lancelot’s. in all the myths she was like a mother to him.
Part 3 Junia-- The youngest daughter, illegitimate
Must we have a girl raped by the man who is suppose to lover her in front of his father and men at arms? It was a good thing that Simon was killed or Junia never would have been able to heal. It was obvious by the fact that she would not let him touch her again that she would only ever see him as her rapist.
I am glad that she found love with William. I was also pleased when she did not invite her mother to live in her household. That woman deserved misery for the rest of her life, just for thinking the worst of her daughter and the horrible things she said to her.
This is the only of the three that I did not wish to be longer. It was complete in what it was and I do not think there was a single thing that could have been added that would have added anything important to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
February 10, 2017I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13118499
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13118499
July 3, 2012
A random pick from ebook library.
This is a novel divided into 3 parts and set in early medival Briton
The customs of arranged marriages for girls 15 year old is abhorant to me - I had to keep reminding myself that it was historically correct.
Bride-napping also an odd tradition ... everyone had sevants and serfs working on their land and fathers had to provide a dowry for his daughter husbands - women owned nothing.
Based on a Welsh family, who claim a lineage back to King Arthur, the head of the family is called the Dragon Lord. He has two concubines and one wife, and four children. The book tracks his three daughters and how they end up married and happy.... not an easy road for any of them
Descriptions of meals prepared was interesting and the hierarchy of the keeps and castles was realistic and the book was sometimes brutal and sad but also there are happy moments captured and preserved.
This is a novel divided into 3 parts and set in early medival Briton
The customs of arranged marriages for girls 15 year old is abhorant to me - I had to keep reminding myself that it was historically correct.
Bride-napping also an odd tradition ... everyone had sevants and serfs working on their land and fathers had to provide a dowry for his daughter husbands - women owned nothing.
Based on a Welsh family, who claim a lineage back to King Arthur, the head of the family is called the Dragon Lord. He has two concubines and one wife, and four children. The book tracks his three daughters and how they end up married and happy.... not an easy road for any of them
Descriptions of meals prepared was interesting and the hierarchy of the keeps and castles was realistic and the book was sometimes brutal and sad but also there are happy moments captured and preserved.
May 1, 2016
This is the first Bertrice Small book I read and I thought it was great. Averil is bridenapped because she is mistaken for her sister Mia (who is legitimate). Her and Rhys end up being a real love match though.
Mia falls in love with a faceless man from her dreams. Emrys is very much real though and comes to claim his bride. This one is filled with magic and mystery.
Junia falls in love with Simon who she finds out is from a terrible family that hates hers. This one is sadder than the other 2 stories but of course ends up working out even if not quite as expected. All in all this was a great book!
Mia falls in love with a faceless man from her dreams. Emrys is very much real though and comes to claim his bride. This one is filled with magic and mystery.
Junia falls in love with Simon who she finds out is from a terrible family that hates hers. This one is sadder than the other 2 stories but of course ends up working out even if not quite as expected. All in all this was a great book!
October 2, 2015
Bertrice Small in questo romance riscopre il mito di re Artù, mago Merlino e la Dama del lago.
Medioevo, Inghilterra.
Il signore di Pendragon ha tre figlie: Maia, nata dalla moglie, e Averil e Junia, frutto del suo amore illegittimo con le concubine.
Ciascuna andrà incontro al proprio destino e all’uomo che le conquisterà, in ogni modo: rapendole, incantandole o prendendole con la forza.
Paure, tormenti e avventure misteriose... per raggiungere infine l’agognata felicità.
Medioevo, Inghilterra.
Il signore di Pendragon ha tre figlie: Maia, nata dalla moglie, e Averil e Junia, frutto del suo amore illegittimo con le concubine.
Ciascuna andrà incontro al proprio destino e all’uomo che le conquisterà, in ogni modo: rapendole, incantandole o prendendole con la forza.
Paure, tormenti e avventure misteriose... per raggiungere infine l’agognata felicità.
June 6, 2012
I love the history Small puts into her novels. It's not overwhelming and allows her to focus on characters as well. I read plenty of history novels but after one of those, I want to read a book that gives equal attention to characters, plot, and era. I have loved Small since reading "Adora" in high school and this lade still has it!
May 18, 2010
I really enjoyed this story. It is beautifully written and combines a magical story of lost love with the concerns of present day.
A little bit paranormal, a little bit historical, completely contemporary. With a whole lotta Scots thrown in for good measure. LOL
A little bit paranormal, a little bit historical, completely contemporary. With a whole lotta Scots thrown in for good measure. LOL
December 13, 2011
This book had me quite captivated. The three daughters are very interesting characters and I enjoyed reading each of their tales in parts. I thought the novel was very well written and the love making scenes were passionate without being crude.
April 3, 2008
Good historical romance, great details and characters. Loved the 2nd story best.
August 7, 2008
I can't even count how many times i have read this book and each time it seems to get better and better.
October 10, 2008
The three daughters were complex characters with interesting stories. The third daughter's story was extremely sad.
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