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Dark Ages of Britain #3
The Edge of Light
The beautiful Elswyth, Princess of Mercia, is a woman-child already promised to a lord of the realm. Young Prince Alfred, fifth son of King Ethelwulf of Wessex, never dreamed he would don the crown of Britain, though he was destined to become its greatest king. Two headstrong lovers vow to fight to change the world rather than forfeit their passion--in a grand and glorious saga that explodes with the passions of love and war.
560 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
23 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
About the author
Joan Wolf
101 books370 followersJoan Wolf is a USA TODAY bestselling American writer, whose acclaimed Regency romances have earned her national recognition as a master of the genre. Her many historical and contemporary romances, some of which have been chosen as Literary Guild selections, have been highly praised by reviewers and authors alike.
Joan was born in 1951 and she grew up in the Bronx, New York. A former English teacher, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mercy College and Master in English and Comparative Literature at Hunter College. An avid rider and horse owner, Joan lives in Connecticut with her husband Joe and two grown children, Jay and Pam.
Joan was born in 1951 and she grew up in the Bronx, New York. A former English teacher, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mercy College and Master in English and Comparative Literature at Hunter College. An avid rider and horse owner, Joan lives in Connecticut with her husband Joe and two grown children, Jay and Pam.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 20, 2008
Excellent finish to a wonderful Trilogy. A wonderful read, fascinating history. I knew little about Alfred the Great -- the only British monarch ever to carry that title. Incredible finish when it looked like all hope was lost and Alfred managed to carry the day and win the battle for Britain. It's amazing what he accomplished in ways to encourage education as well as on the battlefield.
This book is the third in a trilogy by this author. The first being The Road to Avalonabout King Arthur fighting off the Saxons. Then comes Born of the Sun about 80 years after the death of Arthur about the coming into power of the Saxons (the best of the three in my opinion) and finishing off with this tale about Alfred and bringing Britain out of the dark ages. Highly recommended.
This book is the third in a trilogy by this author. The first being The Road to Avalonabout King Arthur fighting off the Saxons. Then comes Born of the Sun about 80 years after the death of Arthur about the coming into power of the Saxons (the best of the three in my opinion) and finishing off with this tale about Alfred and bringing Britain out of the dark ages. Highly recommended.
June 14, 2010
This is interesting.I have read Bernard Cornwells version of this period in The Last kingdom.There is a difference of approach in the two books.
This is a more romantic view of Elswyth and Alfred's story and although I enjoyed it a lot,it did not eradicate BC's version of Elswyth the whiney shrew and Alfred the ailing evangelist with irritable bowel syndrome,and Uhtred smashing his way through viking shield walls.
This is a more romantic view of Elswyth and Alfred's story and although I enjoyed it a lot,it did not eradicate BC's version of Elswyth the whiney shrew and Alfred the ailing evangelist with irritable bowel syndrome,and Uhtred smashing his way through viking shield walls.
March 3, 2012
Okay, it would have been easier on the eyes if I had found out earlier that Belgrave House had released the ebook edition of this in February, but I was nevertheless very happy to get the hardcover copy (a former library book) and find out whether I remembered this as being better than it is.
No, it's just as good as I thought ^^. Joan Wolf doesn't do totally accurate historical novels (considering this trilogy goes from 6th to 9th century Britain that is not surprising), but she really did her research and tried to balance the love stories with what is known of the lifestyle and the wars of the people. Occasionally there's a little slip-up like Alfred unbuttoning Elswyth's dress (no buttons during that era).
So this works for me as historical fantasy without magic, really ^^. I like the interaction of Alfred with Elswyth, I particularly enjoyed the characters of Erlend, Brand, Flavia and to some extent Guthrum - and I thought that the author captured the Christian belief in the early Middle Ages quite well - especially with regard to how it can influence even the highest in the land.
Born of the Sun remains my favourite of these so far, but I have yet to read my copy of The Road to Avalon, which imagines Arthur as having existed as a Roman-Briton chief. Incidentally, Joan Wolf remarks at the end of this book that the one King who did all the things that Arthur has been glorified for (except for the magic) is actually Alfred, the only king ever to be called The Great in the UK.
No, it's just as good as I thought ^^. Joan Wolf doesn't do totally accurate historical novels (considering this trilogy goes from 6th to 9th century Britain that is not surprising), but she really did her research and tried to balance the love stories with what is known of the lifestyle and the wars of the people. Occasionally there's a little slip-up like Alfred unbuttoning Elswyth's dress (no buttons during that era).
So this works for me as historical fantasy without magic, really ^^. I like the interaction of Alfred with Elswyth, I particularly enjoyed the characters of Erlend, Brand, Flavia and to some extent Guthrum - and I thought that the author captured the Christian belief in the early Middle Ages quite well - especially with regard to how it can influence even the highest in the land.
Born of the Sun remains my favourite of these so far, but I have yet to read my copy of The Road to Avalon, which imagines Arthur as having existed as a Roman-Briton chief. Incidentally, Joan Wolf remarks at the end of this book that the one King who did all the things that Arthur has been glorified for (except for the magic) is actually Alfred, the only king ever to be called The Great in the UK.
March 25, 2011
The Dark Ages of Britain series by Joan Wolf has won my heart over.
November 20, 2016
A good read. True, I didn't like the heroine, found her too out of step with her era as well as far too abrasive. We know a good deal more about Alfred than Arthur [another leg of this trilogy] who is more fairy tale than fact. No doubt there is difficulty writing about larger than life heroes but Alfred comes off OK - he's got the megrims and, it seems, his best ideas came courtesy of his wife Ethel-something. No, I didn't believe it either.
October 12, 2017
What a wonderful trilogy - I think I enjoyed each book a little more than the one before!
May 31, 2020
3.7 Stars
I thought this was going to be Historical Romance. It really is historical and there is some romance, but it's far from being some light read... It's a well-documented historical novel about the life of King Alfred the Great. I found it interesting because I knew little about that particular period.
Too many names, a lot of politics and battles - too soon after finishing The Wolf. I did enjoy the story, though. Great characters, an excellent marriage, a beautiful friendship...
The cover, though... So misleading...
I thought this was going to be Historical Romance. It really is historical and there is some romance, but it's far from being some light read... It's a well-documented historical novel about the life of King Alfred the Great. I found it interesting because I knew little about that particular period.
Too many names, a lot of politics and battles - too soon after finishing The Wolf. I did enjoy the story, though. Great characters, an excellent marriage, a beautiful friendship...
The cover, though... So misleading...
November 19, 2025
Much of Alfred the Great's reign is speculation and certainly the history of the women surrounding him is hidden in shadow. The author does an excellent job of speculating (and specifying what is known and what is not in her Author's Note). Alfred's life is brought to life, and his relationship with Elswyth (and Elswyth herself) is depicted in a realistic way.
For those who enjoy this period in history, this is an excellent book illustrating Alfred's boyhood life, his marriage with Elsyth, and his struggle to hold Wessex against the Viking incursions.
For those who enjoy this period in history, this is an excellent book illustrating Alfred's boyhood life, his marriage with Elsyth, and his struggle to hold Wessex against the Viking incursions.
December 20, 2019
Absolutely loved this book and I am not a fan of romance novels.
did-not-finish
September 1, 2024Could not finish.
January 19, 2017
Nov. 20, 2016 I read this over a year ago and can't believe I gave it five stars and did not review it. The reason I am so surprised is that I recently read two books, one from the Saxon standpoint and one from more of the Dane standpoint. King Alfred the Great is in both books as they are from the 9th century also. I remembered Alfred so vividly from this book that I found myself a bit defensive of him when reading those, both of which picture him differently. I realize these authors are all writing historical fiction from many centuries ago, so personalities have long been lost. This is my favorite about Alfred and I will read it again. It was a great read and when I re-read it I will review it in more detail.
Review after re-reading this book.
Now I remember why I loved this book. I am even more familiar with this period of British history now so enjoyed it even more. There three books in this, what the author refers to as a trilogy, but they take place centuries apart. I tagged it as a stand alone because the only tie with the other two books is that they take place in the same historical places. The first is about King Arthur, the second takes place 80 years after his death and in the dark ages which is a time that history is lost, and this one from the 9th century during Alfred the Great's reign. All three are romances and the author writes in one or two of them at the back of the book that during these times the women are often not even mentioned by name even if married to great men. There is no history of their personalities or their relationships, so the author has to use the period of history, what is written about the main players of the time, and create personalities - and if they choose, romances because whether or not the people loved each other is lost forever.
This book is a bit like Bernard Cromwell's The Last Kingdom in that there is a secondary character in this book who is many ways parallels Cromwell's main character. Both are playing on both sides, the Danes and the Saxons, both have lost their inheritance to an uncle, and both become a part of the Alfred story. They are very different as one was born a Saxon and the other born a Dane, but it was interesting and added to the story - both stories.
It is amazing to see how people lived in these times and really impossible in this day and age to imagine enduring the things they went through every day. This author made me care very much for the characters as she did in the other two books of this trilogy, and I like a really good love story. A book that is about real history is going to follow that history, so the author is held to what really happened. But the motivations of the people and their interactions are either brought to life or not - I was right there with them throughout this story.
Review after re-reading this book.
Now I remember why I loved this book. I am even more familiar with this period of British history now so enjoyed it even more. There three books in this, what the author refers to as a trilogy, but they take place centuries apart. I tagged it as a stand alone because the only tie with the other two books is that they take place in the same historical places. The first is about King Arthur, the second takes place 80 years after his death and in the dark ages which is a time that history is lost, and this one from the 9th century during Alfred the Great's reign. All three are romances and the author writes in one or two of them at the back of the book that during these times the women are often not even mentioned by name even if married to great men. There is no history of their personalities or their relationships, so the author has to use the period of history, what is written about the main players of the time, and create personalities - and if they choose, romances because whether or not the people loved each other is lost forever.
This book is a bit like Bernard Cromwell's The Last Kingdom in that there is a secondary character in this book who is many ways parallels Cromwell's main character. Both are playing on both sides, the Danes and the Saxons, both have lost their inheritance to an uncle, and both become a part of the Alfred story. They are very different as one was born a Saxon and the other born a Dane, but it was interesting and added to the story - both stories.
It is amazing to see how people lived in these times and really impossible in this day and age to imagine enduring the things they went through every day. This author made me care very much for the characters as she did in the other two books of this trilogy, and I like a really good love story. A book that is about real history is going to follow that history, so the author is held to what really happened. But the motivations of the people and their interactions are either brought to life or not - I was right there with them throughout this story.
Read
October 19, 2016So I really enjoyed this trilogy. I love the first and third book, but am pretty meh about the middle book. Before I start though, there is this somewhat creepy association of the female characters as young and looking child-like and innocent. It's disturbing. Feels somewhat like a sexualisation/fetishisation of the young. The heroines are constantly described as looking slender/young/innocent/pure/child-like. They are outright said to look way younger than their years, looking child-like, being mistaken for young teens.
Okay anyway, one thing I loved about this series was the solid historical details. Admittedly, I have no idea if it's accurate but the atmosphere and mood evoked are so vivid. I felt transported to another time period.
Also I know the heroes are written for the female gaze but I have to say I still fell for it, Arthur and Alfred were hot af. I didn't like the second book as much because Ceawlin felt abusive and volatile/violent but the first and third book were so good. I was honestly so upset after the first book because Arthur died so the third book reads like good fix-it fic for the first ha. Arthur and Alfred are very similar to me. The author said in her end notes that Alfred seems like Arthur, reborn, and I see it -- which is why the third book feels like a fix-it fic for the first book. I have to admit my love for the books are totally biased because I found Alfred and Arthur super hot cough. I love the first book. Very creative and solid retelling of the arthurian myth.
Okay anyway, one thing I loved about this series was the solid historical details. Admittedly, I have no idea if it's accurate but the atmosphere and mood evoked are so vivid. I felt transported to another time period.
Also I know the heroes are written for the female gaze but I have to say I still fell for it, Arthur and Alfred were hot af. I didn't like the second book as much because Ceawlin felt abusive and volatile/violent but the first and third book were so good. I was honestly so upset after the first book because Arthur died so the third book reads like good fix-it fic for the first ha. Arthur and Alfred are very similar to me. The author said in her end notes that Alfred seems like Arthur, reborn, and I see it -- which is why the third book feels like a fix-it fic for the first book. I have to admit my love for the books are totally biased because I found Alfred and Arthur super hot cough. I love the first book. Very creative and solid retelling of the arthurian myth.
September 6, 2016
This is a book club pick, and it's an oldie! So I was actually excited to read this book, because this is about King Alfred of Wessex England back in the year starting 856 (who I knew nothing about). That's right folks...856! I guess there is quite a bit of information on this dude, and the author supports it in the end. Well, the events were fascinating, the execution....Not so much. At least for me. So far most of the people who have read this in my book club are really loving this. For me, the dialogue is super awkward, the names are even more awkward, and the way things happen in this book are so matter of fact, it's like the author is just telling you, and not showing you. For instance, one minute they are pregnant, and a paragraph later there is a baby...and this is not a short book. Where did all that in between time go? It was hard for me to read, because I really was bored for most of it. Despite the cover its a clean book. In the beginning its a little suggestive, but it's nothing really, and the remainder of the 400 pages is clean. Anyway, don't take my word for this because I think I will be a minority dis-liker of this book. I would recommend, because the history is fascinating, and obviously most people who read it enjoy it. Just not me.
May 9, 2015
This is the third novel in the "warrior kings" series by Joan Wolf. The first tells the story of Arthur, the second is about Ceawlin, one of the early Saxon kings and this is the story of Alfred, the only English king to be given the name "the Great". It's excellent: very well written, engaging and informative. The author has done her research and based her novel on what is known about Alfred and his family. It's great to read an enjoyable novel like this and learn stuff at the same time, especially when it deals with one of the defining moments in the history of England. I defy anyone to remain dry-eyed when Alfred crests the hill at.... Well, I won't spoil it. We never do get the story of the cakes though!
February 11, 2015
So enjoyed this trilogy by Joan Wolf. It started with King Arthur and ended with Alfred the Great. What is so amazing is the events in the last book actually took place! What a king he made! He refused to give into the Danes and even received acknowledgement from the attacking Danish kings on how clever he was as well as a true leader of men who inspired complete loyalty. He is the only monarch of England known as ' the Great '. An grand story. A truly fine king - Alfred the Great, King of Wessex! 4 1/4 stars. Thank you, Ms. Wolf.
August 12, 2023
Loved it! My kind of read.
April 17, 2025
The is the story of Alfred the Great and his wife, Elswyth. It starts when Alfred is a child of 6 or so, and continues through his final battle with Guthrum, the Dane. The characters and what happens to them come alive on the page. It is also a great way to learn some history about Medieval Wessex, the Anglo-Saxons and the invasion and incursion of the Danes.
June 28, 2012
I read this when it first came out and several times since. I really enjoyed this one. I thought the political intrigue was well done. Again it made me want to read the real history, which I always enjoy.
July 13, 2008
Alfred the Great is the main character in this fine bit of historical fiction.
November 1, 2011
I liked this book a lot. Joan brings fascinating life to history. So I feel like I got a history lesson through a great romantic story. Best "history" book ever.
Read
July 27, 2011My 2nd favorite in the trilogy. The Road to Avalon is my favorite! Wonderful characters, lots of good intrigue and action. I recommend!
August 26, 2012
The battles and strategies were good but the whole christianity thing spoiled it for me
November 2, 2015
England, 856-900, King Albert
July 23, 2017
This was a re-read because I enjoyed it a lot the first time I read it. second time around it seemed a little "lite" but all the same enjoyed it.
May 24, 2018
First of all, WTF is up with the Harlequin Romance-level of bodice-ripping on the cover? I had to laugh out loud because it's as far from the Alfred and Elswyth in The Last Kingdom (on Netflix) as can be.
Aside from the cheesy relationship between those two, this was a great intro to Alfred the Great and Saxon England before the Conquest. Erlend is basically the Uhtred of this book and probably the most intriguing character, the interloper who develops a grudging respect for Alfred and angsts about AM A DANE OR AN HONORARY SAXON. 5 stars.
Aside from the cheesy relationship between those two, this was a great intro to Alfred the Great and Saxon England before the Conquest. Erlend is basically the Uhtred of this book and probably the most intriguing character, the interloper who develops a grudging respect for Alfred and angsts about AM A DANE OR AN HONORARY SAXON. 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews