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The King's Witch
Of the women in King Richard's life, she is the least known-and the most powerful.
During the Third Crusade, deaths from fever and starvation are common, but King Richard the Lion-Hearted has a secret ally against these impassable enemies-a mysterious healer by the name of Edythe.
She was sent to him by his mother Eleanor, and Richard first assumes that Edythe is a spy. But when her medical knowledge saves his life, she becomes an indispensable member of his camp-even as his loyal soldiers, suspicious of her talent for warding off death, call her a witch.
During the Third Crusade, deaths from fever and starvation are common, but King Richard the Lion-Hearted has a secret ally against these impassable enemies-a mysterious healer by the name of Edythe.
She was sent to him by his mother Eleanor, and Richard first assumes that Edythe is a spy. But when her medical knowledge saves his life, she becomes an indispensable member of his camp-even as his loyal soldiers, suspicious of her talent for warding off death, call her a witch.
313 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
11 people are currently reading
502 people want to read
About the author
Cecelia Holland
82 books211 followersPen name used by Elizabeth Eliot Carter.
Cecelia Holland is one of the world's most highly acclaimed and respected historical novelists, ranked by many alongside other giants in that field such as Mary Renault and Larry McMurtry. Over the span of her thirty year career, she's written almost thirty historical novels, including The Firedrake, Rakessy, Two Ravens, Ghost on the Steppe, Death of Attila, Hammer For Princes, The King's Road, Pillar of the Sky, The Lords of Vaumartin, Pacific Street, Sea Beggars, The Earl, The King in Winter, The Belt of Gold, The Serpent Dreamer, The High City, Kings of the North, and a series of fantasy novels, including The Soul Thief, The Witches Kitchen, The Serpent Dreamer, and Varanger. She also wrote the well-known science fiction novel Floating Worlds, which was nominated for a Locus Award in 1975. Her most recent book is a new fantasy novel, Dragon Heart.
Cecelia Holland is one of the world's most highly acclaimed and respected historical novelists, ranked by many alongside other giants in that field such as Mary Renault and Larry McMurtry. Over the span of her thirty year career, she's written almost thirty historical novels, including The Firedrake, Rakessy, Two Ravens, Ghost on the Steppe, Death of Attila, Hammer For Princes, The King's Road, Pillar of the Sky, The Lords of Vaumartin, Pacific Street, Sea Beggars, The Earl, The King in Winter, The Belt of Gold, The Serpent Dreamer, The High City, Kings of the North, and a series of fantasy novels, including The Soul Thief, The Witches Kitchen, The Serpent Dreamer, and Varanger. She also wrote the well-known science fiction novel Floating Worlds, which was nominated for a Locus Award in 1975. Her most recent book is a new fantasy novel, Dragon Heart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 17, 2025
Interesting story about a female Jewish doctor trying to survive amidst the crusading army of Richard The Lionheart. Though her ordeal was compelling, and the characterizations of the real life historical figures felt well-researched and plausible, I was puzzled by some anachronistic touches such as the characters asking for "pen and paper." It's the twelfth century, people! Shouldn't it still be parchment and quills or something? Minor quibbles in an otherwise well-crafted, if not terribly exciting, medieval fiction.
August 5, 2016
Maybe it is my great love for the historical fiction genre, or this newfound fascination with the Plantagenet dynasty, or the fact that I’ve just finished Sharon Kay Penman’s series about this legendary medieval family and have probably set the bar too high for my subsequent Plantagenet reads, that when I finished this story about about a young woman who goes on a crusade with King Richard, I was frustrated because it ended up somewhat unremarkable.
It's not that Edythe is a disagreeable protagonist; I actually liked that she is strong-willed and rationale and badass at times. She has loyally served Queen Eleanor and her daughter, acted as personal physician to King Richard and developed an honest but pragmatic affection for the king’s right-hand man while quietly tracing back her secret Jewish heritage at the same time—who wouldn’t get impressed with such a formidable woman character? In a medieval world where women endured the vagaries of feudal society, Edythe’s character has come out revolutionary. I just thought that her character is bluntly eclipsed by every character in the story wanting a share of the spotlight. Everybody seems to be in the same place at the same time—with his or her own stories to share—that I can’t find my empathetic chi extending to Edythe. Also, I refuse to believe that King Richard’s reason for joining the crusade had to do with penance on his alleged homosexuality, or that Johanna had connived with the French king to sabotage the crusade as openly suggested in this book.
Anyway, I rate the story line two stars and give an additional star for its historical theme.
It's not that Edythe is a disagreeable protagonist; I actually liked that she is strong-willed and rationale and badass at times. She has loyally served Queen Eleanor and her daughter, acted as personal physician to King Richard and developed an honest but pragmatic affection for the king’s right-hand man while quietly tracing back her secret Jewish heritage at the same time—who wouldn’t get impressed with such a formidable woman character? In a medieval world where women endured the vagaries of feudal society, Edythe’s character has come out revolutionary. I just thought that her character is bluntly eclipsed by every character in the story wanting a share of the spotlight. Everybody seems to be in the same place at the same time—with his or her own stories to share—that I can’t find my empathetic chi extending to Edythe. Also, I refuse to believe that King Richard’s reason for joining the crusade had to do with penance on his alleged homosexuality, or that Johanna had connived with the French king to sabotage the crusade as openly suggested in this book.
Anyway, I rate the story line two stars and give an additional star for its historical theme.
August 12, 2015
The King's Witch isn't a bad book, but it's not one I'd go out of my way to read again, either. The story is set during the reign of Richard I (Lionheart) and his Crusade. The main character is Eadyth, the "king's witch", so called because she has knowledge of herbs and medicines, and took care of the king when he was stricken with fever.
While sections of the story were interesting, for the most part I found it bland and passive, with too much time spent bouncing around subplots involving secondary characters, subplots that had little to do with the main story, thus taking time away from Eadyth and her struggle for identity, for we soon learn the Eadyth is her Christian name, that she was born a Jewess whose parents were killed during one of the many purges against Jews, and what could have been a really good story becomes only average
While sections of the story were interesting, for the most part I found it bland and passive, with too much time spent bouncing around subplots involving secondary characters, subplots that had little to do with the main story, thus taking time away from Eadyth and her struggle for identity, for we soon learn the Eadyth is her Christian name, that she was born a Jewess whose parents were killed during one of the many purges against Jews, and what could have been a really good story becomes only average
September 5, 2018
I found Deborah's story interesting. She is a Jew, raised by Queen Eleanor. Now everyone knows her as Edythe and as a Christian. She is a spy and a healer to King Richard The Lionheart.
Rouquin is related to the king and in love with Edythe.
I found some parts of the story dragging and not interesting.
I had to laugh when Rouquin shaved Edythe's hair off, right to the scalp, so she could pretend to be a man and go on the crusade.
Rouquin is related to the king and in love with Edythe.
I found some parts of the story dragging and not interesting.
I had to laugh when Rouquin shaved Edythe's hair off, right to the scalp, so she could pretend to be a man and go on the crusade.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2019
The Kings Witch is a rather slow book. The mysteries and secrets are likely supposed to be part of the drive of the novel but there were points where I stopped caring about them. I did however finish the book because I wanted to know what would become of Edythe, a young Jewish doctor, even though I’m not entirely sure I liked her character. I felt like she never truly evolved and was only forced to do so by things outside of her control. Her back story is as confusing as her struggle with her Jewish heritage and her need to pretend to be a Christian.
I was irritated with the move between the Crusade and her story, wondering what the point of it all was. Especially the title of the book! You don’t really get into that title until over 3/4 of the way through. Overall, either I’m not a fan of historical fiction or this particular book didn’t draw me in but I’m not entirely sure I’d recommend this.
I was irritated with the move between the Crusade and her story, wondering what the point of it all was. Especially the title of the book! You don’t really get into that title until over 3/4 of the way through. Overall, either I’m not a fan of historical fiction or this particular book didn’t draw me in but I’m not entirely sure I’d recommend this.
August 27, 2018
This novel is set during the Third Crusade in the Middle East including Cyprus, Tyre, and Jaffa. It features both real historical people such as Richard the Lionheart, his sister and other nobles. It is also the story of Edythe, a healer , who is Jewish posing as a Christian with few people knowing her true religion or name. The medicine being used at this time is very interesting. The book was an easy read.
February 19, 2020
Was looking for a book to download and found this nice Cecelia Holland novel. She's always been one of my favorite historical fiction writers and this was pretty good.
Read
April 27, 2022Not that I didn't like it but I didn't have time to finish reading it. Will come back to this
Read
March 28, 2023It is a while since I have read any Cecelia Holland and I had forgotten just what a joy it was. I must look out for others I haven't read yet or even reread old favorites.
May 1, 2012
De los varios géneros que me apasionan, me gustaría destacar los libros que combinan historia, búsqueda espiritual y romance. LA BRUJA DEL REY, de Cecelia Holland, es un ejemplo soberbio de estas cualidades. Una auténtica galera de sucesos que surca el mar de la historia a toda vela.
Aclaraciones: ¿es todo historia? ¿hay brujería a mansalva?
No, ni vamos a estudiar fechas de texto ni veremos brujas volar en escobas.
En una balanza temática, tenemos los grandes hechos históricos, las batallas, las figuras legendarias. En el otro platillo, tenemos a las personas, con sus pérdidas personales, sus miedos y su intensa humanidad en contraste con el grandioso telón de fondo.
Somos testigos de excepción de la cruzada de Ricardo Corazón de León, rey de Inglaterra, gracias al primer plano que ofrecen los personajes femeninos. No intervienen en la liza, por supuesto, pero son capaces de verlo todo desde su no siempre segura posición en retaguardia.
¿Quiénes se convertirán en nuestros ojos y alma en este libro? Juana sufre el peso moral de una guerra que cree maldita. Su hermano Ricardo ansía expiar sus culpas ante Dios ofreciéndole Tierra Santa en bandeja. Edythe anhela pertenecer a un mundo al que fue arrojada siendo niña y lleva, oculto en su interior, un secreto que la aísla cada vez más de todos. Rouquin, el pelirrojo y brutal primo del rey, sólo busca la paz interior en la seguridad que le brinda la batalla. Y por último, la gran protagonista, la ambientación histórica.
Puedo confesar a gusto que me he enamorado de la novela. El estilo de Cecelia H. es agreste, vívido, directo y envolvente. Tiene un poder descriptivo más que evidente y, a veces, es tan directo que resulta cortante. El efecto que produce es de avanzar por la trama sin pausa. Se respira el polvo de las ciudades arrasadas. Se sienten las vibraciones de los cuernos de batalla. Se contemplan las murallas de la asediada Acre y el brillo de su mar sin igual. Pletórica de conspiraciones y una política hermanada con la religión y la ambición, la trama se despliega a gran velocidad entre calles asoladas, ejércitos invasores y guerreros con cotas de malla que sólo son felices en acción.
Qué ganas tenía de vivir en el siglo XII. Y sobre todo qué ganas tenía de conocer la pasión que se esconde entre complots y estandartes. Porque sí, hay una historia de amor y me ha tenido en ascuas toooodo el libro, pensando… ¿ocurrirá? ¿Será de paso o duradero? ¿Morirá alguno? ¿Tendrá un final horroroso para mi pobre corazón romanticón? Todas las respuestas y una manicura nueva en el libro.
Me ha gustado muchísimo porque me he sumergido en la cruzada sin que pareciera que estaba leyendo un tratado de historia apolillado. Nombres como Ricardo Corazón de León, Guido de Lusignan, Saladino y Felipe Augusto, rey de Francia, se convierten en hombres de carne y hueso que sudan a mares, braman de enojo y campan por las tórridas tierras que un día vieron nacer el cristianismo. He paladeado una buena ración de batallas y escaramuzas, sabiamente aderezadas con descripciones muy realistas de cuán duras y aterradoras debieron ser aquellas jornadas. Por otro lado, las mujeres brindan un contraste necesario a tanta testosterona. Gracias a ellas, he vivido los amargos pesares de la hermana de Ricardo, las dudas existenciales de Edythe, quien actúa como médico del campamento, los soterrados planes de Leonor de Aquitania. Esto último me hace pensar si la anterior novela de la autora será un preludio de la que acabo de leer, puesto que está protagonizada por la reina Leonor, madre de Ricardo.
A mí me gustan los romances a fuego lento, así que en esta novela me ha entusiasmado tanto la parte histórica como la romántica que rebosa pasión contenida. Altas dosis de batallas entre cruzados y sarracenos, conspiraciones, una época exótica escenificada de manera espectacular y un romance paulatino que me ha hecho suspirar por cada atisbo de acercamiento entre “ella” y “él” – los ingredientes perfectos para hacerme trasnochar.
Babel en http://torretadebabel.blogspot.com
Aclaraciones: ¿es todo historia? ¿hay brujería a mansalva?
No, ni vamos a estudiar fechas de texto ni veremos brujas volar en escobas.
En una balanza temática, tenemos los grandes hechos históricos, las batallas, las figuras legendarias. En el otro platillo, tenemos a las personas, con sus pérdidas personales, sus miedos y su intensa humanidad en contraste con el grandioso telón de fondo.
Somos testigos de excepción de la cruzada de Ricardo Corazón de León, rey de Inglaterra, gracias al primer plano que ofrecen los personajes femeninos. No intervienen en la liza, por supuesto, pero son capaces de verlo todo desde su no siempre segura posición en retaguardia.
¿Quiénes se convertirán en nuestros ojos y alma en este libro? Juana sufre el peso moral de una guerra que cree maldita. Su hermano Ricardo ansía expiar sus culpas ante Dios ofreciéndole Tierra Santa en bandeja. Edythe anhela pertenecer a un mundo al que fue arrojada siendo niña y lleva, oculto en su interior, un secreto que la aísla cada vez más de todos. Rouquin, el pelirrojo y brutal primo del rey, sólo busca la paz interior en la seguridad que le brinda la batalla. Y por último, la gran protagonista, la ambientación histórica.
Puedo confesar a gusto que me he enamorado de la novela. El estilo de Cecelia H. es agreste, vívido, directo y envolvente. Tiene un poder descriptivo más que evidente y, a veces, es tan directo que resulta cortante. El efecto que produce es de avanzar por la trama sin pausa. Se respira el polvo de las ciudades arrasadas. Se sienten las vibraciones de los cuernos de batalla. Se contemplan las murallas de la asediada Acre y el brillo de su mar sin igual. Pletórica de conspiraciones y una política hermanada con la religión y la ambición, la trama se despliega a gran velocidad entre calles asoladas, ejércitos invasores y guerreros con cotas de malla que sólo son felices en acción.
Qué ganas tenía de vivir en el siglo XII. Y sobre todo qué ganas tenía de conocer la pasión que se esconde entre complots y estandartes. Porque sí, hay una historia de amor y me ha tenido en ascuas toooodo el libro, pensando… ¿ocurrirá? ¿Será de paso o duradero? ¿Morirá alguno? ¿Tendrá un final horroroso para mi pobre corazón romanticón? Todas las respuestas y una manicura nueva en el libro.
Me ha gustado muchísimo porque me he sumergido en la cruzada sin que pareciera que estaba leyendo un tratado de historia apolillado. Nombres como Ricardo Corazón de León, Guido de Lusignan, Saladino y Felipe Augusto, rey de Francia, se convierten en hombres de carne y hueso que sudan a mares, braman de enojo y campan por las tórridas tierras que un día vieron nacer el cristianismo. He paladeado una buena ración de batallas y escaramuzas, sabiamente aderezadas con descripciones muy realistas de cuán duras y aterradoras debieron ser aquellas jornadas. Por otro lado, las mujeres brindan un contraste necesario a tanta testosterona. Gracias a ellas, he vivido los amargos pesares de la hermana de Ricardo, las dudas existenciales de Edythe, quien actúa como médico del campamento, los soterrados planes de Leonor de Aquitania. Esto último me hace pensar si la anterior novela de la autora será un preludio de la que acabo de leer, puesto que está protagonizada por la reina Leonor, madre de Ricardo.
A mí me gustan los romances a fuego lento, así que en esta novela me ha entusiasmado tanto la parte histórica como la romántica que rebosa pasión contenida. Altas dosis de batallas entre cruzados y sarracenos, conspiraciones, una época exótica escenificada de manera espectacular y un romance paulatino que me ha hecho suspirar por cada atisbo de acercamiento entre “ella” y “él” – los ingredientes perfectos para hacerme trasnochar.
Babel en http://torretadebabel.blogspot.com
December 5, 2017
Story: 5 (basic with little room for initiative)
Characters: 8 (distinct and believable)
Accuracy: 9 (well-researched and reliable)
God, that’s an awful, absurd, atrocious cover. It makes it look like one of those lame fantasy-historical half-penny romances you find in the discount rack at your local charity shop; the ones where nothing too nasty happens, the women are ridiculously glamorous and empowered, and the love interest is willing to sacrifice everything for love, is invariably shirtless, and is a paragon of all earthly virtues. This isn't that at all. Ugh.
What this is is the story of a young Jewish doctor serving Richard the Lionheart in the Third Crusade. Obviously there’s something a bit odd about a Jew going on Crusade, but a perfectly plausible explanation’s given: she’s Eleanor of Aquitaine’s eyes and ears, rescued from Philip Augustus’ pogrom, and trusted to be honest due to the hold her secret has on her. Edyth nee Deborah is an interesting character, struggling with a faith she doesn’t understand and another she doesn’t feel a part of. The medical aspect is handled as the epitome of 12th century knowledge: everything is due to humors and the phases of the moon.
The only real issue with the book (and one far too common with historical novels focused around the women surrounding great men) is that Edyth never has much agency of her own. I mean, there’s a bit when dealing with medical matters or her love life, but in general she’s just along on the crusade because she’s been ordered to be. A partial solution to this is the focus on Richard and his ‘cousin’ Rouquin (the love interest), both of whom are heavily involved in the war. Richard’s always a fascinating character. He’s unambiguously gay here (the nice thing about writing a novel is that you get to take sides), about which he feels a little, but not really all that much, guilt. Certainly it’s less sinful than being a Jew. He’s also extremely devout, and coming to terms with his ultimate failure only makes him more interesting. Rouquin’s got an interesting background, but otherwise he’s not particularly compelling. He’s just sort of a generic warrior.
I enjoyed this novel. It offers a good account of the third crusade and the personalities and events surrounding it. That said, it’s neither the deeply felt account of her earlier Crusades novel Jerusalem nor the wonderfully larger-than-life personality-driven conflict of Antichrist. Richard, for all his admirable qualities, is no Frederick. The main internal conflict is a struggle about faith, but Edyth doesn’t really know much about Judaism and as a result has little to do but suffer.
Characters: 8 (distinct and believable)
Accuracy: 9 (well-researched and reliable)
God, that’s an awful, absurd, atrocious cover. It makes it look like one of those lame fantasy-historical half-penny romances you find in the discount rack at your local charity shop; the ones where nothing too nasty happens, the women are ridiculously glamorous and empowered, and the love interest is willing to sacrifice everything for love, is invariably shirtless, and is a paragon of all earthly virtues. This isn't that at all. Ugh.
What this is is the story of a young Jewish doctor serving Richard the Lionheart in the Third Crusade. Obviously there’s something a bit odd about a Jew going on Crusade, but a perfectly plausible explanation’s given: she’s Eleanor of Aquitaine’s eyes and ears, rescued from Philip Augustus’ pogrom, and trusted to be honest due to the hold her secret has on her. Edyth nee Deborah is an interesting character, struggling with a faith she doesn’t understand and another she doesn’t feel a part of. The medical aspect is handled as the epitome of 12th century knowledge: everything is due to humors and the phases of the moon.
The only real issue with the book (and one far too common with historical novels focused around the women surrounding great men) is that Edyth never has much agency of her own. I mean, there’s a bit when dealing with medical matters or her love life, but in general she’s just along on the crusade because she’s been ordered to be. A partial solution to this is the focus on Richard and his ‘cousin’ Rouquin (the love interest), both of whom are heavily involved in the war. Richard’s always a fascinating character. He’s unambiguously gay here (the nice thing about writing a novel is that you get to take sides), about which he feels a little, but not really all that much, guilt. Certainly it’s less sinful than being a Jew. He’s also extremely devout, and coming to terms with his ultimate failure only makes him more interesting. Rouquin’s got an interesting background, but otherwise he’s not particularly compelling. He’s just sort of a generic warrior.
I enjoyed this novel. It offers a good account of the third crusade and the personalities and events surrounding it. That said, it’s neither the deeply felt account of her earlier Crusades novel Jerusalem nor the wonderfully larger-than-life personality-driven conflict of Antichrist. Richard, for all his admirable qualities, is no Frederick. The main internal conflict is a struggle about faith, but Edyth doesn’t really know much about Judaism and as a result has little to do but suffer.
July 3, 2011
The King’s Witch by Cecelia Holland
Historical Romance- June 7th, 2011
3 1/2 stars
Edythe has a terrible secret. As she tags along with Johanna, the Queen of Cyprus, and King Richard (Johanna’s brother), she is under the orders of the Queen Mother, Eleanor, to spy on her children. When they all reach Acre, Edythe find herself consumed by a longing to discover her heritage. But then, Richard contracts a fever. Edythe heals him with her knowledge of herbs. Because of this, Richard brings her along in his march to Jerusalem as his personal healer. However, trouble brews because being next to Richard means being close to Rouquin, a bastard who grew up with Richard. There is no future for a bastard prince and a servant, least of all a servant with a secret...
This was an interesting and deeply textured read. The author definitely managed to bring the Crusades to life. Her description of war-torn Acre and Jaffa was vivid and heartbreaking. I could almost see the yellow rubbles and market in Acre and the white walls and palm trees of Jaffa. The only problem for me is that there was an overload of information in the beginning of the novel. The reader is thrust right into the thick of the political tension and quickly must learn within a span of a few pages the names and motives of several historical figures - Humprey de Toron, Guy de Lusignan, King Philip of France. It was a bit overwhelming to say the least. To me, Rouquin was overshadowed by Richard’s charisma; a large part of the book follows Richard’s fruitless attempt to capture Jerusalem and his march from Acre. Edythe, though fascinating, was given too little interaction with Rouquin for me to believe the love story between them. I wish the author has spent more time with the main characters so I could become more emotionally involved.
Fantastic historical novel. Descriptive and fascinating, fans of the Crusades should give this book a try. However, while I did find the historical details intriguing, I felt some of the personal drama/connections between the main characters lagged as a result.
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Club
Historical Romance- June 7th, 2011
3 1/2 stars
Edythe has a terrible secret. As she tags along with Johanna, the Queen of Cyprus, and King Richard (Johanna’s brother), she is under the orders of the Queen Mother, Eleanor, to spy on her children. When they all reach Acre, Edythe find herself consumed by a longing to discover her heritage. But then, Richard contracts a fever. Edythe heals him with her knowledge of herbs. Because of this, Richard brings her along in his march to Jerusalem as his personal healer. However, trouble brews because being next to Richard means being close to Rouquin, a bastard who grew up with Richard. There is no future for a bastard prince and a servant, least of all a servant with a secret...
This was an interesting and deeply textured read. The author definitely managed to bring the Crusades to life. Her description of war-torn Acre and Jaffa was vivid and heartbreaking. I could almost see the yellow rubbles and market in Acre and the white walls and palm trees of Jaffa. The only problem for me is that there was an overload of information in the beginning of the novel. The reader is thrust right into the thick of the political tension and quickly must learn within a span of a few pages the names and motives of several historical figures - Humprey de Toron, Guy de Lusignan, King Philip of France. It was a bit overwhelming to say the least. To me, Rouquin was overshadowed by Richard’s charisma; a large part of the book follows Richard’s fruitless attempt to capture Jerusalem and his march from Acre. Edythe, though fascinating, was given too little interaction with Rouquin for me to believe the love story between them. I wish the author has spent more time with the main characters so I could become more emotionally involved.
Fantastic historical novel. Descriptive and fascinating, fans of the Crusades should give this book a try. However, while I did find the historical details intriguing, I felt some of the personal drama/connections between the main characters lagged as a result.
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Club
June 25, 2011
This review was originally posted on my blog at: http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2011/...
Richard the Lionheart is a legend of the twelfth century. To us in the 21st century, he is an epic warrior king that we probably most often hear of in the Robin Hood legend as the King who is off fighting in the Crusades while his evil brother, Prince John, plots against him. The King’s Witch tells the story of what exactly happened during the crusades while England was left in the clutches of Prince John.
Edythe is a young Jewess that has been rescued by Queen Eleanor and sent to King Richard the Lionheart and his sister Queen Johanna of Sicily while they are off fighting the Crusade. Edythe has a mysterious past and a gift for healing. This gift leads her to be labeled as a witch. At first Edythe is thought to be a spy for Queen Eleanor, but soon her gifts of healing and of being a good listener lead her to become close with both Richard and Johanna. She is also drawn to the mysterious knight, Rouquin. Rouquin is a tall, powerful redheaded knight that is also the right-hand man of Richard. Rouquin and Edythe both find themselves powerfully attracted to one another. They both understand what it is like to be on the outside looking in.
The King’s Witch is an interesting look into the power struggle that was the crusades in the Middle East. It was quite the complex conflict, which leads to the downside of this book, sometimes the details of the various characters and conflicts got to be a little on the dry side. The positive of this novel was the relationship between Edythe and Rouquin. They had great chemistry together, and they both had compelling back stories. I really enjoyed reading about Edythe’s struggle with her identity and her search for her Jewish heritage.
Overall, The King’s Witch is an interesting historical fiction novel about the crusade, King Richard, his sister Queen Johanna, and about living the life of a Jewish woman in a Christian world.
Richard the Lionheart is a legend of the twelfth century. To us in the 21st century, he is an epic warrior king that we probably most often hear of in the Robin Hood legend as the King who is off fighting in the Crusades while his evil brother, Prince John, plots against him. The King’s Witch tells the story of what exactly happened during the crusades while England was left in the clutches of Prince John.
Edythe is a young Jewess that has been rescued by Queen Eleanor and sent to King Richard the Lionheart and his sister Queen Johanna of Sicily while they are off fighting the Crusade. Edythe has a mysterious past and a gift for healing. This gift leads her to be labeled as a witch. At first Edythe is thought to be a spy for Queen Eleanor, but soon her gifts of healing and of being a good listener lead her to become close with both Richard and Johanna. She is also drawn to the mysterious knight, Rouquin. Rouquin is a tall, powerful redheaded knight that is also the right-hand man of Richard. Rouquin and Edythe both find themselves powerfully attracted to one another. They both understand what it is like to be on the outside looking in.
The King’s Witch is an interesting look into the power struggle that was the crusades in the Middle East. It was quite the complex conflict, which leads to the downside of this book, sometimes the details of the various characters and conflicts got to be a little on the dry side. The positive of this novel was the relationship between Edythe and Rouquin. They had great chemistry together, and they both had compelling back stories. I really enjoyed reading about Edythe’s struggle with her identity and her search for her Jewish heritage.
Overall, The King’s Witch is an interesting historical fiction novel about the crusade, King Richard, his sister Queen Johanna, and about living the life of a Jewish woman in a Christian world.
March 10, 2015
Cecelia Holland's The King's Witch (New York: Berkley, 2011) is a historical novel set during the Third Crusade to take Jerusalem, around 1191. Edythe - a young Jewish woman pretending to be Christian - is dispatched by Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine to inform on her children, Richard the Lionheart and his sister Johanna. Edythe has inherited a little folk-healing skill from her physician father, and using her knowledge of herbs and potions she manages to save the king's life when he contracts a dangerous fever, a feat than earns her the nickname of witch. Fortunately, this is the era before the Burning Times swept across Europe.
King Richard embarks on his holy campaign to atone for the homosexuality he believes makes him a monster in the eyes of God. On the same journey, Edythe begins her own religious pilgrimage to discover and reclaim her Jewish heritage. She develops a bond with another outsider, the king's bastard relative called Rouquin, who tells her that Richard's crusade "isn't about God" but rather "about power." This ironically proves true at the end - with the suggestion that the strongest power on earth is love.
Although a lot of political background informs the start of the novel, Holland's crisp style cuts cleanly through to the center of this original, inventive tale. It is well-researched and nicely executed, especially the early medicinal knowledge which includes a particularly harrowing head-trauma surgery.
The King's Witch can be classified as both a romance and a fiction. And while the relationship between Edythe and Rouquin is not entirely convincing, the action scenes and excellent details prove sufficient to make this an intelligent and satisfying historical novel.
King Richard embarks on his holy campaign to atone for the homosexuality he believes makes him a monster in the eyes of God. On the same journey, Edythe begins her own religious pilgrimage to discover and reclaim her Jewish heritage. She develops a bond with another outsider, the king's bastard relative called Rouquin, who tells her that Richard's crusade "isn't about God" but rather "about power." This ironically proves true at the end - with the suggestion that the strongest power on earth is love.
Although a lot of political background informs the start of the novel, Holland's crisp style cuts cleanly through to the center of this original, inventive tale. It is well-researched and nicely executed, especially the early medicinal knowledge which includes a particularly harrowing head-trauma surgery.
The King's Witch can be classified as both a romance and a fiction. And while the relationship between Edythe and Rouquin is not entirely convincing, the action scenes and excellent details prove sufficient to make this an intelligent and satisfying historical novel.
March 8, 2018
I reviewed this book for Romance Reader At Heart website.
RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:
Edythe, our heroine, was chosen by Queen Eleanor to follow her children, Richard and his sister Johanna, on the Crusade to Jerusalem. As a healer, she saves Richard's life when he comes down with a fever. From that point on, the whispers start that she's a witch. Rouquin is Richard's bastard cousin and the object of Edythe's affections.
Never having read this author before, I went in blindly into the story, prose, and voice, hoping for the best. I can assure you that Ms. Holland has given her best in telling this tale of faith, war, and love. For her to paint such a vivid picture in our minds of a time so far in our past, she had to have done an enormous amount of research; yet the prose she uses to tell the story, captivates the reader from the start.
For some reason, the recurring thought I had reading this story was that if this novel ever became a movie, it just might be even better than `The Braveheart'. It certainly had all the elements of it, down to the gory battle details. The author didn't shy away from painting a very realistic picture of the times she was writing about.
Every character we meet is multi-layered and complex. Everything I thought I knew about the Crusades went out the window. Richard the Lionhearted was bigger than life, yet only a man.
Like I said, if you liked `The Braveheart' and `The Lion in Winter', you will love this novel. It is full of political intrigue and epic battles vividly and painstakingly portrayed by an author that knows her craft.
Melanie
RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:
Edythe, our heroine, was chosen by Queen Eleanor to follow her children, Richard and his sister Johanna, on the Crusade to Jerusalem. As a healer, she saves Richard's life when he comes down with a fever. From that point on, the whispers start that she's a witch. Rouquin is Richard's bastard cousin and the object of Edythe's affections.
Never having read this author before, I went in blindly into the story, prose, and voice, hoping for the best. I can assure you that Ms. Holland has given her best in telling this tale of faith, war, and love. For her to paint such a vivid picture in our minds of a time so far in our past, she had to have done an enormous amount of research; yet the prose she uses to tell the story, captivates the reader from the start.
For some reason, the recurring thought I had reading this story was that if this novel ever became a movie, it just might be even better than `The Braveheart'. It certainly had all the elements of it, down to the gory battle details. The author didn't shy away from painting a very realistic picture of the times she was writing about.
Every character we meet is multi-layered and complex. Everything I thought I knew about the Crusades went out the window. Richard the Lionhearted was bigger than life, yet only a man.
Like I said, if you liked `The Braveheart' and `The Lion in Winter', you will love this novel. It is full of political intrigue and epic battles vividly and painstakingly portrayed by an author that knows her craft.
Melanie
July 29, 2012
Cecelia Holland's The King's Witch is set during the Third Crusade. The story is told mostly from the the points of view of four characters:Richard the Lionheart; his sister Johanna,the former Queen of Sicily; Philip de Rançun,a close relation of the King (the story will show just how close); and of course Edythe, our main protagonist.
As the novel opens we are introduced to Edythe,a female doctor who keeps her real identity a secret from everyone. Edythe is a secret Jew and after her family was killed she was adopted by Queen Eleanor. Now, she is on a secret mission for the Queen as one of the ladies of her daughter Johanna following the Crusade.
After a couple of first pages, when I almost gave up on this book and now I'm so glad that I didn't, the story started to drag me in.
This is not a story in which the readers will be completely swept off their feet by some characters,but Holland's strength lies in the creation of the characters,who are believable persons of their age and not of the 20th century.
In that light, her characterization of Richard and his motives to go on a Crusade is exemplary - he is moved by his fear that his attraction towards men makes him a monster, and if he takes Jerusalem he will be saved.
As the novel opens we are introduced to Edythe,a female doctor who keeps her real identity a secret from everyone. Edythe is a secret Jew and after her family was killed she was adopted by Queen Eleanor. Now, she is on a secret mission for the Queen as one of the ladies of her daughter Johanna following the Crusade.
After a couple of first pages, when I almost gave up on this book and now I'm so glad that I didn't, the story started to drag me in.
This is not a story in which the readers will be completely swept off their feet by some characters,but Holland's strength lies in the creation of the characters,who are believable persons of their age and not of the 20th century.
In that light, her characterization of Richard and his motives to go on a Crusade is exemplary - he is moved by his fear that his attraction towards men makes him a monster, and if he takes Jerusalem he will be saved.
January 15, 2012
I wanted to enjoy this book but instead if left me with a 'blah' feeling. I couldn't connect with the characters and it didn't draw me in the way many historical novels do.
It wasn't that this is a bad book, or the author lacked skill, it's just that it didn't work for me. I was able to finish the book and I'll give the author another try, but there were just no memorable moments for me in The King's Witch. Nothing that dragged me in...
Set during the Third Crusade Edythe (not her real name) is sent to Richard by his mother, Eleanor where her skills as a healer quickly find her a place in camp, more so when she saved Richard from a fever.
I think one of my problems with the novel is the fact Edythe is a hidden Jewess, yet continues to practice her healing which is one of the things that got her father into trouble, and in this setting/time period so many good healers were Jews that it's like waving a red flag saying look at me. Yet being the healer is a vital part of the story so there's no way around it.
As I said, I'll try the author again with another book down the line and see if I'm able to truly enjoy her work.
It wasn't that this is a bad book, or the author lacked skill, it's just that it didn't work for me. I was able to finish the book and I'll give the author another try, but there were just no memorable moments for me in The King's Witch. Nothing that dragged me in...
Set during the Third Crusade Edythe (not her real name) is sent to Richard by his mother, Eleanor where her skills as a healer quickly find her a place in camp, more so when she saved Richard from a fever.
I think one of my problems with the novel is the fact Edythe is a hidden Jewess, yet continues to practice her healing which is one of the things that got her father into trouble, and in this setting/time period so many good healers were Jews that it's like waving a red flag saying look at me. Yet being the healer is a vital part of the story so there's no way around it.
As I said, I'll try the author again with another book down the line and see if I'm able to truly enjoy her work.
October 2, 2011
I wasn't blown away by this book but considering that I read it in a week, a feat I haven't completed in years, it wasn't all bad. The novel is set during the true events of Richard the Lionheart's (aka. Richard I) Crusade, or the Third Crusade which took place in the 1100s. The research done for the battles is good however the personal details are entirely fictionalized (obviously). Two of the main characters, Edyth and Rouquin are entirely made up. All in all I'm not very knowledgeable about King Richard's reign or the Crusades so I didn't pick up on all the inaccuracies.
Stylistically the book was solid. Holland's writing wasn't fancy but it was easy to follow and her descriptions were vivid enough. The novel was good, I'd recommend it for light reading, travel etc. and it's always fun to read about the Middle Ages, in my opinion!
Stylistically the book was solid. Holland's writing wasn't fancy but it was easy to follow and her descriptions were vivid enough. The novel was good, I'd recommend it for light reading, travel etc. and it's always fun to read about the Middle Ages, in my opinion!
November 20, 2011
In her latest novel, The Kings's Witch, Cecilia Holland does a fabulous job of bringing to life the trials and destruction created during the battles of Richard the Lionheart's Third Crusade. It's not often I find a novel where the Crusades are the main setting, instead it is merely mentioned as a an event occurring far away from England, so I thoroughly enjoyed Cecilia's representation of this tumultuous time. Another aspect I appreciated while reading this novel was learning more about the key players of the Third Crusade; Cecilia really focused on the political drama throughout The King's Witch....
Read my full review on my blog, The Muse in the Fog Book Review: http://muse-in-the-fog.blogspot.com/2...
Read my full review on my blog, The Muse in the Fog Book Review: http://muse-in-the-fog.blogspot.com/2...
December 16, 2017
Reading Holland’s short story “Dragon’s Deep” in an anthology led me to seek more of her writing. This was billed as a historical novel in one source. It is a historical romance novel, with heavy reliance on tropes & a predictable ending. The main character was interesting for a while, but the genre stereotypes ultimately killed what started well. The stars given are for the excellent research & period details.
July 6, 2013
Ugh. I'm glad to be done with this one. Normally, this is an era of history that I'd be greatly interested in, but I found many of the characters to be rather difficult to connect with. Even Richard Lionheart, a fascinating historical character in his own right, fell rather flat. I had to force myself to push on to the end.
Read
July 7, 2011This book never took off for me. The characters seemed wooden, and I found myself not really caring what happened to anyone. I read about half, then skimmed to the end. If you are interested in reading a novel set during the Crusades, there are better ones.
April 14, 2013
Meticulously researched, but failed miserably in execution. I'd get to a part I could enjoy, slip into it, and then feel my brain jar as the narrative hopped around wildly ... not an incredibly pleasant reading experience.
August 30, 2015
Not a bad book - other than one bit near the end I felt the characters were very human and the tale was a straight-forward but fictional account of Lionheart's Crusade to take Jerusalem from Saladin. Fast paced enough to keep one reading, but paced enough to leave you guessing.
July 18, 2011
Great history, so-so story.
For a complete review, vista Affaire de Coeur magazine, hard copy or online athttp://affairedecoeur.com/ - June 2011 issue.
For a complete review, vista Affaire de Coeur magazine, hard copy or online athttp://affairedecoeur.com/ - June 2011 issue.
June 25, 2011
total torture!
July 30, 2011
I am sucker for any book about Richard 111 and read everything by Cecelia Holland!
Read
August 8, 2011Richard the Lionheart and the Crusades told from the viewpoint of a serving woman to Richard's sister Johanna. Good history.
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