Rating: 
Summary: Good... if you're in it for the history
Review: The reason I gave FALLS THE SHADOW four stars was only because it didn't meet with my fictionous ideals carefully balanced with history as in HERE BE DRAGONS. There's no reason to skip this one, though. It's still very good. I'm not big on the long descriptions of the battles, and would rather have more of the romance found in HERE BE DRAGONS. The 'couple', the next Joanna & Llewelyn Fawr are the unlikely match Simon deMontfort -a Frenchman come to England to claim a lost earldom- and Nell, widow, and the King (Henry)'s sister. One has to keep in mind that is less of a Wales story than HERE BE DRAGONS. Of course, the blood fued goes on betwixt Gruffydd ap Llewelyn and Davydd ap Llewelyn, it dies with their (SPOILER) deaths. Then the story changes hands, focusing on "Lleo", Llewelyn ap Gruffydd and his ambition to be as great as a legend as his grandfather. This story, however, is Simon deMontfort. I did not care for him much at the beginning, but had grown kind of fond of him towards the end. I'm disappointed in the lack of Welsh involvement in the story, but it still makes for a good read. It is gory. Some characters do die very violent deaths. Still, it's part of the trilogy, and next is THE RECKONING.
Rating: 
Summary: Penman's masterpiece
Review: The title of Sharon Kay Penman's novel is taken from T.S. Eliot's "The Hollow Men", an apt borrowing, as Penman's novel presents us with the hollowest of them all--Henry III--and Simon de Montfort as the man who opposes his empty-headedness to his own death. Not that Eliot had Henry III in mind. But Simon de Montfort's life was not a vain sacrifice. Nor was he the stereotypical hero in shining armor. Simon de Montfort was arrogant, domineering, cunning, and pragmatic; he was pious, occasionally self-righteous, and impatient with those who couldn't keep up with him. That said, Penman breathes magnificent life into him, making him a man who follows his heart wherever it leads--and it leads him headlong into danger. From seducing King Henry's sister Nell, who married him in spite of having vowed her life to chastity, to calling Henry an idiot who deserved to be incarcerated for the rest of his life, Simon gives in to emotion and impulse. And yet he is a passionate husband to Nell, a loving father to his children, a loyal friend, and an implacable enemy to Henry III, a man who only became King through the accident of birth. The book is long; the language is well-woven but rich rather than heavy. If you can bear the ending ("the murder of Evesham, for battle it was none"), you will not be able to part with the book at all.
Rating:
Summary: True to history...
Review: This book has long been a favourite of mine. What makes it exceptional is Penman's ability to read actual primary historical sources (sources dating to the period about which she writes) and to construct believable characters which jibe with recorded history. Her characterizations of both Henry III and Simon de Montfort ring true from this standpoint. Although the story is more sympathetic towards Montfort, she does not shy from presenting his faults in a realistic manner. She then builds a believable story around historical fact, one replete with accurate details from the period she portrays. I'm a doctoral student in Medieval History specializing in the thirteenth century, and from basic facts to costume and food, Penman paints a vivid--and accurate--picture which brings historic figures to life. I've recommended this book to students who wanted a take on the period besides textbooks.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect
Review: This book, and the entire trilogy was fantastic. I have not read these books for years, but some of the scenes she wrote are still vivid in my mind, like Simon's death in battle.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect
Review: This book, and the entire trilogy was fantastic. I have not read these books for years, but some of the scenes she wrote are still vivid in my mind, like Simon's death in battle.
Rating:
Summary: Penman can write!
Review: This is a wonderful series. If you like historical novels you cannot go wrong with any book Penman has written. The stories are good and her writing is beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: Probably The Best Of The Welsh Trilogy
Review: This is the 2nd book in the Wales trilogy (the others are Here Be Dragons and The Reckoning). Penman emerged long ago as one of the best historical novelists and continues to solidify her reputation with each new release. Her special genius lies in the bright and shining historical detail that she can weave into both plot and dialog (she's a very good student of history and at times is absolutely brilliant in conveying to us the workings of medieval minds). One of the great things about Penman (and this book showcases it well) is her plots are always complex (because the history of these times was quite convoluted). She does an excellent job of keeping it all straight for us as she leads us through the maze of characters. If you read the history of these times you quickly come to see what a great job she does in her design of the story. I have no problem with Penman's romantic feelings about her heros. From Eleanor in the 1st trilogy to Joanna in Here Be Dragons to her raising the standard of Simon de Montfort as a visionary (but historically too early) icon of democracy, she does use them as a vehicle to carry forward a dynamic presentation of history....all in the best traditions of the historical novel. Penman's true genius is the broad historical scope that is painted on top of the shimmering details of brief moments. It truely does feel as if you are living the story yourself, and it is this bringing us readers in as witnesses that stands as Penman's contribution to the art of the historical novel. If you prefer to read in chronological order:
1101-1154 When Christ And His Saints Slept (Vol 1 of Trilogy)
1156-1171 Time And Space (Vol 2 of Trilogy)
12th Cent Devil's Brood (Vol 3 of Trilogy)- not yet released
1192-1193 The Queen's Man
1193 Cruel As The Grave
1183-1232 Here Be Dragons (Vol 1 of Welsh Trilogy)
1231-1267 Falls The Shadow (Vol 2 of Welsh Trilogy)
1271-1283 The Reckoning (Vol 3 of Welsh Trilogy)
1459-1492 The Sunne In Splendour
Rating:
Summary: It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!
Review: This is the best historical novel I have ever read. I recommend everything Sharon Kay Penman has written to date, and this is the best of all.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Story
Review: This is the first novel I have read by Ms. Penman, but it definitely will not be the last! I have read little of this era, except for multiple Bernard Cornwell novels. She did an excellent job in describing a very complicated story with an even more complicated cast of characters. I wonder if she needed a score card to keep track when writing. I can't wait to start my next Penman novel.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Story
Review: This is the first novel I have read by Ms. Penman, but it definitely will not be the last! I have read little of this era, except for multiple Bernard Cornwell novels. She did an excellent job in describing a very complicated story with an even more complicated cast of characters. I wonder if she needed a score card to keep track when writing. I can't wait to start my next Penman novel.
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