Rating: 
Summary: Should be categorized as tragedy/horror NOT Romance
Review: (I would give it zero stars if I could)I usually love Virginia Henley's books and am a great fan...however The darkest era when England was torn apart in civil war-there is absolutely NO room or atmosphere for budding romance or true heroes...save that of Simon de Montfort whose true love story with Eleanor in the 1200s was told in The Dragon and the Jewel. And in The Marraige Prize, he comes to a bitter end but in a romance novel does Henley really need to say"blood gushed forth everywhere, adn the great head of the warlord was severed" ..I absolutely fell in love with Simon de Montfort (who was truly an honorable warlord whose aim was to give commoners a voice) and I didn't need to be given graphics on his death. ALSO, Edward Plantagenet's character and his response to the burial of de Montfort shows ABSOLUTE historical inaccuracy on Henley's part! it was the FIRST novel I have ever thrown in the trash this novel is basically about the war between de Montfort and Plantagenet-with major historical booboos...it should have been sold in the category of 'horror' I am STILL depressed about the graphic account of the noble Simon's death AND the insensitive and historically inaccurate response of England....Henley ended her novel with a PARTY thrown by edward plantagenet with england rejoicing when in fact england mourned this great man's death for nearly half a century. Aside from that, the main character, Rosamond and Rodger, in my perspective, are not fully developed, they are hackneyed poor imitations of hero and heroine from Ms Henley's better novels.
Rating: 
Summary: Just did not live up to its potential
Review: 5 Stars for the historical elements of the book 1 star for the characters. I just could not like Rosamund or Rodger. Ms. Henley does a great job of weaving history together. I felt as if I was in England with the weak Henry as king, strong baron leader Simon de Montfort, and a charismatic, strong Prince Edward vying not-so-behind-the-scenes for power. The twists and turns of the nobles and their allegiance to either Simon or Edward was masterfully portrayed. The characterization of Rosamund had me desirous to pound her into the ground and throw the book against a wall. Her childish attitude and conversations with Rodger grated on me. It was like listening to an eighth grade fight. "Did too, Did not". Rodger's adolescent attitude towards her is no better. After running the first time, one would think that Rosamund would be smart enough not to try it again. The story surrounding Rosamund's youth, her brother's death and her traumatic reaction to it was well done as well. It was the dialogue that brought the book down for me. Conversations did not seem fluid or believable but sophomoric and contrived. If you've read the others in the series or enjoy history more than romance, you might want to pick this book up.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly Depressing
Review: After reading the The Dragon and the Jewel, I immediately emmersed myself in the history of Simon de Montfort, a man I previously knew nothing about. I was absolutely heartbroken to learn of his tragic end. Against my better judgement, I started reading The Marriage Prize, perhaps hoping against hope that it would somehow turn out differently. Henley is to be commended for her historical accuracy. For that she gets five starts, but I thought her portrayal of Simon in this book was horrendous, painting him as a tyrant and a powerhungry villain. I was actually angry with the author. If she felt it absolutely necessary to stay with the facts and bring about Simon's demise, why not do it with honor and integrity and some dignity?
I despised Edward in this book and at times didn't like Rodger and it was simply because they were on opposite sides of Simon. I never, at any point, could connect with the main characters and found myself craving more of the encounters between Simon and Eleanor. I sobbed through Chapter 28 and only skimmed through Chapter 29, caring little what happened to Rodger and what was her name....Rosamond? Closing the book it was a toss up between throwing it into the trash or burning it. To tarnish the image of "Sim" was a mistake and I hope that I can put this book from my mind and bring back the sweet memories of The Dragon and the Jewel. If you loved Simon, I urge you to think twice before reading this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Virginia Henley Does It Again!
Review: At the tender age of twelve young Rosamond Marshal is betrothed to Sir Rodger de Leyburn, future royal steward and loyal comrade of the heir to the throne, Prince Edward Plantagenet. Rosamond has been left an orphan by the deaths of her parents, and the subsequent tragic death of her older brother Giles, at a jousting tournament. Alone in the world, Rosamond is taken as a ward under the guardianship of the powerful Warlord, Earl Simon de Montfort and his wife Princess Eleanor, sister to King Henry. The deMontfort's holding, Kenilworth supplies Rosamond with all of the security and comforts befitting a young heiress. Although Rosamond has no desire to wed, she agrees to the marriage in deference to the de Montforts who are trying to create stronger ties with young Prince Edward, in with the hopes that he will be able to influence his father the dissolute King Henry, to call Parliament, and stop favoring foreigners over his English subjects. As the years pass by, Rosamond grows into a stunning beauty with glorious golden hair. One glance at her, and Rodger de Leyburn is instantly attracted not only to Rosamond's beauty, but also her willful spirit. However, England is starting to come apart at the seams as the Barons loyal to Simon de Montfort, and those loyal to the crown prepare to face off in an inevitable civil war. Rosamond is torn between loyalty to her former guardians the de Montforts, and her husband,Rodger de Leyburn who is loyal to Prince Edward. In the ensuing conflict, secrets are revealed and trusts broken, as Rosamond and Rodger face a catastrophe that can either bind their love for eternity, or destroy it forever.Ms.Henley succesfully weaves a tender and passionate love story into the folds of a bloody civil war. She demonstrates her knowledge of history with great skill, and gives all of her characters both historical and fictional, a distinctive flair and unique presence. Bringing her Plantagenet trilogy to a close, this book certainly sums up the lives of the characters in all three books. In all a wonderful end to a fascinating lesson in medieval history, and the challenges facing women in Plantagenet England.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book!
Review: Don't you just love its cover? It's so much more romantic than the usual half naked couple you get from the paper back romance books. The story is just as beautiful. Virginia Henley is a master at mixing romance and history. At the beginning I was skipping the historical background, but very soon I was just as involved with the political power struggle as the relationship between Rodger and Rosamond. If you like this book, you would love A YEAR AND A DAY too. I think its cover is even more beautiful than this book's. But you may not fall in love with the hero Lynx as early as you might Rodger, for Rodger is such a lovely man!
Rating:
Summary: Oh The Horror!!!
Review: For any fledgling romance authors out there NEVER!!! I repeat, NEVER, kill off a hero from one of your previous books in a sequel. Especially when that hero is Simon DeMontfort. Yes, I know that he came to a terrible end in the accurate historic record, but this is romance Ms. Henley. Truly bad form.
He is her best hero to date, and she will never top him. I was more caught up in his story here than Rosamund and Rodger.
I have loved Virginia Henley's books since I was 12, and I thought she could do no wrong as an author. Even after A Woman of Passion, which lacked any true romance until the very end, and even that was ruined by the coniving of the heroine.
I was sorely disappointed in this book. It ended the trilogy on a sour note.
Rating:
Summary: TERRIBLE BOOK!!!!!!!
Review: I absolutaly LOVE Virginia Henley's books. I have read every single one of them and they are my favorite books. Virginia Henley is my favorite author but this book was a HUGE disapointment. First of all, I hated the characters and I never really felt like I knew them. If you loved The Dragon and the Jewel, I suggest that you never read this book. Simon and Eleanor de Montford are in this one, and if you know what happens in history to Simon, you don't really want to hear how he was killed but his godson, and then dismemebered. I don't know about anyone else but I really didn't like hearing about how Simon died after Virginia Henley made you fall in love with him in thw Dragon and the Jewel. I cried the whole last 30 pages of the book beacuse of what happened to Simon and his son! I have never written a bad review before and I hope that this is the last one. Please give me a better book next time Virginia!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Romance? Naw.
Review: I guess maybe I'm old fashioned but this book started out okay and interesting to me but towards the end, I just skimmed through it just to finish it and put it aside. The vulgarity of the language of the characters really displeased me as dialog and the main characters going at it like rabbits didn't interest me either. There was a lot of repetition in the love scenes and actually, I wouldn't really refer to them as love scenes. I did not "feel" that Rosamond and Rodger actually loved each other. And what was with the constant "desires" every time he looked at her and the "flame" that would start in her belly? Did she suffer from constant heartburn? Come on, be a little more realistic. The historical aspects and insight were wonderful and it was nice to read a different type of battle scene as opposed to something you'd find in fantasy or science fiction novels. But for the "romantic" aspects of the tale, BAH!
Rating: 
Summary: WONDERFUL
Review: I HAVE READ ALL OF VIRGINIA HENLEY'S BOOKS AND FIND THIS ONE REALLY CAPTURED MY IMAGINATION. SO MANY OF THE CHARACTERS FROM EARLIER BOOKS ARE HERE TO ENJOY AGAIN. I LOVE FINDING OUT WHAT HAPPENS TO ELENOR AND SIMON. THIS REALLY GIVES US A FULL VIEW OF THEIR LIVES. I AM SURPRISED THAT NO ONE HAS MENTIONED THE CHARACTER OF LINX FROM A YEAR AND A DAY IN THIS BOOK. THIS IS THE THIRD BOOK IN WHICH HE HAS APPEARED. ROSAMOND AND RODGER ARE WONDERFUL CHARACTERS AND LOVERS. THEY KEPT MY ATTENTION ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ALL HISTORY LOVERS.
Rating:
Summary: Good until the end
Review: I love the romance between Rod and Rosamund, but I cannot believe Virginia Henley killed off Simon De Montfort. I don't read romance novels so I can feel sad. Simon is one of the ultimate romance novel heros and to be killed off in such a hideous way really bummed me out. He is the kind that you don't kill off! I guess Henley didn't remember that Simon is the best War lord in all of Christendom. I know Simon is a side character in this novel, but I can't read the Pirate and the Pagan again without thinking of his death! :(
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