Helpful Score: 2
A very meaty and involved historical romance with an amazing cast of characters and historically accurate events. Not light reading. Excellent book for history lovers, particularly the English Middle Ages (this book starts in 1140) when Maude and Stephen were fighting for the throne.
A wonderful snapshot of history and a love story. The story will grab you from the first few pages. This book is my favorite Elizabeth Chadwick so far.You will love some of the characters and really hate some of the characters but will understand all are necessary in story. Highly recommend.
I guess I'm in the minority when it comes to Chadwick. I honestly don't see the big fuss about her. This book was fairly dull, with far too much detail on herbal craft and midwifery - the same stuff got rehashed every time the heroine was called upon to do her job. It bogged down what romance there was. Plus the heroine was an unlikeable dolt and the hero wasn't much to write home about either. The book had no spark and spirit, too conscious of details to put any effort into the actual romance.
