G674 Book Review of Tales of Byzantium by Eileen Stephenson
Name of Book: Tales of Byzantium
ISBN: 9781511741507
Publisher: Self published
Year it was published: 2015
Summary:
Three stories of love, war, and destiny in medieval Byzantium.
A young empress defies her powerful father for love and her rightful place on the throne.
A charismatic commander takes the gamble of a lifetime to save the lives of thousands of innocents.
An exiled princess finds a new sense of purpose and creates a legacy that will stand through the ages.
These stories provide a glimpse of the dynamic and proud Byzantines who lived during the height of the empire's splendor.
Author: Eileen Stephenson
About the Author:
(From HFVBT)
AMAZON
About the Author
Eileen Stephenson was born in Fort Worth, Texas but spent most of her life in the Washington, DC area. She has degrees from both Georgetown University and George Washington University (neither involving the Byzantines) and is married with three daughters. Her interest in Byzantine history all started one fateful day when every other book in the library looked boring except for John Julius Norwich’s A Short History of Byzantium.
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1. Ceremony of the Emperor: 928 ME
One Sentence Summary:
Helena, who is married to Constantine, is tired of being delegated as last in her family, and she doesn't like how her husband, a former heir, is treated by her father, thus she begins to do something to change her circumstances
2. The Red Fox: 978 ME
One Sentence Summary:
Manuel Comnenus, a general for the emperor's army, arrives knowing that he lost the battle, and he begins to detail what has happened Nicaea and why he made the choice he has, which comes with unexpected consequences.
3. Alexiad: 1119 ME
One Sentence Summary:
Anna, the famous daughter of Alexios (for those who know about the First Crusade should have heard of her or of her father) creates a plan with her mother that ultimately backfires and she is sent over to a convent where she tries to find a new purpose to her life.
Personal Opinion:
I know very little of Byzantium Empire, and what I know involves Constantine in the 4th century, Justinian and Theodora in 6th century and Crusades in 12th and 14th? centuries. Besides those details, I know next to nothing about its people or its rulers, and when given a chance I was grateful to read about the time period and to gain further knowledge of a kingdom that West knows very little of. The stories can be read by anyone, someone who is knowledgeable about history, or someone who is looking for a more casual approach to history. What is also cool is that the author doesn't only focus on one theme of the story and instead focuses on different types, be they love, war or finding self, which means a little something for everyone. The stories are also connected, but in order to learn how, best to pick up the book and read it.
This is for HFVBT
Blog Tour Schedule
Thursday, December 17
Review at The Eclectic Ramblings of Author Heather Osborne
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews
Spotlight at What Is That Book About
Review at The Eclectic Ramblings of Author Heather Osborne
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews
Spotlight at What Is That Book About
Monday, December 21
Review at Book Nerd
Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views
Interview at Flashlight Commentary
Review at Book Nerd
Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views
Interview at Flashlight Commentary
4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
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