Svetlana's Reads and Views

Name of Book: A Black Matter for the King Author: J.A. Ironside and Matthew Willis ISBN: 978-1-946409-46-1 Publisher: Penmore Press Part of a Series: An Arguement of Blood is the prequel Type of book: 1050s-1080s?, William the Bastard Duke of Normandy, political power, intrigues, England, Harold, the Godwin family, battles, wars, slights, oath, Edward the Confessor, control, Battle of Hastings 1066, death, aging Year it was published: 2018 Summary: TWO POWERFUL RIVALS -- ONE DECISIVE BATTLE Now a political hostage in Falaise, Aelfgifa forms an unlikely friendship with William, Duke of Normandy. William has been swift to recognize her skills and exploit them to his advantage. However, unbeknownst to the duke, Gifa is acting as a spy for her brother, Harold Godwinson, a possible rival for the English throne currently in the failing grip of Edward the Confessor. Homesick and alienated by the Norman court, Gifa is torn between the Duke's trust and the duty she owe...

Name of Book: An Argument of Blood Author: Matthew Willis, J.A. Ironside ISBN: 978-1-946409-14-0 Publisher: Penmore Press Type of book: 1045-1050s, deformed, spying, balance, dukedom, temper, Normandy, England, Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror, Harold Godwineson, political prisoners, family, battles, marriage, occupation, learning Year it was published: 2017 Summary: William, the nineteen-year-old duke of Normandy, is enjoying the full fruits of his station. Life is a succession of hunts, feasts, and revels, with little attention paid to the welfare of his vassals. Tired of the young duke’s dissolute behaviour  and ashamed of his illegitimate birth, a group of traitorous barons force their way into his castle. While William survives their assassination attempt, his days of leisure are over. He’ll need help from the king of France to secure his dukedom from the rebels. On the other side of the English Channel lives ten-year-old Ælfgifa, the malformed an...