Another solid historical novel from Penman; it's a very pleasant way to learn history but found some of it (mostly love scenes) too inventive for my taste. Bonus points for the thoroughness of the author's note though; she's wonderfully transparent about what's completely made up. ( )

It took me a long while to get into this book. I think it was mainly because the research is so thorough, that the author threw in too many names, places, explanations, etc. for me. In the early stages I felt the story did not move on fast enough (it is a very large novel and the font is so small). I really was struggling and had to force myself to keep going.
And then, something changed. More action. More intrigue. More politics, disputes, rivalries, love interest.....
Basically, more of everything. The story took off and I began really enjoying the novel to the extent where I wanted my next fix.
I think, because it was penned by a lady, the characters are explored in more depth. It's not all action through a man's eyes, in a man's world. You see things from the female perspective, and mightily frightening it is too!
If you like accurate yet thought provoking historical fiction, and if you have patience, this book is for you. Well written, engaging, exciting, you can't help but admire, like, hate, despise and empathise with the characters, whilst always keeping in the back of your mind the thought that, 'Holy Cow! This actually happened!'
I gave it 4 stars, but only because in my opinion it took too long to ignite. ( )

I don't often write reviews, but I had to make an exception for this one. Although I'm an avid fan of Penman's writing (she will be sorely missed!), I was dreading a book entirely about the Crusades. I was expecting endless battle scenes without as much of the personal, human element that I adore in her writing.

I couldn't have been more wrong. In fact, the level of intrigue, interpersonal grievances and grudges, barbed conversations and glorious, glorious banter in "Lionheart" actually made me want to stand up and cheer.

I went into this novel expecting to emerge as I'd entered-- fairly neutral on Richard himself, the titular Lionheart. However, I found myself genuinely cheering him on, sympathising with his plight, and even being somewhat blown away by the sheer audacity, spirit and courage of this (Penman's own words) "medieval rock star".

Bloody brilliant, this book. Easily a 10/10. ( )

I love history, and Historical Fiction is my cotton-candy. However I am a fact checker and if an author takes too much liberty with a character I tend to get turned off. Ms. Penman is a new author for me(lord how did I not know about her?) and she did not disappoint. Her detail and research on King Richard the Lionheart and the Third Crusade was outstanding! Reading about this era of history was also new to me and Penman made it exciting and fun. I definitely plan to read more of her works. I highly recommend this book-there are actually books that come before this one on King Richard that could be read first, however this book works as a stand-alone also ( )

Lionheart by Sharon Kay Peniman was book 4/5 in the Angevin/Plantagenet series. This covers Richard from his marriage to his leaving Jaffa very ill from the Third Crusade. This was the least enjoyable of all the books thus far as most of the story dealt with the Crusade and the maneuvers, cities, defections, etc. A good (but short) storyline about Richard's wife and his sister, Joanna. Also, as Richard commanded armies of French, Cypriots, Sicilians, English, Welsh, etc., it was difficult for me to keep everybody straight. Also, the major battle in the book was for Jaffa, but it's location was not really explained in the book. I had to do some research. There is the Jaffa Gate to the Old City, but Jaffa is also the previous name of Tel Aviv. I'm going out on a limb here and guess the Jaffa in the book is Tel Aviv, as I don't think the crusaders got that close to Jerusalem. 609 pages ( )