It has been a very long time since I've enjoyed a good historical fiction book. This was an amazing read, I've enjoyed every page and never felt bored at all.

It tells the story of Gruffydd ap Cynan, whose land has been taken from him and was in exile in Ireland. Now, he seeks alliance with another king to save Wales from William the Bastard-King of England.

Thought out the story, you'll meet honourable men and traitors. Those who want to save their land and those who want only money and their own benefit.

I can't wait to start the second book. ( )

A time period not much covered in fiction--nearly a generation [late 12th century] after William of Normandy had conquered England, telling of the disputes between the various Welsh kings [Wales long before it become a unified Wales; the land at this time was split into various kingdoms.] I was tickled to read this, having some Welsh blood myself; and I really enjoyed this absorbing, quick read.

Gruffydd ap Cynan, King of Gwynedd, allies himself with Rhys ap Tewdwr, King of Deheubath. Together, they and their men fight a decisive battle at Mynydd Carn in the south and defeat an alliance of three other kings, one of whom is usurper to Gruffydd's throne. These three and their armies answer to William of England. Tricked into offer of friendship by Huw, Earl of Chester, Gruffydd is imprisoned in an obliette. There's also a parallel story, Tewdwr's queen, Gwladys and daughter Nesta escape from their castle and try to evade the forces of Caradog, the usurper, aided by Annie Apples, an old peasant woman, and Walters, a cook.

Fighting among kingdoms was sometimes gruesome, but nothing I couldn't handle. The only horrible incidents that were too grisly were the murder of Annie Apples. Also, the treatment of the Welsh prisoners at the hands of Huw's henchman was horrendous. Most of the characters were generic nobles, royalty, and commoners. Outstanding characters were the tomboy princess Nesta, Annie Apples, and Gwladys, queen of Deheubarth. If anyone is interested, there's an excellent novel on Nesta, when she's a young woman: The Golden Hive.

Names were confusing until I finally sorted them out. The author did try to make it easy as he could and his Note helped me understand better who was who. I thought the book too loaded with deus ex machina incidents and successful, clever ruses to be completely believable. I don't think back then the behavior of the queen and princess while fleeing for their lives would be plausible, e.g., Nesta, an 8 year old, cooking soup. I would have thought royalty back then pretty helpless in common things and they would not interact with commoners as their equals. They would maintain class differences.

Highly recommended. The last sentence in the book has whetted my appetite for the sequel; the author, speaking of Angharad, Gruffyth's queen: "Little did she know that one day she would give birth to a child that would change the future of Wales." ( )

Full review to come! ( )