I had limited knowledge of King Edward II, Queen Isabelle, and Mortimer before I started to read this book. And, haven't read the first book (yet), but I found myself quickly drawn into the story. I think Anna Belfrage has really captive a turbulent time when you could in a blink of an eye go from being high and powerful to out of favor and the justice could be both swift and deadly. Not even being king could guaranty your safety.

Adam de Guirande helped Mortimer escape in the previous book and now he is walking a thin line. If it was not for his fidelity to the young crown prince would he probably be dead by now. Despenser is out for him and if he can't get to him directly will he try to hurt him by getting to Adam's wife Kit. It's a difficult time and they have to face-off quite a lot of problems in this book, some quite dangerous since Despenser and the King is suspicious of them. But, they also have to deal with personal problems like an old lover to Adam that shows up at the court. And, if Kit is jealous of Adam's devotion to the Queen is Cassandra's present not helping their relationship. To top it all they also have to face some personal losses.

I found this book to be both engrossing and fascinating to read. It also felt both well-researched the characters felt well-developed. I was especially impressed how genuine the characters felt that I could even find sympathy for the "bad ones". Not everything is black and white and King Edward II may not have been a great king, but his faith and love in Despenser blinded him and driving Isabella away and practically throwing her into the arms of Mortimer was not very wise. There is a moment towards the ending of the book when Mortimer has a conversation with his wife and it's heartbreaking to read her warning to him and his refusal to believe that anything could harm him since the Queen loves him.

I liked this book very much, and I'm looking forward to reading both the first book in this series and the one that comes after this one! ( )

I had limited knowledge of King Edward II, Queen Isabelle, and Mortimer before I started to read this book. And, haven't read the first book (yet), but I found myself quickly drawn into the story. I think Anna Belfrage has really captive a turbulent time when you could in a blink of an eye go from being high and powerful to out of favor and the justice could be both swift and deadly. Not even being king could guaranty your safety.

Adam de Guirande helped Mortimer escape in the previous book and now he is walking a thin line. If it was not for his fidelity to the young crown prince would he probably be dead by now. Despenser is out for him and if he can't get to him directly will he try to hurt him by getting to Adam's wife Kit. It's a difficult time and they have to face-off quite a lot of problems in this book, some quite dangerous since Despenser and the King is suspicious of them. But, they also have to deal with personal problems like an old lover to Adam that shows up at the court. And, if Kit is jealous of Adam's devotion to the Queen is Cassandra's present not helping their relationship. To top it all they also have to face some personal losses.

I found this book to be both engrossing and fascinating to read. It also felt both well-researched the characters felt well-developed. I was especially impressed how genuine the characters felt that I could even find sympathy for the "bad ones". Not everything is black and white and King Edward II may not have been a great king, but his faith and love in Despenser blinded him and driving Isabella away and practically throwing her into the arms of Mortimer was not very wise. There is a moment towards the ending of the book when Mortimer has a conversation with his wife and it's heartbreaking to read her warning to him and his refusal to believe that anything could harm him since the Queen loves him.

I liked this book very much, and I'm looking forward to reading both the first book in this series and the one that comes after this one! ( )

4,5 stars

It was great to see that Adam and Kit have managed to get such a happy marriage despite the way it started. It’s not all happy times but they’re still there for each other and I love their relationship.

I wasn’t a fan of Mortimer in book 1 and I’m still not but I was waiting to see how Adam would feel about the future and Mortimer’s role in it. It seems Adam has chosen prince Edward’s side and I’m glad about that. I wonder how that will go in the future.

I was so glad that Joan didn’t just forgive her husband all the misery he had cost her. I’ve always wondered what she thought about all that Mortimer was doing and his affair with the queen.

I liked the future Edward III and I hope we’ll see much more about him in the next book. I felt bad for Hugh Despenser but then again I have a soft spot for him. This isn’t my view of him in the book but it worked here.

Another great book by Anna Belfrage and this was even better than the previous book. I just wanted to keep reading! I really loved this and I can’t wait for the next book. ( )

Days of Sun and Glory is the continuing story of Adam de Guirande and his wife Kit. Because of Adam's support of Roger Mortimer, he is on the edge of being considered a traitor and is the sworn enemy of Hugh Despenser. King Edward is pretty much at the command of Despenser and because of this not a fan of his people.

Edward II also called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed in January 1327 by Roger Mortimer.

Hugh le Despenser, 1st Lord Despenser also referred to as "the younger Despenser",He was a royal chamberlain and a favourite of Edward II of England.

Roger de Mortimer, 3rd Baron Mortimer, 1st Earl of March was an English nobleman and powerful Marcher lord married to the wealthy heiress Joan de Geneville. Roger Mortimer was imprisoned in the Tower after an unsuccessful revolt against the king but did escape to France and was joined by Queen Isabella.

Queen Isabella, anxious to escape from her husband, obtained his consent to her going to France to use her influence with her brother, King Charles IV, in favour of peace. At the French court the queen found Roger Mortimer, who became her lover soon afterwards. At his instigation, she refused to return to England so long as the Despensers retained power as the king's favourites. She kept her son Prince Edward of Windsor with her in France, even arranging a marriage for him.

Adam and Kit are constantly hounded and threatened by Dispenser and since Adam has pledged his loyalty to Price Edward, where the prince goes he goes. Adam and Kit suffer at the hands of the cruel Despenser, having their two children taken away by Despenser to ensure his loyalty to the king. Because of the life they have to lead, Kit has a child that died shortly after birth so their mutual hatred of Despenser grows. They face separation, threats against those they love and loyalties to the king. Will all the political intrigues and treachery tear them apart? Well with their love for each other on their side, I hope not.

Anna's writing is amazing, she has such an attention to detail and her research is impeccable. When an author can have me immersed in the story and when I don't want to put the book down, to me that is what a great storyteller is. I eagerly await the continued story of Adam and Kit in the next book Under the Approaching Dark. ( )

This is the second book in this series and there will be at least a third. It stands alone just fine – while having read the first book in the series enhances the understanding of this book, it can easily be read and enjoyed all on its own. It picks up pretty much where In the Shadow of the Storm left off with Queen Isabella trying to maintain relevance in a court where her husband King Edward II is in thrall to Hugh Despenser. Hugh and his father have been acquiring land, titles and riches with little care for how they get them and the nobility and the people of England are getting disenchanted with them – and the King.

The Despensers think they have won against the Queen because their enemy, Mortimer has been banished from the kingdom. All those loyal to him are being rooted out and destroyed. Our hero, Adam was one of his most loyal men but he switched his allegiance to the heir to the throne, young Prince Edward. Hugh Despenser is still suspicious though and continues to give Adam problems. And he continues to harass Adam’s wife Kit. As Adam does what he can to keep his family safe in dangerous times will he be able to stay ahead of Despenser?

Ms. Belfrage presents another well researched foray into history. Adam and Kit are well developed, compelling characters trying to just be happy in especially trying times. The author weaves her fictional characters into real events and intermingles them with historical figures as they navigate the challenges of life in the 14th century. I haven’t read a book of Ms. Belfrage’s yet that wasn’t a page turner and she doesn’t disappoint with this one. ( )