Monday, September 14, 2009

The Round Table Event & giveaway # 1



Plaidy’s Royal Intrigue is joining in on the excitement of the Historical Fiction Blogger Round Table Event!

In the wonderful spirit of historical fiction blogging and to be part of this great book blogging community, here at Jean Plaidy’s Royal Intrigue we’re joining in with our own giveaways, posts and reviews that we will be linking back to the HFB Round Table Event.

Without further ado, we present you today with Arleigh’s review of Revolt of the Eaglets.

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This novel begins exactly where The Plantagenet Prelude left off. The aftermath of Thomas a Becket’s murder was still plaguing Henry II, while Eleanor was planning to urge her sons into revolt. Kings die, sons die, Eleanor is imprisoned for many years, but still she lives and is the ripe old age of 67 when she is finally released from her prison.

This book expands upon Richard’s dukedom of Aquitaine, while his brothers Henry and Geoffrey scheme and intrigue endlessly and to their detriment. They just cannot take empty titles from their father. In a way, I felt sorry for Henry. He did love his sons and wanted very much for them to work for him and be on good terms, with himself and one another. He saw that together they could be all powerful and rule a great part of Europe. But he would not relinquish one piece of land – one castle – to any of them, except in name. He had the final word on the managing and holding of these possessions.

On the other hand, his fits were shameful and childish, he treated Eleanor horribly and he had a really scandalous relationship with a very young girl, a princess of France and his son Richard’s betrothed. He was a good ruler; a very smart statesman and never loath to look after his dominions. These were his strengths, but the previous attributes mentioned make it very hard to like him as a person. Near the end, when he is so very desperate for the love of his family, one does wish he had it easier. But, as Eleanor continually tells him: the fault is his own. He was selfish and thought of his own desires, not allowing Eleanor her freedom or their sons leave to govern their small territories.

This novel ends with Henry’s death, Eleanor’s freedom and John waiting in the wings. You get a very sickly feeling from John in this novel and I am sure we will read more of him in The Heart of the Lion and most assuredly in The Prince of Darkness. I look forward to continuing on with the Plantagenet saga!

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And to further our celebration, we are GIVING AWAY:



1 paperback copy of William's Wife by Jean Plaidy.

How to Enter:

1 Chance…leave a comment and tell us who your favorite Stuart monarch is.

2 Chances…Tweet, or post about this mentioning HFB Round Table Event.

3 Become a follower.

This giveaway is open to international and ends September 18th.

19 comments:

  1. A great review - I haven't yet read any of the Plantagenet series, but I recently bought Revolt of the Eaglets. I haven't had much exposure to the Stuarts - but so far I would have to say Charles II - he was a really bad boy but so charming. I am a follower and tweeted about it (dolleygurl)

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  2. I absolutely adore Jean Plaidy and hate that her books aren't more available (especially in Canada for some reason)

    Please enter me. I'm a follower (martinack_75) and will also tweet. @FleurDeMar

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  3. Oh so glad you are participating!

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  4. What a fantastic review! Arleigh this absolutely makes you want to read more. After reading the Plantagenet Prelude, I became very curious as to how Henry's relationship with his children would turn out. Sounds like this one aims to give the picture. I agree about him being a strong and determined ruler, but I never warmed up to him in the first book..seems like he doesn't get any better in this one. I loved this review and makes me wanna read more too:)

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  5. Queen Anne.
    wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. I just became a follower of your blog.
    wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. Definitely Charles II. Thank you for this chance.
    knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  8. I am indeed a follower.
    knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  9. Looks good, have have both of these and have yet to get to them. Great review.

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  10. Charles the 2nd is the most intriguing Stuart to me. He ushered in the Restoration and seemed to be a rather likeable guy. Even though he cheated on his wife constantly, the fact that he never gave her up speaks to his character.

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  11. Following on bloglines. Please enter me.
    tbranco(at)hughes(d0t)net

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  12. I would have to say Charles the II is My favorite Stuart.
    Please add me to the drawing.

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  13. You don't have to enter me.
    Just wanted to say what a wonderful and concise review Arleigh. I feel as though I read the book :)
    Hope you gals are doing well.
    Sorry for being MIA with the reading group. I have over committed myself and am disappointed I haven't been able to join in on the fun. Will try again come november. Talk to you cool chicks later :)

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  14. (dont enter me)
    Those Plantagenets are always so interesting to me, & I look forward to reading this series some day. I like your concise review of this one, so much stuff and background going on it is so hard for me to do a concise review on anything Plantagenet with all the intertangled stories.

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  15. Charles II is the most interesting Stuart for me -- he's the only one i've read of so... can't say much about the others.

    rubs_babydoll@yahoo.com

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  16. Oooh, favorite Stuart...hmm. More to choose from with the Plantaganets, I'll say Charles II. I'm a follower!

    Carey

    thetometraveller *at* yahoo (dot) com

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  17. My favorite Stuart is Mary Stuart (Mary Queen of Scots). Thank you for the entry!

    gaby317nyc at gmail dot com

    +3 I'm a new follower

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  18. Charles II - a bit of a rogue and a charming one at that would be my favourite.

    I understand the competition is still open hence this late entry. I hope that is ok.

    Mystica

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

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  19. This sounds fascinating! I would embrace the chance to read and review such a book as William's Wife and I think you'd like my writing style...google my name Susan Pettrone for a listing of the books I have reviewed! Best of luck with your book!

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