First in the Kingdom of Mercia series, set
in England in 641 A.D, this is the story of Merwenna, a village girl in Mercia
whose love goes off to war with King Penda. Not knowing of his fate, she and
her brother follow him to the King’s tower where she meets the Welsh Prince
Cynddylan (“Dylan”) who leads his warriors in battle with Mercia to fight Northumbria.
Dylan forms an alliance with the
ruthless King Penda of Mercia but Penda would have Dylan dead. After Merwenna learns
her love was killed, she leaves for her home in Mercia and Dylan graciously
offers his escort (since her brother left earlier). Dylan is attracted to the
village girl and she to him, and when events bring her to his court in Wales,
it seems their destiny to be together.
A well-written story that will hold
your interest and take you to Anglo-Saxon England and Wales. Castel has obviously
done significant research to place her story in real history of the time. I
really enjoyed being immersed in the 7th century. But I had to wonder about
Merwenna’s judgment at becoming the mistress of Dylan, knowing he would have to
marry a woman of the nobility, but she seemed unconcerned. Likewise, Dylan
meant to have her no matter the shame he brought her and, given the ending,
apparently cared little for his royal obligations. Ah, but it’s romance.
I hadn't read anything by Jayne Castel before this post, Regan, but now I will. Thanks for the recommendation, as I haven't read much during this era of history. jdh2690@gmail.com
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