Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Although Penman may be paying court to the Richard III Society, the controversy is strengthened (I still think he killed the kids). OK, so I'm not very open minded on Richard.....but Penman had me convinced throughout the read that I was wrong. This speaks well for her reputation as one of the best historical novelists. This is where she started. Her special genius lies in the bright and shining historical detail that she can weave into both plot and dialog (she's a very good student of history and at times is absolutely brilliant in conveying to us the workings of medieval minds). I have no problem with Penman's romantic feelings about her heros. From Eleanor in the 1st trilogy to Joanna in Here Be Dragons to her raising the standard of Simon de Montfort as a visionary (but historically too early) icon of democracy, she does use them as a vehicle to carry forward a dynamic presentation of history....all in the best traditions of the historical novel. Penman's true genius is the broad historical scope that is painted on top of the shimmering details of brief moments. It truely does feel as if you are living the story yourself, and it is this bringing us readers in as witnesses that stands as Penman's contribution to the art of the historical novel. If you prefer to read in chronological order: 1101-1154 When Christ And His Saints Slept (Vol 1 of Trilogy) 1156-1171 Time And Space (Vol 2 of Trilogy) 12th Cent Devil's Brood (Vol 3 of Trilogy)- not yet released 1192-1193 The Queen's Man 1193 Cruel As The Grave 1183-1232 Here Be Dragons (Vol 1 of Welsh Trilogy) 1231-1267 Falls The Shadow (Vol 2 of Welsh Trilogy) 1271-1283 The Reckoning (Vol 3 of Welsh Trilogy) 1459-1492 The Sunne In Splendour