Book reviews featuring history, historical fiction, and mysteries, as well as my thoughts on all things bookish.
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Top Ten Tuesday: Self-Published Books
Saturday, April 1, 2023
Balian d'Ibelin: Knight of Jerusalem (Jerusalem Trilogy Book One) by Helena P. Schrader
Length: 402 pages
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I don't give 5 star ratings too often when I write a review. I think 4 says a book was great and even 3 means the book was good but not spectacular. So for me, 5 stars means I highly recommend it and found very little fault with it. This is one of those books and I can't want to read the next two in the series. It is also unique, a topic very rarely tackled, and so that makes it even more special for me. It is more a "one of a kind" type of book.
This story takes place between the years of 1171 and 1178 when Balian went from an insignificant youngest son to a member of the royal family in marriage to Queen Maria Comnena. His father, the former Count of Jaffa is deceased and his eldest brother Hugh also dies after a fall from his horse. Hugh prefers Balian to be the one to inherit Ibelin Castle and its lands but it is supposed to go to the middle brother, Baldwin, who is already Lord of Ramla. Baldwin is presented as a sour, disagreeable character who is not anxious to abide by Hugh's wishes. When Balian goes to King Almaric in Jerusalem to plead his case, Baldwin, or Barry, as he is called in the story, is not enthusiastic and is hopeful he will be rejected.
Balian succeeds in making a name for himself in his service to the young Prince Baldwin IV who is just ten years old and suffering from the terrible affliction of leprosy. Teaching Baldwin to ride without his hands and befriending the lonely boy, Balian develops a close bond with him while also becoming smitten with his beautiful stepmother, Queen Maria, lonely wife of King Almaric. After King Almaric's death, Balian becomes even more valued by Baldwin and Maria as they often lean on him for support.
Balian eventually rises to become Constable of Ascalon. During this period he comes into contact with the famous warrior, Salah al-Din and has to defend his territory and protect the helpless refugees fleeing the Muslim advance. Through courage, diplomacy, and luck Balian triumphs in the Battle of Montgisard and saves his people from the forces of Salah al-Din.
Schrader tells the story of Balian while adding some fictional characters for depth and color. His various stable boys and assistants are given backstories and a slave woman tells her gripping story in order to help reveal the fate of those kidnapped by the Muslim forces. Throughout the novel we meet real life figures such as Reynald de Chatillon, Agnes of Courtenay (mother of King Baldwin), and Aimery de Lusignan of the famous de Lusignan family.
Schrader's grasp of this time period is impressive. Only Sharon Penman's The Land Beyond the Sea holds a candle to it. I was drawn into the story the way I am with the best historical fiction.....authentic details, historical accuracy, along with romance and well depicted battles. I admit the battle scenes can sometimes bore me but she does a good job of not spending too long in one place and dragging it out too much. It is clear she has spent a lot of time researching and visiting her subject and I learned things I haven't found in other novels set during the time period. While I have read that there is not a lot of historical evidence detailing Balian's life, and I'm sure she had to create a lot of the story from her own mind, from what I can gather the novel is as accurate as possible given the scant information.
Her books have won several historical fiction awards and she has others set during this time. The Balian story is part of a trilogy and I will definitely be reading the other two.
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Can't Wait Wednesday: A Cold Highland Wind (Lady Emily Mysteries Book 17) by Tasha Alexander
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Top Ten Tuesday: Books for people who liked......
I thought I'd list ten different "if you liked authors." I have so many I just wanted to get them all in!
1. If you like Sharon Kay Penman you'll love.....Helena P. Schrader. I have recently discovered Schrader's historical novels focusing mainly on the Crusader period. She is historically accurate, like Penman, and engaging with dialogue and authentic details.
2. If you like Diana Gabaldon you'll love.....Amanda Scott. These books don't have the depth and range of Gabaldon but because there are so many set in the Highlands, she got me through my droughtlander periods when I was waiting on the next Outlander book. They are historical, romantic, and unique. Very enjoyable and have that Scottish feel you are seeking.
3. If you like Anne Perry you'll love....Victoria Thompson. Both authors have engaging mysteries set during the Victorian era. I have only read one Victoria Thompson novel but it reminded me of Perry in a lot of ways.
4. If you like Rhys Bowen you'll love....Verity Bright. These cozy mysteries are witty, historical, and just make you feel great. They have interesting, female lead characters and are quick reads so you can work them easily into your busy schedule.
5. If you like Ken Follett you'll love....John Jakes. I thought these two authors had a very similar style when I read them back to back. Lots of accurate history combined with gritty male characters going through tough times.
6. If you like Alison Weir you'll love...Christina Croft. Both of these ladies have excellent non-fiction accounts of royalty. Yes, different time periods to be sure but lots of details I hadn't found in other books.
7. If you like Lauraine Snelling you'll love....Michael Phillips and Judith Pella. Both are fabulous Christian, historical fiction authors with stories set in the past. I really need to do a re-read of their books and review some.
8. If you like Lauren Willig you'll love....Sarah Lark. These authors write long, epic type books set in romantic places with lead female characters.
9. If you like Bernard Cornwell you'll love....Ben Kane. He is a fairly new author I've tried to promote on my website. He has mostly male historical characters as well as fictional ones set in time periods with lots of battles and political intrigue.
10. If you like Antonia Fraser you'll love....Carolly Erickson. These ladies write amazing biographies of mostly royalty and almost exclusively women. They are solid in research and have an entertaining, narrative style.