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For The King's Favor (2010)

by Elizabeth Chadwick(Favorite Author)

4.04 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1402244517 (ISBN13: 9781402244513)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Sourcebooks Landmark

series

Bigod

review 1: Elizabeth Chadwick knows how to bring history and historical figures to life. This book about one of Henry II's wards, and his mistress, vividly describes court life. The character of Ida de Tosey comes to life as the story unfolds and she goes from a very young mistress to a mature woman stanidng up for herself and her familly. Once the king releases her to marry Roger Bigod, she joins with her husband to secure his inheritance and lands. Being a woman in those days meant a lot of time waiting for her husband to come back from court or battle, or in this case, even being held as hostage with King Richard. It would take a lot of strength to endure and keep hearth and home running smoothly. There are the usual political and courtly intrigues, as well as some of the pomp and... more ceremony of court life. I enjoy reading Elizabeth Chadwick's historical fiction and will probably read more of her works in the future.
review 2: I need a good fiction book to draw me in while the family was all away - you know, something you could pick up and get into in the middle of the night when you aren't able to sleep. This fit the bill. I enjoyed the realism of the relationship struggles experienced by Ida and Roger - mainly caused by his forced overwhelming dedication to his work, but really, it seemed very little different than what many couples experience today. We often think of the glamour and romance of knighthood and earldom, and not so much about the unbelievable amount of work and time away from home it entailed.My main problem with this story is not so much with this book as with what I see as an inconsistency between this book and the one that follows it, "To Defy a King". Roger simply does not seem like the same person, although I suppose if he continued to let more and more of his relationship with Ida slip through his fingers - it's possible they could get to the point where they land in the following book (i.e., he wouldn't even take time out to attend her sick bed when she was clearly dying??). It doesn't seem to correspond with the concessions he began to make further into their relationship in this book - like bringing her along while he toured the country holding court sessions. These books really truly do transport you to the place and time. I am having a hard time putting this author down. Her author's notes are also very worthwhile, and she provides a map and helpful family trees - which many authors fail to do (or at least, to the extent I need). less

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