Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
DAW (2004), Edition: Reprint, Mass Market Paperback, 688 pages
Description
Now in paperback, the fourth novel in Irene Radford's acclaimed saga of Merlin and his descendants follows the children of twin brothers Donovan and Griffin, in a magic-fueled struggle to protect Elizabethan England from enemies-both mortal and demonic.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Shaiha
Technically the book was beautiful. It was interesting to see the history of the British Isle from the magical viewpoint. However I had trouble getting into the story because I couldn't really relate to the main character. And to me that is all important. I do recommend that others give this book a
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try. Show Less
LibraryThing member VictoriaGD
Guardians of the Promise has a cast of some great characters and that add to a well written book. I agree with other reviews that this book has a very interesting plot, which kept me engaged as a reader despite some dragging parts. Since this is the first book I have read of the series, despite it
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being book 4, as a stand-alone novel it explained itself well. Though this book read like it was centered for a young adult audience it clearly, as other reviews warn, has sexually explicit scenes. I look forward to going back and reading the first of the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member FinnyB
An excellent book in an excellent series. One of the more unique retellings...or elaborations, rather, of the Arthurian legends that I've come across. Definitely worth the read, or reread, as the case may be.
LibraryThing member janiera
I chose to read this book because it looked interesting.
This book is based in an alternative history version of Tudor England, more specifically, during the reign of Elizabeth I.
The Kirkwood family is descended from King Arthur and possesses magic. Lord Donovan had five children and a niece that
The story started slow, and at first, I thought it should have been YA. That changed several chapters in, and there are several areas that have sexual passages. It took me until halfway through the book until I felt as if I needed to read the book as quickly as possible.
It took me a while into the book to accept the changes that they made to the Elizabethan Era, but once I did, the story was woven quite well around it. The actual history that is represented in the book is true what actually happened, with the exception of the magical effects.
The magical system in the book was well thought out and consistent throughout the book.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. It was well written with very few grammatical and spelling errors. This is a book that I may go back and read the earlier books in the series. I may reread the book in the future, if I am in the mood to do so.
I would give the book a rating of 3.5 out of 5, which means it is a good book that I may read more by the author.
This book is based in an alternative history version of Tudor England, more specifically, during the reign of Elizabeth I.
The Kirkwood family is descended from King Arthur and possesses magic. Lord Donovan had five children and a niece that
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he is raising. He also has one other adopted child. The family heritage is the Pendragon and the Merlin, which are not necessarily the same person.The story started slow, and at first, I thought it should have been YA. That changed several chapters in, and there are several areas that have sexual passages. It took me until halfway through the book until I felt as if I needed to read the book as quickly as possible.
It took me a while into the book to accept the changes that they made to the Elizabethan Era, but once I did, the story was woven quite well around it. The actual history that is represented in the book is true what actually happened, with the exception of the magical effects.
The magical system in the book was well thought out and consistent throughout the book.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. It was well written with very few grammatical and spelling errors. This is a book that I may go back and read the earlier books in the series. I may reread the book in the future, if I am in the mood to do so.
I would give the book a rating of 3.5 out of 5, which means it is a good book that I may read more by the author.
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LibraryThing member pratchettfan
I received Guardian of the Promise as an eBook from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program.
Guardian of the Promise is a historical fantasy, set in the time of Elizabeth I's reign in England, it keeps closely to the well established events but augments them with the adventures of the Kirkenwood's,
Guardian of the Promise is the fourth book in the Merlin's Descendants series, and even though I hadn't read the previous books, I found my way into the story very quickly.
I enjoyed the book a lot, especially the mix between fact and fiction. The only thing that was a bit distracting where the times when the story jumped several years in a couple of pages and I had to find my bearings again, wondering what had happened in the meantime.
Overall I can recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fantasy. I will definitely go back and pick up the other books of this series.
Guardian of the Promise is a historical fantasy, set in the time of Elizabeth I's reign in England, it keeps closely to the well established events but augments them with the adventures of the Kirkenwood's,
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a family that is descended from Merlin and who still possesses magic and uses it to protect England from opposing forces.Guardian of the Promise is the fourth book in the Merlin's Descendants series, and even though I hadn't read the previous books, I found my way into the story very quickly.
I enjoyed the book a lot, especially the mix between fact and fiction. The only thing that was a bit distracting where the times when the story jumped several years in a couple of pages and I had to find my bearings again, wondering what had happened in the meantime.
Overall I can recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fantasy. I will definitely go back and pick up the other books of this series.
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LibraryThing member Richhayes
NOTICE: I received this book from the author and nothing was asked but a review and nothing promised but a copy of the book.
This book was hard for me to rate at first. When I read an outline of the book it seemed like one I would like. Middle ages England, magic, human interest and even a werewolf
In this book Deirdre is the daughter of the last Merlin (here a title more than a person). It follows her as she tries to understand her magic, survive her cousin Betsy, who also has magic powers and wants to be the Pendragon or protector of England and her family who all have different parts of her life. It is the story of her life starting when she is attacked by werewolfs. Follows her and her cousin Hal as they travel to France to try and stop another massacre of French Catholics. It tells how Hal is captured by the man who calls himself the master of the werewolfs and against his will turned into a werewolf. Her uncle who is walking a fine line between being loyal to Elizabeth and his love for Mary, Queen of Scots. How she is sent to London and becomes first a Lady-in-Waiting then a spy for Elizabeth. Her arranged marriage, her adventures as she tries to protect Elizabeth, keep her uncle from going too far in his love for Mary, trying to cure Hal and just figuring out who she is and will be.
As stated above, I found it hard to get interested in the first part of the book but if a reader continues on they will find they end up with a very good and readable book.
This book was hard for me to rate at first. When I read an outline of the book it seemed like one I would like. Middle ages England, magic, human interest and even a werewolf
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thrown in for good measure but when I started to read it I found it hard to get interested in the characters as the author jumped from one character to another and I planned to give it no more than 3 stars. However after about the first half of the book I found myself getting more and more interested in the characters and wanting to see what happened next, thus the 4 star rating. Another note, this is book 4 of the series and perhaps if I had read the first 3 books my opinion of this book at the start would have been different.In this book Deirdre is the daughter of the last Merlin (here a title more than a person). It follows her as she tries to understand her magic, survive her cousin Betsy, who also has magic powers and wants to be the Pendragon or protector of England and her family who all have different parts of her life. It is the story of her life starting when she is attacked by werewolfs. Follows her and her cousin Hal as they travel to France to try and stop another massacre of French Catholics. It tells how Hal is captured by the man who calls himself the master of the werewolfs and against his will turned into a werewolf. Her uncle who is walking a fine line between being loyal to Elizabeth and his love for Mary, Queen of Scots. How she is sent to London and becomes first a Lady-in-Waiting then a spy for Elizabeth. Her arranged marriage, her adventures as she tries to protect Elizabeth, keep her uncle from going too far in his love for Mary, trying to cure Hal and just figuring out who she is and will be.
As stated above, I found it hard to get interested in the first part of the book but if a reader continues on they will find they end up with a very good and readable book.
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LibraryThing member Athenajewel
This book continues the Kirkwood family saga, the main protagonist this time is Deidre Kirkwood the illegitimate daughter of Griffin Kirkwood and Roanna Douglas. Deidre is a possible candidate for the Pendragon of England along with her cousins Hal and Betsey. Deidre sets out to finish her Father's
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work and save England and Europe from evil. very enjoyable reading! Show Less
LibraryThing member hydrografie
This is the second book in this series that I've read (Guardian of the balance being the first). There is no big issue in reading this book without reading the intermediate books, though it does help (probably). The book continues the saga of the Merlin and Pendragon of Britain, but now in
The book follows the life of Deirdre, a direct descendant of the Merlin (and Pendragon) of Britain. She and her cousins Hal and Betsy live with her uncle, Donovan, and have more or less magical abilities (a fourth cousin, twin to Hal does not have this ability). When Hal and Deirdre go to France to ward of a great evil, Hal becomes a werewolf at the hands of a Spanish magician and his slave werewolf. Back in Britain he struggles with this change. In the mean time Donovan, who is in love with the imprisoned Mary Stuart of Scotland, drifts away from his family and duties. As a result the whole family becomes splintered.
In the mean time Deirdre becomes, together with her newly found husband, a spy for Elizabeth. In this capacity she seeks to prevent plots against Elizabeth from the Spanish / catholics / Scots and so on. Near the end of the book the great sea battle between Spain and Britain is fought out (Admiral Drake also features) with the help of the magical family.
Personally I did not enjoy this book as much as the first in the series. This could be the result of all the 'werewolf activity' which seems a bit over the top at times. As with the first book, it seems to race towards the end. A lot of text is spend on the first years and quite less on the ending of the book. It feels like the author found out at 2/3s of the allowed nr of pages that only 1/3 of the story had been told and that instead of rewriting, the last 2/3s of the story are rushed.
Also at times the story becomes very sexually explicit and is not recommended for those who cannot stomach this. All in all a good read but not exceptional.
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Elizabethean England (16th century).The book follows the life of Deirdre, a direct descendant of the Merlin (and Pendragon) of Britain. She and her cousins Hal and Betsy live with her uncle, Donovan, and have more or less magical abilities (a fourth cousin, twin to Hal does not have this ability). When Hal and Deirdre go to France to ward of a great evil, Hal becomes a werewolf at the hands of a Spanish magician and his slave werewolf. Back in Britain he struggles with this change. In the mean time Donovan, who is in love with the imprisoned Mary Stuart of Scotland, drifts away from his family and duties. As a result the whole family becomes splintered.
In the mean time Deirdre becomes, together with her newly found husband, a spy for Elizabeth. In this capacity she seeks to prevent plots against Elizabeth from the Spanish / catholics / Scots and so on. Near the end of the book the great sea battle between Spain and Britain is fought out (Admiral Drake also features) with the help of the magical family.
Personally I did not enjoy this book as much as the first in the series. This could be the result of all the 'werewolf activity' which seems a bit over the top at times. As with the first book, it seems to race towards the end. A lot of text is spend on the first years and quite less on the ending of the book. It feels like the author found out at 2/3s of the allowed nr of pages that only 1/3 of the story had been told and that instead of rewriting, the last 2/3s of the story are rushed.
Also at times the story becomes very sexually explicit and is not recommended for those who cannot stomach this. All in all a good read but not exceptional.
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LibraryThing member epllibrarywench
I was excited to win a second "Merlin's Descendants" book. "Guardian of the Promise" was as good as "Guardian of Vision" and thoroughly enjoyable.
There were two things that bothered me though. It niggled at me while reading "Guardian of Vision" but I couldn't put my finger on it until "Guardian of
First, while most of the character development was excellent, there were characters that seemed under developed even if they seemed to play an integral role.
There were also times that the story seemed to jump or skip parts or make poor transitions to new scenes.
However, these two issues aren't enough to take away from the rest of the story. The concept for the story is quite interesting, most of the characters are easy to identify with (even when you don't necessarily like them), and I like the way that Radford incorporates imagined possibilities into the history that we know.
I would recommend this series to anyone.
There were two things that bothered me though. It niggled at me while reading "Guardian of Vision" but I couldn't put my finger on it until "Guardian of
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the Promise" where they were much more evident. First, while most of the character development was excellent, there were characters that seemed under developed even if they seemed to play an integral role.
There were also times that the story seemed to jump or skip parts or make poor transitions to new scenes.
However, these two issues aren't enough to take away from the rest of the story. The concept for the story is quite interesting, most of the characters are easy to identify with (even when you don't necessarily like them), and I like the way that Radford incorporates imagined possibilities into the history that we know.
I would recommend this series to anyone.
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LibraryThing member sidhera
I really love Radford's work. I've read bunches by her, and I'm very glad to see that her books are being released again in eBook format.
That said, this was not her best work. I love this series, and it's well written with an interesting plot, but there were times that I felt the pace dragged or
I will reiterate the same caveat other reviewers have left, however. As with all of Radford's work, there are explicit sex scenes (she does not fade to black), but I've been reading her stuff since I was 13 and I turned out okay. Just be aware that the scenes are in there, and perhaps preview it before giving it to your teenager.
That said, this was not her best work. I love this series, and it's well written with an interesting plot, but there were times that I felt the pace dragged or
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there was simply too much going on to truly follow. If you like the previous books in the series (or even if you're a fan of Merlin stories and haven't read the previous books), you'll definitely like this book. I will reiterate the same caveat other reviewers have left, however. As with all of Radford's work, there are explicit sex scenes (she does not fade to black), but I've been reading her stuff since I was 13 and I turned out okay. Just be aware that the scenes are in there, and perhaps preview it before giving it to your teenager.
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LibraryThing member Tim.W
Normally a book which I wouldn't naturally select. My tastes in fantasy are either totally based on no facts/histories/realities with dragons and warriors, or they are set in the future with spacecraft and lasers. Whilst obviously this book is a little mix of fantasy, believed fact and myth its a
The author (Irene Radford) manages to incorporate magic and history in a way that is very convincing and never feels forced.
Having not read the previous 3 books in this series, I have to admit I will certainly be adding them to my reading list for this year.
A great book and a worthy investment of your time. Entertaining, gripping and a real page turner!
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combination that works very well, keeping the reader enchanted until the very end.The author (Irene Radford) manages to incorporate magic and history in a way that is very convincing and never feels forced.
Having not read the previous 3 books in this series, I have to admit I will certainly be adding them to my reading list for this year.
A great book and a worthy investment of your time. Entertaining, gripping and a real page turner!
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LibraryThing member rdrichards72
In general I liked this book, but found myself getting confused by trying to keep up with the characters and where the story was taking place. It may have made more sense if I had read the earlier books in the series, but as a stand alone, it bombed.
I am a one-sitting reader, but with this book, I
I am a one-sitting reader, but with this book, I
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just couldn't. Show Less
LibraryThing member scmerritt
I was given this book from the early reviewers program. I have not read the first 3 in the series, as I was not aware of this series until I received this review copy. I found the book a very enjoyable read and would definitely recommend it. Doesn't appear to have mattered that I didn't read the
Warning for parents though is that this book contains some explicit sexual content so is not recommended for young teens.
This story taked place in 16th century Europe and basically intertwines the story of Diedre, a direct descendant of the Merlin of Britain (also refered to as the Pendragon) with historical records of that time with Queen Elizabeth. She and her cousins Hal, Betsy, Griffon are taken through their early teen years as they seek to understand their heritage and fight the forces looking to use them and the strife between Mary, queen of scots, and Elizabeth for their own power grab.
Key to this power grab is a magician who looks to control a group of werewolves, who are independent by nature, into his own army. Hal is dragged into this world and fights for control over his werewolf curse.
The story goes into quite a bit of detail for the first 400 pages and then the story speeds up a bit for the last 140 pages but overall a very good story. I will certainly be adding the first 3 books to my library soon which are very reasonably priced for ebooks and I'm already reading the 5th book that I also just recieved as a review copy. Looking forward to that story as well which from the first chapters appears to pick up about 200 years later.
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first 3, although I'm sure there are nuances that I would have picked up on if I had. Warning for parents though is that this book contains some explicit sexual content so is not recommended for young teens.
This story taked place in 16th century Europe and basically intertwines the story of Diedre, a direct descendant of the Merlin of Britain (also refered to as the Pendragon) with historical records of that time with Queen Elizabeth. She and her cousins Hal, Betsy, Griffon are taken through their early teen years as they seek to understand their heritage and fight the forces looking to use them and the strife between Mary, queen of scots, and Elizabeth for their own power grab.
Key to this power grab is a magician who looks to control a group of werewolves, who are independent by nature, into his own army. Hal is dragged into this world and fights for control over his werewolf curse.
The story goes into quite a bit of detail for the first 400 pages and then the story speeds up a bit for the last 140 pages but overall a very good story. I will certainly be adding the first 3 books to my library soon which are very reasonably priced for ebooks and I'm already reading the 5th book that I also just recieved as a review copy. Looking forward to that story as well which from the first chapters appears to pick up about 200 years later.
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LibraryThing member elric17
A successful continuation of Guardian of the vision, which continues blending England's mystical history with it's actual history in the Elizabethan Age. I look forward to going back and reading the first two of the series and following the further adventures of Merlin's descendants.
LibraryThing member moniqueleigh
I received this novel from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. I had read this book several years ago in paperback, but wanted to read it again now that the series is being re-released in e-book format.
Unlike the previous books in the Merlin's Descendants series, readers will probably do best
In this book, Griffin Kirkwood and Roanna Douglas' illegitimate daughter Deidre has grown up as one of three potential candidates for the role of Pendragon and Merlin. Her cousins Hal and Betsy, Donovan's children, are the other two. As usual, there are magical and political obstacles threatening England: werewolves controlled by a mysterious man at the Spanish Embassy and the various Catholic stirrings known to all familiar with the history of Elizabeth I's reign.
Of course, Irene Radford's usual talent is on full display, easily tying in the magical nature of her characters to the historical events. Even readers who are unfamiliar with the Catholic plots against Elizabeth will find themselves drawn into the story. Those who already have some knowledge of the events will find themselves nodding along with Ms. Radford's portrayal of the various people who were key to the times and events. Historical pedants be forewarned, fiction writers find themselves in the unenviable position of having to decide which characters to keep and which can be safely ignored (or wrapped into other characters).
Due to the span of time covered in the book, there is a bit of time-jumping between chapters, and some people have complained that they felt the transitions were confusing. I didn't find it to be that confusing, but I have read a great number of books that have to jump months or years just to cover everything. Of course, as has been noted by several reviewers including myself, be aware that Ms. Radford does not censor her characters; sex happens, and we do not always "fade to black."
Unlike the previous books in the Merlin's Descendants series, readers will probably do best
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to have at least read the previous book before reading this one to fully appreciate and enjoy this fourth installation. You can read it on its own as Ms. Radford does give her usual hints and reminders to help readers along, but there may still be some confusion.In this book, Griffin Kirkwood and Roanna Douglas' illegitimate daughter Deidre has grown up as one of three potential candidates for the role of Pendragon and Merlin. Her cousins Hal and Betsy, Donovan's children, are the other two. As usual, there are magical and political obstacles threatening England: werewolves controlled by a mysterious man at the Spanish Embassy and the various Catholic stirrings known to all familiar with the history of Elizabeth I's reign.
Of course, Irene Radford's usual talent is on full display, easily tying in the magical nature of her characters to the historical events. Even readers who are unfamiliar with the Catholic plots against Elizabeth will find themselves drawn into the story. Those who already have some knowledge of the events will find themselves nodding along with Ms. Radford's portrayal of the various people who were key to the times and events. Historical pedants be forewarned, fiction writers find themselves in the unenviable position of having to decide which characters to keep and which can be safely ignored (or wrapped into other characters).
Due to the span of time covered in the book, there is a bit of time-jumping between chapters, and some people have complained that they felt the transitions were confusing. I didn't find it to be that confusing, but I have read a great number of books that have to jump months or years just to cover everything. Of course, as has been noted by several reviewers including myself, be aware that Ms. Radford does not censor her characters; sex happens, and we do not always "fade to black."
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LibraryThing member ladyoflorien
This was okay but definitely geared to a younger audience.
LibraryThing member Al-G
Loved this book!! I got this free with a promise to review, and it was an amazing read, at least for me. It combines elements of Elizabethan English history (and her research and history are excellent!) as well as Arthurian legend with fantasy/magic to bring an interesting perspective to that era
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of British politics. Her characters are well rounded and her narrative style flows easily making the book very readable. There were some places where I struggled to understand all the interactions of the characters, but that is due primarily, I think, to the fact that this is book 4 in a series and I have not read the first three. But I enjoyed this one so much that I will read the rest now. The book appeals to me on multiple levels: her historical research and knowledge make the setting believable and contribute to the realism of her setting. She builds on Arthur and Merlin legends to bring a touch of legend to history, and then she sprinkles in a magical family who is ties to both Arthur and Merlin and who help the destiny of Elizabeth and influence the "holy war" between Protestant and Catholic. But there is evil astir, mixing up the politics and religion with a confusing threat and a desire to world dominance. Some of the heroic family whose destiny is to guard Britain and Queen get lost in their own desires, some get lost to the evil that threatens the land, and some overcome travail and turmoil to be victorious. While much of the plot is fantasy, the history is real and the struggles of the characters are struggles that many of us could easily relate to, no matter the era or time. Very well done, and I am glad to have an opportunity to read. I will be reading the rest of the series! Show Less
LibraryThing member saffie
Received this book as a early reviewers, knowing that this was a later book, went and found the first few to read first in case the book hinged on knowing backstory. It was a good book, I was hooked the first few pages. I loved the mix of history and fantasy. Would recommend to a friend.
LibraryThing member kirathelibrarian
The year is 1572, Mary Queen of Scots is imprisoned in England and trying to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I. Deidre is the illegitimate offspring of when her mother, Roanna Douglas, possessed by the Demon of Chaos, seduced her father, Doug Kirkwood. Both parents dead, she lives with her Uncle Donovan,
Overall, I like this book. The language was a little hard to follow at first, but is accurate for the time period this book takes place in. The book spans a 16 year period, so the time period jumps in each chapter were a little confusing even when you read the chapter headings. The characters were likable, and the magical elements and creatures were fun, especially the fairies and demons. The best part of the books was the entertaining non-stop action. I would recommend this book to any readers who like fantasy, King Arthur, magic, action, adventure, and books that take place in England, but would highly recommend reading the other books in the series first.
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her father's twin, and his family. There, she's been training ot be chosen as the Pendragon, the magical advisor to the queen. Her uncle fear, however, that Dee was affected by her mother's possession. Recently, France has a new king in power and he is being influenced by an evil astir named De Guise. De Guise, with the use of the king and werewolves threatens to take over England and possibly restart the "holy war" that killed her father 2 years ago. Can Deirdre find a way to stop the past from happening again?Overall, I like this book. The language was a little hard to follow at first, but is accurate for the time period this book takes place in. The book spans a 16 year period, so the time period jumps in each chapter were a little confusing even when you read the chapter headings. The characters were likable, and the magical elements and creatures were fun, especially the fairies and demons. The best part of the books was the entertaining non-stop action. I would recommend this book to any readers who like fantasy, King Arthur, magic, action, adventure, and books that take place in England, but would highly recommend reading the other books in the series first.
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LibraryThing member Lexi2008
This book was a LibraryThing Early Reviewers book. I'd already won one of the previous books (Guardian of the Balance) from LTER, and they were kind enough to give me this one, as well, a few months later. I'm sure I'm desperately late in reviewing it, but nevertheless, here's my review.
I finished
Deirdre and Hal (one of Donovan Kirkwood's twins - the other is Griffin) are best friends from childhood. Donovan is raising Deirdre after her father's death, covered in the previous entry in the series. No one knows who will become the next Pendragon - Raven predicted that it would be Donovan's son, but the family wolfhound has bestowed her female puppy on Deirdre, and she certainly seems to have the aptitude for it. Hal has magic, too, but not as strong as Deirdre's. And Betsy, Donovan's elder daughter by his first wife, seems to think she is to be the next Pendragon.
To complicate matters, a Spaniard known as El Lobison is building a werewolf army to assist in Spain's invasion of England (through the Spanish Armada, for you history buffs out there). Hal and Deirdre seek to stop him, but major obstacles stand in their way. Will El Lobison succeed in turning one of them into part of his werewolf army? Can they work together to stop the coming Spanish invasion of England? Who is the REAL Pendragon of England?
Again, I enjoyed this entry in the series much more than the last. I'd give it four and a half out of five Whatevers. Definitely read the series from the beginning - it's not a series that will make much sense if you don't. Specifically recommended for those with an interest in Elizabethan England, werewolves, or a good, solid fantasy series.
I finished
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this book yesterday, during the Read-a-Thon. It was good. Better than the last one in the series. Again, I'm not sure whether this is because I prefer reading about a female protagonist (in this case, Deirdre, Griffin Kirkwood's illegitimate daughter who was born at the end of the last novel), or because there was more magic in this book. And werewolves. There were werewolves in this book, which I kind of enjoyed. I hadn't yet read any novels that deal with werewolves, so it was an interesting introduction to the trope.Deirdre and Hal (one of Donovan Kirkwood's twins - the other is Griffin) are best friends from childhood. Donovan is raising Deirdre after her father's death, covered in the previous entry in the series. No one knows who will become the next Pendragon - Raven predicted that it would be Donovan's son, but the family wolfhound has bestowed her female puppy on Deirdre, and she certainly seems to have the aptitude for it. Hal has magic, too, but not as strong as Deirdre's. And Betsy, Donovan's elder daughter by his first wife, seems to think she is to be the next Pendragon.
To complicate matters, a Spaniard known as El Lobison is building a werewolf army to assist in Spain's invasion of England (through the Spanish Armada, for you history buffs out there). Hal and Deirdre seek to stop him, but major obstacles stand in their way. Will El Lobison succeed in turning one of them into part of his werewolf army? Can they work together to stop the coming Spanish invasion of England? Who is the REAL Pendragon of England?
Again, I enjoyed this entry in the series much more than the last. I'd give it four and a half out of five Whatevers. Definitely read the series from the beginning - it's not a series that will make much sense if you don't. Specifically recommended for those with an interest in Elizabethan England, werewolves, or a good, solid fantasy series.
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LibraryThing member threadnsong
A continuation of the earlier volume [Guardian of the Vision], with the nearly-grown children from that earlier time who set off on adventures of their own. There are a lot of children, and while this works well at the beginning it does leave some strands caught waving in an English gale.
The book
What Radford does well is concentrate on the most central characters and on Queens Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots, as well as introducing a new evil element: werewolves. She's able as an author to see where a storyline might go stale and resolves that conundrum with something other than demons or (the obvious) vampires. And the werewolves here have their own social structure and a mad master, El Lobison, who controls them through their priestess, Yassimine.
Another thing I liked about this book was that Radford does not shy away from making central characters dis-likeable, while still weaving a story around them. Donovan is pretty wishy-washy and not as capable with his magic to throw off his spell-cast love for Mary. And Yassimine, who in her captivity longs to kill El Lobison, she instead realizes after many years that he has made all decisions for her and she does not wish to do so for herself.
As with others in this series, this book goes to many different locales in key moments in Western European history, such as the aftermath of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre (orchestrated by El Lobison) and brings in the tensions and friction of the time (Protestant vs. Catholic). And while there are sections with fast-paced action at the beginning, introducing the key plot elements, the last third slows down to a number of years, when Deirdre and Michael are married and running their pub that helps gather information for Sir Francis Walsingham on Queen Elizabeth's behalf.
The book
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starts well, with the main/narrated character, Deirdre, taking the action with "I". She is the daughter of Father Griffin and Roanna of Scotland, and is fostered by her uncle, Donovan. Donovan is father to three children: Beth (by his first wife) and twins Hal and Griffin. So, keeping all these characters straight and with their own story arcs is one of the challenges this book faces.What Radford does well is concentrate on the most central characters and on Queens Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots, as well as introducing a new evil element: werewolves. She's able as an author to see where a storyline might go stale and resolves that conundrum with something other than demons or (the obvious) vampires. And the werewolves here have their own social structure and a mad master, El Lobison, who controls them through their priestess, Yassimine.
Another thing I liked about this book was that Radford does not shy away from making central characters dis-likeable, while still weaving a story around them. Donovan is pretty wishy-washy and not as capable with his magic to throw off his spell-cast love for Mary. And Yassimine, who in her captivity longs to kill El Lobison, she instead realizes after many years that he has made all decisions for her and she does not wish to do so for herself.
As with others in this series, this book goes to many different locales in key moments in Western European history, such as the aftermath of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre (orchestrated by El Lobison) and brings in the tensions and friction of the time (Protestant vs. Catholic). And while there are sections with fast-paced action at the beginning, introducing the key plot elements, the last third slows down to a number of years, when Deirdre and Michael are married and running their pub that helps gather information for Sir Francis Walsingham on Queen Elizabeth's behalf.
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LibraryThing member nordie
Received as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's April 2012 batch, to mark this book being released as an ebook. There's the odd markup issue where some of the text continues on as italics where perhaps it should be standard text. Nothing that spoiled the reading of the book (it took me a while
Fourth in the series, this picks up 13 years after the previous book. Griffin's daughter has grown up with her cousins and her Uncle Donovan. Elizabeth is still on the throne, and Donovan still has a passing love for Mary, Queen of Scots.
Elizabeth is being threatened by the Pope, and Philip of Spain. Closer to home, both she and the Pendragons are being threatened by Werewolves, with one of their own being turned.
Didnt enjoy this quite as much as the previous books that I've read in this series. There's a slight change in pace and format, where years go by in between chapters, people are doing things you werent quite expecting in places you werent expecting it (e.g. Hal running around half of Europe and popping up in Paris and other places - did make me wonder whether I'd missed something or chapters had been cut from either the ebook or the original). Hal's relationship with Henri III was overplayed or his friendship with Henri IV was underplayed - I haven't decided which.
On the whole an enjoyable book, though I'm not sure it's the strongest in the series
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to work around what was "wrong") but it happened more than once.Fourth in the series, this picks up 13 years after the previous book. Griffin's daughter has grown up with her cousins and her Uncle Donovan. Elizabeth is still on the throne, and Donovan still has a passing love for Mary, Queen of Scots.
Elizabeth is being threatened by the Pope, and Philip of Spain. Closer to home, both she and the Pendragons are being threatened by Werewolves, with one of their own being turned.
Didnt enjoy this quite as much as the previous books that I've read in this series. There's a slight change in pace and format, where years go by in between chapters, people are doing things you werent quite expecting in places you werent expecting it (e.g. Hal running around half of Europe and popping up in Paris and other places - did make me wonder whether I'd missed something or chapters had been cut from either the ebook or the original). Hal's relationship with Henri III was overplayed or his friendship with Henri IV was underplayed - I haven't decided which.
On the whole an enjoyable book, though I'm not sure it's the strongest in the series
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Subjects
Language
Original publication date
2003
Physical description
592 p.; 6.9 inches
ISBN
0756401089 / 9780756401085