Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Michael Joseph Ltd (1991), Edition: Stated First Edition, 592 pages
Description
A novel set in 1271 amidst the growing conflict between England and Wales. Llewelyn of Wales married Ellen de Montfort to spite Edward I; but, he found himself participating in one of the great love stories of the Middle Ages. Caught up in the power struggles and lives of these highborn are a host of lesser characters, for the devotion Llewelyn inspired in his followers was equalled only by the loyalty felt by all who came under the spell of the de Montfort family. Ranged against them was a worthy opponent, Edward I, whose power and success inspired its own support.
Media reviews
"With a large cast of sturdy characters, a gripping (true) story, and research that supports, rather than impales, good storytelling: a first-rate historical novel, crowning a solid series."
User reviews
LibraryThing member soliloquies
The final book in the trilogy which sees the annihilation of the Welsh Princes. Llewellyn ap Gruffydd faces battles with his brothers (most notably Daffydd) and the English King as he struggles to retain control of Wales. Fantastic writing from Penman.
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
I can now say I've read all of Penman's novels, a baker's dozen of them, and my favorites remain The Sunne in Splendour and the first novel in the Welsh Princes trilogy, Here Be Dragons. I'd say this ranks just the next level down--a four and a half, rather than a five. Not to be counted among my
If anything, that was the problem as I reached the end of the book. I dreaded that ending and it made me drag my feet those last hundred pages. In fact, I had deliberately avoided the last two books in this trilogy for years. Here Be Dragons is a true life love story--among the most moving I'd ever read, all the more for being based on real people. As a love story, it's has it's share of the bitter among the sweet, but of all of Penman's books I'd say its the most upbeat. But the other two? Well, anyone who knows anything about British history would know that it wasn't long after the events of that book that Wales was swallowed into England. The very titles of the books gave me pause: "Falls the Shadow" and "The Reckoning." If that weren't enough, well, Penman is all to good at showing the flaws and foibles of the characters that doomed them--and poor Wales. All at the same time making medieval Wales terribly appealing to a modern reader. At the same time she doesn't demonize Edward I--but you want to damn him thoroughly anyway!
And now, if you'll excuse me I think I'll begin the process of Penman withdrawal by finding the fluffiest, more sickening sweet and upbeat story I can.
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favorite books of all time and it didn't move me to tears--but great as historical fiction nevertheless. I'm newly impressed with Penman's skills as a historical novelist. Her research is evident, she definitely conveys how alien the medieval mindset was compared to our times but makes her characters relatable. It can't be easy, fleshing out these stick figures we get mere outlines of from chroniclers, putting actions and words that fit.If anything, that was the problem as I reached the end of the book. I dreaded that ending and it made me drag my feet those last hundred pages. In fact, I had deliberately avoided the last two books in this trilogy for years. Here Be Dragons is a true life love story--among the most moving I'd ever read, all the more for being based on real people. As a love story, it's has it's share of the bitter among the sweet, but of all of Penman's books I'd say its the most upbeat. But the other two? Well, anyone who knows anything about British history would know that it wasn't long after the events of that book that Wales was swallowed into England. The very titles of the books gave me pause: "Falls the Shadow" and "The Reckoning." If that weren't enough, well, Penman is all to good at showing the flaws and foibles of the characters that doomed them--and poor Wales. All at the same time making medieval Wales terribly appealing to a modern reader. At the same time she doesn't demonize Edward I--but you want to damn him thoroughly anyway!
And now, if you'll excuse me I think I'll begin the process of Penman withdrawal by finding the fluffiest, more sickening sweet and upbeat story I can.
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LibraryThing member bhowell
One of my favourite historical series. I read her first book, "Here be Dragons" and I was hooked. This is fairly light historical fiction that almost anyone could enjoy.
LibraryThing member aapjebaapje
1271-1283. I can’t believe that the book only covers 12 years – there’s so much information and character development packed in. It is a huge book (over 500 pages) but every one is important. Just like “Falls the Shadow” I had close links with the characters based in North Wales as I
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holiday in Anglesey every year and know the area very well which brought the book alive in a way that added an extra dimension. I have now started reading “The Sunne in Splendour” but am missing the link between 1283 and the start of this next book in Ms Penman’s offering. There’s a bit of a hiccup in the family saga and I hope that she fills in the gap soon because her style brings the Middle Ages alive. Show Less
LibraryThing member AmandaB18
The conclusion to Penmans Welsh trilogy. As a history lover and as a person with Welsh roots I have to say that I absolutely loved this series. Historically accurate and thoroughly compelling, while revealing the harshness of the 13th century.
LibraryThing member Misfit
What a great book. Along with an engrossing story I learned much about English history that I had never heard of before. I have to admit, some of the things that came up during the courtship/marriage of Llewellen and Ellen seemed absolutely bizarre, and then I searched the internet on these
I won't give it away, but a scene at the end of the book was so heartbreaking I literally cried for about 10-15 minutes. I can't recall any other book affecting me so. This was an awesome series, Here by Dragons, Falls the Shadow and the Reckoning.
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characters and they did actually happen. Edward I was and is an absolute two timing double faced snake in the grass!! I won't give it away, but a scene at the end of the book was so heartbreaking I literally cried for about 10-15 minutes. I can't recall any other book affecting me so. This was an awesome series, Here by Dragons, Falls the Shadow and the Reckoning.
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LibraryThing member magemanda
"The Reckoning" is the third book in the trilogy concentrating on the final days of Wales as a truly independent country from England. It links most closely to "Falls the Shadow", continuing the tale of the de Montfort family and the princes of Wales.
In this tale - once again sweeping through
Edward uses heavy-handed methods to achieve his goals, including imprisoning Llewelyn's bride - Ellen, the daughter of Simon de Montfort - and turning Davydd (Llewelyn's ambitious and loyally ambiguous brother) against him.
This was a much improved story (although I do dislike using the word 'story' when referring to historical fiction, since the events have at least a basis in fact) in comparison to "Falls the Shadow". There were strong and memorable characters, and the central love story between Llewelyn and Ellen is very sweetly written - since you end up feeling much empathy for the characters due to the way in which Edward deals with them, the very tragic ending to their relationship is all the more heartbreaking.
I had some minor complaints about the story - having said how sweet the love is between Llewelyn and Ellen, it is also a little cloying at times; the characters that Penman wrote herself with no basis in fact can be easily told from those who actually inhabited history; and sometimes Davydd's motives can be hard to comprehend being as he was from such a different age.
Having said that, these are very minor issues and overall this is a very strong novel from Penman.
In this tale - once again sweeping through
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years of historical events - we see Edward tightening his hold on Wales. Most of his predecessors had looked to the continent - to take control of Anjou and Poitou and Aquitaine, and the many other principalities that now form modern-day France. Edward was more than happy to consolidate his hold on the other countries that now form the United Kingdom - at the time, the Scottish King already paid homage to Edward as a liege lord and he was looking to Llewelyn to do the same.Edward uses heavy-handed methods to achieve his goals, including imprisoning Llewelyn's bride - Ellen, the daughter of Simon de Montfort - and turning Davydd (Llewelyn's ambitious and loyally ambiguous brother) against him.
This was a much improved story (although I do dislike using the word 'story' when referring to historical fiction, since the events have at least a basis in fact) in comparison to "Falls the Shadow". There were strong and memorable characters, and the central love story between Llewelyn and Ellen is very sweetly written - since you end up feeling much empathy for the characters due to the way in which Edward deals with them, the very tragic ending to their relationship is all the more heartbreaking.
I had some minor complaints about the story - having said how sweet the love is between Llewelyn and Ellen, it is also a little cloying at times; the characters that Penman wrote herself with no basis in fact can be easily told from those who actually inhabited history; and sometimes Davydd's motives can be hard to comprehend being as he was from such a different age.
Having said that, these are very minor issues and overall this is a very strong novel from Penman.
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LibraryThing member writestuff
No one writes historical Fiction like Penman. Great read.
LibraryThing member Helenliz
Follow on from "Falls the Shadow". Picks up after a gap of 5 years, and concentrates on the story of Llewelyn and the end of an independant Wales. I'm left with the urge the give Edward I a massive thump for being so blinkered and almost hypocritical, as well as to give David (Llewelyn's younger
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brother) a dammed good slapping for being both such a schemer and so very naieve at one and the same time. Terribly sad in lots of places, and the ending is very bleak. I'm torn between wanting Llewelyn and wales to survive and knowing that they don't. But it is a good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Pmaurer
Third of the trilogy. I enjoyed this one more, because the heroine was less caught in the middle of the conflict. Still lots of war and battle scenes. Edward was more humane than I had expected, even while using his cousin, Ellen as a pawn in the conflict of wills with Llewelyn (grandson of the
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first Llewelyn.). The brother Ddavyd was a manipulative character, constantly changing sides when it benefitted him. Show Less
LibraryThing member emmakendon
... still icky...
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
This writer speaks to me as a history facts first consumer of the genre. In fact she's illuminated my more academic reading on this period. So i recommend the last novel in the Welsh Princes trilogy. David gets his, and Edward I as a good english king, is hard on the neighbours.
LibraryThing member benkaboo
I read this back in high school, and I guess at the time I didn't realize it was the third in a trilogy.
My memory is that I loved the story and the characters (being fairly ignorant of the history at the time).
My memory is that I loved the story and the characters (being fairly ignorant of the history at the time).
LibraryThing member caedocyon
I admit it: I probably would have rated this book a star or so higher if I hadn't gone into it with such high expectations. I adore Bujold's Vorkosigan series, and I was expecting to really like this. But... eh. It never captured me, and while I grew to appreciate the world she created, it never
The plot is original, and while the characters never spring to life, they aren't obnoxious. In the end, though, I just didn't really enjoy reading it. (It did make me want to go back and reread all the Vorkosigan books from start to finish, though!)
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excited or intrigued me. I fully predicted a handful of the major plot points.The plot is original, and while the characters never spring to life, they aren't obnoxious. In the end, though, I just didn't really enjoy reading it. (It did make me want to go back and reread all the Vorkosigan books from start to finish, though!)
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Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1991-09-01
Physical description
592 p.; 6.3 inches
ISBN
0718129482 / 9780718129484
Local notes
Continues the family drama of Llywelyn's children and his grandchild and namesake Llywelyn aka Llelo. In this final book, Llelo continues to fight the English for an independent Wales. King Edward, like King John just refuses.