by Abby Simpson

A Historical Fiction, 2024 by Lost Boys Press, 462 Pages 

What I Didn’t Like:

• Starting with a huge character list isn’t my cup of tea. I can see the value in doing it for historical fiction like this but, if I’m being honest, I only skimmed it. 
• Another preference one: I don’t like starting chapters with dates. I don’t remember them or how they fit together and it stresses my brain out to try and remember. I end up either flipping back and forth a lot or giving up on trying. 
• The start of the book is slow. I found it difficult to become invested in the characters and the story. It may be different for someone who has more knowledge about this time period and these real people going into the book, because they’d already be invested. 

What I Did Like:

• The period accurate details are well done. Too often writers of historical fiction will gloss past things they can’t explain to hint that it was exactly like now. This author leans into the descriptions of how things looked or were made at points where it makes sense. 
• The story does a good job of adding in conversational and situational details that, while probably not entirely accurate, add to the story. You find yourself invested in the character more and more as the story goes on. 
• The politics and the intrigue surrounding these characters comes into play as the story goes on, which is interesting. I felt like I learned a little something about the time period. 

Who Should Read This One:

• Fans of historical fiction stories, specifically those interested in the life (or time period) of William the Conqueror. 

My Rating: 3 Stars

• Although slow to start, this one is sure to please historical fiction fans interested in this time period.