Amazon/Smashwords eBook;
476 Pages
ASIN: B00XM9QJ1K
Genre: Historical Fiction
The story of The Lion and the Rose and the Norman Conquest continues in this spellbinding new historical fiction series from author Hilary Rhodes, pulling back the curtain on the lives of two remarkable women connected across centuries: Aislinn, a seventeen-year-old English girl, caught up in the advancing army of the “Outlander king,” the man who will become known to history as William the Conqueror. Thrust into the center of the new Norman court and a dizzying web of political intrigue and plotting princes, she must choose her alliances carefully in a game of thrones where the stakes are unimaginably high. Embroiled in rebellions and betrayals, Aislinn learns the price of loyalty, struggles to find her home, and save those she loves – and, perhaps, her own soul as well. Almost nine hundred years later in 1987, Selma Murray, an American graduate student at Oxford University, is researching the mysterious “Aethelinga” manuscript, as Aislinn’s chronicle has come to be known. Trying to work out the riddles of someone else’s past is a way for Selma to dodge her own troubling ghosts – yet the two are becoming inextricably intertwined. She must face her own demons, answer Aislinn’s questions, and find forgiveness – for herself and others – in this epically scaled but intimately examined, extensively researched look at the creation of history, the universality of humanity, and the many faces it has worn no matter the century: loss, grief, guilt, redemption, and love.
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | ITUNES | KOBO
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hilary Rhodes is a scholar, author, blogger, and all-around geek who fell in love with medieval England while spending a year abroad at Oxford University. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in history, and is currently preparing for doctoral studies at the University of Leeds, fulfilling a years-long dream to return to the UK. In what little spare time she has, she enjoys reading, blogging about her favorite TV shows, movies, and books, music, and traveling. For more information, please visit Hilary Rhodes' blog.My Review
The Outlander King tells the story of Aislinn from the age of 17, when she is captured by William the Conquerer. The story starts out in 1066 and goes through approximately 1072. William was the first Norman King of England starting his reign in 1066. He invaded England and the standing king, Harold was killed at the Battle of Hastings. William and his men are going from village to village demanding tribute from the people, not only monetary but taking the sons of the family. In the village of Brydley, not only does he demand the son of a family but also a daughter, Aislinn.
Edgar the Aethling was named King of England but never crowned, but since he was at war with William, he fled with Aislinn, his sister's and mother, along with Aislinn to King Malcolm of Scotland. This is where the story remains for the rest of the story. Aislinn is a fictitious character, but other characters such as William of Normandy and Edgar are based on real events.
Aislinn was raped by King William and also by a knight by the name of Corbin. As a result, there was a male child born, Aislinn marries but eventually runs away with Edgar for her safety and that of her child.
The time slip part of the story takes place 900 years later, in 1987, with a woman by the name of Selma. Selma is doing research on a missing manuscript, Aelthinga manuscript. The manuscript is found and deciphered and Selma learns the story of Aislinn, William and Edgar and the struggles that come with political upheaval.
This historical novel, which is a series, is the depiction of a strong woman who is determined to fight for what she believes in.
What a time this must have been to live in, men wanting control of a country, wars all of the time waged for control, hardships that there were for the people of that time. Illnesses, war, and not knowing who to trust because there is always political turmoil and court intrigue in medieval time. The author did her research in telling this story and it shows. I enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received an ebook copy for review and was not monetarily compensated for my thoughts.
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