A brilliant historical novel of Edwin High King of Britain, full of action and excitement - a must-read!!
A beautifully written and well-detailed historical novel, one of a trilogy by Edoardo Albert, which is set in a collection of Kingdoms which we now know as Britain in 600AD.
In a world set in the Saxon age, people are living in a culture of customs and beliefs where strong warriors live in strongholds of castles, the King being Supreme Ruler over his Kingdom. The author introduces Edwin, a widower with two sons, exiled from his own land seeking sanctuary from his friend Raedwald, and from fighting Kingdoms, divided lands and fighting Kings. However, Raedwald has other plans for Edwin and pushes Edwin towards the authoritarian King Aethelfrith, whereupon battle commences for his life and birthright.
Whilst Edwin endeavours to gain his rightful place, he repeatedly has to pay for this but achieves becoming King. Whilst battles ensue, religion creeps in in the form of Christianity, whereupon as if in a miracle he meets an enigmatic man who gives Edwin a choice: The Kingdom in return for a Christian belief in God within the Kingdom. A choice not only affecting Edwin but also his wife Aethelburh and protector Fothreal Against a background of mistrust and misunderstanding, each Ruler claims to be the rightful successor and now Edwin finally succeeds in Rulership by converting to Christianity, being careful of his in trying to unite his people under a religious context whilst keeping his promise made to the religious man and Edwin feels that his Kingdom can only be safe when he is King.
This excellent novel ends with a stunning climax and leaves the reader looking forward to the next novels of the trilogy with baited breath.
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