Thirteenth-century Wales is a divided country, ever at the mercy of England’s ruthless, power-hungry King John. Llewelyn, Prince of North Wales, secures an uneasy truce by marrying the English king’s beloved illegitimate daughter, Joanna, who slowly grows to love her charismatic and courageous husband. But as John’s attentions turn again and again to subduing Wales—and Llewelyn—Joanna must … decide where her love and loyalties truly lie.
The turbulent clashes of two disparate worlds and the destinies of the individuals caught between them spring to life in this magnificent novel of power and passion, loyalty and lies. The book that began the trilogy that includes Falls the Shadow and The Reckoning, Here Be Dragons brings thirteenth-century England, France, and Wales to tangled, tempestuous life.
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This book and the other two books in the trilogy were absolutely fantastic. I became enmeshed in the storyline. It was very hard to put these books down and yet I hated to see the end nearing. I wish the books could have continued forever.
One of my all-time favorites!
Incredible historic fiction. This book takes place in 22th centuart England and Wales. In one respect it is a most beautiful love story between Prince Llewellyn of Wales and Joanna, the daughter of King John of England. Miss Penman brings the history of that period to life in an incredibley powerful way. This is probably my favorite all time book!!!!
This book is one of my all-time favorites and is made even more amazing by the ‘true’ story that lies behind it. It may be one of the greatest real love stories of all time. The author has the masterful gift of creating characters with depth and feeling and they feel true to their time in history. She also has the gift of taking personas that we are accustomed to viewing in a very one dimensional manner – in this case, ‘bad’ King John of Magna Carta fame – and giving us a very different perspective. The quality of her writing, the detail and accuracy of her research and her ability to create multi-dimensional flesh-and-blood characters that live and breathe hundreds of years after they ceased to exist is really unparalelled.
I loved the whole series she did on Wales…..Best historical fiction writer of them all.
I love Sharon Kay Penman, and this was the first book I read of hers. It was the hard copy, but I loved it so much I downloaded it so I can read it again on Kindle. She’s a great linguist, gets her history mostly right, and knows how to tell a tale anybody will want to read.
One of my favourite books of all time, with a deft blend of historical detail and heart-wrenching characters.
Absolutely wonderful book. An excellent introduction to author Sharon Kay Penman. She really does her homework. I have even visited places about which she has written and have been in awe of the accuracy of her research. At the end of each book, she tells you exactly which parts were not accurate, for the sake of the story, and they are few, far between, and not all that important. Give the book a chance until the two main protagonists are grown and meet (it won’t take long) and you will fall in love with them and will not want to put the book down. If you DO fall in love with Penman’s work, be aware that there are a few (I think maybe four) she has written more “for fun” about a secret agent for Eleanor of Acquitaine, and they aren’t as reliable a source of pure history as the others. The two about Richard the Lionheart I would save for last… fascinating, but not as good “reads” as the others. Anyway, I ALWAYS recommend “Here Be Dragons” as the first Penman book. It’s great!!
Excellent book! Couldn’t put it down amazing history.
Love the depth that this author has gone to, to bring these historical characters alive.
My FAVORITE Sharonville Penman book! I have read it at least 5 times and yet always enjoy it!!
Stories so rich and engaging the characters are vivid and delicious. Historical Fiction of Wales — Read it!!
Characters taken from the history books enthralled me. Joanna, daughter of King John of England, is torn between the love for her father, who is less than a hero but so kind to her, and her husband who rules Wales. As I read the book I verified the background history. It is a well-told tale, and the first time I have ever read anything about John Plantagenet that portrayed his being other than utterly and completely cruel.
“For every wound;the ointment of time”
This was an amazing book. At 704 pages, it was also a very long look at Joanna, “baseborn” daughter of King John (Plantagenet)of England. The first of three books about the saga of Wales under Llewelyn who is given Joanna in pledge and then falls in love with her, giving rise to discord between his Welsh children, and he and Joanna’s Norman-Welsh children. It’s about long smoldering alliances and grudges that have historical basis.
However, in the end, it’s a love story. Joanna spent her life looking for love, finding it in her father King John, and then Llewelyn. It could not be easy to be a child in those days, because often you were betrothed to foster peace; or as a promise. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and there is historical information relating these people to my spouse’s family so I read it with gusto, and was not disappointed in any way. Highly Recommended 5/5
A skillfully-written historical novel of the countries in Great Britain. Characters help explain the complex struggles between and among nations. Vivid, 3-D characters either sympathetic or hostile. Well worth reading!
I just loved this book
The story of Welsh history and royalty in the time of Edward I in the late 13th century. Magnificent character building and you’ll fall in love with Wales, and their princes, and may form a different opinion about the rapaciousness of the English. There are two,other sequels,to this which are also great. I have read and own almost everything Sharon Kay Penman has written, and this is one of the best.
great read, as are all her works
I have read Here Be Dragons many times over the years, this first of the trilogy of Welsh history is beautifully told.
Sharon Kay Penman writes medieval history as fiction. I try to read all of her books. Wonderful writer – the characters come alive !