Scan barcode
duchessofreadin's review against another edition
4.0
Once again, there was no disappointment in this read! I found myself drawn into the charismatic nature of Eleanor of Aquitaine, and felt as though I were moving through the pages with them. Henry could not have ever seen what his choices were doing to his sons. By refusing to give them as much freedom as he had enjoyed in his younger years, they started seething with anger, and that anger finally spilled over into rebellion. These rebellions were played out again and again, as each son sought to get what he considered rightfully his. Henry did nothing though to help their rebellious spirit, by making one empty promise after another. In the end it cost him all his sons, as they all deserted him, two in death, and the remaining two, Richard and John, once again in rebellion. Eleanor had at first approved and even helped with their rebellion, spending the last sixteen years of her marriage in confinement, as Henry had swore to her that he could never trust her again. Although their trust never reestablished, they came together to mourn their two sons, dead before their time, and also other passing family members. But they also came together to try and reunite their family, to put to bed once and for all the rebellions, but Henry was never happy if he was not in control, and his double dealing with his sons, cost him that lasting peace.
I was so drawn into this story that I could not put the book down! It was like being caught between living in the past and the present. I found myself wondering more and more what these forces must have been at the time it was being played out!
I was so drawn into this story that I could not put the book down! It was like being caught between living in the past and the present. I found myself wondering more and more what these forces must have been at the time it was being played out!
teravannoy's review
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
ihavenouseforit's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
riseclare's review against another edition
5.0
Loved! Wondered how she would make 16 years of confinement interesting, but she did. I loved the love story in time and chance, but this parenting story made me feel so sorry for Harry- in spite of his imprisoning Eleanor. They truly were the Devil's Brood. Very interesting story- rich storytelling. Well done.
ailurophile_bibliophile89's review against another edition
5.0
Full Review - May 23, 2020: 5 Stars
Good Lord. I feel like I’ve been on a really long trip that was both awful and wonderful at the same time.
Then again, I suppose that’s the mark of a good novel.
When I first read [b:When Christ and His Saints Slept|43841|When Christ and His Saints Slept (Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, #1)|Sharon Kay Penman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1333577582l/43841._SX50_.jpg|6417933] back in 2017, I knew Penman had done it again. However, for various reasons I was not able to continue reading the trilogy.
At least, until now.
Penman’s writing has always been enthralling: it’s detailed, wonderfully written, descriptive, with an emotional depth that I feel few writers have been able to attain. I can imagine that it’s hard to write about a period in history that’s over 800 years old but at least Penman, as a historical fiction novelist, takes few liberties. Indeed, having recently read Alison Weir’s [b:Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life|111220|Eleanor of Aquitaine A Life (World Leaders Past & Present)|Alison Weir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519081559l/111220._SY75_.jpg|977136] Penman keeps remarkably true to the historical facts.
That being said, Devil’s Brood is a tragic, yet captivating, tale about one of the most infamous marriages in history. It is truly a fitting conclusion to a fascinating trilogy.
Original Review - May 22, 2020
Five Stars. Obviously.
I will write a further review tomorrow.
Good Lord. I feel like I’ve been on a really long trip that was both awful and wonderful at the same time.
Then again, I suppose that’s the mark of a good novel.
When I first read [b:When Christ and His Saints Slept|43841|When Christ and His Saints Slept (Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, #1)|Sharon Kay Penman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1333577582l/43841._SX50_.jpg|6417933] back in 2017, I knew Penman had done it again. However, for various reasons I was not able to continue reading the trilogy.
At least, until now.
Penman’s writing has always been enthralling: it’s detailed, wonderfully written, descriptive, with an emotional depth that I feel few writers have been able to attain. I can imagine that it’s hard to write about a period in history that’s over 800 years old but at least Penman, as a historical fiction novelist, takes few liberties. Indeed, having recently read Alison Weir’s [b:Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life|111220|Eleanor of Aquitaine A Life (World Leaders Past & Present)|Alison Weir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519081559l/111220._SY75_.jpg|977136] Penman keeps remarkably true to the historical facts.
That being said, Devil’s Brood is a tragic, yet captivating, tale about one of the most infamous marriages in history. It is truly a fitting conclusion to a fascinating trilogy.
Original Review - May 22, 2020
Five Stars. Obviously.
I will write a further review tomorrow.
abrswf's review against another edition
5.0
Each time I read another of Penman's tomes, I think, good as all the others preceding it were, this one is the best. And I'm sure I'll be thinking that again when I move on to the next in this particular series, Lionheart. In any event, this book is great as a follow on to Time and Chance, and also stands on its own. Its focus is the (many) rebellions and wars against each other of Henry II's and Eleanor of Aquitaine's sons, Eleanor's related imprisonment by Henry II, and the course of events that led to Richard the Lionhearted's succession to the throne. Around the edges we learn about developments in Wales, Scotland and France at the time, too. It's a fascinating period in history, and as always Penman manages to be almost entirely accurate (for the small deviations, read her afterword) and yet to make her book read like a gripping novel.
lreay89's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn’t my favourite of the trilogy but still a good book. This third instalment explores Eleanor and Henry’s breach as well as their sons constant rebelling. The timeline shifted quiet a bit as well to go from each major incident which I found a bit off putting.
There were a few parts of the book that also seem to be direct repeats of them self which was a bit annoying.
I likes Sharon’s explanation for why Eleanor and her boys did what they did. It just got a bit repetitive which is no fault of Sharon’s (that’s exactly what happened in history).
I’m looking forward to reading Lionheart which covers Coeur de Lion’s reign as I’ve not read much about his reign previously.
This is still an well written book and enjoyable just not my favourite of the three.
There were a few parts of the book that also seem to be direct repeats of them self which was a bit annoying.
I likes Sharon’s explanation for why Eleanor and her boys did what they did. It just got a bit repetitive which is no fault of Sharon’s (that’s exactly what happened in history).
I’m looking forward to reading Lionheart which covers Coeur de Lion’s reign as I’ve not read much about his reign previously.
This is still an well written book and enjoyable just not my favourite of the three.