The story of Henry II and his betrayal by all four of his sons: Hal (Henry III), Richard I (Lionheart) , Geoffrey, and John. Hal and Geoffrey would die before their father. Richard would become king with no male heirs and John would succeed him. It's also the story of Henry and Eleanor of Aquataine. This was a very informative and insightful book. In this book Penman outshone Druon in his Plantagenet series; as he barely touched on these relationships except for the wars for titled land. It was a bit too long as I lost interest in about the last 100 pages, which was setting up of Richard's coronation and the planning of the crusade to take the Holy Land from Saladin. This was book 3 in the Henry II Trilogy. 753 pages ( )

I really enjoyed this very long book. It is well written and researched and can be read as a stand alone. I hadn't read the first two books in the series and did not have a problem. We see Harry, Eleanor and their children as real people. However as far as I'm concerned, not very likeable people. ( )

My favorite Penman books are "Sunne in Splendor" and "Here Be Dragons." I wouldn't rate this book quite as high--it wasn't as moving--but it was engrossing. And I think the trilogy builds and is cumulative in it's power. Penman certainly is wonderful at making you see the different points of views of her conflicting characters. If in the two previous novels I definitely felt it tilted to one side in this one I was more torn between Henry and Eleanor, Henry and his sons. The whole plot line reminds me very much of King Lear--and tragedy of the sharpest kind. ( )

The breakdown of the Plantagenets at the end of Henry II's time is chronicled in necessarily excruciating detail. starting in 1172, it follows the rising level of violence as the impatient sons jockey for the big prize. Somehow, this is not one of Penman's livelier efforts, there not being enough action sequences, but far too many family gatherings at Christmas where things are discussed and not shown. It would leave a big hole if missed, but it is just flatly done. ( )

Amazing. Sharon Kay Penman truly is the master when it comes to historical fiction. This third installment in her Plantagenet series is overflowing with historical detail, but is first and foremost a very sensitive evaluation of a marriage and a family that tears itself apart. Penman sticks closely to the historical facts, and as well she might, because this family saga needs no embroidering. While it is yet another large book, the pages just turn themselves and I was sad to see it end. The author handles a vast cast of characters with ease and while it is a very engaging and entertaining story, I also learned a lot. This book is, imo, the best of the series and I will definitely revisit it at some point. Five stars is really not enough. ( )