Book Review Tuesday: The Boy Who Wanted Wings by James Conroyd Martin #bookreview

Book Review for: The Boy Who Wanted Wings

Written by: James Conroyd Martin

Published by: Hussar Quill Press

ISBN: 978-0-9978945-0-9

I read: ARC PDF. This ARC was given to me in exchange for

a fair and honest review.

4 Stars

Engaging and Full of Intrigue

Martin pens an engaging story full of intrigue with “The Boy

Who Wanted Wings.” Set in 1683, an Ottoman/Turkish

invasion force has surrounded Vienna, intent on bringing

Islam to a Christian Europe. If Vienna falls, so falls Europe.

Nations band together to repel the threat. King Jan Sobieski

III of Poland gathers his Hussars and Army to join the fight. 

According to Martin’s historical note, this event was a pivotal

 one in European history.

“The Boy Who Wanted Wings” is told through the fictional

lens of Aleksy Gazdecki, a polish peasant who longs to be a

Hussar.  Though of Tatar origins, Aleksy was raised Polish

and Christian. He’s fashioned his own lance and is a good

 archer. The local nobleman’s sons, Roman and Marek, are

Hussars, planning to join King Jan as he marches on Vienna.

 When Aleksy meets Krystyna Halicki, Roman and Marek’s

sister, sparks fly much to the brothers’ disapproval. Aleksy

gets his wish to go to war as a retainer for Marek, however

he has to deal with Roman’s ire.

Will the Polish army help to defeat the Grand Vizar who

holds Vienna hostage? Can Krystyna and Aleksy find a

way to be together despite his lack of a title and the war

that threatens to tear them apart?

Martin’s writing is easy to read and understand. The plot

and pacing are well balanced. The characterization is spot

 on. Aleksy is honorable and decent despite the hardships

he has to face. Krystyna is spirited and independent, which

 will appeal to the modern reader.  The immediate threat of

the Ottman invasion is one readers will connect to as even

 in modern times, there are struggles with insurgent Islamic

 forces.

One of the reader’s questions asks if Roman’s change of

heart in the end is genuine.  This is a big change for Roman

and for me it doesn’t ring true, as he’s been duplicitous

throughout the novel. Roman is the character the readers

 love to hate. He does have some redeeming qualities,

though he is awkward in how he presents them.

Overall, “The Boy Who Wanted Wings,” is a story that will

keep the reader turning the pages to find out what happens

next. While most historical fiction novels tend to be placed

in an English setting, I find Martin unique in that he looks

at history through Polish eyes.  I highly recommend this

story for readers 13 years and older.

Book Review Friday - Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Book Review for: Pillars of the Earth
Written by: Ken Follet
New American Library/Penguin
ISBN: 978-0-451-22524-5
Avail as print & ebook
5 Stars

Reviewed by: S. Burkhart

"Pillars of the Earth" is full of greed, ambition, betrayal, loyalty, and love. Set in the 1100's England during the troubled times of Stephen and Maud, their clash for the crown challenges the lives of the lower classes in unforeseen ways.

The story takes places over several decades. The novel opens with a woman cursing a knight, a monk, and a priest at the hanging of an innocent man, raising the reader's curiosity immediately. From there, the reader meets Tom Builder who is fired from a project. With no money, he can't support his family. His wife dies in childbirth and Tom abandons the child. Feeling bad, he goes to recover the baby only to find out the monks found him and are willing to raise it.

Prior Phillip takes over the crumbling Kingsbridge Cathedral and faces many obstacles. Percy Hamleigh, the local landowner, learns the local Earl is plotting against the king. His son, William, brings the traitor to light and eventually the Hamleighs are rewarded. Aliena, the Earl's daughter, fights with passion to obtain the castle stolen from her. Follet masterfully weaves the lives of Tom, Phillip, Percy, William and Aliena together against a backdrop of greed, war, betrayal and secrets. Will truth and love prove to be the pillars of the Earth that overcome the darkness of the soul?

Follett's writing style is a bit stilted at times, but as the story progresses, I became used to it. The plot is slow, but I learned that every event is succinctly linked to the last and there were times I had to really think about what had happened. In that regard, I really enjoyed how the book made me consider the plot and characters.

The characters were not only interesting, but compelling. Even the monks, who are men of God, have human failings. These characters will make the reader cry, laugh, smile and cuss.

Follett is a superb storyteller. Pillars of the Earth is an epic historical fiction that takes the reader to another time and place with ease. There's plenty of action, suspense, adventure and romance. The novel taps into primal, core emotions and will resonate long after the last page. While the novel took me several months to read, it was worth it. If you're a fan of historical fiction, I'd give Pillars of the Earth a try.

Cupid Diaires Blog Carnival Today - Royal Pretender

My story in the Cupid Diaries is one that is close to my heart – that of George II and Caroline of Ansbach. It's one of the first historical romances I've ever read and it really inspired the love I have for historical fiction.

I discovered this interesting couple back in 1988 when someone sent me a book called "Queen in Waiting" by Jean Plaidy in a care package. While I was waiting to take the Duty Train to Berlin, I sat down at a German Café and decided to give the story a try.

I loved it!

Jean Plaidy is a pen name for Victoria Holt and Victoria Holt was one of my favorite Romantic Gothic authors. I had no idea she did historical fiction, but she totally enthralled me with George and Caroline's story.

Historically, George and Caroline were a love match – a love match during a time when love matches were frowned upon.

George's father was George I of England, but before he ascended to the kingship, he was Elector of Hanover and his marriage was arranged. He couldn't stand his bride, Sophia Dorethra of Celle. He did his duty by her, had two children, then ignored her. She said what was good for the goose was good for the gander and CHEATED ON HIM. Well, George would not be cuckolded. He sent a young and vivacious woman to the tower. She grew old and died in that tower. George II was only a boy when it happened, but it left a mark on him.

When it came time for his son to marry, George I wanted George II to be in love with his wife. Surprising considering the times, but not so surprising considering what he went through in his marriage. His mother, The Dowager Electress Sophia suggested Caroline of Ansbach.

Caroline grew up in the small Baravian town of Ansbach. She was orphaned by ten and went to live with her mother's friend, Sophia Charlotte, the Electress of Prussia. Sophia Charlotte was the Dowager Electress's daughter. Caroline loved living with Sophia Charlotte. She grew up in a sophisticated court and one of her best friends was a philosopher, Liebnez.

Sophia Charlotte was on her way to Hanover to arrange the marriage of Caroline and George II when she died. George and Caroline seemed destined to never met.
The Dowager Electress whispered into her son's ear. Why not have George II marry Caroline? George I liked the idea, but wanted his son to be in love with his wife. He sent George II to Ansbach in disguise to meet Caroline and to see if a love match could be made. After all, his son had faults. He was short, short tempered, and a nag. Caroline was reputed to be beautiful, mild mannered, and quick-witted.

George was honored to be courting Caroline – even in secret. After all, she had refused the heir to the Spanish throne. If she was good enough for a king, well, she was a prize to have indeed. When he met her, the sparks flew on both sides and he realized it was more than pride – it was love.

They went on to marry and had 9 children. George I was offered the British throne and he accepted. George and Caroline became the Prince and Princess of Wales. Caroline was the FIRST Princess of Wales since Katherine of Aragon back in 1501.

Eventually, George II took mistresses. Initially Caroline was distressed. Wasn't she enough for him? They were a love match. Then she learned he only did it because he thought it was expected him to have a mistress. With that mind, she picked the mistresses out for him. Still, George loved her until the day she died. On her deathbed Caroline told him to marry again. He said he wouldn't. And he didn't.

Again, it was a story I admired because in a time when arranged marriages were the norm, George and Caroline were in love and then got married.

I hope you enjoy "Royal Pretender" in The Cupid Diaries.

Here's a buy link for the Anthology. Currently, it is available as an Ebook