Review: The Princeling

The Princeling (The Moreland Dynasty series - Book 3) by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Publication Date: October 2010
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Format: Paperback, 448 pp
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN-13: 9781402240584
ISBN: 1402240589

(Received for review from Sourcebooks)

Synopsis (Courtesy of Amazon):

The Morelands' rise to power, as tenuous as it was unexpected, now faces its greatest threat. Elizabeth I is on the throne and Protestantism is sweeping the land, threatening the position of the Catholic Morlands and forcing them to seek new spheres of influence. John, the heir, rides north to the untamed Borderlands to wed the daughter of a Northumberland cattle lord. But he finds he must first prove himself and win her heart through blood and battle. John's gentle sister Lettice is given in marriage to a ruthless Scottish baron, and in the treacherous court of Mary, Queen of Scots, she learns the fierce lessons of survival. Through birth and death, love and hatred, triumph and heartbreak, the Morelands fight to hold on to their place among England's aristocracy.

Thoughts:

Cynthia Harrod-Eagles has created an epic series with the Moreland Dynasty. With over 30 books this series spans a huge amount of history. In the third book in the series, The Princeling we back in Tudor, England as Elizabeth I takes the throne. As with the other books in the series, the story of the Moreland family is told through the births and deaths of the family, with each generation having it's own story.

England has become Protestant and the Catholic Moreland family feels it is in danger. Their alliances and contracts through marriage seem insignificant in the face of the changes. John, the Moreland heir is sent north by his father to find a bride. John diligently tries to win the daughter of Black Will Percy, a feared northerner. He must survive many hardships to win the love of this young woman, but he knows he must succeed as his father has decreed. Mary Percy, is Black Will's only heir and therefore a princeling in her own right.

Mary and John run the estate in the Scottish north country and their love for each other is strong. Once all the posturing and courting was over, she had enchanted John and they grow to love each other very much. Though John's story is interesting, I preferred the story of his sister Lettice, who is also sent to Scotland to wed a Scottish laird who is determined to see Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne of England. Lettice finds herself is very dangerous surroundings as she learns to take care of herself and keep out of the fray.

I really liked this one a lot. Cynthia Harrod-Eagles' descriptions of England under the reign of the Tudor's was very well done. Her characters were very well developed. Though some of the supporting characters could have been fleshed out a little more, her main characters are so well done, that it makes up for it. The Moreland family now has ties with Scotland, which should prove very interesting in later books as well. I loved the way the author described everything about John and Lettice's new home. I am of Scottish descent and always find it interesting how Scotland is portrayed.

The Princeling is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

Click here for my review of Book 1 of the Moreland Dynasty series: The Founding

Click here for my review of Book 2 of the Moreland Dynasty series: The Dark Rose

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!