Shadows and Strongholds

18 Aug 2004: Refers to UK Hardcover Edition This is a medieval tale of Brunin FitzWarin and Hawise de Dinan. It begins in England, 1148 and ten year old Brunin is a misfit in his own family. He is a quiet child and is tormented by his brothers and is detested by his own paternal grandmother, Mellette. His beautiful mother, Eve, is a shy, quiet woman who doesn't have the mettle to stand up to her mother-in-law or her domineering husband, Fulke FitzWarin and therefore is incapable of protecting herself, let alone her oldest son. Brunin's father decides that the boy needs encouragement to fully develop and sends him to be fostered in the household of his friend, Joscelin de Dinan, Lord of Ludlow. Brunin will learn the knightly arts but he must also learn to overcome his own self-doubts. There he meets Hawise, the youngest daughter of Lord Joscelin and they form a friendship while growing up together at Ludlow. He learns to fight with Lord Joscelin, and his father for Henry of Anjou for Henry's crown against King Stephen. However, in the background, rival threats against Ludlow and Whittington become more prevalent and additional battles must be fought. This is an extremely well-written book and delves deep into the personalities of the main characters, especially Brunin and Hawise. I felt their emotions so strongly it was almost akin to being in their shoes. A veritable page turner! I couldn't stop and was sad to see it end! Another winner for author Elizabeth Chadwick and anyone who reads her novels!

The "family chronicles" was a rather popular genre between the 12th to the 14th centuries. These chronicles were written by clerics, under the supervision of the family. One of these chronicles is the story of the Fitzwarin family, and this ancient piece was the basis for the wonderful novel "Shadows and Strongholds". This is a story of two childhood friends and eventually husband and wife, Brunin Fitzwarin and Hawise de Dinan, and their adventures and tests of courage and love in times where nothing is for sure and everything is under threat, including the beloved castle where they both spent most of their years and where their future awaits- Ludlow castle. This is a fascinating story, based on true facts and real characters- highly recommended!

Elizabeth Chadwick's ability to create both believable characters and believable medieval settings is nothing short of amazing. Shadows and Strongholds is a romance, but it's far superior to most category romances, and really, it's superior to most historical novels in general. I can hardly wait for Chadwick's next book.

If you like medieval action, daring knights, smart and independent ladies and an interesting story, then this is the book for you. I bought this book not knowing anything about the author, because usually I research an author before I buy a book, but this time I just went ahead and bought it by reading the backcover, what a treat, it had me engrossed completely from beginning to end! I will go ahead and buy another Chadwick book just to see if her other books are as good as this one. Brunin and Hawise are a wonderful couple and Chadwick shows you how they mature and grow together and become wiser and stronger in their own circumstances.

Because I bought this book in an English bookstore in Amsterdam, I've read it before it has been published in the USA. This book is very good, it's even better the Lords of the White Castle, and is certainly worth reading for the back-story on how the FitzWairin family loses Whittington Castle. England in the time of the civil war between Stephen and Matilda is not a fun place to be. Because of the war between the kingly ones, justice is not getting dispensed to those in need. For this reason, strong alliances are more important than ever. Thus, Hawise de Dinan and Brunin FitzWairin, two teenagers who have known each other their whole lives are made to wed so that Brunin can help protect Hawse's family estate, Ludlow, which is under almost constant attack from Gilbert de Lacy. Readers of Lords of The White castle will be delighted to read the romantic and stunning story of the parents of Fulke FitzWairin, who unfortunately aren't seen much in LOTWC. All The characters are real people of their time with true personas and real motivations, and as always, this is not some nice neat tale of midlevel life. It's dirty and gritty and very realistic. It's also not really fair to classify this as a romance novel, since there isn't that much sex in the book. Chadwick has done it again!