The Champion

I have always loved historical novels for their insight as to how people lived back then. Rosiland Laker has always been one of my favorites with her 18th and 19th century European sagas. But when I saw a review of one of Elizabeth's medieval stories, I knew it was time to go back further in time, to an era that is long forgotten and rarely taught in any school. And boy was it worth it. It is obvious that Chadwick researches her stories in incredible detail. And her characters are easily embraced. I am on my third one now, after finishing not only "The Champion", but "The Marsh King's Daughter" as well. I am half way through "The Love Knot" as we speak, and it is as good if not better than the rest.Five stars!

I read Elizabeth Chadwick's "The Wild Hunt" and I was none too thrilled with it. I didn't find it particularly memorable so when I picked up "The Champion" the name of the author didn't quite click, though it did sound familiar. As I was reading it, it finally dawned on me why the name sounded familiar. Although I had my doubts about the book, I persevered because I'm a staunch believer that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. And I'm glad I did.When I read the inside of the jacket, I felt pretty sure I saw how this book would go. I'm glad to report I wasn't able to entirely predict the story, which is always a thumbs-up in my book. Nothing is more disappointing then being able to tell the story yourself.Indeed, it's a cliche to say it, but it's the truth--I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN. God knows I had dozens of things to do but the book drew me on.Having read two of her books, Elizabeth Chadwick has learned subtlety (among other things).I highly recommend this book, I know I will now make an attempt to read more of her work

This is a wonderful book that tells the epic story of a young man that leaves the monistary he is put in and joins the tourney court with his brother and ends up a knight with a son and a wife that is happy that the father of her son is "home." Even though I am only 14 this was a great book I belive and I would recomend it to anyone. It has a great plot and it combines romance, history, adventure, and human ethics to make a briliant tale of a knight and his strugle through life and the strugle of those who he encounters. This was the first book I ever read all the way through, in previous grades i would read books asigned and i would skip chapters or just read the back and "wing" the test. This book kept me on the "edge" of my "seat." I read this book for a week straight, I only stoped to eat or go to the bathroom. If you read one book this week, this year, or even in your life it should be this.

A great book, very well researched with interesting characters. Actually the reason they don't mention the death of King John's first wife is because she didn't die. He divorced her and married a 12 year old with whom he had become infatuated. If you want a more in-depth look at this try Sharon Penman's "Here be Dragons."