The Lyon's Crown

Yahoooo! Finally, the last book in the Lyon Saga series is out! It's been a long wait but well worth it. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this final story, completing the events of Jess's life from that of a fourteen year old to a mature woman with three grown children. Oh yes, sending them from Croatoan Island made me very sad but it was the only thing she could do, and it continues the saga to its logical conclusion. Known facts are cleverly interwoven within the story. It is so believable, you can almost imagine you're there, meeting Robert Ashbury again and his carping wife, falling in love with Walter Ashbury, riding the outskirts of the settlement with Suzanne and Walter, breaking your heart over George, who longs to return to Croatoan. And learning what has happened over the past 25 years to Jess, her Akaiyan and all her dear friends. My one and only complaint - why does it have to end!!!!! Come on, M. L. Stainer, write another story, please.

The Lyon's Crown is the last book in the Lyon Saga series. The story of Jess Archarde and her family rivals that of any new explorers. Their story should be made into a movie for all to see. The bravery of crossing the mighty Atlantic Ocean, establishing a colony from nothing, watching hostile Indians creep closer and closer to their encampment and finally, finding themselves abandoned is certainly the stuff movies are made of. This is a brilliant series following Jess through 25 years, from age 14 to age 39 with children of her own. In The Lyon's Crown she is forced to send her children north from Croatoan Island, which has been her home for all those years. The story is told from Suzanne's point of view, her daughter and heir to her journals. In these pages are recorded Jess's life story. They are befriended by Robert Ashbury, Jess's one-time suitor for her hand. In extending sanctuary to her children, it is obvious that he still loves Jess. But his shrewish wife makes it difficult for all. Eventually they have to move northward to Jamestown, establishing a new life for themselves in a harsh, unforgiving country. Little is known of these "lost colonists" and M. L. Stainer has done a remarkable job in bringing them to life. Her understanding of the Native-American culture is nothing short of extraordinary. I did not want the series to end with this last book. That is praise enough! Movie makers, producers, come on and read this series. It should be brought to the world!

We see Jessabel's adventures continue on with her children. The good thing about this book is that you learn what has happened to Jess and her family over 25 years. One bad thing is that I want the book to continue and not end with Suzanne's marriage. But over all, this was a great book. I would recommend it to all my friends.

This is a truly compelling story, interweaving fact and fiction into a fascinating tale. The story of Jess and her family is beautifully concluded in this fifth book in the Lyon Saga series. The fate of the Lost Colonists has always been shrouded in mystery. What did happen to them? Stainer cleverly writes from the point of view of Suzanne, Jess's daughter, after they are sent north from Croatoan Island to the Jamestown colony. Historical facts become an integral part of the story as Suzanne, William and George face adversity in their new surroundings. Interwoven are excerpts from Jess's own writings, the journals she has passed on to Suzanne. Through them we learn what has happened to Jess, Aikayan, and all the rest of the colonists who threw their lot in with the Indians on Croatoan. Without a doubt, The Lyon's Crown is the culmination of a series of excellent writing. It is vivid, alive with history, forceful and a true delight. Stainer is to be commended for bringing such a shadowy mystery into the spotlight and giving her own unique version. Her characters are alive, vibrant and we care about them deeply. In fact, I'm sorry to see the series end. Perhaps Stainer will write more in the near future. I hope so!

After a very long wait, I am glad to see that The Lyon's Crown is now available. I had read the previous four books in the Lyon Saga series and was most impressed. But this fifth book, completing the adventures of Jess Archarde, outdoes all the rest. The Lyon's Crown covers a 25 year span of relatively unknown American history when Jess Archarde, now a grown woman, sends her three half-Indian children north to the Jamestown Colony. The story relates the adventures of the three, and cleverly interweaves the history of what has happened to Jess, Aikayan her husband, and the rest of the former Lost Colonists. M. L. Stainer has outdone herself in her writing, leaving us sorry that the saga has ended and there will be no more Lyon stories. Once at Jamestown, Suzanne, William and George find themselves living in the home of Jess's former admirer, Robert Ashbury and his wife, Emmma. They face many hardships, the hostility of Mrs. Ashbury and the stern rule of the colony. Two adapt easily, one does not. I will leave the rest for future readers to enjoy. I cannot emphasize enough how delighted I am to discover that M. L. Stainer has finished the Lyon Saga series and given us this gem of a book. Both teenagers and adults will enjoy this happiest of readings!