The Maid of the White Hands: The Second of the Tristan and Isolde Novels

In the continuation of the Isolde and Tristan saga, the star-crossed lovers are re-united only to be separated again. Isolde becomes queen in her own right and Andred continues to conspire against Tristan to secure his own place as the named successor of King Mark of Cornwall. The newest character in the mix will not be new to anyone familiar with the Isolde and Tristan tragedy...Blanche - Princess of France. It certainly gives nothing away to say that ruthlessness, treachery, and deceit continue to work against the steadfast love between Tristan and Isolde. It would, however, give much away to tell you if their love endures... in life...or in death. Miles continues her skillfull mastery of English and Irish legend in a way that makes this book enticing, exciting, and well worth reading. The only thing preventing me from giving this book 5 stars is that I cannot help but compare it to the Guenivere series and I found her take on that tale just a bit more unique to a ledgend I had heard before. This book does follow the traditional tragedy a bit more closely but she spins a wonderful new tale despite the longevity of the original source.