For today's #HistFicThursdays blog, I am thrilled to be welcoming Rosemary Griggs to the blog with a guest post about her latest book Mistress of Dartington Hall , as part of her Coffee Pot Book Club tour! Read on to find out about her strong female character in what is largely thought of as a male world. But first, let's meet the book... Blurb 1587. England is at war with Spain. The people of Devon wait in terror for King Philip of Spain’s mighty armada to unleash untold devastation on their land. Roberda, daughter of a French Huguenot leader, has been managing the Dartington estate in her estranged husband Gawen’s absence. She has gained the respect of the staff and tenants who now look to her to lead them through these dark times. Gawen’s unexpected return from Ireland, where he has been serving Queen Elizabeth, throws her world into turmoil. He joins the men of the west country, including his cousin, Sir Walter Raleigh, and his friend Sir F...
Today was supposed to be a book review day, but with everything that is currently needing attention, I haven't got round to reading my backlist yet and, rather than skim read one of the books, I would rather do it the credit of giving my full attention.
So, I thought, that I would introduce my favourite book from when I was little.
The Moon of Gomrath is a fantasy adventure, which I partially credit with my love of the genre. It is heavily woven with myths and legends from rural England and, while I grew up many miles away from Alderley Edge where the book is set, I could imagine the story happening close to where I lived in another corner of the English countryside.
The book is actually the sequel to The Weirdstone of Brisingamen but I read them out of sync, and it didn't matter. Sure, there were parts that made more sense once I'd read the first book, but I managed well enough. The first book is great, too, but I don't have the same attachment to it.
There are mythical races like elves, and strong link with the Arthurian legends without the need to bring King Arthur back from the dead, and magic... so much magic. What's not to love?
If anyone's looking for a gripping adventure, you can't go wrong with this book!
*** This blog comes with a caveat. Don't read the third book in the series which was written many years later for adults, and is akin to Andrew Lloyd Webber writing a rubbish sequel to Phantom of the Opera.
Alan Garner... it is amazing how all of that masterful worldbuilding can come crashing down so easily. My advice is to do what most readers of the first two books did, and pretend the third doesn't exist. ***
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