Review: Godwine Kingmaker by Mercedes Rochelle
I'm delighted to share my review of Godwine Kingmaker by historical fiction author, Mercedes Rochelle. It's the first in The Last Great Saxon Earls series, a trilogy about the Godwines, a powerful family in pre-Conquest England.
The novel is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find all other fascinating posts here!
I've wanted to read Mercedes Rochelle's novels for a while, and finally I had the chance. And I'm glad I did, as I discovered another fascinating series to get into.
The novel is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find all other fascinating posts here!
Godwine Kingmaker
The Last Great Saxon Earls
Mercedes Rochelle
I've wanted to read Mercedes Rochelle's novels for a while, and finally I had the chance. And I'm glad I did, as I discovered another fascinating series to get into.
Godwine Kingmaker is the first in her trilogy about Earl Godwine and his sons, culminating in Harold becoming the last Anglo-Saxon King of England before Duke William of Normandy defeated him in battle. The rest is, as they say, history...
Born in St. Louis, MO, she received by BA in Literature at the Univ. of Missouri St.Louis in 1979 then moved to New York in 1982 while in her mid-20s to “see the world”. The search hasn’t ended!
Today she lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.
Connect with Mercedes:
Website
The novel begins with a young Godwine helping a Danish jarl who'd lost his way in a forest. Ulf had been separated from his men following a skirmish. The suspicious Dane had no choice but to trust the teenager. Swiftly, Godwine and his father, himself out of favour with the nobles, realise that the boy's life was now in danger as he'd been helping an enemy.
That was how young Godwine ended up in the service of Jarl Ulf. With the boy's help, they found the Danish King Canute, and joined Ulf's men again.
Soon, Godwine had no choice but to take part in battles against fellow Anglo-Saxons. An ambitious youth, he realised that the Danes were favoured, but a failed attack on London leads to a withdrawal of the Danes, and Ulf's return to his homeland, Godwine in tow.
Through Ulf, and then Canute, the young man quickly learns about political schemes and plots, and how to seek your own advantage. When Ulf falls foul of Canute and is branded a traitor, Godwine has to make a vital choice – one that secures his position at Canute's court.
I liked Ms Rochelle's portrayal of Godwine. A young man who took his chances whenever he could, his selfishness and ruthlessness becomes apparent fairly early on. Through the machinations at court, and the petty jealousies between Canute's followers, he learns swiftly where the wind blows.
Godwine is not a particularly likeable character, though the author doesn't paint him like an ogre either. He's a quick thinker, who recognises how situations arise, and how they might pan out. Perhaps on a par with a modern-day spin doctor, Godwine uses his skills cleverly to his own advantage, without appearing too obvious.
There is some head-hopping in the narrative which can be confusing at times, but it's not distracting from the riveting plot. The fast pace and multitude of events make for a gripping read.
The author's historical research is impeccable, which makes the setting and characters feel realistic. Godwine Kingmaker really pulls readers into a fascinating tale of 11th century politics, with all their dangers and schemes.
A highly recommended read!
~~~
Blurb: 
They showed so much promise. What happened to the Godwines?
How did they lose their grip? Who was this Godwine anyway, first Earl of Wessex and known as the Kingmaker? Was he an unscrupulous schemer, using King and Witan to gain power? Or was he the greatest of all Saxon Earls, protector of the English against the hated Normans?
The answer depends on who you ask. He was befriended by the Danes, raised up by Canute the Great, given an Earldom and a wife from the highest Danish ranks. He sired nine children, among them four Earls, a Queen and a future King.
Along with his power came a struggle to keep his enemies at bay, and Godwine's best efforts were brought down by the misdeeds of his eldest son Swegn. Although he became father-in-law to a reluctant Edward the Confessor, his fortunes dwindled as the Normans gained prominence at court.
Driven into exile, Godwine regathered his forces and came back even stronger, only to discover that his second son Harold was destined to surpass him in renown and glory.
Buy Links:
Godwine Kingmaker is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
International Buy Link
Audiobook
The Last Great Saxon Earls Series
Amazon US Series Link
Amazon UK Series Link
About the Author:
Mercedes Rochelle
Mercedes Rochelle is an ardent lover of medieval history, and has channeled this interest into fiction writing. She believes that good Historical Fiction, or Faction as it’s coming to be known, is an excellent way to introduce the subject to curious readers. She also writes a blog: HistoricalBritainBlog.com to explore the history behind the story.
They showed so much promise. What happened to the Godwines?
How did they lose their grip? Who was this Godwine anyway, first Earl of Wessex and known as the Kingmaker? Was he an unscrupulous schemer, using King and Witan to gain power? Or was he the greatest of all Saxon Earls, protector of the English against the hated Normans?
The answer depends on who you ask. He was befriended by the Danes, raised up by Canute the Great, given an Earldom and a wife from the highest Danish ranks. He sired nine children, among them four Earls, a Queen and a future King.
Along with his power came a struggle to keep his enemies at bay, and Godwine's best efforts were brought down by the misdeeds of his eldest son Swegn. Although he became father-in-law to a reluctant Edward the Confessor, his fortunes dwindled as the Normans gained prominence at court.
Driven into exile, Godwine regathered his forces and came back even stronger, only to discover that his second son Harold was destined to surpass him in renown and glory.
Buy Links:
Godwine Kingmaker is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
International Buy Link
Audiobook
The Last Great Saxon Earls Series
Amazon US Series Link
Amazon UK Series Link
~~~
About the Author:
Mercedes Rochelle
Mercedes Rochelle is an ardent lover of medieval history, and has channeled this interest into fiction writing. She believes that good Historical Fiction, or Faction as it’s coming to be known, is an excellent way to introduce the subject to curious readers. She also writes a blog: HistoricalBritainBlog.com to explore the history behind the story.
Born in St. Louis, MO, she received by BA in Literature at the Univ. of Missouri St.Louis in 1979 then moved to New York in 1982 while in her mid-20s to “see the world”. The search hasn’t ended!
Today she lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.
Connect with Mercedes:
Website
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