"Enjoyable medieval romance"
In 1145 Alberic of Chester kills William de Leon in battle;
William's father Hugh also died in the skirmish. Afterward
the victorious King Stephen knights Alberic, gives him
Castle Camelen formerly owned by de Leon, and directs him
to marry one of the three surviving daughters. Alberic arrives at Camelen, but is not welcomed by any of
the former liege's daughters. Especially hostile is ten
years old Nicole who tries to assassinate him for killing
her brother and the middle daughter Gwendolyn, who stands
up to him. The oldest Emma shows courage as she refuses to
allow debilitating headaches to keep her from performing
her duty to honor her father and brother. Heeding his
King's advice, Alberic selects Gwendolyn, who insists she
is betrothed to Madog ap Ideal; he plans to send Emma to
court and Nicole to a monastery. As Gwendolyn observes how
honorable Alberic is and that the "Arthurian" ring taken
from her father will not come off his finger symbolizing
true love, Madog plans to attack what he claims is his
property even if innocent lives die. MIDNIGHT MAGIC is an enjoyable medieval romance in which
the ring provides a fresh look at true love in spite of the
denials of the heroine. The story line provides a taste of
the English civil war in which nobles chose between Stephen
and Maud without making the losers in this case (William
and Hugh) into ogres deserving death; in fact based on the
behavior of the three sisters their male family members
treated them with respect as Alberic does too at least with
the older pair. Shari Anton provides a fine historical tale
that readers will appreciate. Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 15, 2005
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted December 5, 2006
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