Shield of Three Lions : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A Fun Read
Review: This is quite a different book about the Age of Chivalry and the Crusades. For one thing the heroine is a female (dressed as a BOY). I enjoyed the story it was fun and it kept my interest through the book. The story is bawdy and earthy, but so was life back then. Although the plot was a bit far-fetched, it was entertaining. It certainly puts a new light on a "love triangle", and I think really portrays what life was like on the all-male crusades where knights went to the Holy Land for years without the benefit of female company. This is an excellent book to add to your repretoire if you are a Middle Ages junkie like I am.

Rating:
Summary: On Crusade dressed as a boy
Review: Well, I think this story is well rounded. It gives us different peeks at all sorts of medieval goings on: Crusades, Universities, Intrigue, Law, Castles, that dumb romance stuff all the feminists are into with Medieval women and Eleanor, etc.
We don't get to deep into much, but I enjoyed it. The story also is woven around a girl whose family is brutally murdered and has to flee, disguised as a boy.
She meets up with an "evil" Scotsman on her own quest and they have all sorts adventures together trying to get her land back.
The story instantly grabs you in the beginning.
Yes, the author does try to use period language. I didn't know half of what she said; nor could I remember my latin to translate. But it didn't really bother me to much.
Also, she threw in a Robin Hood and Maid Marian scene. I thought that that was a bit cheesy, but it was well written for her intent.
The author has great insight into Richards person. I loved it.
There are a few surprises. I was disappointed with the ending---it seemed it stopped abruptly---but that could be because I didn't want it to end! I cannot wait to read the next one!

Rating:
Summary: what a shame...
Review: What a shame that this book is out of print. Still, there are second hand paperback and hardcover copies about, and I'm sure your local library can find a copy. If the middle ages were ever portrayed more realistically in a fictional account, then I have yet to come across it! I wanted to use the words "bawdy" and "rollicking" and "romp" to describe this book, but it seems someone in an earlier customer comment has beaten me to it. There is also a sequel, which isn't nearly as good.