Elizabeth Chadwick, Shadows and Strongholds

Shadows and Strongholds

Elizabeth Chadwick

St. Martin's, Dec 2005, $27.95, 576 pp.

ISBN: 0312349246

In 1148 England, Lord FitzWarin decides that his ten year old son will be a nothing wastrel unless he takes drastic actions. He informs the reticent gloomy Brunin that he needs some hardening so he arranges for him to serve as a squire to his friend and ally, Joscelin de Dinan.

Years later the now adult but still intimidating Brunin has gained plenty from the caring but strict mentoring of de Dinan and the fun and games he used to play with his host's daughter, Hawise. However, recently she has behaved differently towards him, outrageously at times and subtly at other moments flirting with Brunin. Meanwhile Henry II becomes king and calls in his nobles such as FitzWarin and de Dinan to assist him in an upcoming battle to keep his throne. Brunin fights for his monarch, weds Hawise, but loses his family land to the invading Welsh while enemies Gilbert de Lacy and Ernalt de Lysle plan to steal Jocelin's estates.

In some ways SHADOWS AND STRONGHOLDS reads more like a medieval biographical fiction as the tale follows the life of Brunin in three parts, as a ten year old; as a teen; and finally as an adult. The story line contains suspense in each section, but the intrigue seems secondary when Brunin is a preadolescent and a teen; the plot takes off when the adult Brunin tries to recover all he lost starting with Hawise. Though historical romance fans may find the first two sections slow, readers will appreciate this fine tale as they opening acts lead to a strong climax.

Harriet Klausner