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Spoil of War
by
Phoenix Sullivan (Goodreads Author)
Elsbeth of Olmsbury desires nothing beyond helping her father run his dukedom – until the duke’s forces are overwhelmed, his castle torched and Elsbeth seized for the invading king’s personal spoil. Expecting the same abuse as the other surviving women of her house, Elsbeth instead finds the king, Leodegrance, treating her with a civility that belies his flagrant desire fo...more
Kindle Edition, 289 pages
Published
March 29th 2011
by Dare To Dream Press
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I didn't want to like him!
This story was not what I would have normally read. I may like a man to take care of me but in those times they went a little overboard. At first I was stubborn in the fact that LEO was a complete cave man (although this story depicts a time when all men were like that) but gradually he made me see things from his point of view. I really liked the story. It's a tale of long ago when men did not always have the free choice to do what was right. Sometimes they had to do w...more
This story was not what I would have normally read. I may like a man to take care of me but in those times they went a little overboard. At first I was stubborn in the fact that LEO was a complete cave man (although this story depicts a time when all men were like that) but gradually he made me see things from his point of view. I really liked the story. It's a tale of long ago when men did not always have the free choice to do what was right. Sometimes they had to do w...more
Originally posted on Feminist Romantic blog: http://feministromantic.blogspot.com/...
3.5 stars
This book came up on the free list on Amazon, and of course it caught my attention. Then I started reading the reviews, and they were so mixed that I really wanted to see for myself what's the fuss was about. See that Please Note that I highlighted? THAT really made me curious! So I braced myself for the child rape, and started reading.
The thing is, I can't tell you how many times I was reading books a...more
3.5 stars
This book came up on the free list on Amazon, and of course it caught my attention. Then I started reading the reviews, and they were so mixed that I really wanted to see for myself what's the fuss was about. See that Please Note that I highlighted? THAT really made me curious! So I braced myself for the child rape, and started reading.
The thing is, I can't tell you how many times I was reading books a...more
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Spoil of War contains so many things a lover of Arthurian myth desires: passion and loyalty, vengeance and betrayal, all against the backdrop of a Britain so realistically portrayed it was difficult to believe I wasn't actually there experiencing Elsbeth's emotions alongside her. I did not simply understand her emotions. I felt them; felt her rage, her disillusionment, even her conflicted passions. More than anything I felt her desire to be in control of her own life, and found myself rooting fo...more
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This was an intense book, kept me on the edge whole the time. It was a struggle to get through it, not because it was bad, on contrary it was really really good. The book is about a time long lost, where women were to be used and thrown away. They were disposable and they had to live somehow, even if it meant to not own their own body or soul. I have seen some negative reviews that complain about the view on women and the means choice and I just have to ask myself if these people are so damned i...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This novel is a prequel to the story of Arthur and Guinevere and tells the story of Guinevere's parents, Elsbeth and Leo from Elsbeth's point of view. I was irritated by the repeated brutality in this novel. For example, Elsbeth is raped by not one, not two, but three men over the course of the novel. However, during war in that time period, I suppose that was the reality of life. I also didn't find the storyline of Leo's wife Lynnette plausible or believable. The cover of this book is way too o...more
Despite the (misleading) cover, it started out to be a good, historically accurate book. Three quarters into the story, though, I was ready to give it up. I could not believe the same thing was going to happen to her again, and then it happened again! I almost did not finish the book ... I kept reading, however, and I believe the author mostly redeems herself.
Word of caution, though: it is not for those who cannot read with historical perspective in mind. Many things that were commonplace in th...more
Word of caution, though: it is not for those who cannot read with historical perspective in mind. Many things that were commonplace in th...more
This was a kindle freebie. I found it an interesting read. Elsbeth's father, home and kingdom are conquered by an invading roman king and she and what remains of her father's kingdom become the spoils of war. The king is attracted to Elsbeth because of her stunning beauty and red northerner hair, and her fiesty spirit, she is unique compared to all the dark haired Romans. He decides to keep her as his concubines and his wife, actually become friends. Most of the book covers the development of El...more
This book was fraught with complications, and made me feel uneasy with the way it dealt with issues like sexual abuse. That's not necessarily a bad thing, to be challenged like that. the events were so horrific that I didn't want to keep reading but at the same time I couldn't put it down. It is a very triggering book and not one I would recommend to people in search of a light read or those without a strong stomach, but it is definitely interesting and compelling nd not a book I will forget in...more
Forewarning for anyone interested in this book. This is not necessarly a love story. This book is graphic, including scenes of rape, and harsh reality of those times. This is not for the faint of heart or for someone looking for all men to be honorable. Even when saying this, I did like this book. Although violent, this was the reality then and in a way it was refreshing to read something that was flowery. I still enjoyed the end but there are still portions of this book that will haunt me.
This book is not a light hearted romance, I was shocked at first with the rape but then I remember this is a historical romance and in this time period that was common, once I got past that it was a wonderful book and could not put it down
Liked it. Different story line with the struggle of one who is considered a spoil of war. She struggles to come to terms with what she is and what she means to her captor. A little different from the norm romance but still pretty good.
If you're a fan of the legend of King Arthur you will enjoy this book. It's a prequel, of sorts, to the Arthurian legend (although no Arthurian connection is apparent until the last few chapters of the book). The ending leaves one to believe that there will be more books to follow.
Not A review just an observation. Why does the cover not have a woman with red hair. The book made so much emphasis to put someone else on the cover....Hmmmm.
Hide yo kids, hide yo wife, hide yo husband
The plot and the concept held potential. But the main protagonist felt very flat to me.
Kindle Freebie.
I'm going to have to come back and rate this. The most positive thing I can say is that the writing was pretty polished for a self-pub. Though it did have it's moments of frustration, it was interesting.
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I can think of...it's a weird mid-genre type book. It's not a romance, it's not historical fiction and it has some geniuine uck moments. Overall, it's not a story that I really enjoyed.
I'm going to have to come back and rate this. The most positive thing I can say is that the writing was pretty polished for a self-pub. Though it did have it's moments of frustration, it was interesting.
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I can think of...it's a weird mid-genre type book. It's not a romance, it's not historical fiction and it has some geniuine uck moments. Overall, it's not a story that I really enjoyed.
A great story that touches your heart in many ways. Something you can read many times without losing it's charm.
Review to come.
I am not just a fan, but am obsessed with the Arthurian legend: I found nothing to like in this novel. This is not remotely historical fiction. I am only on page 32 and the historical flip-flops have merely made me mad-in the true sense of word. (Not angry) Worst novel I have read. Even worst "Arthurian" novel ever published.
Mar 28, 2013
M—
marked it as decline-to-read
On radar for author/review wank.
Decline reading due to content.
Decline reading due to content.
At bloody last! I thought it was never going to end.....
May 07, 2013
Harriet Louise
is currently reading it
Apr 23, 2013
Chastity
marked it as to-read
Apr 23, 2013
Lindsey
marked it as to-read
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Over the years, Phoenix Sullivan's short stories have been published under her real name in various pro anthologies and magazines. Marion Zimmer Bradley was her first editor. In the corporate world, Phoenix was a professional writer and editor for 23 years. Before that, she was a registered veterinary technician, working with small animal clinics and wildlife rehab centers.
Retired now - and still...more
More about Phoenix Sullivan...
Retired now - and still...more
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