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Aug 29, 2011

Isis rated it:

Devil’s Brood is an absolute rollercoaster of a novel. Now in my mind, there are two types of "rollercoaster novels". One kind swings wildly from one extreme of emotion to another, melodramatically creating mountains out of molehills, its plot twists coming out of nowhere, the kind of rollercoaster that leaves you feeling queasy and desperately wanting to get off. The other kind of rollercoaster novel sweeps you up and off you go, the highs and lows built up ahead of time, creating ant More...

5 comments like (4 people liked it)

Feb 09, 2012

Karla (Mossy Love Grotto) rated it:

There's probably a connection between why I read 3 Sharon Kay Penman books with such ease back in the early to mid 2000s. At the same time I was going through a high fantasy phase and huge doorstoppers with a cast of thousands riding around to villages and other countries talking about quests and prophecies, surrounded by a zillion details, fit in quite well with Penman's style of having a cast of thousands riding around to taverns and castles talking about battles and intrigues, surrounded by a More...

16 comments like (11 people liked it)

Nov 03, 2008

Laura rated it:

Another wonderful book by SKP, where the struggle for the power between Richard´s sons prevails over most of his kingdom. The strong character of Eleanor shows already her fight for women rights on state decisions even in a medieval era. The dialogues between the main characters are very well written within an historical context based on a very careful historical research performed by SKP.

4 comments like (3 people liked it)

Jan 28, 2009

Cheryl rated it:

Wow - - Penman has done it again. She manages to take a remote time in history and absolutely make it come alive, along with the major characters. Absolutely one of the best historical fiction writers around, this book is well-researched and such an easy read!

7 comments like (3 people liked it)

Oct 26, 2008

Michele rated it:

Devil's Brood is the long-awaited latest installment of Sharon Kay Penman's brilliant Eleanor of Aquitaine series. Preceeded by When Christ and His Saints Slept and Time and Chance, Devil's Brood seamlessly picks up the story of King Henry II and his dysfunctional family just as his eldest children reach adulthood and begin wreaking havoc in Henry's world.

Where Saints and Time and Chance were a recounting of the convoluted politics of the time and the circumstances that led to Henry's More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Oct 12, 2008

Misfit rated it:

Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine thought they had it all - the greatest empire since Charlemagne, healthy children including the heir and several to spare - so how did it all go so wrong? The Devil's Brood takes up the story where Time and Chance left off with the murder of Thomas Becket, as Henry returns from his self imposed exile to Ireland. Henry's three eldest sons are chafing at the bit to have lands and power of their own and egged on by Louis of France they join with their mo More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 12, 2008

Jennifer (JC-S) rated it:

‘It is enough that we answer for our own sins without being held to account for the sins of others..’

The third novel of Ms Penman’s trilogy about Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, this book picks up the story some months after the murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1171. The novel deals with the consequences of a family at war within itself and the impacts both on the individuals involved and on the political landscape of Europe and beyond. Henry Fitz Empress ruled More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Apr 20, 2010

Joyce rated it:

Sharon Kay Penman has written a brilliant historical fiction trilogy based on the lives of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The first book, When Christ and His Saints Slept, covers the period of time before Henry s birth when Stephen of Blois stole the English crown from Maude, the daughter of Henry I and his intended successor. The resulting civil war was so savage that it gave rise to the saying which is the title of the book.[return][return]In that book, Henry II is born to the loveless More...

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Dec 27, 2008

Carey rated it:

In 1172 Henry II has been on the throne, ruling his vast kingdom that stretches from England to the Mediterranean, for eighteen years. His passionate marriage to Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine is as volatile as ever and their sons are nearing adulthood.

As Henry works to extricate himself from his problems with the Church that were created by the murder of Thomas Becket, his oldest son Hal has plans of his own. Hal has been crowned king while his father still rules and he is chafing under More...

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Jul 29, 2011

Laurie added it

This long account of the lives of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry Plantagenet was a treat for this hard core medieval lover. Long ago I wrote my dissertation on one of Eleanor's protegés, who is mentioned once in this book. The book is both readable and historically accurate, and manages to distinguish between characters with similar names, and mix modern language and a bit of medieval flavor, with words like "my liege" and "his leman". The only problem for me was that I kn More...

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Apr 12, 2010

William rated it:

This is Sharon Kay Penman's final installment of her trilogy on Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

I have always enjoyed Penman's work. She has a unique ability to reanimate historic figures. And, the dysfunctional Angevin royal family were perfect fodder.

Some of ye socks may remember something of the saga from watching the classic 1969 film "The Lion in Winter," with Peter O'Toole, Katherine Hepburn, and Anthony Hopkins, in Mrs. Duncan's senior English class.
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Nov 28, 2008

Heidi rated it:

SKP is really one of my favorite authors, but after reading Here Be Dragons, everything else falls short (When Christ and His Saints Slept is a close second). I have always appreciated her historical accuracy, but I felt like she tried to cover too much history in too few pages with this book. There were times when I found myself skimming pages to get to the plot. She took her time with Christ & His Saints and the plot was more compelling, despite being much longer. There were times when I f More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Oct 27, 2009

Linda rated it:

I am full of admiration for this American author with such a feel for English history - and mediaeval English history at that - already demonstrated in her earlier book 'The Sunne in Splendour', about Richard III.

'Devil's Brood' is actually the third in a trilogy about Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. I haven't read the previous two but when I saw this book on my library shelf I simply couldn't resist reading it out of order - although it stands perfectly well on its own. At 735 More...

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Oct 09, 2009

Julie rated it:

This is the story of the most powerful royal family during the 18th century in Europe. It is very detailed. You get the feeling the author actually went there and observed the events and people she describes. I learned that no matter how noble your family's blood may be you still have to deal with the same problems and challenges any family does. This book is about a family torn apart by circumstances, which causes even worse problems. The king (Henry) doesn't want to give up his power as his th More...

2 comments like

Oct 29, 2011

Ellen rated it:

I'm seeing Richard I of England in whole new light and it's as dim as a gutting candle . . . but I digress. Richard is a product of his time and that time was dark and disturbing.

Ms. Penman once again makes medieval life and history as palpable as what we see on the news today, the persons as real, whole and flawed as ourselves - separated by a thousand years. "Devil's Brood" concludes the story of Henry II of England and his queen Eleanor Duchess of Aquitaine and concentra More...

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Jul 29, 2009

Lauren rated it:

Devil's Brood is book # 3 of Sharon Kay Penman's series of novels on the Plantagenets (although SKP never calls them the Plantagenets, as they never call themselves by that name). I would say it is the Henry II/Eleanor of Aquitaine trilogy, but apparently SKP is hard at work on Lionheart, about Richard II. Yippee!!!

Anyhow, Devil's Brood picks up where Time and Chance left off, with King Henry II returning from a year long sojourn in Ireland, hiding out from the aftermath of Thomas More...

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Jan 04, 2009

J rated it:

I can't wait until the next book. This is the 3rd in a series, but you don't need the read the first 2 books to get this one. I've read one of her other books, and like that one, it takes 50 pages to really get going, but once you read beyond that, something about the book is enthralling. Although I couldn't keep all the characters (Lord of This, Someone's Cousin, etc.) I found that it didn't keep me from understanding what was going on. The pace was great, with enough happening until the very e More...

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Dec 22, 2009

Debbie rated it:

Sharon Penman is at her best here. A wonderful telling of the trials, tribulations, sibling rivalry and outright hatred and mistrust of Henry II and his four sons, Hal, Richard, Geoffrey and John.

As with any good historical novel the enjoyment of the story is enhanced by the learning of history. My knowledge of Richard and John had previously been confined to the 'Good King Richard' and 'Evil Prince John' personas of the Robin Hood myths. It was interesting to learn what a ruthless More...

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Mar 02, 2010

Heidi rated it:

Who needs soap operas when we have medieval European royalty?

Sharon Kay Penman continues to deliver with the 3rd book in her so-called Plantagenet trilogy -- so-called because she is working on a 4th installment in the series, to my delight. She is one of the best writers of historical fiction I have read. When Christ and His Saints Slept remains my favorite of her works (most likely because it was my introduction to her writing) but this is a close second. The unraveling of Hen More...

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Mar 02, 2009

MBP rated it:

Just amazing - no one can write historical fiction like SKP. She takes the historical facts and brings to life the personalities, the emotions, the sights and sounds and smells that you imagine must have been there in the first place. Can't wait for Lionheart!

5 comments like (1 person liked it)

Oct 04, 2009

Sidhe1 rated it:

As always, another five star novel by Sharon Kay Penman. I wanted to do a different kind of review for myself, because I was struck by something I heard that I think is so true. When reading a book, or watching a show or film, we don't necessarily remember the overall plot. We remember scenes. that's not to say that the plot is lacking in any way; it's not. But remembering scenes is something everyone does. And not a week after I thought that, SKP started a discussion on her blog about her favor More...

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Nov 24, 2008

Jamie rated it:

Fascinating, tragic story from one of my favorite writers of historical fiction.

I can't decide if it's a flaw or a strength in SKP's novels, that she offers a sympathetic portrayal of every single character. You can't pick a side to root for.

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

May 12, 2011

Robin rated it:

I have had this book on my shelf for ages. I am such a huge fan!! I just had so many library books to read. So, anyway, I have finally started it. It's like opening a really fabulous bar of chocolate that you have been saving for a rainy day, crisis, divorce, etc. ...

12 May 2011

I have just finished this outstanding book! Now that there is no more left read, I have very reluctantly allowed my consciousness to leave the world of Henry and Eleanor. This was made easier with the More...

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May 08, 2009

Brianna rated it:

I have a 5-star opinion of most of Sharon Kay Penman's books, so I'm not sure if I just wasn't as interested in Henry & Eleanor (the first two parts of this series were not my favourite of hers, either), or if my tastes are different in the 6 years since I read her devotedly.

I was disappointed in the book at first, but I grew more and more interested as more characters were introduced, and Henry's relationship with his sons grew more and more complicated.

Penman has a wa More...

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Mar 24, 2011

Caroline rated it:

I've waited a long time for this book and it doesn't disappoint. There isn't another writer of historical fiction out there who can make it as real and gripping as Sharon Penman. What I particularly liked about this book is the sense of sadness and age that overhangs it - Henry and Eleanor growing old, apart, their sons tearing the family apart with their battles, the remembrance of things past, happier times, from the previous books. Henry and Eleanor are such vivid, vital characters and you re More...

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Nov 20, 2009

Paigu rated it:

I am a big fan of SKP. She manages to write historical fiction with strong female AND male characters (in other words, she doesn't limit herself to corset-busting swoony weepy princesses/queens). She also adds blood, guts and lots of gore. This is the latest book of hers that I've read, and one of my favorites. The family of Eleanor and Henry goes beyond "dysfunctional". But the fighting between sons for power is probably more realistic to that time period. I was amazed that SKP More...

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Dec 15, 2011

Chris rated it:

Devil's Brood is the last book in the Eleanor and Henry trilogy. It is over 700 pages so I had to work myself up to tackling it after reading the first two. Once I started I was hooked. As always Sharon Kay Penman brings the long dead Kings and Queens and their retinue to life.
From our modern day perspective, it is kind of hard to understand their constant rebellions. Coming to accept that this is what went on, helps in understanding other Royal reigns.
Ultimately, this book is about More...

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Dec 21, 2010

Kristin rated it:

I really enjoyed Devil's Brood. I've read some of Penman's earlier books but hadn't picked one up in years and downloaded this one on my mother's recommendation who's read EVERYTHING that falls into historical fiction about this time period. The book moves quickly which I appreciated it given its length. It's depressing to watch the family implode, yet interesting to see how standard family dysfunction plays out when each member of the family can wage war on the others. It can be hard to keep tr More...

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Jan 08, 2012

Catherine rated it:

A sad but excellent ending to a trilogy. You know what happens, in a general sort of way, but it's still sad watching a family fall apart like that. I'm discovering the great thing about historical fiction, though, is that the story does go on. It carries on with a different author (The Talisman)but the story goes on.

I look forward to reading more Sharon Kay Penman. I hadn't planned to read Lionheart, but maybe I will now. More...

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Nov 22, 2008

Stacey rated it:

I wish that there was a way to give a book a four and a half star rating. This book was extemely well written, and the story is intriguing. I have waited a few years for this book to come out as it is the third book in this series. This is the continuation of the story of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. I kept telling Kevin that this is one of the saddest books that I have read, and the saddest part of the story is that it is a true story. I think that Sharon Kay Penman did a great job o More...

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