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Lionheart
(Plantagenets #4)
by
They were called "The Devil's Brood," though never to their faces. They were the four surviving sons of Henry Plantagenet and Eleanor of Aquitaine. With two such extraordinary parents, much was expected of them.
But the eldest-charming yet mercurial-would turn on his father and, like his brother Geoffrey, meet an early death. When Henry died, Richard would take the throne a ...more
But the eldest-charming yet mercurial-would turn on his father and, like his brother Geoffrey, meet an early death. When Henry died, Richard would take the throne a ...more
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Hardcover, 594 pages
Published
October 4th 2011
by G.P. Putnam's Sons
(first published 2011)
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Kelley Billings
You can, but I found it much more enjoyable and interesting getting the history of Richard beforehand.
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Start your review of Lionheart (Plantagenets #4)

Over the years I have tried several different novels that focused on the Lionheart whilst he was on crusade, yet none of them really managed to engage me (although they did make for good sleeping pills). I’d about given up hope on ever finding one that would hold my interest until word came that Sharon Kay Penman was planning to continue her Angevin series with a book on Richard and I was dancing with joy – if anyone could do it, the fabulous Sharon Penman could. Was I bored?
No, I was not.
I thin ...more
No, I was not.
I thin ...more

Funny how the shortest book so far in this series could feel like the longest. I am unwilling to let these characters go, but try as I might with this book, I found it impossible to warm to Richard.
Richard I is remembered in England as one of our greatest monarchs. I'm not sure if he has any reputation at all outside of the U.K., but even those Brits who yawn at the mention of history have heard of dear old Richard the Lionheart. More so than his father, Henry II, who was the star of the previo ...more
Richard I is remembered in England as one of our greatest monarchs. I'm not sure if he has any reputation at all outside of the U.K., but even those Brits who yawn at the mention of history have heard of dear old Richard the Lionheart. More so than his father, Henry II, who was the star of the previo ...more

What rating does one give a book that was not only not read to the end, but was only read to 60 pages? Only on special occasions do I actually give a rating to a book if I have not made it to around 100 pages - or in the case of a book the size of this brick - roughly 250 pages.
This is one of those special occasions. I learned enough about this book in those 60 pages to write a 10 page review. But I won't of course. That would be beyond excessive and more than a little obsessive.
I am writing thi ...more
This is one of those special occasions. I learned enough about this book in those 60 pages to write a 10 page review. But I won't of course. That would be beyond excessive and more than a little obsessive.
I am writing thi ...more

A quote from Carlos Ruiz Zafón: "I think you have to be careful with research in fiction. I believe the best way to use it is to learn a lot yourself about what you're going to write, and then don't really use more than 1% of all the research you've done, at least visibly. ... the effective way to use research in fiction is to internalize it and embed its essence in the narrative fabric of the tale. Information only works in fiction when it plays a dramatic role. Often you read novels in which t
...more

Bad Son, Bad King, Bad Husband, but Medieval Rockstar...
Sharon Kay Penman continues her saga of the most dysfunctional family of the twelfth century, the Plantagenets, with this first of two books about Richard, Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine’s third son, who later became known by his nickname, Lionheart. In fact, he’s the only English monarch not known by his reignal number. If you said “Lionheart” to someone today, they would probably know you were talking about King Richard the First of En ...more
Sharon Kay Penman continues her saga of the most dysfunctional family of the twelfth century, the Plantagenets, with this first of two books about Richard, Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine’s third son, who later became known by his nickname, Lionheart. In fact, he’s the only English monarch not known by his reignal number. If you said “Lionheart” to someone today, they would probably know you were talking about King Richard the First of En ...more

I have enjoyed all of Sharon's books, but this one ranks up there with Sunne in Splendor in terms of completely resetting my opinion of a person from history. I started the book being indifferent to Richard. I grudgingly had to admit, chapter by chapter, that he began to grow on me. By the end he really had endeared himself to me.
As with all of Sharon's books, the characters are classic Penman -- luring you into their world where you see them as more than just figures from history, but living, b ...more
As with all of Sharon's books, the characters are classic Penman -- luring you into their world where you see them as more than just figures from history, but living, b ...more

Jun 02, 2014
B the BookAddict
rated it
really liked it
Recommended to B the BookAddict by:
Goodreads
Shelves:
hist-fiction
Ms Penman - take a bow! 4.5★

If the truth be told, I begin to run out of words for my reviews of Sharon Penman’s novels. Without a doubt, the publication of Lionheart was the most anticipated event of my literary year, and I can hardly convey my impatience as I waited to get my hands on a copy. One of the best things about the publication of a new Sharon Penman novel is that feeling of security which creates even higher anticipation – the consistency of her level of writing over the years has built up a real store of trust ...more

Nov 29, 2013
Patricia Bracewell
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction
There is no question that Ms. Penman is a remarkable writer who has taken a huge task on her shoulders in writing this book. LIONHEART is written on a huge canvas. It does not cover a great span of time, but the number of characters is staggering, especially for someone, like me, listening to the audiobook, without the advantage of being able to flip back to earlier chapters to remind myself how this archbishop or that noble connected with earlier events.
The omniscient viewpoint gives us a spra ...more
The omniscient viewpoint gives us a spra ...more

Here's the problem with historical fiction - the fiction part has to ring true and be as interesting as the historical part. It doesn't with this book. I know it got great reviews and I really wanted to like it but I just lost interest. Partly it was because of some of the inane conversations that the author made up between characters (the fiction part of the story) - for example.. the author could have Richard and Berengaria discuss anything from fabric swatches for one of his many palaces to p
...more

This final pair of novels about the Plantagenets by Sharon Penman are definitely her best novels. They feature excellent storytelling, well crafted writing and truly impressive historical research. She has managed to remove Richard from his one-dimensional appearance as a gung-ho warrior of little apparent ability in the realm of statesmanship and repackages him as a much more subtle and complex man while retaining and verifying the heroic warrior as actually far more impressive than even the le
...more

I loved Lionheart and cannot wait to get my hands on A King's Ransom but Sharon Penman's Sunne in Splendour is still my favorite.
...more

Aug 03, 2011
Lisa (Harmonybites)
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
Those Who Love Historically Accurate Historical Fiction
Penman is one of my favorite novelists, so I was happy when I won a free advanced copy of this novel, to be published in October, from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's program. This novel has many qualities that define the best of historical fiction. First, Penman has an evident respect for history and well-researched knowledge of the periods she depicts. Her characters don't sound like reality tv stars nor is her history risible such as that of Philippa Gregory. In this novel of Richard the Lion
...more

This is another one of those books that requires a star-level breakdown review. I adore Sharon Kay Penman and really wanted to love this book 5-star all the way, but after rereading it over the past couple of weeks I have to admit that it just doesn't captivate me like her other books.
5-star qualities:
The settings. Nobody can make the reader feel like they are in medieval France, Sicily, Cyprus, or Outremer like SKP. I could picture Richard standing at the prow of his galley with the sunset blaz ...more
5-star qualities:
The settings. Nobody can make the reader feel like they are in medieval France, Sicily, Cyprus, or Outremer like SKP. I could picture Richard standing at the prow of his galley with the sunset blaz ...more

Penman is a first-class historical novelist, whose novels are always based on meticulous research. She excels at biographical novels, as her debut novel The Sunne in Splendour, a brilliant, nuanced and plausible portrayal of Richard III, demonstrated.
In “Lionheart” she tackles a character less controversial than the last Plantagenet, but one who has become lost behind the legend or the “brand.” Almost everyone, as Penman points out in her “Author’s Note,” has heard of Richard the Lionhearted, b ...more
In “Lionheart” she tackles a character less controversial than the last Plantagenet, but one who has become lost behind the legend or the “brand.” Almost everyone, as Penman points out in her “Author’s Note,” has heard of Richard the Lionhearted, b ...more

Dec 30, 2013
Rio (Lynne)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
i-own-a-copy
Where to start? As soon as I started this hardback I was hooked. Sadly, my shifts at work required driving in Los Angeles rush hour twice a day (4 hrs a day) leaving no free reading time. My solution, buy the audiobook. I loved it and realized just how bad I had been slaughtering pronunciations ;) When I look back to review this, there was so much history, many characters and lots of battle scenes. I enjoyed Penman's intense research and chuckled at her comment about trying to not make it too Ho
...more

Richard, the Lionheart. Whatever positive or negative images come to mind; the name is epic, nevertheless. One can only imagine the pride this lion would feel knowing his legacy still stands hundreds of years later. Sharon Kay Penman has followed Eleanor of Aquitaine, King Henry, and their children over the span of several novels and adds to the saga with, “Lionheart”.
“Lionheart” steers in a slightly different direction than Penman’s previous novels in the saga by focusing namely on Richard and ...more
“Lionheart” steers in a slightly different direction than Penman’s previous novels in the saga by focusing namely on Richard and ...more

Today, April 6, 2016 (we're hours ahead on the time zone), mark the 817th death anniversary of Richard I of England, famously known as the “Lionheart” for his legendary military skills and daring exploits. I am reposting my review on the book Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman, which I read last year. :-)
One word that can justifiably illustrate King Richard I, and that Sharon Kay Penman has used in this book thrice: bravura. Indeed, he was never short of audacity, always leading his men to the front ...more
One word that can justifiably illustrate King Richard I, and that Sharon Kay Penman has used in this book thrice: bravura. Indeed, he was never short of audacity, always leading his men to the front ...more

Oct 11, 2011
Lori Anderson
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
historical fiction fans
Shelves:
historical-fiction
I want to caveat my Three Star rating by saying I adore Sharon Kay Penman. I pre-ordered this book and interrupted what I was currently reading (an unheard of thing for me!) to start "Lionheart". While I wasn't sorry I did that, and wasn't at ALL sorry I read this book, to me, it wasn't like her others.
Richard the Lionheart is a noteworthy, larger-than-life person in history I was dying to learn more about. This particular book covers the crusades, another section of history I didn't know much a ...more
Richard the Lionheart is a noteworthy, larger-than-life person in history I was dying to learn more about. This particular book covers the crusades, another section of history I didn't know much a ...more

4,5 stars
I have to admit I’ve never tried to read a book about Richard whilst he was on crusade. I feared it would be boring but it certainly wasn’t. I confess I had a crush on him in Devil’s Brood so I was so excited that this book came out.
Have to feel sorry for Berengaria though, even if the marriage started well. They were so ill-matched that I’m surprised it started that well at all. Sometimes opposites attract and all that but sometimes it’s just too different.
I really liked Joanna and how ...more
I have to admit I’ve never tried to read a book about Richard whilst he was on crusade. I feared it would be boring but it certainly wasn’t. I confess I had a crush on him in Devil’s Brood so I was so excited that this book came out.
Have to feel sorry for Berengaria though, even if the marriage started well. They were so ill-matched that I’m surprised it started that well at all. Sometimes opposites attract and all that but sometimes it’s just too different.
I really liked Joanna and how ...more

I gave up on page 77. It is not a badly written book and it is very historically accurate but... gah, the first 77 pages of marriage and babies instead of war and crusades (as I assumed when I picked it up) boooored me to death to a point that I couldn't even force myself to the promised "it gets better later" part. If you are looking for the women's POV and their concerns regarding marrying the right noble and popping out sons then this is the book for you. If like me you think there will be go
...more

This tale encompasses a wide cast of characters centered on the Crusades and Richard the Lionheart.
It's a great overview of the period IMO though for people who don't like long historical tales this will drag in certain parts.
The voice narrator does an awesome job with the many voices. Part of the appeal.
MY GRADE: B minus to B. ...more
It's a great overview of the period IMO though for people who don't like long historical tales this will drag in certain parts.
The voice narrator does an awesome job with the many voices. Part of the appeal.
MY GRADE: B minus to B. ...more

Unless you are into the Crusades this probably is not for you. This covers Richard from the beginning of his reign up until his departure from the "Holy Land".
...more

It has taken me awhile to get to grips with how I will write this review. I guess I should start by saying that I have always in the past enjoyed this author's books but for some reason, this book did not have the same wow factor I got when I read the others. This could be for a number of reasons; one being that since I have started writing myself, I have a more discerning eye, or I have simply out grown Ms Penman's style and lean more towards the rather more masculine re-telling of history rath
...more

Historical fiction doesn’t get any better than this. I had to admit, when I heard this book was about King Richard the Lionheart’s crusade to wrest Jerusalem from the Saracens, I was skeptical as to how good this book could possibly be. I pictured nothing but boredom, marches and battles, with a lot of killing and maiming thrown in. What I found when I actually read the novel, was an amazing tale of heroism, political intrigue, back-stabbing, and yes, marches and battles with a lot of killing an
...more

I usually don't enjoy reading about battles, but that's unavoidable when reading a novel about Richard I (Lionheart) during the Third Crusade. Of course, I knew that Sharon Kay Penman would be able to able to draw me into her novel with her exquisite writing and her always impeccable research. Her writing makes Richard seem as alive today as he was back in 1192. Sharon, I can't wait to read more about Richard in "A King's Ransom." I join your many other readers who are eagerly awaiting that book
...more

Summary of Book: Richard the Lionheart, son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, goes on Crusade. There is strife. Richard is the bravest man to ever brave. Richard does not manage to win because the French are treacherous. Richard is sad, and returns to England. Since this is a very long book, that's a very short summary. There's lots in the middle.
Summary of my feelings reading this book: Interesting! Interesting! Ooh, that's probably not accurate. Interesting! Oh look, the wars are starting. ...more
Summary of my feelings reading this book: Interesting! Interesting! Ooh, that's probably not accurate. Interesting! Oh look, the wars are starting. ...more

I have finally finished. I really enjoyed this book and Sharon Kay Penman is the master of medieval historical fiction. It turned on its head many misconstrued ideas I had in relation to Richard the Lionheart. I like him a lot more now. I love how tactical and strategic he was. Being an Angevin no doubt helped this. After all with Eleanor Aquitaine as a mother you had to have some diplomacy skills.
The book centres around Richard's involvement in the Third Crusade to Outremer and what a journey ...more
The book centres around Richard's involvement in the Third Crusade to Outremer and what a journey ...more
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Madison Mega-Mara...: #207 Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman | 1 | 3 | Nov 08, 2015 12:10PM | |
All Things Medieval: Medieval quizzes | 2 | 39 | Nov 03, 2015 03:49AM | |
Can this be read on it's own? | 12 | 65 | Feb 06, 2015 11:05AM | |
Ancient & Medieva...: DECEMBER 2013 (Group Read 2) Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman | 315 | 135 | Feb 03, 2014 09:49PM | |
Book Giveaways: Win a copy of Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman | 1 | 9 | Oct 03, 2011 10:56AM | |
Free Books, .99, ...: Win a copy of Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman | 1 | 6 | Oct 03, 2011 10:56AM |
Penman received her bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, she majored in history, and also received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Rutgers University School of Law, and later worked as a tax lawyer.
The Sunne in Splendour, a novel about Richard III of England is one of the most popular books on the Historical Novel Society's list of best historical novels. In 1996, following ...more
The Sunne in Splendour, a novel about Richard III of England is one of the most popular books on the Historical Novel Society's list of best historical novels. In 1996, following ...more
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