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The Gisborne Saga #1
Gisborne: Book of Pawns
BOOK ONE in the THE GISBORNE SAGA In a story where status means power and survival depends on how the game is played, two people, one a squire wronged in life and one a noblewoman, are drawn together by lust and a lost inheritance in twelfth century England. Guy of Gisborne is a man with secrets, Ysabel of Moncrieff, a naïve and opinionated noblewoman whose world comes tumbling down upon the death of her mother. Gisborne is ordered to Aquitaine to escort the young woman home to attend to her grieving father and whilst travelling, she discovers Gisborne’s secrets are not just connected with his family but with the throne of England. And with revenge. Suddenly Ysabel is confronted with the fact that she and Gisborne could lose their lives as history is shaped unconscionably by those in power . Highly Commended in 2012 Golden Claddagh Awards. Honourable Mention in the RONE Awards, 2013. Finalist in Readers' Favorite Book Awards 2014. Subsequent Honourable Mention in those same awards. B.R.A.G gold medallion for historical fiction.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2012
15 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
Prue Batten
33 books51 followersPrue was born in Australia and studied history and politics at the University of Tasmania. She has worked as a hotel cleaner, a cosmetician in a major department store, and a bookseller. But most properly, she was been a journalist/researcher for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Prue is a multi-award-winning cross-genre writer of historical fiction and historical fantasy. Her Historical fiction books of which there are two trilogies with more to come, are set in the last decade of the twelfth century.
She has collaborated in a number of excellent anthologies, including a number that raise money for cancer research, a cause that holds great meaning for her.
Her most unique contract is as an ongoing short-story writer for www. bopressminiaturebooks.com in the USA
Prue can be found at:www.facebook.com/Prue.Batten.writer
www.pinterest.dk/pruebatten
www.instagram.com/pruebatten/
Prue is a multi-award-winning cross-genre writer of historical fiction and historical fantasy. Her Historical fiction books of which there are two trilogies with more to come, are set in the last decade of the twelfth century.
She has collaborated in a number of excellent anthologies, including a number that raise money for cancer research, a cause that holds great meaning for her.
Her most unique contract is as an ongoing short-story writer for www. bopressminiaturebooks.com in the USA
Prue can be found at:www.facebook.com/Prue.Batten.writer
www.pinterest.dk/pruebatten
www.instagram.com/pruebatten/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 12, 2013
I have to start this review by stating that Gisborne is not my usual fare in fiction. I read a great deal of Historical Fiction, but tend heavily towards war, bloodshed, murder and action themes. Gisborne is very much a historical romance with side portions of traditional histfic. However, I am a reader and a fan of Prue Batten's Tales of Eirie fantasy works and with a solid knowledge of her writing, I was more than willing to give Gisborne a try.
I'm fairly sure, you see, that Prue could write her own version of the phone book or a dictionary and make it intensely readable, smooth and languid in places, couched in language and descriptive that would leave me marvelling at her writing talent. Simply, the book is a smooth delight to read.
One thing that struck me particularly with Gisborne was the depth of research she must have put in to achieve the kind of detail that is so evident in the book. Clearly, Prue's knowledge of Medieval England outstrips mine and grows with each chapter. I cannot imagine a historical accuracy puritan finding anything in thee to dislike.
Beyond this, I am interested in the setting. Most of us who read histfic will have read something set at the end of the 12th century, or at least seen movies. But we have all seen them from one of two angles. Either those tales centre on the famous Robin Hood, or they revolve around Richard Coeur de Lion. This does neither! It gives us a view of the time of the early days of King Richard from the point of view of a minor noble with no close connection to either. Indeed, Robin is not mentioned or even hinted at once, despite Locksley being used as a location in a scene or two. Richard is only spoken of in the background and, I have to say, is hardly the wonderful chivalrous angel as he is usual portrayed.
And that brings me to the title character. The tale is actually told by Ysabel of Moncrieff, and the eponymous character is the object, rather than the subject of the telling. Gisborne is a strange character in legend. He is occasionally portrayed as an outright villain, and most often as a shady anti-hero with some villainous traits. Prue Batten has treated us to an dark and shady hero, for sure, but a hero, nonetheless. Her Gisborne is a complex and sympathetic man, who is unravelled slowly like the layers of an onion.
The book tells the first part of the tale and leaves the reader ready to chase down what happens next.
I will say again that this book may not be everybody's obvious fare, if you are the sort of reader that is looking for a telling of the siege of Acre, the battle of Hattin or Lincoln green clad archers swinging through the trees. But what it is is a beautiful and intelligent exploration into a pair of fictional characters and a love that is perilous in the courts of 12th Century England.
I will be interested to see what develops in book two and how it might tie in with some of the more famous legendary names of the time.
I'm fairly sure, you see, that Prue could write her own version of the phone book or a dictionary and make it intensely readable, smooth and languid in places, couched in language and descriptive that would leave me marvelling at her writing talent. Simply, the book is a smooth delight to read.
One thing that struck me particularly with Gisborne was the depth of research she must have put in to achieve the kind of detail that is so evident in the book. Clearly, Prue's knowledge of Medieval England outstrips mine and grows with each chapter. I cannot imagine a historical accuracy puritan finding anything in thee to dislike.
Beyond this, I am interested in the setting. Most of us who read histfic will have read something set at the end of the 12th century, or at least seen movies. But we have all seen them from one of two angles. Either those tales centre on the famous Robin Hood, or they revolve around Richard Coeur de Lion. This does neither! It gives us a view of the time of the early days of King Richard from the point of view of a minor noble with no close connection to either. Indeed, Robin is not mentioned or even hinted at once, despite Locksley being used as a location in a scene or two. Richard is only spoken of in the background and, I have to say, is hardly the wonderful chivalrous angel as he is usual portrayed.
And that brings me to the title character. The tale is actually told by Ysabel of Moncrieff, and the eponymous character is the object, rather than the subject of the telling. Gisborne is a strange character in legend. He is occasionally portrayed as an outright villain, and most often as a shady anti-hero with some villainous traits. Prue Batten has treated us to an dark and shady hero, for sure, but a hero, nonetheless. Her Gisborne is a complex and sympathetic man, who is unravelled slowly like the layers of an onion.
The book tells the first part of the tale and leaves the reader ready to chase down what happens next.
I will say again that this book may not be everybody's obvious fare, if you are the sort of reader that is looking for a telling of the siege of Acre, the battle of Hattin or Lincoln green clad archers swinging through the trees. But what it is is a beautiful and intelligent exploration into a pair of fictional characters and a love that is perilous in the courts of 12th Century England.
I will be interested to see what develops in book two and how it might tie in with some of the more famous legendary names of the time.
October 24, 2012
Thanks to the wonderful human performance of Richard Armitage in the BBC Family drama version of Robin Hood, I was willing and able to buy into the idea that Gisborne can be a well rounded and intriguing Character.
The relatively short period this book covers in the lives of our wronged Heroine and our flawed hero in this engaging and interesting story about Guy Of Gisborne punts along apace. With not one, but two villainous knaves and the constant spectre of Gisborne's own bitterness over paternal negligence making him an interesting and definitely flawed man, this is not a bodice ripper by any means. The romance is not forced, but is believable as the similarities between the protagonists are developed nicely and the "hurdles" in their relationship handled with deft subtlety and the peripheral characters also have depth.
Violence is rife in the period when Richard and John battle for their Father's throne and the backdrop of the crusades provides an anchor for this man of myth in the real bloodied history of England.
A great Cliff hanger means an almost guaranteed purchase of the next book in the series in 2013
The relatively short period this book covers in the lives of our wronged Heroine and our flawed hero in this engaging and interesting story about Guy Of Gisborne punts along apace. With not one, but two villainous knaves and the constant spectre of Gisborne's own bitterness over paternal negligence making him an interesting and definitely flawed man, this is not a bodice ripper by any means. The romance is not forced, but is believable as the similarities between the protagonists are developed nicely and the "hurdles" in their relationship handled with deft subtlety and the peripheral characters also have depth.
Violence is rife in the period when Richard and John battle for their Father's throne and the backdrop of the crusades provides an anchor for this man of myth in the real bloodied history of England.
A great Cliff hanger means an almost guaranteed purchase of the next book in the series in 2013
February 27, 2012
‘And all shall be well, and all shall be well,
and all manner of thing shall be well.’
Julian of Norwich
When you first meet him astride his steed and with his proud demeanour, he feels compassion, not pity, for Lady Ysabel. He is Gisborne, her father’s steward come to escort her home from Aquitaine after her mother’s death. With his black hair, his blue eyes and his visceral voice, he immediately fascinates you and, like Ysabel of Moncrieff, you want to know more about this man.
It is not Guy of Gisborne from Child Ballad (#118), the big man “clad in his capull-hyde topp and tayll and mayne” who Robin Hood easily dispatches, but a rewritten gripping hero. The author was inspired by the character from the BBC Robin Hood (2006/2009) and with the sensitive contribution of Richard Armitage but there the similarity ends.
No Robin Hood nor merry men exist in Prue Batten’s tale set in the final years of the 12th century, the years of Henry II’s sons, Prince Richard and Prince John, both aspiring to the throne of England. And Gisborne is not the Sheriff’s second-in-command. A dark character, maybe. A complex round figure definitely. You can find echoes of the Gisborne you’ve seen in the BBC series, fighting for status and power, with his conflicting attempts to redeem himself for love, with a temptestous temper and a troubled soul, vulnerable but strongly proud at the same time. But he lives again in the pages of a totally new story with a different background and an utterly new heroine to love – Ysabel of Moncrieff.
Gisborne and Ysabel will be side by side in a long journey, an unfolding ride through Aquitaine and England, filled with unwanted self discovery and unwilling bonding with each other. Theirs is not a smooth, easy relationship. It will be taunted by her prejudices and lack of trust in him and his unwillingness to open to her. However, they will not be able to loose that strong, instinctive tie made of lust, passion and empathy. She will have to face her mother’s death, her father’s financial ruin, the marriage to a brutal man, and she must grow up while trying to drown her memories of Gisborne in a sea of misunderstanding, rage and mistrust. She is sure he sold her to Benedict De Courcey, the man who ruined her father. She should only hate Gisborne but it will not be as simple as that.
If a flaw is to be found, I have one: Ysabel is more than once hosted by nuns in her journey. They help her, protect her, sympathize with her in a profusion of loving care and solidarity. Their monasteries are idyllic places and they are the perfect embodiment of Christian love. The idea I have of medieval monasteries is much influenced by my previous readings (18th century Gothic novels, Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose or Alessandro Manzoni's Nun of Monza; a historical character he included in his Betrothed). The idyllic picture Batten paints doesn't correspond with anything I've read in historical fiction.
Nuns apart, GISBORNE is a new page-turner by Australian author Prue Batten. No mesmers this time, nor Færan living in Eirie, no companies of djinns, afrits and siofras as we met in A Thousand Glass Flowers. Stepping far from fantasy, she is launching her first historical fiction/historical romance.
But she can really create magic with words. Her rich, refined prose creates an embroidered picture full of little delightful details, stitch after stitch. This is not any fan-fiction attempt, but a historical novel, carefully and thoroughly researched (medieval legend, poetry, ancient Irish myths, historical figures like Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard and John Plantagenet, detailed description of medieval life) as well as preciously crafted.
If it is to be called fan-fiction at all, it is front-rank, de luxe.
and all manner of thing shall be well.’
Julian of Norwich
When you first meet him astride his steed and with his proud demeanour, he feels compassion, not pity, for Lady Ysabel. He is Gisborne, her father’s steward come to escort her home from Aquitaine after her mother’s death. With his black hair, his blue eyes and his visceral voice, he immediately fascinates you and, like Ysabel of Moncrieff, you want to know more about this man.
It is not Guy of Gisborne from Child Ballad (#118), the big man “clad in his capull-hyde topp and tayll and mayne” who Robin Hood easily dispatches, but a rewritten gripping hero. The author was inspired by the character from the BBC Robin Hood (2006/2009) and with the sensitive contribution of Richard Armitage but there the similarity ends.
No Robin Hood nor merry men exist in Prue Batten’s tale set in the final years of the 12th century, the years of Henry II’s sons, Prince Richard and Prince John, both aspiring to the throne of England. And Gisborne is not the Sheriff’s second-in-command. A dark character, maybe. A complex round figure definitely. You can find echoes of the Gisborne you’ve seen in the BBC series, fighting for status and power, with his conflicting attempts to redeem himself for love, with a temptestous temper and a troubled soul, vulnerable but strongly proud at the same time. But he lives again in the pages of a totally new story with a different background and an utterly new heroine to love – Ysabel of Moncrieff.
Gisborne and Ysabel will be side by side in a long journey, an unfolding ride through Aquitaine and England, filled with unwanted self discovery and unwilling bonding with each other. Theirs is not a smooth, easy relationship. It will be taunted by her prejudices and lack of trust in him and his unwillingness to open to her. However, they will not be able to loose that strong, instinctive tie made of lust, passion and empathy. She will have to face her mother’s death, her father’s financial ruin, the marriage to a brutal man, and she must grow up while trying to drown her memories of Gisborne in a sea of misunderstanding, rage and mistrust. She is sure he sold her to Benedict De Courcey, the man who ruined her father. She should only hate Gisborne but it will not be as simple as that.
If a flaw is to be found, I have one: Ysabel is more than once hosted by nuns in her journey. They help her, protect her, sympathize with her in a profusion of loving care and solidarity. Their monasteries are idyllic places and they are the perfect embodiment of Christian love. The idea I have of medieval monasteries is much influenced by my previous readings (18th century Gothic novels, Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose or Alessandro Manzoni's Nun of Monza; a historical character he included in his Betrothed). The idyllic picture Batten paints doesn't correspond with anything I've read in historical fiction.
Nuns apart, GISBORNE is a new page-turner by Australian author Prue Batten. No mesmers this time, nor Færan living in Eirie, no companies of djinns, afrits and siofras as we met in A Thousand Glass Flowers. Stepping far from fantasy, she is launching her first historical fiction/historical romance.
But she can really create magic with words. Her rich, refined prose creates an embroidered picture full of little delightful details, stitch after stitch. This is not any fan-fiction attempt, but a historical novel, carefully and thoroughly researched (medieval legend, poetry, ancient Irish myths, historical figures like Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard and John Plantagenet, detailed description of medieval life) as well as preciously crafted.
If it is to be called fan-fiction at all, it is front-rank, de luxe.
January 23, 2014
Read it on Kindle, it's a fantastic story for those of us lover's of the Guy of Gisborne character, one just gets caught up in the intensity of emotions that unravelled trough the reading. Just amazing! I can't wait to read the second part. Since reading this story I have become a fan of Prue Batten, she is a fantastic author.
In this book the plot revolves around two people that meet by chance, but they get together by decision. Love and need become essential in both characters, because their lacking in those aspects; so they become intertwined as the need for each other grows.
Romance is hidden in sutile hints, wich scape Ysabel. Gisborne is not a man of words or exuberation in love. Angst is present trough out the narration. Historical facts, evident in descriptions that create the ambience of each scene in ones mind.
A great read! recommend it and obviously its sequel.
In this book the plot revolves around two people that meet by chance, but they get together by decision. Love and need become essential in both characters, because their lacking in those aspects; so they become intertwined as the need for each other grows.
Romance is hidden in sutile hints, wich scape Ysabel. Gisborne is not a man of words or exuberation in love. Angst is present trough out the narration. Historical facts, evident in descriptions that create the ambience of each scene in ones mind.
A great read! recommend it and obviously its sequel.
August 1, 2012
Ysabel of Moncrieff was born to a beautiful, compassionate, woman with a wealthy, handsome but weak husband. At age 12 Ysabel is sent to Aquitaine to be educated and "polished" to become a proper wife. She lives a wonderful, carefree life until her mother dies and her father in his grief losses everything. Gisborne is sent to bring Ysabel back to Moncrieff where she finds everything has changed for the worse.
Set in the 12th century at the end of the reign of King Henry and the beginning of the reign of King Richard.
No graphic sex
Several men are killed in battle or on dangerous roads
Set in the 12th century at the end of the reign of King Henry and the beginning of the reign of King Richard.
No graphic sex
Several men are killed in battle or on dangerous roads
March 26, 2016
Ms. Batten had created a spellbinding story! It leads the reader from one adventurous event to the next with a tremendous amount of anticipation and emotion.
Read full review in the 2012 July/August issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2012 July/August issue of InD’tale Magazine.
June 8, 2018
Where to start with this pot boiler. There were so many times I wanted to smack Ysabel of Montcrief or the author, or maybe both. How many times can one woman change her mind about someone who is trying to help her. Why would she trust the word of Halsham and condemn Guy so easily? This to me, is a huge flaw in the plot. The historical truth of a woman’s position vis a vis her husband are totally inaccurate. The word rape between a man and his wife didn’t exist. Women were chattels to be bought and sold and became the property of their husbands for them to treat how they wanted. Most women of that time who found themselves in such a marriage would have used their wiles to improve their situation and pull strings behind the scenes. It was what they were trained to do. Not this one. She acts like 21st century woman and the skies fall upon her. The second huge flaw in the plot is Guy taking her into his house, pretending not to recognise her, letting her get close to her enemies etc etc.. it beggars belief.
Why did reveal himself to Guy shoot De Coursey. Why didn’t he just shoot from the trees? Then of course miss big mouth has to go shouting and give them all away.
The end comes with a bang and I share another reviewer’s chagrin that if you can be bothered to follow the story of this absolutely stupid and selfish shrew, then you have to buy another book. I don’t think I’ll bother. There are enough good historical books out there.
Why did reveal himself to Guy shoot De Coursey. Why didn’t he just shoot from the trees? Then of course miss big mouth has to go shouting and give them all away.
The end comes with a bang and I share another reviewer’s chagrin that if you can be bothered to follow the story of this absolutely stupid and selfish shrew, then you have to buy another book. I don’t think I’ll bother. There are enough good historical books out there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2017
My first Prue Batten book and I loved it!
Beautifully written and researched - with a compelling journey/adventure and a wide range of characters surrounding the complex hero, Guy of Gisbourne, and the beautiful (and flawed) Ysabel of Moncreif.
Always great to discover a new author and look forward to reading next in series as well as her other works.
Beautifully written and researched - with a compelling journey/adventure and a wide range of characters surrounding the complex hero, Guy of Gisbourne, and the beautiful (and flawed) Ysabel of Moncreif.
Always great to discover a new author and look forward to reading next in series as well as her other works.
January 10, 2020
The female lead in this vapid tale is the kind of woman that gives women a bad name. Constantly obsessing and musing about what a terrible relationship she has with the father of her child and yet risking everything and everyone to blunder around after him. Not shelved. Into the fire with this one.
August 28, 2013
By far most of the historical fiction that I read is full of the twang of many bowstrings and ballista, the thrust of gladius and spear, the tromping of hobnailed caligae, however at the behest of my Twitterverse friend SJA Turney and after reading her blog posts I finally succumbed and decided to read Gisborne Book of Pawns by Prue Batten. A wise choice as it turned out.
The author has given us a wonderful re-telling of the story of Sir Guy Gisborne and the Lady Ysabel of Moncrief. The story is set during the beginning of Richard the Lionheart's reign. It begins with the arrival of Gisborne in Aquitaine to escort Ysabel back to her home at Moncrief as her mother has died and her father is in dire straits. This sets up one of the main story lines; the tension between Sir Guy and Lady Ysabel. Other plots and sub plots are also evident bringing to the reader a sublime set of surprises and twists. The two main characters are beset with emotions, Gisborne's arising from his past and his desire for his future and Ysabel's awakening to reality.
The turmoil of Ysabel's soul and the conflicts in her heart and mind are presented in such a way as to make it seem like Ysabel's thoughts seep through the pages and enters the hearts and minds of the readers. This exquisitely compelling style of prose is what kept me entranced through the entire book. As an example I include this excerpt(no spoiler):
I dared him – so help me as I gazed at that severe face, I dared him. And it seemed as though we clashed close in our duel, our hilts jamming, our breath dragging in and out. He shook off my weapon and felled me with one blow. ‘Yes,’ he said.
The supporting cast of characters are also fascinating from the redoubtable Lady Cecilia, the various nuns and priests to the main antagonists, Halsham and de Courcey. I am now a fan of Prue Batten and heartily agree with another fan who once told me that she could write a phone book and make it compelling. I look forward with great anticipation to the rest of these saga. 5 stars indeed.
The author has given us a wonderful re-telling of the story of Sir Guy Gisborne and the Lady Ysabel of Moncrief. The story is set during the beginning of Richard the Lionheart's reign. It begins with the arrival of Gisborne in Aquitaine to escort Ysabel back to her home at Moncrief as her mother has died and her father is in dire straits. This sets up one of the main story lines; the tension between Sir Guy and Lady Ysabel. Other plots and sub plots are also evident bringing to the reader a sublime set of surprises and twists. The two main characters are beset with emotions, Gisborne's arising from his past and his desire for his future and Ysabel's awakening to reality.
The turmoil of Ysabel's soul and the conflicts in her heart and mind are presented in such a way as to make it seem like Ysabel's thoughts seep through the pages and enters the hearts and minds of the readers. This exquisitely compelling style of prose is what kept me entranced through the entire book. As an example I include this excerpt(no spoiler):
I dared him – so help me as I gazed at that severe face, I dared him. And it seemed as though we clashed close in our duel, our hilts jamming, our breath dragging in and out. He shook off my weapon and felled me with one blow. ‘Yes,’ he said.
The supporting cast of characters are also fascinating from the redoubtable Lady Cecilia, the various nuns and priests to the main antagonists, Halsham and de Courcey. I am now a fan of Prue Batten and heartily agree with another fan who once told me that she could write a phone book and make it compelling. I look forward with great anticipation to the rest of these saga. 5 stars indeed.
February 14, 2013
Lyrical and graceful. As I read this beautifully-written book, I kept wishing that it was available in audio form, because the language is so musical that I would love to hear it read aloud. The story is emotionally complex and nuanced. Descriptions of nature and of human feelings alike are delicately, yet powerfully, written. Presented with exactly the right evocative details, the reader is drawn into a setting that feels both immediate and alive. When danger threatens, the reader feels it viscerally. When more pleasant sensations are offered, the author's deft handling of both the sensual and the sensuous again draws the reader in.
The mysterious Guy of Gisborne fascinates. Seen through Ysabel's eyes, he effortlessly holds center stage in any scene where he is present, and in some where he isn't. I alternated between reading this book quickly to find out what happens next, and reading slowly, for the pure pleasure of it. I very much look forward to following Guy's and Ysabel's adventures in the next book.
The mysterious Guy of Gisborne fascinates. Seen through Ysabel's eyes, he effortlessly holds center stage in any scene where he is present, and in some where he isn't. I alternated between reading this book quickly to find out what happens next, and reading slowly, for the pure pleasure of it. I very much look forward to following Guy's and Ysabel's adventures in the next book.
September 3, 2013
What a shocking surprise of a book - I bought it with no expectations but loved it to bits.
It's rather dense, sometimes meandering (but fittingly so), poetic and emotional narrative that really has no connection to the Robin Hood legend other than the fact that one of the main characters is named Guy of Gisbourne.
The protagonist, Ysobel, is someone that usually would annoy me to no end as a lot of the plot hinges on her misunderstanding Guy's motives and character and continuing to do so, but oddly, I rather loved her - she is thrown into some tough, awful situations and has a spine of steel. Plus, it is one thing for me to yell 'trust him' from the safety of my reading position, but if I were in her place, I most likely would not, not with the harsh world she lives in, what's at stake, and the fact that the man in question is so close-mouthed it would make fish seem talkative.
It's rather dense, sometimes meandering (but fittingly so), poetic and emotional narrative that really has no connection to the Robin Hood legend other than the fact that one of the main characters is named Guy of Gisbourne.
The protagonist, Ysobel, is someone that usually would annoy me to no end as a lot of the plot hinges on her misunderstanding Guy's motives and character and continuing to do so, but oddly, I rather loved her - she is thrown into some tough, awful situations and has a spine of steel. Plus, it is one thing for me to yell 'trust him' from the safety of my reading position, but if I were in her place, I most likely would not, not with the harsh world she lives in, what's at stake, and the fact that the man in question is so close-mouthed it would make fish seem talkative.
April 25, 2013
I read this on holiday on a wet day. It was the perfect antidote to the rain drumming against my caravan roof. I was indeed swept along in a breathless adventure as Ysabel and Guy danced in and out of their intense relationship. The history was obviously well researched and provided an unobstrusive but reliable backdrop to the love affair. Sometimes I doubted Ysabel's decisions as she fell into what seemed obvious traps but then who amongst us can be wise in the moment? Guy was deliciously complex, and the reader was kept guessing as to his true feelings and motivations. In fact I would have liked to have learned more about his life away from Ysabel, who is the central character and narrator of the book, despite its title. The flavour of that era is well portrayed as is the macho culture. All in all a perfect escape into another world - an ideal holiday read.
August 9, 2013
The mix of narrative, dialogue and action was especially artful as Ms.Batten takes us along with IYsabel on her travels with Guy of Gisborne. It took a few pages for me to be captured by the strange relationship between the female aristocrat apprehensive for her future and her mysterious escort but the pace increases with the drama and soon I am cheering for a heroine that in the first pages I expected to find insipid. There is a rather profound ongoing revelation of the nature of love as Ysabel recognizes how her relationship with Gisborne has evolved. I love her gorwing faith in him. Even the horses have character is thisbook. There is much more going on here than shown on the surface. This is a book about relationships, parent and child relationships, friendship and honor that has me craving the next installment in this wondrous love affair.
July 8, 2012
This book was very easy to read. The story was not cluttered with excess words or characters, but the grammatical errors were disconcerting. In general the hero and heroine gave and received mixed messages resulting in perils that rivaled those of Pauline. To be fair to Adam of Eden, the Lady Ysabel caused most of the trouble she and Guy of Gisborne encountered because she would not heed Guy's advice and instruction.
I sense that in the sequel to be published next year, this author might have a surprise or two in store for readers.
I sense that in the sequel to be published next year, this author might have a surprise or two in store for readers.
January 25, 2013
Some of the writing was quite beautiful but the tale itself was rather turgid. I skipped a lot of pages because the story wasn't gripping enough. I could not see any reason why he needed to be Gisborne. The end dumps you down into " oh no - don't tell me I have to read the second book to find the end". I wont read the second book and I don't recommend this book to you unless you like a slow miserable tale. The story is told from only one persons point of view which leaves a gap in the perspective.
August 15, 2013
This book reads more like an adventure than a true historical romance....still the story kept me intrigued and I finished it in two days once I finally started reading it. If one is expecting the Gisborne from the Robin Hood series in this one, one will be disappointed, as I only really saw smidges of him here and mainly in how he was described. This tale was also told through mainly the woman's eyes, so in essence it really did not have enough Gisborne for me...I will continue the series to see it to its end though.
August 20, 2014
I loved “Gisborne Book of Pawns” and found it un-put-down-able. A really good read, and I swallowed it in one greedy gulp. A fan of romantic historical fiction with a spark of adventure, I’m in awe of Prue Batten’s writing ability. Ysabel is a wonderful character, brave and feisty. And what a hero! Guy of Gisborne intrigued me from the start, and it was good that he wasn’t portrayed as too ‘alpha male.’ So glad to have discovered this trilogy and can’t wait to read the next book in the series. The hook at the end had me gasping for more.
July 25, 2012
I started off a bit irritated with the way outdated terms were used like everyone knows what they mean. I really gave the dictionary on my Kindle a workout. But once I got into the groove I was totally blown away! Absolutely wonderful characters and a very interesting story line. There were a few parts that I found a bit underdeveloped for my taste but it didn't detract from the book at all. I'm so ready for Book #2 but I hear I have to wait until next year for it!
March 26, 2013
I really became immersed in this book so much that I read it late into the night with no thought of having to get up the next day for work. I enjoyed getting to know the various characters, Ysabel, Cecilia, Mother Beatrice, Ulric, Brother John, Sir Guy and even the dastardly De Courcey and Halsham. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions from relief when Ysabel was safe and wretched when she is was in peril. I am looking forward to the next book in the saga, Gisborne: Book of Knights!
October 19, 2012
This was the first book I have read by Prue Batten and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Gisborne: Book of Pawns. Full of adventure and romance I am looking forward to book two. I love a good medieval romp and this fit the bill perfectly.
April 14, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were a little confusing- sometime you liked them and sometimes you did not. This was a nice change historically because we are in the "Robin Hood" era but with a different take. I am awaiting the release of the second book in the series!
February 1, 2016
I really enjoyed the storyline, my only major frustration is that Ysabel didn't even try to apply to her kinsman the king to try and get away from the evil DeCourcey. A good lose yourself in a storybook story.
historical-fiction
May 26, 2013For a star rating and complete review, visit Ind'tale Magazine online July/August 2012 issue. http://www.indtale.com/reviews/gisbor...
May 19, 2012
bit slow, very detailed though and good character development
August 9, 2012
Complete review available at http://darleneelizabethwilliamsauthor...
March 12, 2013
A mistake... Not a historical novel, but a romance. I hope the ladies don't really think this way.
September 9, 2013
*This* is how I always imagined Guy of Gisborne to be :-D
September 25, 2025
another great book by Prue Batten - this time historical fiction
September 2, 2014
We are proud to announce that GISBORNE: BOOK OF PAWNS by Prue Batten is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
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