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Tristan and Isolde #2
The Maid of the White Hands
Isolde's day has come. In Ireland, her mother, the Queen, lies dying. The throne of the Emerald Isle, one of the last strongholds of the goddess, awaits her. But while Ireland is her destiny, Isolde is already Queen of Cornwall, trapped in a loveless marriage to its mean-spirited King Mark. Her true love is his nephew, Tristan of Lyonesse, who has never married, remaining faithful only to Isolde.
Across the sea in France, a young princess who shares Isolde's name enters the story. King Hoel named his daughtor in honor of Isolde of Ireland, and young Isolde of France has always been determined to outdo her beautiful namesake. She is a physician, too, and is called "Blanche Mains," for her white hands and healing touch. Blanche is of an age to be married, and she has chosen her husband—Tristan of Lyonesse. Her father objects, but fate favors Blanche. King Mark has become suspicious of his wife and nephew, and when Tristan is wounded in battle, he sees a chance to separate them for good.
Mark sends Tristan to France to be healed by Blanche, who makes the most of the opportunity. Tristan's letters to Isolde are intercepted, and he is told that she has given him up. Near death from his wounds, Tristan sends one last, desparate letter to Isolde by a trusted servant. He is dying, he tells her, and asks for one final sign of their love. If she can forgive him for betraying her, she must come to France in a ship set with white sails. If the ship's sails are black, however, he will know that she no longer loves him. Isolde immediately leaves for France, but when Blanche sees the white-sailed ship from the castle window, she pulls the curtains and tells Tristan that the sails are black. To her horror, he turns his face to the wall and dies.
There ends the traditional medieval story of Tristan and Isolde—with betrayal, death, and grief. But the original Irish lengend ends differently, and so does this book, wth magic and drama as only Rosalind Miles could write it.
Across the sea in France, a young princess who shares Isolde's name enters the story. King Hoel named his daughtor in honor of Isolde of Ireland, and young Isolde of France has always been determined to outdo her beautiful namesake. She is a physician, too, and is called "Blanche Mains," for her white hands and healing touch. Blanche is of an age to be married, and she has chosen her husband—Tristan of Lyonesse. Her father objects, but fate favors Blanche. King Mark has become suspicious of his wife and nephew, and when Tristan is wounded in battle, he sees a chance to separate them for good.
Mark sends Tristan to France to be healed by Blanche, who makes the most of the opportunity. Tristan's letters to Isolde are intercepted, and he is told that she has given him up. Near death from his wounds, Tristan sends one last, desparate letter to Isolde by a trusted servant. He is dying, he tells her, and asks for one final sign of their love. If she can forgive him for betraying her, she must come to France in a ship set with white sails. If the ship's sails are black, however, he will know that she no longer loves him. Isolde immediately leaves for France, but when Blanche sees the white-sailed ship from the castle window, she pulls the curtains and tells Tristan that the sails are black. To her horror, he turns his face to the wall and dies.
There ends the traditional medieval story of Tristan and Isolde—with betrayal, death, and grief. But the original Irish lengend ends differently, and so does this book, wth magic and drama as only Rosalind Miles could write it.
464 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2003
About the author
Rosalind Miles
67 books428 followersRosalind Miles is an author born and raised in England and now living in both Los Angeles and Kent, England. She has written both works of fiction and non-fiction. As a child, Miles suffered from polio, and had to undergo several months of treatment. After being accepted to a junior women's college, Miles acquired a working knowledge of Latin and Greek, along with developing her life-long love of Shakespeare. At seventeen, she was promoted to St. Hilda's College, Oxford where she studied English literature, Anglo-Saxon, Middle English, Latin and French. She obtained five degrees in all, ending with a Ph.D. from the Shakespeare Institute at the University of Birmingham.
Miles later on became interested in jurisprudence, which resulted in her sitting as a lay magistrate in the English criminal and family courts, and eventually on the bench in a superior court in Coventry. She is also a regular commentator on the BBC, on Canadian Radio, and in The Times.
Miles later on became interested in jurisprudence, which resulted in her sitting as a lay magistrate in the English criminal and family courts, and eventually on the bench in a superior court in Coventry. She is also a regular commentator on the BBC, on Canadian Radio, and in The Times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 11, 2017
I was a bit disappointed (moreso than after reading the first book of this trilogy) for several reasons. Some of the things in the story seem to conflict...for example the belief in 'Mother-right' and thigh-freedom in which women rule kingdoms and have many rights above men, it is frequently stated and expected that 'Queens must have their knights' and queens are expected to have numerous lovers and favorite chosen ones, (Isolde is a queen of 2 kingdoms), her own husband openly has a mistress (who is married), and YET....she and Tristan and constantly afraid and terrified of having their affair found out, and when Mark implies to Isolde that she 'will' fulfill her wifely duty to provide him with an heir 'or else' she becomes frightened. If women have so much power and wives basically are free to choose who they want between their thighs...this makes NO SENSE. Am I just totally deficient here?
And Mark has pledged his love, concern and devotion to his nephew, Tristan, repeatedly, yet continues to be swayed by people into accusing him of trying to steal his wife and take over the kingdom.
Then when Isolde went to France looking for Tristan and he was thought to have died, his new wife Blanche tells Isolde she cannot see him because they are placing his body at sea....even though she also just told her she missed him dying by minutes. Isolde just accepts it and says she will return to her ship and leave. 😨
I am expected to believe that she is going to just leave the body of her lover of over 10+ years, her sworn knight, as well as her husband's nephew, in some foreign land he has only been in for a few months? I don't care if he is married to that girl or not.
For one thing he is a king in his own right of Lyonesse so he should be returned there and for another it had been mentioned more than once that he wanted to always be buried near his mother's grave.
I don't know....
I will still finish the 3rd book because it is a trilogy, but I am hoping it will be better.
And Mark has pledged his love, concern and devotion to his nephew, Tristan, repeatedly, yet continues to be swayed by people into accusing him of trying to steal his wife and take over the kingdom.
Then when Isolde went to France looking for Tristan and he was thought to have died, his new wife Blanche tells Isolde she cannot see him because they are placing his body at sea....even though she also just told her she missed him dying by minutes. Isolde just accepts it and says she will return to her ship and leave. 😨
I am expected to believe that she is going to just leave the body of her lover of over 10+ years, her sworn knight, as well as her husband's nephew, in some foreign land he has only been in for a few months? I don't care if he is married to that girl or not.
For one thing he is a king in his own right of Lyonesse so he should be returned there and for another it had been mentioned more than once that he wanted to always be buried near his mother's grave.
I don't know....
I will still finish the 3rd book because it is a trilogy, but I am hoping it will be better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2011
I think the plot of book 2 progressed a little faster than book 1. Apparently, Miles diverts from the Irish myth with the fates of Tristan and Isolde. I didn't know much about it to begin with so this was news to me. I thought the twist with Blanche was good...and well-written. However, I still have my primary complaint about these books....Miles overuses such sentiments as "oh my love", "Oh Goddess Mother help me", "oh my love". It gets repetitive and annoying.
August 5, 2010
What with the running to and fro and hither and yon by Tristan and Isolde, the many trials and tests of their love and all the drama and whatnot, I am just exhausted. I think I'll take a long and sober break before reading the third in this series.
February 11, 2012
This book is on par with the tale of King Arthur and his lot. It reminds me of Odysseus, where the poor guy is just trying to get home. Tristin and Isolde are just trying to find peace. I have to find the third book now. I have to know how it ends.
March 16, 2010
This is probably my all-time favorite series. I don't know what it is, but it is always the first trilogy I mention when I talk about my favorite books... and I have a LOT of favorite books. :)
August 23, 2021
While this book didn't quite live up to the first in the trilogy series, it still made for a quick and entertaining read and continuation of the story. I don't feel all the POV chapters from minor characters were always necessary, and some of the minor plots don't serve much purpose (IMO) but I enjoyed the overarching plot of this love story. Isolde and Tristan are two characters the author makes it easy to like and care about, and I wish they had more POV included. Also, I was hoping for a more magical/mystical feel, like I found in the first book, but maybe I just shouldn't have read this immediately after The Mists of Avalon. The prose and descriptions are pretty and well-written and I always love an appearance by the mystical Lady of the Sea, I just could have used a bit more.
September 29, 2012
I'm glad this book only cost me 1 Euro, and even that Euro was a waste of money. I only got 50 pages into this book, but everything about it makes me so angry that I don't see the point in continuing. The problem here is definitely me, I'm so used to the original Medieval texts that I can't follow these characters' motivation or the world setting. I have a problem with the Queens holding so much power (Mark being a pawn of sorts for Igraine, Isolde's mother ruling Ireland) when this is not historically logical *, the fact that the characters are so bland and superficial.. there was so much to annoy me, and that in only the first 50 pages. It was baffling.
Behind the spoiler I will explain what baffles me about this text exactly, when compared to the incredibly beautiful, rich text by Gottfried von Straßburg. I admit again, not being able to stomach this book is my fault, because I'm too used to Gottfried's work, a work that makes you think, is clever in its criticism and depiction of courtly life. There are faults in his work, for sure. But even when comparing to many of the other versions we have of the Medieval work, this book just comes up short.
And it's obvious, this book is for quite a bit based off Malory, the opening pages of Tristan's history make as much clear, but as I find Malory lacking when it comes to Tristan & Isolde (or, indeed, Lancelot) there really was little hope for me liking this book. Because, I am sorry, I cannot put the other versions out of my mind while reading what's basically the same story, only differently worded.
It gets 2 stars still because the problem is mostly me, and despite all the complaining, I don't actually hate it as much as the other books I have given one star. Carrying on!
Behind the spoiler I will explain what baffles me about this text exactly, when compared to the incredibly beautiful, rich text by Gottfried von Straßburg. I admit again, not being able to stomach this book is my fault, because I'm too used to Gottfried's work, a work that makes you think, is clever in its criticism and depiction of courtly life. There are faults in his work, for sure. But even when comparing to many of the other versions we have of the Medieval work, this book just comes up short.
And it's obvious, this book is for quite a bit based off Malory, the opening pages of Tristan's history make as much clear, but as I find Malory lacking when it comes to Tristan & Isolde (or, indeed, Lancelot) there really was little hope for me liking this book. Because, I am sorry, I cannot put the other versions out of my mind while reading what's basically the same story, only differently worded.
It gets 2 stars still because the problem is mostly me, and despite all the complaining, I don't actually hate it as much as the other books I have given one star. Carrying on!
October 14, 2025
What is Miles saying when she uses Maid and not Maiden of the White Hands? Maids do all sorts of things with their hands, does that make them go white? That is what drew me to the story, not that I knew about the English horn solo in Tristan and Isolde. It is talking about the physician Blanche Mains. And there is a story interwoven around that.
February 1, 2019
Its a slog...there is a lot of deviation from the original myth. Miles's writing is still good, descriptive, provocative, but the story line just seems a slog...This might be more because of the limits the myth imparts, because I just love her other books.
January 18, 2019
The drama killed me. It was so intense for some reason and it put me through so many emotions. God, the author made me feel so much.
February 10, 2022
great continuation of the legend of Tristan and Isolde
August 31, 2022
I really enjoyed this second installment of the series, 10 years into the lovers’ relationship and as Isolde comes into her full power. All the intrigue keeps the lovers on their toes!
March 24, 2024
library check out, story of love, loss, deceit, in high courts of France n Ireland. Time when women ruled.
3/5-8/24
3/5-8/24
May 24, 2012
The Maid of The White Hands by Rosalind Miles- Book Review by Erin Miller
Published on May 24, 2012 by Erin Miller in Shopping
The Maid of The White Hands by Rosalind Miles- Book Review by Erin Miller
Rosalind Miles is a good historical fiction author.
The Maid Of The White Hands By Rosalind Miles- Book Review By Erin Miller
Rosalind Miles is a good historical fiction author. I liked the first book that I have read of hers that was called Isolde Queen of the Western Isle. Her second books The Maid of the White Hands however, could have been much better.
In The Maid of the White Hands by Rosalind Miles, Queen Isolde’s mother has passed away making Isolde now Queen of Ireland aka The Western Isle. She goes to Ireland and her mother’s former lover Tolen was murdered by his brother Breccan who is planning to make himself king. So now, there’s a threat to her kingdom she has to face.
Meanwhile, in Cornwall, King Mark’s nephew Andred is trying to get the King under his trap. He leads Mark to have suspicions against Isolde and Tristan. Here we see Mark as a cowardly jealous man that people are able to pull strings and push buttons to get him to do their bidding. A coward so to speak. This also makes no sense to me either considering he’s having an affair with the Lady Elva and no one says anything about that. Then again I have to think of the time period the story takes place…
As for the love affair between Isolde and Tristan, it got old after a while. The continuing mantras: “Goddess Mother help me…” and “Oh my love.” or “Bring me to my love.” gets old and wearisome after a while. In all honestly these two star crossed lovers acted like nothing more than a sorry pair of high school students with a breach of communication. Come on! In the book Isolde is thirty for goodness sake and I imagine Tristan’s around the same age. Grow up! The love between them could have been written better and not with teenage angst.
In the book Tristan does get injured and Andred sends him to Blanch who is the Princess of France. Blanch actually reminds me of some terrible person I know in real life, so she stuck out as someone that really annoyed me. What I couldn’t stand was one scene where she was so full of herself she sent a man to his death and didn’t care at all as soon as found out Tristan was in her homeland. It made me think ”How can someone be so selfish!”
Another thing I didn’t understand in this book was that Isolde left the Western Isle to look for Tristan even though her lands were in disarray. How can any decent ruler do that to their lands? It made no sense how the Western Isle didn’t fall apart after that.
I rate this book a 1 out of 10. Miles could have written this story so much better than what it was. I hope in the third book it is decent but I won’t get my hopes up. I hate leaving a series unfinished so I will read the third book and maybe, just maybe, it could be a better story than the second book was.
Published on May 24, 2012 by Erin Miller in Shopping
The Maid of The White Hands by Rosalind Miles- Book Review by Erin Miller
Rosalind Miles is a good historical fiction author.
The Maid Of The White Hands By Rosalind Miles- Book Review By Erin Miller
Rosalind Miles is a good historical fiction author. I liked the first book that I have read of hers that was called Isolde Queen of the Western Isle. Her second books The Maid of the White Hands however, could have been much better.
In The Maid of the White Hands by Rosalind Miles, Queen Isolde’s mother has passed away making Isolde now Queen of Ireland aka The Western Isle. She goes to Ireland and her mother’s former lover Tolen was murdered by his brother Breccan who is planning to make himself king. So now, there’s a threat to her kingdom she has to face.
Meanwhile, in Cornwall, King Mark’s nephew Andred is trying to get the King under his trap. He leads Mark to have suspicions against Isolde and Tristan. Here we see Mark as a cowardly jealous man that people are able to pull strings and push buttons to get him to do their bidding. A coward so to speak. This also makes no sense to me either considering he’s having an affair with the Lady Elva and no one says anything about that. Then again I have to think of the time period the story takes place…
As for the love affair between Isolde and Tristan, it got old after a while. The continuing mantras: “Goddess Mother help me…” and “Oh my love.” or “Bring me to my love.” gets old and wearisome after a while. In all honestly these two star crossed lovers acted like nothing more than a sorry pair of high school students with a breach of communication. Come on! In the book Isolde is thirty for goodness sake and I imagine Tristan’s around the same age. Grow up! The love between them could have been written better and not with teenage angst.
In the book Tristan does get injured and Andred sends him to Blanch who is the Princess of France. Blanch actually reminds me of some terrible person I know in real life, so she stuck out as someone that really annoyed me. What I couldn’t stand was one scene where she was so full of herself she sent a man to his death and didn’t care at all as soon as found out Tristan was in her homeland. It made me think ”How can someone be so selfish!”
Another thing I didn’t understand in this book was that Isolde left the Western Isle to look for Tristan even though her lands were in disarray. How can any decent ruler do that to their lands? It made no sense how the Western Isle didn’t fall apart after that.
I rate this book a 1 out of 10. Miles could have written this story so much better than what it was. I hope in the third book it is decent but I won’t get my hopes up. I hate leaving a series unfinished so I will read the third book and maybe, just maybe, it could be a better story than the second book was.
September 19, 2013
Oh, Tristan and Isolde. There's a reason your legend isn't as well known as Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot's.
Sigh.
I love Rosalind Miles. Love her. Her writing is evocative, lush, vivid...I could wax poetic with superlatives all day, but suffice it to say I'll read just about anything she writes even if the actual subject matter isn't engaging me as I'd like it to.
And Tristan and Isolde's love story is not engaging me.
The Maid of the White Hands picks up shortly after Isolde, Queen of the Western Isle ends. Isolde has married Mark, King of Cornwall, thus uniting Ireland and England. Tristan is her knight and the two of them are able to carry on their love affair in secret.
Well, sort of in secret.
All of the wrong people seem to know what's going on between the two of them and it puts their happiness as well as their very lives in danger.
When the Queen of Ireland dies, Isolde is called back to her home country and in order to keep up appearances, Tristan stays in England.
These two should never be separated. Seriously, the majority of their problems would go away if they'd just stick together.
A lot of drama unfolds. A lot of political intrigue, presumed betrayal, imprisonment, uprisings, lies and angst goes down in the plot of this book and Tristan and Isolde are apart for most of it. I won't go into a detailed description of the plot, but suffice it to say that Miles throws just about everything she can at these two lovers and it nearly works in destroying them both.
I'm determined to finish this series, but unlike the Guinevere trilogy that I want to read again someday, I won't feel the need to revisit Tristan and Isolde. I just don't like them that much. Isolde is awesome. I do love her. She's strong and fights her own battles. She understands the price that she has to pay for being queen, the things that she has to give up to serve the people that she's sworn to lead.
Tristan, on the other hand, drives me nuts. I understand that nobility and honoring one's promises/word was basically all that these knights had to call their own, but could Tristan be a little less whiny about it? I should take into account that the man is injured or sick through about 80% of this book, and therefore prone to dramatics, I suppose, but still. I don't think it's a good idea for the hero of a sweeping and epic love story to come across as a whiny, weepy, lovesick puppy. Either honor your vows as a knight or honor your vows to Isolde. Pick one and quit all of this quibbling.
I'm going to try to read the third and final book soon because I know that I waited far too long between the first and second. I will never not recommend Rosalind Miles to people who enjoy excellent writing and epic storytelling, but I doubt that this trilogy will be the one I tell them to try.
Sigh.
I love Rosalind Miles. Love her. Her writing is evocative, lush, vivid...I could wax poetic with superlatives all day, but suffice it to say I'll read just about anything she writes even if the actual subject matter isn't engaging me as I'd like it to.
And Tristan and Isolde's love story is not engaging me.
The Maid of the White Hands picks up shortly after Isolde, Queen of the Western Isle ends. Isolde has married Mark, King of Cornwall, thus uniting Ireland and England. Tristan is her knight and the two of them are able to carry on their love affair in secret.
Well, sort of in secret.
All of the wrong people seem to know what's going on between the two of them and it puts their happiness as well as their very lives in danger.
When the Queen of Ireland dies, Isolde is called back to her home country and in order to keep up appearances, Tristan stays in England.
These two should never be separated. Seriously, the majority of their problems would go away if they'd just stick together.
A lot of drama unfolds. A lot of political intrigue, presumed betrayal, imprisonment, uprisings, lies and angst goes down in the plot of this book and Tristan and Isolde are apart for most of it. I won't go into a detailed description of the plot, but suffice it to say that Miles throws just about everything she can at these two lovers and it nearly works in destroying them both.
I'm determined to finish this series, but unlike the Guinevere trilogy that I want to read again someday, I won't feel the need to revisit Tristan and Isolde. I just don't like them that much. Isolde is awesome. I do love her. She's strong and fights her own battles. She understands the price that she has to pay for being queen, the things that she has to give up to serve the people that she's sworn to lead.
Tristan, on the other hand, drives me nuts. I understand that nobility and honoring one's promises/word was basically all that these knights had to call their own, but could Tristan be a little less whiny about it? I should take into account that the man is injured or sick through about 80% of this book, and therefore prone to dramatics, I suppose, but still. I don't think it's a good idea for the hero of a sweeping and epic love story to come across as a whiny, weepy, lovesick puppy. Either honor your vows as a knight or honor your vows to Isolde. Pick one and quit all of this quibbling.
I'm going to try to read the third and final book soon because I know that I waited far too long between the first and second. I will never not recommend Rosalind Miles to people who enjoy excellent writing and epic storytelling, but I doubt that this trilogy will be the one I tell them to try.
August 14, 2012
The second book in this series was okay. It was definately a faster read than the first installment. I have made a promise to myself to finish this series and Im going to. A nice thing about reading the second book in this trilogy is that the relationships are starting to blossom. By that I mean that some depth has been attained (FINALLY!!!) But I need to stress the *some* part in my summary. I feel that there is no real voice behind any one of the characters. At a few points in the story, I really did feel like depth was beginning to form and I would be able to really connect with them. But that never happened. It was always right on the verge, but never really followed through with.
I understand that "Goddess, Mother!" and "Oh, my love. My love!" may be real expressions and these characters may very well have used them to exclaim and express themselves the way that we would say something in todays time like, "Cheese and rice!" or "Oh my goodness!" But that does not negate the fact that it gets incredibly repetitive and old. Especially by this time in the story. And by "by this time," I mean the second freaking novel.
I just really feel that there is nothing so endearing about any of these characters that I, personally, will ever be able to just get lost in them and their tales or swoon for their loves and losses. I have always known Tristan and Isolde to be lovers of such epic proportions that what they shared didnt need all the forced embellishments the author asks the reader to digest. It really does get to be too much.
The twists and turns this story took were nice and exciting. But very little substance is actually held within the pages of these stories. I stick by my review of the first book and say that this is something I would recommend for my 8yr old daughter.
I understand that "Goddess, Mother!" and "Oh, my love. My love!" may be real expressions and these characters may very well have used them to exclaim and express themselves the way that we would say something in todays time like, "Cheese and rice!" or "Oh my goodness!" But that does not negate the fact that it gets incredibly repetitive and old. Especially by this time in the story. And by "by this time," I mean the second freaking novel.
I just really feel that there is nothing so endearing about any of these characters that I, personally, will ever be able to just get lost in them and their tales or swoon for their loves and losses. I have always known Tristan and Isolde to be lovers of such epic proportions that what they shared didnt need all the forced embellishments the author asks the reader to digest. It really does get to be too much.
The twists and turns this story took were nice and exciting. But very little substance is actually held within the pages of these stories. I stick by my review of the first book and say that this is something I would recommend for my 8yr old daughter.
September 8, 2021
Two books in to this re-read, and the story of the doomed Tristan and Isolde becomes ever more complicated. We’ve jumped perspectives since the final pages of the first novel, which saw Isolde mistakenly marry Tristan’s uncle, King Mark of Cornwall, and now we’re seeing the outcome of what 10 years of secrets has done. I’m honestly not sure how they’ve managed to get away with their tryst for so long, since neither party seems to be that cunning and there’s no way they spend all their time away from Mark’s home castle… That aside, we see Isolde begin to take the reigns of her own power, as the death of her mother gives her the crown of Ireland by the Mother-right. Miles’ main themes for these novels also begins to become apparent here, as we see the shift towards Christianity that defined the Arthurian era create tension in terms of royal lineages, seats of power, and basic relationships between men and women. Even without a distinct exploration of themes, this novel has even more adventure and storyline than the first book, as we see a multitude of journeys carried out by each of the many characters, driving interweaving plotlines as schemes play out around Tristan and Isolde. We know we’re headed towards a final book with a melancholy ending, and here we also begin to see the joy of the two lovers begin to intermingle more freely with the tragedy of their eventual separation, setting the tone for the final dramatic act that will complete their story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2010
Book two of the Tristan and Isolde love affair find us ten years down the road from where book one left off and yet the couple finds themselves no closer to being able to live openly than before. They're happy and content with their lives though - and find joy in the pleasure of each other's company in a court where joy is hard to come by.
Enter a new plot twist. A young princess - Blanche - has her heart set on the famous knight Tristan to have as her husband. It doesn't matter that they have never met she is determined that one glance upon her and his heart will turn away from Queen Isolde and become hers. So begins the twists and turns that lead the reader through much of what we know to be true of the story of Tristan and Isolde. The true twist comes at the end of the story when Rosalind Miles changes what he know to have happened to save Tristan from death and find a way for Isolde to save her love...or so we think. King Mark and his nefarious nephew are still lurking and slimy.
Book three should be extremely interesting as it's a new storyline beyond where Tristan and Isolde's story has taken us before.
Enter a new plot twist. A young princess - Blanche - has her heart set on the famous knight Tristan to have as her husband. It doesn't matter that they have never met she is determined that one glance upon her and his heart will turn away from Queen Isolde and become hers. So begins the twists and turns that lead the reader through much of what we know to be true of the story of Tristan and Isolde. The true twist comes at the end of the story when Rosalind Miles changes what he know to have happened to save Tristan from death and find a way for Isolde to save her love...or so we think. King Mark and his nefarious nephew are still lurking and slimy.
Book three should be extremely interesting as it's a new storyline beyond where Tristan and Isolde's story has taken us before.
October 30, 2014
Unlike some movie franchises, books do seem to improve upon their sequels. In" The Maid of the White Hands" it is ten years after Isolde's marriage to King Mark of Cornwall. The couple remain childless and Isolde has managed to keep her affair with her knight, Tristan, King of Lyonnesse a secret. But that is only because King Mark remains a little dumb and won't listen to any of his advisors tell him anything different. Isolde soon hears the news that her mother, Queen of Dubh Lein has died. Isolde is sent the message that she must hurry to the Western Isles to secure her place on the throne. However, Isolde dallies; first, to return home to King Mark and second, to try and heal her sick lover. Meanwhile there lay men in Dubh Lein that seek to steal the throne from Isolde and restrain the power of women in the land.
Isolde faces many foes at court and abroad and what will she do when her knight is sent to the court of France and attracts a younger woman?
Isolde faces many foes at court and abroad and what will she do when her knight is sent to the court of France and attracts a younger woman?
May 5, 2015
The story of Tristan and Isolde continues. Forced to marry King Mark of Cornwall, under a spell by her mother, Isolde has always loved Tristan, who refuses to marry and desert her. As Isolde's mother dies, she becomes Queen of the Emerald Isle. At the same time, Tristan is wounded in battle and sent by his uncle King Mark to France to be healed by a young noble woman with white healing hands. Determined to marry Tristan herself, Blanche and King mark undertake to keep the lovers apart. Treachery, deceit, and betrayal are all part of this most beautiful love story. Again, Miles puts her own spin on this tale, so the reader never knows what will happen.
December 24, 2010
Another quick read. I'm looking forward to seeing how the third book ties everything up.
However, that said, I wasn't impressed with the character of Blanche. I just couldn't see where the obsession for Tristan came from. It seemed a little rushed and hurried to me, and was just a plot device to keep the lovers apart.
I could be wrong, of course, but that (and how quickly Sir Roc fell in love with Blanche) seemed too forced for me.
However, that said, I wasn't impressed with the character of Blanche. I just couldn't see where the obsession for Tristan came from. It seemed a little rushed and hurried to me, and was just a plot device to keep the lovers apart.
I could be wrong, of course, but that (and how quickly Sir Roc fell in love with Blanche) seemed too forced for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2013
Oh what a story! There was intense emotion throughout the whole book. Rosalind really knows how to get her readers to become enthralled with her story as well as truly involved.
I found myself more than once nearly screaming at whichever character was nearest to Blanche to kill her. Tristan's dispair and adventure was conveyed so well that I found my own heart beat racing in tune to his.
An amazing second book and I truly look forward to the third !
I found myself more than once nearly screaming at whichever character was nearest to Blanche to kill her. Tristan's dispair and adventure was conveyed so well that I found my own heart beat racing in tune to his.
An amazing second book and I truly look forward to the third !
October 16, 2012
Again, keeping this just for reference -- alas for my feeling that I've got to be able to put my hands on any Arthuriana I've ever come across. This trilogy is exactly as I'd expect from Rosalind Miles, having read here Guenevere trilogy, and if you don't want to be smothered in purple prose and sick-making attitudes to women, just... avoid.
April 4, 2016
The time I actually read this book was about 3 days. I kept putting it down, and then I would discover a book I wished to read more. Thus, I did just that. This book, Book 2, of The Trilogy of Tristan and Isolde by Rosalind Miles seemed very repetitive and just did not keep my attention. It will be awhile before I read Book 3. I am Tristan and Isolded out!
July 6, 2014
Yum, yum!
07.06.14 - somewhere back there I thought this was 5 stars. Well, I just read it again, not realizing it, and it was not up to Rosalind Miles usual writing. I have the third from the library and will see!
07.06.14 - somewhere back there I thought this was 5 stars. Well, I just read it again, not realizing it, and it was not up to Rosalind Miles usual writing. I have the third from the library and will see!
June 30, 2009
She really kept me on my toes with this one. I couldn't forsee how she was going to work the plot through, but she did it and kept it interesting despite the sometimes annoying lovey-dovey goings-on. I am excited to read the last installment.
August 14, 2010
Okay, so the first saga of Tristan & Isolde was fun...kind of like the opera. The second was okay...this one. But it's old now and I don't have to read #3. Poor Tristan, his head must still hurt all these centuries later from all the jousting wounds!
September 3, 2012
This series of books just makes me smile, for reasons all my own. They do expand out well on this lovely story at the fringe and outer reach of Arthur's Round Table tales, amid the lush green and mystical tradition of Ireland.
March 16, 2008
The second in the "Tristan & Isolde" series. This is where things really start to get interesting. And this book has an interesting villain in the form of a love-struck girl named Blanche.
March 24, 2008
not as good as the first one but still really good
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