6,557 books
—
26,275 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Falls the Shadow (Welsh Princes, #2)” as Want to Read:
Falls the Shadow
(Welsh Princes #2)
by
This is Simon de Montfort's story—and the story of King Henry III, as weak and changeable as Montfort was brash and unbending. It is a saga of two opposing wills that would later clash in a storm of violence and betrayal, a story straight from the pages of history that brings the world of the thirteenth century completely, provocatively, and magnificently alive. Above all,
...more
Get A Copy
Paperback, 14th, 580 pages
Published
April 8th 1989
by Ballantine Books
(first published April 1st 1988)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Falls the Shadow,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Carolyn
Yes. The first and 3rd books are set in Wales, Here be Dragons and The Reckoning.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Falls the Shadow (Welsh Princes, #2)
With the exception of a few authors, I've found most Historical fiction to be too factual and not dramatic enough. In cases where the drama was heavy, the facts are off (i.e. look at BRAVEHEART; great film but missing some Historical points, like the fact that the princess was about 7 or 8 at the time). Anyway, I know my standards are high but that's the way it is and that's why I'm very glad I've found Penman.
This tale centers around the power struggle between Earl Simon de Montfort, a true His ...more
This tale centers around the power struggle between Earl Simon de Montfort, a true His ...more
This is a book of two halves. The first starts just after Here be Dragons finished, so we are reacquainted with Llewelyn the Great, his warring sons, his daughter and his awful daughter-in-law, as well as meeting his adorable little grandson Llelo. This first half tells the tale of the bitter ongoing struggle for control of Wales between Lleweyln’s sons (and later his grandsons), and the marriages of his daughter. We also meet his late wife’s siblings, Henry III of England and Eleanor (Nell), wh
...more
May 12, 2018
Amanda
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
to-read-2018,
read-2018
I hate that I have almost read all of Sharon Kay Penman's books. I know I can always reread them, but there is no recreating the first read. I love her books. You should read them too.
...more
I am so happy I discovered this trilogy and author. Although this one did not move me like the first book "Here Be Dragons" it was still another fascinating read. I love how SKP stays so true to actual historical facts and adds just the right amount of drama.
...more
Like Here Be Dragons --> a remarkable, magnificent, gripping historical fiction that is the best textbook for the history you can imagine. Simon de Montfort's life, his story was amazing, I have no words to describe it. He was a man with virtues and flaws. He wasn't a saint. But he was a man with a vision (again, like Llewelyn in the previous book) and with determination to make it real. Some visions become true in a hero's life, some after years or centuries, some die... Nonetheless, people who
...more
OK... I am loving this author and this Welsh Trilogy. Book Two starts up where the Here Be Dragons ends and completes the story of Llewelyn, the Prince of Wales, and his wife Joanna. The story then picks up with Llewelyn's sons and grandsons and their conflicts and turmoil as rulers of Wales. That story line runs parallel with the story of Simon de Montfort's rise to power. Simon is a French Nobleman who marries Eleanor (Nell) sister of King Henry III of England. Nell is also the Lady Joanna's h
...more
Seldom have I read a historic novel that stays so close to the documented facts, while at the same time being thrilling and engaging on every page.
There was no point where I lost concentration or interest.
Penman really makes the characters and events come alive.
Falls the Shadow is the sequel to Here Be Dragons and is the story of two great men- Simon de Montfort, the principal leader of the Baronial opposition to Henry III, and the progenitor of representative democracy in England. It also featu ...more
There was no point where I lost concentration or interest.
Penman really makes the characters and events come alive.
Falls the Shadow is the sequel to Here Be Dragons and is the story of two great men- Simon de Montfort, the principal leader of the Baronial opposition to Henry III, and the progenitor of representative democracy in England. It also featu ...more
I'll admit from the start that I read Falls the Shadow soon after The Sunne in Splendour; this book, while not bad, suffered by comparison. Besides, I can't read too much of one author too quickly without becoming annoyed by her quirks. That said, Falls the Shadow was something of a disappointment.
First the good. As always with Penman's books, I learned a lot. I knew little about the time period and this book brought it to life. The major players are excellently drawn: Henry III, Simon de Montf ...more
First the good. As always with Penman's books, I learned a lot. I knew little about the time period and this book brought it to life. The major players are excellently drawn: Henry III, Simon de Montf ...more
I don't know why I don't like these books. They're just too slow and not enough happens, which are similar but not the same thing. It's still an interesting read, but I'd prefer to read a biography of these people. They're often less dry than this.
...more
So this was an amazing read. WOW, I never cared much about Simon de Montfort and went into this read with reservations as I couldn't imagine him being the lead character. Boy was I wrong. I fell in love with Simon and was a bit envious of Nell (but I loved her too!). It was so nice to catch up with characters from Here Be Dragons. I also realized how much I detest Henry III and also hate with a passion the soon to be Edward I--although he at least wasn't a weakling like his father. I dread readi
...more
I've enjoyed some of her previous books but I'm beginning to find them a bit samey samey. This one about Simon De Montfort was readable but just like her others. Simon was brutally honest with those around him even the king. He married the kings sister without consent and later was so dismayed by Henry's ineffectual rule he challenged him for the throne. Readable but average.
...more
I really couldn't go wrong with this book - Plantagenets, Simon de Montfort, Welsh princes, romance, war, tragedy . . . and, of course, Penman. I feel like I don't even need to point out that Penman creates believable, well-developed characters while staying as historically accurate as possible. Everyone who has read any of her novels already knows that, right? In this particular novel Simon de Montfort is the main character expertly brought to life with a huge cast of supporting characters (Hen
...more
A re-read of an old favourite. SPs third novel still carries some of the historical problems I wrote about in my review of Here be Dragons but they get less with every book. Despite these, she is a wonderful writer and creates a picture of the happening at any point that is hard to beat.
This novel is about Simon de Montfort. How could anyone fail to make this interesting? He is a glorious character, a man very much of his time but yet outside of his time. His character is saved from his own stub ...more
This novel is about Simon de Montfort. How could anyone fail to make this interesting? He is a glorious character, a man very much of his time but yet outside of his time. His character is saved from his own stub ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
At first, I was puzzled by the description of this book. The second in the “Welsh Princes” series, the description made no mention of Wales or Welsh characters, it sounded to be entirely about Simon de Montfort and Henry III. But I should have known that an SKP book would never be that one dimensional. The first half of the book strongly features Llelo, the grandson of Llywelyn the Great, a central character in the preceding Here Be Dragons. It pretty much picks up right where Here Be Dragons fi
...more
I seriously struggled with this book. I loved Here Be Dragons, but I was disappointed with Falls the Shadow. Still, I'm giving it 4 stars because I learned a great deal of history.
For me, there just seemed to be far more history than story and I kept wondering why we're reading so much about Simon de Montfort in a trilogy about the Welsh princes. Although de Montfort was the first to acknowledge Llewelyn the younger as the Prince of Wales and basically made way for the British royalty to acknowl ...more
For me, there just seemed to be far more history than story and I kept wondering why we're reading so much about Simon de Montfort in a trilogy about the Welsh princes. Although de Montfort was the first to acknowledge Llewelyn the younger as the Prince of Wales and basically made way for the British royalty to acknowl ...more
Engrossing historical novel in Penman's Welsh Princes series. I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite having gotten it because I thought it was about the Simon de Montfort who did the crusade against the Cathars, and it turned out to be about that man's son! The main characters were very complex and well written, the women as fascinating as the men. Also, Penman's great with battle scenes--I'd recommend her to anyone who wants to learn how to do medieval fights!
...more
Will review more when I have some time. However...
I was a little reluctant to read this because I loved the first one so much. I needed have worried. :) Though we don't have the Joanne/Llewelyn relationship to enjoy, there are plenty of other fascinating and likable people here. The story moves quickly, and even with the usual large cast Penman did a good job keeping everyone straight for the reader.
...more
I was a little reluctant to read this because I loved the first one so much. I needed have worried. :) Though we don't have the Joanne/Llewelyn relationship to enjoy, there are plenty of other fascinating and likable people here. The story moves quickly, and even with the usual large cast Penman did a good job keeping everyone straight for the reader.
...more
This is a good historical fiction piece that's generally well written and has a lot of interesting parts, but does spend too long on some very dry pieces of history that I supposed even the author had trouble making interesting. Parts of it were excellent, parts were good, and parts were boring. It was a little longer than it needed to be, but still a good read.
...more
The Welsh Prince series is well written and riveting. The brutality of the time is interesting while gritty to read. The author does a wonderful job breathing life into these historical characters and give unique insight of what might driven the people to do what is now recorded (somewhat) in time.
Sharon Penman is a fantastic novelist and a first rate historian. After you read her books you feel as if you have had an entire upper level university course in English history. I knew little about the Second Baron's Revolt and the Kingdom of Wales but now I do! Terrific reading for anyone interested in medieval historical fiction!
...more
Up to Sharon Penman's usual high standard. What always gets me is that de Montford was Norman, but what he tried to establish was in fact a system similar to what teh Englsh had before teh Norman Conquest.
...more
One of the first Penman novel's I read. Superb!! This is the story of the Baron's Revolt and the creation of the first real Parliament. Ms. Penman paints both de Montfort and Prince Edward vividly.
...more
I've read this book many times and enjoy it every time. It's the second in the Welsh trilogy. It's not as good as Here Be Dragons, but a book can be fantastic and still not be as good as Here be Dragons.
...more
One thing I've been wondering since I started on the latter part of this book is the question of what exactly makes a book of historical fiction good. I am far too aware that, though I have enjoyed most of the books I've read in the genre, they are also few and far between, and so I find myself unable to judge by what could be considered their standard.
Instead, I find myself approaching the issue from a different angle. I find myself wondering whether this book would have held any appeal whatsoe ...more
Instead, I find myself approaching the issue from a different angle. I find myself wondering whether this book would have held any appeal whatsoe ...more
If you enjoy fact-based historical fiction written with beautiful words and fantastic imagery then this book is a must read, but first you need to read the first in the trilogy 'Here Be Dragons'. This book 'Falls the Shadow' is the second. Sharon Kay Penman is a master at her craft.
This book focuses on the 13th century's Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, his wife Nell (who happens to be King Henry's sister) and his brood. I'm somewhat ashamed to admit I had never heard of Earl Simon before r ...more
This book focuses on the 13th century's Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, his wife Nell (who happens to be King Henry's sister) and his brood. I'm somewhat ashamed to admit I had never heard of Earl Simon before r ...more
This is very involving by the end. It felt like the beginning, which is largely about the end of Joana and Llywelyn from Here Be Dragons, and the coming of age of their grandson (also Llywelyn), was somewhat of a false start, as the story ultimately clarifies and begins to move better when it becomes more about Simon de Montfort and Ella. But I still think that Penman is one of the best at balancing the military aspects of history, the royal intrigue, and the relationships. I can recommend her h
...more
Was a bit disappointed in this book. I really enjoyed the first one bit this, it took me forever to get through. I dunno why but I just struggled so much. I think with about two hundred or so pages left I got more invested in it. I can see why this was the second book but for the Welsh Prince’s story for a good 60% of the book they aren’t even in Wales. I’ll read the third one of course.
You know that moment when you’re finishing a masterpiece and you find yourself struggling to turn the page and you have no idea why till you realize your tears and emotions have ruined your motor skills. This novel is perfect in every way. Every word.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Play Book Tag: Buddy Read for Falls the Shadow (Welsh Princes, 2#) | 10 | 13 | Mar 18, 2019 07:39AM | |
| Historical Fictio...: Group Series: Falls the Shadow- Book 2 | 20 | 201 | Nov 01, 2013 05:46AM | |
| rights | 3 | 40 | Feb 14, 2013 04:44PM |
Readers also enjoyed
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
Other books in the series
Welsh Princes
(3 books)
Related Articles
Kazuo Ishiguro insists he’s an optimist about technology.
“I'm not one of these people who thinks it's going to come and destroy us,” he...
191 likes · 22 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Men kill for many reasons, they steal but for one-greed.”
—
11 likes
“He looked upon this verdant, blossoming spring, a spring Joanna would never see, he looked upon a field of brilliant blue flowers- the bluebells Joanna had so loved- and at that moment he'd willingly have bartered all his tomorrows for but one yesterday.”
—
6 likes
More quotes…
