View Full Version : The Conquest *spoilers*
OK, I'm about 50 pages into the second half of the book, after Ailith dies and Julitta is reunited with Rolf, her father. For some reason I couldn't stop bawling from the time Ailith leaves Roth right up until now. I've never cried over a Chawick book, that I can remember, but this one had me boohooing like a baby!
I did read until almost 3am so maybe I was just exausted or something! Did anyone else find this novel just incredibly heartbreaking and tearjerking? The whole disintegration of Rolf and Ailith's relationship just broke my heart. And then Julitta's reunion with her father!! Man!! Please someone tell me, it's not just me!
I have to hand it to ya, EC, you threw me for a loop! I love your novels but never really thought they packed such an emotional wallop until now!
Misfit
09-12-2008, 08:26 PM
This is such a good book and there's so much more to come. I can't recall if I really cried but yes, the break up and then when Alith and Julitta were found by Dominik (brain lapse, I think that's his name) was just heartbreaking.
Divia
09-12-2008, 08:59 PM
hmm I may have to give this one a go.
Misfit
09-12-2008, 09:15 PM
You have to give EC at least one more whirl. I know Daughters disappointed you but she really sucks you into another century better than most others authors out there.
Divia
09-13-2008, 03:27 AM
Yeah, I know.
Its just when I read the write ups it seems like its more about a guy than a girl, and everyone knows that I dont like to read stories from guys POVs. *shrugs* Maybe the write ups are misleading.
Misfit
09-13-2008, 01:23 PM
Hmmm, I don't recall it as being from the guy's POV. Maybe the first part but not the last when it told the daughter's story.
Divia
09-13-2008, 02:07 PM
No, when Iread a summary of her differnt books it always seems like "Lord so and so needs to defend blah blah blah" and I"m like eh I dotn want to read about a guy.
Divia, I would say that's true of her more biographical novels but not her earlier ones that are based on ficitonal characters. The Conquest is told from the point of view of two women, Ailith and Julitta, who are mother and daughter.
One of the best things about her novels is that they are so descriptive that you get a really good feel for the middle ages but it's blended so well into the story that you don't feel "instructed" on life back then. Some novels can get bogged down in details or historical people coming in and out but not these. I'd give them one more try if I were you! :)
Misfit
09-13-2008, 09:03 PM
One of the best things about her novels is that they are so descriptive that you get a really good feel for the middle ages but it's blended so well into the story that you don't feel "instructed" on life back then. Some novels can get bogged down in details or historical people coming in and out but not these. I'd give them one more try if I were you! :)
That's what's so magical about her books, that effortless sense of time travel. I'm always sucked into another century and never want to come back to the "real world".
:o:
Thanks folks.
Divia - ummm...I do mix and match points of view but as you've sussed I do rather like writing in male viewpoint. :D The Conquest does have fairly strong female viewpoints but the guys get their look in too. If you feel it's not for you then it is indeed a case of too many books and too little time and you read what you want to. I spent much of my childhood pretending to be the Lone Ranger (or Silver!) so I guess I'm wired towards enjoying writing male protagonists.
IlilaI - I don't tend to re-read my books that often once they're published, so I'm sitting here thinking 'Hmm, what bit would that be then; I don't remember!' :eek::o
I know a lot of authors who sit sobbing when they have to bid farewell to a character or write an emotional scene but I must admit I tend to feel more like a chef preparing a gourmet meal in the kitchen, with one eye through the round window on the customers in the dining room. The pleasure's in the crafting. (no emoticon for evil grin!)
:o:
I spent much of my childhood pretending to be the Lone Ranger (or Silver!) so I guess I'm wired towards enjoying writing male protagonists.
That's so funny! That was my Dad's favorite childhood hero so he passed it on to us kids. We did a lot of horseriding as a family and when we were very young every horse was named Tonto or Silver...at least for the time we were riding! What a nice visit to Memory Lane! :)
I am new to this forum and am enjoying it so much. I am a huge Historical Fiction fan and have read many, many of the books discussed here but I have never read any Elizabeth Chadwick. I am intrigued with some of the discussions here about her books. Where should I start? Do I need to read them in order? What book would you recommend I read first?
Misfit
09-16-2008, 10:54 PM
Welcome TLee. Where to start? First and foremost there are two Elizabeth Chadwicks. One is from the US and writes romance novels. You can pretty much figure out who is who by the title and cover. The ones that I feel need to be read in order are The Greatest Knight and then The Scarlet Lion and also her Ravenstow Trilogy - The Wild Hunt, The Running Vixen and The Leopard Unleashed. The Ravenstow trilogy are the first three written and while very good aren't as good as the newer stuff, although they are being rewritten and republished.
Some have related characters and families, i.e. Shadows & Strongholds/Lords of the White Castle and The Winter Mantle/Falcons of Montabard but they are stand alones -- you're not going to miss anything but reading them out of order.
They are getting hard to find in the US (even used) and a bit spendy. They can be ordered from the UK and Canada. The Book Depository has free shipping or some books stores in Canada do sell them. I've seen them listed on Abebooks as well, they have US sellers who import them and then while you pay shipping you don't pay the credit card exchange fees and exchange rate.
Here's (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Medieval-Fiction-Elizabeth-Chadwick/lm/RC94LWEEMVNLV/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full) a list of her books that might help you out.
Misfit - Thanks so much for the info and your list. They really helped alot. Our library system still has most of the books except for The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion. I think I will start with The Wild Hunt and then go from there.
4ever Queen
09-18-2009, 10:13 PM
:o:
Thanks folks.
I know a lot of authors who sit sobbing when they have to bid farewell to a character or write an emotional scene but I must admit I tend to feel more like a chef preparing a gourmet meal in the kitchen, with one eye through the round window on the customers in the dining room. The pleasure's in the crafting. (no emoticon for evil grin!)
Dear Elizabeth, you had me laughing with your view of yourself as a Chef :D preparing a gourmet meal for all us who enjoy your cooking! I've never heard anything like it before, I love it! :p
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