Review of Son of William
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João Ramos
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Review of Son of William
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Son of William" by Natalie Johnson.]
Son of William by Natalie Johnson is a historical fiction book that narrates some battles in the first phase of the Scottish Wars of Independence. For those who don't know history, the Scottish Wars of Independence are divided into two phases: the first occurred between 1296 and 1328, and the second occurred between 1332 and 1357. The two protagonists of this book are William Kendall, a skilled longbowman who fights for the English at the beginning of the book but discovers that his origin is different from what he imagined, and Lady Elizabeth, an English noblewoman. Their destinies will cross several times in a book filled with romance, intrigue, betrayal, and much more. The vivid descriptions of battle scenes are particularly impressive, making the reader feel like they are on the battlefield.
What stands out most about this work is how the author portrayed medieval English society at the time without clichés or making the plot predictable. Here, you will find the privileges of the nobles, sexism, the arrogance of those who thought they were above others, and especially the hypocrisy of the false religious people who used religion to achieve their selfish desires and vanities. The enemies are always unfaithful and evil. Even so, the author describes everything intelligently, and the two protagonists do not agree. This approach made the book more enjoyable without leaving social criticism aside. The depiction of medieval life is detailed and nuanced, offering readers a glimpse into the era's complexities.
On the downside, well, there isn't much to comment on. The author was skillful in connecting the stories of two characters without losing the reader. I found seven grammatical errors, mainly related to punctuation and spacing issues. Apart from these minor errors, the book's editing is decent. Additionally, the story's pacing is well-balanced, maintaining the reader's interest throughout the book.
Overall, Son of William delivers everything you'd expect from a classic. The book is dense, intelligent, and has a cohesive plot without any extravagances. Since there is nothing to criticize, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I had never read a historical fiction book set during the Scottish Wars of Independence, and the book met all my expectations. The author's ability to blend historical facts with engaging storytelling is commendable.
Fans of medieval historical fiction will undoubtedly enjoy this work. There is no sexual content, and I found only two examples of borderline profanity, so there is no point in restricting the reading to adults only. The book also provides a fresh perspective on historical events, making it a must-read for history enthusiasts. The profound character development connects readers deeply with William and Elizabeth's journey.
******
Son of William
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Son of William by Natalie Johnson is a historical fiction book that narrates some battles in the first phase of the Scottish Wars of Independence. For those who don't know history, the Scottish Wars of Independence are divided into two phases: the first occurred between 1296 and 1328, and the second occurred between 1332 and 1357. The two protagonists of this book are William Kendall, a skilled longbowman who fights for the English at the beginning of the book but discovers that his origin is different from what he imagined, and Lady Elizabeth, an English noblewoman. Their destinies will cross several times in a book filled with romance, intrigue, betrayal, and much more. The vivid descriptions of battle scenes are particularly impressive, making the reader feel like they are on the battlefield.
What stands out most about this work is how the author portrayed medieval English society at the time without clichés or making the plot predictable. Here, you will find the privileges of the nobles, sexism, the arrogance of those who thought they were above others, and especially the hypocrisy of the false religious people who used religion to achieve their selfish desires and vanities. The enemies are always unfaithful and evil. Even so, the author describes everything intelligently, and the two protagonists do not agree. This approach made the book more enjoyable without leaving social criticism aside. The depiction of medieval life is detailed and nuanced, offering readers a glimpse into the era's complexities.
On the downside, well, there isn't much to comment on. The author was skillful in connecting the stories of two characters without losing the reader. I found seven grammatical errors, mainly related to punctuation and spacing issues. Apart from these minor errors, the book's editing is decent. Additionally, the story's pacing is well-balanced, maintaining the reader's interest throughout the book.
Overall, Son of William delivers everything you'd expect from a classic. The book is dense, intelligent, and has a cohesive plot without any extravagances. Since there is nothing to criticize, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I had never read a historical fiction book set during the Scottish Wars of Independence, and the book met all my expectations. The author's ability to blend historical facts with engaging storytelling is commendable.
Fans of medieval historical fiction will undoubtedly enjoy this work. There is no sexual content, and I found only two examples of borderline profanity, so there is no point in restricting the reading to adults only. The book also provides a fresh perspective on historical events, making it a must-read for history enthusiasts. The profound character development connects readers deeply with William and Elizabeth's journey.
******
Son of William
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Acceptance by Tod Benjamin, author of The Stoker Trilogy
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ASIF GHAURI
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Vivid and well-researched depictions of the battles and military conflicts during the first phase of the Scottish Wars of Independence, which immerse the reader in the historical setting.
The nuanced portrayal of the protagonists, William Kendall and Lady Elizabeth, whose intertwining narratives drive an engaging plot filled with romance, intrigue and betrayal.
The author's ability to thoughtfully explore the complexities of medieval English society, including the privileges of the nobility, sexism, religious hypocrisy, without resorting to clichés or predictable plot points.
The overall cohesiveness of the story, with well-paced progression that maintains the reader's interest throughout.
The nuanced portrayal of the protagonists, William Kendall and Lady Elizabeth, whose intertwining narratives drive an engaging plot filled with romance, intrigue and betrayal.
The author's ability to thoughtfully explore the complexities of medieval English society, including the privileges of the nobility, sexism, religious hypocrisy, without resorting to clichés or predictable plot points.
The overall cohesiveness of the story, with well-paced progression that maintains the reader's interest throughout.
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Aqsad Ali
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If you enjoy character driven fiction, family dramas or stories about self-discovery, then Son of William is an excellent choice.
Son of William is a captivating and emotive read that delves into the complexities of family, identity, and legacy. The author masterfully weaves a narrative that explores the intricacies of human relationships and the power of love and forgiveness
Son of William is a captivating and emotive read that delves into the complexities of family, identity, and legacy. The author masterfully weaves a narrative that explores the intricacies of human relationships and the power of love and forgiveness
