- Paperback: 592 pages
- Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (1 Mar 2011)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 140224066X
- ISBN-13: 978-1402240669
- Product Dimensions: 22.8 x 15.6 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 652,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book can be found in the UK as Harold the King. Just so's you know that, although I do understand this edition has gone through some editing and lost a few pages and given a new title by the US publisher (why do they do that?).
Long before the Tudors we've become so tired of and before the Plantagenets we are never tired of (at least not me), came Harold Godwinesson...the last English King.
I am the Chosen King begins in 1043 and continues the story of Saxon England started in The Forever Queen. Edward (or Edward the Confessor as he came to be known after his death) rules England along with his aging mother the scheming Dowager Queen Emma. Earl Godwine is the second most powerful man in England, and that power is well spread among his large brood of sons, including Harold. A powerful Earl in his own right, Harold knows he must eventually enter into a Christian marriage with a woman of higher birth, but in the meantime falls in love and handfasts with Edyth Swannhaels, a woman he can never marry. Harold's story is intertwined with that of Duke William of Normandy (who believes he has a rightful claim to the throne through Queen Emma) as fate, treachery and a weak king with no heir sends England spinning out of control and ripe for picking at the hands of the Norman aggressors. Only one man can rule England, which one will be the victor at the Battle of Hastings?
There's actually a whole lot more to it than that, but you'll just have to read it for yourself to find out. While most of us know of the 1066 Conquest and what follows afterward, there aren't many novels on the events prior to it, and I very much liked having an an "inside" look. I loved the strong and vulnerable aspects of Harold's character (have the tissue ready for the end), and shuddered at the implacable and terrifying Duke William of Normandy. I really enjoyed Hollick's writing style, a bit sparse and lacking overly flowery prose, which I found a very pleasant change of pace. Her battle scenes are excellent without going OTT in the blood and gore department, nor sending my eyes glazing over with endless minute details of every piece of weaponry and battle tactic imaginable. Ms. Hollick gets a huge thumbs up from this reader for her excellent author's notes at the end, letting us know what is known, what was surmised and what was tweaked in order to tell Harold's story. I loved the tidbit in the notes about Elizabeth II carrying the blood of both Harold and Duke William in her veins.
This is the second time I've read this book, the first being about three years ago in its original version, Harold the King, and that book has a permanent place on my keeper shelf. For some reason this wasn't quite as unputdownable as it was the first time around, but I'm guessing that's because I didn't let enough time lapse between the reads and much of it was still fresh in my mind. I still loved it, highly recommend it and should appeal to both male and female readers
For those interested in reading other novels on this period I'd recommend Valerie Anand's Gildenford(the first in a trilogy), although don't read it too close together with this one as you'll get a lot of been-there done-that. Parke Godwin also wrote a novel on Harold called Lord of Sunset, but it didn't exactly rock my world as I'm not fond of multiple first person narratives. That said, Godwin does do an excellent job at showing the inherent difference in the Saxon and Norman mindset and cultures in A Memory of Lions which is set shortly after the Conquest.
Thanks to Sourcebooks for providing me with this review copy.
Long before the Tudors we've become so tired of and before the Plantagenets we are never tired of (at least not me), came Harold Godwinesson...the last English King.
I am the Chosen King begins in 1043 and continues the story of Saxon England started in The Forever Queen. Edward (or Edward the Confessor as he came to be known after his death) rules England along with his aging mother the scheming Dowager Queen Emma. Earl Godwine is the second most powerful man in England, and that power is well spread among his large brood of sons, including Harold. A powerful Earl in his own right, Harold knows he must eventually enter into a Christian marriage with a woman of higher birth, but in the meantime falls in love and handfasts with Edyth Swannhaels, a woman he can never marry. Harold's story is intertwined with that of Duke William of Normandy (who believes he has a rightful claim to the throne through Queen Emma) as fate, treachery and a weak king with no heir sends England spinning out of control and ripe for picking at the hands of the Norman aggressors. Only one man can rule England, which one will be the victor at the Battle of Hastings?
There's actually a whole lot more to it than that, but you'll just have to read it for yourself to find out. While most of us know of the 1066 Conquest and what follows afterward, there aren't many novels on the events prior to it, and I very much liked having an an "inside" look. I loved the strong and vulnerable aspects of Harold's character (have the tissue ready for the end), and shuddered at the implacable and terrifying Duke William of Normandy. I really enjoyed Hollick's writing style, a bit sparse and lacking overly flowery prose, which I found a very pleasant change of pace. Her battle scenes are excellent without going OTT in the blood and gore department, nor sending my eyes glazing over with endless minute details of every piece of weaponry and battle tactic imaginable. Ms. Hollick gets a huge thumbs up from this reader for her excellent author's notes at the end, letting us know what is known, what was surmised and what was tweaked in order to tell Harold's story. I loved the tidbit in the notes about Elizabeth II carrying the blood of both Harold and Duke William in her veins.
This is the second time I've read this book, the first being about three years ago in its original version, Harold the King, and that book has a permanent place on my keeper shelf. For some reason this wasn't quite as unputdownable as it was the first time around, but I'm guessing that's because I didn't let enough time lapse between the reads and much of it was still fresh in my mind. I still loved it, highly recommend it and should appeal to both male and female readers
For those interested in reading other novels on this period I'd recommend Valerie Anand's Gildenford(the first in a trilogy), although don't read it too close together with this one as you'll get a lot of been-there done-that. Parke Godwin also wrote a novel on Harold called Lord of Sunset, but it didn't exactly rock my world as I'm not fond of multiple first person narratives. That said, Godwin does do an excellent job at showing the inherent difference in the Saxon and Norman mindset and cultures in A Memory of Lions which is set shortly after the Conquest.
Thanks to Sourcebooks for providing me with this review copy.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
20 reviews
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
The last English king...
26 Feb 2011
Format:Paperback
Long before the Tudors we've become so tired of and before the Plantagenets we are never tired of (at least not me), came Harold Godwinesson...the last English King.
I am the Chosen King begins in 1043 and continues the story of Saxon England started in The Forever Queen. Edward (or Edward the Confessor as he came to be known after his death) rules England along with his aging mother the scheming Dowager Queen Emma. Earl Godwine is the second most powerful man in England, and that power is well spread among his large brood of sons, including Harold. A powerful Earl in his own right, Harold knows he must eventually enter into a Christian marriage with a woman of higher birth, but in the meantime falls in love and handfasts with Edyth Swannhaels, a woman he can never marry. Harold's story is intertwined with that of Duke William of Normandy (who believes he has a rightful claim to the throne through Queen Emma) as fate, treachery and a weak king with no heir sends England spinning out of control and ripe for picking at the hands of the Norman aggressors. Only one man can rule England, which one will be the victor at the Battle of Hastings?
There's actually a whole lot more to it than that, but you'll just have to read it for yourself to find out. While most of us know of the 1066 Conquest and what follows afterward, there aren't many novels on the events prior to it, and I very much liked having an an "inside" look. I loved the strong and vulnerable aspects of Harold's character (have the tissue ready for the end), and shuddered at the implacable and terrifying Duke William of Normandy. I really enjoyed Hollick's writing style, a bit sparse and lacking overly flowery prose, which I found a very pleasant change of pace. Her battle scenes are excellent without going OTT in the blood and gore department, nor sending my eyes glazing over with endless minute details of every piece of weaponry and battle tactic imaginable. Ms. Hollick gets a huge thumbs up from this reader for her excellent author's notes at the end, letting us know what is known, what was surmised and what was tweaked in order to tell Harold's story. I loved the tidbit in the notes about Elizabeth II carrying the blood of both Harold and Duke William in her veins.
This is the second time I've read this book, the first being about three years ago in its original version, Harold the King, and that book has a permanent place on my keeper shelf. For some reason this wasn't quite as unputdownable as it was the first time around, but I'm guessing that's because I didn't let enough time lapse between the reads and much of it was still fresh in my mind. I still loved it, highly recommend it and should appeal to both male and female readers
For those interested in reading other novels on this period I'd recommend Valerie Anand's Gildenford(the first in a trilogy), although don't read it too close together with this one as you'll get a lot of been-there done-that. Parke Godwin also wrote a novel on Harold called Lord of Sunset, but it didn't exactly rock my world as I'm not fond of multiple first person narratives. That said, Godwin does do an excellent job at showing the inherent difference in the Saxon and Norman mindset and cultures in A Memory of Lions which is set shortly after the Conquest.
Thanks to Sourcebooks for providing me with this review copy.
I am the Chosen King begins in 1043 and continues the story of Saxon England started in The Forever Queen. Edward (or Edward the Confessor as he came to be known after his death) rules England along with his aging mother the scheming Dowager Queen Emma. Earl Godwine is the second most powerful man in England, and that power is well spread among his large brood of sons, including Harold. A powerful Earl in his own right, Harold knows he must eventually enter into a Christian marriage with a woman of higher birth, but in the meantime falls in love and handfasts with Edyth Swannhaels, a woman he can never marry. Harold's story is intertwined with that of Duke William of Normandy (who believes he has a rightful claim to the throne through Queen Emma) as fate, treachery and a weak king with no heir sends England spinning out of control and ripe for picking at the hands of the Norman aggressors. Only one man can rule England, which one will be the victor at the Battle of Hastings?
There's actually a whole lot more to it than that, but you'll just have to read it for yourself to find out. While most of us know of the 1066 Conquest and what follows afterward, there aren't many novels on the events prior to it, and I very much liked having an an "inside" look. I loved the strong and vulnerable aspects of Harold's character (have the tissue ready for the end), and shuddered at the implacable and terrifying Duke William of Normandy. I really enjoyed Hollick's writing style, a bit sparse and lacking overly flowery prose, which I found a very pleasant change of pace. Her battle scenes are excellent without going OTT in the blood and gore department, nor sending my eyes glazing over with endless minute details of every piece of weaponry and battle tactic imaginable. Ms. Hollick gets a huge thumbs up from this reader for her excellent author's notes at the end, letting us know what is known, what was surmised and what was tweaked in order to tell Harold's story. I loved the tidbit in the notes about Elizabeth II carrying the blood of both Harold and Duke William in her veins.
This is the second time I've read this book, the first being about three years ago in its original version, Harold the King, and that book has a permanent place on my keeper shelf. For some reason this wasn't quite as unputdownable as it was the first time around, but I'm guessing that's because I didn't let enough time lapse between the reads and much of it was still fresh in my mind. I still loved it, highly recommend it and should appeal to both male and female readers
For those interested in reading other novels on this period I'd recommend Valerie Anand's Gildenford(the first in a trilogy), although don't read it too close together with this one as you'll get a lot of been-there done-that. Parke Godwin also wrote a novel on Harold called Lord of Sunset, but it didn't exactly rock my world as I'm not fond of multiple first person narratives. That said, Godwin does do an excellent job at showing the inherent difference in the Saxon and Norman mindset and cultures in A Memory of Lions which is set shortly after the Conquest.
Thanks to Sourcebooks for providing me with this review copy.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
What A Great Read!!
20 Feb 2011
Format:Paperback
I find Helen Hollick's writing to be magical. As a confirmed lover of all things European ,and of the 15th and 16th centuries, I didn't think that I would have much interest in the earlier history of Britain, let alone 11th century Saxon Britain------ that is until I read "The Forever Queen".
"I Am The Chosen King" begins in England in 1044 and follows the time line and lineage put forth in "The Forever Queen". The first chapter begins as Queen Emma "The Forever Queen" still powerful at 54 years of age, watches as her firstborn, recently returned from exiled, son, Edward, is crowned King of England. Emma doesn't believe that the rather too delicate Edward (known as the Confessor) is fit to be King. She believes that he is as "as shallow and incompetent as his father, Athelred (Emma's first husband) had been.." . In this chapter we are also introduced to a young Earl, Harold Godwineson....thus begins the story of King Harold - the chosen King; the last Saxon King of England.
In this wickedly good read, Helen Hollick brings to life the Battle of Hastings from the English point of view "....and brings to life ... the story of the last Saxon King, revealing his ... love, determination and proud loyalty...shattered by the unforgiving needs of a Kingdom. Forced to give up his wife and risk his life for England, the chosen king led his army into the great Battle of Hastings in October 1066 with all the honor and dignity that history remembers of its fallen heroes...." . This last sentence is from the endpapers on the book and, I think, spells out the theme of the book better than I could paraphrase it!
Much of the action in this book is centered around battle preparations for the Norman invasion and the Battle of Hastings in October 1066. Harold, who became King after the death of Edward in January 1066, is married a beautiful commoner named Edyth. Because this is not a politically advantageous marriage he becomes pitted against his powerful family. In France, a bastard duke's son, William of Normandy, has become besotted with power and has set his sight on conquering England
This book is historically based and I think that Helen Hollick can well be called an expert on this time period. It has totally opened my eyes to this pivotal period in history when the shaping of England was, truly, in the balance. This is also a book that weaves history with romance and warfare in nearly equal measure. It's a book's that I simply have to re-read. That's how much I like it. It is, perhaps, not as much of a romance as "The Forever Queen" but, then again, the times surrounding the Battle of Hastings (fought at Senlac Hill near Hastings, East Sussex, England) were difficult and romances would have been, I think, been forced to a back burner as preparations for war were made.
I am now a confirmed fan of Saxon England! I am grateful to Ms. Hollick for bringing this fascinating period of history to lovers of great historical fiction. I will eagerly await more from this gifted writer. This book will, I think, appeal widely to fans of historical fiction, romance and, more to the point, those interested in the history behind the historic Battle of Hastings. There is much to be enjoyed in this book - and much history to read about on the side!
"I Am The Chosen King" begins in England in 1044 and follows the time line and lineage put forth in "The Forever Queen". The first chapter begins as Queen Emma "The Forever Queen" still powerful at 54 years of age, watches as her firstborn, recently returned from exiled, son, Edward, is crowned King of England. Emma doesn't believe that the rather too delicate Edward (known as the Confessor) is fit to be King. She believes that he is as "as shallow and incompetent as his father, Athelred (Emma's first husband) had been.." . In this chapter we are also introduced to a young Earl, Harold Godwineson....thus begins the story of King Harold - the chosen King; the last Saxon King of England.
In this wickedly good read, Helen Hollick brings to life the Battle of Hastings from the English point of view "....and brings to life ... the story of the last Saxon King, revealing his ... love, determination and proud loyalty...shattered by the unforgiving needs of a Kingdom. Forced to give up his wife and risk his life for England, the chosen king led his army into the great Battle of Hastings in October 1066 with all the honor and dignity that history remembers of its fallen heroes...." . This last sentence is from the endpapers on the book and, I think, spells out the theme of the book better than I could paraphrase it!
Much of the action in this book is centered around battle preparations for the Norman invasion and the Battle of Hastings in October 1066. Harold, who became King after the death of Edward in January 1066, is married a beautiful commoner named Edyth. Because this is not a politically advantageous marriage he becomes pitted against his powerful family. In France, a bastard duke's son, William of Normandy, has become besotted with power and has set his sight on conquering England
This book is historically based and I think that Helen Hollick can well be called an expert on this time period. It has totally opened my eyes to this pivotal period in history when the shaping of England was, truly, in the balance. This is also a book that weaves history with romance and warfare in nearly equal measure. It's a book's that I simply have to re-read. That's how much I like it. It is, perhaps, not as much of a romance as "The Forever Queen" but, then again, the times surrounding the Battle of Hastings (fought at Senlac Hill near Hastings, East Sussex, England) were difficult and romances would have been, I think, been forced to a back burner as preparations for war were made.
I am now a confirmed fan of Saxon England! I am grateful to Ms. Hollick for bringing this fascinating period of history to lovers of great historical fiction. I will eagerly await more from this gifted writer. This book will, I think, appeal widely to fans of historical fiction, romance and, more to the point, those interested in the history behind the historic Battle of Hastings. There is much to be enjoyed in this book - and much history to read about on the side!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Quality Historical Fiction
3 Mar 2011
Format:Paperback
If you've ever tried to sort out the infamous Battle of Hastings in 1066 AD, in which William the Conquerer invaded England and changed the course of history forever, you'll know how convoluted this time period is. Thankfully, Helen Hollick wrote a masterful two-book series about the time and players that makes sense of it all.
This is the second book of the pair and it picks up where the first, The Forever Queen, leaves off. Edward the Confessor is the king of England and the powerful Godwin family rules the majority of the various Earldoms, making them more influential than royalty. But when Edward dies without an heir, it is Harold Godwin who steps in to fill the void. Of course, we all know what happens in 1066, but Hollick develops such intense characters that the reader finds themselves wanting to change history and stave off the inevitable!
Hollick is renowned for her historical accuracy....she doesn't skip actual historic events or change timelines just to suit her fictional novel. This is as close to history books as you can get, with a fabulous author's note at the end to tell you exactly what she surmised and what is fact.
Reading both of these books gives the reader a fairly good working knowledge of the Norman invasion of England and what led up to that point, all encased in a riveting story.
Highly, highly recommended!
This is the second book of the pair and it picks up where the first, The Forever Queen, leaves off. Edward the Confessor is the king of England and the powerful Godwin family rules the majority of the various Earldoms, making them more influential than royalty. But when Edward dies without an heir, it is Harold Godwin who steps in to fill the void. Of course, we all know what happens in 1066, but Hollick develops such intense characters that the reader finds themselves wanting to change history and stave off the inevitable!
Hollick is renowned for her historical accuracy....she doesn't skip actual historic events or change timelines just to suit her fictional novel. This is as close to history books as you can get, with a fabulous author's note at the end to tell you exactly what she surmised and what is fact.
Reading both of these books gives the reader a fairly good working knowledge of the Norman invasion of England and what led up to that point, all encased in a riveting story.
Highly, highly recommended!
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