The Court of the Midnight King (Paperback)

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Review
Richard III - is he really one of the greatest villains of all time, or just a permanently misunderstood king whose image has been tarnished and distorted by a propagandist playwright? Ever since Shakespeare's classic image of the demonic hunchbacked psychotic, Richard has been a source of fascination and intrigue for hundreds of years, with various historians arguing for and against his case, and a multitude of actors giving different interpretations of the role. With her latest novel, fantasy author Freda Warrington has followed up her previous series The Jewelfire Trilogy with an exploration of Richard's story from a different and intriguing angle. A thought-provoking blend of myth, magic and historical research, Warrington's novel tells Richard's tale with a Gothic slant and a hint of magic, following the life of Richard, his destined wife Katherine, and the loyal knight Raphael and the difficult choices they are faced in an England haunted by elemental forces and torn by savage warfare. Following Richard's ascent from Duke of Gloucester to King, Warrington's style easily conjures up the mediaeval world, giving the events of the story a vivid and evocative tone while also bringing life to the many characters whose lives cross Richard's path. There are also plenty of surprises, as Warrington isn't afraid to divert from the commonly held picture of Richard, resulting in an interesting exploration of the differences between history, myth and reality. Between the atmospheric prose and the three-dimensional characterization, the only small flaws come in the linking modern-day sequences, depicting a college student's obsession with uncovering the truth about Richard, which emphasize the novel's main themes with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Despite these occasional mis-steps, this is an absorbing reworking of one of history's most fascinating characters, and an affecting mixture of gritty fantasy and well-researched reality. (Kirkus UK)

Product Description
The most reviled monarch in English history or a man caught between the forces of light and darkness, pushed by circumstance into the vilest of crimes? The Wars of the Roses - colourful, full of fury and passion. In our histories - and Shakespeare's play - Richard the Third dies on Bosworth Field, hacked to death in a just ending. But another Richard exists, who is still loved in the North of England and remembered as their best ruler. But how can these two opposites have co-existed in the same world? Or did they? Through the eyes of Lady Katherine we see Richard grow up in a strange world where both Mother Goddess and patriarchal Christian God exist, and the struggle between the two religions is mirrored in that between York and Lancaster. From their teenage years, Freda Warrington traces Richard and Katherine's story during one of the most fascinating times in England's history.

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7 Reviews 5 star:  (7) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 5.0 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   8 of 8 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars History as you may have wished it..., 13 Aug 2003 By A Customer Freda Warrington is always a good read, and this book offers a beautiful fantasty rewrite of one England's most controversial periods. Initially, the book seems to be telling the story of Kate and Raphael, but as it develops it also offers a fictional, Josephine Tey style revisionist view of Richard III - this is definitely for Yorkists not Lancastrians! A fluid combination of real history and personalities, flowing seamlessly into an alternate world which is just different enough to preserve it as an actual fantasy rather than an apologia for one of the most potent royal anti-heroes. The writing style is as smooth and enthralling as anyone familiar with Ms Warrington's triology starting with A Taste of Blood Wine will expect. The history is admittedly an idealised view of an England where Christianity (and Elizabeth's grandad) didn't win - but it is nevertheless compelling and enticing. If history and fantasy aren't your thing, then it probably isn't for you. If they are, or you simply like Ms Warrington's ability to take an old subject and make it all shiny new and exciting, then buy it! Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   6 of 6 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Superb fusion of fantasy and historical romance, 13 Aug 2003 By  J. Robson "justinarobson" (Leeds, England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Freda Warrington has always written lyrical, intensely imagined books across the fantasy spectrum, from vampires to epic trilogies, but in this book she brings along her private passion for the historical figure of Richard III and the combination of dazzling alternative history and smouldering romance is thoroughly enjoyable from first page to last. Purists will notice she did her homework on the history but those who don't know Richard's original story won't miss a thing. She also brings forward a thoughtful examination of the Christian/occult conflicts in a credible and compelling extra dimension which evokes the feeling of living in an earlier age very keenly. A pleasure to read. Tell all the romance fans and the fantasy fans you know about it. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The War is Over!, 8 Aug 2003 By  "eirian133" - See all my reviews Freda Warrington writes yet another beautiful novel. The story of King Richard is not a new one to us, but Freda takes a wonderful and different view at this story. Although this story was writen in true Freda style, fans beware, with the content being a little different from her former works it may at first change your mind about reading the book, but no furter than the first chapter Ms. Warrington drags the reader in to fall in love with everyone of the characters and the story. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 7 customer reviews...		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Lush & beautiful historical fantasy One of my very favorite historical fantasy novels, this is a lushly written alternate version of Richard III's history, with magic and romance and a rich sense of period... Read more Published 16 days ago by Stephanie Samphire 5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Read Let me begin by saying I am a medieval historian, albeit an amateur one, and read this book for its content, not having found Ms Warrington's books before. Read more Published 11 months ago by White Rose 5.0 out of 5 stars One of her best I have been a huge fan of Freda Warrington ever since reading Rainbow Gate many years ago. This is definitely her best book yet - I finished it in one sitting, and I'm sure the... Read more Published on 12 April 2004 5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant! Have bought some of this authors books in the past and enjoyed them, but this book is brilliant in comparison. Read more Published on 13 Jun 2003 by michelletuorp Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 7 customer reviews...

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