I am getting more accustomed to and appreciating her use of the characters to tell the history and I'm getting crammed packed with history! I thought at the end of the last book that the enigma that is David would prove tragic and it did, very much so. He is a tough character to understand, the narrator constantly says he both loves him and does not know him at all. Once again, it was politics and battles but also alot of character-driven drama and well done. Although there was tragedy in this one, it did end on a slightly optimistic note so I am very interested in how it finally ends with the final novel of the four.

In this third volume of the Brothers of Gwynedd quartet, Llywelyn faces his toughest challenge yet to the unity of Wales. The old king, Henry III, is no more, and his son Edward, the first of that name, is on the throne. Edward is not interested in alliances between equals: his preferred relationship with Wales is that of lord and vassal. In addition, Llywelyn has been trying for years to act upon his betrothal to Lord Simon de Montfort’s daughter, Eleanor. But Eleanor is also Edward’s cousin, and he might not take kindly to the match…

This was a suspenseful read for me, because I am not really up on the history of Wales. Those who already know how it plays out may not have their hearts in their throat as they read about Eleanor’s journey to England and the continued legal battles between Llywelyn and Edward as Llywelyn asserts his claim to what is his and Edward acts like an obstructionist jerk. (Anyone who feels little love for Longshanks based on his treatment of the Scots will not find him any more sympathetic toward the Welsh in this book.) The story ends on a lovely note of hope that I assume is cruelly dashed in the next book. Can’t wait to read it. ( )