The Queen's Bastard

Wonderful

Having not heard of this author before, my hubby bought the book and it's sequel, while I was on bedrest. He did good! Excellent writing, depth of characters, and interesting storyline. Not was I was expecting!

Not what I was expecting...

I'll admit this was the first C.E. Murphy book I've read (although I'm a huge lover of female fantasy authors). I was intrigued with the thought of a female assassin with "powers" set in the Elizabethan period (which is why I purchased the book.

I thought it was well written, but I agree with some other reviews that it's definitely no like your normal fantasy read. I would recommend it since it's very well written.

review

I have read the Urban Shaman series and loved it. This not so much. Just could not bring myself to like any of the characters in this book.

Way different style for C.E. Murphy

I love C. E. Murphy's Urban Shaman series. And I was hoping for some of the same with this new series. But I was a bit disappointed that the tone of the book was a bit darker and more depressing and not as snappy with the dialog. Its still a good read and she does a fantastic job of imersing you into a slightly twisted historical story with richly deep characters based off of Queen Elizabeth's time period. But all in all I don't think I'll continue with this particular series.

awesome

C.E. Murphy is wonderful. I have enjoyed everything I've read by her and this is no exception. Truly delightful amoral characters with a surprise at the end that I did not expect. Outstanding!

dark sixteenth century fantasy

From the moment she could crawl, her furtive father Lord Drake raised and trained Belinda Primrose by himself as an assassin. He also pounded in her allegiance to his liege Queen Lorraine of Aulun. Drake has never informed his daughter who her mother is as that could prove dangerous since she is Lorraine¿s illegitimate offspring. --- Years ago Lorraine¿s most dangerous rival Queen Sandalia of Gallin miscarried when she learned her husband had died. To protect the throne with a male heir especially from ambitious Lorraine, Sandalia abducted a newborn she named Prince Javier --- In 1561 Javier and Belinda meet for the first when she is in Gallin on an espionage mission. He falls in love with her and she feels the same about him, but her loyalty from birth is to her sire and he knows what must come before desire. Still their attraction grows as they soon learn they share in common that each is a 'witchbreed' magic user. --- This sixteenth century fantasy is much darker than the author¿s romantic urban fantasies as power and politics supersedes ethics for instance Belinda encourages her beloved to rape an adversary. Well written, dark historical fantasy fans will appreciate the opening act of what looks like will be a solid series, but setting up the cast, era, and machinations at times slows down the story line. Still THE QUEEN¿S BASTARD is a solid first entry. --- Harriet Klausner

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