I use Grammarly for proofreading because the ghosts of my father and Sister Mary Gabriel are forever hovering, rulers at the ready, to slap my knuckles when I err.
I welcome you today to my stop for
Anvil of God by J. Boyce Gleason from
Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. I was very pleased to receive a copy of the book for review and know that one of you will be thrilled to win a copy. So without further ado:
About the Book:
Publication Date: July 26, 2013
iUniverse
Paperback; 440p
ISBN-10: 1475990197
It is 741. After subduing the pagan religions in the east, halting the march of Islam in the west, and conquering the continent for the Merovingian kings, mayor of the palace Charles the Hammer has one final ambition-the throne. Only one thing stands in his way-he is dying.
Charles cobbles together a plan to divide the kingdom among his three sons, betroth his daughter to a Lombard prince to secure his southern border, and keep the Church unified behind them through his friend Bishop Boniface. Despite his best efforts, the only thing to reign after Charles’s death is chaos. His daughter has no intention of marrying anyone, let alone a Lombard prince. His two eldest sons question the rights of their younger pagan stepbrother, and the Church demands a steep price for their support. Son battles son, Christianity battles paganism, and Charles’s daughter flees his court for an enemy’s love.
Based on a true story, Anvil of God is a whirlwind of love, honor, sacrifice, and betrayal that follows a bereaved family’s relentless quest for power and destiny.
About the Author:
After a 25-year career in crisis management and public affairs, J. Boyce Gleason began writing historical fiction and is publishing his first novel ANVIL OF GOD, Book One of the Carolingian Chronicles. With an AB in history from Dartmouth College, Gleason brings a strong understanding of the past to his historical fiction. He is married, has three sons and lives in Virginia.
My Opinion:
Anvil of God takes place in a period of history about which I know very little. The time period is pre-Charlemagne and the plot deals with many issues from the fight between Christians and pagans, brothers warring on each other, power, lust and love. It begins with Charles Martel (Charlemagne’s grandfather) and his second wife, Sunni. Charles is committed to working with the church and relies on his childhood friend who has risen far in its hierarchy – Boniface – but he does not make his decisions solely based on what is best for the church. Sunni has ostensibly joined the church but she has not left her pagan beliefs behind.
Charles feels his death looming so he divides the kingdom up between his three sons; Carloman and Pippin from his first marriage and Gripho from his marriage to Sunni. He has a ceremony where he makes his nobles swear fealty to the boys for after his death but we all know how those promises play out in time. A subplot has Charles’ daughter Trudi refusing to marry the man of Charles’ choice and running away to marry for love.
All I can write about this book is – WHERE IS THE SECOND VOLUME AND CAN I HAVE IT RIGHT NOW.
RIGHT NOW!
I found myself lost in this 8th century world populated with fascinating and diverse characters and I was so very sorry when I turned the last page. I am thrilled that this is Book One because that means there will be more to come. Mr. Gleason writes a thrilling story taking what little is left to history and spinning it into a page turning look into the world before the countries we consider Europe were drawn. There are really 7 main charaters, Charles Martel, his three sons, Sunni and Charles’ daughter Trudi. There are several very strong secondary characters and they are all distinctly developed and unique unto themselves. It took me a little to sort them out at the start but once I did I had a very hard time putting this book down. It carries some tough scenes as there are battles, scourgings, rape, pillage and all that you would expect in these times. These scenes are handled in a straightforward manner and not exploited.
The weakest subplot I do feel was Trudi’s but apparently there is some basis in history for it. Mr. Gleason leaves his reader with a detailed Author’s Note which I appreciated. It is always a pleasure for me to find one at the end of a historical novel so I can glean fact from fiction. I will anxiously await the next installment of The Carolingian Chronicles.
Rating:
5
The Giveaway:
One lucky US reader will win a copy of Anvil of God. How do you win? It’s easy – just hop on the Rafflecopter. Good luck everyone.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosures: 1. I received a gift card for posting about Grammarly.
2. I received a free copy of Anvil of God for my honest review. I received no further compensation for the post.
