The Sixth Surrender

July 1, 2010
Forced into a marriage that neither one of them wants, Juliana de Charnais and Guerin de Lasalle are the latest pawns in Aliénor of Aquitaine's attempt to secure the throne for her son, King John. While both gain title and property through their union, they immediately set out to arrange its dissolution while contending with outside forces that are trying to keep them together. Typical of the era, Juliana often finds herself subjected to Guerin's will, but when his life is in danger, she must choose between walking away or staying to fight for her husband. VERDICTWhile this tale of deception and deceit preserves historical detail, it moves at an insufferable pace and fails to generate any real connection between Juliana and Guerin, both of whom are wholly unlikable. Especially in the first half, various forgettable characters are introduced, and the story line drags to the point that when the plot begins to pick up and various twists are revealed, the reader is no longer invested in the outcome. Still, fans of Phillipa Gregory ("The Other Boleyn Girl" will enjoy the careful detailing of political intrigue in the 13th century.—Natasha Grant, New York

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2010
After taking up residence in the Abbey of Fontevraud, Alienor of Aquitaine quietly continues to spin an intricate web of intrigue and deceit, ensnaring a series of useful political pawns in a calculated plot designed to further her extensive dynastic ambitions. When she arranges a marriage between Juliana de Charnais, a clever, bookish nun determined to reclaim her ancestral home, and Gu'rin de LaSalle, a reprobate vassal who has sworn loyalty to Alienorsson, John Plantagenet, the king of England, she does so to secure another Norman fiefdom for the crown. Sparks begin to fly as this seemingly mismatched couple unites in a dangerously exciting quest to thwart multiple enemies. This entertaining historical cat-and-mouse game features two main characters with plenty of chemistry and charisma.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)