The King's Witch

April 15, 2011
The prolific Holland (The Secret Eleanor, 2010) spins another splendid historical around the exploits of King Richard the Lionheart. As the son of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Crusader King is used to being surrounded by strong women. When his mother introduces the enigmatic Edythe into his court, however, her power and her influence over Richard turn out to be of entirely different types. A gifted healer, Edythe saves the kings life, receiving his gratitude and staunch loyalty in return. Of course, one does not earn a spot in Richards rarefied inner circle without arousing suspicion and inciting intrigue. As the kings witch struggles to keep her background and her true identity a secret during the height of the Third Crusade, Holland infuses the plot with action, romance, and plenty of authentic historical detail.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)