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Heart of Vengeance is set in 1197 England. Helena of York is masquerading as Isobel of Brittany in order to learn who murdered her father. She has paid Lady Catherine and Lord Percival Fitzwarren of Worcester to sponsor her. In the beginning of the book, she is in Oxford because Hubert Walter, the King’s Chief Justiciar, has called a meeting of the Great Council. Lord Percival is required to attend, as he is Lord of Worcester. Helena is taking the opportunity afforded to try to learn more about her father’s death. She is playing a very dangerous game. One of Prince John’s advisors, Savaric, expresses interest in her, and Helena has to deal with this threat as well.
Stephen, Count of Dinan, Earl of Northumbria has come to the meeting of the Great Council. He is known as the Black Baron, and is out of favor with King Richard. Stephen was a crusader at Richard’s side before he was captured by Saracens and enslaved. He escaped and traveled across the desert alone in order to return to serve King Richard. When he arrived, he expressed his negative opinion of the war between King Phillip of France and Richard. As a result, King Richard banished him from court. Now he is hoping to find a way back into favor with his king.
Heart of Vengeance is a well-written and well-researched book. The plot was good although it dragged in places. Helena didn’t seem real, and thus it was difficult for me to become engaged in the story. Stephen was more comprehensible as his history and motives were more fully explained earlier in the book. Even Savaric was clearer as a person than was Helena. By the time Helena’s past and motives were revealed, the majority of the story was over, and it was too late for me to develop empathy for her. Other readers may have a different experience with this novel, and I encourage them to read it to determine this for themselves.
Reviewed by Nancy Riggins-Hume
for The Road to Romance
May 12, 2004
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