The Maid's War (a Kingfountain prequel) (The Kingfountain Series)

Very interesting prequel to the Kings Fountain series which sets the stage nicely for the series. It will be interesting to see if the author writes more prequels or even perhaps writes sequels for the King Fountain series. It wraps them together nicely. Very good book, characters and interweaving of plots.

I've read all of the Kingfountain books. This one is a prequel to the first trilogy, and it takes Jean d'Arc as its inspiration. It's a great action story, as are the others, and it's also good fun. The history is barely disguised, likewise the Christian themes, but I like it better for that. It isn't deep, but it's satisfying - much better than most of the fiction peddled by avowedly "Christian" publishers and authors. Enjoy!

As someone who loves history. This author writes beautifully and spiritually. I have read most of if not all the books. I am happy to say mid way through the book, I thought the Maid sounded like Joan of ark..

Really great! Jeff Wheeler's characterizations improve with each book that he writes. He obviously loves the high Middle Ages, and the magic is fun. His family-centered focus and recognition of the temptations that people face is realistic and empathetic.

Usually when I read Jeff Wheelers books I am riveted to finish it. Couldn't get through this one. I found the characters confusing as to who was who and on what side. I also was confused about TIMING. Why is Ankarette alive?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this latest book in Jeff Wheeler's Kingfountain series. It acts as a prequel and fills in many details hinted at in the previous books.
We learn more of the history of Ceredigion, Occitania, Atabryion, and the rulers, and the politics of the times.
We had previously heard of the legend of the Maid of Donremy, but now we get to know a more detailed story of her life and her unwavering loyalty to 'the fountain', as well as that of the 'Gentle' Duke of La Marche.
Loved learning more of Ankarette Tryneowy and her story, and how she was able to learn the things she was able to later use to help young Owen Kiskaddon that we came to know in book one of this series.
I would recommend this book for all ages of readers, my grandkids are just about ready to start on the series.

Wheeler only improves the Kingfountain series with every book he adds to it. The Maid's War is a fascinating combination of frame story and flashback. The modern frame story features Ankarette Tryneowy, before she became the Queen's Poisoner, seeking a sword for her king. It is a flashback for the Gentle Duke (whom Ankarette seeks to find the sword) who remembers The Maid of Donremy. In obedience to the Maid, he tells Ankarette her story. This tale develops more depth of Ankarette's already complex character, and introduces The Maid as a person, not just an historical figure of Kingfountain, and what a fascinating person she turns out to be. This story actually makes me believe in the call to martyrdom as a spiritual gift. But, I still longed for a different ending for her.

I absolutely love it!!! So very surprising in his development of the characters and the interwoven schemes that tie their lives together!! I love Jeff Wheeler's style of writing that is so packed with detail the reader would never evaluate or contrive to presume or decrypt the depths of the storyline and the characters he creates to navigate the plots and themes interwoven to capture and tranquilize the mind of the reader at a complex depth of skill that is as amazing as it is entertaining!! Wonderful read!! Marvelous escape into the world of imagination and awe!! Take a ride on the "last train" to magical wonder and mythical legends!! Enjoy your complete emersion into your imagination!!!

The only negative thing I can say about this book, and the series overall, is that it was SO good that it caused me to shirk my responsibilities in order to continue reading. Having quickly torn through the four books and one prequel, now I'll have to wait another month plus a few days for book 5, due August 22nd, and then until November for the final book six. It will be tough having to wait that long, but I'm sure it will be worth it. Love this series.

This is a great prequel to the Kingfountain series. It is probably not the best book to read first as readers would not understand some of the important occurrences at the time and may not remember them by the time they reach that part in the series. Mr. Wheeler is a wonderful writer and is able to give the reader good descriptions of settings and surroundings without taking 3 chapters to do it. The characters are very well thought out. I really enjoy that he bases some of the characters on real life happenings. As he said at the end of this book his inspiration for the Maid was Joan of Ark. I would recommend his Muirwood series as well.

I have enjoyed reading this series! I love historical fiction. The author has done an excellent job tying fantasy into medieval writing. The best part is the books are very clean. So many of these types are writhe with crude language and are borderline pornographic. I am comfortable with my preteen reading them with out worry of what she'd be exposed too. This book filled in many gaps ahead of the original series.

Joan of Arc and other historical and memorable people continue to give Jeff Wheeler fodder to his wonderful, well written books. As the prequel to the King Fountain series, this book makes you want to re-read the series. If you have not read the series, start with this book. Once you start reading his books, you can not put them down and always hungry for his writing style and his unique story lines! And... then you start trolling the store for for of his work! He can't publish them fast enough!

I got hooked on Jeff Wheeler from the Muirwood series and have not read the Kingfountain series.

So starting off with the prequel was great! The book held its own and I didn't feel "lost" not knowing things I would know if I read the series first.

The book was a little slow pace for me but I loved the medieval setting and the character development is flawless as always by Jeff.

Overall, happy read and will read the rest of the series.

I just can't get enough. Wheeler is a magnificent storyteller and these stories capture my attention and won't let me go. I am often sad at their end because I don't want it to be over. Absolutely loved reading about the Maid of Donremy and finally learning her story. And I've always loved Ankarret. This was amazing!!!!

I got hooked on Jeff Wheeler from the Muirwood series and have not read the Kingfountain series.

So starting off with the prequel was great! The book held its own and I didn't feel "lost" not knowing things I would know if I read the series first.

The book was a little slow pace for me but I loved the medieval setting and the character development is flawless as always by Jeff.

Overall, happy read and will read the rest of the series.

Wheeler brings history to life, regardless of the magic he adds that excites like normal fantasy. Characters that you care about abound, their lives ultimately not that different from yours in their grey complexity, their joys, confusions, and sorrows. What a wonderful world....

I just can't get enough. Wheeler is a magnificent storyteller and these stories capture my attention and won't let me go. I am often sad at their end because I don't want it to be over. Absolutely loved reading about the Maid of Donremy and finally learning her story. And I've always loved Ankarret. This was amazing!!!!

Jeff Wheeler's gift has matured into outstanding works. Here we learn more of the background and details of the Kingfountain books. The technique of hearing the Duke of La Marche's tale of the Maid of Donremy from him as an old man coupled with living through those events when he was young gives a rich tapestry to enjoy.

I have read most of Jeff Wheelers books, this one is just good as the others and ties them together. It is a page turner just like the others. I enjoy the fact that he has taken some of the great stories from the past (King Arther, Joan of Arc) and brought them to light anew in his books in a refreshing way. Makes me want to open those old stories again. I will continue to read his works.

I have enjoyed reading all of Jeff Wheelers books and this one is no exception. It is well written and brings the characters to life. It has action that keeps you turning pages. This is a wonderful series to read it you like Kings, castles, knights and magic.

Great prequel story! The Poisoner & the Gentle Duke share a tale of the forgotten Maiden who was Fountain blessed with extraordinary gifts to restore a king and battle against intruders. A great story to enjoy after book 2 of the series even though the time frame occurs before Owen's birth.

I have stood in Notre Dame Cathedral and gazed at the statue of Jean D'Arc. Very imaginative to bring her story to life in this book. Well done and a pleasure to read it. The story is a vivid. Inspiring one though tragic in the end.

I love this book whole heartedly. It ties together every aspect of the king thousand series so well that I want to go back and read all of the books in sequence again. I won’t say anything about the book aside from this: If you haven’t read the full series read it in the order it came out , or you will lose some of the wonder Jeff wheeler has woven into it.

Great book, setting long ago in a land forgotten by time it serves almost a a prequel to the series of six books. Tales of kingdoms, kings, knights, queens and maids, intrigue and secrets, battles won and lost the Kingfountain series provides a magical element as well as any tale of yore.

As with the previous offerings in the Kingfountain series, I found Jeff Wheeler's historical foundations to be skillfully woven into the Maid. Wheeler's consistent offering of characters who ring true in motivation and behavior for their time and circumstance, along with flowing dialogue, made this difficult to set aside.

This was a great story that skillfully filled in the history behind the Kingfountain series. I would not recommend reading it without first reading the series as it would take away from the skillful plot line of Kingfountain. Don't pass on the afterword as it provides keen insight to the author's inspiration for the story.

This is the prequel to the f fountain blessed series and it didn't fail to deliver. I have read for our five of the series now and I'm still looking forward to the next.When I'm done with this series,I expect to be reading other jeff wheeler offers.

This was the best Kingfountain book so far, tied in so many characters you know from the current place in the series. It would be possible to read this book before the series but it will be best read in publication order, before hollow crown. Jeff wheeler remains one of my favorite story tellers and I cannot wait for what comes next!

This book inspired me to buy Helen Castors's book on Joan of Arc. It ties so many things together from the other books. Of course I loved the character of the gentle Duke. I love all of these books. I can highly recommend. Gbash