Falls the Shadow: A Novel (Welsh Princes Trilogy)

Very well written and engaging , the author follows the historical facts quite closely, albeit at the time of publication.With the discovery of Richard III's bones in Leicester, new information has come to light, i.e. that Richard did in fact suffer from a severe deformity of the spine, which, although painful and restrictive, never stopped him from actively participating in warfare. Her version of Richard would in fact have been augmented by the difficulties under which he laboured, and perhaps in time an account of the real Richard III will reach publication!

So far good, serious if imperfect literature. I'm not the brightest though and I wish for books with many similarly named characters there was an appendix with a sense making list. Especially historical fiction where I am starting in the middle, don't know what happened before. All this without spoilers.

This is the best of the historic fiction genre. I cannot recall the last time I enjoyed a 900+ page novel so much. The Sunne in Splendour is an historic novel about the War of the Roses and its players; its about Warwick, Edward, Richard, Henry the last, Lancastrian king, Marguerite d’Anjou, the Woodvilles, the Nevilles, and the Tudors. Having read Allison Weir’s history, The War of the Roses, and having seen Shakespeare’s Richard III, I thought I knew a bit about both the story and the players. But I never quite saw them the story in this light.
One reviewer described this book as daring. I agree. Unlike Shakespeare, and the histories written by Tudor sycophants, Penman (through historic fiction) portrays Richard sympathetically, and heroically. She represents his claim to the throne as legitimate and creates a plausible alternative to disappearance of the princes in the tower, one in which Richard is quite innocent.
This is a story full of power struggles, warfare, greed, and avarice. It is a story full of malice, politics betrayal, murder, and yes love.
Is should be hard to care about people who lived in the 15th century, but it is not. Sharon Kay Penman brings all of the characters and their many faces to life. She tells the story to the 30+ years of warfare. We all know that history is written by the victorious. Five centuries after the events, Penman brilliantly gives Richard III a voice.
I highly recommend this book.

This was the first time I've read anything sympathetic to Richard III, he's usually portrayed as a monstrous villain. It was interesting to see an author so convincingly take a different stance on the type of man he was. I won't rehash the entire book, but just wanted to say that this is another example of why SKP has quickly become one of my favorite authors.

I have read the first two series of Sharon Penman's Welsh Princes Trilogy and am now on book 3. This is so amazingly written, historically factual. I have found myself getting so involved in the characters that when they die I weep as if I had lost a dear friend. That is the type of book I love to read.

Penman's account of Richard III is well written, engaging, and sympathetic. Historical information abounds, without info-dumping. Not a quick read, it's perfect for a winter afternoon, offering a layered story to get lost in.

After reading Here Be Dragons, everything I read after came short. It's Sharon Kay Penman, so it's good, very good, but after Dragons.........I got a depression after reading the story. It's hard to read stories of the losers specially when their causes were right. Real life is harder than novels , but read it! It's worthy the heartache!

An astonishing window into the world before and after the idea of true Democracy was breathed life in the minds of the men who held power, but understood the need to wield it fairly.
SKP dazzles with characters so lifelike and bigger than life, and the details leave you breathless.

This trilogy completely captivated me. I knew little about Wales even though I've been avid reader of history of England. As always, Penman recreated vivid picture of the era and the culture - it got me so into it that I started studying Welsh. :-D

I read the entire trilogy and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in historical fiction and the medieval period in particular. The first and third books are better than the second but it is worth it to read them all in order. Be prepared to form strong relationships with the main characters. . .and to possibly have your heart broken.

I had a hard time believing Penman's depiction of Richard III since I was so well acquainted with Shakespeare's play about the same Medieval king,So I welcomed the last chapter and her explanation at the end reporting on how the next king, Henry Tudor, and his balladeers and chroniclers, in order to justify the Tudor monarchy, rewrote history by painting Richard so black and twisted, literally. I guess the truth is somewhere between Penman and Shakespeare and his sources. When one reads historical fiction, there is always a question as to what in the story is history and what is fiction. Not knowing for sure the true history, I can vouch for the good fiction. Richard is presented as a complex and dynamic character - Complex in that he has depth with very good principles and yet let's himself, due to the exigencies of his kingship, corrupt those principles somewhat. Dynamic in that Richard grows, changes and morphs into someone at the end that is totally different than when he was young. I find it admirable that Penman chose to make him moral in his relations with women, ie. one wife, and totally true to her. Fiction? I hope not! What was way, way confusing were the many Edwards, Richards (Dickons), Henrys, Annes, etc. I frankly just gave up trying to figure out who we were talking about sometimes. Now that is true to family history where older generations name their children and grandchildren after themselves. I hated the way women were treated as royal pawns for political purposes. And this book is just one more testament to the fact that Kings and Queens are a very bad idea for the common people. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely" applies here, not only the country, government and laws, the elite and commoners, but also the very individuals who wield absolute power. The theme of loyalty versus treason were repeated so often it became predictable. No foreshadowing needed. This is a very long book, but very good. I recommend it to anyone interested in this time (1400s) and the end of the War of the Roses with York winning, the end of the Plantagenents, and start of the Tudors

A wonderfully written, and detailed account of the life and era of a most maligned king Richard III. This book brings alive that period of human history.While you are reading it makes you feel like you are in the middle of the characters, and you can feel their pain. I highly recommend it!

The Medieval period, especially the Wars of the Roses, have long fascinated me. I am a Ricardian though and throug, ever since I read The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. Richard is sympathetically dealt with here, as well he should be,and I thought this story was told well.

This book changed my opinion on historical fiction. I absolutely hoe depth of character development and richness of romance and adventure are woven together with a devotion to accuracy. Richard III is a much debated man, and anyone who conjures such debate must be incredibly complex and Ms. Penman does an excellent job of bringing these layers to life.

I really enjoyed this book. However my husband found it hard to follow with so many characters. Kay used two or three names for the main characters, with which I had no problem, as soon as I figured it out. My husband gave up.

Though it seems that history is still undecided as to the truth of Simon's character, it does seem clear that he was a man who sought to do well by his adopted country no matter what the personal cost to him or his family.

One of my very favorite Penman books, well researched and well written. She brings true logic to the oft told tale of Richard III I can see why the Richard III Society had her come to give a lecture. She writes the truth based on research and well founded logic. This is a must read for every one who loves Medieval Historical Mysteries.

Only this one, although all of Penman's books are on the "I've read this way more than once" list. She does a lot of research and then spins it into an engaging story. I am almost at the end now, I know Richard is going to die. I have not only read the book, but I love history and this late medieval/early modern period is my favorite. I know he is going to die. I slow down my reading because I know I am going to cry when he dies. Cry, over a book I have read 6 times, over a man who has been dead over 600 years.....................Sharon Penman does nice work.

Since purchasing this book, I've read and re-read the passages marked of special interest. There has not been another story written so interestingly which incorporates historical facts and dates and brings them and the characters to life.

Not sure how 100% historically accurate this is and wish the author would stick to ONE form of ID for each person ie Gloucester for Richard etc--but a good read and gives a taste of the times--if you like this then you can always do more historic reading about this time.

Fascinating historical fiction. Gives great insight into the "real" Richard III not the myth created by Shakespeare. You really learn what the life and times of the period were like. Very well written.

'The Sunne in Splendour' is historical fiction at its very best. I loved reading about Edward the IV, Richard III, their queens and the turbulent times in which they lived and ruled. This is definitely a keeper and one I'll reread.

I love well done historical fiction and this series is very well done. I fell in love with the characters and hated others, just as I did in reading their history in my long-ago college years. Even knowing outcomes for the characters, which I convince myself will help me deal with however the author chooses to write about those outcomes, brought tears to my eyes. I will admit, I'm Welsh and will never understand, even after more than 700 years, how the first son of the reigning monarch can be the "Prince of Wales" when he is NOT Welsh, or why on earth Wales is not its own principality, with at least the same distinctions as the further away Scotland; or why on earth England feels they have a right to a slice of Ireland (my Scots-Irish ire is showing), but regardless of my personal bias regarding those issues, I was extremely pleased with how well researched the writing was, how thorough the author was in pointing out those places she took literary license or where there was ambiguity in dates and places. I would highly recommend this series as well written, well researched and with characters well developed and worth knowing. Good work, Ms. Penman!

A well-written book with excellent historical background. It holds your attention and gives a more balanced picture of Richard III than is customary. He is not [\pictured as the evil "crookback" of the Tudors. It is a little long but none the less it is fascinating.
Arden Frederick

Very well written. Makes you care about the various characters by telling various parts of the story (and history) with their very personal thoughts and voices. Richard III is generally portrayed as a villain. Not so.

These books are so absorbing that long after I finish one I find myself wondering about the moment to moment lives of those living in medieval Europe. How very alien our world would be to them. And yet, how constant are the desires and emotions of man!

I loved the development of this character. Many faceted personality at once tortured and shaped by family blood lines and responsibilities to the kingdoms and alliances. Rather fascinating and quite absorbing historical fiction.

I read all the negative reviews about this book and I just can't understand them. I read all of Elizabeth Chadwick's books and I can tell a difference between both writers... Both are GREAT in their own way! Sharon Kay Penman's books are so full of history that they are hard to follow if you are not paying enough attention. She also provides you with very detailed explanations about some customs and traditions of Medieval England, France and Wales and THAT to me is what makes these books so valuable. That she "creates" dialogues and situations that we don't truly know if they existed, well, that's part of writing a historical fiction book, you have to do it, and otherwise you would end up with a bunch of historical facts written in any reference book.
Simon de Monfort was really ahead of his time and I think he was too cocky sometimes but he stood against the King of England even knowing he didn't have a chance... either he was too idealistic or too stupid, I don't know. I was so sorry about the way he and his sons died but it was something to be expected. I don't think Nell was a snob, she WAS a King's niece and later cousin! At that time she was almost equal to untouchable, she must have been very proud and very used to having people obey her without rebelling but Sharon Kay gives her a very human frame, that of a devoted wife and caring mom, two things very hard to find in a noble woman at that time...
So if you enjoy history go get this book. It's worth it! (and don't hesitate to buy the third one, is great too!).

I really enjoyed this book. Penman brings the characters to life, and I felt like I was there experiencing the events first-hand. It is a long book, but well worth the investment in time to read it!

Penman is a master at Historical Fiction--my favorite! I love learning the history, falling in love with the heroes, despising the villains, and empathizing with the victims! Can't wait to start book III!

This is a fascinating book, giving one an alternative to the more common "Richard II was evil and killed his nephews" line. It's well-written and is one of the best historical fiction books I've read.

After reading Penman's book, The Sunne in Splendour: A Novel of Richard III, I feel as though I have taken a college course in medieval English History. I found myself constantly going between the internet and the book looking up the facts, searching for the true story. Rarely does Penman vary from the true story; the true story is astounding in its own right. What a fulfilling way to broaden one's knowledge of English history.

I started with Here be Dragons, and kept going. The books cover a substantial number of years through the lives of many characters. I plan to move on to Penman's other books when I finish this series.

I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first book. I am currently reading the 3rd book in this series and I am definitely planning on buying other books by this author. It is well worth your time and money.

A splendour indeed. Having sat as a schoolgirl through Shakespeare`s Richard III I fell in love with this Richard. A wonderful time in English history - and a wonderful story to add to the magic. I loved every word of it.