Kings of Albion

Conversely, I found myself getting confused by the events. Who was fighting who and that sort of thing. Now I know with the War of the Roses, it is difficult to differentiate between the two sides, but I would have thought it was the novelist's job to do just this for us. Towards the end of the book, I had stopped caring about either the characters or the plot. There is also too much description of people. A brief descripton suffices. "She was tall, with beautiful brown eyes and olive skin" is all you need to say about someone. A paragraph spent describing someone's looks is a paragraph wasted. Too much description and the resulting image is that of a grotesque freak.

This is such a disappointment after The Last English King, which is so superior.


Through different eyes   November 12, 2001
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

This delighful and well written book relates the adventures of a group of Asians in England during the War of the Roses. An Eastern Indian prince and his entourage are guided by a Middle Eastern merchant to a country called Ingelond. The prince wants to learn about the arts of warfare that may aid his own people in their wars against the encroaching Sultans. They are accompanied by a Fakir and a young woman whose goal in life it is to experience the pleasures of earthly life. This she finds plentiful in many of the exotic men she encounters.
The experiences of this odd group with regard to customs and weather are amusing while the detailed accounts of politics, battles, and players are exciting and informative.
The language of the book is modern but its application consistent with the presumed culture of the time, making it occasionally rude and vulgar but also entirely fitting.
I recommend this story highly to those who are interested in history and also want to be thrilled and amused.