Review: Very Detailed and Well Done
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 30, 2012
Romantic tragedy has always attracted readers. Romeo and Juliet is one of the most romantic and yet sad stories of all time. But their story was taken from an even older one that is much more heroic and adventurous. It is the story that has been told for hundreds of years with various names as the lovers. It is in Yseult: A Tale of Love in the Age of King Arthur by Ruth Nestvold that the reader gets to smile, cheer, and cry for Yseult and Drystan.The story goes back to the times of Roman occupation of the British Isles and the rise of King Arthur. The Irish fought the advancement of the Romans the religion of Christianity they brought. The old ways became a battle cry for many. For the daughter of a queen, it became more than that. She became the one to bridge cultures through a loveless marriage while loving her step-son who had her heart. The tangled webs they all weave in trying to stay honorable and yet find love trap them in lies, deceit, and death. It's a story you'll cry with as you read.This is not a fast read as many romances can be. It is more than just a story of two ill-fated lovers. It is a story of the battle of Britain and Ireland as well as the battle of hearts.  The beginning moves a little slow as the author sets up the story and establishes the history that will be very important in preventing full bloom of love and the causes of conflict and war. It was many pages in before Drystan was introduced. Once the lovers meet, the action picks up.If you are one that just wants to focus on the main characters, this might be a book you avoid. The battles are drawn out in detail. The relationships among others around them are explored. A reader will read of the powerful Yseult taking up a sword and battling for her life and others while Drystan is many miles away fighting his own battles in an attempt to save their land.The author does an excellent job in creating an intricate story full of magic, history, love, revenge, deceit, and forgiveness. The further you get into the story, the more you'll enjoy it and be glad you picked it up.Note: This book was purchased with the author's own money.