Title: Chivalrous (Valiant Hearts #2)
Author: Dina L. Sleiman
Pages: 368
Release Date: September 8, 2015
Genre: Medieval / Fantasy
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Format: eBook (also available in paperback)
Note: I received a free eBook copy of this novel through NetGalley
in exchange for my honest opinion.
About the book:
Strong and adventurous Gwendolyn Barnes longs to be a knight
like her chivalrous brothers. However, that is not an option for her, not even
in the Authurian-inspired Eden where she dwells. Her parents view her only as a
marriage pawn, and her domineering father is determined to see her wed to a
brutish man who will break her spirit.
When handsome, good-hearted Allen of Ellsworth arrives in
Edendale searching for his place in the world, Gwendolyn spies in him the sort
of fellow she could imagine marrying. Yet fate seems determined to keep them
apart. Tournaments, intrigue, and battles – along with twists and turns aplenty
– await these two as they struggle to find love, identity, and their true
destinies.
My review:
A thrilling medieval tale of Lords, Ladies, and Knights!
This is part of a “true” series. To fully enjoy the story I
believe that you need to have read the first book in the series, Dauntless,
before reading this one.
At the very beginning we meet Gwendolyn “Gwen” and her maid
Rosalind. Though, at the time, they were involved in very unladylike behavior. Before
I finished the first chapter I had already been captivated by this strong and
courageous woman.
After we get a really good look at who she is and what her
family situation is we shift our focus to Allen of Ellsworth. He is one of the
main characters in the first book of the series. We are caught up on what he
has been doing since the end of that wonderful story. Then he sets out to
follow his dream of moving to North Britannia to serve as a Knight in that
dukedom. I truly admired his code of conduct before this story begins and it
only grows throughout this novel. He struggles through part of the book trying
to know what the right thing to do is and that only serves to make him seem
more human.
The depiction of what family life was like for the nobility
was a little eye opening. But then again this story is set in the Middle Ages.
I absolutely loved the descriptions of the tournaments and sword fights.
I really enjoyed seeing how one firm believer in Christ was
able to help direct others around him to start seeking God. At the same time he
never tried to force anyone to believe as he did.
I will have to add this to TRL.
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