A Land Divided (The Blood of Kings Book 1)

Author/Guide: K. M. Ashman

Why a Booktrail?

1081: William of Normandy had conquered England but Wales remains the bastion of resistance

ISBN: 978-1503945241
Genre: Historical

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What you need to know before your trail

Britain is under Norman rule. William’s bloody conquest may over but there is one stubborn bastion of resistance: Wales. This is however a divided land where brothers fight each other and where Kings are hoping that their claim to power will supersede each other’s.
This weakness in Wales is used to the English advantage. Inside squabbling in Wales will hopefully make the English more able to reach their goals.

Meanwhile, Gruffydd ap Cynan, true heir to the kingdom of Gwynedd, is in exile across the sea. When he hears of the betrayal of the Welsh people by the impostor in his throne, Gruffydd unites with Tewdwr, a monarch deposed by the traitors, and together, they forge an army from the ashes of their kingdoms.

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Travel Guide

Wales

History buffs will lap this up particularly as there is a map of Medieval wales at the start of the book showing the regions of the Wales at that time and of how modern day Wales came to be.

The Norman invasion was a major historical event and the battles and power struggles during this time were both bloody and extremely violent not to mention far reaching. Wales was caught in the middle of an extreme power struggle and no one, no King who believed he sat in the rightful throne would willingly give up his place.

The battles are graphic and bloody, the Kings ruthless but the scene which evoke the nature of warfare, the customs and even the dress of the time really paint a picture of a time period not often portrayed in fiction.

There are still a few of these places and castles standing today which you really should visit:

Dinefwr Castle 4300, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire SA19 6PF

St David’s Cathedral

Booktrailer Review

Clare:

I knew nothing of this time period but although the book was based on fact, the author explains that he’s changed events and characters to suit the book. However this is still a good book to get a decent picture of what must have gone on during he time of the Norman period of history.

I did find the names a bit of getting used to, but then I did when I read anything about the War of the Roses so I think that might just be me. There isa guide to pronunciation in the from of the book which helps.

I love history and historical novels but there just seemed too much detail in this one which made it quite heavy for me. I did enjoy finding out about the history period and the Kings’ battles but it was the parallel stories of the Queens and daughter Nesta which made it more rounded. It’s often more insightful of what goes on, when you step away from the battlefield and the female characters and the memorable Annie Apples who made this novel more rounded in my opinion.

This is also a very violent and graphic book. Difficult to stomach in places but necessary and probably realistic. Overall however, it was confusing to read and quite heavy. Still puts Wales on the map though and I do feel as if I know a bit more of Welsh history than I used to. I think that this would work more if you’re of the Games of Thrones fan club.