Oswiu: King of Kings by Edoardo Albert (Book Review!)

Oswiu: King of Kings (Book 3 of The Northumbrian Thrones)

By Edoardo Albert

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Fiction / Christian / Historical

Published by- Lion Fiction

Copyrighted- 2015

Number of pages- 560

Age Group- Adult (Men especially)

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $16.99, ISBN 978-1-78264-118-6

Penda King of Mercia has killed Oswald King of Bernicia.  He wants to kill Oswiu, Oswald’s brother.  He isn’t able to.  He strings parts of Oswald’s body up, and that spot becomes sacred.  Oswiu sets off on a mission to bring Oswald’s body back.  He succeeds, but Penda and Oswiu are even more bitter enemies than before.

Who will live?  What will happen with their children?

This book also contains a synopsis for books one and two, a list of characters, glossary, and a historical note.

About the Author-

Edoardo Albert has written for Time Out, History Today, and Minerva.  He is also a historian.

My thoughts-

One of my favorite time periods to read and learn about is the 1800 American West.  My other favorite time period to read and learn about is the time around when King Arthur could have lived. 

Oswiu: King of Kings, was interesting.  I enjoyed learning more about one of my favorite time periods.  I did think that this book was a bit long.  I personally found the first 200 pages to take a long time to read.  It was after Oswiu married Eanflaed that it became more interesting. 

I enjoyed the historical note at the end of the book.  It was fun learning about the history that this novel was based on.  I found the character list a great help.  I needed it to help keep everyone straight, because a lot of the names seemed the same.  The map and pronunciation guide were helpful as well.  I was grateful for the synopses of Edwin: High King of Britain and Oswald: Return of the King.  I appreciate it when authors put them in their book series. 

My favorite character in this book was Oswine.  He had the opportunity to change history by killing Eanflaed.  He didn’t he listen to his conscience and to Aidan.  Albert did a wonderful job of writing this book from a historical point-of-view.  I highly recommend it.

Here is my review of Edwin: High King of Britain.

Here is my review of Oswald: Return of the King.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Oswiu: King of Kings, by Edoardo Albert, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Oswald: Return of the King by Edoardo Albert (Book Review!)

Oswald: Return of the King (Book 2 of The Northumbrian Thrones)

By Edoardo Albert

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / Christian / Historical

Published by- Lion Hudson

Copyrighted- 2015

Number of pages- 448

Age Group- Adult 

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-78264-116-2

Cadwallon is now the king of Northumbria, but Oswald is the rightful king.  He has been exiled for many years on the island of Iona with monks and his brother, Oswiu.  He has learned to fight with courage, but he would much rather just be a monk.  The abbot would like him to be the person he is supposed to be.  The abbot needs a king who will help spread the faith. 

Will Oswald fight Cadwallon and win?  What will Penda, the pagan king do if Oswald becomes king?

This book also contains a synopsis for Edwin: High King of Britain, a list of characters, glossary, and a historical note.

About the Author-

Edoardo Albert has written for Time Out, History Today, and Minerva.  He is also a historian.

My thoughts-

One of my favorite time periods to read and learn about is the 1800’s and the American West.  My other favorite time period to read and learn about is the time when King Arthur could have lived. 

Oswald: Return of the King, was interesting.  I enjoyed learning more about one of my favorite time periods.  I did think that this book was a bit too long.  If around a 100 pages were eliminated, I think the book would have been a perfect length.  It is possible however that by doing that it would ruin the storyline. 

I enjoyed the historical note at the end of the book.  It was fun learning about the history that this novel was based on.  Since there were so many characters, I found the character list to be of great use.  The map and pronunciation guide were helpful as well.  I often referred to the glossary, because of the word, “wyrd.”  I kept thinking it meant word, but it means fate or destiny.  I was grateful for the synopsis of Edwin: High King of Britain.  I appreciate it when authors put them in their book series. 

My favorite character was Brother Aidan, because he was the most most likeable character.  He was also mentally and spiritually strong.  Oswald was not.  He needed to be a much stronger king.  He never should have been a king.  He was a good person though, because of all of the time he spent with the monks.

Albert did a wonderful job of writing this book from a historical point-of-view.  I highly recommend it.

Here is my review of Edwin: High King of Britain.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Oswald: Return of the King, by Edoardo Albert, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Edwin: High King of Britain by Edoardo Albert (Review)

Edwin: High King of Britain (Book 1 of The Northumbrian Thrones)

By Edoardo Albert

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / Christian

Published by- Lion Hudson

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 352

Age Group- Adult 

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-78264-033-2

In Edwin, High King of Britain, by Edoardo Albert, Edwin was the king of Northumbria, but he has been exiled.  His family has lived with other kings in the area, but they are now living with King Raedwald. 

Not only is it a difficult time for Edwin, but Britain itself is in turmoil.  The old ways of the Anglo-Saxon Gods and the new ways of the Christian God.  Which way will prevail?  Will Edwin live to become a new Christian?

This book also contains a list of characters, glossary, and a historical note.

About the Author-

Edoardo Albert is a journalist for Time Out.  He is also a historian.

My thoughts-

One of my favorite time periods to read and learn about is the 1800’s and the American West.  My other favorite time period to read and learn about is the time when King Arthur could have lived. 

Edwin: High King of Britain, by Edoardo Albert, was an excellent book.  Some of my favorite parts were the map, glossary, character list, the historical note.  I found the historical note especially interesting, because I did not realize that the Britons were mostly Christians.  I thought the Anglo-Saxons were Christians and not pagans. 

Edwin was an interesting character and I thought that he really grew as a person as he turned from the other gods to the one true God.  The priest of the old gods, Coifi, surprised me.  I thought he would stay with the other gods and worship them for the rest of his life.  He changed his mind and that helped Edwin and his cause.

Now, before I go and spoil the rest of it I will end.  This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about Britain many years ago.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Edwin: High King of Britain, by Edoardo Albert, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.