Here Be Dragons
by Sharon Kay Penman

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Book Reviews of Here Be Dragons

Book Review: A beautiful beginning to a wonderful trilogy
Summary: 5 Stars

Joanna's childhood is miserable until she is brought to her father John, then only a count and bitterly envious of his brother Richard the Lionheart. John is an excellent father, but also a good politician. Needing an alliance with unruly Wales, he betroths his young daughter to Llewellyn, Prince of Gwynedd. Joanna is horrified; all she knows of Wales is that the people are considered barbarians. Her first meeting with Llewellyn, on their wedding day, would have ruined their married life if not for the fact that her husband is a kind man and sensitive to her unease.

In fact, Llewellyn is the most sympathetic male character I've encountered in a historical romance who wasn't also completely unbelievable. Llewellyn doesn't shower his bride with flowers, or court her into bed--but their marriage is consummated after the funniest display of jealousy you'll find in a novel. (Poor Joanna, is all I can say). A leader of men, Llewellyn fights to unite Wales against England, and constantly battles John for his country's independence. The battle between father and husband tears at Joanna's loyalties, which Penman describes with skill; at no time does she hint that Llewellyn is going to win Joanna over completely, or that John won't have a greater hold on Joanna's heart.

The other family battle is between Joanna and Llewellyn's oldest son Gruffydd, who hates his father's wife as deeply as he loves his father--and even that is poisoned by his jealousy of their closeness. Gruffydd and Joanna are bitter enemies; Joanna's maneuvering of the uncontrollable Gruffydd is damnable save for the fact that she acts for her own son Dafydd's safety. (Brothers were traditional antagonists in Welsh history). Of course their hatred almost destroys them both: Gruffydd ends up in exile after Joanna tricks him into an explosive rage, and his wife Senena springs a trap on Joanna that nearly costs her Llewellyn for good.

This story is incredible, not only for Penman's rich telling of it, but also for the event that threatens Joanna's marriage. I did dislike Penman's handling of Joanna's reasons for committing infidelity . . . but the scene of Joanna and Llewellyn's reconciliation is too powerful to argue with.

It's too bad you can't find this book in hardback, but the trade paperback is nicely done. Perhaps Penman might persuade her publisher to find some new cover artwork--a portrait of Llewellyn Fawr and Joanna on the front would spike sales of this book even higher. And most of her fans would appreciate it.

Summary of Here Be Dragons

Wales Books

• Books > Subjects > History > Europe
• Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Action & Adventure
• Historical
• Literary