Here Be Dragons
by Sharon Kay Penman
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Book Summary Information
Author: Sharon Kay PenmanEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-05-27
ISBN: 0312382456
Number of pages: 720
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Book Reviews of Here Be Dragons
Book Review: A good book, but certainly not a 5 star
Summary: 4 Stars
I read this book because a friend recommended it. I can't say that I loved it (although it was enjoyable), and yet I couldn't seem to put it down either. I think there is a lack of focus in the book. It seems to me that the author couldn't decide who she wanted to write a book about....Llewelyn? King John? Joanna? I can get past this initial "lost" feeling to some extent, because the characters do seem to intertwine so much and some of their stories are helpful for character development (as the story continues, there starts to be a stronger focus).
The part that bothered me the most was (as some have mentioned) the name-dropping. I get that the author knows the history of these people and in some ways I can understand her wanting to write the accuracy of what occurred (and yet in other instances totally straying from history)...and yet...I found myself confusing people (since many of the names are repeated) and not caring about them or how they were related to the story. Why introduce the readers to John's sister Joanna? or even Eleanor of Aquitaine (although admittedly she was an entertaining character). Why focus so much attention on John's wife? I still can't quite distinguish all the characters with the name William. All the instances of "so and so famous lord" taking over "such and such keep"....totally bored me and seemed to have little to do with the main plot. I think we get it...these people were always fighting over land and they were continuously changing sides. If Penman wanted to write a historical book then it makes sense...but then I can't explain why everything wasn't historically accurate.
It boils down to this: Figure out your audience and write to them (romance or historical fans?). Figure out who your main characters are and focus on them. Other characters need to relate back to them. Finally, leave out all the gobbly-gook that bogs down the fun.
All that being said...I did like the story (hence the 4 stars) and felt compelled to keep reading....but am asking myself, "Do I really want to start Falls the Shadow?"
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