Queen of the Darkest Hour - review

Queen of the Darkest Hour by Kim Rendfeld
Published by Kim Renfeld
Publication date: August 7, 2018
Source: Author/Publisher for an honest review


Description:

Family Strife Imperils the Realm

Francia, 783: Haunted by the Saxons’ attack on her home fortress, Fastrada obeys her father and marries Charles, king of the Franks and a widower with seven children and an eighth on the way by a concubine. As more wars loom, Fastrada’s greatest peril lurks within the castle walls: Pepin, Charles’s son by his embittered former wife. Blaming his father for the curse that twisted his spine, Pepin rejects a prize archbishopric and plots with his uncle and mother to seize the throne. Can Fastrada stop 

the conspiracy before it destroys the kingdom?

Based on historic events during Charlemagne’s reign, "Queen of the Darkest Hour" is the story of a family conflict endangering an entire country—and the price to save it.

My Take:

Because I had previously read and very much enjoyed Rendfeld's novel The Ashes of Heaven's Pillar, I was happy for the opportunity to read and review Queen of the Darkest Hour. As with The Ashes of Heaven's Pillar, Queen of the Darkest Hour takes place during the reign of Charlemagne. Instead of telling the story of a peasant family and how they survive the constant warring, we are presented with the story of Fastrada, Charlemagne's third wife. 

Little is actually known about her, so Rendfeld is free to bring this woman to life for the reader using her talents as writer and researcher to give us a plausible and very interesting version of her life as the much younger wife and step-mother of her husband's children. 

The novel is told from two alternating perspectives - one is Fastrada's and the other is her step-son Pepin, who hates Fastrada and his siblings. In the novel, Pepin has a hunchback and in some histories he did indeed have a hunched back. His physical deformity helps explain why he was skipped over in favor of his younger brother as heir and why he is destined for the church. It also works to explain his anger and hatred towards his step-mother and his siblings.

There is intrigue, betrayal, loyalty, love, hatred, lots of military discussion and plenty of historical detail to keep pretty much any historical fiction fan happy.  I felt that the author did a good job of giving the reader plausible and intriguing possibilities for the characters and events that occurred. I always enjoy reading Kim Rendfeld's books and Queen of the Darkest Hour is no exception. 

About the author:

Kim Rendfeld has a lifelong fascination with fairy tales and legends, which set her on her quest to write The Cross and the Dragon and The Ashes of Heaven's Pillar.

She grew up in New Jersey and attended Indiana University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and English, with a minor in French. If it weren't for feminism, she would be one of those junior high English teachers scaring the bejesus out of her students, correcting grammar to the point of obnoxiousness. Instead, her career has been in journalism, public relations, and now fiction.

Kim was a journalist for almost twenty years at Indiana newspapers, including the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, The Muncie Star, and The News and Sun in Dunkirk, and she won several awards from the Hoosier State Press Association. Her career changed in 2007, when she joined the marketing and communications team at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She gets paid to agonize over commas and hyphens, along with suggesting ways to improve writing, and thoroughly enjoys it. She is proud to have been part of projects that have received national recognition.

Kim lives in Indiana with her husband, Randy, and their spoiled cat. They have a daughter and three granddaughters.

For more about Kim, visit www.kimrendfeld.com, read her blog at www.kimrendfeld.wordpress.com, like her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorkimrendfeld, or follow her on Twitter at @kimrendfeld.

The Ashes of Heaven's Pillar Blog Tour and Review

The Ashes of Heaven's Pillar by Kim Rendfeld
Publication date: August 28, 2014 by Fireship Press
Source: Digital galley from Publisher for an honest review
Description:

Can love triumph over war?

772 AD: Charlemagne’s battles in Saxony have left Leova with nothing but her two children, Deorlaf and Sunwynn. Her beloved husband died in combat. Her faith lies shattered in the ashes of Irminsul, the Pillar of Heaven. The relatives obligated to defend her and her family sell them into slavery instead.

In Francia, Leova is resolved to protect her son and daughter, even if it means sacrificing her own honor. Her determination only grows stronger as Sunwynn blossoms into a beautiful young woman attracting the lust of a cruel master, and Deorlaf becomes a headstrong man willing to brave starvation and demons to free his family. Yet Leova’s most difficult dilemma comes in the form of a Frankish friend, Hugh. He saves Deorlaf from a fanatical Saxon and is Sunwynn’s champion — but he is the warrior who slew Leova’s husband.

Set against a backdrop of historic events, including the destruction of the Irminsul, The Ashes of Heaven’s Pillar explores faith, friendship, and justice. This companion to Kim Rendfeld’s acclaimed The Cross and the Dragon tells the story of an ordinary family in extraordinary circumstances.

My Take:

The Ashes of Heaven's Pillar takes place during a really interesting period in time - that transition period when a country is being conquered and religions are switching. Stories like this fascinate me - I am not sure why, but I am always interested in novels that take place during huge transitions. 

Another interesting thing about The Ashes of Heaven's Pillar is that the entire novel focuses on regular people - not knights or kings or wealthy women. They all make appearances in the novel, but the focus is on Leova and her children. They are normal every day people - farmers, really. Leova's husband is killed in battle defending their village and homes. This is tragedy enough, but then in a horrible twist, Leova's sister-in-law betrays them and sells them as slaves. At this point I was so upset, that I had to put the book down for awhile. Such horrible people! Fortunately, Leova, Sunwynn and Deorlaf are wonderful people and manage to survive and keep together for a time.

Leova and her children face so many difficulties. It really doesn't seem fair. Leova will do anything for her children. She makes some tough decisions, but she is always doing her best for her children. Both Sunwynn and Deorlaf try to help too, but Leova is older and wiser and tries to make sure they keep cool heads about them. Deorlaf, is of course, the wild card - now the man of the family and wanting to prove himself. I enjoyed reading about Deorlaf's adventures and was relieved to see evidence of his growing maturity. He does well for himself and is able to finally help his mother and sister. 

This was an enjoyable read, but the family was pitted against so many foes, it could be a bit depressing at times. It does give a really descriptive depiction of the plight of the slaves from war and the strangeness of adjusting to a new country, new language, and new religion. I found it refreshing that the book focused on regular people and upsetting that what happened to Leova and her children probably wasn't that uncommon. 

The Ashes of Heaven's Pillar is a book I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes a good historical novel - especially one that deals with transitions in power and religion. This book offers a unique and detailed look at a people who were witnessing the end of their way of life and a family that remains faithful to each other to the end.


About the Author:

Kim Rendfeld has a lifelong fascination with fairy tales and legends, which set her on her quest to write The Cross and the Dragon.

She grew up in New Jersey and attended Indiana University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and English, with a minor in French. If it weren't for feminism, she would be one of those junior high English teachers scaring the bejesus out of her students, correcting grammar to the point of obnoxiousness. Instead, her career has been in journalism, public relations, and now fiction.

Kim was a journalist for almost twenty years at Indiana newspapers, including the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, The Muncie Star, and The News and Sun in Dunkirk, and she won several awards from the Hoosier State Press Association. Her career changed in 2007, when she joined the marketing and communications team at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She gets paid to agonize over commas and hyphens, along with suggesting ways to improve writing, and thoroughly enjoys it. She is proud to have been part of projects that have received national recognition.

Kim lives in Indiana with her husband, Randy, and their spoiled cats. They have a daughter and three granddaughters.

Advance Praise for The Ashes of Heaven’s Pillar

“Carolingian Europe comes alive in Kim Rendfeld’s sweeping story of family and hope, set against the Saxon Wars. Her transportive and triumphant novel immerses us in an eighth century world that feels both mystical and starkly real.”  - Jessica Brockmole, author of Letters from Skye

“A captivating historical filled with rich detail, compelling characters, and a well-paced plot that keeps the pages turning to its very satisfying end. A true delight for fans of historical fiction. I couldn’t put it down.” — Susan Spann, author of the Shinobi Mysteries

“The Ashes of Heaven’s Pillar is refreshingly set in a less familiar medieval period – soon after Charlemagne has conquered a portion of today’s Germany and its people. The characters are refreshing also, common folk instead of the lords and ladies who are the usual inhabitants of historical novels, and how they adjust to their new condition is fascinating. Altogether, this book was absorbing from start to finish.” – Roberta Gellis, author of The Roselynde Chronicles