Eleanor and The Iron King by Julie Daines: A Book Review

Eleanor and The Iron King
Author:  Julie  Daines
Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: August 1, 2015
Pages: 224
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Eleanor de Lacy has been bartered: her hand in marriage in exchange for a truce with her father's sworn enemy. Now the headstrong beauty must leave her ancestral home and the man she secretly loves to become the wife of the infamous Welsh King Brach Goch. Tales of this cruel leader paint a chilling picture of a ruthless warrior—all Eleanor knows for certain is that he is the villain responsible for the vicious attacks on her people and the death of her beloved brother. Though she must marry against her will, she vows Brach Goch will never possess her heart.
     Her arrival at the inhospitable castle Bryn Du confirms her worst fears—a ghost walks the halls of the castle, and Eleanor receives an ominous warning from the uneasy spirit: Brach is not to be trusted. Though resigned to a life of misery, Eleanor soon realizes all is not as it seems, for Brach is not the monster she dreaded but is a handsome and charming man whose gentle ways soon undermine his bride's resolve to lock her heart. Clinging desperately to her pride, Eleanor finds herself trapped in a web of murder and deceit. And as the lines between good and evil become blurred, Eleanor must decide for herself who is to be trusted—and loved.

      My Review: Eleanor arrives to enter into an arranged marriage to the Welsh king Brach Goch. She has heard terrible stories about him, one that includes him killing her brother.  Fearing the worst, she prepares her future to be full of misery. When she arrives, she sees a ghost walking along the gloomy castle and her fears are confirmed. However, she is surprised and astonished by Brach’s kindness to her. Yet, with the ghost’s warnings, she realizes she is in danger. In order to save her own life, Eleanor must truly understand who Brach Goch is and to unravel her future husband’s darkest secrets.

      Eleanor is a conflicted character. Eleanor is intelligent and stubborn, and yet she realizes that her life is often decided for her among men because she is a pawn for her father and the Welsh king. However since they day she arrives at Brach Goch’s castle, she grows stronger every day. She tries to figure out what she wants in life and to make her own decisions. She also tries to adjust  to her new life, and to understand her new country and its ruler. Another thing I like about Eleanor is that she is not a damsel in distress, and she can save herself.

      Overall, this story is about friendship, love, duty, and choices. The message of this book is to follow your heart and that you have the ability to create your own happiness. With a fast-paced plot, a great cast of characters, and a gloomy setting, with a ghost mixed in, it makes a fascinating story. It was a very enjoyable read, and I would advise you reading this story at night, if you want an extra eerily thrill. This story is perfect for fans of Beauty and The Beast, Jane Eyre, and Rebecca.

 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Comments

  1. Thanks for reading and for the great review! It's people like you who make me love writing!

    ReplyDelete

  2. Thank you for the compliment! I greatly appreciate it!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blog Tour: Lilli de Jong by Janet Benton: A Book Review

Image
Lilli de Jong by Janet BentonPublication Date: May 16, 2017 Nan A. Talese Hardcover & eBook; 352 Pages Genre: Fiction/Historical/Literary

READ AN EXCERPT.
Source: This book was given to me by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: A young woman finds the most powerful love of her life when she gives birth at an institution for unwed mothers in 1883 Philadelphia. She is told she must give up her daughter to avoid lifelong poverty and shame. But she chooses to keep her.
     Pregnant, left behind by her lover, and banished from her Quaker home and teaching position, Lilli de Jong enters a home for wronged women to deliver her child. She is stunned at how much her infant needs her and at how quickly their bond overtakes her heart. Mothers in her position face disabling prejudice, which is why most give up their newborns. But Lilli can’t accept such an outcome. Instead, she braves moral condemnation and financial ruin in a quest to keep herself and…
Read more

Blog Tour: Guest Post by Beverly Scott: The Inspiration of Family Role Models

Image
Today's guest writer is Beverly Scott. She is the author of Sarah's Secret. It is a western novel about Sarah and Sam, who shares their stories about the Western Frontier. In this guest post, Mrs. Scott writes about the people who inspired her novel. I hope you will find her story to be enlightening. If you find this post to be inspirational, please pick up a copy of Sarah's Secret! Thank you, Mrs. Scott!






The Inspiration of Family Role Models     Years ago, one of my favorite aunts came for a visit when I was in my mid-thirties experiencing a low point in my life.  She gave me a life-long gift by reminding me of the role models I had in the strong women in my family.  From them, I could always find inspiration and direction.




     Both of my grandmothers had been school teachers.  My paternal grandmother, Ellen, also became a school superintendent.  Ellen was a great cheerleader and encouraged me to succeed in school, get good grades and go to college.  My maternal grand…
Read more

Blog Tour: Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery

Image
Author: L.M. MontgomeryNarrator: Colleen WintonLength: 8 hours 20 minutesPublisher: Post Hypnotic PressSeries: Anne of Green Gables, Book Three Genre: Classics Anne of the Island was published in 1915, seven years after the best-selling Anne of Green Gables, partly because of the continuing clamor for more Anne from her fans - a fan base that continues to grow today!In this continuation of the story of Anne Shirley, Anne leaves Green Gables and her work as a teacher in Avonlea to pursue her original dream (which she gave up in Anne of Green Gables) of taking further education at Redmond College in Nova Scotia. Gilbert Blythe and Charlie Sloane enroll as well, as does Anne's friend from Queen's Academy, Priscilla Grant. During her first week of school, Anne befriends Philippa Gordon, a beautiful girl whose frivolous ways charm her. Philippa (Phil for short) also happens to be from Anne's birthplace of Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia. Anne, always the good scholar, studies hard, but …
Read more