The Forest and The Flames (The Chronicles of Matilda, Lady of Flanders #2) by G. Lawrence: A Book Review

The Forest and The Flames (The Chronicles of Matilda, Lady of Flanders #2)

Author: G. Lawrence 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: G. Lawrence 

Book Release Date: 2017

Pages: 486

Source: Borrowed 

Synopsis: Autumn, 1066

      The Battle of Hastings is done. The struggle for England begins.

        Matilda, Lady of Flanders, Duchess of Normandy, rules as Regent of Normandy for her husband, Duke William. William has won the Battle of Hastings, but Saxon England does not wish to surrender to him as King. As William sets England to flame, Matilda waits in Normandy for the time to come when she can claim her crown. Through bloodshed, battle and struggle will England be won, but even as Matilda rejoices for her new power, a prophesy is spoken, linking the fates of her children to the wailing voices and horrific images in dreams which come to haunt her. Matilda comes to understand that God is watching, and is not pleased with what He sees. As Matilda battles to save her children, she finds she must stand against her own husband, in order to protect the lives, and immortal souls, of her sons and daughters.

       Through heartache, discord, battle, rebellion and slaughter, the fate of England, and the future of the house of Normandy, will be decided.

      The Forest and The Flames is book two in The Chronicles of Matilda, Lady of Flanders, by G. Lawrence. 

       My Review: The Forest and The Flames is the sequel to The Heart of the Conqueror. In this historical novel, Matilda of Flanders’s husband, William the Conqueror, has just defeated the Anglo-Saxon king, Harold II. However, the Saxons refuse to acknowledge William the Conqueror as their king. In the meantime, Matilda of Flanders waits in Normandy as her husband embarks on a quest to claim his throne. As Matilda waits for the day to be crowned queen of England, she hears a prophecy that her dare in danger. Matilda of Flanders fights to keep her children safe no matter the cost.

       In The Heart of the Conqueror, I found Queen Matilda to be a very unlikable character, and I struggled to get invested in her story. However, in The Forest and The Flames, Queen Matilda has significantly improved as a character. I found her to be a very strong queen. She wants to win the approval of her subjects and be warm to them, especially when her husband commits ruthless deeds. She is a very compassionate woman and is disgusted by her husband’s cruelty towards his people. Matilda is also shown to be a very loving mother who is not afraid to oppose her husband to protect them from his anger. Therefore, Queen Matilda has matured as a character. I couldn’t help but pity her as she struggled to keep her family together.

        Overall, this book is about family, loss, and choices. I thought that all of the characters were more developed and fleshed out than the first novel. The Forest and The Flames seemed a more mature book than its predecessor. It did an excellent job in showing the hardships and turmoil of a marriage. I found the plot to be more compelling than the first novel. It is not as repetitive or drawn out as The Heart of the Conqueror. I also liked the historical details, and it is clear that this novel is meticulously researched! The Forest and The Flames is perfect for fans of royalty! I recommend this book for fans of The Forever Queen, The Shadow on the Crown, and The Handfasted Wife!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars