Nest of The Gyrfalcon: Book Two of the Story of Eleanor of Aquitaine (The Heirs of Anarchy #6) by G. Lawrence: A Book Review

Nest of The Gyrfalcon: Book Two of the Story of Eleanor of Aquitaine (The Heirs of Anarchy #6)

Author: G. Lawrence 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: G. Lawrence 

Book Release Date: 2024

Pages: 342

Source: Borrowed 

Synopsis: Spring 1152.

      Once she was a Queen, and will become so again...

      Eleanor of Aquitaine has escaped her marriage to Louis of France, as well as various lords bent on capturing her and forcing her into marriage with them, and is safe in her homeland once more. Sending a message to Henry, Duke of Normandy, Eleanor arranges her second marriage, this time to a lord of her choosing, a man already in possession of an empire of his own, an heir to the English throne about to take back the crown stolen from his mother, the Empress Matilda. 

      Through civil war, uprisings, and political turmoil, Eleanor, once Queen of France, will rise to become Eleanor, Queen of England, fierce defender of her children, and dedicated leader of her people. 

      Nest of the Gyrfalcon is Book Six of the Heirs of Anarchy, and Book Two of the Story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, by G. Lawrence.

       My Review: Nest of the Gyrfalcon immediately picks up where Daughter of the Sun ended. Eleanor's marriage to King Louis VII of France has been annulled. She quickly enters into a marriage with Henry, the Duke of Normandy. Henry is a claimant to the English throne. He wages a war against his cousin, King Stephen. Henry makes a truce with King Stephen and becomes his heir. When King Stephen dies, Henry and Eleanor are proclaimed king and Queen of England. However, Eleanor realizes that her marriage with King Henry was not what she had expected. Instead, her dreams of a happy marriage crumble as she realizes that she is not the first person in King Henry’s heart.

     Eleanor is a very romantic woman. She yearns for a passionate marriage with her second husband because her first marriage was not. However, she feels betrayed in her marriage backing Henry does not value and love her as she wished to be loved. I sympathized with Eleanor because she is often pushed to the side as Henry pays more attention to other people. Eleanor is also full of jealousy and is very vindictive. I also found her to be a very strong woman because she decides to live for herself and not for Henry. Therefore, I cannot wait to see what future installments await her!

     Overall, this novel is about love, betrayal, and marriage. I found all of the characters to be very compelling and realistic. I also liked the setting of medieval England and France, and I felt like I was walking alongside Eleanor of Aquitaine! I did think that this book was very repetitive. Nevertheless, I found it to be an enjoyable and easy read! I can’t wait to read the next book, Eaglets! I recommend this book for fans of Jean Plaidy, Sharon Kay Penman, and Norah Lofts!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars