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The King's Falcon

Book 3 in the series:Roundheads and Cavaliers

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'The King's Falcon' by Stella Riley is the third installment in the 'Roundheads and Cavaliers' series, set in 1650s England and France during the English Civil War. The book intricately weaves together the intertwined romances of Ashley and Athenais, and Francis and Pauline, against a backdrop of political intrigue, historical events, and personal challenges. The story delves into the complexities of the time period, portraying the hardships faced by royalists in exile and the struggles of individuals amidst a tumultuous historical backdrop. With a mix of action, adventure, romance, and historical accuracy, the book offers a detailed and immersive reading experience.

Characters:

The characters are realistic and well-crafted, featuring complicated relationships that drive the narrative forward.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is authentic and immersive, combining thorough historical detail with deep emotional storytelling.

Plot/Storyline:

A rich narrative weaves together espionage, romance, and the historical backdrop of Charles II's exile, illustrating the personal and political challenges faced by the characters.

Setting:

The setting is vividly portrayed, offering an authentic backdrop that enhances the story's emotional and historical weight.

Pacing:

The pacing enables an in-depth exploration of character arcs and historical context, though it may begin slowly for some.

Notes:

The King's Falcon is the third book in Stella Riley's Roundheads and Cavaliers series.
The story follows characters during King Charles II's exile in France after Charles I's execution.
Ashley Peverell, a Royalist spy and soldier, is a central character, alongside his friend Francis Langley.
Athenais de Galzain is an actress in Paris, who becomes romantically involved with Ashley.
The story explores themes of love, political intrigue, and the harsh realities of life during the English Civil War.
The narrative includes difficult subjects such as sexual violence and witch hunts, offering a somber reflection on the era.
The novel weaves between various character arcs, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories.
Historical figures like Charles II and Cyrano de Bergerac appear alongside fictional characters, blending fact with fiction seamlessly.
The romance between Ashley and Athenais contrasts with the more complicated relationship of Francis and Pauline, an actress and mentor.
The book has a detailed focus on the struggles of Royalists in exile, painting a vivid picture of their circumstances.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The story includes sensitive content related to rape, sexual violence, and disturbing historical practices such as witch hunts, making it suitable for readers aware of such triggers.

Has Romance?

The King's Falcon prominently features romance between its main characters, with two main couples experiencing significant relationship development.

From The Publisher:

B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree!

A tale of war and witchcraft … plots and playhouses … love and loyalty.

Charles the Second's attempt to reclaim his throne ends in defeat at Worcester. With only the clothes on their backs, Ashley Peverell and Francis Langley flee to Paris where Ashley, known to some as the Falcon, resumes his secret work for the King.

Beautiful and street-wise, Athenais de Galzain has risen from the slums of Paris to become the city's leading actress … but along with success comes the attention of a powerful nobleman, accustomed to taking what he wants.

Ashley and Athenais are drawn together with the force of two stars colliding. Ashley, lacking money and often forced to risk his life, has two priorities; to guard the King from a dastardly plot hatched in London … and to protect Athenais from the man who would destroy her. Both will test him to the limits.

The King's Falcon follows the Cavaliers' last crusade and poverty-stricken exile whilst taking us behind the scenes in the playhouse. There is danger, intrigue, romance … and more than one glimpse into darkness.

(The book contains a rape scene which is germane to the plot.)

What readers say of The King's Falcon:-

" Like the first two books in this series, The King's Falcon is rich in period detail, whether it be the bloody Battle of Worcester, the unjust witches trials, the behind the scenes workings of the Théâtre du Marais or the plight of the exiled Royalists in Paris, Ms. Riley seamlessly blends fact and fiction, creating a strong sense of time and place ."

" If you like your historical fiction meaty and sweeping, and with a large cast of characters - and I do - then read this book. This is the third of Stella Riley's Roundheads and Cavaliers quartet of novels and fully lives up to the standards of The Black Madonna and Garland of Straw . These are big books, compelling and well researched ."

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