Book Review: The King’s Niece by Isabella Berdyna Zysk

The King's Niece is a historical fantasy set in a medieval-like world. Robbie is the king's niece but she has never met her uncle. In fact, she's forbidden from leaving the eastern lands of Penrith to journey to the west, where the royal palace is. Until that is, her cousin and best friend Margo, the king's daughter Princess Margaret Rose, asks her to. The two had spent the last six years together at convent school, and now that Margo was of age to marry and was called to return to the palace, she wanted Robbie with her. Neither of the two young women have any idea of the threats that lay over Margo's head from the notorious Maulds people, whose chieftan wants her throne.

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An enjoyable medieval fantasy read as we meet an orphan named Robbie who escorts us through this tale. When the Kings own daughter comes to stay at the Convent to be schooled due to the King's re-marriage to a young maiden. Robbie and Margaret discover their cousins and their family’s sordid past. When it is time for Margaret to return to the palace to be married Margaret implores Robbie to come with her. Hiding her family red locks Robbie gives in posing as Margaret’s personal servant.

The King’s Champion Sir Cadwalder is sent to bring Margaret back to the palace. Robbie’s instincts instantly grow suspicious of him. Then at the place, Robbie catches Sir Cadwalder secretly meeting someone at the water's edge. What is he up to? Why is Margaret’s betrothed keep backing down? When the Prince of Keswick arrives for Margaret’s initial wedding, he is then asked to receive Margaret’s hand. The danger then ensures as Sir Cadwalder's deviousness is revealed. Can love be found amongst the chaos?

Not my normal genre I found this book quite enjoyable. The author pulled me in this adventurous tale of secrets and medieval espionage set among Kings, Queens, and kingdoms. 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Isabella Berdyna Zysk was born in Michigan, raised in southern California and central Virginia, worked and lived in several states and foreign countries, and now resides in Florida where she enjoys retirement.

Her interests include the writings of Jane Austen and William Shakespeare, horses, trees, sustainable farming, and art.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Book Review: The Queen’s Brother by Isabella Berdyna Zysk

The Queen's Brother is a historical fantasy set in a 

medieval-like world. Elisedd, the common-born
half-brother of Queen Aldegunda, is sent to another kingdom to learn what he can of the characters of two suitors for her hand. 

In the process, he uncovers evidence of a conspiracy by another kingdom to conquer both of theirs through sabotage and murder.

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To learn more about her would-be suitors, Queen Aldegunda uses the help of her brother Elisedd to find out more about them. Posing as a traveling Pilgrim Elisedd encounters and befriends Lady Felicity of Ruba along with her brother the Duke of Ruba. Who just his luck is one of the said suitors of Aldegunda. Amongst the friendship making, Elisedd discovers a plot of villainy from a neighboring kingdom that could threaten both their kingdom and Ruba’s. Can this treacherous plot be stopped?

Isabella Berdyna Zysk writes her world and her characters with a poet flair. Every character is charming and Zysk own wit sneaks into them. If you like historical fantasy, you will embrace Berdyna Zysk’s new world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Isabella Berdyna Zysk was born in Michigan, raised in southern California and central Virginia worked and lived in several states and foreign countries, and now resides in Florida where she enjoys retirement.

Her interests include the writings of Jane Austen and William Shakespeare, horses, trees, sustainable farming, and art.