Review - King Alfred’s Daughter by David Stokes

 

 

Title: King Alfred’s Daughter

Author: David Stokes

Pages: 348

 Publisher: The Book Guild

Release Date: 22nd March 2023

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

King Alfred is dead and the achievements that made him great are in jeopardy. Rebels challenge the succession of his son Edward to the Wessex throne, and his old ally in Mercia is sick. The Vikings in the Danelaw sense the time has come to complete their conquest of England. It falls on Alfred’s firstborn, his daughter, Æthelflæd, to unite the Anglo-Saxons. Reluctantly, she takes up the challenge. But can a woman rebuild ruined towns and lead men into battle against hardened Viking warriors? And can Æthelflæd fulfil her father’s dream of uniting England? Based on contemporary sources and archaeological evidence, King Alfred’s Daughter is rich in drama, family conflict and historical achievement. 

 

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My Review:

 *I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to The Book Guild and NetGalley*

When King Alfred, Æthelflæd's father, dies, her brother takes his place on the throne.

There are some who do not support Edward's rule, and as their enemies in the Danelaw stir, Æthelflæd finds herself drawn into the conflict.

I first heard of Æthelflæd when I visited some local ruins and saw her name on an information board, so when I then, not very long after, came across a fiction book about her life, I was interested to read it.

Æthelflæd was a relatable and likeable protagonist. She didn't always get on with her brother, had been sent away from home to marry, and cared a lot about her people.

The setting of the late 800's to early 900's England was interesting, especially when Æthelflæd described her plans for places that were local to me and I have visited.

The plot was enjoyable overall, but the pacing was a little off in places and there were some unexpected time jumps.

The novel is written from Æthelflæd's perspective as a memoir, which I liked for the most part.

I am hoping that the novel being called 'King Alfred's Daughter' and not something like 'Lady of the Mercians' was intentional given that the point of the novel is to bring Æthelflæd to people's attention, and not to write her off as just someone's daughter.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.