‘As the drawbridge came down and I ventured in, I was not disappointed. In fact I remember nothing of what happened in my every day life until I came out at the end. The level of detail and care and attention which has gone into this novel is spellbinding but it never gets in the way of the plot. A brilliantly woven tapestry of historical intrigue where I felt as if I’d been part of the novel, and part of Nest’s life and I missed her for a while afterwards.’

‘The second volume of a trilogy based on the life of Nest ferch Rhys, the Welsh princess who was one of the many mistresses of the English king, Henry I. The resurgence of the Welsh resistance to Norman rule threatens to destabilise her life. A subplot focuses on the nun Benedicta and her involvement in the network of spies run by King Henry’s politically astute sister, Adela de Blois. Tracey Warr’s meticulous research conjures vividly the domestic life, the courtly intrigue and the brutality of the age. I thoroughly recommend this book, which immerses the reader so deeply in its world.’ Mary Fisk

‘Nest ferch Rhys’ brother Gruffudd ap Rhys is gathering support in an attempt to reclaim his Welsh kingdom, putting further strain on Nest’s loyalties as she becomes torn between her Welsh past and her Norman present. I knew nothing at all about Nest before reading these books and I have resisted looking up the details of her life, so I never had any idea what was going to happen next and could just enjoy watching her story unfold and knowing that I was learning something new along the way.’