European Royalty discussion

Please discuss Chapters 1 through 7 here.

Who's reading this one?
I am! I've loved Seton in the past, though I've read a couple of hers...
Anyway, I was excited to give this one a try. Especially since I recently found an original (1965) copy in mint condition at a thrift store - paid just $1 for it :D

All that said, though...
I'm not loving it yet. I'm only on chapter 4, though, and in my experience Seton books only get better as you go along, so I still have high hopes for this one!

I just started it....I am only at chapter 1 but enjoying so far.

I read this about five years or so ago. I recall loving it a lot, but I was totally enraptured with Seton by that time.

Just starting this today--can't wait!

I am almost finishing it but I won't spoil ....

I've not long finished Avalon. Am I alone if finding Rumon a rather unsatisfactory hero?

Barbara, I must agree with you, at least in this first part of the book.

Laaura, oh good, I was beginning to think I was being a bit crass ! I find his vacillation and self absorption really tedious ( and he gets no better, not even at the very end to my mind)
I am sorry though, for his being burdened with Breca's secret, the keeping of which gets harder and harder. But his behaviour to the poor 'savages' is pretty morally unforgivable I think. Not that I;m into missionaries and conversion , but some human compassion would have been nice

I do love the journey part, Merewyn and her innocence and poor misplaced Caw and Trig - you just know they are not going to have a good time, no spoilers intended.

not at all, I felt quite disappointed with Rumon as an hero....

Ick - I never even considered Rumon a "hero"!
He is a thoroughly dissatisfying male lead. What a self absorbed, self important whiner!
Definitely not a fan.

I totally agree with you Mandy!!

I'll second Mandy and Laura--Rumon never did it for me. I thought that he was supposed to be better than he was, sorta like that piece of cake you see in the store window, and when you finally get it, you realize it's dry with frosting that isn't quite right. . .

I just finished Chapter 7. I'm enjoying the book so far. I don't have a lot of experience with this time period or historical fiction in general, so it's interesting to try something new. I agree with Sawyer about feeling transported back. Seton does such a good job setting the scene. I also agree with all of you about Rumon so far. I hope he redeems himself in the second half, but so far, he's pretentious and more than a little pathetic.

" he's pretentious and more than a little pathetic"

Brigid - I think that is a very good description of Rumon! . I started this anti Rumon thread back in message 8 a little tentatively,so am feeling quite relieved now.

I don't think he ever really redeems himself, although he does at least become resolved on a course of action. A very well drawn character to be able to cause us such annoyance I think,don't you? you?