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Title: I Serve: A Novel of the Black Prince

Author: Rosanne E. Lortz

Narrator: James Young

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-18-17

Publisher: Madison Street Publishing

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

A tale of arms, of death, of love, and of honor.

Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Hundred Years' War, I Serve chronicles the story of Sir John Potenhale. A young Englishman of lowly birth, Potenhale wins his way to knighthood on the fields of France. He enters the service of Edward, the Black Prince of Wales, and immerses himself in a stormy world of war, politics, and romantic intrigue.

While campaigning in France, Potenhale develops an interest in Margery, a spirited lady-in-waiting with a close-kept secret. He soon learns that Sir Thomas Holland, a crass and calculating baron, holds the key to unlock Margery's mystery and possesses the power to overturn all of his hopes.

When the Black Death strikes Europe, however, Potenhale realizes that the fiercest enemy does not always appear in human form. Seeing the pestilence as a punishment for the sins of his generation, he questions his calling as a knight and considers entering the cloister. Margery or the monastery? Torn between losing his soul and losing the love of his life, he finds friendship with a French knight who might - just possibly - help him save both.

Members Reviews:

GREAT read, can't wait to see more from this author!

I am rarely called upon to write a review, because most of the books I read have been thoroughly reviewed by so many people that there's nothing new I could add. However, this book has an egregious lack of comments, and I have to do my part to rectify that.

I have read a LOT of history and historical fiction, most of it based in this general time period. I'm constantly searching for new books in this genre that are well-written and engrossing. I want to read a slice-of-life wherein the characters aren't given modern-day sensibilities (I'm just about as feminist as they come, but an independent woman in 12th century France is laughably unbelievable). A romantic interest is acceptable, as long as it doesn't overpower the story. More than anything, I want to feel as if I am a part of the story, as if I am actually in the time period that's being written.

If the above description of ME sounds like YOU, then you owe it to yourself to read this book. Not only does this book fit my requirements as outlined above, it is the perfect combination: a relatively simple storyline told with beautifully complex language. The characters are believable, the history is accurate (at least as far as I know) and the ending is satisfying.

In case you're wondering, Ms. Lortz's style reminds me of Sharon Kay Penman - it's not an "easy read" but frankly, I don't WANT one. I really appreciate that the language was not "dumbed down" to appeal to a wider audience. I want to read more by Ms. Lortz, and I want to read it NOW. :) Please, keep writing!!!

Reminds me of a Thomas B. Costain novel...in a good way

This book is marketed as historical fiction that is similar to more recent books such as Phillipa Gregory or Elizabeth Chadwick's novels. But that is a misrepresentation that ill-serves this novel. Those authors usually put as their focus the relationships of their protagonists, and their active involvement in shaping their lives in times of the past.

This book would more accurately be described as a story of the personal evolution of Sir Potenhale.