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kaylamatz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
westcoastchelle's review against another edition
2.0
This book started out so good. But the last half really felt like an historical info dump. Far less story/characters and more just "look at all the facts I know!"
Combine that with a massive cast so it was hard to keep everyone straight, and the book fell far short of my expectations.
Combine that with a massive cast so it was hard to keep everyone straight, and the book fell far short of my expectations.
ladyhighwayman's review against another edition
3.0
I've had the Morland series on my wish list for a while, so I jumped at the chance to start reading and reviewing the re-issues that Sourcebooks are putting out. I love books that chronicle many generations of a family, so to have an entire series with 30+ books dedicated to this concept is a dream for a geek like me!
Book one in the series, The Founding, isn't the start of the Morland family, but the start of its dynasty. Eleanor Courteney, ward of the Beaufort family, is set to marry Robert Morland, an arrangement that will supply the Morlands with the protection of the Beaufort name and the Beauforts with the Morland's money.
Eleanor is appalled to have to marry this sheep farmer, especially when she harbors a deep love for Richard, Duke of York. However, this union lays the groundwork for a great family dynasty. And the Morland family is thrown in to the midst of the War of the Roses. Eleanor's sons and grandsons find themselves in the middle of some of the most infamous battles.
I must admit, the medieval period is not something I'm greatly knowledgeable about, and the War of the Roses has always seemed too complex for me to ever fully understand, but The Founding has, believe it or not, helped me towards coming to understand this period in time. That's one of my favorite things about historical fiction: the good novels educate.
There are many characters to keep up with and, thankfully, there is a helpful family tree at the beginning of the book, which I used a lot. Since there were so many characters, I can't say I connected with a lot of them, really. Eleanor was the main character, the central figure, and I did like her, even though sometimes she wasn't all that endearing.
I can see myself becoming very enthralled with this series. There is no way I'm going to be able to not read the entire catalog. The Founding was extremely well written and is, so far, my favorite medieval set book.
Book one in the series, The Founding, isn't the start of the Morland family, but the start of its dynasty. Eleanor Courteney, ward of the Beaufort family, is set to marry Robert Morland, an arrangement that will supply the Morlands with the protection of the Beaufort name and the Beauforts with the Morland's money.
Eleanor is appalled to have to marry this sheep farmer, especially when she harbors a deep love for Richard, Duke of York. However, this union lays the groundwork for a great family dynasty. And the Morland family is thrown in to the midst of the War of the Roses. Eleanor's sons and grandsons find themselves in the middle of some of the most infamous battles.
I must admit, the medieval period is not something I'm greatly knowledgeable about, and the War of the Roses has always seemed too complex for me to ever fully understand, but The Founding has, believe it or not, helped me towards coming to understand this period in time. That's one of my favorite things about historical fiction: the good novels educate.
There are many characters to keep up with and, thankfully, there is a helpful family tree at the beginning of the book, which I used a lot. Since there were so many characters, I can't say I connected with a lot of them, really. Eleanor was the main character, the central figure, and I did like her, even though sometimes she wasn't all that endearing.
I can see myself becoming very enthralled with this series. There is no way I'm going to be able to not read the entire catalog. The Founding was extremely well written and is, so far, my favorite medieval set book.
vae's review against another edition
3.0
First in a LONG series following the fortunes of a family from the Wars of the Roses through to the twentieth century, and I'm very glad that they're now available in ebook format because that's a lot of content!
Eleanor, ward of Lord Edmund, is married to Edward Morland, the son of a prosperous sheep farmer, and that's the start of everything. The book follows Eleanor throughout her married life, from a new bride to a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, through politically turbulent times as her ambition drives the family from relative obscurity to the point where sons of the family are placed in the royal court and she is on familiar terms with the king (first Edward, then Richard - the family are staunch Yorkists). It's refreshing that Eleanor's determination and ambition are never treated as shameful or unwomanly, instead being honoured as the support of her family, although the narrative doesn't fail to acknowledge that she is far from perfect and maintains very firm control over her children's and grandchildren's marriages and lives.
I absolutely loved this series as a teenager - re-reading it now is highlighting how much my reading tastes have changed. The plot and history and politics rattle along at a fair old pace, with even more content than I'd expect for a decently long book, and all characters are definitely supporting cast to Eleanor. I'd prefer a little more time to get to know the characters as people, who they are individually, what drives them, what delights them, but with such a large cast and so much political turmoil to fit in, that's sidelined in favour of keeping history moving on.
Eleanor, ward of Lord Edmund, is married to Edward Morland, the son of a prosperous sheep farmer, and that's the start of everything. The book follows Eleanor throughout her married life, from a new bride to a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, through politically turbulent times as her ambition drives the family from relative obscurity to the point where sons of the family are placed in the royal court and she is on familiar terms with the king (first Edward, then Richard - the family are staunch Yorkists). It's refreshing that Eleanor's determination and ambition are never treated as shameful or unwomanly, instead being honoured as the support of her family, although the narrative doesn't fail to acknowledge that she is far from perfect and maintains very firm control over her children's and grandchildren's marriages and lives.
I absolutely loved this series as a teenager - re-reading it now is highlighting how much my reading tastes have changed. The plot and history and politics rattle along at a fair old pace, with even more content than I'd expect for a decently long book, and all characters are definitely supporting cast to Eleanor. I'd prefer a little more time to get to know the characters as people, who they are individually, what drives them, what delights them, but with such a large cast and so much political turmoil to fit in, that's sidelined in favour of keeping history moving on.
magdon's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good. Not the most well written thing I've ever read but a good yarn. A true family saga (and it continues for a zillion more books which you know I love). Not sure I agree with all her spins on history, but I do think she does a good job not anticipating the future (hooray for Richard III! he's going to be awesome!). I also liked how the wars of the roses didn't exactly impinge on the family. There were battles they took part in but on a daily basis it did not disrupt their lives. Looking forward to reading the others.
tarana's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful start. My Mom read this series years ago (it was only up to about book 18 at that time). Covers the period prior and just including Henry II.
bookthra's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
bibliojojo's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! Great historical fiction of the fifteenth century......I guess there are over 30 books in the Morland Dynasty Series and I would love to read them all over time, but am a bit frustrated as the library does not have them all.
shanbear16's review
4.0
This book is long and is a rather slow read. I get why: it's setting up a foundation (get it!?!) for a dynasty. However I was a little disappointed by the lack of character development. This novel, however, is great for its historical backdrop. I'll probably give the second in the series a shot as well.