Holland turns her remarkable storytelling talents to the dark and bloody Ninth Century. Into this history rides a young warrior with the face of an angel and the heart of a lion. But a perilous secret may prove the young knights undoingfor the one known as Roderick is in truth a maiden princess named Ragny, who has taken up the sword to avenge the death of her mother and reclaim her own rightful crown.
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From Publishers Weekly
The prolific Holland (Jerusalem; Valley of the Kings, etc.), a commanding voice in the historical fiction genre, succeeds once again in illuminating a darkly glorious piece of the past, in this epic tale of warrior princesses and avenging angels set in ninth-century medieval Europe. Fluidly written and energetically paced, the story opens on Queen Ingunn's deathbed. The monarch's final wish is for her only child, Ragny, as the last remaining descendant of the line of Roderick, to claim her rightful position and become the new queen of Spain. King Markold, the queen's estranged husband and Ragny's disreputable father, plans to marry his daughter and claim the throne. Strong-willed Ragny escapes Markold and is pursued by Markold's sergeant, Seffrid. She convinces Seffrid to become her ally, cuts off her hair and escapes to Francia. Disguised as a man, Ragny, now known as Roderick, possesses the strength of a true warrior. And she has a secretDshe is protected by her guardian angel. With flashing sword, Ragny/Roderick saves a group of monks and the handsome Frankish knight, Leovild, from bandits; in return they take the fearless maiden and Seffrid to meet the king of Francia, Charles the Bald. A bloody medieval duel caps this tale of epic battles and heavenly light. Little distinguishes it from similar sagas, but Holland consistently satisfies her readers, and the book should prove a surefire, if fleeting, antidote to winter doldrums.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Holland refashions the venerable French legend of Roderick the Beardless into a fantastical medieval adventure. Threatened by her brutal father after the death of her beloved mother, Princess Ragny is forced to flee her small Spanish kingdom in disguise. As Ragny and her devoted manservant journey northward into a bitterly divided France, she transforms herself into Roderick, a bold and fearless knight capable of performing miracles on the battlefield. After Roderick comes to the attention and the assistance of the beleaguered Charles the Bald, the king of France insists that the celebrated young warrior marry his daughter. Despite her almost mystical powers, Ragny/Roderick experiences a gamut of all too human emotions as she herself falls deeply in love with Leovild, one of the king's most loyal and trusted commanders. When her true identity is exposed and she is sentenced to burn at the stake, only a severely wounded Leovild can save her from certain death. A potent blend of action, suspense, romance, and history. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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First Sentence
QUEEN INGUNN HAD MADE a mistake, and paid for it all her life, but now, with her life gone, she saw a way to make amends. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
QUEEN INGUNN HAD MADE a mistake, and paid for it all her life, but now, with her life gone, she saw a way to make amends. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Its hard to believe that Ms. Holland has written over 20 historical novels. After reading The Angel and the Sword it's hard to believe she's written 20 novels. This is the first book I have read by Ms. Holland, and it maybe the last. The writing was simplistic and the characters were uninteresting. The plot dragged on until I could no longer endure it and I put the book down. There are good historical novels out there, but this is not one of them. I am shocked and confused to see this book received such high ratings. If you are determined to read this book I would suggest borrowing it from your local library.
Format:Paperback
Cecelia Holland's Angel And The Sword tells of a young woman who takes the guise of warrior Roderick the Beardless in order to save her people. Holland brings history to life in a retelling of her story of courage.
By J. Peterson
Format:Hardcover
I thought this was a very good book--maybe not quite 5 stars good--but still good. Ragny, on finding out her father's plan to marry her (to himself), runs away. Seffrin, her father's man (or so it seems) chases after her on her father's order. Soon, he realizes that something protects her from harm, and allows her to accomplish her goals. They go to France & meet the King, save the kingdom, marry the princess.....you get the picture.
The plot is pretty typical--about the only twist is the force protecting Ragny--she never seems to be aware of it consciously. Others see it at times, but they discount it to sunlight.
I thought this was a good book because it was well written and mingled fact and fiction seamlessly. The book, if it had been any longer, would have been boring and too drawn out. It is just the right length for the story Ms. Holland was trying to present. I would recommend it for a quick read.
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3.6 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting at first... then sort of goes flat
I initially picked up this book because I had heard a lot of good things about the author. Unfortunately... I was somewhat disappointed. Read more
Published on Aug 24 2001 by Yoshitsune
3.0 out of 5 stars
All the cliches of "bodice rippers" without the strong plot
I've read and enjoyed several of Ms. Holland's novels. But the praise heaped on her by critics who use their reviews as handy platforms to bash other authors of historical fiction... Read more
Published on Aug 6 2001
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as Good as Many of her Books.
I was rather disappointed with this book. I just did not find the characters particularly riveting or memorable. Read more
Published on May 13 2001 by Judith A. Weller
5.0 out of 5 stars
All I can say is WOW!!!
This is an incredibly well detailed book, well written and extremely satisfying to the last page.
This is the story of a legendary hero of the 9th century called Roderick the... Read more
Published on April 8 2001 by Mary Chrapliwy
5.0 out of 5 stars
No ripped bodices here!
The Angel and the Sword by Cecilia Holland
Amid the bodice-ripping, puerile, and ultimately unsatisfying dreck that passes itself off as historical fiction, there are a small... Read more
Published on Jan 25 2001 by Stephen Richmond
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Angel and the Sword
I loved it. The day to day lives are so real. The first reviewer has written a perfect review. What I always like about Cecelia Holland's historical fiction is the way... Read more
Published on Dec 12 2000 by kay clark
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent historical tale
Late in the ninth century, Charlemagne's Holy Roman Empire appears heading for extinction. Not only are the Vikings and other barbarians at the gates of Paris, the great monarch's... Read more
Published on Nov 10 2000 by Harriet Klausner
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