My review of this book appears in Historical Novels Review Issue 87 (February 2019):
This is the sequel to Vantrease’s The Queen’s Promise, a narrative of King Charles I, Queen Henrietta Maria, and the English Civil War. Readers who have not read the first volume will find that Vantrease begins this volume very much in media res; most of the main characters are suspended between the losses they have suffered so far and their determination to survive the disasters to come. The feeling of regrouping, unfortunately, carries through most of the novel, as the large cast of point-of-view characters waits, quite literally, for the axe to fall. The impending demise of England’s monarchy eliminates any kind of suspense in the plots that concern the Queen or her children’s loyal protector, Lucy Hay, the brave and passionate Countess of Carlisle. The only characters with choices to make are her fictional ones, James Whittier and Caroline Pendleton, a dashing gambler-turned-printer and a determined street vendor-turned-titled widow, whose affection for each other is obvious to everyone except Caroline.
Vantrease, while a master at evoking the everyday challenges of living in war-torn London, is less adept at romantic tension, and unfortunately, there’s little else to give this narrative any kind of forward motion. The military and political turmoil of the 1640s was astounding, but in this novel it only serves as a muted backdrop to the wary courtship of two frustratingly reserved lovers.

Brenda Vantrease gives us a historical novel of the English Civil War with Milton, and Queen Hentrietta Maria as active characters. Caroline Pendleton, a widow, and Lady Carlisle have to balance Crown and Parliament facttions and wartime hardships.

What a treat for fans of historical fiction featuring women. I'll admit to being hazy on the English Civil War and England in the 164os so some of this was, to put it nicely, a struggle for me which was quickly solved with a little internet research. Caroline, Lucy, and Queen Henrietta Maria are all in different places in their lives and in the social strata (although Caroline is really the odd woman out) but all must cope with the impact of war, deprivation, and double dealing dogs. I had not read the first novel (and wish I had if only to better appreciate the scenario). I'll definitely look for another. Thanks to net galley for the ARC.

A really like this historical fiction, an entertaining and engaging read.
It's a good mix of historical and fictional characters, all well written and interesting.
The plot is good, it never bores, and keep you reading until the last page.
I will surely look for other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC

A Far Horizon by Brenda Rickman Vantrease, Severn House, 2019. Volume II of The Broken Kingdom series.

Set mostly in and around 1643 London, this book brings the first English Civil War to life as seen through the eyes of three women coping with changing circumstances largely outside their control.

The book is well written, rich with dialogue that is easy to follow and descriptions that are easy to visualize. I was only disappointed when it ended, as the level of detail and number of characters led me to suppose it would be a longer book.

I expect that most of the characters were introduced in The Queen’s Promise, the series’ first volume. I did not read these in their intended order so was glad to find that the historical notes at the end of the book indicated which were fictional characters, and which were historic figures, so web searchable for more information. Searching backward through the e-book also helped sort out some of the relationships between characters.

I recommend anyone with an interest in English civil war fiction read A Far Horizon (after reading The Queen’s Promise).


Disclosure: I received a review copy of A Far Horizon free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

‘All of England simmered. In the halls of Parliament, tempers flared.’

In the summer of 1643, the civil war between King Charles I and Parliament is well underway. Neither side is prepared to back down, and no-one is safe, not even non-combatants. The focus of this novel is on three women who are fighting for their survival. Caroline Pendleton is a young widow, fending for herself in London. Tensions are high, food is scarce, and she has to share her home with billeted soldiers. Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle, has conflicting allegiances to both Crown and Parliament. She treads warily, in the hope of avoiding exile or worse. For the unpopular Queen Henrietta Maria, another exile to France is unwelcome, but will provide her with a haven. She does not wish to leave the King or her children, and her latest pregnancy will make escape difficult.

While I’ve not yet read ‘The Queen’s Promise’, the first novel in Ms Rickman Vantrease’s Broken Kingdom series, I know enough about the English Civil Wars to appreciate the history. Ms Rickman Vantrease weaves her story around actual events and historical people by introducing plausible fictional characters (such as Caroline Pendleton) to provide differing personal perspectives on events. Those of us conversant with the history of the period know how it will end (and those who are not can find many answers by searching online). But Ms Rickman Vantrease’s characters are living in these events, uncertain as to how and when the civil war will end. And it’s this uncertainty which Ms Rickman Vantrease captures so well.

I enjoyed this novel and will seek out ‘The Queen’s Promise’ to read. Knowing the history is one thing, but an effective writer of historical fiction can bring people, place and events to life. If you are interested in historical fiction set in 17th century England, you may also enjoy this novel. As I did.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith