Poor Æthelflæd was largely ignored by the chroniclers of her time and has been little more than a footnote in modern history books. David Stokes has gone back to primary sources in England, Ireland and Wales to gather together the known facts about the Lady of the Mercians.
The period from King Alfred's death until the arrival of William the Conqueror has been mostly avoided by historical novelists. Now, at last, the years in which England became a country ruled over by.one monarch form the backdrop to this story.
The author brilliantly evokes a time of harsh justice, royal jealousies, and feuds between Christians and pagans. I loved the characterisation and the author's ability to fill in the gaps of known history.

Just brilliant!
Absolutely loved this book.
The historic detail had my heart pumping and my mind wanting to research everything the author was referencing.

*'Do not read on if you prefer living quietly by the rules and staying out of trouble. Our lords do not want you to hear this story. It tells of a woman who brought the Angles and Saxons together to create England. Yes, it was a woman.
Not a king, nor a warlord, nor a magician. A woman.
There are men who want her story to remain untold so they can take the glory. Have courage. Turn the page. Read the Truth.' *

That powerful prologue above, hooked me right away!!
Thank you so much to this author for sending me a copy of his amazing book and natgalley for the ebook. As someone who adores historical fiction and this era, was excited to read a book about thelflad, Lady of the Mercians.
David Stoker gives us readers a well researched story about a remarkably significant figure in England's history.
A woman who helped shape a United England, thelflaed.
And what a voice he gave her, beautifully written. Her strength and leadership in a male dominating world was awe-inspiring. She achieved so much with barely any recognition. I found this book to be a fascinating tribute to a forgotten historical woman who absolutely deserves more acknowledgment and appreciation!!
If you love (or like me obsessed over The Last Kingdom and Vikings) I highly recommended reading this book, especially if you feel passionately about supporting indie authors. David is lovely, and I particularly liked finding out that David is originally from Norfolk.

David Stokes' King Alfred's Daughter picks up after the death of the king, as challenges to his son's succession begin to amount. The novel follows Aethelflaed, Alfred's first daughter, who ultimately becomes the Lady of Mercia.

If you're interested in early British history, or are a fan of series like The Last Kingdom, this is a great book to check out. It's interesting to see another fictional portrayal of Aethelflaed, a fascinating historical figure that seems to be often overlooked.

I was interested in this book having watched and enjoyed the Last Kingdom on tv
The author has done thorough research and produced a gripping read about a little know historical character

The story of Æthelflæd, the daughter of King Alfred is told in an engaging way. Stokes brings to life of the little-known story of Æthelflæd, Alfred’s eldest daughter to life with a strong and pretty much forgotten ruler.
She had to fight hard for her position when Alfred’s eldest son, known as Edward the Elder, took the throne after Alfred’s death in 899. The power play is captured as to when Edward tried to take control of Mercia at a time when Æthelflæd’s husband was struck down by a stroke.
She is depicted with steely resolve, fair but politically very astute. Not afraid to seek the opinion and views of others, compassionate about her people, reflective about her abilities. Æthelflæd with strong nerve and assertiveness triumphed and she was gradually recognised within Mercia as an effective ruler. A massive achievement being a woman in those times.
There are some great bloody battles, and many risky situations negotiated and you feel part of. Edward and Athelstan did get the credit for uniting England but without his eldest daughter, Aethelflaed Lady of the Mercians, Alfred’s dream could not have been recognised.

King Alfred's daughter is about King Alfred the Great's his eldest daughter Aethelflaed, who was Lady of the Mercians.

The books starts with Alfred's death, as Aethelflaed's younger brother Edward presumes succession to the throne and starts to make controversial changes. His claim to the throne disregards a pact that his father made with his uncle and it emerges that perhaps the title should have passed to Edward's cousin Aethelwold. This causes much political conflict and Edward's increasing intereference in matters over Mercia also makes life difficult for for his sister. To make matters worse Aethelflaed's husband Athelred's health is declining and his status as ruler of Mercia hangs in the balance.

The unstability within the Anglo-Saxons kingdom could weaken them, particularly with the increasing attacks from the Danes. Unusually for a woman at the time Aethelflaed takes on many of her husbands roles and bravely attempts to strengthen their boundaries and ward off attacks

The story is told from the perspective of Aethelflaed, in a diary-type narrative. The voice of powerful women from this era of history is almost unknown of so this is an interesting slant on events.

I must admit that I got a bit confused in the middle as there are a lot of names to remember, all of which sound quite similar! The author does helpfully provide a list of names and explanation of their roles at the start of the book, which can be referred to.

A fascinating read for those interested in the political and social history of England.

I was fairly familiar with this history from Bernard Cornwell's Last Kingdom series. This was nowhere near as well written. Historically accurate I'm sure (although I doubt they had sprouts back then, or had a choice of grilled trout for breakfast, or that the Lady of the Mercians "swigged" her ale), it was just a list of I did this, then I did that with no nuance or insight at all.

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

This is a Lovely read of a forgotten feminist hero- enjoyed finding out the true English history- recommended to anyone who enjoys history

I really enjoyed reading this book - a well-researched blend of historical fact and fiction.

Although I've read several books where Æthelflæd was mentioned, I had no idea of the full extent of her achievements. It is a great shame that she was in effect written out of the "official" records in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle, but lucky that her achievements were recorded in other texts such as the Mercian Register. I could understand her brother - Edward - wanting to downplay her role, but would have expected Athelstan (who described her as his "beloved foster mother") to give her due credit.

The author has obviously spent a great deal of time researching the background to this novel, and this book has inspired me to read further into the history of these distant times.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

This book appealed to me because I had watched a programme by Michael Wood in which he talked about Athelflaed, the Lady of the Mercians.
Athelflaed was the daughter of King Alfred, married to the king of Mercia. They had one daughter and then , reading between the lines, the king had a severe stroke and Athelflaed took over. This was rare in those times, but she managed it. I would say she was a force of nature. Sometimes this book shows that and that she had to let her brother Edward of Wessex think that things were his ideas and ultimately, take the credit.
It was an easy read which I did enjoy.

I'm a big fan if The Last Kingdom and the happenings of England at that time. While the women in that appear strong they are over shadowed by the men. So seeing Æthelflæd's story from historical research was an interesting book I couldn't pass up.

And it doesn't disappoint. Strong, fierce and worthy of her own history been told. King Alfred's daughter is an insightful read for English history and female history.

As the times were so tumultuous it does lurch from battle to skirmish, but avoids filling in lulls with fictional melodrama. Several time jumps push the story to the next conquest some that the casual history lover may recognise. Along with places I certainly didn't know had paid such an important role in history.

Grab this book for a weekend historical jaunt and prepare to learn about the read figure who united England.

A fascinating read into the life of Æthelflæd, the Lady of the Mercians and daughter of King Alfred.

Women are so often overlooked for the roles that they play in history and this well researched book allows the narrative to be played for Æthelflæd’s flæd - a warrior queen and major strategist.

The book flows written as the timeline unfolds, spoken from Æthelflæd’s perspective. There are descriptions of empathy (fostering her nephew Athelstan - later known as the first King of a united England) of strategy in battle and of pragmatist - the continued fortification of land and founding of churches.

The author’s writing showcases Æthelflæd’s strengths clearly, she is written as a likeable leader and with humility.

I’d I had to change one thing - it would be to honour and to celebrate Æthelflæd in the title of the book, rather than for her to be hidden as King Alfred’s daughter.

This book was gifted by NetGalley as an ARC in return for an honest review and I would like to thank the publishers and author for this opportunity.

Aethelflaed, daughter of King Alfred and Lady of the Mercians, ensured the independence of Mercia, with her husband the king and in his illness under her own authority. She negotiated Mericia's place under the overall authority of her brother, somewhat unwise heir of Alfred of Wessex, and kept the Vikings at bay. This biography is a great retelling of her story and of the position of women in 900's. Read and enjoy.

It's been a while since I've read any historical fiction (I'm usually a romance reader) so I was expecting to find this hard going. I was wrong. The writing hooked me from page one.

If you've read (or seen the TV series) The Last Kingdom, then you'll be familiar with Æthelflæd, along with some of the other characters who crop up. I'll admit—that's what drew me to this book. Plus I grew up near Wednesbury, where there's a monument to Æthelflæd, so she's always been a fascinating character to me.

It's obvious that the author really knows his stuff. The information and details are incredible, however, this can sometimes feel like an exposition overload which is a shame as it detracts from the character development and often slows the pace.

This didn't put me off though.

All in all, It's a refreshing and entertaining tale and a fantastic tribute to a woman who deserves greater acknowledgment in our history books and classrooms.

This book was overall an interesting read. The story of Æthelflæd, the daughter of King Alfred is told in an engaging way. It is worth a read, as a historical fiction and also to learn a few not so known facts about the daughter of King Alfred, Æthelflæd.

Restoring Æthelflæd, daughter of King Alfred, to her rightful place in history.

Stokes's knowledge of his subject is undeniable. And fictionalising an historical character or event can bring that person or event to life.

The battle scenes are truly vivid, and I loved the detail about the beehive as a weapon.. However, the quieter moments are less engaging, with wooden dialogue and rather too much exposition. giving the impression that the author is shoehorning all his expertise into the narrative at every opportunity. So much so that at times the narrative becomes less of Æthelflæd than of Stoke's own voice, such as when she refers to her mother as 'mother' and Ealhswith on the same page. Elsewhere, the author deems it necessary to over-explain, as when Æthewold is deceived by the reeve of Braydon.

As much as I was invested in this moment in history, the voice of King Alfred's eldest daughter fails to convince.

My thanks to Netgalley and Troubador Publishing Ltd for the ARC.

Interesting historical study. Stokes writes with a sense of agency, spinning through historical events to shape the formation of England - if you've read Cornwell's The Last Kingdom, you'll be in familiar ground here, multiple of the same figures crop up. It's not hard to make the comparison, and I like the first person narrative that Stokes gave Æthelflæd - it's more of a character being used to show the events that happened than an exploration of the character; I would have liked more development with most of them but they're distinctive enough to stand on their own.

We get to explore the weight of leadership in these times and Æthelflæd's decisions; and the book feels a bit rushed with the pacing having to tie everything together, breezing over the end of her life - I almost think this could've been a duology, there's too much to cover in one book.

Yet what we do get is worth the read: the battle sequences are compelling, engrossing and had me enthralled. The author's note at the end gives more context to why so little is known about Æthelflæd - there was plenty of propaganda that diminished her impact, and it's good to see it executed here in a way that gives a spotlight to the character that's ultimately, a refreshing perspective compared to Bernard Cornwell's and has me keen to read more of David Stokes. The voice of certain historical key women from history is so little told any perspective helps; and the diary approach lends a touch of authenticity.

A well written page turner. For fans of historical fiction and for those who loved the series The Last Kingdom, this book is a must. The book begins in 899 with the death of Alfred the Great and the succession of his son Edward. Æthelflæd is the daughter of Alfred and sister to Edward. She was married off to the much older King of Mercia, Æthelflæd comes in to her own. She leads Mercia intelligently, builds up Mercia's defences against the Danes and her brother Edward's expansion plans. Æthelflæd takes Athelstan, Edwards first born son who was discarded on Edwards remarriage in favour of a second son. She leads her armies into battled, founded new towns, was an excellent diplomat.

Our titular character is well fleshed out by the author, bringing her to life by using contemporary sources and archaeological evidence.. She was a trailblazer who the first woman to govern an Anglo Saxon state.An excellent blend of history and fiction. The information lists at the start of the book are invaluable of keeping track of who is who. Particularly with names that are similar. The historical notes at the end give a timeline of events that helps put the story into the historical context. as is the map showing England at the time of Æthelflæd and showing the places of battle.

I was gifted a copy of this book by Netgalley for an honest review. Opinions are my own.