The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett is an excellent historical fiction and addition to the Kingsbridge series. This installment is a prequel to the current books at the books sets the reader smack at the end of the dark ages for England at 997CE.

The trio of stories and intertwining is exquisite and what Follette does best. There were heroes, villains, goodness overcoming evil, romance, suspense, backstabbing, and twists thrown in for good measure.

What I loved the most was the wonderful literary descriptions of landscapes, buildings, culture, society, and day to day lives of the people at this time. I learned so much about society and England during the dark ages to add to my previous knowledge. It was definitely a great book. I loved every minute of it (but I love the series as well).

Excellent 5/5 stars

Thank you Viking/Penguin Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

I can’t believe it is thirty years since the brilliant Pillars of the Earth was published. This is the prequel starting in 997 at the end of the dark ages. It is not hard to see why they were called the dark ages reading about the chaotic, lawless times with a weak king in Ethelred and a corrupt church ruling the country. Over 60 years before the battle of Hastings brings William the Conqueror to rule this book introduces Ragna ,the daughter of a Norman lord , marrying into a Shiring family who shock her with their dissolute ,brutal ways. Aldred, a monk and a young boatbuilder whose life is brutally changed by Viking raiders. Life was hard and basic and it is amazing anyone survived as long!
The book is well researched and goes along at a cracking pace. I couldn’t put it down and enjoyed it every bit as much as the previous ones. Thanks to Netgalley and McMillan for the opportunity to review.