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Hilary Benford
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Sister of the Lionheart: A Novel in the Time of the Crusades (Joanna Plantagenet) Kindle Edition

by Hilary Benford (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 out of 5 stars 30 ratings

A feisty medieval English princess finds adventure in the Sicilian royal court and the Crusades in this epic historical series opener.

Joanna is the strong-willed daughter of King Henry of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Close to her brother Richard Lionheart, she grew up at courts in France and England. From jousts to the infamous Courts of Love, from family quarrels to international intrigues, Joanna’s youth was spent in the thick of it all.

With her ambition to become a queen, like her much-admired mother, Joanna marries King William of Sicily and is swept away to a court that is a crossroads for Normans, Italians, Jews, Arabs and Byzantines. She is furious when she learns that her husband William possesses a harem—but she refuses to accept it in silence, acting like a true descendant of Vikings.

That is only the beginning of Joanna’s adventures. When Jerusalem falls to Saladin, her husband and The Lionheart make plans to go on Crusade. And Joanna persuades Richard to let her accompany him.

This historical epic introduces a strong and truly unforgettable heroine, Joanna Plantagenet, whose drive and persistence helped change the course of history.

Praise for Sister of the Lionheart 

“Chock full of historical events and people about which much has already been written, what makes this particular Plantagenet novel so appealing and readable is Benford’s ability to create a believable, lovable and altogether dynamic character in Joanna. She is the glue that holds this marvelous, oft-told story together, this time from a new perspective. . . . I am waiting (impatiently) for the next Joanna book and highly recommend this installment.” —Historical Novel Society
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  1. Print length
    415 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    WordFire Press
  4. Publication date
    July 4, 2016
  5. File size
    4.4 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hilary Foister Benford grew up in England. As a child, she experienced the blitz bombings of World War II around London. She has a degree in French literature from the University of London and also studied in Cambridge, Strasbourg and Paris. As a student, she worked various jobs in France as waitress, hotel receptionist, chambermaid and switchboard operator. She taught English at a French high school for a year and then taught French in both England and California. She married an American physicist and they have two children. She co-authored Timescape with her brother-in-law Gregory Benford in 1980. She has traveled extensively in 40 countries and still loves to travel. She has made a point of visiting all the sites where Joanna, sister of Richard Lionheart lived, from Fontevrault to the Holy Land, from Sicily to Toulouse. She has a lifelong interest in history, languages, the Middle Ages, and her hobbies include genealogy, cooking, crosswords and reading mysteries. She currently lives with her husband in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BTSFMNL2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ WordFire Press (July 4, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 4, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.4 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 415 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 30 ratings

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Hilary Benford

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Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
30 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engrossing, with one mentioning it held their attention to the end. The historical accuracy receives positive feedback, with one customer noting its historical depth.

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5 customers mention "Engrossedness"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engrossing and thoroughly entertaining, with one mentioning it held their attention to the end.

"...read, reason being that it had such historical depth , but it was very engrossing...." Read more

"...It was maybe a little bit tedious in places, but absolutely worth reading. If there'll be a book no 2, I'll abslutely read it!" Read more

"Great novel one one of my favorites Plantagenets, Joanna, Queen of Sicily, Countess of Toulouse!..." Read more

"...I was thoroughly entertained." Read more

3 customers mention "Historical accuracy"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical depth of the book.

"...It was not a quick read, reason being that it had such historical depth , but it was very engrossing...." Read more

"...of Queen Eleanor and Henry Curtmantle were strong and convincing for historical personages...." Read more

"...It was really interesting to read about this part of history through Joanna Plantangenet viewpoint. I was thoroughly entertained." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kathleen Ingram
    5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing read!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book about Joanna who is my number two favorite Plantagenet, Eleanor being number one. It was not a quick read, reason being that it had such historical depth , but it was very engrossing. There is not a great deal written about Joanna and her relationship with her parents, so this one was very much appreciated by me.

    Hilary Benford wrote a fine novel, and I am excited that there will be a sequel. Very much appreciated was the fine author's note, medieval glossary and genealogy of the royal families who were involved, as well as a great map of 12th century France. I enjoy this period as my Norman Irish maternal line worked for the Norman kings beginning with John and his son Henry.
    I feel pretty sure that the novel was very close to how things transpired. Joanna was very a sympathetic character and held my attention to the end. Recommended to all who like medieval historical novels and this family and era.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Irene Högberg
    4.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading
    Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this book very much. It was maybe a little bit tedious in places, but absolutely worth reading. If there'll be a book no 2, I'll abslutely read it!
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  • Boonedog
    2.0 out of 5 stars I hate giving a bad review
    Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    After reading many books on Henry II, I found this book about Joanna which has good reviews. Did I miss something? I'm halfway into the book and it's written for teenagers. Joanna is still "living at home" so to speak, still having to be carried and lifted so she can see in the crowds. Joanna isn't even betrothed yet, let alone going on a crusade! Not recommended for those who are familiar with Henry II and Eleanor.
    One person found this helpful
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  • shackettb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and colorful
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Great novel one one of my favorites Plantagenets, Joanna, Queen of Sicily, Countess of Toulouse! I really enjoyed how the author brought to life through her childhood and first marriage. The characterizations of Queen Eleanor and Henry Curtmantle were strong and convincing for historical personages. I am not getting the usual heroic vibe as I read the Richard Coeur de Lion scenes. Perhaps the author portrays him more human and less godlike than the legends made him.

    Can’t wait to read Joanna Crusader!
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  • patsy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I didn't know anything about this part of history. I heard of Richard the Lionhearted and Thomas Beckett but didn't really know anything about it. It was really interesting to read about this part of history through Joanna Plantangenet viewpoint. I was thoroughly entertained.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Dorothy S. Messerschmitt
    5.0 out of 5 stars and the reader wishes only the best for her
    Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Joanna, the main character in this novel, is a compelling individual, both the daughter of a king and later the wife of a king. Her tale begins in childhood, and the hardships of medieval life quickly become apparent, even for a woman of high royal birth. Joanna could be viewed as a modern feminist. These views complicate her life considerably, especially when she learns after her arranged marriage that her husband, the king of Sicily, has a harem. Despite all, Joanna is indomitable, and the reader wishes only the best for her. There is a glossary of medieval terms at the end of the book which is essential!
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Sarah
    5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed the book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2017
    I really enjoyed the book. At first I thought it was too complicated with too many characters and I had to keep looking up their relationship - there is a guide at the beginning to who's who. But after a while I got into it found it fascinating and enjoyed the storyline. The book is mostly set in France and Sicily and by the end of the book I was looking up late medieval maps of France and studying the places where the action occurred. I've never thought much about this era before - so this book opened my eyes to what was happening in Europe (and a little in the Middle East) during the times of the crusades. Looking forward to reading the follow up book!
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  • Gregory A. Benford
    5.0 out of 5 stars It propels you through a life well researched, amid detail that makes that era come alive
    Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2017
    This striking view, of how tough life was even for royalty in that distant age, propels you through a life well researched, amid detail that makes that era come alive. Plus a sequel to come--into the Crusades!
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on February 23, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting and easy to read
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great historical novel which I really enjoyed
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 21, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great historical novel which I really enjoyed.... cant imagine the amount of research required for this story.
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  • BenmaricKindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sister to The Lionheart. By Hilary Benford.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    What an interesting read. Joanna doesn't seem to have many books written about just her. I have been trying to find one ever since I finished the Lionheart Saga by Sharon Penman a few years ago. A good read Miss. Brentford. Looking forward to the concluding book.
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  • Hilary Foister
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Thoroughly researched and an engaging story.
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  • caroline cotton
    1.0 out of 5 stars One Star
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 27, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    dreadfull could not finish it if going to write a historical novel at least get the facts right.
    Report

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