This is the best Medieval story I've ever read!

books:

	• In Honor Bound DeAnna Julie Dodson Crossway Books, 1997 - 320 pages average customer review:based on 11 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Compelling story and sympathetic characters

In this first book of her trilogy, the author does a wonderful job of creating characters the reader comes to truly care about. Dodson's strength is in delving into the psyche of her characters and in conveying believable emotions, especially when Prince Philip loses the love of his life in the most horrible way. His reactions and his subsequent relationship with his father, the king, who had her tried and executed, are not only wrenching, but subtly and authentically drawn. His relationship with Rosalynde, the woman he is forced to marry in her place is equally tortured and wholly convincing. The reader can't help but feel deeply for both these characters as Rosalynde seeks to win Philip's love, while he struggles to deny his growing love for her and remain faithful to the love he lost so tragically.

Since the story isn't tied to a definite place and time, it has the feel of a fantasy or an allegory, which serves to sharpen and intensify Dodson's great themes of forgiveness and redemption. For a debut novel, In Honor Bound is very well done.

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This is the best Medieval story I've ever read!

I have never read a Medieval story that I've enjoyed as much as this one. Ever. Maybe because the passion in this novel is so real and so impressive that it left me breathless more than once! Heck, I was in love with Philip! In Honor Bound was such a great story, in fact, that I read the book in just three days (and if I hadn't had to work I would've finished it sooner.)

There is so much depth to In Honor Bound. The characters are incredibly well done. The conflict was so good that it literally had me turning the pages. The love story was so intense. The marriage, the bedroom tension, the romance, wow! I felt no watering down of passion, no lukewarmness of faith or storyline. This was a powerful novel that invoked so much emotion in me, I just loved every minute of it. And that unconditional love Rosalynde had for Philip was truly admirable and Christ-like.

I felt so badly for Philip in the beginning of this book. I was so swept up into this novel that the pain in my heart for this man couldn't seem more real. His grief was so well done as was the coldness of heart in order to cope with the pain. Nothing in this story felt contrived at all. These characters were so real to me. I experienced the same pain of betrayal as Philip.

Plus, the male POV was so expertly done! I didn't think Philip would ever get past the excruciating emotional damage, but through the story and one conflict at a time, you could see God's hand on Philip's life. But his pride almost cost him everything. The scene where he finally gives everything to the Lord took my breath away. It was that awesome and realistic. Oh, and the blood and guts were pretty powerful to the storyline, too. There's no pussyfooting around the issues and sanitizing of the brutality in that era done here. The author used all of the senses and the description was so well done I truly felt like I was pulled into the story itself.

I used to read a lot of these types of books but they were often too descriptive in the sex department. However, this story is so beautifully written and emotionally deep that I have yet to read a more romantic tale that includes the husbandly duties to his wife. Fabulous, passionate, intense fiction. That's what In Honor Bound was for me. In fact, I enjoyed the fantasy world so much that I plan to read the next two books in the series as well. This series sucked me in as much as Francine Rivers's Mark of the Lion Series. It's THAT good.

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A Medieval delight!

Prince Philip's first love is considered unacceptable to his father King Robert. When his scheming advisor Dunois contemplates the unthinkable, King Robert becomes complicit in an event which devastates Philip's soul.

Lady Rosalynde's first meeting with Philip, while they were still children, changed her heart forever and nothing pleases her more when she discovers her father and King Robert have arranged for her marriage to him. Her joy is soon corroded by Philip's cold heart and his implacable commitment to contain his emotions. Rosalynde determines to love her husband anyway but when betrayal and war closes in around them, Philip's failure to forgive may destroy them all.

In Honor Bound is replete with all you would expect from a medieval romance, kings and princes, war and treachery, devotion and grace. DeAnna Julie Dodson doesn't stop there ~ she has developed fascinating multifaceted characters who struggle with their demons time and again, in ways that are authentic and compelling. Philip's angst over wrongs perpetuated upon him by his father is palpable and Rosalynde's devotion in spite of his rejection, a powerful reflection of God's love. An excellent beginning to a trilogy I would love to complete reading!

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Great Series

I have found such depth in this series of books, In Honor Bound, By Love Redeemed and To Grace Surrendered. I have recommended it to all my friends and believe it should be promoted in home school circles. Parents are looking for stories which can be used as literature studies.
Set in the medieval period, the stories contain adventure, intrigue and chivalry. The characters possess human frailties as they struggle against their fleshly desires and seek to find God's will.

Wonderful!

I read this years ago and love it as much, if more, than I did then. Miss Dodson has a wonderful way of depicting genuine characters -- with real feelings and struggles all the while acknowledging a real need for a real Savior! Simply, a well-written book that you just can't put down.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

His father will stop at nothing at all to keep the royal bloodline "pure"--even murder. But his sins have nearly destroyed Prince Philip and the future of his reign.

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