Reviewed by Alyson J.
August 23, 2005
"...an amazing story unlike any I've read in this time period..."
One Knight Stands, the second book in Jocelyn Kelley's the Ladies of St. Jude's Abbey tales, is an amazing story unlike any I've read in this time period (12th Century England). The quest of Elspeth Braybrooke to find a legendary stone enchanted by Merlin of King Arthur's time is thrilling, action packed, and filled with emotional turns on every page!
And I have to say the characters are so realistic and authentic that the story engulfs you from the first page.
As the story opens, we find ourselves at St. Jude's Abbey, a sanctuary established by Queen Eleanor of Aquatine as a secret training ground for warriors...of the female persuasion. We quickly find that the Queen has come to set Elspeth Braybrooke on a quest to save the King from an old Welsh curse.
Elspeth travels from England into Whales in search of a mythological stone that the King "might" step on when he returns from his journey into Ireland. If he steps on this mystical stone, it is believed it will bring about his death.
While dangling from the side of a castle wall, she meets a Welsh Prince named Tarran ap Llyr. Tarran is on his own quest to avenge the murder of his wife. The two, along with other various members of Tarran's household, travel together and ultimately join forces to accomplish their missions. And along the way, an endearing, passionate love between Elspeth and Tarran develops despite the entertaining arguments that only act to further the excitement of this tale.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Jocelyn Kelley is a superb writer who has definitely garnered an entire shelf on my "keepers" bookcase. In fact, I had a very hard time putting it down once I started reading and believe it should come with a warning: May cause loss of sleep!
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Book Description for One Knight Stands
She was trained at St. Jude’s Abbey in the knightly arts — but her heart has no such defenses...
In twelfth-century England, St. Jude’s Abbey is no ordinary sanctuary of prayer and ritual. Established by Eleanor of Aquitaine, it trains young women in the knightly arts, as well as martial arts from the East. In times of trouble, these formidable women are called upon to protect the royal family and England. Elspeth Braybrooke is one such woman…
At the bequest of the Queen, flame-haired Elspeth leaves St. Jude’s for Wales in search of a cursed rock — the “Llech-lafar” or “Speaking Stone.” For a prophecy warns that if the King should step upon it, he will die.
While riding along the coast, Tarran ap Llyr — bastard grandson of Princess Nest — comes upon a strange sight: a red-haired beauty hanging from a castle’s arrow slit. But Tarran is shocked to discover that Elspeth is trying to get into the castle rather than falling out of it.
Elspeth recognizes in Tarran a kindred spirit. He, like her, is a well-trained warrior — though where she is free-spirited, he is stern and guards his secrets closely. And Elspeth knows that on this quest, any Welshman is not to be trusted — especially one whose very touch blinds her to every other thought…
