I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Alfred, also known as the Second Son, must challenge all he has ever known to fulfill his father’s dream of keeping his kingdom safe from his power-mad brother in author Pamela Taylor’s novel “Pestilence”, the third volume of the Second Son Chronicles.
The Synopsis
At the dawn of the Renaissance, Alfred – the eponymous second son – must discover the special destiny foreseen for him by his grandfather. Now, the unthinkable has happened: Alfred’s brother is king. And it isn’t long before everyone’s worst fears are realized. Traditional allegiances are shattered under a style of rule unknown since the grand bargain that formed the kingdom was struck over two hundred years ago. These will be the most dangerous years of Alfred’s life, forcing him to re-examine his duty to personal honor and to the kingdom, while the threats posed by his brother constantly remind him of his father’s final words of advice. What choices will he have to make to try to protect the things he holds most dear?
The Review
As a fan of ancient history, especially the age of the Vikings and the Angelo-Saxon days of early Europe, it was a treat to see a setting in a similar fashion take center stage in this amazing read. Although I have not read the previous two entries in the series, the book does an excellent job of creating a story and atmosphere that holds strong on its own, although for character reference it is probably a good idea to read the first two books.
The author beautifully captured the tone and feel of a classic tale of ancient kingdoms and knights, warring kings, and politically driven family dramas. Although a fictional setting, the influence of history is evident in every page of this book and creates a unique flow of the story as the characters grow and evolve throughout this story.
The Verdict
A must-read novel, author Pamela Taylor has a smith hit with Pestilence, the third book in her Second Son Chronicles. Evenly paced and entertaining, the novel does a great job of leaving readers on the edge of their seats and sets up a cliffhanger ending that should take readers deep into the future of the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
Pestilence is available to purchase as a print copy and as an e-book at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. Be sure to add this to your GoodReads reading list too!
About the Author
Pamela Taylor brings her love of history to the art of storytelling in the Second Son Chronicles. An avid reader of historical fact and fiction, she finds the past offers rich sources for character, ambiance, and plot that allow readers to escape into a world totally unlike their daily lives. She shares her home with two Corgis who frequently reminder her that a dog walk is the best way to find inspiration for that next chapter.
You can follow her online at:
Author Website: https://pamela-taylor.com
Series Website: https://www.SecondSonChronicles.com
Twitter: @PJTAuthor
Instagram: PJTAuthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSecondSonChronicles
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51487326
Blog Tour Dates
June 22nd @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Join us as we celebrate the launch of Pamela Taylor’s blog tour for her book Pestilence. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win the first three books in her series “The Second Son Chronicles.”
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
June 23rd @ Lisa Haselton’s Review and Interviews
Stop by Lisa’s blog today where she interviews author Pamela Taylor about her book Pestilence.
http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/
June 24th @ Rebecca Whitman’s Blog
Visit Rebecca’s blog today and you can read Pamela Taylor’s guest post discussing the allegory (themes) embedded in the narrative of Pestilence specifically and the Chronicles generally.
https://rebeccawhitman.wordpress.com/
June 25th @ A.J. Sefton’s Blog
Visit A.J. Sefton’s blog and read her review of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
https://www.ajsefton.com/book-reviews
June 26th @ Jill Sheet’s Blog
Visit Jill’s blog today and read Pamela Taylor’s guest post about getting historical details accurate.
http://jillsheets.blogspot.com/
June 27th @ Storeybook Reviews
Join Leslie today as she shares Pamela Taylor’s guest post about her life with corgis.
https://storeybookreviews.com/
June 28th @ Reading is My Remedy
Visit Chelsie’s blog today and you can read her review of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
https://readingismyremedy.wordpress.com/
June 29th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit Anthony’s blog today and you can read Pamela Taylor’s guest post about the authors and books that inspired the creation of the Chronicles.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
June 30th @ The Burgeoning Bookshelf
Visit Veronica’s blog today and you can read a guest post by Pamela Taylor about the trap of linguistic anachronism – getting the language and word usage right for historical narratives.
https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/
July 1st @ Rebecca Whitman’s Blog
Visit Rebecca’s blog again and you can read her review of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
https://rebeccawhitman.wordpress.com/
July 2nd @ 12 Books
Visit Louise’s blog today and read her review of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
July 3rd @ What is that Book About?
Visit Michelle’s blog today and you can check out a spotlight of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/
July 5th @ The New England Book Critic
Visit Vickie’s blog today and read her review of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
https://thenewenglandbookcritic.com/
July 6th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit Anthony’s blog today and read his review of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
July 7th @ Fiona Ingram’s Blog
Join Fiona Ingram today when she shares Pamela Taylor’s guest post about data encryption in ancient times.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
July 8th @ Bev A. Baird
Visit Bev’s blog today and read her review of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
July 9th @ To Write or Not to Write
Visit Sreevarsha’s blog and read her review of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
https://sreevarshasreejith.blogspot.com/
July 10th @ Thoughts in Progress
Visit Mason Canyon’s blog today and you can read a guest post by Pamela Taylor about deriving details for your setting from historical maps.
https://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/
July 11th @ Books & Plants
Visit Ashley’s blog and read her review of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
https://booksbeansandbotany.com/
July 11th @ A Darn Good Read
Join Yvonne as she reviews Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
https://adarngoodread.blogspot.com/
July 14th @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy’s blog and read her review of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/
July 15th @ World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole’s blog and read Pamela Taylor’s guest post about period-appropriate names for characters.
http://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com
July 17th @ Books & Plants
Visit Ashley’s blog and read Pamela Taylor’s guest post about ways to do historical research.
https://booksbeansandbotany.com/
July 18th @ Bookworm Blog
Stop by Anjanette’s blog today where you can read her review of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence. Plus you can read an interview with the author!
https://bookworm66.wordpress.com/
July 20th @ Coffee with Lacey
Visit Lacey’s blog where you can read her review of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
July 24th @ Medievalists
Stop by Medievalists where you can check out a spotlight of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
July 25th @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Stop by Linda’s blog today and read her extensive interview with author Pamela Taylor about her book Pestilence.
http://bootsshoesandfashion.com/
July 25th @ Reading in the Wildwood
Join Megan today and read her review of Pamela Taylor’s book Pestilence.
Author Anthony Avina's Blog 