I geuinely had a fun time reading this book. I really enjoyed the book. Perfect for those looking for an interesting historically inspired book

I love Elizabeth Chadwick’s books and some of her very best, in my opinion, are the ones she has written about William Marshal – described as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’ – and his family. In The Scarlet Lion we met William’s wife, Isabelle de Clare; now The Irish Princess tells the story of Isabelle’s parents, Richard de Clare and Aoife MacMurchada. There’s not really a lot of historical information available on Aoife (even how and when she died is unknown) but I know that Elizabeth Chadwick is an author who does her research and I’m sure this novel is as accurate as she could possibly make it.

Born in Ireland in the middle of the 12th century, Aoife is the daughter of Diarmait MacMurchada, King of Leinster. Growing up during a turbulent period of Irish history, Aoife is loved by her father but also valuable to him as a way of forming alliances with those who may be able to help him gain power. When his lands are invaded by a rival and he loses his kingdom of Leinster, Diarmait is forced to flee to Wales and then to England, where he seeks the help of King Henry II. Henry gives him permission to recruit men to try to reclaim his lands – and one of those who agrees to join him is Richard de Clare, lord of Striguil.

Richard had fought on the ‘wrong side’ in the recent civil war between Henry II’s mother, Empress Matilda, and her cousin, King Stephen. Now that Henry has come to the throne of England, Richard, who had been one of Stephen’s supporters, has found himself disinherited and out of favour with the new king. When Diarmait offers him Aoife as a wife in return for his assistance in Ireland, Richard sees this as an opportunity to regain power and influence. But this is no unhappy, forced marriage; when Aoife meets the man who is to become her new husband, she finds that he is a man she is able to love and trust.

I liked Aoife and thought she was a great subject for historical fiction, particularly as she’s somebody who isn’t written about very often. Although it may seem at first that she is little more than a pawn to be used in the schemes of men, it quickly becomes clear that Aoife has a mind of her own and is quite capable of coming up with her own plans and schemes, especially in her dealings with Henry II, in order to get what she wants from life. Richard proves to be the perfect partner for her; although they don’t always see eye to eye they treat each other with respect and I loved watching them settle into their marriage over the course of the novel. Richard, nicknamed Strongbow (thought to be derived from the word ‘Striguil’ rather than a reference to his skill with a bow), is also an interesting character in his own right and I enjoyed getting to know him as well as Aoife.

Although the relationship between Aoife and Richard is at the heart of the novel – there is a stronger romantic element here than in Chadwick’s last few books, I think – their personal stories fit seamlessly into the history of the period and the events of the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland are clearly described so you should find it all easy enough to follow even if, like me, you start the novel with little or no knowledge. I don’t think I would rank this book amongst my favourites by Elizabeth Chadwick as I found it a bit too long for the story being told and slightly repetitive at times, but it’s still a very enjoyable read and a good opportunity to meet two historical characters who are rarely given much attention.

Another amazing book from Elizabeth Chadwick! This one is based on the true story of Aoife MacMurchada, wife of Richard de Clare and daughter of Diarmant MacMurchada. If you're familiar with this author's previous work you probably have read her books about William Marshall. There's several books in the series. Aoife was his mother in law. Elizabeth tells the beautiful story between Aoife and Richard in a smooth and flowing way which will have every historical fiction reader turning the pages long into the night. Wonderfully written, with not a dull moment! I enjoyed it!
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Thank you, Netgalley!
All opinions are my own.

Once again Elizabeth Chadwick has taken a little known character from history and brought her alive for her reading audience. Aoife, the daughter of the King of Leinster is the main character in this novel. Born in Ireland in the 12th Century when raids and skirmishes were common, she became the wife of Richard de Clare, Lord of Striguil in order to help her father gain military help against her father's enemies. The times and politics of the period (and Henry II's demands and behaviour) are skillfully wound into the story so it becomes all absorbing.
I recommend this book for anyone who likes historical fiction which has, at its core, an element of fact.

I have heard good things about Elizabeth Chadwick's novels so I was excited to read The Irish Princess. Sadly, I found it a disappointment.
On the positive side, the book is obviously well researched and did give me a better understanding of that time in history but I really did not enjoy the characterisations of anyone in this book. Aoife is irritating and not particularly likeable, Richard de Clare is wishy washy and Diarmit is basically a psychopath whose obsession with his daughter and her loyalty is a bit creepy. There are other characters like Basilia, Henry and Raymond who are equally as unpleasant. The story also drags on for two thirds then it's all wrapped up quickly. Not the book for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ireland in the 12th century is a loose group of kingdoms ruled by a High King. In Leinster ambitious Diarmit MacMurchada is initially disappointed that his latest child is a girl, but as Aoife grows into a beauty he realises she will have her value. Losing his lands in a battle with an enemy Diarmit turns to help from England and King Henry allows disgraced Earl Richard de Clare to raise a force to go to Ireland. However when Richard marries Aoife, Henry worries about their power.
I've always found Chadwick's books at the very romantic end of historical fiction and this one goes a little too far for me. As ever the research is wonderful and the sense of time and place excellent but at times this story felt pedestrian. It will still delight the legions of fans though!

Her father had hoped for a son. Now, his daughter is his only hope.

Ireland, 1152

The King of Lenister, Diarmait MacMurchada had hoped for a son. Instead, he was presented with Aoife. But it seems that the King was lucky. Because, fast forward to 1166, Aoife and the rest of her exiled family depend on the English King. And Aoife, with her extraordinary beauty, is the only one who can protect her family.

But Aoife turns out to be far from the norm. She is not going to accept her father's plans for marriage. Instead, Aoife will carve her own path towards the future - both for her, and for her people.

The Irish Princess is an incredibly well-written historical fiction novel. The narration is beautiful, and Aoife is a character the reader can empathize with and come to like very easily. As you read, you can't help but root for the young woman as she starts making her own decisions. Intrigue, secrets, and politics are all present, creating a very good work of historical fiction. Highly recommended to the fans of the genre.

I voluntarily read this ARC for an honest review - all thoughts and opinions are mine

Ohh, I absolutely LOVE Elizabeth Chadwick's books and was soooo thrilled to be able to read this

This is Elizabeth Chadwick at her absolute best. Well researched, fantastic narrative throughout - I loved this - didn't want it to end and couldn't put down

I sooo look forward to reading her books - a favourite and will be taking this on holiday to re-read and re-absorb all the fantastic detail

If you love this genre and like Jean Plaidy etc you will absolutely love this

This is an incredible book. It’s so well researched and is exceptionally moving
This may even be my book of the year. I absolutely loved it

The Irish Princess, Her father's only daughter. Her country's only hope, Elizabeth Chadwick

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Historical Fiction.

Sometimes I just want to immerse myself in times past, and Elizabeth Chadwick is one of my “go to” authors. She can make me feel as if I'm there with the characters, living life like an unseen part of the cast.
I know only what I've read in fiction of this period in UK history. I hated history at school, shame it wasn't taught this way, I'd have got far more from it. Plus it tended to be prehistoric times or the Tudor period and there's so much more to read than those two eras.

Its a tough time to be alive, wars are constantly being fought over land and titles, a new king often means they're removed and given to a favourite or bargained away for the king's benefit. Into that scene comes Aoife, born a daughter of an Irish King, the traditionally weaker sex when kings wanted sons. Aoife is strong and soon carves her own place into her fathers heart, and does what she can to shape her own destiny. Tough, when ladies were married off at men's whims, money, position, for political expediency. Fortunately the husband Diamait wants for her is Richard de Claire. Richard is a strong ally to have. One Diamait needs, with the men and arms he controls being a valuable asset much needed after recent losses. If Diamait is to secure his ambitions he needs them, but he's wily and puts all sorts of constraints on the marriage to ensure he gets what he wants.
Back in England Henry ll has been helping the family ( at a cost of course, nothing ever comes for free in this time), exiled after losing their lands. Henry admires Aoife, and that time spent together forges a bond between then. Henry's a King and always conscious of that he works ceaselessly to bolster his strength, courting men and always with an eye as to what benefits him and his heritage. He plays a tricky game in Diamait's plans for Aoife and Richard. There's never any real rest, the threat of wars are constant, and security is fleeting. Aoife grows up seeing that first hand, and determines that she may be a woman and ultimately not in charge of her own destiny, but she also has her own skills and she works hard using them to secure whatever she can for the benefit of herself and her family.

I loved Aoife, a strong lady, intelligent and able to plan for her family, something much needed in these times when life can change daily, when one can be landed gentry one day and have nothing the next. She shows just how ridiculous this notion of men as the only ones capable of planning, organising etc, and we see just how much work she's doing in her clever way, to get what she wants but in such a way as the giver doesn't realise its not their own idea. Its a dangerous path, but Aoife is determined to protect her family, and fortunately in Richard she has a husband who values her brain. It takes a strong man to have a successful, happy marriage with a woman like Aoife, but they each value the others intelligence, and the love and respect between them is deep.

There are so many great characters here, so many battles, times when its all changed by another loss or win, and we can see just how hard life was, not just for those at the lower end, but for those who rule too. They have problems too, different to those of the common people but harsh non the less.

There are many surprises in this story, a look at a period in UK history which was red with blood from never ending battles. I really enjoyed reading about the characters – must admit I skimmed the battle details, I wanted to see the result and what happens after, not the actual battle. That's a personal issue, and for others those battle scenes are important. Its interesting reading the author notes about the story v what actually happened, how closely she has stuck to known facts whilst weaving an enthralling story.
Close to the end I was very emotional, things happened that were heartbreaking, but for the times all too common.
I really enjoyed Aoife's machinations, her sharp brain always planning for the “what if” scenario. I loved Richard, a man loyal to his wife when few were at those times. What he and Aoife had was special, and I think something Henry envied. He may have been King, with sons, with land, riches, whatever woman he wanted ( though Aoife cleverly avoided getting caught in that trap) but he didn't have the love, the closeness, the respect Aoife and Richard had for each other.

Stars: Five, a fascinating read, bringing life and reality to a period of history I know only vaguely from stilted texts until now.

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

I received this book in return for an honest review. Thanks to Netgalley for linking me up with the publisher!

A fabulous tour-de-force of a historical novel. If you enjoy the likes of Phillipa Gregory, follow this author immediately.
The rich setting, amazing writing, vivid characters. I REALLY loved this book, and I will be talking about it more on my own blog later in the month. Historical fiction gives us a chance to glimpse a possible, but that possible seems very real and very tangible in this case. Almost perfectly so in fact.

I love Elixabeth Chadwick books and I think she's a great writer of historical fiction.
This was an excellent read, well written and engrossing.
I liked the historical background, the fleshed cast of characters, and the great plot.
I look forward to reading the next book by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Elizabeth Chadwick’s The Irish Princess is one of the most anticipated historical fiction novels of the year. I was lucky enough to receive and advance copy from NetGalley – and it more than lives up to expectation. Telling the story of the marriage of Richard de Clare (Strongbow) and his Irish princess, Aoife MacMurchada, against the backdrop of the Norman invasion of Ireland it seamlessly weaves together the various strands to make an engaging and utterly engrossing story.

Aoife is a proud and precocious princess who has grown up amid the brutality of the power struggles of the Irish clans. She has seen brothers maimed and murdered, the heads of her father’s enemies decorating her home and had to flee into exile, all before she had left what should have been the innocence of childhood. Her marriage to Richard de Clare, Earl of Striguil, is a political necessity in the strategies of her father, to recover his lost kingdom of Leinster.

Richard de Clare, on the other hand, is a man on the outside; not trusted or employed by King Henry II, he sees helping Aoife’s father as an opportunity to gain a wife and heirs, lands and influence. He still has to play the courtier, however, and has to walk a fine line with Henry, deferring to the king whilst protecting his own interests – not an easy path to walk.

Elizabeth Chadwick wonderfully combines the history of the conflict with the private lives and experiences of her leading characters. The personal stories are what make this book truly a incredible read. I wasn’t keen on Aoife at first, but she grows on you as she grows up and is a courageous heroine, who has to use all her attributes as a woman in order to survive and prosper. No shrinking violet and no meek, biddable child, she is well versed in the politics of Ireland and England, but knows her place as a woman of the times; advising and steering policy in private and charming the English king to gain his protection.

From Aoife herself, to her sister-in-law Basilia, from Richard de Clare to King Henry, it is the characters in The Irish Princess that serve as the backbone of the novel. They drive the direction of the story and the empathy and engagement of the reader, even more so than the action and intrigue of the times.

Elizabeth Chadwick, as always, has done extensive research and the historical story comes across in each page, even as she weaves in the recreated words and emotions of the characters, adding a sense of having a fly-on-the-wall view of events as they happened. The sweeping landscapes of Ireland, the bloody battlefields, the warmth and comfort of the lord’s hall and the intimacy of the lady’s private quarters are beautifully recreated and woven into the story to draw the reader into the world of Ireland at the time of the Norman invasion.

And to top it all, a cameo appearance by … (not saying, I don’t want to spoil the surprise!)

Fans of Elizabeth Chadwick – old and new – will not be disappointed by this wonderful novel. The author has lived up to every expectation in this wonderful novel. The story and characters are beautifully crafted to bring the reader an epic tale of love, war betrayal … and family.

I had a great interest in learning more about this period of history, including characters that were lesser known to me like the Macmurchada clan and the Earl of Striguil. Being also unfamiliar with this author however I think I didn't realise how skewed to the romance side of things that this novel would be. For fans of that type of thing I expect this will be very popular but it all felt a bit too bodice ripping for my own tastes. A quick, easy bit of mindless reading that felt very repetitive.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.
This is yet another awesome book by Elizabeth Chadwick. Her attention to detail is fantastic and her descriptions help you feel as though you are in the book with the characters.
I advise anyone who enjoys historical novels and/or Irish history to read this book.

Another brilliant book by Elizabeth Chadwick this one centres on Aoife the daughter of an Irish king. She marries Richard de Clare and this is the story of their life. It is chock full of atmosphere you can really immerse yourself in the story. If you like historical fiction make sure you read this book it is really makes the 12th century come alive. It also has a link to Elizabeth's other books about William Marshal as Aoifes daughter is his wife Isabelle.

Set during the 1100's King Stephen has just died and King Henry II now sits on the throne.
Richard de Clare had fought for King Stephen so was not welcomed to court by the new king. He kept his earldom but was stripped of Pembroke Castle.
Feeling like he needed a chance to prove himself he was given an opportunity to venture to Ireland where the kings of Ireland were fighting each other.

The King of Lenister, Diarmait MacMurchada recently exiled makes a deal with de Clare. If he comes to Ireland and fights with him to win back his land he will give him his most prized possession his daughter Aoife's hand in marriage.

There are set backs, heartbreak and successful moments. There are lovable characters especially Diarmit and Raymond.

Due to rebellion their lives are never easy and this book is jam packed with great storylines.

I am unsure how we are meant to feel about Aoife but for me I didn't like her at all I found her to be manipulative and untrustworthy and found myself cheering for her enemies towards the end but that didn't stop me enjoying the book.

I do hope there is a sequel so I can read more about Raymond and Basilia and their lives following this book.

As an Irish person I can say that this is a well written book. It’s descriptive nature and story will have you totally emerged in the book. If you are a fan of Philippa Gregory, you should really enjoy this book as well!

Another masterpiece from Elizabeth Chadwick. I just love her books.
The Irish Princess is a story set at the times of William the Marshall and Queen Alienor. In this one, we follow Aoife, who is a very likeable, interesting, strong character. I loved the Ireland setting.
Chadwick's writing is so addictive and enchanting. I couldn't put it down.
I recommend her to anyone who loves historical fiction.
Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent!
Absorbing and immersive.
Elizabeth Chadwick is one of my all time favourite authors.

Review will be on my blog scheduled for publication date.