King Alfred's Daughter

An amazing and wonderful story of a woman too often forgotten in the history of her famous father, and the nephew she raised to be the first king of a United England. This isn’t the story of a young woman learning to be a Queen, but a Queen at the heart of an emerging kingdom.

I thought this was a very well done book and well researched. Having been a big fan of The Last Kingdom it was interesting to read these characters in such a new light. They were mostly very different. I really enjoyed how it was written as it felt like a diary being read aloud so it felt very real. A winner for me I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it very quickly!

this was a great historical fiction novel, it had what I was looking for from the description. The concept was smart and I enjoyed how good everything was. The characters were unique and worked with the story, I enjoyed getting to know this world and their characters. David Stokes does a great job in telling the story and I can't wait to read more from him.

"It made me blush to think of Edward’s raving over my alleged part in Æthelwold’s deception. My concession to foster his son in my own court troubled me more than ever. Whenever I looked at Athelstan sitting on his pony beside me, I was immediately taken back to the irritating outings I had endured as a young girl with my little brother dragging along behind me when all I wanted to do was to canter off with my friends."

I enjoyed this book. I love historical fiction and I am a huge fan of The Last Kingdom. The research was very well done, it was nice to see Æthelflæd's side of things. I am also so glad to have seen the The tv series based around Utrid and her father which allowed the reading to go smoothly for me. It helped me develop better accents to the names in the story as well as being able to pronounce the names without a struggle.

Æthelflæd as a woman her story was overshadowed by the males in her life so it was nice to bring forth the story of a Queen who is often forgotten. Well Done. Unfortunately in history such as these men get away with a lot of things and immediately we see that. Her brother taking away her right to be at her father's funeral by rushing it so he can claim king rights faster and treating her and everyone else as lowly. You can't help but be so angry for the woman in these stories even if they are strong and make history. The fact they went through what they do is terrible.

From her bittersweet relationship with her brother king Edward to raising his shunned oldest son Elthwin, Ethelfut Lady of Mercia definitely paved the path that would bring all of England under one kingdom I truly enjoyed this book and I am definitely going to read another book by David Stokes he has a great readable writing style and definitely seems to have a great grasp on the era and one I would love to explore more. I have read many things about King Alfred and his jerk of a sun king Edward but new next to nothing about ethelfut. The only thing I knew about her was that she married the Danish king who was much older than her so I was so excited to read this book and I’m so glad I did. I love biking in English history and so totally enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I received this book from NetGalley in the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I was hooked on this novel from the prologue alone, which provided the necessary introductions to the story, while creating a sense of both historical context and immersion.
Aethelflaed was an enjoyable protagonist to share the story with, she is observant, but to the point. The writing style was authentic and the story had great flow and the pacing was perfect, sometimes I find in historical fiction the pacing can be a bit slow, or we spend a lot of time in the characters youth and I get frustrated and bored, this didn’t happen here. Furthermore, Aethelflaeds thoughts and memories were so well described, that at times I thought this would make a really good film or mini-series, as these scenes felt like they were playing out in my head as I read them.
My only (and incredibly minor) issue, is as it is written as a reflection, there was very little opportunity for a twist or surprise in the story, with Aethlflead musing “I would come to regret it in the end” throughout. It was great foreshadowing, but it made the story feel a bit predictable at times.
This book is great for fans of The Last Kingdom and Vikings, an engaging trip through time, told from a feminine perspective. Aethelflaed is so often a footnote in tales from this period, is was satisfying to read about her being the power player that she was. It is clear that this book has been incredibly well researched and it puts forward events of the past in an entertaining and accessible manner.
Thank you NetGalley and The Book Guild Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and share my thoughts about this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC. Im a lover of all history and this was no different! I loved this story. It’s about time a woman got her recognition. And I’m glad her story was told!

I liked this and thought it was very entertaining. I liked the characters and the story line was different and that grabbed my attention. This was very good.
I just reviewed King Alfred's Daughter by David Stokes. #KingAlfredsDaughter #NetGalley
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This is a really beautifully written book about the Lady of Mercia, Æthelflæd. I had a vague idea of who she was and got a better sense of her through The Last Kingdom, where I find her character to be fascinating so I was intrigued to read this book.
As expected from the era, Æthelflæd's life is a complicated and cautious one. Very often the chess piece to be moved at others will, she treads a fine line between family and loyalty.
The book is easy to read, almost snippets of journal entries, however if you are brand new to this era of history and are not prepared for the amount of Æthel's you are about to face, then the information lists at the start of the book of invaluable!

This is a brilliant book, highlighting the life of a wonderfully brave woman, who has been largely lost to history until very recently. Thank you to the author for writing her story.

Thank you also to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.

A phenomenal historical read where the girl finally gets the recognition she deserves. The love my students have mythology is about to get a new addition.

This is a beautifully written story about Æthelflæd and how she became a beloved leader of the Mercians. When you start with a prologue like this you are instantly drawn into the story.



‘Do not read on if you prefer living quietly by the rules and staying out of trouble. Our lords do not want you to hear this story. It tells of a woman who brought the Angles and Saxons together to create England. Yes, it was a woman. Not a king, nor a warlord, nor a magician. A woman.

There are men who want her story to remain untold so they can take the glory. Have courage. Turn the page. Read the truth.’



This book was written almost like journal entries format which helped with the flow of the story and kept you turning pages. It was really well researched and the battles were written extremely well. We follow Æthelflæd as she has to step up as leader after her husband falls ill to her becoming the queen of Merica bringing up Æthelstan who would go on to become the first king of England.



It tells a story that so many times has tried to be re-written in history to involve men instead of showing the true strength of Æthelflæd and everything she did and how pivotal her decisions were to making England become a reality.



I loved reading this book and will definitely be reading more books by David Stokes.

Brilliantly plotted and hugely entertaining King Alfred's daughter is historical fiction at its best. The author gives us a superbly embroidered medieval fictional tapestry of a period in English history that I personally didn't really know too much about.

The vast ensemble cast is exquisitely drawn and the storyline is magnificently choreographed. It was a little tough at the beginning to get used to the Saxon and early Celtic personal names but I managed to come up with a solution in order to avoid becoming too overwhelmed with the Æthelflæd and other strange looking first names. Then it was smooth sailing all the way through the end!

A really captivating novel that deserves to be discovered and enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!

Many thanks to The Book Guild and Netgalley for this terrific ARC!

Thanks to Netgalley and The Book Guild for an advance copy of this novel.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one, it was interesting to read kind-of-familiar history and characters with a new energy and focus.

Recommended.

This book is perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell’s The Last Kingdom series and the Netflix adaptation! It was refreshing to here from the female perspective during this time period.

"King Alfred's Daughter" by David Stokes is a historical novel set in 9th-century England that tells the story of Aethelflaed, daughter of the legendary King Alfred the Great.

The novel begins with Aethelflaed as a young girl, growing up in a time of great turmoil and uncertainty. She is educated and trained in the arts of war and diplomacy, and she learns to navigate the complex political landscape of her time.

As she grows older, Eethelflaed becomes increasingly involved in the affairs of her kingdom. She works closely with her father to defend Wessex against Viking invasions, and she develops a reputation as a skilled warrior and leader in her own right.

After her father's death, Ethelflaed becomes the Lady of the Mercians, ruling over a vast territory in central England. She faces numerous challenges, including power struggles with her own family members and continued Viking raids and invasions.

Throughout it all, Aethelflaed remains committed to defending her people and securing her kingdom's future. She develops close relationships with key figures in her court and forms alliances with other leaders to strengthen her position.

Stokes' writing is rich and immersive, with a strong sense of historical detail and atmosphere. He captures the complexities of 9th-century England with nuance and sensitivity, and his portrayal of Ethelflaed is both inspiring and deeply human.

Overall, "King Alfred's Daughter" is a compelling and engaging historical novel that will appeal to fans of the genre and readers interested in the history of medieval England. Stokes is a talented writer with a gift for bringing the past to life, and this book is a testament to his skill and insight.

I love discovering books that open up a period of history that I am not overly familiar with, that inspire me to carry on reading, so pleased I read this book

A fictional description of the life trials battles and tribulations of one of England's greatest female leaders. Ethelflaed Lady of Mercia, Alfred's daughter has to rule Mercia in the face of Danish and Norwegian invaders but also against her brother Edward's ambitions as King of Wessex.
Through her efforts the way is paved for a united England finally realised by Athelstan Alfred's grandson Athelstan whom she guides and tutors.
A great read closer to history than Bernard Cornwall's Last Kingdom.
Should be appreciated by followers of Mathew Harifly, Simon Scarrow and Bernard Cornwall.
Kept turning pages from cover to cover.

I have to say I was really looking forward to this novel because it promised a well researched historical theme with a strong female protagonist seemingly forgotten by historical tomes.
I think the author did a good job of taking a very dense topic and making a believable story with fair amount of action dialogue and great pacing . I fully appreciate that this story could have become quite dry with the shear amount of dates and people that made up the historical events but it remained on target.
My only issue was the amount of end-of-chapter foreshadowing which made the story somewhat predictable that being said any story that is an actual event in history is unavoidably predictable but I think it could have been better placed within the story rather than at obvious junctions in the story.
This is otherwise a very well researched historical fiction with great characters and plenty of action - I haven’t read a book from solely this genre for a while and it was a nice change for me to delve into the time of the Anglo Saxons Danes and early Briton.

This review was made possible by Net Galley and The Book Guild Publishing - always appreciated never a chore.
#kingalfredsdaughter #netgalley
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With thanks to Netgalley and the author David Stokes for allowing me to review this book.

I had never heard of Æthelflæd before watching The Last Kingdom, but their version pales in comparison to this book version.

David Stokes' King Alfred Daughter fills in the all gaps and more that the tv show (and books) left out.

I really enjoyed this book and found myself unable to put it down, Æthelflæd is such a strong female character in the world of men.

King Alfred's daughter is a brilliant book that shines a strong light on a forgotten but amazing female character that history has ignored for many years.

My only problem I have with this book is that I think it should be called Æthelflæd, as the title King's Alfred's daughter still means that she is in the shadow of a King.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC of the book King Alfred's Daughter. The book chronicles the life of Aethelflaed,daughter of Alfred the Great. The Lady of the Mercians ruled m, built defensive burhs, directed armies in battle, and raised Athelstan, the son of her brother King Edward and the future King of England. The book paints a fascinating portrait of this woman who brought about her father's dream of a united England, bringing to light her largely forgotten story.

This novel tells the story of Æthelflæd, the daughter of King Alfred. The story is set in the 9th century of mediaeval England. The death of a king, a change of power, foreign and domestic threats, Vikings and war. This novel has it all.

The prologue instantly draws you into the novel. The story starts with the death of king Alfred. Æthelflæd returns home after being away for many years. I love the flashbacks of Æthelflæd’s childhood memories. It makes her charter so alive. Her brother is the King now. Her return home comes with some new challenges.

After her visit, she returns to her home in Mercia. At the request of her mother, she takes her Nephew (the first born son of her brother) with her. His name is Æthelstan. She will raise, teach and educate him.

In the book you really get to know Æthelflæd in the different phases of her life. Her thoughts and memories are very well described. You get to know her in so many different roles. I also love the navigation of the diplomacy and the war battles. She really is a brave and strong women. The reader learns her story and how she became the leader of the Mercians.

Rating: 4 stars. I really enjoyed reading this story. Form the first minute you start reading you stay engaged in Æthelflæd’s story. The only difficulty I had, was with some of the names in the story. Fortunately, there was a list with names provided in the book, which helped a lot. The author did a lot of historical research in order to write this story. The historical facts have been very well included in the novel. If you love to learn more about the history of England, this book is a must read for you.


Fans of the tv series Vikings will love to read this novel.


Thank you Netgalley & The Book Guild for a copy of this novel.

I do love a story that incites me to Google for more information, that educates me, that gives me a thirst for more knowledge and this story certainly does that! I had never heard of Aethelflaed! How dreadful that I had not - such an incredible woman of her time! The story begins after the death of her father King Alfred and her brother, his son becomes the king of Wessex and overlord of what was left of Anglo Saxon Mercia. Aethelflaed is married to the much older Aethelred of whom she is very fond. He is a good and ruthless leader but always been kind to her but as he ages and is affected by the palsy she begins to take over his role as Leader and then Lady of the Mercians. She becomes. a force to be reckoned with against the Danes and helps her foster child Athelstan become the man and leader he will need to be in later life. It is not always easy for a man to write as a woman but David Stokes achieves this magnificently! Aethelflaed was a woman who knew her capabilities, her strength and her weaknesses. She was not afraid to learn from men who would often scorn the weaknesses of a mere woman! I found the story hard going at first but as I became accustomed to the writing and the characters so I became lost in Aethelflaed’s quest to unite the territories of the country and create an independent England. The battle scenes took my breath away, so vivid were the descriptions. A wonderfully educational and vivid historical tale told with excellent attention to detail and character!

King Alfred's daughter is about King Alfred the Great's eldest daughter Aethelflaed, who was Lady of the Mercians.

The books starts with Alfred's death, as Aethelflaed's younger brother Edward presumes succession to the throne and starts to make controversial changes. His claim to the throne disregards a pact that his father made with his uncle and it emerges that perhaps the title should have passed to Edward's cousin Aethelwold. This causes much political conflict and Edward's increasing intereference in matters over Mercia also makes life difficult for for his sister. To make matters worse Aethelflaed's husband Athelred's health is declining and his status as ruler of Mercia hangs in the balance.

The unstability within the Anglo-Saxons kingdom could weaken them, particularly with the increasing attacks from the Danes. Unusually for a woman at the time Aethelflaed takes on many of her husbands roles and bravely attempts to strengthen their boundaries and ward off attacks

The story is told from the  perspective of Aethelflaed, in a diary-type narrative. The voice of powerful women  from this era of history is almost unknown of so this is an interesting slant on events.

I must admit that I got a bit confused in the middle as there are a lot of names to remember, all of which sound quite similar! The author does helpfully provide a list of names and explanation of their roles at the start of the book, which can be referred to.

A fascinating read for those interested in the political and social history of England.

This was a fascinationg story of history more than 1000 years ago with the names of many towns the same as they are today. I enjoyed reading about the way they lived and the battles they fought, to unite England.as one country,Also the appeareance of a woman as a leader of armies and being accepted in that role but not recognised for her achievemets.. Something which was lost in the annals of history. Great story!!

As someone who loves history and the Anglo-Saxon Era I was thrilled to find a book about Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians. David Stoakes has clearly done his research because at times I could almost smell the air in his writing. Although much of the knowledge of this period is based on the official chronicles of kings and battles, of which sadly the Lady Aethelflaed is not part of, Stoakes has created in this book a woman that reflects the values and visions that I have learned about in this era. It was helpful to have an index of names at the front of the book, and even in my Kindle edition I had a very well used bookmark for this page because so many of the names reflect their lineages and oftentimes fathers and sons can be confused. But this does not take away from Stoakes’ authorship and style. His prose style was engaging, and the voices of these historical figures jumped off the page. This was a great book that enabled me to be an armchair time traveler to the Anglo Saxon Era and see the figures that I have read in dry historical documents come to life.


If shows like The Last Kingdom or The Vikings appeal to you, take a moment to visit with the Lady Aethelflaed and see the often hidden world of personal conflict and court intrigue through a woman’s perspective that history books of this era did not include for a long time.

Aethelflaed was a princess of Wessex, the daughter of King Alfred (of burned cakes renown) and his Mercian wife, Ealhswith. She was married very young to the considerably older Aethelred of Mercia. With the onset of his illness, she took over his duties and became known as the Lady of the Mercians. Although she is barely mentioned in the Chronicle of Wessex there are many other references to her, including her battles to fend off Danish incursions into Mercian land. She does appear to have had some accord with her brother, King Edward, but certainly had a mind of her own when it came to his forced rule over Mercia.
She fostered and guarded Athelstan, Edward’s son by his first marriage, and the future king of England. David Stokes gives us a detailed and immersive account of Aethelflaed’s world, in which her bravery drew faithful soldiers to her side. Battles are well described but not overly graphic. Most likely best known for her role in the TV series ‘The Last Kingdom’, Stokes has brought the real Aethelflaed to life in a compelling way which I hope will lead to more fiction about her exploits. The novel begins around the time of the onset of Aethelred’s illness and mostly covers her building of fortified burghs and other defences, her battles against Viking incursions and Athelstan’s education as future king. Author historical notes are well worth a mention. Recommended.

This marvellous novel is a must-read for anyone interested in Anglo-Saxon times or who has perhaps watched the Netflix series ‘The Last Kingdom’.

Aethelflaed is the most famous queen of the Saxons you’ve never heard of. I’m embarrassed to say that even in studying Old English for three years at university, I never encountered her.

We are told in the afterword that while the Mercian Anglo-Saxon chronicle records Aethelflaed’s building of the burhs, towns that are still significant centres to this day: Gloucester, Worcester, Shrewsbury… Wessex commentators merely note the year of her death. Natural partiality on the part of the Mercians or a wiping out of his sister’s legacy by Edward, King of Wessex? I think we know! Sibling rivalry on a royal scale.

Aethelflaed was an intelligent strategist, wisely opting to invest in and build the Mercian defences, rather than always being on the back foot against the invaders or making forays into the enemy territory of the Danelaw.

David Stokes takes the still sketchy records to recreate a fully rounded character. He is to be applauded for bringing not only Aethelflaed vividly to life, but the courts of Wessex and Mercia, the jostling for power, and the family dynamics (Aethelflaed was foster-mother to Edward’s first son, whom he rejected on remarriage: Aethelstan who was the first king of all the English). Even the Nordic invaders are fully fleshed out, rather than being one-dimensional stereotypes. And, interestingly, even the bit-part female characters are given ‘agency’.

In Aethelflaed’s reflections on her own upbringing, we also learn a lot about Alfred’s struggles, his flight into the Somerset levels and his love of learning.

A note for fans of ‘The Last Kingdom’: in this version of the story, Aethelwold, nephew of King Alfred, is not the weasley villain he is depicted in the series. Rather he has justifiable cause for feeling disinherited.

In short, I loved this novel, I have already recommended it to my WEA Old English study group. Indeed, I’m sure anyone with even a passing interest in the origins of our nation would enjoy it, too.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for a genuine review.
As a lover of The Last Kingdom, I was desperate to read this book as soon as I saw it. Aethelflaed was a powerful and incredible woman, her story was a joy to read. The novel depicts her life as she progressively gains power as the leader of Mercia as her husband begins to fall ill. We follow her as she combats the new world of military and political decisions. The firsthand account was wonderful and I especially loved the points where Aethelfaed would internally react to others (mostly her brother) underestimating her simply because she is a woman.
It’s clear a lot of research went into the novel and it was fascinating to hear about the groups of the time.
I’ve seen other reviewers say they were uncertain about the battle descriptions. I loved them. I don’t often read historical fiction but if I do, I want to feel as though I’m watching the events take place in my mind - the authors description does this perfectly. I found the battles so interesting and I surprised myself by how much I enjoyed them! I loved this book and I think it may have unlocked a new love for historical fiction that I can’t wait to explore.

'It tells of a woman who brought the Angles and the Saxons together to create England. Yes, it was a woman. Not a king nor a warlord, nor a magician. A woman.'

'King Alfred's Daughter', brings to life Aethelflaed's key contribution to England's history during the 10th Century when not only were there still regular Viking invasions, but England had not yet unified as a country or as Christians. When her husband, Lord of Mercia becomes incapacitated due to ill health, Aethelflaed increasingly takes on his leadership responsibilities. When you have the wild Welsh sharing one border and the Vikings of Danelaw sharing another, defense and military prowess are key. It isn't long before Aethelflaed must make life-and-death decisions for her and her people. When her husband finally dies, the Witan and King of Wessex decide that Aethelflaed should continue to lead her people as Lady of the Mercians.

I'm so glad I read this book. I was aware of Aethelflaed and some of her military contributions but there is so little written about her - both fiction and non-fiction. I enjoyed the way David Stokes brought Aethelflaed's story to life using a memoir, reflection style. By writing in the first person, Stokes is able to highlight the nuanced ways in which Aethelflaed may have approached and thought about leadership, military tactics, and war, 'They should fear the force of my tongue, not my sword.' Further, Stokes includes a map, family tree, list of names, historical timeline, and notes to not only wrap the story with accurate context but to highlight what is ultimately fact and fiction within his story. For me, the story had a couple of lulls in pacing but I still am more than happy to recommend it to all history lovers and Anglophiles - especially those taken with stories from The Last Kingdom and Vikings. Well worth a read.

This was a brilliant book I am a huge fan of The Last Kingdom books and TV series and it was nice to get Aethlfleds story.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Bernard Cornwell or in fact any fan of historical fiction set in the 10th century I have purchased another book by this author as I loved this one.

A really amazing story about an amazing woman. Very compelling writing that felt extremely vivid and completely captured my attention.

Fast paced and action packed, my ideal historical novel! I was grateful to the author for the lack of sex and swearing (usually abound in historical fiction!) which means my history loving daughter can also enjoy this novel! I thought this was a well written, well researched account of the Lady of the Mercians, showing her to be an intelligent and important historical figure.

Thank you to Netgalley, David Stokes and The Book Guild for this ARC.

Having been fascinated by and started doing my own research into Aethelflaed, I was delighted to come across this little gem by David Stokes. He clearly is also very fascinated by her and does a brilliant job with bringing her story to life. Very little is actually known about her since she was a mere woman and therefore almost erased from history but enough fragments exist to be able to construct a very plausible story and Stokes does so beautifully. Telling her story herself, as though sitting around a fire in a great hall with food and wine and family and friends, gives it a sense of intimacy that would be lacking in third person narration. Having said that, it does at times feel rushed, especially the last third or so, moving from battle to battle, I feel like the story would have been greatly served by slowing it down some, maybe detailing a bit more the lives and environments of the people of these times as well as some deeper introspection. But overall Stokes does a fantastic job of fleshing out the story of one of the greatest women in English history who almost went by unnoticed but deserves as much recognition as all the great male leaders of the kingdom. Highly recommend.

Having an avid interest in history I was particularly interested in reading about Aethelflaed who led the Mercians. Well researched this was both interesting and informative. I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in the Anglo Saxon period.

Being a huge fan of Vikings Netflix series, I thought I’d give a Viking book a go. Whilst I found it hard to get to grips with the names at first, once I got into the story I really enjoyed it.

I loved the flashbacks and memories of Æthelflæd’s childhood, it really gave depth to her character and I felt as a reader like I really knew her. I love that it’s about her and her journey rather than a man’s story!

Overall, I did really enjoy this read, I just found it hard to stay engaged - mostly this is me not the book. I had to keep a note on who was who as all Viking names seem really similar!

A very well researched and interesting book which whilst fiction seemed to follow very closely the facts available regarding this period in history.
I’m not an avid historical fiction reader and I will own up to finding the names and relationships quite taxing to follow but I stuck with it and enjoyed the book.

The story of Aethelflaed, daughter of King Alfred (Alfred the Great), whose statue is in Winchester and famously burnt the cakes. It is a time of constant warring with Vikings and others and Aethelflaed’s story reflects this, as she defends Chester and fortifies other towns against attack. An important and powerful woman of her time, acknowledged as such in her lifetime.

This epic novel explores the life of Æthelflæd, The Lady of the Mercians, in a narration based on historical events, analysis, and fact. You meet Æthelflæd on her way to her father, King Alfred the Great’s, funeral, and are plunged immediately into political intrigue, family drama, and secrets with her. As she is forced to take on more power in defense of her country and family you see the phenomenal strength in the woman so many tries to bury and pass over.

As someone who has studied the history surrounding this time period I can say this brought that world to bright life. Such a testimonial to the research and painstaking attention to detail the author took.

King Alfred's Daughter tells the story of the life of Aethelflaed, daughter of British King Alfred, in her own voice (although the very first and last chapters are told from the perspective of her daughter, Aelfwyn). I was familiar with Aethelflaed from Bernard Cornwell's The Last Kingdom novels but this book really opened my eyes about all she achieved during her short life. I was drawn into the story from the very beginning with David Stokes' easy-to-read writing style.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A well-researched and engaging piece of historical fiction that illuminates the strength and power of an overlook and underappreciated woman. This is the case for most, if not all, of history's great female figures and it is refreshing to be able to add this novel to the list of feminist retellings and historical fantasies that reimagine these women's lives, portraying their deeds with the strength and value they deserve. The author really did justice to the protagonist's voice and experiences, too. Perfect for fans of The Last Kingdom.

3.0/5.0

A thoroughly well researched historical novel detailing the life of Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians. Although a great timeline of events I did find myself wishing it wasn't dragged out quite so much.

In King Alfred’s Daughter, David Stokes brings Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, to life in this fantastic historical fiction novel. Following her life after the death of her father, King Alfred, and the accession of her brother Edward as King of Wessex, Stokes brings the politics of Anglo-Saxon England to life and brings Aethelflaed’s story to the forefront of the period. Focusing on her political and military leadership, Stokes highlights the complicated relationship between Aethelflaed and Edward, Mercia and Wessex, and their uneasy coexistence with the Danelaw and the Norse raiders. Bringing in historical figures and elements as the narrative demands, Stokes’ focus on Aethelflaed allows him to highlight and expound upon her role in these historically masculine environments. Highlighting her contributions to creating an united England, Stokes uses the historical fiction style and format to educate his readers about an unknown, powerful Anglo-Saxon woman. The novel is brilliantly written and action-packed, and the first-person narrative allows Stokes to prescribe thoughts and feelings to Aethelflaed as well as her perception of other characters she interacts with. Supplemented by a broad cast of allies, enemies, and relatives, Stokes allows the reader to explore an understudied historical era through one of its most formative individuals.

“… when he (King Alfred) died, his dream of a united land, under one ruler and one God, was very distant .… Until a woman was brave enough to stand once more against the pagan invaders. How do I know? I am her daughter. She entrusted me with her story so that the truth would be known.”

Having read, watched and loved ‘The Last Kingdom’, I was all for losing myself once more with the Anglo, Saxons and Danes in early Briton. Finally, the story of Æthelflæd, daughter of King Alfred, the Lady of Mercia. After the death of her father, there would come a change of power and all that entails - threats from without and within - from over the seas with Vikings and political fighting from within. This book has it all - history, drama, court intrigue and battles. Æthelflæd was brave, strong and determined to continue her father’s work and in time, come to be recognised as the successful ruler she was.

This book is for fans of The Last Kingdom and Vikings as not only does it take you back to this eventful period but allows you to see events through the eyes of a woman. Æthelflæd is often overlooked, so it is wonderful to read of her recognition of the power and influence she had. This is a book that is well researched and fans of this period will be sure to enjoy what the author has to offer.

‘It tells of a woman who brought the Angles and Saxons together to create England. Yes, it was a woman. Not a king, nor a warlord, nor a magician. A woman. There are men who want her story to remain untold so they can take the glory. Have courage. Turn the page. Read the truth.’

I am really interested in this period of our history and was an avid reader and viewer of the Last Kingdom. I enjoyed this book from the first page told from Athelfelds perspective. I think the book could have been longer and certainly the latter part of her life seemed a little rushed. It was well researched and a very enjoyable read.

As the daughter of the great King Alfred, Aethelflaed is from a noble line and her marriage to the King of Mercia has brought her power. However after her father's death her brother Edward takes control of Wessex and starts to assert his authority. Aethelflaed's husband is old and increasingly incapable of ruling so she takes the reins of power. Whilst many mistakes are made, Aethelflaed proves herself more that a match for warring nobles and invading Danes.
Based on the true story of Aethelflaed, the daughter of King Alfred who ruled Mercia for many years, this book is a light but very enjoyable romp through 10th century history. Although Aethelflaed has been written out of many histories (well, she is woman!) Stokes has conducted enough research to make this believable. Although the writing is very clunky at times, the comments at the end of every chapter are annoying, this is an entertaining piece of history.

It's been a while since I've read any historical fiction (I'm usually a romance reader) so I was expecting to find this hard going. I was wrong. The writing hooked me from page one.

If you've read (or seen the TV series) The Last Kingdom, then you'll be familiar with Æthelflæd, along with some of the other characters who crop up. I'll admit—that's what drew me to this book. Plus I grew up near Wednesbury, where there's a monument to Æthelflæd, so she's always been a fascinating character to me.

It's obvious that the author really knows his stuff. The information and details are incredible, however, this can sometimes feel like an exposition overload which is a shame as it detracts from the character development and often slows the pace.

This didn't put me off though.

All in all, It's a refreshing and entertaining tale and a fantastic tribute to a woman who deserves greater acknowledgment in our history books and classrooms.

A well written page turner. For fans of historical fiction and for those who loved the series The Last Kingdom, this book is a must. The book begins in 899 with the death of Alfred the Great and the succession of his son Edward. Æthelflæd is the daughter of Alfred and sister to Edward. She was married off to the much older King of Mercia, Æthelflæd comes in to her own. She leads Mercia intelligently, builds up Mercia's defences against the Danes and her brother Edward's expansion plans. Æthelflæd takes Athelstan, Edwards first born son who was discarded on Edwards remarriage in favour of a second son. She leads her armies into battled, founded new towns, was an excellent diplomat.

Our titular character is well fleshed out by the author, bringing her to life by using contemporary sources and archaeological evidence.. She was a trailblazer who the first woman to govern an Anglo Saxon state.An excellent blend of history and fiction. The information lists at the start of the book are invaluable of keeping track of who is who. Particularly with names that are similar. The historical notes at the end give a timeline of events that helps put the story into the historical context. as is the map showing England at the time of Æthelflæd and showing the places of battle.

I was gifted a copy of this book by Netgalley for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

Æthelflæd is one of my favourite characters in The Last Kingdom TV series, so as I came to the conclusion of her storyline on TV, I wanted to know more about her life.

I was very fortunate to find this wonderful tale of Æthelflæd, it gave me the story I have been looking for. To see how a woman could raise in the ranks of men and rule her lands with the respect of her subjects was riveting.

How historically accurate this narrative is I can only hope it tells more truth than tale about this incredible woman.

Very much enjoyed this story of the ‘Lady of the Mercians’. With this and The Last Kingdom, I have been thoroughly immersed in this part of history. Makes a change from the Tudors. Thanks to Netgalley.

Aethelflaed, daughter of King Alfred and Lady of the Mercians, ensured the independence of Mercia, with her husband the king and in his illness under her own authority. She negotiated Mericia's place under the overall authority of her brother, somewhat unwise heir of Alfred of Wessex, and kept the Vikings at bay. This biography is a great retelling of her story and of the position of women in 900's. Read and enjoy.

A fascinating read into the life of Æthelflæd, the Lady of the Mercians and daughter of King Alfred.

Women are so often overlooked for the roles that they play in history and this well researched book allows the narrative to be played for Æthelflæd’s flæd - a warrior queen and major strategist.

The book flows written as the timeline unfolds, spoken from Æthelflæd’s perspective. There are descriptions of empathy (fostering her nephew Athelstan - later known as the first King of a united England) of strategy in battle and of pragmatist - the continued fortification of land and founding of churches.

The author’s writing showcases Æthelflæd’s strengths clearly, she is written as a likeable leader and with humility.

I’d I had to change one thing - it would be to honour and to celebrate Æthelflæd in the title of the book, rather than for her to be hidden as King Alfred’s daughter.

This book was gifted by NetGalley as an ARC in return for an honest review and I would like to thank the publishers and author for this opportunity.

This book appealed to me because I had watched a programme by Michael Wood in which he talked about Athelflaed, the Lady of the Mercians.
Athelflaed was the daughter of King Alfred, married to the king of Mercia. They had one daughter and then , reading between the lines, the king had a severe stroke and Athelflaed took over. This was rare in those times, but she managed it. I would say she was a force of nature. Sometimes this book shows that and that she had to let her brother Edward of Wessex think that things were his ideas and ultimately, take the credit.
It was an easy read which I did enjoy.

I really enjoyed reading this book - a well-researched blend of historical fact and fiction.

Although I've read several books where Æthelflæd was mentioned, I had no idea of the full extent of her achievements. It is a great shame that she was in effect written out of the "official" records in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle, but lucky that her achievements were recorded in other texts such as the Mercian Register. I could understand her brother - Edward - wanting to downplay her role, but would have expected Athelstan (who described her as his "beloved foster mother") to give her due credit.

The author has obviously spent a great deal of time researching the background to this novel, and this book has inspired me to read further into the history of these distant times.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

I was interested in this book having watched and enjoyed the Last Kingdom on tv
The author has done thorough research and produced a gripping read about a little know historical character

This is a Lovely read of a forgotten feminist hero- enjoyed finding out the true English history- recommended to anyone who enjoys history

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

David Stokes' King Alfred's Daughter picks up after the death of the king, as challenges to his son's succession begin to amount. The novel follows Aethelflaed, Alfred's first daughter, who ultimately becomes the Lady of Mercia.

If you're interested in early British history, or are a fan of series like The Last Kingdom, this is a great book to check out. It's interesting to see another fictional portrayal of Aethelflaed, a fascinating historical figure that seems to be often overlooked.

*'Do not read on if you prefer living quietly by the rules and staying out of trouble. Our lords do not want you to hear this story. It tells of a woman who brought the Angles and Saxons together to create England. Yes, it was a woman.
Not a king, nor a warlord, nor a magician. A woman.
There are men who want her story to remain untold so they can take the glory. Have courage. Turn the page. Read the Truth.' *

That powerful prologue above, hooked me right away!!
Thank you so much to this author for sending me a copy of his amazing book and natgalley for the ebook. As someone who adores historical fiction and this era, was excited to read a book about thelflad, Lady of the Mercians.
David Stoker gives us readers a well researched story about a remarkably significant figure in England's history.
A woman who helped shape a United England, thelflaed.
And what a voice he gave her, beautifully written. Her strength and leadership in a male dominating world was awe-inspiring. She achieved so much with barely any recognition. I found this book to be a fascinating tribute to a forgotten historical woman who absolutely deserves more acknowledgment and appreciation!!
If you love (or like me obsessed over The Last Kingdom and Vikings) I highly recommended reading this book, especially if you feel passionately about supporting indie authors. David is lovely, and I particularly liked finding out that David is originally from Norfolk.

Just brilliant!
Absolutely loved this book.
The historic detail had my heart pumping and my mind wanting to research everything the author was referencing.

Poor Æthelflæd was largely ignored by the chroniclers of her time and has been little more than a footnote in modern history books. David Stokes has gone back to primary sources in England, Ireland and Wales to gather together the known facts about the Lady of the Mercians.
The period from King Alfred's death until the arrival of William the Conqueror has been mostly avoided by historical novelists. Now, at last, the years in which England became a country ruled over by.one monarch form the backdrop to this story.
The author brilliantly evokes a time of harsh justice, royal jealousies, and feuds between Christians and pagans. I loved the characterisation and the author's ability to fill in the gaps of known history.

Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians played an important part in the creation of our modern day islands but has been largely ignored by historians. This book attempts to redress the balance. It covers the period between the death of King Alfred and the accession of Athelstan to the English throne. It’s full of historical detail of the period, its peoples, the battles and the politics of the day but most of all it’s a brilliant adventure story. Worth reading for the drama alone. Loved it.

Perfect for fans of The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell.

This is an exciting and fast-paced novel dealing with events in England after the death of King Alfred. His daughter Aethelflaed becomes de facto ruler of Mercia and we read about her efforts to unite the Anglo-Saxons and conquer the Viking threat.

I found this a little hard to get through, in fact I put it down halfway through and it was a while before I felt like picking it back up, but I'm so glad I did. It's very well written and the story is engrossing. It was a little too violent for my taste, I'd have preferred more time in Aethelflaed's head rather than battle scenes, but it was still a good read and I enjoyed learning about that period of history.

I'd like to thank the publishers and Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

In this fascinating and captivating story, we learn about a remarkable woman who is often overshadowed by her famous father. We also discover the story of her nephew, whom she raised to become the first king of a united England. This story is not just about a young woman learning to be a Queen, but it's about a Queen who played a pivotal role in the emergence of a powerful kingdom.

Throughout the story, we learn about the challenges this woman faced, the sacrifices she made, and how she overcame obstacles to help shape the future of her country. We gain insight into her leadership style, her relationships with those around her, and her unwavering commitment to her people.

The story takes us on a journey through the early days of England's history, revealing the struggles, conflicts, and triumphs of this fascinating period. We get a glimpse into the political climate, the cultural norms, and the social attitudes of the time.

Overall, this is an incredible and inspiring tale that sheds light on a forgotten figure in history. It's a story that will leave you feeling inspired and energized, and it's a testament to the power of determination, leadership, and resilience.

I was hooked on this novel from the prologue alone, which provided the necessary introductions to the story, while creating a sense of both historical context and immersion.

This is Mr Stokes second novel and is about one of my favourite historical figures: Aethelflaed Lady of the Mercians. It full of facts and details about the life of this remarkable woman but also has a great plot and interesting characters.

What I appreciated is that the author avoided the pitfalls of creating an unnecessary romance/love triangle between Aethelflaed and some Viking character. This has become a cliché and its one I personally really hate. I love the parts exploring the Lady of the Mercians relationship with her husband, daughter, nephew and some fictional Mercian nobles: it helped flesh her out and bring her to life with realistic motives, fears and struggles.

The last part sheds light on how Aethelflaed was basically written out of history in the West Saxon sources, and how she tried to shape her own reputation both before and after her death. A very good book about Aethelflaed and worth, perhaps passing onto teens who might be learning about the Anglo-Saxons or interested in history.

Thanks to the publisher for approving my request for this title via Netgalley. This didn’t influence my review. All opinions are freely expressed and wholly my own.

I knew I wanted to read this one as I was aware of Aefelfled, but hadn’t seen a historical fiction book based on her.

This book was gripping from the first page and you really felt that you understood Aefelfled and her morals. There are some beautiful relationships within the book and some tense moments.

David Stokes has a wonderful writing style making the many battles and strategic decisions easy to follow whilst mixing in character building and relationships.

I really recommend this book to any fans of Historical Fiction and the Netflix series the Last Kingdom.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

A very interesting historical telling - I was drawn to this book having watched the netflix series, The Last Kingdom, and found this to be a very informative, and fascinating read.

You can never go wrong with historical fiction. I started reading this after I watch The Last Kingdom and feel in love with King Alfred's Daughter in the show and in this book as well.

I was very excited to be able to read this before it came out and I loved how strong she is.