Personally, I found this to be a most enjoyable book focusing on the power of the Church and Kings in a medieval England still inhabited by the fair elven folk.

I particularly enjoy the characterisation of Richard I, and love the relationship between the King and main character. ( )

A historical fantasy set in the reign of Richard the Lionheart.

Brother Alfred (‘Alf’) is a humble monk and theologian at the monastery of St Rhuan in Ynys Witrin. He came as a foundling and as been there for nearly 70 years and still looks like a youth of 17. During a storm, he slips out and returns with an injured traveller; he was on an embassy to a Marcher Lord who tortured him instead.

Nursing the traveller back to consciousness, Alf discovers the Marcher lord is trying to provoke war. The Abbot sends Alf on a journey to the North to meet King Richard and warn him of what is happening.

The story is Alf’s journey from the sanctuary of the abbey to the world - which he doesn’t know at all. Along the way, he comes to understand what he likely is - one of the Fair Folk, for all he only world is that of the monastery.

Recommended.

A historical fantasy set in the reign of Richard the Lionheart.

Brother Alfred (‘Alf’) is a humble monk and theologian at the monastery of St Rhuan in Ynys Witrin. He came as a foundling and as been there for nearly 70 years and still looks like a youth of 17. During a storm, he slips out and returns with an injured traveller; he was on an embassy to a Marcher Lord who tortured him instead.

Nursing the traveller back to consciousness, Alf discovers the Marcher lord is trying to provoke war. The Abbot sends Alf on a journey to the North to meet King Richard and warn him of what is happening.

The story is Alf’s journey from the sanctuary of the abbey to the world - which he doesn’t know at all. Along the way, he comes to understand what he likely is - one of the Fair Folk, for all he only world is that of the monastery.

Recommended.

This first book in Tarr’s The Hound and the Falcon trilogy is a work of alternate history, taking place in England during the reign of Richard I. Alf, a monk at St. Ruan’s Abbey, is an elfin changeling left there as a baby, and despite his fair looks and that he never seems to age, only a few are aware of or suspect his true nature. When an injured rider arrives at the abbey one evening, it becomes Alf’s turn to play the part of messenger and ambassador to Richard I in order to prevent war among neighboring lands.

Although I wasn't completely wowed, I like Judith Tarr and I’m looking forward to reading the next part in the series. ( )