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Song Hereafter 1153 Hispania and the Isles of Albion The Troubadours Quartet Book 4 edition by Jean Gill Literature Fiction eBooks

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Song Hereafter 1153 Hispania and the Isles of Albion The Troubadours Quartet Book 4 edition by Jean Gill Literature Fiction eBooks

I’ve eagerly awaited the fourth book in the Troubadours series, and it was well worth waiting for. Song Hereafter by award winning author Jean Gill continues the story of Dragonetz los Pros and Estela de Matin. Capturing the flavor of the twelfth century, politically and culturally, Gill leads the reader along the path of history.
Gill’s ability to breathe life into her characters is stunning. They are not one-dimensional characters; every one experiences life fully. Each moment is filled with details, beautifully described in language rich with color.
Picking up where book three (Plaint for Provence) left off, we find Dragonetz at the court of El Rey Lobo alongside his Liege, Ramon Bereguer of Barcelone. The interactions between these three creates an immediate tension at the beginning of the book, capturing the reader’s attention and effectively holding it throughout. Soon we learn that Dragonetz feels guilty because he is keeping a secret from his lover, Estela. He chose to prevent her from being hurt by withholding the truth about the betrayal of Geoffroi de Rancor, a man she believed to be her friend. To do penance for what he views as a great wrong, he embarks on a pilgrimage. This is just the beginning of travels that take place in the book.
Called by Queen Alienor (Eleanor of Aquitaine) to her court, Dragonetz is offered the opportunity to clear his name by undertaking a task the Queen demands. Determined to sit as Queen of England alongside her spouse, Henri, Alienor has a plan and she needs Dragonetz to be successful. Despite her lover’s objections and the Queen’s reticence, Estela insists on joining him, leaving their son Musca in the care of trusted friends and servants. What ensues is a sometimes-perilous journey North to Gwalia (Wales) to assure the loyalty of the leader of these wild people to Henri, the King. Spying was a dangerous game, but Dragonetz was hungry to have his good name restored, so he agrees to take on the task. There are battles, intrigue, and an intense romance as the story progresses.
The language, names, and culture of Gwalia is added to this already culturally rich narrative. Gill’s skill at moving from culture to culture, savoring the distinctive colors of each, is breath taking. As I read, I was drawn along, experiencing each new character’s unique personality, relishing the flavor of their worlds. Through it all there is the music of the troubadours, Dragonetz and Estela. Their songs, which united them from the beginning, draws them always closer, sealing their bond of love and devotion. Even in the most harrowing moments of this story, there is no doubt of their commitment to one another, of a love that can withstand any trial.
I highly recommend reading this series in order. By doing so the reader will appreciate the relationship between Dragonetz and Estela, and can fully enjoy the development of their relationship. Characters may come and go, but Dragonetz and his lady love are a constant. Even when they are apart, they are in one another’s thoughts, united by their love and their music.
Readers of historical fiction will appreciate Gill’s attention to detail, romance readers will be captivated by the relationship between the lovers, adventurers will appreciate the thrills of battles, and all readers can celebrate a tale well told.


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Song Hereafter 1153 Hispania and the Isles of Albion The Troubadours Quartet Book 4 edition by Jean Gill Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews

I hope you read the first three books, since this one is a supremely satisfying finish to enjoy. It's a Welsh feast to be sure. 

When it comes to knives and accuracy Estela is without peer (except perhaps for Vertat,  the goshawk whose weapon is talons, and whose accuracy Ms. Gill displays with breathtaking speed, force and supremely controlled power - much like Estela's when throwing that knife!). 

The author who created them both is no slouch herself in those departments. 

From the first sentence to the last, the story speeds true to its conclusion. Forces which the characters can (and cannot) control harass them constantly, and left ME as dizzy as them with equal measures of relief and foreboding. 

Power in battle, and politics. Power in knowledge and superstition. 

Power in arts and languages. 

Powerful love. Powerful hatred. 

I hated to see it end, and was never so relieved in my reading life as I was when it did. 

That's never happened to me before. I've read literary masterpieces from Abraham to Zora. I live to read. I have done so for all my 60+ years and I can say of Jean Gill as I say of her Estela

"She is without peer. "
Jean Gill asked me to read her novel, "Song Hereafter". It is the fourth book in her "The Troubadours" series and the fourth book of hers that I have reviewed. I wished I had a Hall of Fame on my blog because this is also the fourth book of hers that I find excellent. I will examine Plot, Character, and Polish, and then assign a grade.

PLOT
　
The overarching plot here is that of Dragonetz and Estela's relationship trouble; not with each other but with their situation. They are effectively a married couple (common-law marriage?) but for previous-book reasons, they can't be officially married. This causes certain problems in 12st century European society. These problems take the form of several, smaller, more concrete arcs. The biggest of which, and what is the meat of this book, is a stealth-diplomatic mission to Gwalia (i.e. Whales).

Upon initially reading the book, it can come off as disjointed because certain plot points are set up and then resolved shortly after (with exception, of course, to the main plot in Gwalia) without any obvious connection. However, one soon sees how they are all connected to the larger plot and build off on each other. It can sometimes be surprising just how well they connect. It is a tapestry of life, sort of thing.
　
I like what Jean Gill does with scenery and other landscape details. It is a great balance of what is beautiful and what is necessary. When the leading couple approach the Palace of Joy in Zaragoza, there is this depiction of its splendor. The natural landscapes in Gwalia are similarly attentive but not every location is described. That would be exhausting. Reaching this balance is something I try to do in my own writing, but I am not as consistently skilled in this area as Miss Gill.
　
Question "What's in the bag?" Answer "A badger." WHACK. Simultaneously, this scene is funny, serious, and an establishing character moment for two critical characters and their society.
　
Over the course of this book, Estella writes a travel guide she calls "The Wise Traveler". Not only does it show another development of Estella's creative nature but it also serves as a handy and non-intrusive way to provide exposition. It is actually a meta device because the information provided about the places Estella visits also informs the person reading Miss. Gill's book about Estella's point of view and audience.
　
There is a satisfying conclusion, both to this book and to this series. The Romance Genre aspect of the series is fulfilled in full and many plot threads are tied. It is a good place to stop in the lives of Estela and Dragonetz, though there is definitely more to them.
　
CHARACTERS
　
Estela's character continues to develop as her character arc takes a new turn. This book places a special emphasis on the roles of wife and mother, which unfolds in how Estela is vs how the society at the time and place expects both to act. There is patience and understanding but also stubborn support (whether he likes it or not). There is also a heightened contrast with Alienor that was previously absent.
Contrasting this is her coming into her own as a healer by saving her own medical mentor from a disease that is really tough to cure. It turns out that her first task with a patient is convincing the family that A.) it is not yet time for Last Rites and B.) she, personally, can heal them. Then there is writing "The Wise Traveler", which shows another facet of her artistic side, apart from writing and singing.
It is interesting to note that despite getting beaten over the head with social norms like wives being absolutely obedient to their husbands, Estela is not portrayed as a feminist. Sure, she doesn't want to "count to four" whenever her husbands commands it of her, and would really appreciate it if people didn't assume that her man was responsible for her lyrics, and bristles when a court lord forbids her from singing because of her gender, but she is also totally on board with supporting her husband's goals even if she doesn't agree with them, making sure her children are taken care off even if it precludes other opportunities, and generally putting family first.
　
As for Dragonetz, the self-flagellating continues. He is a complex chivalric character. It's like he is a Knight in Sour Armor that aspires to be a Knight in Shining Armor but has too many human frailties and too much disillusionment to do so.
Despite all the good he does, he never feels like it's enough. There's this scene where he goes to a notary to legally designate the son he sired with Estela as his heir and make sure they're both provided for in the event of his untimely death (which, considering his line of work, is a very likely thing) but leaves it feeling like he's betrayed her since she's legally his mistress instead of his wife (incidentally, this is also his fault due to a previous attempt at helping her).
Also, there's this running gag where he jokes about using his sword on any warrior or bard that Estela shows too much admiration for; Estela hopes he's joking. It turns out to be another human frailty that he feels a need to metaphorically whip himself for.

The third character that I want to focus on is John Halfpenny, a master minter. He's mostly here for comedy, whether it is rants about how he hates working with gold, clowning around as the Lord of Misrule, or standing perfectly still while Estela practices knife-throwing on him. Yet he, too, is a complex character, with his backstory regarding The Anarchy in England at the time, and the role he plays in the stealth-diplomacy mission.

There isn't really a villain here. It's more like a series of grey-scale antagonists. Here are people who could be allies or enemies. It is part of a general greyness that is upheld well through all of Miss. Gill's series. Lords Rhys and Marredud are like neutrals who could go either way depending on the actions of their guests/captives, Patronella doesn't do much more than sniff disdainfully at how the lead couple is living in sin, and Miquel, despite being a stellar example of Faux Evilly Affable, thinks he's doing the right thing.
　
POLISH

I didn't see any typos or grammar errors. That's a difficult thing to do with a novel.
I also like the glossaries and maps that are included at the start of the novel.

Trickster Eric Novels gives "Song Hereafter" an A+
I’ve eagerly awaited the fourth book in the Troubadours series, and it was well worth waiting for. Song Hereafter by award winning author Jean Gill continues the story of Dragonetz los Pros and Estela de Matin. Capturing the flavor of the twelfth century, politically and culturally, Gill leads the reader along the path of history.
Gill’s ability to breathe life into her characters is stunning. They are not one-dimensional characters; every one experiences life fully. Each moment is filled with details, beautifully described in language rich with color.
Picking up where book three (Plaint for Provence) left off, we find Dragonetz at the court of El Rey Lobo alongside his Liege, Ramon Bereguer of Barcelone. The interactions between these three creates an immediate tension at the beginning of the book, capturing the reader’s attention and effectively holding it throughout. Soon we learn that Dragonetz feels guilty because he is keeping a secret from his lover, Estela. He chose to prevent her from being hurt by withholding the truth about the betrayal of Geoffroi de Rancor, a man she believed to be her friend. To do penance for what he views as a great wrong, he embarks on a pilgrimage. This is just the beginning of travels that take place in the book.
Called by Queen Alienor (Eleanor of Aquitaine) to her court, Dragonetz is offered the opportunity to clear his name by undertaking a task the Queen demands. Determined to sit as Queen of England alongside her spouse, Henri, Alienor has a plan and she needs Dragonetz to be successful. Despite her lover’s objections and the Queen’s reticence, Estela insists on joining him, leaving their son Musca in the care of trusted friends and servants. What ensues is a sometimes-perilous journey North to Gwalia (Wales) to assure the loyalty of the leader of these wild people to Henri, the King. Spying was a dangerous game, but Dragonetz was hungry to have his good name restored, so he agrees to take on the task. There are battles, intrigue, and an intense romance as the story progresses.
The language, names, and culture of Gwalia is added to this already culturally rich narrative. Gill’s skill at moving from culture to culture, savoring the distinctive colors of each, is breath taking. As I read, I was drawn along, experiencing each new character’s unique personality, relishing the flavor of their worlds. Through it all there is the music of the troubadours, Dragonetz and Estela. Their songs, which united them from the beginning, draws them always closer, sealing their bond of love and devotion. Even in the most harrowing moments of this story, there is no doubt of their commitment to one another, of a love that can withstand any trial.
I highly recommend reading this series in order. By doing so the reader will appreciate the relationship between Dragonetz and Estela, and can fully enjoy the development of their relationship. Characters may come and go, but Dragonetz and his lady love are a constant. Even when they are apart, they are in one another’s thoughts, united by their love and their music.
Readers of historical fiction will appreciate Gill’s attention to detail, romance readers will be captivated by the relationship between the lovers, adventurers will appreciate the thrills of battles, and all readers can celebrate a tale well told.