G. K. Holloway’s In the Shadows of Castles is a well-researched and riveting historical novel set in the aftermath of the defeat of King Harold of England by William of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. William was crowned King of England in 1066. However, not all of England is under William’s control. Northumbria is still under English rule and English rebels begin their fight for freedom for their country. William’s response is brutal, resulting in a fierce and devastating war. To consolidate his power, William builds castles to defend and hold onto the conquered lands. Set against the backdrop of war, individual English and Norman characters emerge in the novel. Bondi Wynstanson, an English soldier, leaves London and plans to resist the Normans. Thane Merleswein of Lincoln, who is not yet under William’s rule, gathers with other English earls, also to resist William. As events unfold, Merleswein’s daughters Morwenna and Elfwyn, as well as Bondi, join Merleswein and the English rebels in the north.

Compelling and gripping from the outset, In the Shadows of Castles quickly turned into an immersive read for me. I thought the character development was outstanding, interwoven into the English rebellion against William of Normandy’s conquest of England. The story springs vividly to life through detailed descriptions that convey the stark realities of wartime death and devastation, battles won and lost, power struggles, loyalties, and rivalries, and the back-and-forth of building allegiances and family relationships. I liked the in-depth character development of the principal characters, the English rebels, Bondi, and the sisters Morwenna and Elfwyn. For me, their individual lives and stories are about incredible courage, resistance, and survival in the face of perilous challenges and life-threatening situations. The novel gained great depth and power as other characters, both English and Norman, became part of the drama. I liked how William’s character and his expanding control over England are interwoven into the story throughout. G. K. Holloway’s In the Shadows of Castles is well-written and crafted with exceptional characters and richly imagined world-building of conquest and rebellion.

Facts are often a great source of fiction and history is one of the best go-tos when it comes to bringing tales to life. G K Holloway’s In the Shadows of Castles is proof of this in the follow-up to his previous historical novel, 1066: What Fates Impose. This time, William the Conqueror has been crowned King of England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. He is the first Norman duke to have done this. As his newfound authority courses through his veins, he sets about imposing Norman rules on his new subjects. Part of his drastic reforms is the distribution of land among his followers where many Anglo-Saxon nobles are exiled or forced to flee. Another part of consolidating his power is strengthening his military stronghold by building more castles. Those who are negatively impacted by William’s power play come together to find ways to still possibly become catalysts of change.

G K Holloway effectively uses actual historical characters and events for background and it blends well with his creative license. As the Norman conquest is in full bloom, it upholds the tradition of heroic historical tales, with ordinary characters living under William’s rule who take it upon themselves to change a political and economic system that has devolved into feudalism. Another great feat for Holloway is creating an eleventh-century England that is credible and evocative in its details, especially when it comes to the characters. The ambitions of historical fiction can be either great or so-so. In the Shadows of Castles merits recommendation as it has lots to draw fans of the genre. If you love compelling narratives that take place in the past, this is an absolute must-read.

In the Shadows of Castles is the second book in the 1066 Saga by G K Holloway. Set in 1066, Duke William was about to become the king, but things weren’t that easy for him after all the bloodshed in the name of the crown. With the rebels working against him, William had reason to fear for his position. At the heart of it were Whitgar and Bondi, who were on a mission to resist as long as it took for them and the other rebels to force a change. William expected the path ahead to be easy after he got rid of Harold, but he didn’t expect England to fight back. As the resistance intensified, William became more determined than ever to get a stronger grip on the English throne. Would William succeed after more bloodshed, or would the English resistance prevail?

No historical novel has grabbed my attention in the way In the Shadows of Castles did. It has action, drama, thrills, and character bonding. Bondi was the right protagonist to hold the story together and guide it in different directions. His connection with and reaction to the sisters Mowenna and Elfwyn was hilarious and I loved that about the story. It wasn’t just about the political tension but involved realistic characters who shared their lives with readers. The sisters were an important part of the story and of Bondi’s character development. I hated William and his egotistical mannerisms too much to appreciate him, but I did enjoy how well-written he was. While I haven’t read much about William the Conqueror, the story struck a good balance between an accurate history lesson and well-written historical fiction. This novel by G K Holloway is an absolute stroke of genius, a perfectly crafted story that took a piece of history and presented it in an entertaining package.