I want to repeat that that Ms Elliott, perfectly captures the realities of the early Middle Ages, from the way of life to the way of thinking. The most pronounced one is the Daisanite Church, which dominates in Wendar and the rest of the civilised world, strongly reminiscent of Catholicism, albeit significantly deviating from the real one in one aspect: Namely, in this fantastic version of reality, the Church (and religion) is dominated by women (St Augustina’s City of God and St Benedicta as the founder of The Rule!). There are even more of these geographic and cultural innuendoes to early medieval Europe those, on the one hand, attest to Author’s knowledge and finesse, on the other, are another source of fun for those readers who want to find them. To the east of Wendar, we have Polenia (that would be Poland) and farther on, we will find Aretuza its culture very reminiscent of Byzantium. E.g., their headquarters are rocky fjords, the equivalent of Norway and Sweden. Wendar is invaded by the Eika who while not human, still retain certain Viking characteristics. For example, we have a sunny Aosta located behind the high mountains, reminiscent of Italy, whose capital is the holy city of Darre, very similar to Rome. Wendar itself, strongly reminiscent of medieval Germany, but also Germany’s neighbours have their counterparts in this novel. The royal court of Wendar, the state in which most of the action takes place, brings to mind the wandering court of the Ottons. Just to remind you: Action takes place in a world similar to medieval Europe from the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries. Unconventional ideas draw you in with an irresistible strength.

“Crown of Stars” is a series written with great sensitivity and an ability to surprise the reader. Otherwise we exhaust ourselves striving for that which we can never gain.” ”We must all learn the measure of our strength.

King's Dragon by Kate Elliott