Review of Gracious Gift
Posted: 25 May 2025, 12:38
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Gracious Gift" by Abiah Patterson.]
Gracious Gift by Abiah Patterson is a medieval historical fiction about King Edward I's daughter, Joan. Gilbert de Clare agrees to marry 12-year-old Joan when she turns 18 to regain his lands. Joan is unhappy with this arrangement because Gilbert is the same age as her father, he is divorced, and he has children and grandchildren. Over the next five years, Joan realizes that her future husband is a kind and generous man who lavishes her with monthly gifts. How will her marriage to Gilbert affect her duties as a princess? Will Joan remain an obedient daughter of King Edward I? Will her marriage survive?
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the author's inclusion of her research and how she included conflicting information she found. The characters were all fully developed and had significant roles throughout the storyline. My favorite character was Joan, who stood up for herself as a woman. It was interesting to learn how some traditions that still hold true today were started. For example, do you know why brides stand on the left side of their grooms? It was also interesting to learn what was expected from those who served in the knighthood. The author's excellent writing skills allowed me to visualize the castles, the countryside, and the wars.
I found nothing negative to discuss about this well-written and action-packed book, except that it ended. A few minor punctuation and spelling errors did not impact my reading enjoyment. These and the positive aspects I discussed earlier justify my rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about England's and Scotland's history, with a focus on a strong female character. The book best suits Christians because the Catholic faith plays a strong role in the traditions and the characters' actions, and non-believers may not appreciate reading about it. For example, the Pope's approval had to be obtained before a couple could get married. Sensitive readers should also be aware that this book does contain a few profane words that they might find offensive.
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Gracious Gift
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Gracious Gift by Abiah Patterson is a medieval historical fiction about King Edward I's daughter, Joan. Gilbert de Clare agrees to marry 12-year-old Joan when she turns 18 to regain his lands. Joan is unhappy with this arrangement because Gilbert is the same age as her father, he is divorced, and he has children and grandchildren. Over the next five years, Joan realizes that her future husband is a kind and generous man who lavishes her with monthly gifts. How will her marriage to Gilbert affect her duties as a princess? Will Joan remain an obedient daughter of King Edward I? Will her marriage survive?
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the author's inclusion of her research and how she included conflicting information she found. The characters were all fully developed and had significant roles throughout the storyline. My favorite character was Joan, who stood up for herself as a woman. It was interesting to learn how some traditions that still hold true today were started. For example, do you know why brides stand on the left side of their grooms? It was also interesting to learn what was expected from those who served in the knighthood. The author's excellent writing skills allowed me to visualize the castles, the countryside, and the wars.
I found nothing negative to discuss about this well-written and action-packed book, except that it ended. A few minor punctuation and spelling errors did not impact my reading enjoyment. These and the positive aspects I discussed earlier justify my rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about England's and Scotland's history, with a focus on a strong female character. The book best suits Christians because the Catholic faith plays a strong role in the traditions and the characters' actions, and non-believers may not appreciate reading about it. For example, the Pope's approval had to be obtained before a couple could get married. Sensitive readers should also be aware that this book does contain a few profane words that they might find offensive.
******
Gracious Gift
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon