Terrific book - couldn't put it down. This book - second in the series focuses on Henry II's relationship with his now grown sons, his two mistresses Rosamund and Alice (although this one really bothered me and you will find out why when you read it) and, of course, the powerful, beautiful and cunning Eleanor of Aquitaine. You will find yourself constantly shaking your head and to be honest I couldn't feel sorry for Henry in this book but I will let you draw your own conclusions. What I enjoy about Jean Plaidy's writing is she doesn't drag out battles, get graphic with sex and focuses more on the dynamics of the characters which is what I love. On to Book 3! ( )

may be in the minority for having given this, my fourth Plaidy novel less than four stars, but I just don’t feel a higher rating was deserved. For one thing, the writing style seemed very repetitive, and, as other reviewers have said, Plaidy seemed to have been very much in the habit of telling rather than showing what was happening. I don’t really hold that against her, as that may have been a style common to the ‘70s when this book was first published.

It was good in places, showing the breakdown of the relationships between Henry and his sons, and illustrating how his apparent desire to keep power for himself seems to have contributed to it. The strong personalities of both King Henry and Eleanor also came though, with the friction between them quite well written. However, perhaps due to the constraints of space it did seem as though things were a little rushed, and events covered very quickly and not in great detail. To me, the novel seemed to read a little like ‘A Brief History of’ book in some places. Perhaps I’m just not so used to the older style.

My only other gripe was that I was not sure of the accuracy of the incidents presented. Now I know no novel is going to be entirely accurate, and authors need to use artistic licence, but it seems that the alleged homosexual relationship between Richard and King Phillip II of France is little more than a myth, albeit one that seems to have been common at the time (in light of a similar insinuation in ‘The Lion in Winter’). I believe modern writers and historians are starting to question to whole idea that King Richard was ‘gay’.
I don’t know of any contemporary evidence the he was, and he did have at least one illegitimate son. Personally I think that just because the two men had a close relationship it does automatically follow they were romantically attracted to each other- and even for two men to share a bed did not necessarily carry sexual connotations at this time.

What with this and the mention of King Henry seducing Richard’s betrothed at the age of 11, which was just sick, (which also may not have happened) I believe this may have been a case of artistic licence carried too far.

So in overall summary, Revolt of the Eaglets is worth reading, but may be prove frustrating for people who are more familiar than me with the details of the life and reign of Henry II, and those more used to recent writing styles.
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Although Jean Plaidy is one of my favourite authors, she does annoy me in books like this by repeating certain themes, over and over. The amount of times Henry II wishes his sons loved him and questioning why they don't is one such example.

This period of English and French history is a fascinating one, and at times this novel does a good job of re-enacting them, but the repetition of several characters' views and feelings dampens what could've been a much better novels.

Overall I'm more impressed than otherwise with "The Revolt of the Eaglets", as the four stars suggest, but there's a lot of missed potential here. ( )

Another Plaidy novel that is a good intro to history, but too sanitised. History buffs would agree I am sure, that while these novels are mainly factual, they rely a great deal on conjecture. I suppose this is to be expected in a work of fiction, but it is well for readers to be aware of the difference. ( )