Denisa, The Castellan's Daughter

A Romance Novella

Romance - Historical
167 Pages
Reviewed on 08/16/2018
Buy on Amazon

Author Biography

Ronnda Eileen Henry read a lot of history, biography, science fiction, and Regency romances when she was young, and her two favorite authors are Jane Austen and Aleksandra Layland. She has the heart of a romantic and believes romance is for people of any age. Sweet romance is her favorite, whether it's for a teenager or a person in his or her middle age. Retired now, she lives in Florida.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Denisa, The Castellan's Daughter is a fantasy romance novella written by Ronnda Eileen Henry. Sir Denis was disturbed to hear that Karsten was planning on going to sea. The young man was like a son to him, and he had watched Karsten grow and become a scribe under the tutelage of the monks in the monastery where he was schooled. Karsten was unwelcome in Corby, however, as he was still blamed for what his father had been accused of, even ten years after his father had died. But what else was a penniless young man to do? Both Sir Denis and Karsten’s grandmother were dead set against him working on a ship. Sir Denis had another idea. While his daughter was still a child, he suggested a betrothal between Karsten and Denisa. Sir Denis would provide him with the funds to make a living for himself in Holswick, and in ten years time Karsten could return those funds and take Denisa as his wife, if they both so chose. Karsten never did arrive in Holswick as far as his grandmother and Sir Denis could ascertain. He had simply vanished, leaving everyone who cared about him, especially his betrothed, wondering about his fate.

Ronnda Eileen Henry’s fantasy novella, Denisa: The Castellan's Daughter, is a well-written and enthralling tale set in the fictional world of Penruddock. While much of the focus in this story is on Karsten and his life after leaving Corby, the real hero is Denisa, who combines grace, intelligence and ingenuity as she grows up. Henry tackles real world issues in her Penruddock series, where her strong heroines flourish in spite of the cultural barriers they face, and Denisa is no exception. I was especially impressed with the battle scenes in this book and the roles Denisa and her fellow archers play in the defense of the realm. She also tackles the inhumanity of slavery, a blight still sadly present in our own world, in this thinking person’s romance fantasy. Denisa, The Castellan's Daughter: A Romance Novella is most highly recommended.

Pikasho Deka

Denisa, The Castellan's Daughter: A Romance Novella is a romantic adventure tale by Ronnda Eileen Henry. Set in the fictional medieval continent of Penruddock, the book follows the lives of Denisa, daughter of Sir Denis, and his adopted son, Karsten, an orphan whose parents were close to Sir Denis. Betrothed to Denisa at a young age, Karsten was on his way to the Kingdom of Holsby to be apprenticed as a scribe when he was captured by slave traders. When put on display at the slave market of Grimsargh, Karsten is bought by the King of Terekon, Asuka. Now he must serve ten years as King Asuka's scribe before his return to Colby. However, when some renegade lords plan an attack on Colby, Karsten poses as a Terekon emissary who frees Denisa of her obligation. Will they end up together?

Ronnda Eileen Henry weaves a cozy love story in a medieval setting that romance lovers will thoroughly enjoy. Denisa and Karsten are two kind and good-natured individuals who go through some overwhelming struggles before they find their way to each other. Denisa's pleasant nature doesn't stop her from picking up a bow and arrow and fighting back when her home is threatened. Similarly, Karsten undergoes a harrowing journey as a slave until he returns to his home. Henry's accessible writing style makes the narrative a breeze to go through, and you find yourself rooting for Denisa and Karsten to end up together. I found Denisa, The Castellan's Daughter, to be quite an entertaining romantic odyssey.