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The Earl's Son

The Earl's Son

by Isabella Berdyna Zysk
Romance - Historical
107 Pages
Reviewed on 11/13/2019
Buy on Amazon

Author Biography

Isabella Berdyna Zysk is a self-published author who enjoys a story in which good guys win in the end even if there's a struggle along the way which all don't survive. She's a storyteller at heart and keeps the narrative suitable for both adult and young adult readers. She loves a medieval-like setting in fantasy worlds where knightly chivalry and noble valor are the goal but with access to better hygiene.

Isabella Berdyna Zysk was born in Michigan, raised in southern California and central Virginia, worked and lived in several states and foreign countries, and now resides in Florida where she enjoys retirement.

Her interests include the writings of Aleksandra Layland, Ronnda Eileen Henry, Jane Austen and Shakespeare, horses, trees, sustainable farming, and art.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

Set in the medieval world of the Asbians, The Earl's Son by Isabella Berdyna Zysk follows an endearing love story that is intertwined with fascinating adventures. The work begins with a secret meeting between Filbert, the future Earl of Furness and the current Baron of Mawdesley, and Sally, a young maiden from Brusy, a small fishing village in Mawdesley. Sally is expecting Filbert’s child and has just found out that Filbert has deceived her. Shortly afterward, Sally is captured by Lomzan forces, a kingdom at war with Asby, and taken captive, leaving behind her infant son, Salvo. Salvo grows up to be a brave man, invaluable to the Asbian forces. Later, Lomza plans a fearsome attack on Asby. Filbert, now the Earl of Furness, joins the other earls as they prepare to fight the Lomzan warriors.

In The Earl's Son, Isabella Berdyna Zysk carefully plots the story, following each character’s role to the end of the work. Supporting characters such as Lord Meinhard, Fibert’s cousin, and Sir Ronald, Filbert’s castellan, reappear in the plot after appearing briefly in the beginning. The plot moves forward at a fast pace that ensures that the story remains engaging. The main characters are flawed, which makes them realistic and their stories unpredictable. The action in the work is entertaining and absorbing. The Lomzan warriors appear formidable while the Asbians are strategic in their plans to fight Lomza. For fans of historical fiction, The Earl's Son by Isabella Berdyna Zysk will be a thrilling read for its adeptly crafted plot and the enthralling adventures it contains.

Melanie Kennedy

The Earl’s Son by Isabella Berdyna Zysk is a novella set in a fantasy medieval-like world. It follows the life of Lord Filbert as he falls in love with a commoner, Sally, and tragically loses her to the pillagers of her village. As fate would have it, Sally gave birth to Lord Filbert’s son, which he found out only when it was too late. Lord Filbert thus did the noble thing and ensured his first-born son, Salvo, would be trained and looked after to the best of his abilities. The story sees many of the characters get married, have children, and some, unfortunately, as happens in life, pass away. Years pass and Salvo and Lord Filbert’s legitimate children find themselves embroiled in a war with neighboring tribes. As it happens, destiny intervenes and brings lost loved ones back to each other.

Isabella Berdyna Zysk builds an exciting adventure of lost love and chivalry in The Earl’s Son. She creates a unique medieval setting with honorable characters. Isabella provides pictures to accompany certain settings and characters, giving the novella a play-like atmosphere. And indeed like any Shakespearean tale, the characters go through some tumultuous times, but ultimately have a happy ending. I loved the accompanying pictures as they gave the characters more depth and helped me create the image of this fantasy world in my mind. I quite enjoyed the pacing in The Earl’s Son, as Isabella knew exactly what information to provide to keep my keen sense of interest. It’s an engaging story if you have any interest in medieval times and chivalrous love.