Under the Approaching Dark by Anna Belfrage is the third book of the series and takes us into the volatile world of Edward II and the dark trials that engulf a nation. Edward II is forced to abdicate his throne in order for his young son to become the king. A young king whom many see as the hope for a bright new future while he is guided by the experienced hands of his council. However, this is 1327 and turmoil never really goes away during these dark times. The country is not ruled by its young king, but instead by a queen and her lover, and rebellion will follow them like a dark shadow on a bright day. Will Adam and his wife be able to escape the dangers they face in the turmoil of the land? Or will they fall into the darkness, never to be found again.

I have to start my full review by saying I have not read the first two books in this series, but I know the time period very well. This book was an interesting read and had my attention from the moment I started reading it, and I plan to go back and read the others. Sir Adam de Guirande and his wife Kit are a dynamic pair of characters that are well fleshed out and enjoyable to spend time with. They live in a time of turmoil and great historical people, but stand out boldly on their own. I could not imagine making some of the choices that Adam had to make in this book and I can only imagine what he went through in the earlier books. Yet you always root for him against all of the enemies and problems he comes up against, and Kit stands strong in her own right. Kit is an amazing woman who is smart and not afraid to use her brain in a time where women were typically seen as little more than livestock. Anna Belfrage has created an amazing group of characters with a fantastic story that fits into the frame of English history of the 14th century. If you love history and solid good characters that feel like they could jump off the page and say hello, this is a read for you.

Anna Belfrage’s Under the Approaching Dark is the third book in The King’s Greatest Enemy series, a historical fiction that explores the hopes and perils of an unusual hero, Adam de Guirande. In book one, the author explores the question of loyalty, presenting a powerful dilemma in which the protagonist finds himself. Readers find the protagonist in a similar situation in this installment, with deepened conflict. It is England in the first months of 1327, and after the death of the powerful Hugh Despenser and the enthronement of King Edward III, Adam begins to think that things could get better. But it’s just the beginning of another nightmare and the country could be headed for more trouble than it has ever experienced. The country is, in fact, governed by the king’s mother and her lover, Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer, because of the young king’s lack of experience. Again, the protagonist is faced with the choice of loyalty, and it isn’t easy.

Those who have read any books by Anna Belfrage must already know that she is a mistress of the writing craft, gifted with the skill to recreate history and make her readers part of it by creating characters from another era who are very believable and memorable. The setting is wonderfully crafted with exceptional historical references that will surprise readers. I enjoyed the way the author handled the conflict and how it drives the plot. The writing is impeccable and it reflects the setting and English society of the time, so readers are left in no doubt that the author does her research and unearths powerful elements with which to embellish her story. Under the Approaching Dark is a not-so-easy-to-put-down novel, the work of a master. It is entertaining and delightful at the same time and readers will easily relate to the characters.