I love a good tale set in a feudal period. Who doesn't? Winterhued by E.H. Alger has all the splendor and romance of medieval life plus the mystery of magic, dragons, and unicorns. I couldn't help but think that this is what the court of Henry the Eighth must have been like with scheming lords and ladies all living there and all of them vying for the king’s favor. I like this book. I like reading about this life. Don’t get me wrong. I know that feudal life was hard. I also know that it was neither fair nor romantic. I would not like to go back and live in those times under any circumstances. But a good writer can make those times shine and E.H. Alger is a very good writer. She made the kingdom of Manydown shine. With descriptive language, a beautiful protagonist and a host of colorful characters, Winterhued will immerse you in its magic.

The strength of Winterhued lies in several areas. First is the writing of E.H. Alger. Her mastery of old English sets the tone for the story. In reality, old English in its pure form would be difficult if not impossible for the modern reader to understand and enjoy, but by using words and dialect that most of us know, E.H. Alger delivers the perfect tone that places us in that period. I would say that the characters are the greatest strength of this tale. There are so many. Some of them are definitely stereotypes, but they all serve their purpose. From the king to the scheming Lady Manicia and the hero, Dalgonar, every character is written beautifully and given an arc that’s appropriate.

Winterhued by E.H. Alger is a superb example of a period tale relating to those feudal times long gone, when kings with indisputable powers ruled the land with an iron fist; where even attempting to prepare a list of the king’s retinue required many pages; where maidens lost their hearts to gallant knights; where at any time it was possible to imagine that fiery dragons could appear to lay waste to the land and raze entire towns to the ground. And yes, where adventure was basic to having lived a life worthwhile of being lived! Set in the medieval Castle Lawhill in the mountainous kingdom of Manydown, the prologue is itself classic in tenor and tension, ending with the heartrending words: “... she lay blindly, face down, gripped by numbing terror, waiting for talons…” To find out who she is, and what the author wants to convey with the title Winterhued, the pages have to be hurriedly turned, and the many memorable events that follow read with trepidation. I sometimes had to turn the pages back to examine the lineage of the protagonists mentioned in the ‘Dramatis Personae’, many of whom had significant roles in the story.

Besides Princess Winterhued, sole heir to the throne of Manydown, who is one of the most memorable characters of distinction that I have encountered in books of fact or fiction, there are amazing original protagonists. E.H. Alger outdoes herself in the literary treatment of protagonists like Ancaios (‘Stench’), from a family of latrine cleaners; Eudora, a sullen scullery maid; a Dark Knight known the world over for his powerful lance in tourneys; counts and countesses, dukes and duchesses, marquises and knights and so many more that I cannot list them here. The princess's father, King Ger, shows his tyrannical and despotic nature to everyone and does not even spare Winterhued. Even some horses deserve hats being tipped to them. The cover is attractive and certainly invites both the romantic and adventurous to look inside. The development of the plot flows smoothly. The pace of the tale is fast with increasing tension leading to an explosive climax. The author deserves accolades for weaving all the many stray threads into a superb cohesive tale. This is a delightful book which merits 5 stars for all aspects of a review. Winterhued is memorable.