Star of Mercia: Historical Tales of Wales and the Marches

"Star of Mercia: Historical Tales of Wales and the Marches" by Blanche Devereux is a rich historical fiction set in ancient Britain, where love and duty clash amidst the political landscape of Welsh and Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. The story centers on Ethelfrith, the daughter of King Offa of Mercia, whose planned marriage to Ethelbert of East Anglia stirs within her a conflict between the expectations of her royal station and her own desires. As she observes the arrival of her betrothed and engages with the court, the initial intrigue of Ethelbert's gentle spirit wrestles with her growing sense of isolation, setting the stage for a tumultuous journey of self-discovery amid the backdrop of historical and mythical events.