She Serves the Realm, a Book Review

Written with intriguing skill, impeccable research, and delightful imagery, She Serves the Realm, the fourth book in the No Man is Her Master Series, opens upon the next scene carrying forward from the previous. As the third book held to, the first chapter in the saga of Christina Kohl, posing as her brother, Sir Frederick, immediately pulls you into the backstory without overloading you with details.

Ultimately, the love story in the book series captures the soul, without taking you too deeply into mechanics – and leaves the reader rejoicing in the love and adventure found in these pages.

The best review I think I can give is that I could not stop reading this book, from page one to the end. I know a lot of folks say that about books, but when I do, it’s a rare thing. I do so much reading for work and grad school that I tend to burn out within a couple of pages. But for this one, the days of working and nights of sleep holding me back from the next chapter grew torturous.

The book – as does the whole series – encompasses the tale of fictitious Christina and her beloved Cecily, pirates, war, royal escapades, marriages and affairs, disappointments, and joys. With horses, dogs, and critters abounding, the pastoral, yet-urban-yet-seafaring story, captures the imagination and pulls you into the era as if you truly were among the knights and ladies of the realm.

The sapphic novel series isn’t for everyone – if you’re uncomfortable reading about women loving one another, you’ll either grow through this reading or need to skip it – but if you love historical fiction told in vivid, accurately researched detail, you’ll love these books. I absolutely do! My history nerd self is satisfied, while the romantic side is titillated. Every page is better than the previous.

I do recommend starting the series at the beginning, if possible, but have all four books at the ready so you don’t have to wait for months between, like I did, to enjoy the next installment.

Catch the trailer on YouTube.

Need more great reads? Check out these reviews from MockingOwl Roost staff and contributors.

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• The Night Library at Sternendach Review – Speculative Poetry Novel
• Extasia Review – Dark Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
• At Childhood’s End Review – Doctor Who Novel
• Potiphar’s Wife Review – Historical Fiction
• A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes Review – Historical Fiction
• The Book Spy Review – Historical Fiction
• The Whalebone Theatre Review – Historical Fiction
• The Boy in the Rain Review – Historical Fiction

Rita Mock-Pike

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Editor-in-Chief of The MockingOwl Roost, Rita Mock-Pike is the granddaughter of aviatrix, Jerrie Mock, first woman to pilot an airplane solo around the world. Rita has found inspiration from her grandmother’s life and flight and pursued many of her own dreams in theatre, podcasting, novel writing, and cooking up delicious food from around the world. She now writes on food, travel, pets, faith, and the arts. She’s happily married to Matt, and faithfully serves the very fluffy kitten queen, Lady Stardust.

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