Isabel and Lord Chetwynd’s fates first intertwined when she was twelve: he has saved her from being raped by several soldiers from his group. Eight years later they meet again, and dire circumstances force the two to marry. On their way to the king’s court, they are assaulted by unknown enemies as well as court intrigues, but in the process they also begin to learn about and develop feelings for each other.

Song of Isabel is a story set in the 9th century during Louis the Pious’ reign, spiced up with some action, drama, and a love born out of serendipity and inevitable circumstances. Its plot and history go well together for the most part, and the main protagonists are likable and well-matched. I actually liked Isabel’s character: she is young but not naive; a brave heroine who outsmarts misfortunes at every turn. Her daring is likened to that of Charlemagne’s nephew Roland from the epic poem, Song of Roland (hence the book title, I guess). Having said that, I think the portrayal of the rest of the characters didn’t come out as strong, and some are not given enough motivation to validate why they behave a certain way (i.e. Queen Judith’s assumed jealousy, Lothair’s hatred of Chetwynd, and even Chetwynd’s undiplomatic attitude towards Lothair, despite his being a great tactician and military leader). Even the implied romance between another two budding characters seems uneventful, and unless the author is doing another book on the two, it will just be a needless side story in my opinion. The plot and romance between the main protagonists started well and in a realistic fashion, but ended a little cheesy and over the top as it progressed. Also, as I know nothing of this period, it would have been really useful had the author (Miss Curtis) propped this book up with a Historical Note. I’ve only read the novel is based on a medieval woman’s handbook for her children, but other this she did not share anything else of historical import. I would have wanted to know more about the way of life or women’s liberties during this period. Or even the riding custom of noblewomen at the time, since Miss Curtis mentioned about riding astride as an acceptable riding form for women of lesser station.

On the whole, I did enjoy this book, and would gladly read another story about this historical period.