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JD Smith
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Tristan and Iseult Kindle Edition

by JD Smith (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 49 ratings
In a land of fog and desperate tribes, Tristan fights to protect western Briton from Saxon invaders. In the wake of battle, he returns to Kernow bearing grave news, and the order of power shifts.

As Tristan defends the west, his uncle, King Mark, faces enemies to the east beyond the sea: the Irish Bloodshields. Mark is determined to unite the tribes of Briton and Ireland and forge an alliance that would see an end to war and the beginnings of peace.

Iseult, the daughter of Irish kings and a woman of the blood, resigns herself to her inevitable fate: marriage to Lord Morholt. A bloody duel changes her course, and she finds herself stranded on the coast of Kernow bringing with her the possibility of peace. But when she loses her heart to one man and marries another, her future and that of Briton flutters grey.

Three people and a hope that will never fade, this is a story of promise; the legend of love.


Historical Novel Society Indie Author Award 2015 Finalist.
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  1. Print length
    220 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    January 21, 2014
  4. File size
    1.1 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00CS5X020
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Quinn Publications (January 21, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 21, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 220 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 49 ratings

About the author

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JD Smith

JD Smith

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To the world of all things design and literary I'm JD Smith, to everyone else I'm just plain Jane. I'd like to think I'm not too plain - I love books and stories after all.

I am the author of several historical fiction novels, a member of the Triskele Books collective, editor of the writers' ezine Words with JAM, and the readers' review site Bookmuse.

I am also an award-winning book cover designer. I love books, both the physical and the words contained within. I'd like to think it was no surprise that I ended up immersing myself in the world of book design rather than marketing materials for corporate companies, but in many ways it was.

My office door is always open, although in its current state you will have to sit on a box of books if you wish to join me for a cup of tea.

I love cake. Just in case you were wondering.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
49 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the author's descriptive writing style and ability to bring the characters to life. The pacing is also described as good.

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ReadabilityWriting qualityPacing
8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and different enough to keep them interested.

"I really enjoyed this book. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I wasn't familiar with the story at all before reading this...." Read more

"...Even with those years left out, I still loved it. Great, tragic love story! I loved the way the author portrayed the characters!" Read more

"...wish it could have been a bit longer, that's a compliment and it's worth the read if you're interested in the legend, especially for the price." Read more

"This book was incredible. I started it and finished in one day, that's how much I loved it and couldn't put it down...." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and descriptive. They appreciate the author's vivid descriptions and engaging plot. The beginning is detailed, while the years progress in the story. Readers are drawn into the story and characters quickly.

"...I was quickly drawn into the story and characters, enough to research a bit more online about the history of the story...." Read more

"...The prose is a bit strained at time but overall the writing is good...." Read more

"...The beginning is very detailed and then as the years go by in the book not as much detailed. But still amazing!" Read more

"The characters are vividly drawn and the plot convincing...." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's pacing engaging. They say the author brings the characters to life.

"...Great, tragic love story! I loved the way the author portrayed the characters!" Read more

"The characters are vividly drawn and the plot convincing...." Read more

"In this version of the legend, Smith brings the characters to life. I especially liked the alternating viewpoints...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • SensoryMama
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
    Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I wasn't familiar with the story at all before reading this. I was quickly drawn into the story and characters, enough to research a bit more online about the history of the story.

    The writing flows well from chapter to chapter between the two main characters. The story is descriptive and gives a good peek into life during the 12th century. What was quite striking to me throughout the story was Iseult's lack of choice and power. She was basically a pawn for at first her mother, then King Mark, to be used politically and serve the desires of others.

    Overall, a well written story that I'd recommend to anyone. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Alicia M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I had never read the stories of Tristan and Iseult before, so I was very surprised by the outcome of this book. This was a great book that I couldn't stop reading once I started. I agree with one of the other reviewers that I would have loved to have learned a little more about what went on during the 20 years that are skipped. Even with those years left out, I still loved it. Great, tragic love story! I loved the way the author portrayed the characters!
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  • reviews
    4.0 out of 5 stars pretty good
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    (Spoilers ahead) I was wary about this book but it was actually pretty good. It's definitely better than some other novels I've read about Tristan and Isolde. There were a couple of changes that startled me, but it's different enough to keep the reader interested but not so different that it's unrecognizable as a Tristan re-telling (such as with Anna Elliot's Trystan and Isolde series, which is decent but really has nothing much to do with the legend besides the names). The prose is a bit strained at time but overall the writing is good. I feel like the author might have spent too much time focusing on the beginning of the events but when overall I wish it could have been a bit longer, that's a compliment and it's worth the read if you're interested in the legend, especially for the price.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Shannon
    5.0 out of 5 stars that's how much I loved it and couldn't put it down
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book was incredible. I started it and finished in one day, that's how much I loved it and couldn't put it down. Smith has an amazing way of describing detail, although I wish the book had gone on longer. The beginning is very detailed and then as the years go by in the book not as much detailed. But still amazing!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Bentley Green
    5.0 out of 5 stars Surprising
    Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Certainly not the type of book I would usually buy or think I would enjoy. This was highly recommended to me by a friend when I was between books so I decided to give it a go. To my surprise, I loved it. Despite not generally being one for medieval romances I found myself greatly absorbed and (due to reading primarily on my commute) I nearly missed my stop more than once! I highly recommend this novella, even if you think you wouldn't enjoy it! I guarantee you'll be surprised. Full deserving all of 5 stars! An excellent book!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • greyowl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dramatic to the end and very gripping
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    The characters are vividly drawn and the plot convincing. How tough life was, what with warring tribes attacking from East and West, and social conventions dictating one's relationships. We feel the tensions.
    One person found this helpful
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  • debi
    3.0 out of 5 stars Fair to Good
    Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This story has so many different versions and they are all sad. This one was ok.
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  • Terri Karsten
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great retelling of the legend
    Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    In this version of the legend, Smith brings the characters to life. I especially liked the alternating viewpoints. We see both Tristan and Iseult's struggle to do the right thing, in spite of their love for each other. The ending feels a little rushed, but overall, this book is definitely worth reading.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Dr.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    A thoroughly engaging, masterful retelling of the legend of Tristan and Iseult.
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  • Angelica Reads
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Tristan and Iseult by JD Smith
    This is a beautiful book. By that I mean the book itself is a pleasing artefact. The cover looks and feels good. The fonts, the images, the slightly raised appearance of the lettering of the title, even the quality of the paper, all combine to make this novel a pleasure just to hold. And in this age of the rise of the e-book that's no bad thing.
    Personal note: Don't get me wrong I like my e-reader, but there are times when only the real thing will do. I hope both paper and e-books will co-exist for a long time to come.
    So, just holding this novel sets the reader up for a quality reading experience. Proof of the value of a good cover? And it might surprise the reader to know that the cover is actually designed by the author. A surprise, that is, unless you know that JD Smith is also a graphic designer and has designed countless stunning book covers for other writers.
    But was I be right to judge this book by its lovely cover? I wasn't disappointed. Expectations of a good read were wholly justified.
    The story is based on a medieval legend which is itself based on an even older tale dating back to Pictish times. As you'd expect several versions of the story exist as well as at least one opera and a film version. JD Smith has, however, made it her own in this book.
    Set at the time when Briton was defending itself from Saxon attack, Tristan is a knight and nephew to Mark, King of Briton. Iseult is a woman of royal Irish blood. These three become part of a love triangle with very high personal and political stakes. The story has romance, poignancy, suspense, action and intrigue. It ticks several genre boxes so is never formulaic. It is beautifully set up by the author. Her feeling for the period landscape means the integrity of the setting never falters. The telling is perfectly paced. The characters are completely believable. The tone, phrasing and rhythm of the prose are excellently judged to provide appropriate atmosphere and authenticity to the telling. Not only that the prose has a wonderfully light touch. It manages that rare thing - to be both sparse and multi-layered simultaneously. The telling may be economical but the story has the feel of a richly detailed medieval tapestry.
    This is a first novel from JD Smith and it will appeal to, and deserves, a wide readership. I look forward to more novels from this author.
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  • Gilly
    5.0 out of 5 stars History brought to life
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This novella is a masterclass in succinct, intelligent writing that doesn't have to be full of verbose descriptive passages to bring to life a remarkable story set in a remarkable period of history. We follow two separate stories from opposing tribes on either side of the Irish Sea. The author cleverly unwinds each story through both Tristan's and Iseult's POVs until it reaches its emotional finale. I thought the characterisation and dialogue were brilliant, evoking exactly the right sense of tension and emotion in the reader, and the feel for the location also gave a superb backdrop to the story. I've begun to read more and more historical fiction over the past year or so and it's books like this that will keep me hooked and coming back for more.
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  • JG
    2.0 out of 5 stars Flat.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I really wanted to enjoy this novel as this story is one I enjoy. Sadly the characters felt rather like cardboard cutouts to me, and the writing style rather simplistic.
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  • J. E. Vincent
    5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 27, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of the most intelligently written and beautiful books I have ever read. The theme is well known, as are the characters, but JD Smith narrates the story from both perspectives with a haunting quality. The descriptive text is first-class and the reader can feel the cold winds, the biting rain together with the contrasting landscapes of Wales and Cornwall. The love shared and lost is a strong emotion brought tenderly to life in brutal times, accurately described.

    This is the work of an excellent writer and I look forward to reading more of her novels.
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