Castlehood by English author Neil Mach has a fascinating premise.
The Marches setting for his knightly historical fiction (a contested region that lays between England and Wales) feels vivid and turbulent.
Ysldora’s role as the only female castellan in this region instantly captures the reader's attention.
Ysldora’s unique role, the life-or-death stakes at play, and her struggle for legitimacy in an hypermasculine world (of knights and their groomsmen), while navigating political pressure, imminent betrayal, and the looming threat of losing everything she has, gives this book a gripping mix of historical realism and dramatic intrigue.
Castlehood combines historical detail with timeless themes of power, survival, and identity. It has strong crossover potential, appealing to fans of medieval history, political drama, and character-driven fantasy.
If you are searching for knightly historical fiction with layered protagonists and richly imagined settings, Castlehood should be your next reading choice!
Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Castlehood-Neil-Mach-ebook/dp/B0B4K76V48
Neil Mach is a novelist, journalist, and writer of fantasy fiction who has authored many novels that focus on strong female characters and themes of loyalty and duty. He also writes and presents talks on the history of fantasy fiction. In his novel titled 'Castlehood' he delivers a strong medieval female lead, a castle intrigue, and a well-researched yet entertaining medieval history.
Neil Mach excels at writing strong, empowering female characters in his novels.
