Dear Mr. Cornwell,

Two years ago I had a toddler and a newborn with severe reflux who barely slept. I was overwhelmed and overtired and I read to make the nights more bearable. I started the Winter King and was instantly hooked. At a time I was averaging 4 hours of sleep a night, I actually stayed up late to finish your novel (I had to know what happened at Lugg Vale!). Later on, when I read Excalibur I adored the part where Taliesin says the mark of a great bard is if listeners will forgo needed sleep to hear them. By your own metric, you are a gifted writer and storyteller.

I’m sure you’ve heard all the praises before so I am sorry if this is repetitive. The descriptions are so lovely that I read several over and over before moving to the next page. The yearnings and failings of the characters feel as relevant today as they would have been 1500 years ago. The books make insightful and cutting observations about human nature. I cried at the ending to the series. Your work gave me something to be excited about and enjoy during the dark winter nights. I read the Saxon Stories next and then Stonehenge and savored all of them as well.

I am so grateful for your work, which has so helped me. (And if you are wondering, my son eventually started sleeping, which made everything easier except finding time to read.)

Sarah Mendez