"Herbert is the best living historical novelist."--_Cor. Boston Transcript._
"It is a very beautiful tale--in its descriptive scenes, and in much of its coloring, reminding us more than once of Ivanhoe."--_Boston Traveler._
"In this work, Mr. Herbert has bent his acknowledged genius to the agreeable task of creating a succession of highly attractive and interesting scenes, which completely transfer us, for the time, to the wild age to which they relate."--_Portland Eastern Argus._
"This is an exceedingly able story, one which is sure to find favor with all classes of readers."--_Phila. Sunday Dispatch._
"We like a good historical novel, and we know of no living writer better qualified to write one than Henry W. Herbert. In the present volume he gives a fresh, bold picture of Saxon serfdom in England before yet the two races of Norman and Saxon were mingled into one. The delineation of outward habits, and the customs of the time, are admirably done, and the story is one that can not fail to interest all who read it."--_Gospel Banner, Augusta._
"A story of great interest * * * Written in an attractive style * * * Built upon a well-arranged plot * * * The best of Herbert's works."--_Dayton (O.) Empire._
"Herbert is a pleasing, busy, instructive, successful novelist historian."--_Boston Christian Times._
"It displays much dramatic skill and felicity of description, and accurately depicts the manners, customs, and institutions of the Saxons and the Normans, at the time of their fusion into the great English race."--_N. Y. Chronicle._
"Mr. Herbert's style is clear and fine, and the plot of his story well constructed."--_State of Maine._
"One of the best stories of the author."--_Cor. Boston Traveler._
"This is a most stirring and pathetic story, illustrating the terrible power of human depravity on the one hand, and the importance of using the most efficient means to counteract it on the other. The author assures us that his statements are throughout nothing but sober verity; and that many of the persons whose character and experience are here described are still living in various parts of the United States. If this be really so (and we have no right to dispute the author's word), we can only say that they form the most remarkable group of personages which have ever come within our knowledge. It is a most intensely exciting book; but we do not perceive any thing that indicates ill-nature."--_Boston Puritan Recorder._