Rating: 4.5 Stars
Published: June 20, 2013
Pages: 478
Genre: Historical Fiction
This was my first book by this author, but based on the author’s reputation and the prospects of reading the story based on the most powerful woman in 12th century Europe, I was excited to get into reading this book.
This is the coming-of-age story of Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine who after the death of her father, was married at the age of 13 years to Louise, the future king of France and then became the Queen of France as Louise’s father died shortly after their wedding. As Eleanor tries to navigate life as a young queen in a world governed by men who made laws that never favored women in any way even a queen, she learns very quickly how to wield her power to her favor and that of her people. Her marriage to Louise though at first seemed promising, ends up in the trenches as she is unable to bear an heir to the throne and the French court is filled with men who constantly plot to control both the king and the Kingdom as well. Eventually, Eleanor’s marriage is dissolved by the Pope and for the first time at the age of 30, she is in a position to broker a suitable marriage for herself as it was impossible for her to stay unmarried in those times. She marries the 18-year-old, Henry, the Duke of Anjou who also lays claim to the throne of England and with him she starts all over again but this time with more wisdom and clarity. Once again, things quickly change for Eleanor within a year of her marriage to Henry as he is announced to be the new king of England and she is to become queen for a second time in her life.
What a treat! Following Eleanor’s life story was an astonishing adventure. I enjoyed every bit of this story especially as I listened to the audio version on Audible. Being a lover of historical fiction and having read so many stories both fictionalized and true stories about monarchs from centuries past, I am in awe of her strength, will, power and courage to thrive in a world controlled by greedy, wicked and evil men who never regarded women and only used them as a pawn to broker political deals and receive gains that didn’t add value to the women involved. Given her circumstances, Eleanor’s wisdom and courage is one that should be emulated although we do not have the same challenges today as she did. This book only didn’t meet the five-star mark because I felt sometimes, the author’s representation of Eleanor’s character was not consistent with some of her actions however, it was a fantastic history lesson and I am more excited to move on to reading the second book in the trilogy ‘The Winter Crown’ next.
I highly recommend this book to all historical fiction lovers. You are in for a wonderful rollercoaster ride. I also recommend the audiobook version as it puts more magic into it.
Available on:
You can listen to this audio book for free by subscribing to a 30-day free Audible trial via the link below:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/audible/mlp/mfpdp/B00D48YGCS?actionCode=AMN30DFT1Bk06604291990WX&tag=rovingbookw0a-21
Enjoy listening….
The Author:
Best selling historical novelist Elizabeth Chadwick won a Betty Trask Award for her first novel The Wild Hunt. She has been shortlisted for the UK’s mainstream Best Romantic Novel of the Year Award 4 times and longlisted twice. Her novel The Scarlet Lion about the great William Marshal and his wife Isabelle de Clare, has been selected by Richard Lee, founder of the Historical Novel Society as one of the landmark historical novels of the last ten years.
When not at her desk, she can be found taking long walks with the dog, baking cakes, reading books (of course!) exploring ruins, listening to various brands of rock and metal music, and occasionally slaving over a steaming cauldron with re-enactment society Regia Anglorum.
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