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mhverney's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant. Who’d have thought a non fiction book about two Merovingian queens would end up a five stars read? But Brunhild and Fredegude are some bad-ass heroins! It reads like a tense murder mystery and I had to keep reminding myself this happened 1,500 years ago. People don’t change… I wish the two ladies had got on but that would have been another story. Very much recommended
caaleros's review against another edition
4.0
We are taught history in a way that often gives us the impression that women didn’t have a place or a voice in the medieval ages. “Dark Queens” dispels this myth by exploring the lives of the Queen Brunhild and Fredegund, Frankish queens during the 6th century. Unwanted or widowed queens were typically sent to a convent for the rest of their lives, but both of these women carved a place for themselves as their sons’ regents. I found the writing style to be accessible and the chapters were short and engaging. I didn’t know much about the medieval world going into the book—and almost nothing about French history—but this was a great gateway read and I’m planning to explore that world more.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
bookdragon_not_bookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This book showed a side of the dark ages we don't know and showcased the written suppression of powerful women's accomplishments. It was so good, I read the book twice!