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kim_chelf's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this book. Along the lines of Phillipa Gregory, but focusing on a different character, I loved learning more about Alienor and her life. I remember learning about her in school many many years ago, but it was nice to fill in some of the gaps--true or not. I find history much more interesting to take in this way, as long as you remember that not everything is historical fact.
barbaraf's review against another edition
4.0
Eleanor of Aquatine definitely must have been a fascinating woman. She was queen of France and then England and mother to kings. This fictionalized story of her life does evolve around some of the well documented events that occurred during her life and also speculates on some of the purported rumors and innuendos.
Since this is a three part series, when you finish the book there is obviously not any real ending, plot twist or climax. So be prepared to read the rest of the series at some point. The bottom line is that I enjoyed the story and characters enough to continue. Thanks to the San Francisco Public Library for the ebook which was readily available.
Since this is a three part series, when you finish the book there is obviously not any real ending, plot twist or climax. So be prepared to read the rest of the series at some point. The bottom line is that I enjoyed the story and characters enough to continue. Thanks to the San Francisco Public Library for the ebook which was readily available.
hsrudolph's review against another edition
3.0
Wonderful audiobook with great narration. I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed this as much had I read it, but sometimes these beautifully narrated stories are very soothing and are great to listen to. Obviously this was a fictional account of the early life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, but she’s a fascinating historical figure and this book brought the time period to life.
stellarature's review against another edition
4.0
Finally a telling of Eleanor of Aquitaine’s story that I enjoyed! I love that it really took the time to explore young Eleanor and how she progressed very naturally over the course of the book. What I most loved is that this book didn’t turn her into the overbearing girlboss modern interpretations seem to enjoy or the maneating slut history paints her as. She’s very much a product of her time and her struggles through losing her father, ending up in an ill-fated marriage, and coming into her own. Also I do think she did a good job at her portrayal of Louis, who in so many words, was a man child from the beginning of the marriage all the way to his final appearance in the story.
On a side note, the whole subplot with Petronella and Raoul was very uncomfortable but I feel like that was deliberate. Chadwick was very subtly showing how imbalanced and toxic the relationship was by showing how differently they viewed the relationship through their thoughts: her as a very passionate, lost girl with a desperation for love and stability in the wrong place and him as a predator very consciously preying on and taking advantage of a young girl. It wasn’t meant to be shown as something positive and how it played out makes that very clear.
Can’t wait to read the next one!
On a side note, the whole subplot with Petronella and Raoul was very uncomfortable but I feel like that was deliberate. Chadwick was very subtly showing how imbalanced and toxic the relationship was by showing how differently they viewed the relationship through their thoughts: her as a very passionate, lost girl with a desperation for love and stability in the wrong place and him as a predator very consciously preying on and taking advantage of a young girl. It wasn’t meant to be shown as something positive and how it played out makes that very clear.
Can’t wait to read the next one!
carrie123's review against another edition
4.0
A great read! I was expecting this book to be more scandalous, like the ones I used to read by a different author. There was some of that, but there was a lot more history which I appreciated and made me want to read up more about them. I’m looking forward to reading book 2.
thehappybooker's review against another edition
2.0
Too many liberalities taken with the facts. Historical fiction should not be this speculative.
riseclare's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book about Eleanor. I love all books about her. I think I prefer Sharon Kay Penman's character of her, however this book is very readable, not too long and doesn't linger on long boring parts.
vakarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sabregirl's review against another edition
5.0
I had been waiting for this book for YEARS. When I first learned that Elizabeth Chadwick was writing a trilogy on Eleanor of Aquitaine I couldn't wait! And I had to, they were hard to find in my area and finally the last book came out and I got them all at once for Christmas. Really loving this! It feels the same yet different from all of her other novels. Will end up doing a full review once I finish the other two novels.