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mbenzz's review
3.0
I read this only after finishing Four Sisters, All Queens. I knew this was a short story, a sort of mini-prequel to the novel, but I was disappointed with how little we're told. I was hoping that we would meet Blanche at a much younger age, maybe right after she first wed Louis or sometime during his reign.
Unfortunately, we're introduced to her only after her husband's death, when she's trying to secure a smooth transition for her underage son to take the throne, while at the same time dispelling ugly rumors that are going around about herself.
While I like what I read, I just didn't feel there was enough there to really bother with. Blanche was such a domineering and unforgettable character in 'Four Sisters...' that I wanted to know WHY. What was it that made her so cold and bitter? Why did she treat Marguerite with such disdain and refuse to let her take her place as the rightful Queen of France? Why was she so hell-bent on her son Louis and Marguerite not consummating their marriage and producing an heir?
Blanche has such an interesting story in her own right that I guess I'm just confused as to why the author bothered with this little short story when a full novel would have been much more entertaining and informative. She did such a great job with 'Four Queens...' that I have no doubt a full-length novel about Blanche de Castile written by Ms. Jones would have been just as good.
In the end, I WAS able to find the answers to all my questions, but it was Wikipedia that answered them for me...not this novella.
Unfortunately, we're introduced to her only after her husband's death, when she's trying to secure a smooth transition for her underage son to take the throne, while at the same time dispelling ugly rumors that are going around about herself.
While I like what I read, I just didn't feel there was enough there to really bother with. Blanche was such a domineering and unforgettable character in 'Four Sisters...' that I wanted to know WHY. What was it that made her so cold and bitter? Why did she treat Marguerite with such disdain and refuse to let her take her place as the rightful Queen of France? Why was she so hell-bent on her son Louis and Marguerite not consummating their marriage and producing an heir?
Blanche has such an interesting story in her own right that I guess I'm just confused as to why the author bothered with this little short story when a full novel would have been much more entertaining and informative. She did such a great job with 'Four Queens...' that I have no doubt a full-length novel about Blanche de Castile written by Ms. Jones would have been just as good.
In the end, I WAS able to find the answers to all my questions, but it was Wikipedia that answered them for me...not this novella.
duchessofreadin's review
4.0
This was an interesting read. It puts Blanche of Castille into a new light, one of unforgiving steadfastness and interest only in holding the kingdom together for her young son after her husband dies. She was truly a force to be reckoned with. It was a quick read as well, it took me about four hours to read through the entire book.
Her life was truly interesting, she was determined to prove that she was not just a weak woman, but one who was capable of other and better things. She held fast and was able to rally the men of Paris to her sons defense as needed and when he was away, she held the kingdom as regent, something that was almost unheard of for women in those days. It was seen as something as woman couldnt do, in holding a kingdom together. Her love for her son was remarkable, and her hold on him was even stronger. He loved her to the end, and she could do no wrong in his eyes. Great read!
Her life was truly interesting, she was determined to prove that she was not just a weak woman, but one who was capable of other and better things. She held fast and was able to rally the men of Paris to her sons defense as needed and when he was away, she held the kingdom as regent, something that was almost unheard of for women in those days. It was seen as something as woman couldnt do, in holding a kingdom together. Her love for her son was remarkable, and her hold on him was even stronger. He loved her to the end, and she could do no wrong in his eyes. Great read!
stacey_kenny's review
3.0
A short little novella that serves as a prequel to [b:Four Sisters, All Queens|12312770|Four Sisters, All Queens|Sherry Jones|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1314691543s/12312770.jpg|17290436]. It was interesting to read about a historical figure and the period that I haven't read before. As is the case with most short stories or novellas, it just wasn't long enough for character development but it did pique my interest about the time period. I look forward to reading [b:Four Sisters, All Queens|12312770|Four Sisters, All Queens|Sherry Jones|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1314691543s/12312770.jpg|17290436]!
morgandhu's review
2.0
The novella White Heart, by Sherry Jones, is intended as a prequel to her novel Four Sisters, All Queens. Its focus is Blanche of Castile, grand-daughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine, daughter of Alfonso VIII, king of Castile, and Eleanor of England, wife of Louis VIII of France, mother and regent of Louis IX - and a significant character in the novel, as one of the sisters is her son's wife.
Unfortunately, the novella did not impress me. Covering the period just after the death of her husband, with occasional flashbacks and forelookings, the non-linearity of the narrative was somewhat distracting, even confusing at times, and got in the way of my forming a clear sense of the character. Which is a pity, because that is, apparently, the reason it was written - to give insight into the motivations of the character for her actions in the novel. I was not impressed with the author's writing style either, but on the off-chance that this was actually a collection of bits of writing that had to be dropped from the main work, and thus wasn't polished and edited as much as a final piece would have been, I'm still going to try the novel, as the concept intrigues me.
abookishaffair's review
4.0
This short novella is a prequel to Sherry Jones' Four Sisters All Queens. It covers Blanche of Castile, who becomes the mother-in-law to Marguerite, one of the Four Sister Queens, who marries her son, Louis and becomes Queen of France. Blanche of Castile is not my favorite character in history. She was kind of a mean person, especially to her daughter-in-law. She was uber religious and took it to quite the extreme and passed that on to her son, Louis.
Even though this book did not make me like her anymore, it made me see where she was coming from at least. Jones writes Blanche of Castile in such a way that you understand her motivation and why she was the way that she was. Blanche is just one of those characters that you love to hate!
I really liked this prequel and it made me excited to read Four Sisters All Queens.
Bottom line: This is a great novella about a great villain!
Even though this book did not make me like her anymore, it made me see where she was coming from at least. Jones writes Blanche of Castile in such a way that you understand her motivation and why she was the way that she was. Blanche is just one of those characters that you love to hate!
I really liked this prequel and it made me excited to read Four Sisters All Queens.
Bottom line: This is a great novella about a great villain!
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