Scan barcode
tilla's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
iamleighbot's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of the only recent examples I have of a book that I loved so much that I actually would make myself STOP reading it in order to have longer with it. Normally I listen on audio at 2x speed if not higher. For this one I turned it down slower, I borrowed both the audio and digital, I read and re-read passages, just to have more time in this universe.
5 full stars, 10/10, would recommend this book to anyone with an OUNCE of interest in queer media, medieval royalty, or just someone looking for something different. I will be purchasing a copy for my bookshelves as well, but am very thankful I stumbled across this on Libby one day
5 full stars, 10/10, would recommend this book to anyone with an OUNCE of interest in queer media, medieval royalty, or just someone looking for something different. I will be purchasing a copy for my bookshelves as well, but am very thankful I stumbled across this on Libby one day
monstrous_cowboy's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
dishuel's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I'm so glad that the author threw history out the window and wrote a book like this instead. It very much delivered on the idea that, "for all the blood, grime, and suffering of the past people loved one another just as much as they do now," as stated in the author note. It was slow in parts but I loved it just the same.
ellie_gard_1998's review against another edition
DNFing for no particular reason? I'm just not very interested RIP.
absoluteaudacity's review against another edition
I didn't find it gripping enough.
balti's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laelyn's review
4.0
I stumbled upon Siegel's debut novel "Solomon's Crown" by accident, and I really didn't know what to expect. I just read "a story about Prince Harry's gay ancestor" which amused me greatly for some reason, so I requested the arc and was lucky enough to be approved.
Now, do not go into this book expecting historical accuracy whatsoever. This is historical fiction only insofar that it takes place during an existing, long past era in our very own world, filled with actual historical figures - though often in names only. This is primarily a love story, and the author herself tells us that she basically rewrote history to fit this love story. As I'm not an expert on twelfth-century England and France, nor on King Philip II or Richard the Lionheart, this didn't bother me too much (though I do love to learn actual facts from historical fiction and I did go on a wiki binge afterwards). Richard and Philip definitely get kind of a makeover - the Philip of this novel would probably not expulse the Jewish people of France like the real one did. Now, I do think that it would have absolutely been possible to write a love story while sticking to the actual historical events, and generally I would have preferred that, but obviously it would also have been much harder to pull off.
For what it was - a story about a forbidden love between the young king of France and the future king of England - it was very enjoyable. Siegel's prose is beautiful, her characters complex and likeable. Richard is the more brash, open, stubborn of the two, whereas Philip is a more withdrawn and much more intelligent and manipulative character. Their romance is beautiful with just enough drama and tragedy to add the spice we all love, and the plot is well-crafted and exciting. There are parts that confused me a little bit - like the fact that Richard and Philip were rather obvious about their relationship but noone seemed to actually care that much, yet the book kept telling me how much of a scandal a reveal would cause - but you know what, I still liked it a lot. It's charming, it's beautiful, it's heartfelt, and it's such a mesmerizing read that I binged it in one sitting.
And for that I gladly give it 4 stars before returning to my twelve open Wiki tabs about the Angevins.
Many thanks to Random House and Netgalley for the arc!
Now, do not go into this book expecting historical accuracy whatsoever. This is historical fiction only insofar that it takes place during an existing, long past era in our very own world, filled with actual historical figures - though often in names only. This is primarily a love story, and the author herself tells us that she basically rewrote history to fit this love story. As I'm not an expert on twelfth-century England and France, nor on King Philip II or Richard the Lionheart, this didn't bother me too much (though I do love to learn actual facts from historical fiction and I did go on a wiki binge afterwards). Richard and Philip definitely get kind of a makeover - the Philip of this novel would probably not expulse the Jewish people of France like the real one did. Now, I do think that it would have absolutely been possible to write a love story while sticking to the actual historical events, and generally I would have preferred that, but obviously it would also have been much harder to pull off.
For what it was - a story about a forbidden love between the young king of France and the future king of England - it was very enjoyable. Siegel's prose is beautiful, her characters complex and likeable. Richard is the more brash, open, stubborn of the two, whereas Philip is a more withdrawn and much more intelligent and manipulative character. Their romance is beautiful with just enough drama and tragedy to add the spice we all love, and the plot is well-crafted and exciting. There are parts that confused me a little bit - like the fact that Richard and Philip were rather obvious about their relationship but noone seemed to actually care that much, yet the book kept telling me how much of a scandal a reveal would cause - but you know what, I still liked it a lot. It's charming, it's beautiful, it's heartfelt, and it's such a mesmerizing read that I binged it in one sitting.
And for that I gladly give it 4 stars before returning to my twelve open Wiki tabs about the Angevins.
Many thanks to Random House and Netgalley for the arc!
barends's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5