Scan barcode
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
2.0
The cover of this says it’s “a novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine”. It really, really isn’t. So don’t go into the book expecting that. She’s a small side character.
This also dragged a lot. Until the very end when there was actually something interesting happening, and it just wrapped up in two pages and abruptly ended. It didn’t need to be 800+ pages. I wouldn’t recommend this one.
Full disclosure: I received an ARC of this.
This also dragged a lot. Until the very end when there was actually something interesting happening, and it just wrapped up in two pages and abruptly ended. It didn’t need to be 800+ pages. I wouldn’t recommend this one.
Full disclosure: I received an ARC of this.
toniak's review against another edition
2.0
This book was done a disservice by being subtitled "a book about Eleanor of Aquitane". She doesn't even show up as a character until the last third of the book, and I didn't get any deeper insight to who she was as a person. Pretty much all the exciting parts of her life were skipped over. The "villain" was weird and never felt particularly evil or threatening, even though we were told that he was. Pretty disappointed in this book over all and I should've stopped reading it and not finished it.
dontwritedown's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I.....I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in a book before. And I make sure to read some of the most over-hyped books on TikTok, so I know disappointment.
The Falcon's Eyes was a birthday gift to myself back in 2022. I, like the nerd I am, have a favorite medieval queen, and it is Eleanor of Aquitane. But sadly there are very few fiction books about her due to her living in the dark ages and being a woman. We don't even know for 100% what year she was born in or what she looks like, as the only verifiable artifact that belonged to her at the time that has survived to 21st century is a crystal vase. So naturally when I saw this book, undertitled as "an Eleanor of Aquitane novel" I was so excited. And then I started reading this book as part of my challenges for 2023. I opened this book in February, and I finished it in December. I can normally devour an 800 page book in a week.
That being said, a majority of my disappointment hinges on the fact that I feel like I was lied to. I probably would have still read this book, if it had been marketed as a romance gone bad historical fiction book backdropped during Eleanor's exile. This book feels like it should have been two seperate books: one focusing on a fictionalized versions of Eleanor's last few years and Isabelle and Gerard's feud. It feels like the feud was not resolved either so it's like....what was the point of this book?
Sidenote: the author claims this was a labor of love and she spent many months researching this. If that were true, why are their potatoes on Eleanor's plate? Potatoes are not indigenous to England or France (or surrounding areas despite their prevalence in popular modern dishes from the area). Potatoes were not introduced to Europe until the 1500's, that's nearly 400 years after Eleanor's birth, let alone her death. Why the hell were they in almost every dinner scene?
Do not recommend, do not pay full retail price. Only good if you want to waste your time. And look sophisticated on your "I've read this" trophy lists.
The Falcon's Eyes was a birthday gift to myself back in 2022. I, like the nerd I am, have a favorite medieval queen, and it is Eleanor of Aquitane. But sadly there are very few fiction books about her due to her living in the dark ages and being a woman. We don't even know for 100% what year she was born in or what she looks like, as the only verifiable artifact that belonged to her at the time that has survived to 21st century is a crystal vase. So naturally when I saw this book, undertitled as "an Eleanor of Aquitane novel" I was so excited. And then I started reading this book as part of my challenges for 2023. I opened this book in February, and I finished it in December. I can normally devour an 800 page book in a week.
That being said, a majority of my disappointment hinges on the fact that I feel like I was lied to. I probably would have still read this book, if it had been marketed as a romance gone bad historical fiction book backdropped during Eleanor's exile. This book feels like it should have been two seperate books: one focusing on a fictionalized versions of Eleanor's last few years and Isabelle and Gerard's feud. It feels like the feud was not resolved either so it's like....what was the point of this book?
Sidenote: the author claims this was a labor of love and she spent many months researching this. If that were true, why are their potatoes on Eleanor's plate? Potatoes are not indigenous to England or France (or surrounding areas despite their prevalence in popular modern dishes from the area). Potatoes were not introduced to Europe until the 1500's, that's nearly 400 years after Eleanor's birth, let alone her death. Why the hell were they in almost every dinner scene?
Do not recommend, do not pay full retail price. Only good if you want to waste your time. And look sophisticated on your "I've read this" trophy lists.
ive_colon's review against another edition
2.0
Probably should have read the reviews... not at all what I expected. Dragged a little... would have been better prepared if the story was what was stated on the cover.
sabregirl's review against another edition
4.0
The books is labeled as a book of Eleanor of Aquitaine. However that is not true and when I realized this I was mad at the miss leading. She does not show up until after the mid way point of the book, then barely a 100 pages later is gone again. The tag line should be taken off.
However, the book was lovely and interesting. It grips your from the beginning and wraps you in the twelfth century.
There are some historical inaccuracies but this is a work of fiction so I can forgive that. The book is also super long and doesn’t need to be. It seems like this book is to be a series, so why not just cut this one in half?
I will say the big plot twist was meh and a bit predictable but made up for it that it wasn’t quickly resolved.
Waiting to see where this goes.
However, the book was lovely and interesting. It grips your from the beginning and wraps you in the twelfth century.
There are some historical inaccuracies but this is a work of fiction so I can forgive that. The book is also super long and doesn’t need to be. It seems like this book is to be a series, so why not just cut this one in half?
I will say the big plot twist was meh and a bit predictable but made up for it that it wasn’t quickly resolved.
Waiting to see where this goes.
arachnophobia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Great book, enjoyable long read and informative. Interesting the lives of these unique women as well as the ways they were able to win freedom. Darn the twist at the end, I love how much I hated it.
shortcub's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
arguhlincozzi's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
4.75
ashleybenbow's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
courtneyreadsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I really wanted to DNF this one, but just can’t bring myself to DNF books. It’s very uneventful until about 2/3 of the way in, which is no small feat for a book that’s over 800 pages long. There’s only one good plot twist. I wouldn’t recommend this one. I thought it would be interesting as a historical fiction but the protagonist doesn’t even meet Eleanor of Aquitaine until 500-something pages in .