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shinesalot's review
5.0
This is one of those "don't be fooled by the cover" kind of books. I am not a fan of the cover, but the lure of the sea and historical goodness of convents on hidden islands and jealous queens was too good to pass up. The graphics compliment the pacing and text. The story flows beautifully and keeps the reader engages (so much so, that I stayed up well past midnight to finish it).
Truly wonderful little nugget of a graphic novel...although it's not really little.
Truly wonderful little nugget of a graphic novel...although it's not really little.
hellomadalyn's review
4.0
Thank you to Candlewick Press for sending an ARC of this one my way. Queen of the Sea was such a pleasant surprise! Such a creative retelling of history. I loved the setting and the cast of characters. Plus, there’s plenty of political intrigue. So so good, and I really hope there are future books in this series!
saidtheraina's review
4.0
I was a little nervous when I saw how thick this was.
I'm not inherently afraid of long books (librarian, obv), much less long graphic novels, but I still have this thing in my head that says that I'm not super into historical fiction. Which this definitely is.
I mean, it's fictionalized, sure, but is also heavily inspired by "the early years of Queen Elizabeth the First." I'm not an anglo-fanatic, and honestly, I try to avoid reading books by and about white people these days.
But I found this intensely readable.
We meet this kid who grows up in a very isolated convent on an island. I loved reading about the nitty-gritty details of being relatively self-sufficient in such an extreme environment (tropical island paradise, this is not). I loved reading about the dynamics of a community run by and for women. The intrigue of why Margaret is on the island in the first place added a nice layer of suspense.
Honestly, pair this with a viewing of "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" - I keep conflating them in my head. And maybe "Mary Queen of Scots" too.
Meconis' illustrations are expressive, muted, dreamy, soft, and cartoonish, all at once.
I enjoyed getting to know all the nuns (::cough cough Sister Act II fan here cough cough::).
Not every teen/person will be into this, but Meconis is solid.
I'm not inherently afraid of long books (librarian, obv), much less long graphic novels, but I still have this thing in my head that says that I'm not super into historical fiction. Which this definitely is.
I mean, it's fictionalized, sure, but is also heavily inspired by "the early years of Queen Elizabeth the First." I'm not an anglo-fanatic, and honestly, I try to avoid reading books by and about white people these days.
But I found this intensely readable.
We meet this kid who grows up in a very isolated convent on an island. I loved reading about the nitty-gritty details of being relatively self-sufficient in such an extreme environment (tropical island paradise, this is not). I loved reading about the dynamics of a community run by and for women. The intrigue of why Margaret is on the island in the first place added a nice layer of suspense.
Honestly, pair this with a viewing of "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" - I keep conflating them in my head. And maybe "Mary Queen of Scots" too.
Meconis' illustrations are expressive, muted, dreamy, soft, and cartoonish, all at once.
I enjoyed getting to know all the nuns (::cough cough Sister Act II fan here cough cough::).
Not every teen/person will be into this, but Meconis is solid.
librariandest's review
5.0
Wow! I got completely absorbed in this and read it in one sitting. It's a big, heavy book, but it didn't take long to read. It has elements of mystery, history, and feels like book one in a series (a series that I will definitely keep reading).
I've watched all 17 hours of the BBC's Monarchy documentary, so I know a thing or two about British royalty. I really enjoyed that this was similar enough to real history see the connections, but different enough to be intriguing and surprising. This is a weird comparison, but it reminded me of why I like the HBO show Succession -- it can be as outrageous as it wants to be because it's fiction, but it still feels like it's about real people.
There's a lot of great explaining in this book about convent life, island life, and political machinations. It will appeal to historical fiction readers even though "Albion" isn't a real place. There's an author's note at the end that explains how Eleanor is based on Elizabeth but the plot is entirely made up.
Though they are dissimilar in many ways, fans of [b:My Lady Jane|22840421|My Lady Jane (The Lady Janies, #1)|Cynthia Hand|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1444923765l/22840421._SY75_.jpg|42397220] may also enjoy this alternate-England.
I've watched all 17 hours of the BBC's Monarchy documentary, so I know a thing or two about British royalty. I really enjoyed that this was similar enough to real history see the connections, but different enough to be intriguing and surprising. This is a weird comparison, but it reminded me of why I like the HBO show Succession -- it can be as outrageous as it wants to be because it's fiction, but it still feels like it's about real people.
There's a lot of great explaining in this book about convent life, island life, and political machinations. It will appeal to historical fiction readers even though "Albion" isn't a real place. There's an author's note at the end that explains how Eleanor is based on Elizabeth but the plot is entirely made up.
Though they are dissimilar in many ways, fans of [b:My Lady Jane|22840421|My Lady Jane (The Lady Janies, #1)|Cynthia Hand|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1444923765l/22840421._SY75_.jpg|42397220] may also enjoy this alternate-England.
mhgrier's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
5.0
hmatt's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
My biggest critique is that I didn't get more of the story at the end, so it must have been good. I loved the storytelling, and some of the themes are incredibly nuanced (and conveyed well) for a middle-grade audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Confinement
Moderate: Classism, Medical content, Colonisation, Vomit, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Dementia, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Death of parent
jademelody's review
3.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I wasn't really sure what to expect from this. I was just browsing my library's website in search for books I could borrow and found this. It was a recently published graphic novel and it seemed interesting enough for me to check it out.
Synopsis
When her sister seizes the throne, Queen Eleanor of Albion is banished to a tiny island off the coast of her kingdom, where the nuns of the convent spend their days peacefully praying, sewing, and gardening. But the island is also home to Margaret, a mysterious young orphan girl whose life is upturned when the cold, regal stranger arrives. As Margaret grows closer to Eleanor, she grapples with the revelation of the island’s sinister true purpose as well as the truth of her own past. When Eleanor’s life is threatened, Margaret is faced with a perilous choice between helping Eleanor and protecting herself.
This book ended up being okay, I think I would've been a lot more interested in the story line if it had captured my interest more than it did. The plot was okay but it jumped around a lot and honestly made me super confused. The setting, for the most part, made sense but the characters were just jumbles jumping around in my head; So for the entirety of the novel I wasn't sure who everyone was. I really do hope there is more to the story than how it ended because if there isn't a sequel that makes the book even worse.
I did really enjoy the art and the historical aspect of it. That is one of the few things that made this enjoyable. That and the references to chess. I really liked how she was taught the game and then connected/referenced it in other aspects of her life. The art was beautiful and everything was drawn out very well, but like I said, it was the jumping around plot and confusing characters that made me not enjoy this.
If there is a sequel I think I'd read it just to see if this book sets up the other one for something better but who knows.
I'm not really sure if I'd recommend this to someone who is new to graphic novels like myself, because that also might be part of why I didn't enjoy it as much. Maybe if I was more familiar with graphic novels, I might have enjoyed it more.
I wasn't really sure what to expect from this. I was just browsing my library's website in search for books I could borrow and found this. It was a recently published graphic novel and it seemed interesting enough for me to check it out.
Synopsis
When her sister seizes the throne, Queen Eleanor of Albion is banished to a tiny island off the coast of her kingdom, where the nuns of the convent spend their days peacefully praying, sewing, and gardening. But the island is also home to Margaret, a mysterious young orphan girl whose life is upturned when the cold, regal stranger arrives. As Margaret grows closer to Eleanor, she grapples with the revelation of the island’s sinister true purpose as well as the truth of her own past. When Eleanor’s life is threatened, Margaret is faced with a perilous choice between helping Eleanor and protecting herself.
This book ended up being okay, I think I would've been a lot more interested in the story line if it had captured my interest more than it did. The plot was okay but it jumped around a lot and honestly made me super confused. The setting, for the most part, made sense but the characters were just jumbles jumping around in my head; So for the entirety of the novel I wasn't sure who everyone was. I really do hope there is more to the story than how it ended because if there isn't a sequel that makes the book even worse.
I did really enjoy the art and the historical aspect of it. That is one of the few things that made this enjoyable. That and the references to chess. I really liked how she was taught the game and then connected/referenced it in other aspects of her life. The art was beautiful and everything was drawn out very well, but like I said, it was the jumping around plot and confusing characters that made me not enjoy this.
If there is a sequel I think I'd read it just to see if this book sets up the other one for something better but who knows.
I'm not really sure if I'd recommend this to someone who is new to graphic novels like myself, because that also might be part of why I didn't enjoy it as much. Maybe if I was more familiar with graphic novels, I might have enjoyed it more.
itsneilcochrane's review
4.0
This was a really wonderful and unexpected (probably because I didn't read the jacket copy?) story of coming of age that centered compassion and integrity in the face of adversity. I have no idea if there will be a follow-up but I would love to read more about Margaret and Eleanor.
meganac's review against another edition
5.0
I don't read graphic novels very often, but this one came highly recommended and I was so excited to have it at the library that I read it myself so I can recommend it others with full confidence. It did not disappoint.
The art in this graphic novel is incredible - you feel like you're there. And even though the story has a lot of deeply serious elements, the format gives it a bit of humour here and there that I appreciated. Because of this I expect it will hold the attention of younger readers all the better.
It's more alternate history than historical fiction, loosely based on the youth of Queen Elizabeth I. This novel follows young Margaret, an orphan girl living in an island convent with nuns of St. Elysia (I'm not Catholic, but I found all the Catholic elements in this book intriguing and they would pave the way for soooo many good discussions with middle graders). She has a noble spirit, always wrestling with herself as she tries to do the right thing. Her life is disrupted when the king dies and Princess Catherine siezes power, forcing her sister, Princess Eleanor (formerly the queen) into exile. There's a lot of court intrigue even though the setting is quite removed, made all the more interesting as we only learn what's overheard or told to Margaret. Throughout the book she must make a series of decisions based on her principles that will force her farther from innocence and deeper into the political web, begging the question: can ignorance protect us from duty?
The art in this graphic novel is incredible - you feel like you're there. And even though the story has a lot of deeply serious elements, the format gives it a bit of humour here and there that I appreciated. Because of this I expect it will hold the attention of younger readers all the better.
It's more alternate history than historical fiction, loosely based on the youth of Queen Elizabeth I. This novel follows young Margaret, an orphan girl living in an island convent with nuns of St. Elysia (I'm not Catholic, but I found all the Catholic elements in this book intriguing and they would pave the way for soooo many good discussions with middle graders). She has a noble spirit, always wrestling with herself as she tries to do the right thing. Her life is disrupted when the king dies and Princess Catherine siezes power, forcing her sister, Princess Eleanor (formerly the queen) into exile. There's a lot of court intrigue even though the setting is quite removed, made all the more interesting as we only learn what's overheard or told to Margaret. Throughout the book she must make a series of decisions based on her principles that will force her farther from innocence and deeper into the political web, begging the question: can ignorance protect us from duty?
rachelhelps's review
4.0
A cute graphic novel set on a midieval abbey on an island. Meconis used some real historical details, like the signs nuns used to ask for what they needed at dinner without speaking. Those parts were my favorite. The story of the special orphan was a little tired, but her revelation that everyone on the island was basically imprisoned was well-done. In comparison, the ending escape wasn't as exciting.