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A review by droar
Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis
5.0
Gorgeous and engrossing (it's a chonky boi but a quick read). I'm not generally one for historical fiction (true to history, or otherwise) these days, but Queen of the Sea brought me back to the excitement & wonder of those Royal Diaries books at least 50% of preteen girls (myself included) read obsessively.
It's a lovely mix of mundane island life, political intrigue, and family drama that really draws you in. The fact that it's hugely based off some of the most famous historical figures in English history, but distinct enough from those events makes it doubly intriguing to read & find all the little matching & unmatching bits. What really sells this for me is Margaret & the nuns, they're charming and inquisitive and kind and brave in ways that historical stories often punish charterers for. I sincerely hope there will be a sequel (the ending leaves it open to one, but not certain of it) as I'd love to watch Margaret grow even further into her own.
Highly recommended, especially for fans of the Tudor era & strong women in historical settings.
It's a lovely mix of mundane island life, political intrigue, and family drama that really draws you in. The fact that it's hugely based off some of the most famous historical figures in English history, but distinct enough from those events makes it doubly intriguing to read & find all the little matching & unmatching bits. What really sells this for me is Margaret & the nuns, they're charming and inquisitive and kind and brave in ways that historical stories often punish charterers for. I sincerely hope there will be a sequel (the ending leaves it open to one, but not certain of it) as I'd love to watch Margaret grow even further into her own.
Highly recommended, especially for fans of the Tudor era & strong women in historical settings.