A review by izzy_reads7
Queen Charlotte by Julia Quinn, Shonda Rhimes

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

These are two very interesting characters. You have Charlotte, who is the first Black queen of England. Obviously, that means she’s going to have some trouble being Black and being German while trying to find her place in British society. She has been left very isolated, as her brother has gone back to Germany and her new English family is not paying much attention to her. On the other hand, we have George. George did not want to marry; he is scared of his own mental health conditions. He is afraid that he will scare off Charlotte, so therefore he isolates her. You would think these would be such interesting character dynamics. And yes, they are, in theory, but on the page, it was very boring and flat. I felt no emotions whatsoever. One unique thing about this book is that we have two other perspectives that are not part of the romantic couple, and we are seeing the romance from outsiders' eyes. I think that’s a very unique literary device to use in a romance novel.

The atmosphere was good. As for the writing, this book went on for a very long time. It’s only 335 pages, but I felt like it took me forever to get through this book. Again, that falls on the book ultimately being boring, with my mind wandering to other places.

In a romance book, the plot mainly revolves around the characters and their relationship dynamics. As stated before, I did not feel a lot towards them, even though, in theory, it sounds super interesting. However, I have heard that this is a lot better as a TV show than as a book. This is a novelization of the TV show, so I will be giving the show a shot.

3.25 out of 5 stars.