Restoration by Olaf Olafsson

Published by: Ecco

Published on: February 7, 2012

Page Count: 336

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Reading Format: ARC sent to me by a publicist for consideration

Available Formats: Paperback and eBook

My Review

Alice, the daughter of British ex-patriots living in Florence, gained a title when she married. Unfortunately, her husband offers little else than his title and her parents disapprove. Still, she finds happiness early in her marriage as she and her husband set out to restore a Tuscan villa. Unfortunately, after boredom sets in, she runs into a gentleman from her past with her mother’s blessings. Only heartache results. Meanwhile, Kristin, a young artist who is technically proficient if not lacking in her own spark, finds restoring older paintings for Robert Marshall, a reputable art dealer. Kristin makes the mistake many young women do and begins an affair with Robert. The consequences for both women are heartbreaking. Then, as WWII heats up, their lives intertwine in Tuscany. The novel’s title refers to art, the old Tuscan villa, and the lives of both women. When all is lost but your own life, what other choice is there?

Tuscany isn’t a part of the world I’ve spent much of my time reading. That is what drew me to Restoration. Sometimes I feel like I’ve overdosed on WWII historical fiction, but I love it when it is both good and unique to my experience. Restoration is just that. The way that Olaf Olafsson told Alice’s story, Kristin’s story and then weaved them both together sparked my interest from the very first page. There is something about a well written doomed affair that will always fascinate me, I absolutely loved Kristin’s work. Imagine having the talent to take a famous artist’s work and restore what has been damaged. It must be thrilling. At the same time, it’s a little less the work of the master. The more I thought about this, the more it shaped my reaction to the final pages of the book.

It is such a satisfying experience to read a book like Restoration that is both enjoyable and thought provoking. The title itself provides an initial frame of reference, but it is not static. Its meaning expands as the novel progresses. First there is the villa, then the art, and ultimately the lives of the two women left to fight for so much. Just remembering Restoration makes me want to curl up under my warm afghan and read. This was my first Olaf Olafsson read and it will not be my last. Having a taste for his writing and his story telling, each of his four previous novels sound wonderful. I highly recommend this novel and this author.

The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak

Published by: Random House

Published on: January 10, 2012

Page Count: 464

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Reading Format: eGalley downloaded from NetGalley

Available Formats: Hardcover and eBook

Book Tour: I am pleased to be Eva Stachniak’s tour host today. Today is an extra special day because The Winter Palace is officially published today. Please read my review and be sure to come back on Thursday for a guest post from the author about the perils of researching too much. I will also have a copy of the book to giveaway.  In the meantime, you can also view the book trailer at the end of my review.

My Review

Barbara is the story of an immigrant book binder. He may not be a rich man, but he is the best at what he does. It is his skill and dedication that first catch the eye of Empress Elizabeth. Because of his work for her, he is able to request a place for Barbara in her court should anything ever happen to him. Too soon, Barbara’s father does pass away. That promise from the Empress does not immediately pave her way to a better life. Quite the contrary. She is at a disadvantage because of her background. It is her intelligence that brings her our of her initial miserable servitude. Count Bestuzhev, always vying for favor, discovers how clever she is. It is he who teaches her how to spy effectively to become one of Empress Elizabeth’s most trusted tongues. His other introductions to court life were less desirable, but Barbara’s downfall was ignoring his most valuable advice.

There is nothing more intriguing, especially at a safe distance, than a royal court in turmoil. The Winter Palace brings this non stop tumult directly to the reader. Empress Elizabeth forcibly took over power from the infant Ivan VI. She intentionally has no children of her own and brings a nephew in to be her heir. Her nephew Peter is an odd young man, putting his ascension in jeopardy. It is most important to Elizabeth to find a suitable wife for him, one who will bare him many heirs. When she joins Elizabeth’s court, Barbara takes it upon herself to help Catherine. By acting on her own, she puts her place in the Winter Palace in jeopardy, but that isn’t the only consequence. In the end, it will cost her so much more.

I became very much engaged in Barbara’s story. She herself makes some cruel decisions, but mainly in her youth. For the most part, she acts as she does to keep those she loves safe. The rest of the characters are not always so noble. Elizabeth lived the life of one who constantly has to remain on guard. Overthrowing the government did not bring security and no one is too precious not to willfully sacrifice when needed. She lived up to her promise not to execute her subjects, but she found much worse ways to punish those who crossed her. Count Bestuzhev was the most distasteful character of all. His life was entirely about getting ahead and using everyone he can in every way he can. He reminded me a great deal of Thomas Howard with a couple extra helpings of depravity. Young Catherine is new to everything in Russia. She couldn’t afford to be naive and impressionable long. She, too, has a role to play and a place to secure.

Although this book is subtitled A Novel of Catherine the Great, it was aptly named. This book is about the comings and goings of the Winter Palace leading up to the end of Empress Elizabeth’s reign. Certainly Catherine is there and is central to Barbara’s story, but what connects the beginning to the end isn’t the emerging monarch. It’s the palace in which Barbara interacts with the every shifting powers that be that define the story.

The Winter Palace was my introduction to Russian historical fiction and I enjoyed my time there. In many ways, the Russian court makes Henry VIII’s seem forgiving and peaceful. Not only did this book inspire me to learn more about Catherine the Great, I thought the ending of this book was just perfect. I cared for Barbara and I was so pleased with the life she went on to have. Given the title and the setting of this novel, it makes an excellent selection for this time of year.

22 Britannia Road by Amanda Hodgkinson

Published by: Penguin

Published on: April 28, 2011

Page Count: 336

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Reading Format: Audiobook purchased from Audible.com

Audiobook Published by: Penguin Audiobooks

Narrator: Robin Sachs

Audiobook Length: 11 hours 19 minutes

Available Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

My Review

Janusz and Silvana are  a young married couple when Janusz goes off to fight as WWII  breaks out in Poland. Silvana was left behind to care for their infant son, Aurek. To escape both the Germans and the Russians, she learns how to survive in the wilderness with her son. When the two are rescued from a refuge camp and brought to Ipswich to be reunited with Janusz after the war, both husband and wife are hopeful of once again being happy, but  they each have secrets that make it difficult to easily piece their family back together.

This novel alternates between Janusz and Silvana together in post-war England and the past in Poland for each character separately. As they try to build a new life and recapture their relationship, the reader is introduced slowly to the events and secrets that shaped them while they were apart. This structure worked well for me. It built tension and peaked my curiosity. I did find Silvana to be more difficult to wrap myself around, so the sections focusing Janusz were essential. It was because of him that I was able to care about Silvana and Aurek. They were broken characters, but something solid came in between me and them that prevented compassion from taking over. Were it not for Janusz, I wouldn’t have enjoyed the book.

It was a pleasure to experience this novel through Robin Sachs narration. He has such a comforting voice, yet it lends itself well to mystery and human pain. I may never be able to spell Janusz without assistance, but I can still hear Sachs say his name in my memory. After now listening to his narration of 22 Britannia Road and The Last Werewolf, I truly appreciate how versatile Robin  Sachs is. If you’ve yet to listen to one of his audiobook, I strongly suggest it. His is a voice you’ll not soon forget.

22 Britannia Road is a novel about the impact of secrets on lovers and families. It is also a story about the strength of the human spirit during war and its aftermath. While I didn’t love Amanda Hodgkinson’s debut novel, I certainly enjoyed it. I hope to read excellent things from her in the future.

Sylvester or The Wicked Uncle

Published by: Sourcebooks

Published on: April 1, 2011

Page Count: 400

Genre: Regency Romance

My Reading Format: Review copy sent to me by the publisher for review

Available Formats: Paperback and eBook

My Review

Sylvester, the bachelor Duke of Salford, became the guardian of his young nephew when his twin brother passed away. Although [insert boy’s name]’s mother is alive and living with the Duke at Chance, but she is not the attentive mother she’d have the world believe. It is the knowledge that his nephew needed a strong female influence that compelled him at long last to discuss his own marriage with his mother. It was then that Phoebe Marlow, the daughter of his mother’s best friend was mentioned. Phoebe just came out the year before and, unbeknownst to anyone other than her close childhood friend Thomas Orde and her governess, her first impression of Sylvester was so poor that she made him the villain in a society novel set to be published anonymously. Sylvester was equally unimpressed with Phoebe when he arrives at her father’s estate for a visit. As fate and other people scheme to bring them together, will their first impressions hold up or they too close to the situation to see what’s best?

This novel got off to a rough start for me. The premise sounded promising, but the heavy prose of the first few chapters bogged me down. Once Phoebe arrived on the scene, the novel picked up some much needed steam. There was never any doubt how the novel would end. That isn’t the point of a Georgette Heyer Regency romance. The fun is in the getting there. I very much enjoyed Phoebe’s character and her misadventures in London society and publishing. Although she is easily flustered around her step mother, she is a spunky woman who won’t follow convention when she feels it will ruin her life. Her relationship with Tom adds an interesting element to her character and the story as well. I never warmed up to Sylvester’s character as much as I had hoped. I would have preferred him to have a touch of evil instead of unknowingly acting like a spoiled Duke. I never saw him as the wicked uncle. Had I, the story would have been more compelling over all. That being said, Sylvester or the Wicked Uncle is a pleasant and often humorous Regency romance.

Today is Georgette Heyer’s birthday! Sourcebooks is celebrating by pricing all of their Heyer eBooks at $1.99 this week. Be sure to check out what’s available through your eBook vendor. I would definitely recommend picking up Sylvester or the Wicked Uncle as well as The Reluctant Widow, which I especially loved.

The Mistress of Nothing

Published by: Simon & Schuster

Published on: January 2011

Page Count: 250

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Reading Format: Review copy sent to me by the publisher

Available Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

My Review

The Mistress of Nothing came into my reading life at an advantageous time. Just prior to me picking it up, Egypt had overthrown its government. I had also recently watched the first installment of Downton Abbey, a PBS series about British aristocracy and their hired help. These things put me in the perfect mindset to read this novel, which is written from the point of view of Sally Naldrett, the lady maid for Lady Duff Gordon.

Lady Duff Gordon has a terrible case of consumption and, as different climates on the continent were of little help to her, she is forced to leave her family for at least two years to live in the hotter, dryer climate of Egypt. As Lady Duff Gordon’s lady maid, Sally had little choice but to travel with her. Luckily, she was excited for the adventure and longed to see her Lady feeling better. While Egypt was literally a world away to the two women, they acclimated as well as could be expected. It was the women’s great good luck to encounter, Omar, the man who would become their dragoman, a translator, guide, and all around helper. Soon, they dropped their stays and confining dresses and adopted the dress of the Egyptians. Lady Duff Gordon was soon well enough to entertain both other British nationals as well as local men of a similar station to her own. When she is not ill, Lady Duff Gordon needs very little from Sally and Omar and their relationships, much to Sally’s shock, becomes more casual. Sally realizes that traveling to Egypt has given her the opportunity to be treated almost as an important friend, something that never would have occurred were she in England. This time of happiness did not last. With the arrival of Lady Duff Gordon’s husband for a visit does not go as the Lady had hoped and Sally makes it impossible for her not to tell Lady Duff Gordon the one secret she’d been keeping from her, Sally’s life comes crashing down.

While The Mistress of Nothing dealt with the lives of actual human beings, what struck me the most about the story is the relationship between those with power, in this case Lady Duff Gordon, and those with none, Sally and Omar. Even in times of illness, while Lady Duff Gordon believes that she is in control of her life and her environment, she is kind-hearted to those needing her help and assistance. Before they left England for Egypt Sally relates the a fellow servant who had fallen from grace. The father of her unborn child left her and without her work, this unfortunate woman has nothing and no where to go. Sally is certain that her Lady will be kind to the girl and she was. Benevolence is easy when one feels in control. Benevolence also has a nasty flip side.

When you’re in the situation of relying on the good will of another human being, be that for your livelihood or your life, you ought never take it for granted. This is what happened to Sally. She is taken aback by the way Lady Duff Gordon relaxed their relationship in Egypt. Both Sally and Omar mistook the growing intimacy of their evenings for her Lady Duff Gordon’s growing fondness of them. In actuality, it was all about Lady Duff Gordon and the freedom she herself had discovered. Taking that change as a sign of friendship and relaxing themselves set the stage for what was to come.

I truly enjoyed The Mistress of Nothing. Not only did the Egyptian landscape and lifestyles come to life, I cared very much about the characters and how they made their lives there. It’s interesting how one can adapt so easily and thoroughly to physical, mental and religious changes in the landscape. Kate Pullman is an excellent writer and she had me hooked from the very first sentence. She adds depth to the characters and the situation in which they found themselves in a concise and beautiful manner. This is a novel for historical fiction fans and all readers interested in the dynamics between classes and how women interact with and treat one another. I highly recommend reading this novel.

Published by: Amy Einhorn Books

Published on: February 2010

Page Count: 318

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Reading Format: Hardcover purchased from Powells.

Available Formats: Hardcover, paperback, eBook, audiobook

Giveaway: Please leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of The Postmistress. (US/Canada only)

I have a lot of fun working as a tour host for TLC Book Tours.  They always have great books and authors on tour.  Check out their website for more information on this tour and the others that they are hosting.

The Postmistress tells the story of three very different American woman during the time before their country entered into World War II. Iris and Emma are both fairly new year long residents of Franklin, Massachusetts, a summer destination along Cape Cod. Iris, a woman approaching middle age, serves as Franklin’s postmaster. As a female, she is a curiosity to the town. Soon, she earns their respect for running an efficient, orderly post office. Emma moves to Franklin after marrying her husband, Dr. Fitch. His family has a scandalous past, yet he still returns home to start his medical practice. Since losing her entire family to illness, Emma clings to Will with all her might and has a difficult time feeling comfortable in Franklin. Frankie, like Iris, is a woman ahead of her time. She is serving as a war time correspondent in London under Edward R. Murrow. She fights against the general perception that only men should report on the war. As the German bombing intensifies, she finds herself wanting to discover and tell the true story of the war. In doing so, the lives of all three woman are brought together.

The Postmistress and I got off to a bumpy start. At the very beginning, Iris sees a gynecologist for the express purpose of confirming her virginity and receiving certification of that fact for a man she believes may interested in her romantically. The doctor was aghast and so was I. While I understand that proof of virginity was once an important thing, this still took me out of the story before it really even started. How is it that a woman who made a postmaster of herself would feel the need to become a “certified virgin” for a man is beyond me. I’m sure that there are logical reasons why a successful woman might make such a decision, but this didn’t endear me to Iris and I never fully overcame it.

Thankfully, Iris didn’t play as much of a role in the story as the title might otherwise suggest. The heart of the novel was with Frankie as she covered the war in Europe and found herself on the trail of the true story behind what was happening to Europe’s Jews. This part of the novel completely engrossed me. I felt as though I was in London with her, always on guard for the German bombers. I understood how important newscasters became to Americans back home and why Edward R. Murrow became so revered. I loved Frankie’s fire and courage in the face of the enemy and the news censors.

I asked to join this TLC Book Tour to “force myself” to finally sit down and read Sarah Blake’s novel. I’m so very glad that I did. The sections of the book in Europe reawakened my interest in a time period I sometimes tend to avoid. While I may have enjoyed the book been focused entirely on Frankie, I appreciate the connection back to the  United States. It is that connection that packed a punch at the end of the novel. It is that connection that sparked Frankie’s evolution as a person and as a reporter. This novel wouldn’t have been the same without it.

Sarah Blake’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Tuesday, March 1st:  You’ve GOTTA Read This!

Thursday, March 3rd:  Amusing Reviews

Friday, March 4th:  Musings of an All Purpose Monkey

Monday, March 7th:  Caribousmom

Thursday, March 10th:  Book Reviews by Molly

Monday, March 14th:  One Person’s Journey Through a World of Books

Tuesday, March 15th:  Book Club Classics!

Wednesday, March 16th:  Debbie’s Book Bag

Thursday, March 17th:  In the Next Room

Monday, March 21st:  Peeking Between the Pages

Wednesday, March 23rd:  Red Headed Book Child

Thursday, March 24th:  Diary of an Eccentric

Friday, March 25th:  Life in Review

Monday, March 28th:  Suko’s Notebook

Tuesday, March 29th:  Books and Movies

Wednesday, March 30th:  Stephanie’s Written Word

A Thousand Rooms of Dream and Fear

Published by: Other Press

Published on: January 11, 2011

Page Count: 176

Genre: Fiction

My Reading Format: Hardcover provided by the publisher

Available Formats: Hardcover, eBook

When Jenn and Nicole announced their Book Club, I was excited to participate. Their first selection was A Thousand Rooms of Dreams and Fear by Atiq Rahimi and published by Other Press. The cover is beautiful and the premise, a young man on the run from the Afghani government in 1979 was even more intriguing. It is a short book, but don’t let that fool you. It is a deep and intense reading experience.

When we first meet Farhad, he believes he is dying in his room and he cannot get his family to hear or help him. His mind runs to his fears of the afterlife and he tries to dispel the ghosts he believes are torturing him by using the superstitious prayers his grandfather taught him. What he doesn’t remember was the beating he received the night before, out on the streets. Slowly, his situation and his unfamiliar location become clear to him. Then, new fears and worries take hold.

There was definitely something lost in the translation with Rahimi’s novel. First, I’m not from the same or even similar cultures or religious traditions, so I could almost feel subtext and dialog fly over my head. Also, I believe there was a lot of beauty in the author’s writing that is missed by English speaking readers. There was something about the structure that made me feel that way. It’s not that I took issue with the translators themselves. There are just some differences in languages that can’t be translated.

For all the cultural distance, I could very much relate to Farhad on a personal level. His gut reaction to imminent death is the strongest example. My religious views have been in conflict since I moved away from home, if not even before. With the current exception of attending Mass (mostly) weekly and seeing to my daughters’ religious education, there’s nothing else there. Despite the fact that I can’t much be motivated to do much more than provide my children some semblance of religious tradition within my day to day life, I would worry about going to hell if I thought the end was nigh. We’re worlds apart, Farhad and me, but his experience shed light on my own soul.

A Thousand Rooms of Dreams and Fear is a book I may not have otherwise read had it not been for Book Club. I am glad that I had the opportunity to read outside of my ordinary selections. I read it at the perfect time in my life, making it a rewarding read. I don’t know that this is a novel for everyone, but it certainly made an impact on me.

The Winter Sea

Published by: Sourcebooks

Published on: December 1, 2010

Page Count: 544

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Reading Format: Paperback copy received as a gift when visiting Sourcebooks headquarters

Available Formats: Paperback and eBook

Carrie McClelland is a author if historical fiction who has traveled to Scotland, the land of her ancestors on her father’s side, to write a novel based upon the little known attempted Jacobite uprising in 1708. Her agent lives in Northern Scotland, near Slains, an ancient castle of interest to Carrie because her initial main character, Colonel Nathaniel Hooke, visited there just before the events. She doesn’t expect the connection she feels with Slains. It keeps her in Cruden Bay and alters the perspective of her novel. Soon Sophia and her life at Slains is all she can think and write about. When the sons of her kindly landlord enter the picture, Sophia and her life take on even more significance.

It took me a little while to warm up to The Winter Sea. It isn’t that Susanna Kearsley’s writing isn’t lovely or that I didn’t care for the characters. I did. Two factors were at play. First, I wasn’t initially in a Historical Fiction state of mind when I started the book. I was drawn to the beautiful cover, but I found out that I wasn’t really in the mood for the past at first. Second, because a story was brewing both in the past and in the present, a good deal of background information about Carrie and Sophia was being covered through interspersed chapters made the beginning feel really long. It felt like it was taking twice the effort to involved in the story. I was just getting to know Carrie when I’m brought back to the beginning all over again with Sophia. Once the action both at the Slains of old and Cruden Bay in the present started to take off, I didn’t want to put it down.

There is a spark of the supernatural to this story in that Carrie grows to wonder how she can know certain facts about Slains and Sophia before she actually discovers the facts. I have read reviews by others who had a more difficult time with this aspect of the story, but I enjoyed her having this closer connection to the novel she’s writing. I didn’t have any difficulty suspending my disbelief. I enjoyed Carrie and both stories enough to happily follow along.

As someone who really enjoyed Outlander, it was nice to return to Scotland. There’s just something about that place that captures my imagination. They’re rugged and passionate people with such a unique history. I’ve always been drawn to the underdog. In any fight for independence, I’m going to root for those seeking their freedom. I’m not sure if this is because I’m from the United States or, more specifically, was born into an American family who always roots for sports teams from Detroit. The Scottish people appeal to that part of my heart and imagination. The Winter Sea is no exception. When you throw in a couple of love stories with handsome, rugged Scotsman, for what more is there to ask?

Highly recommend

Other Voices

You know what I think. Check out what these other bloggers have to say:

Reading Adventures
Dear Author
Rundpinne

Penelope’s Daughter

Published by: Penguin

Published on: October 2010

Page Count: 368

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Reading Format: Paperback review copy sent by the publisher

Available Formats: Paperback, eBook

With Odysseus’ disappearance following Troy, Penelope is in dire straights. Her son, a young boy meant to one day rule in his father’s place, is growing up without a strong male influence and it shows. Xanthe, the daughter Odysseus doesn’t even know he has, is in danger of being raped by and then forced into marriage to any of the numerous men wanting to insert themselves into rule (pun intended). In order to save her daughter from a horrible fate and to help to keep Odysseus’ kingdom intact for the husband she’s certain will one day return, Penelope takes drastic measures.  As a result, Xanthe spends the remainder of her youth under the tutelage of the infamous Helen.

It’s safe to say that I was never a happier English major than I was the day I completed studying ancient literature such as The Odyssey.  I’m not one for epic poetry. So,when Penelope’s Daughter was pitched to me, I can’t actually say what it was that made me say, “Send it my way.” It certainly wasn’t Homer. Realizing I had read and enjoyed Laurel Corona’s first novel The Four Seasons, which made me much happier and must have been what prompted me to say yes.

In telling the story of a young woman whose future is at stake and can change at any moment based on the whim of almost any man, Penelope’s Daughter reminds me of the stories Michelle Moran tells of Ancient Rome.  It’s not just the time and place. Instead of it feeling like social commentary about a time long ago, these authors take women who are outwardly powerless and develop them into courageous characters readers will care about and champion.

There is a good deal more graphic debauchery that takes place in Corona’s Greece than in Moran’s  Rome.  I’m still not sure how I feel about the role that the religious festival Helen presided over played in the novel.  While teaching young women to take joy in their own bodies and ownership of their sexuality is a good thing, those scenes in and around the cave didn’t sit well with me.  They weren’t enough to change my opinion of the book, but they did leave me feeling uncomfortable.

I enjoyed Penelope’s Daughter. In comparing it to The Four Seasons, I can see her growth as a story teller. Xanthe’s story flowed so smoothly. It involved me so much that I found myself researching the basic plot lines of The Odyssey to enhance my reading. That is really saying something.  Laurel Corona is an author to keep an eye on if you read Historical Fiction.  Given her first two novels, you won’t find yourself in the same place twice.

Other Voices

You’ve read what I have to say.  Why not check out what this blogger had to say?

The Burton Review

The Forever Queen

Published by: Sourcebooks

Published on: November 2010

Page Count: 656

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Reading Format: ARC sent to me by the publisher for participating in the book tour

Available Formats: Paperback, eBook

Emma, the youngest sister of Richard of Normandy, has been betrothed to King Aethelred of England as a means to strengthen Richard’s relationship with them. She is but 13 when she makes her way by ship to a land she’s never known where they speak a language completely foreign to her. Using the advice her mother gave her, Emma prepares for her destiny with as much courage as she could muster. Unfortunately, it quickly becomes apparent that she has more courage and determination than her husband. Aethelred is ineffective and listens to the wrong advisers. He’s never been able to move beyond the rather smarmy circumstances that brought him to the throne. Despite the conditions, Emma learns to love her new country. As it turns out, Emma is exactly what England needed.

As a lover of historical fiction, I knew early on that I was going to love Emma and enjoy The Forever Queen. Emma is truly a woman who made the most of her life. I know that no matter what was thrown her way she would come out of life victorious. From the moment she met Godwine and his dog, I cared about her and her kingdom. Emma is a gem and I’m glad I got to meet her through Helen Hollick’s novel.

Although this novel is entitled The Forever Queen, there is more to this story than just what Emma could have told us. I liked how the author interspersed the political intrigue throughout. It kept the story of England at that time moving and even provided a few surprises.

If you’re a frequent reader of historical fiction, you’re familiar with all the drama surrounding giving up your virginity to a royal husband you do not love. Although I feel that Hollick did this well by not dwelling too much on Emma’s worries and the “main event,” I’m growing weary of them. I’m not sure how that can be avoided when reading books about women and young girls given away in marriage to foreign monarchs, though.

My Final Thoughts

Longtime readers of my blog will know that I’m slightly cooler than lukewarm when it comes to fiction about the medieval times. I’ve often challenged myself to read books from that time period, but even with Helen Hollick’s The Kingmaking, I’ve never been able to lose myself in those books. Both The Pillars of the Earth and The Forever Queen have changed that. They opened my eyes to what can be found in that world and I look forward to going back. I hope that my Emma grows up to be as resilient and courageous as this long ago queen.