Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: To be Queen
Author: Christy English
Publisher: NAL
ISBN-13: 978-0-451-23230-4
Release Date: April 2011
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Fiction
Year/Setting: 1100’s/County of Poitou; Paris; Jerusalem, and more
Overall Rating: 4.5
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual/Sexual
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None/Mild
Violent Content Rating: Minimal/Moderate (Medieval)
Christy's Website/Blog: www.christyenglish.com
Dear Readers:
This beautiful story focuses on the full life, tragedies, romances, affairs, and power that Eleanor of Aquitaine held in the palm of her hands.
Eleanor’s papa, Duke William X of Aquitaine, was a wonderful leader for his people. Aquitaine was a beloved area that was one of the richest and most beautiful that Europe had to offer. Unfortunately for the Duke, his wife passed on after giving birth to his second daughter and their were no males to inherit the legacy. Of course, Papa wasn’t quite worried about it - his daughter, Eleanor, had already shown the power, loyalty, and intense skills she had to do whatever she wanted, to accomplish any task, and to become the Queen of France. When we begin, ten-year-old Eleanor has escaped from her maids to run free in a field. Coming upon a tryst taking place between her father’s mistress and some common troubadour, Eleanor becomes very upset and tells her father about the secret affair, proving her loyalty yet again. Papa has a long talk with her about the realities of the world - that no one can be trusted and that there will always be spies trying to destroy Eleanor’s life along the way.
There is one that holds Eleanor’s heart - one of her father’s barons who has sworn loyalty to Aquitaine and can not seem to stay away from Eleanor as she matures into a beautiful young woman. But when the Duke dies, Eleanor must pledge herself and her lands to the soon-to-be-King of France in order to protect her world and her people. She is soon Queen, although it is extremely hard for her to get Louis’ attention. This is not a mean King. In fact, Louis was very weak. He had lived out his whole life in the Church being raised by monks, and Eleanor soon sees that she must battle the highest of Thrones in order to get what she wants and to be seen as Queen of France.
The story goes through all of Eleanor’s triumphs and tragedies with the King, as well as not being able to provide him with an heir. Readers walk through her life as Queen of France, and falling for the King of Antioch, as well as finally standing before Henry Plantagenet - the red-haired warrior who would soon take over almost all of Europe - as Eleanor comes to sit beside him as the Queen of England.
Eleanor always stayed true to her people and Aquitaine. And she is the only one in history to have been Queen twice in her lifetime. She ruled through her own strong will; her many husbands; and, her sons, who took the throne of England for themselves, until finally she went into the Abbey of Fontevrault and waited for her own death to come. She and the Church would be at the opposite end all of Eleanor’s life, but she never thought of being thrown in with the damned. All she thought of was seeing her beloved Papa once again.
There are many historical novels out there focusing on this King or that Queen, but this is truly an amazing work that speaks volumes about one of the most incredible royals to ever sit on a throne. You will enjoy!
Until next time,
Amy
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