Tag: Joanna Courtney

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Review: The Conqueror’s Queen by Joanna Courtney

Review of The Conqueror’s Queen, historical fiction by Joanna Courtney based on the life of Mathilda of Flanders, Duchess of Normandy and wife of William the Conqueror.

The Conqueror's Queen by Joanna Courtney cover
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Synopsis

Mathilda of Flanders reluctantly accepts her father’s choice of husband for her: William, Duke of Normandy. When she goes to Normandy for her wedding, Mathilda finds a court full of men with very little appreciation of great culture.

Keen to win Mathilda’s heart along with her hand, William vows that one day he will earn England’s throne for her. In 1051, King Edward invites the couple to his court at Westminster for Christmas and promises his throne to them upon his death.

William and Mathilda spend the following years strengthening Normandy together and raising their always increasing family. Then 1066 comes around and King Edward dies. The English seem to have forgotten their promises and crown Harold Godwinson, but William has not forgotten and plans an invasion.

Review

In The Conqueror’s Queen, Joanna Courtney beautifully rounds out her Queens of the Conquest trilogy with a book that’s descriptive and engaging right up to the end. She excels in writing a variety of unique characters each with their own personalities and motives.

It was interesting to see William the Conqueror before he became the Conqueror. I also enjoyed seeing a kinder, more just side of him. History tends to remember William as conniving and merciless. While that part of him isn’t absent, it is tempered by care, devotion, and a desire for loyalty. Overall, the book shows him as a well-rounded personality and makes him easier to empathise with.

I loved the relationship between William and Mathilda; they were such a great couple. While they have some rough patches, their relationship is solid. They obviously respect and trust each other. Mathilda is the perfect partner to help William rule his lands.

There was a bit where William tells Mathilda that he slept with some prostitutes before marrying her so that he would know how to please her. My immediate thought was “Aww, that’s so sweet,” but then I stopped and thought: “is that really aww worthy?” Is it? I can’t decide.

I’m not sure about the inclusion of Judith’s story. In The Constant Queen, the author included Tora’s story. This made sense as Harold had a history with Tora, and the two women’s stories eventually came together. That doesn’t happen with Mathilda and Judith in The Conqueror’s Queen.

Mathilda is a fantastic woman. She’s intelligent, down to earth, and thinks things through before dealing with the situation. While her character starts out young and flighty, she develops realistically and becomes the perfect Duchess of Normandy. I would love to read a book on her life as Queen of England.

Conclusion

Have you read The Conqueror’s Queen? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.

If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).

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Review: The Constant Queen by Joanna Courtney

Review of The Constant Queen by Joanna Courtney, an historical fiction novel set in 11th century Europe.

The Constant Queen by Joanna Courtney cover
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Synopsis

Based on the life of Elizaveta, Princess of Kiev and wife of Harald Hardrada, king of Norway. When an exiled Norse nobleman (Harald) arrives at her father’s court, Elizaveta agrees to keep his treasure safe while he goes out and makes his fortune. He returns several times, but always heads back out for more.

Over time, Elizaveta grows tired of waiting for Harald to marry her. She gives him the keys to his treasure and tells him to leave. On his way home, Harald grows increasingly morose and eventually returns to Kiev to win Elizaveta back.

Together, they return to Norway to claim the crown and build a stronger kingdom. Harald’s relationship with Elizaveta is passionate and tumultuous, and he occasionally turns to a childhood sweetheart for peace.

Review

The Constant Queen is my least favourite book in the Queens of the Conquest trilogy. The book skipped through time a bit quickly for me. I had trouble keeping up with what year we were in and how what was happening fitted in with what else was going on in the world.

There was too much focus on the romantic side of the story for my liking. I would have preferred more history and politics. However, it seems that Joanna Courtney decided to use romance and a love triangle to create intrigue. Also, as the story progresses the phrases used in the romantic bits become repetitive.

Of the three men who claimed the English throne in 1066, Harald Hardrada is probably the least known and the most forgotten. Afterall, unlike Harold Godwinson and William the Conqueror, he never actually got to be King of England. I enjoyed reading a book that looked at this lesser known man and the background to his involvement in the events of 1066.

I liked the contrast between Harald’s two wives. Elizaveta is fiery, rebellious, and independent whereas Tora is sweet, understanding, and steadfast. I appreciated how the relationship between the two women wasn’t used to create drama or move the plot forward. Sure, there is some initial subtle nastiness and power struggles between Elizaveta and Tora, but by the end they become friends and learn how to work together.

“Er, Lady Tora Arnasson, this is Queen Elizaveta.”

“Of Kiev?” Tora asked, taking a single step forward.

“Of Norway,” the dark girl said stonily, taking a mirrored step.

Elizaveta did not hold out her hand and for that, at least, Tora was grateful for she could no more have kissed it than she could a weed-strung toad. Instead, they both bowed their heads in a curt greeting, more for the eagerly watching Norwegians than each other.

“And how,” Tora asked, “do you find your new country?”

“Very agreeable,” came the swift reply, laced with an exotic southerly inflection, but Tora saw the edge of Elizaveta’s full lips twitch and knew she’d hit a nerve. Good.

Unfortunately, some of the characters are distractingly modern. Elizaveta’s strength has a distinctly feminist feel to it that doesn’t fit in with the historical setting. Also, the men generally seem unbothered by Elizaveta (and later her daughter) acting rebellious; I had thought 11th century men would try to supress such actions.

Conclusion

Have you read The Constant Queen? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.

If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).

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Review: The Chosen Queen by Joanna Courtney

Review of The Chosen Queen, historical Fiction set in 11th century Britain by Joanna Courtney

The Chosen Queen by Joanna Courtney cover (review by the Travelling Book Nerd)

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Synopsis

The Chosen Queen is based on the life of Edyth, daughter of the Earl of east Anglia, wife of king Griffin of Wales, and later married to Harold Godwinson.

When Edyth’s father is exiled from court, the family go to Wales. There, Edyth catches the eye of King Griffin and when her family leaves, she stays behind to marry him. As Queen of Wales, Edyth learns how to support the men in her life rule a country.

Returning with her children to England following Griffin’s murder, Edyth becomes firm friends with Svana, handfast wife of Harold Godwinson. As political tensions rise due to the lack of an obvious heir for the aging king, the pressure on Edyth and Harold to marry and claim their place at England’s head.

Review

Even though I’m familiar with the history and knew the basics of what was going to happen, especially towards the end, I still found myself hooked. Primary sources from this period of history are largely biased (about men by men), and I enjoyed the way this book focused more on the women.

Despite being a bit modern, the characters are brought to life well and seem more like actual people than primary sources make them seem. They seemed understandable and I came to really care for them.

Edyth is a very admirable woman. She is strong, resilient, and mature. She fights for what she believes in. I particularly admired her understanding of politics and the way that she helps the men in her life make decisions. In this way, she has a significant effect on the running of her country even though she couldn’t hold any official power.

He looked at her curiously and she spun round to grab his other hand in hers. “We should tour the whole country – the north first. Let people see you, talk to you. It is what you do well, Harold, and people will trust a king they have seen with their own eyes.” He nodded thoughtfully and she pushed on. “Griffin skulked at Rhuddlan. He thought he was safe, but it was an illusion – as you proved all too well.” Harold grimaced but now was the time for lessons, not recriminations. “We only rode south when it was too late – that is not a mistake you can afford to make.”

“You are right. You are so right, Edyth. See, I told you I needed you as queen.”

The author changed the names of some of the characters to make it easier for a modern reader. I understand this, and some of these changes were done well, such as Eadyth/Edyth and Gyrth/Garth. Other changes, I didn’t like – the difference between the real person’s name and the book character’s name is just too great. For example, Gunnhild becomes Hannah and Leofwine becomes Lane.

The Chosen Queen is full of historical detail but isn’t bogged down with it. It really made me feel that I was experiencing the 11th century. The intense political climate of the time is thoroughly explored. The author has clearly done some excellent research into the period; her world-building is excellent both in the big events and the little details.

Conclusion

Have you read The Chosen Queen? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.

If you haven’t, it can be bought at Book Depository (they have free worldwide shipping!).

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