BOOK REVIEW: The Winter Crown by Elizabeth Chadwick

Blurb

As Queen of England, Eleanor has a new cast of enemies―including the king.

Eleanor has more than fulfilled her duty as Queen of England-she has given her husband, Henry II, heirs to the throne and has proven herself as a mother and ruler. But Eleanor needs more than to be a bearer of children and a deputy; she needs command of the throne. As her children grow older, and her relationship with Henry suffers from scandal and infidelity, Eleanor realizes the power she seeks won't be given willingly. She must take it for herself. But even a queen must face the consequences of treason...

In this long-anticipated second novel in the Eleanor of Aquitaine trilogy, bestselling author Elizabeth Chadwick evokes a royal marriage where love and hatred are intertwined, and the battle over power is fought not with swords, but deception.

My Review

I've noticed some reviewers have mentioned that Eleanor of Aquitaine’s story has been overdone, and that too many historical fiction authors have decided to write a book about her life. I definitely disagree. There are two historical figures that I can read about over and over again, and they are Eleanor of Aquitaine and Anne Boleyn. The Winter Crown by Elizabeth Chadwick, as well as the first book in this set, The Summer Queen, are definitely two of the best books I've read about Eleanor.  Elizabeth Chadwick is one of the top writers of historical fiction that I have come across. I have yet to come across a book that she has written that I did not enjoy. The Winter Queen is no different. It has obviously been expertly researched, and her writing is full of detailed descriptions that completely captivate the reader, and take them right into Eleanor’s world. Her relationship with King Henry II is full of passion at the beginning, but both are strong, stubborn individuals who clash personality wise.

Eleanor’s life is so interesting to read about, and I think that Elizabeth Chadwick did a great job of presenting readers with a good representation of what she really could have been like, and the thoughts and feelings she definitely could have felt. It’s impossible not to love her in these two novels. I would 100% recommend both The Summer Queen—which details her earlier adventures, as well as her marriage to King Louis, and also this novel, The Winter Queen. Both are exceptional reads that all historical fiction fans will enjoy.

I give The Winter Queen a FIVE out of FIVE stars (same for The Summer Queen!)

Reviews

"A fabulous, engrossing and rollicking read that takes the reader into the very heart of the Angevin royal court with all of its schemes, plots and drama... This is a brilliant book and a veritable treat for fans of historical fiction – Elizabeth Chadwick's writing creates a vividly compelling and richly flamboyant Medieval world that readers can really immerse themselves in." - Madame Guillotine

"Elizabeth Chadwick still manages to weave a gripping story which I found unputdownable. Her characters, both the real and the imagined minor ones, live and breathe and have distinct personalities of their own... Highly recommended." - Historical Novel Society

"Moving, touching and historically accurate – a marvelous read for Chadwick fans. 4 1/2 Stars" - RT Book Reviews

About the Author

"A star back in Britain, Elizabeth Chadwick is finally getting the attention she deserves here,"-USA Today. Chadwick is the bestselling author of over 20 historical novels, including The Greatest Knight, The Scarlet Lion, A Place Beyond Courage, Lords of the White Castle, Shadows and Strongholds, The Winter Mantle, and The Falcons of Montabard, four of which have been shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Awards.

The Winter Queen is available for PRE-ORDER at Amazon--it will be released on September 1st!

ORDER The Winter Crown

ORDER The Summer Queen