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Shadow on the Crown: A Novel, by Patricia Bracewell
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A rich tale of power and forbidden love revolving around a young medieval queen
In 1002, fifteen-year-old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.
Determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the affection of the English people. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.
Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Shadow on the Crown introduces readers to a fascinating, overlooked period of history and an unforgettable heroine whose quest to find her place in the world will resonate with modern readers.
- Sales Rank: #262724 in eBooks
- Published on: 2013-02-07
- Released on: 2013-02-07
- Format: Kindle eBook
From Booklist
The first volume of a trilogy, Shadow on the Crown is the story of Emma, queen consort to the eleventh-century English king Aethelred II. A Norman in a loveless marriage of alliance, Emma is a spirited, clever 15-year-old who earns the love of her new subjects as well as that of Athelstan, eldest son of Aethelred. Emma returns that love, but will her sworn duty to her odious husband destroy the forbidden romance between queen and aetheling (prince)? And does love really belong to some other world, as Emma muses? In addition to the fraught love story, the novel examines the ongoing conflict between Aethelred’s forces and those of Swein Forkbeard, the canny, self-styled king of the Danes. Based in part on the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Bracewell’s sweeping first novel is richly researched and creates a fully realized eleventh-century world of violence, power, intrigue, and superstition. Lovers of historical romance will be pleased. --Michael Cart
Review
'A magnificent work of historical fiction, evoking time and place in a remarkable way' DAILY MAIL 'This is one of the most enthralling and captivating novels I've ever read. It truly is an epic novel. I can't wait to read the next book by this author.' KAREN MAITLAND 'A meticulously researched, lyrically written tale which shines a sensuous light into the murkier depths of the Dark Ages' ROBERT LOW 'A highly entertaining addition to the historical fiction genre' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 'Readers of historical sagas and romances will embrace this rich narrative' LIBRARY JOURNAL 'What a great book! Fascinating... a tense, exciting story' DIANA GABALDON,author of the bestselling Outlander series 'A well-wrought journey back to those little known times, this novel entertains while it educates' Margaret George, bestselling author of ELIZABETH I and HELEN OF TROY
About the Author
Patricia Bracewell grew up in California where she taught literature and composition before embarking upon her writing career. She holds an MA in English Literature, but has always been fascinated by English history - an interest that led her to a brief course in Anglo-Saxon history at Downing College, Cambridge University. She has two grown-up sons, and she lives with her Canadian husband in Oakland, California.
Most helpful customer reviews
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful.
Rich historical fiction about a little known medieval queen
By Susan
3.5 stars
Emma of Normandy, the sister of Richard II, Duke of Normandy, is Ӕthelred the Unready's third wife. Young, beautiful, and, at 15 years old, unprepared for the trials that await her, Emma is Ӕthelred's latest "wyrd" or fate. (*History geek squee* You will learn some OE words reading Bracewell's novel.)
As the protagonist in a tale rife with villains, Emma is a likable character, but she's no Mary Sue. She marries pluck with poise, intellect with equanimity, and she's a challenge for her king, who behaves like a spoiled man-child whenever he faces fear or opposition. It's been ages since I wanted to skewer a character beneath the nearest portcullis, but Ӕthelred is an irredeemable beast.
Fortunately, another villain waits in the shadows, one that has the potential to fascinate. Elgiva is Emma's constant foe, the femme-fatale who tries to outwit and out-seduce her queen. I warmed up to Elgiva first before gradually thinking the proper punishment for her might be an oubliette. She is a vain, opportunistic witch. This is also her charm. I couldn't help thinking of Anne Boleyn minus the sympathy factor. Elgiva's brother and father use her to their advantage, but Elgiva is more than willing to pay any price to ascend to her rightful place to the throne. No matter the shame.
Ultimately, even though Elgiva is strong-willed, the ethos of the age is against her. This is the hardship every woman in the novel must bear. Athelstan, Ӕthelred's eldest son and Emma's love interest, sums it up best when he reflects on his late mother: "Her impact upon her sons and daughters had been of no greater weight than that made by a single snowflake when it touches the earth. She had been but a shadow in their lives, almost invisible in the far larger shadow cast by their father, the king."
Shadow on the Crown has a rich cast of characters. Bottom line is, if you've a soft spot for historicals, particularly about medieval queens and periods seldom explored in fiction, Bracewell's debut novel is a pleasurable read.
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful.
Engaging.
By Cynthia McArthur
In Shadow on the Crown, Patricia Bracewell has written an engaging story about Queen Emma and her journey from Normandy to England, embellished with forbidden love, crushing sense of duty, and ultimately hope.
King Aethelred (the Unready) of England's uncrowned wife has died in childbirth, and admidst unrest on his council and Viking raiders on England's shores, he is forced into an alliance with Normandy. Emma is to be the peaceweaver whose influence spans the Narrow Sea. To Emma's disappointment, her husband is a misogynist brute who resents and mistrusts his young Norman bride, and many do not agree with his choice of a wife, including the Lady Elgiva who wanted the throne for herself. The only light in Emma's new life is Aethelred's brood of young children, and surprisingly his eldest son Athelstan, though any child of her body would be rival for the eldest aetheling's status as heir.
Emma is the victim of an uncaring husband, a hostile witan, and even the Vikings themselves, but she never displays a victim mentality, or self-pity. Emma is the annointed Queen of England, and she does everything she can, even at her own personal cost, to do the best thing for England and it's people.
This book was very well-written, the plot moved quickly and easily and the author did a great job of keeping all the characters straight. I would have liked to see a little more development in the early stages of the above-mentioned "forbidden love." But once it was established is was a lovely and heartbreaking relationship.
Shadow on the Crown is the first in a series of books and I eagerly await the second installment.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful.
A Magnificent Adventure into Medieval England!
By Stephanie Ward
4.5 Stars
'Shadow on the Crown' is a beautifully written novel set in the year 1002 that follows young Emma of Normandy as she is sent across the Narrow Sea from her home to wed the much older King Athelred of England. After being thrown into a new land and a new kingdom, she must deal with a husband who doesn't trust her, stepchildren who despise her, and another woman who will do anything to get her hands on the crown. Emma must learn to adapt to her new role as Queen and she makes alliances with men at court in order to win the love of her English people. Soon Emma finds herself falling in love with a man who is not her husband, the king, all while dealing with the dangerous threat of a Viking invasion that would threaten not only her role as Queen, but her life as well.
I don't normally read much historical fiction, but this book's description had me intrigued as it was set in medieval England and the surrounding area. I thought that a book with a strong female lead during that time would prove to be fascinating. Well, I was definitely not disappointed with this book. Emma proves to be a strong young woman who must mature and adapt to her new life quickly. She is brave, courageous, loyal, and self-assured - all great qualities for a Queen and as the novel's leading lady. The other characters weren't as rounded as she was, but they all provided the required situations and relational ties - both good and bad - that Emma needed in order to grow as a character. The setting was perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the time period as well as the varying locales found throughout the novel. The writing was what really got to me. The author has a magical way of writing that draws the reader into the scenario at hand - whatever it may be. I found myself easily imagining the story unfolding while I felt I was amongst the characters. I could shut my eyes and see what the author was describing, which is a marvelous trait that not all writers have. The writing itself was wonderful and had a solid plot and pace that felt natural. Overall, I loved this magnificent adventure back in time to witness the brave life of Emma and the opportunity to love her and root for her throughout the book. I very highly recommend this novel to fans of historical fiction as well as to readers who love a fantastic story told by a truly enchanting author.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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