The
Shadow Queen
by
Anne O'Brien
by
Anne O'Brien
The
Shadow Queen is the
story of Joan of Kent, a tale of treachery, power-hungry families and legal
subterfuges, in which Joan, a woman of considerable charm and beauty, played a
central role at the Plantagenet Court.
‘What
would enhance the pattern of my life further? One word slid into my
mind.
A seductive word. A dangerous word, perhaps, for a woman. Power.’
From her first clandestine marriage Joan
of Kent’s reputation was one of scandal and rumour. Her royal blood made her a desirable bride,
but her ambition and passion could become a threat to the stability of the
Plantagenet dynasty.
Joan knew what she must do to survive, the
political games to play, the alliances she must make, even if one man will
always own her heart. But would her
ambitions bring her happiness?
A
dramatic story of love and loyalty and of the cost of personal ambition, this
is the story of the woman who would
ultimately seek power as the mother to the ten year old King Richard II, from
the shadows of the throne.
The Shadow Queen breathes life back into this remarkable
medieval woman, Joan, the Fair Maid of Kent of Kent.
What did I think of the Book?
From the opulence and
grandeur of court life to the damp and crumbling manor of the Holand estate,
journey back in time to the reign of Edward III and see things through the
fresh and young eyes of Joan, The Fair Maid of Kent.
Joan of
Kent can want for nothing. With a proud lineage, this Plantagenet princess can
look forward to a bright future. Wealth, respectability, jewels, land, power,
and position, are all hers for the taking. Joan knows what is expected of her.
She is to marry well.
Joan's
mother, Margaret Wake, 3rd Baroness Wake of Liddell, brings her the most
wonderful news. Joan is to be given in matrimony to her childhood friend,
William Montacute, the son of the first Earl of Salisbury. This marriage has
every advantage and comes with the King's approval. But there is a problem, for
Joan is already married to someone who did not look at her and count how much
money she would bring to the wedding bed. Instead, she married a man who loved
her. She just didn't tell anyone about the wedding! Her husband, Thomas
Holland, is away fighting for the King and Joan finds herself in a precarious
position. She has no allies to turn to in the face of her mother's ambition.
Joan will marry William Montacute,
even if it is the last thing she ever does.
Anne O'
Brien brings us another captivating story of seduction, scandal, and the most
heart-breaking tale of a woman who dared to go against convention and instead, followed
her heart. The Shadow Queen was so vivid in its detail that I found myself
completely immersed in the story. Time ticked on and yet I didn't notice as
each turn of the page brought more drama, more heartache, and a desperate hope
that this protagonist, this brave and courageous young woman, would find
happiness.
The Shadow
Queen is told in the first person, from Joan's perspective. Joan really
struggles with who she is, and it was a joy to watch her mature. Her
relationship with Ned was portrayed as the pinnacle moment of her life, not
just because Ned was who he was, but because this was a real grown-up
relationship for her. It came with problems, but they loved each other. Joan sometimes
came across as incredibly self-serving, but she really blossomed as a character
when she married Ned.
I have to
say I was deeply moved by the portrayal of Edward, 'Ned,' The Black Prince of
Wales. He was so real in the telling
that despite knowing beforehand how his life was to be cut cruelly short, this
story, the way O’Brien portrayed him, made me wish for an alternative ending. I
didn’t want him to die.
The Shadow
Queen is not just a great work of literature; it is more than that, it shows
the courage that these remarkable women had. We have all heard about how brave
these noblemen were, but the stories of their wives are even more compelling.
They all lost so many loved ones in a time where plague and war were rampant.
How terrible it must have been for these women who waited patiently at home,
hoping never to hear that their husband had died in battle. Such thoughts bring
tears to my eyes even now. Life was precarious; there was simply not the time
for wasted moments. Their stories—Joan's story—certainly deserves to be told. The
Shadow Queen has left a lasting impression on me.
I Highly
Recommend.
I received an ARC of this book from the Publishers, via NetGalley, for review consideration.
Links for Purchase
Publication date: 4th May 2017
Pre-order
Amazon UK
Amazon UK
About the author
Anne
O’Brien was born in West Yorkshire.
After gaining a BA Honours degree in History at Manchester University and a
Master’s in Education at Hull, she lived in East Yorkshire for many years as a
teacher of history.
She
now lives with her husband in an eighteenth-century timber-framed cottage in
the depths of the Welsh Marches in Herefordshire, on the borders between
England and Wales, where she writes historical novels. The perfect place in which to bring medieval
women back to life.
Visit
me.
Website: https://www.anneobrien.co.uk
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/anneobrienbooks/
Twitter: @anne_obrien
