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Book Review: The Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot

March 16, 2012 by Darlene

Here I go again about to gush over yet another great historical read – this one being The Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot! In The Sister Queens, Perinot takes two Queens, Marguerite of France and Eleanor of England, and brings history to life. The Sister Queens has it all… court life, balls, rivalry, politics, love and lust; with the added element of it seeming so real to the reader as though watching a film. A fantastic debut!

Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence have been brought up to marry well from a very young age in order to further their family. They are beautiful girls and are taught in all the things important for that era from needlework to music in order to make the perfect match. Marguerite, being the eldest, is married first to Louis IX, the King of France. Eleanor, a while later, is married to Henry III, the King of England. The girls are but children still when married, being thirteen and twelve and while they’ve always been rivals they also deeply love and miss each other. They will not see each other again for almost twenty years but they will write constantly.

At first Marguerite is very happy. Louis is an attentive husband although much too easily led by his mother. As time wears on Louis becomes more and more obsessed with his passion for God and listening to his mother and begins to spend less and less time with Marguerite. She is becoming more and more unhappy – maybe unhappy enough to stray in her marriage. Eleanor, on the other hand, has a good marriage from the start that only seems to grow stronger over time with a few bumps along the way. As is their way, both women compare their husbands and want what the other is lacking – Louis being a good king but not the best husband and Henry not being the best ruler but a good family man. The years pass and Marguerite goes on a Crusade with Louis and spends six years away from her children. Eleanor learns to tame her fiery temper somewhat and learns better how to deal with Henry. Above all the sisters always have each other through their words and letters.

The novel is told in alternating chapters between the sisters and I really enjoyed this format, always finding myself anxious to get back to the other sister’s life. Another thing that really puts this novel above some others is that the author fleshes out all of her characters. Yes it’s a story about Marguerite and Eleanor and yet you come away from reading this book with a look into their husband’s lives as well. Marguerite and Eleanor’s story follows them over the span of twenty years. Both women were strong and independent and the author draws you into both of their lives and has you rooting for each of them. My only wish is that the novel would have continued on to the end of both of their lives. Although the novel is a little over five hundred pages, I wanted more! Sophie Perinot is definitely an author to watch and I can’t wait to read what she writes next!

 

I read The Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot for her book tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Be sure to check out the other tour stops and see what everyone else is saying about the book. Make sure to check out Sophie’s website and blog and you can find her on Facebook and Twitter as well! Your own copy of The Sister Queens can be purchased here in the US and here in Canada.

Please stop by next week on Wednesday when Sophie joins us with a guest post and giveaway!

Source: Review copy provided by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the Publisher. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.

Filed Under: 2012 - 100+ Books, 2012 ARC's, 2012 Book Reviews, Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. bermudaonion (Kathy) says

    March 16, 2012 at 6:48 am

    The book sounds like one my sister would enjoy, but I do think the publisher could have given the book a better cover.

  2. Colleen Turner says

    March 16, 2012 at 10:33 am

    I can’t wait to read this book…it sounds so good!

  3. sagustocox says

    March 16, 2012 at 11:11 am

    this isn’t my type of book at all…but sounds like you enjoyed it a great deal

  4. Kailana says

    March 16, 2012 at 11:27 am

    I really want to read this at some point!

  5. zibilee says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    I love great historical fiction well well rounded characters, so you’ve gotten me really interested in this book. It seems like something that I would really enjoy, and I am glad that you liked it so much, Dar! Great review as well!

  6. Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Reader says

    March 16, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    I just bought a copy of this book today, so I’m glad to read another positive review 🙂 I won’t likely read it in the near future, but I can’t wait to do so.

  7. blodeuedd says

    March 17, 2012 at 7:08 am

    I am so curious about this one and i really want to read it 😀

  8. Millenia Black says

    March 17, 2012 at 2:15 pm

    I’ve added this to my wish list – sounds good!

  9. Anna says

    March 18, 2012 at 8:31 am

    This sounds fantastic. Sounds like you’ve been lucky in your reading lately. 🙂

  10. Samantha says

    March 18, 2012 at 9:59 am

    Darlene, you are my main source of good historical fiction reads…I feel like I add them all to my TBR list 🙂 Another book that I want to read right now! Great review!

  11. Jennygirl says

    March 19, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    I wanted to rad this one but I just couldn’t fit in. I will definitely add it to the list. I like the alternating chapters. Different 🙂

  12. Staci@LifeintheThumb says

    March 19, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    Gush on girlfriend!! I have this one to read and you make it sound absolutely wonderful. That’s why I love historical fiction so much!

  13. Mary says

    March 20, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    It’s on my TBR list so I’m glad you loved it, Dar.

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