Title: The Forever Queen
Author: Helen Hollick
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: November 1, 2010
Paperback: 656 pages
ISBN: 9978-1402240683
Genre: Historical Fiction
From the Publisher:
What kind of woman becomes the wife of two kings, and the mother of two more?
Saxon England, 1002. Not only is Æthelred a failure as King, but his young bride, Emma of Normandy, soon discovers he is even worse as a husband. When the Danish Vikings, led by Swein Forkbeard and his son, Cnut, cause a maelstrom of chaos, Emma, as Queen, must take control if the Kingdom—and her crown—are to be salvaged. Smarter than history remembers, and stronger than the foreign invaders who threaten England’s shores, Emma risks everything on a gamble that could either fulfill her ambitions and dreams or destroy her completely.
Emma, the Queen of Saxon England, comes to life through the exquisite writing of Helen Hollick, who shows in this epic tale how one of the most compelling and vivid heroines in English history stood tall through a turbulent fifty-year reign of proud determination, tragic despair, and triumph over treachery.
My Review:
Every so often a book comes along that takes the reader’s breath away, fully engaging the reader for days on end, transporting the reader to another place and time in history and The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick is just such a book. The Forever Queen is quite a tome, but once one begins the reader would have it no other way, as one is immediately transported back to 1002 Canterbury where the reader is introduced to 13-year-old Lady Emma who is awaiting her wedding to 34-year-old King Aethelred. A marriage arranged by her brother Richard to forge relations between Britain and Normandy, where Emma has no voice to object. Soon young Lady Emma becomes Queen Aelfgifu Regina, Queen of England. The injustices Emma endures along with the strength she finds in unlikely friends and a coming of her own, Emma is indeed a true heroine. Hollick’s diligence to history shines through in her descriptive writings of the shires, the people, their languages, dress, food, and customs along with her detailed and descriptive battle scenes. Hollick’s command of weaving together historical facts with imagined events is pure brilliance. Hollick masterfully conveys so many elements that make up a book well worth savouring; fear, jealousy, romance, mystery, intrigue, treason, compassion, and an all around extraordinary cast of characters, many are not as they seem and some are downright dreadful yet the story would not be the same without each and every one. The Forever Queen grabs the reader from the first page and keeps the reader fully engaged until the very end, making it an unforgettable read. A remarkable time in history is transformed into a engaging and delightful novel which will take the reader through a full series of emotions all the while cheering for young Emma, forced into a foreign land with a language she could neither speak nor understand, and a marriage and position she never wished for, to watching her transform into adulthood, becomes a mother and a force to be reckoned with. I cannot adequately praise The Forever Queen enough. Without hesitation I recommend The Forever Queen to all readers, especially those who enjoy historical fiction. While the book is long, I believe a book group could have great fun with this book over a series of time, as there is much to be discussed and debated over in The Forever Queen.
For information on the author please visit her website and/or follow her on Twitter.
The Forever Queen Book Club Schedule
November 1
http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/
http://calicocritic.blogspot.com/
November 2
http://www.passagestothepast.com/
http://lifeinthethumb.blogspot.com/
November 3
http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/
http://www.luxuryreading.com/
November 4
http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/
http://historicallyobsessed.blogspot.com/
November 5
http://booksbythewillowtree.blogspot.com/
http://www.historyandwomen.com/
November 8
http://www.rundpinne.com/
http://www.bookwormsdinner.blogspot.com/
November 9
http://debsbookbag.blogspot.com/
http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
November 10
http://literatehousewife.com/
http://carpelibrisreviews.com/
November 11
http://web.me.com/quirion/Bookaddict/Welcome.html
http://bibliophile23.wordpress.com/
November 12
http://www.brokenteepee.blogspot.com/
http://www.read-all-over.net
November 15
http://writesthoughts.blogspot.com/
http://celticladysramblings.blogspot.com/
November 16
http://www.jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/
http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/
November 17
http://bookalicio.us/
http://themaidenscourt.blogspot.com/
November 18
http://pushersink.blogspot.com/
http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/
November 19
http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/
http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/
November 22
Book Club Chat on http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/
7pm-9pm EST
I received a complimentary copy of The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick from Sourcebooks. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.
I’ve heard Hollick is an outstanding author, so I’m really not surprised to see you loved this book so much.
Yes she is rather a brilliant and diverse author. I have read everything she has out and have never been disappointed or left wanting.
I just posted on By Fire, By Water, and have found that I’m starting to really get into historical fiction novels! I’ve just put The Forever Queen on my wish list!
By Fire, By Water was indeed an excellent book. I think you will truly enjoy The Forever Queen. Helen Hollick’s historical fiction is so well done, it will take you to another time period.
Fantastic review! I was planning on reading this book next month and now I can’t wait!
You are in for a treat. Enjoy reading The Forever Queen.
I’m blushing crimson here – what a fabulous review, thank you.
I had a hard time writing the original UK version of Forever Queen (A Hollow Crown) because of difficult personal circumstances (my best friend passed away just as I was about to start writing) and the book has always reminded me of those sad times.
I am so thrilled that Sourceboks has granted it a new lease of life and given it (and me!) a chance to shine!
Thank you again Jennifer – I am quite overwhelmed!
x
Thank you Helen for taking the time out of your schedule to stop by. I had no idea you had such a sad memory attach with the UK release and am pleased the US release comes with happier memories. The Forever Queen is brilliant and perfect for anyone looking for a wonderful example of how historical fiction should read. I have been hearing from fellow fans as well as those who are being introduced to your work. Keep doing whatever it is you are doing as it works and I adore your books!
Well written review!! I loved every minute I spent reading this one too. Can not wait until the next book!
I have read all her titles and wish she could write faster.
I’ve been eyeing this book on my Amazon recommendations for ages… Perhaps I should pick it up!
As much as I love Elizabethan historical fiction, there’s something so much more interesting to me about historical fiction from longer ago. Maybe it’s because we don’t have the historical records that we have from the “common” historical fiction periods, so it’s almost like the times come alive to me.
That’s a long way of saying I need to read this!
Yes, definitely get this book, it is brilliantly written and researched.
Uh, I totally boffed the spelling of my own name! Oops!
Ha, I read it correctly.
I adore Helen Hollick’s writing. This is going on the list!
Amy,
I do as well. If you have not read this, do.
Great Review. Sounds like a great novel.
The Forever Queen is a wonderful historical fiction novel.
Oh this looks fantastic! I need to track this one down for sure!
The Forever Queen is brilliant, I do hope you choose to read it.
This review just really reinforced that I am a smart cookie to have this at the top of my to-buy pile! Thanks for the review!
The Forever Queen is a brilliant read. I actually recommend all of Helen Hollick’s works, they are each lovely.