The Girl Who Would Not Betray Her King
INFO: Paperback, Fiction, 327 pages
PUBLISHED: Sourcebooks, 2011
SOURCE: Received from Publisher for Review
FROM GOODREADS: The moving, tragic story of Charles I, the last absolute monarch of England, during his imprisonment in Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight. Richly drawn and inspired by the New York Times bestselling author's own experience living on the Isle of Wight, this dramatic retelling brings to life the cavalier king whom Cromwell deposed. But even more fascinating than the account of royal hopes and misfortunes is the tale of a charming servant girl who is as romantic and tender in love as she is bold and resourceful in plotting the king's escape.
MY TAKE: Margaret Campbell Barnes has always been a favorite author for me in the historical fiction genre. She had the ability to bring her fictional characters alive as well as making the real historical figures more human and accessible. Her stories do what historical fiction is designed to do: educate and entertain. Mary of Carisbrooke was no exception.
This was a very charming story about an unremarkable girl who would get a chance to serve her king in an unusual capacity. While she began as a simple servant, she ends up being a trusted ally and basically, a spy. I couldn't help but be charmed by Mary. She was loyal to a fault and wanted to believe the best in everyone. When King Charles comes to the Isle of Wight to hide from Cromwell and those who wish him harm, Mary has no idea that she will become a true friend to the kind monarch.
Full of twists and turns, romance and adventure, this book was a pleasure to read. I definitely learned quite a bit about Charles I, even going so far as to look him up on the Internet after finishing the book. The author painted a sad and beautiful tale about a doomed man and those around him. While Mary was the central character, the supporting cast was very well written. It was easy to get lost in this story for a few hours. I definitely recommend it to any fans of a good tale with historical facts and events as a foundation.
Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:
WHERE TO BUY IT: Amazon and The Book Depository
~~~~~ Disclaimer: All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own. I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links. I may receive books in order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one. Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.
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