Finally! A book about Alys Capet! Alais in the novel, she is sent at the age of EIGHT (though in the book, for story purposes, she is eleven) to marry Prince Richard, later to become Richard Plantagenet. It is a dark story in some ways, but it was true, and sad but romantically tragic. I liked Richard in this book; not the cruel warmonger some portray him as, but sensitive and romantic and everything my imaginary Richard is. Also, I think it's sweet that they're in love in the book and I wish Richard would've really married her. Plus, the way she introduced Prince John was stunning and unexpected. After reading through several dozen other reviews, I take issue with those who feel a historical fiction romance novel should also serve as a factual perspective. Historical fiction is first and foremost fiction. It's main purpose, like other works of fiction, is to tell a good story. In this, Christy English has done a fine job. She's written a story about what might have been, not what was. And this story of what might have been is so full of intrigue, romance, and inter-personal dynamics it is hard to put down. The charismatic power of the Plantagenets drives the story, but Alais's will to rebel against being manipulated by various members of the family gives this novel it's heart. Like A Lion in Winter, The Queen's Pawn may not be a factual account, but it is a wonderful character study of one of history's most fascinating families.
What do You think about The Queen's Pawn (2010)?
3/5 and that's a stretch.Disappointed because I wanted to like it a lot more than I did.
—clairington
