The Dark Queen: A Novel
by Susan Carroll
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Book Summary Information
Author: Susan CarrollEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-03-29
ISBN: 0345437969
Number of pages: 544
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Reviews of The Dark Queen: A Novel
Book Review: Truly an unmitigated piece of Literary Art
Summary: 5 Stars
Contrary to a previous review where this book is claimed as a "bodice-ripper" and "a bit of fluff" I must put my 2 cents in to this read and inform potential readers of this book and what a gem it is.
This is my first Susan Carroll book and I already adore her work. I have bought The Courtesan (2nd book in trilogy) and look forward to the third in the series set to come out in 2006. In The Dark Queen, our heroine is 21 year old Ariane -- who is not a glamourous woman (despite someone's reviewed opinion that she was perfect in the book) and seems very real with the stress and responsibilities of taking care of her sisters (who happen to be the prettier girls in the family.) She inherited the title of being The Lady of Faire Isle from her mother and with it comes great responsibility and readers quickly realize how much a burden it is to Ariane, especially once she takes in a wounded Heugunot knight who claims Catherine de Medici (The Dark Queen) poisened his queen and Ariane is the only wise woman who can save his surviving king.
Admist attempting to watch out for the unusual isle of women, the knight and her two sisters, Ariane is also being plagued by le comte Renard -- a man whose "brutish size" and temperament force all to be inferior. Not knowing how to woo or tempt any lady, he simply tells Ariane they're going to marry. But he quickly realizes his folly in such a thing and seeks out to win her by striking a bargain with her that readers ought to find out about by reading the book.
In summary, the book is about Ariane who takes up the title her recently deceased mother left for her as The Lady of Faire Isle and she feels inept to fill in all that calling entails. Admidst it all, she protects a knight called a heretic and could suffer treasonous death should he be found. But the all-knowing Dark Queen knows that Ariane hides the knight and intrigue and wits burst forth in attempt that good prevail over evil (aka: The Dark Queen)
This book was a great read and the 500-some-odd pages was over more quickly than I thought. I loved this book, I haven't enjoyed an adventerous book like this in a long time. This is a keeper and other readers will likely think so, too.
Characters are so life-like in their opinions and feelings you forget they are just that - characters. Their reactions to everything around them is understandable and you quickly feel for them and the plights they each suffer. You even understand the Dark Queen's attempts for evil and at rare points realize she has reasons that shaped her opinion to take over evil as she suffers from guilt and sorrow.
If you are looking for a fluffy read then disregard a certain review for this book and realize that there's more to this novel than the appartent romance going on in the story.
My Rating: 5 solid stars for a book that never lagged pace and kept the reader enthralled even beyond the point of finish such marvelous work.
Summary of The Dark Queen: A Novel
From Brittany?s misty shores to the decadent splendor of Paris?s royal court, one woman must fulfill her destiny?while facing the treacherous designs of Catherine de Medici, the dark queen.She is Ariane, the Lady of Faire Isle, one of the Cheney sisters, renowned for their mystical skills and for keeping the isle secure and prosperous. But this is a time when women of ability are deemed sorceresses, when Renaissance France is torn by ruthless political intrigues, and all are held in thrall to the sinister ambitions of Queen Catherine de Medici. Then a wounded stranger arrives on Faire Isle, bearing a secret the Dark Queen will do everything in her power to possess. The only person Ariane can turn to is the comte de Renard, a nobleman with fiery determination and a past as mysterious as his own unusual gifts.
Riveting, vibrant, and breathtaking, The Dark Queen follows Ariane and Renard as they risk everything to prevent the fulfillment of a dreadful prophecy?even if they must tempt fate and their own passions.
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