The Queen's Daughter

July 1, 2010
Gr 9 Up—-his coming-of-age novel is set against the backdrop of 12th-century Europe. King Henry II of England is at war with France's King Louis VII, who happens to be supported by Henry's eldest sons. Henry's wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, gives lessons on politics and what it means to be a queen to their daughter Joan. Despite her notorious parents, this is Joan's story. Coventry does a thorough job of developing the princess's character as she grows from a naive child of seven at the start of the novel into a woman in her 30s who has full knowledge of the world around her. Readers are privy to Joan's thoughts about love for two parents who hate one another, her fear of becoming a child bride in an arranged marriage to the king of Sicily, and her uncertainty about how to please him. Throughout her many years of childless marriage to William, she holds feelings of adoration for the philandering Lord Raymond, Count of Toulouse. By the time they meet again, Joan is no shrinking violet, and she is finally able to fulfill all of her duties as a wife and strong female leader of her people. The battle scenes of the Crusades are necessary to the development of the plot and are thankfully short. Fans of historical fiction, and especially historical romance, will devour this volume.—"Wendy Scalfaro, G. Ray Bodley High School, Fulton, NY"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2010
Grades 9-12 Joan is the only daughter of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II, the king of England. Her brothers, especially Henry and Richard, garner most of her fathers attention, and Joan is by turns neglected and used by her feuding parents until she is married off in her teens to the sickly king of Sicily for political advantage. Joan struggles to understand herself and to make her marriage work while watching her family slowly destroy itself, all the while wondering if her parents views of marriage and love are right or just politically expedient. Historical fiction about British royalty, set in the twelfth century no less, is unusual, and for that reason alone, this first novel is a solid choice. Coventrys focus is neither the battles nor the political intrigue, though both are important elements. Instead, her strength is character development, especially Joans. The plots pacing is slow at times, but the settings are vividly imagined, and readers will champion Joan in her search for love.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)