Cavalier Queen

by Fiona Mountain
Cavalier Queen cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Historical Fiction
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  • ID: 6836
  • Added: 2025-12-05
  • Updated: 2025-12-05
  • ISBN: 9781409023333
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2011-09-08
  • Reviews: 3

Princess Henrietta Maria of France was destined to be one of England's most glamorous queens, known for her exquisite taste in interior design and her love for clothes, jewels, and parties. However, her life took a dramatic turn when she became entangled in the brutal Civil War, leaving behind her life of luxury for the harsh realities of battle and exile. Her heart was torn between two men: her husband, the tragic King Charles I, and the charismatic Harry Jermyn, who designed and built much of London's West End. This is their story, a tale of love, loss, and the tumultuous times that shaped England's history. The book delves into the personal and political struggles of Princess Henrietta Maria, offering a glimpse into the life of a woman who was both a princess and a pawn in the grand game of power. It explores her relationships, her resilience, and her enduring legacy, providing a rich tapestry of historical detail and emotional depth.

Reviews
Lancaster Guardian · 2025-12-05
great 4.00

The novel is commended for its imaginative and flair-filled portrayal of political turmoil and royal manoeuvring. The author's use of artistic licence is noted as a key strength.

The reviewer from Lancaster Guardian praises Fiona Mountain's ability to bring historical periods to life with a big helping of imagination and flair. The novel's depiction of political turmoil and royal manoeuvring is particularly engaging, offering readers a unique perspective on the English Civil War. The reviewer appreciates the author's use of artistic licence, which adds a layer of intrigue and excitement to the story. The narrative is both gripping and well-paced, making it a compelling read for history enthusiasts.

Quick quotes

    With a big helping of imagination, bags of flair and some artistic licence, Mountain brings us political turmoil and royal manoeuvring.

    A surprising and passionate love story of the English Civil War.

    Gripping, passionate, and intense.

Dorinda Balchin's Blog · Dorinda Balchin · 2015-11-02
excellent 4.50

The novel is praised for its meticulous historical detail and engaging portrayal of Queen Henrietta Maria's life. The author's attention to historical accuracy is noted as a standout feature.

Dorinda Balchin highlights the incredible depth of research that went into 'Cavalier Queen', making it a rich and immersive read. The novel's strength lies in its historical detail, which brings the queen's life to vivid reality. Balchin appreciates the way the author weaves historical events seamlessly into the narrative, making it both educational and entertaining. The cameos of the queen's life are particularly well-crafted, adding layers to the story that go beyond the typical historical fiction.

Quick quotes

    An incredibly well-researched novel.

    The care for historical detail is superb.

    Cameos of the queen's life are particularly well-crafted.

Hardcover · Julie · 2014-06-13
disappointing 2.50

The novel is criticized for its graphic sex scenes, which detract from an otherwise solid historical narrative. The reviewer finds these scenes to be overly explicit and out of place.

Julie from Hardcover appreciates the historical depth and narrative strength of 'Cavalier Queen' but is critical of the graphic sex scenes that appear throughout the novel. These scenes, according to Julie, drag the book down from being a solid historical novel to something rather trashy in places. While the historical context and character development are well-executed, the inclusion of explicit content detracts from the overall quality of the story. Julie suggests that a more subtle approach to these scenes would have maintained the novel's integrity and appeal to a broader audience.

Quick quotes

    Unfortunately, the graphic sex scenes have dragged this book down from being a solid historical novel.

    The novel is rather trashy in places.

    The inclusion of explicit content detracts from the overall quality of the story.

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