Picked up this book on a whim in the library and completely have no regret at all.For someone who really does not have much knowledge of the actual history and Catherine Medici herself I truly did enjoy the book and could not put it down. I'm not a big fan of historical fiction but the tale in this book kept me transfixed to each page. Moreover, the writing was fantastic. I loved that she changed the perspective of the writing appropriately to the character development of the character herself. This book might have just piqued my interest in historical fiction. Arshia says: The Catherine de Medici that I have always seen in movies or read about in books is a very tough cookie. Jeanne’s take on this character was a bit more sympathetic. She is shown as a compassionate mother and a loving wife, a woman vulnerable because all she wants is the love of her husband and the welfare of her children. Yet to make sure her family gets what they deserve she is willing to go to any lengths. She dabbles in astrology as a child and then grows up to frevently believe in it. From astrology she makes the transition to witchcraft to save her place of power. The history was well researched (or so it seemed to me.) But Catherine just wasn’t as evil or dangerous as I thought she would be, King Henri has a very long term affair and in the book Catherine actually begs the other woman to send Henri to her bed once in a while so Catherine can get pregnant. The mistress also keeps the upper hand in the whole relationship with Henri.
I read this book a few years ago but I read it so fast and I still remember how good it was!
—MingLe
Catherine de Medici from a girl ending with St. Bartholomew.
—savannahfoster2000
Nicicand placerea nu adusese cuiva atata durere.
—smalik101
dnf
—brittani
