The Wild Queen: The Days and Nights of Mary Queen of Scots
Mary Stuart was just
five years old when she was sent to France to be raised alongside her
future husband. But when the frail young king dies, eighteen-year-old
Mary is stripped of her title as Queen of France and set adrift in the
harsh world, alone. Determined to reign over what is rightfully hers,
Mary returns to Scotland. Hopingthat a husband will help her secure the
coveted English throne, she marries again, but the love and security she
longs for elude her. Instead, the fiery young queen finds herself
embroiled in a murder scandal that could cost her the crown. And her
attempts to bargain with her formidable “sister queen,” Elizabeth I of
England, could cost her her very life.
(summary from goodreads.com)
I picked up this book because I liked the cover (yes, we've already covered that I will at least preliminarily judge a book by its cover) and I've always been fascinated with Mary Queen of Scots. But why do I let myself get caught up in historical books? Especially historical books that I KNOW don't end happily. I like happy endings. I like people to stay alive and find love and reunite with friends and live happily ever after. Mary Queen of Scots does NOT live happily ever after, yet I've read a few books about her. Each book is as depressing as the last - no matter which book I read, she is still advised by untrustworthy people, lied to and betrayed. It never changes! No more! Historical fiction is great. Fiction based on depressing historical figures is not, which is why I generally avoid books about Anne Boleyn and will now attempt to avoid books about Mary Stuart. For those of you who like well written yet depressing books about real people who lived tragic lives, this book is for you.
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Mom note: As
a mother of readers, I also
want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or
would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I
forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures.
Violence: mild; Profanity: none; Sex: yes
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