Queen Without A Country

Rating:
Summary: This book will surprise you!
Review: I am a huge fan of historical novels. Unfortunately I am often disappointed by writers who drone on and on about historical facts, and don't exhibit one ounce of creative talent. Rachel Bard's Queen Without A Country was captivating. I absolutely could not put it down until I read through the entire book in one sitting. For me, Bard has redefined historical fiction and I will forever use her book as a guide to judge the rest by.

Rating:
Summary: This book will surprise you!
Review: I can only honestly judge a book once I've finished it. And this one is a winner. There are no unfinished storylines nor unresolved issues in this story. Bard did her research well, and managed to bring history alive. The author was apt at weaving a particularly intriguing story among a myriad of historical facts. Most important of all, the writing is clean, her words very well chosen. For me, the topper was the sense of humor in the writing.Example:"Fortunately the city looked calm. No arrows were flying over the walls." Hmmm, READ THIS BOOK YOU'LL LOVE IT!

Rating:
Summary: Queen Without A Country
Review: Kings and queens of past times usually seem so remote, but Berengaria comes across as a genuine person that I felt I might have known. I could feel her joy and her trepidation, and sympathize with her heartbreaking rejections. The book convincingly portrays life in medieval France among those of high degree. "Queen Without a Country" held my interest from beginning to end.

Rating:
Summary: Berengaria Bares All ~ or ~ I'll Navarre Go Hungry Again
Review: The author Bard (aptly named!) has crafted an ingenious combination of historic fact and valid conjecture into a novel that tells the story of an important and practically forgotten Basque woman. Thanks to Bard's efforts, Berengaria has escaped being a figure lost in history, and has risen out of the mists of obsolescence into the light of historic fiction.

Berengaria deserves this study. Her husband, Richard the Lionhearted, is certainly well known. Yet virtually nothing is known about his wife, nor the country she came from. How many of us can say they feel well-informed about Navarre and/or the Basques? And of those of you that have raised your hand, how many of you can say you know anything about Berengaria? If your hand isn't still up, buy and read this book. Even if your hand is up, do the same.

Well done, bard Bard! What's next? I can't wait!

Rating:
Summary: Berengaria Bares All ~ or ~ I'll Navarre Go Hungry Again
Review: The author Bard (aptly named!) has crafted an ingenious combination of historic fact and valid conjecture into a novel that tells the story of an important and practically forgotten Basque woman. Thanks to Bard's efforts, Berengaria has escaped being a figure lost in history, and has risen out of the mists of obsolescence into the light of historic fiction.

Berengaria deserves this study. Her husband, Richard the Lionhearted, is certainly well known. Yet virtually nothing is known about his wife, nor the country she came from. How many of us can say they feel well-informed about Navarre and/or the Basques? And of those of you that have raised your hand, how many of you can say you know anything about Berengaria? If your hand isn't still up, buy and read this book. Even if your hand is up, do the same.

Well done, bard Bard! What's next? I can't wait!

Rating:
Summary: Wasted my money
Review: This book might appeal to someone who knows little of Berengaria. I think the author's style is better suited to non ficton than fiction. The author "tells" but doesn't "show" the drama and action a novelist should. The author has a wonderful subject and story to tell. She didn't take full advantage of her material. Because of inaccurate statements the author tells as "facts", I lost interest. I am sorry I wasted my money.