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kdurham2's review against another edition
3.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Four granddaughters of Mary, Queen of Scots outlive their grandmother's legacy that ended in her beheading. These four women are each known for something different, but will each turn their family's name from something negative to something positive.
Being a fan of the royal family, I was intrigued by this book when I found out that our current royals are from this lineage. With the title of Daughters of the Winter Queen, I was ready from the beginning to read about these four women. It took way too long to get to them. I appreciated some background knowledge of their heritage and where they came from, but most of the book focused on their mother and by the time it go to the four girls, I was frustrated that I read so much about their mother.
Four granddaughters of Mary, Queen of Scots outlive their grandmother's legacy that ended in her beheading. These four women are each known for something different, but will each turn their family's name from something negative to something positive.
Being a fan of the royal family, I was intrigued by this book when I found out that our current royals are from this lineage. With the title of Daughters of the Winter Queen, I was ready from the beginning to read about these four women. It took way too long to get to them. I appreciated some background knowledge of their heritage and where they came from, but most of the book focused on their mother and by the time it go to the four girls, I was frustrated that I read so much about their mother.
srm's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Interesting era an idea, but it could have been more focused and better organized.
chaoticmissadventures's review against another edition
4.0
If people have wanted to get into European royal history and found it daunting Nancy Goldstone is the way to go. Amazing writer who is able to accurately, but also with humor, well paced, and clarity tell very complex stories. It is rare for me to get confused while reading, even when women only seem allowed 3 names, and men 4
This was entertaining and fascinating. But it is also a great reminder of how religion is fickle and also those welding it can be cruel - the wars, the murders, the religion conversions based off land grabs, the change of heart of a royal. And all of these religions are Christian religions! I know this is not the point of the book, but as we pass through the generations and marriages in this it is a glaring connection thorough out.
I do feel like this book fell a bit flatter for me than Goldstone's ShadowQueen book about Maria Theresa, I do not feel I got to know Elizabeth as well here as I got to know MT in that book.
This was entertaining and fascinating. But it is also a great reminder of how religion is fickle and also those welding it can be cruel - the wars, the murders, the religion conversions based off land grabs, the change of heart of a royal. And all of these religions are Christian religions! I know this is not the point of the book, but as we pass through the generations and marriages in this it is a glaring connection thorough out.
I do feel like this book fell a bit flatter for me than Goldstone's ShadowQueen book about Maria Theresa, I do not feel I got to know Elizabeth as well here as I got to know MT in that book.
kellyroberson's review against another edition
5.0
Just wow. History written with verve and humor and expansiveness. Just a fun and informative book.
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Elizabeth Stuart, Queen Of Bohemia is often referred to as The Winter Queen. I was not aware she was called that until I got this book, and learned it was due to the reign of her husband, Frederick V, only lasting for one winter. She was the daughter of James I, who was Mary, Queen of Scots' son. During the Gunpowder Plot, she was meant to be kidnapped and used as a puppet Queen. This was all new and interesting information to me. The book mainly focuses on her daughters, however, who were extremely interesting people in their own right.
Princess Elisabeth of Palatinate was the eldest daughter of Elizabeth Stuart. She had a pretty fantastic education for a woman of the time, receiving education in history, astronomy, mathematics, and languages. She eventually became an abbess, and was a deeply religious person. Her relationships were not at all what I expected them to be, and I really enjoyed learning about her. Princess Louise Hollandine of Palatinate became an exceptionally gifted artist, painting very detailed and wonderful works. Princess Henriette Marie of Palatinate was the only sister who married into a royal household, with her wedding to the brother of the Prince of Transylvania. My most favorite sister to learn about was Princess Sophia of Palatinate, Electress of Hanover. She was actually set to take the throne of Britain and Ireland, but died before that was possible, leaving her son to take her place. (That would be King George I.) Her personality was amazing, and I feel like I would have really liked her if I would have known her in person, or at least been entertained by her passion and wit.
I knew absolutely nothing about any of these people, and picked this book up strictly because I found the author on Twitter. She is very fun to interact with, and I was happy to buy her books and support her work. She is a wonderful writer, and does her research well. I learned so much from this book. I really enjoyed it. If you are looking to learn more about the descendants of Mary, Queen of Scots, you should really check this book out.
Princess Elisabeth of Palatinate was the eldest daughter of Elizabeth Stuart. She had a pretty fantastic education for a woman of the time, receiving education in history, astronomy, mathematics, and languages. She eventually became an abbess, and was a deeply religious person. Her relationships were not at all what I expected them to be, and I really enjoyed learning about her. Princess Louise Hollandine of Palatinate became an exceptionally gifted artist, painting very detailed and wonderful works. Princess Henriette Marie of Palatinate was the only sister who married into a royal household, with her wedding to the brother of the Prince of Transylvania. My most favorite sister to learn about was Princess Sophia of Palatinate, Electress of Hanover. She was actually set to take the throne of Britain and Ireland, but died before that was possible, leaving her son to take her place. (That would be King George I.) Her personality was amazing, and I feel like I would have really liked her if I would have known her in person, or at least been entertained by her passion and wit.
I knew absolutely nothing about any of these people, and picked this book up strictly because I found the author on Twitter. She is very fun to interact with, and I was happy to buy her books and support her work. She is a wonderful writer, and does her research well. I learned so much from this book. I really enjoyed it. If you are looking to learn more about the descendants of Mary, Queen of Scots, you should really check this book out.