*[Blog Tour Review] Isabella: Braveheart of France by Colin Falconer

Summary:

She was taught to obey. Now she has learned to rebel.

12 year old Isabella, a French princess marries the King of England - only to discover he has a terrible secret. Ten long years later she is in utter despair - does she submit to a lifetime of solitude and a spiritual death - or seize her destiny and take the throne of England for herself?


Isabella is just twelve years old when she marries Edward II of England. For the young princess it is love at first sight - but Edward has a terrible secret that threatens to tear their marriage - and England apart.

Who is Piers Gaveston - and why is his presence in the king’s court about to plunge England into civil war?

The young queen believes in the love songs of the troubadours and her own exalted destiny - but she finds reality very different. As she grows to a woman in the deadly maelstrom of Edward’s court, she must decide between her husband, her children, even her life - and one breath-taking gamble that will change the course of history.

This is the story of Isabella, the only woman ever to invade England - and win.

In the tradition of Philippa Gregory and Elizabeth Chadwick, ISABELLA is thoroughly researched and fast paced, the little known story of the one invasion the English never talk about.
Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com
Length: 275 pages (Paperback)
Source: Review Copy
Available Formats: Print/E-book
Publication Date: September 24th 2013 by Cool Gus Publishing

Before reading Isabella: Braveheart of France I knew very little about Isabella. In fact I think the last time I read anything about her was in my grade 12 World History class 6 years ago and while I remembered very little about her, I do know that at the time I was taking that class I really enjoyed what I read.

Isabella: Braveheart of France was a lovely read. I enjoyed the fact that the book was written by a male author. I'm one of those readers that really enjoys when authors write about characters (historical or not) who are their opposites gender wise. To me it shows that they're wiling to try something new out and go out on a limb to tell their story. Sometimes it can be hit or miss but Isabella: Braveheart of France was a hit for me.

I liked learning more about Isabella through Colin Falconer's writing. She was groomed from a very early age to be a ruler of the people which was all well and good but it saddened me to think that because of her upbringing she didn't get to experience a true childhood which I think everyone is entitled to but alas times were different. Throughout the book we are able to Isabella's growth and see her come into her own as a ruler.

I liked that the author made his book very accessible. I expected the book to be a heavier read than it was but was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't like that at all. It was a very quick read as well and I polished it off in just a couple hours of reading time and found it quite entertaining.

My only issues with the book was that I found that sometimes the pacing was off and things sped along story wise too quickly and that I wish there had been a little more detail in the book because sometimes I was left holding strings and wondering how one scene flowed to the next.

Overall though I thought Isabella: Braveheart of France was an enjoyable read, and I'm very glad that I signed up for the tour. Now that I've read one book about Isabella, I'm excited to read another, and another because I think she's a fascinating woman.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to delve into some historical fiction about Isabella of France. It's a quick, well written historical read that makes you feel as though the author is bringing history to life.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.

 

Enjoyed It!
★★★1/2