Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed The Bad Queen: Rules and Instructions for Marie-Antoinette (Young Royals) on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Marie-Antoinette leaves her country and everything behind at a young age to marry the dauphin of France. While excited at the prospect of making such an important match, she doens't realize what it will entail.
She soon learns there are numerous rules and protocols to follow - whether she believes them to be right or not. There are plenty of people who want her to fail, and not many wishing to become her friend. Marie-Antoinette fumbles through trying to please everyone, but makes waves in the process, often unintentionally.
Besides problems with the court rules, she finds she can't relate to her husband. They have nothing in common. While she attempts small talk, even that can't go very far. Even though he is of a similar age, he wants nothing to do with her. Their martial problems fuel gossip at court. According to the French people and her mother, it is her job to make the marriage work and her fault if no heirs are produced.
After the king's death, Marie-Antoinette lives more freely. She gravitates towards a younger crowd, inviting them to fancy parties held away from court. She fixes up a property given to the former king's mistress, and then begins work on a small village for her comfort. In these places, she feels free, away from the pressures of court and from prying eyes.
However, the construction and the parties cost a fortune. The French people are not amused, as many began to go hungry. They want justice for their troubles. Marie-Antoinette becomes their target, and soon no one is safe.
THE BAD QUEEN provides an in-depth look at one of the most famous royals often portrayed as a villain. In actuality, Marie-Antoinette was a young girl with enormous power who enjoyed entertaining. Meyer portrays her as a girl who doesn't notice the situation around her, who is loyal to her husband in times of trouble, and who doesn't understand the French, but one who will live on in history.
Marie-Antoinette leaves her country and everything behind at a young age to marry the dauphin of France. While excited at the prospect of making such an important match, she doens't realize what it will entail.
She soon learns there are numerous rules and protocols to follow - whether she believes them to be right or not. There are plenty of people who want her to fail, and not many wishing to become her friend. Marie-Antoinette fumbles through trying to please everyone, but makes waves in the process, often unintentionally.
Besides problems with the court rules, she finds she can't relate to her husband. They have nothing in common. While she attempts small talk, even that can't go very far. Even though he is of a similar age, he wants nothing to do with her. Their martial problems fuel gossip at court. According to the French people and her mother, it is her job to make the marriage work and her fault if no heirs are produced.
After the king's death, Marie-Antoinette lives more freely. She gravitates towards a younger crowd, inviting them to fancy parties held away from court. She fixes up a property given to the former king's mistress, and then begins work on a small village for her comfort. In these places, she feels free, away from the pressures of court and from prying eyes.
However, the construction and the parties cost a fortune. The French people are not amused, as many began to go hungry. They want justice for their troubles. Marie-Antoinette becomes their target, and soon no one is safe.
THE BAD QUEEN provides an in-depth look at one of the most famous royals often portrayed as a villain. In actuality, Marie-Antoinette was a young girl with enormous power who enjoyed entertaining. Meyer portrays her as a girl who doesn't notice the situation around her, who is loyal to her husband in times of trouble, and who doesn't understand the French, but one who will live on in history.
Melissa M. (honeybee23) reviewed The Bad Queen: Rules and Instructions for Marie-Antoinette (Young Royals) on + 11 more book reviews
Carolyn Meyer's latest edition to the Young Royals series is the historical fiction novel, The Bad Queen: Rules and Instructions for Marie Antoinette. With an authentic voice, Meyer illustrates the life of a young Antonia, the name Marie Antoinette was known as during her youth in Austria. Written as a first person account, The Bad Queen reads like a diary of a young woman whose life begins and ends as being nothing more than a political pawn. Divided into four parts, the reader is introduced to the woman history has attributed with saying, "Let them eat cake!"
Fans of young adult fiction will enjoy Meyer's novel which begins in the year 1768. Part one of The Bad Queen documents the struggles of a young Antonia, who has been forced into an arranged marriage at the behest of her mother, the Empress.
Full review available at Reminder List:
http://reminderlist.blogspot.com/2010/04/bad-queen-rules-and-instructions-for.html
Fans of young adult fiction will enjoy Meyer's novel which begins in the year 1768. Part one of The Bad Queen documents the struggles of a young Antonia, who has been forced into an arranged marriage at the behest of her mother, the Empress.
Full review available at Reminder List:
http://reminderlist.blogspot.com/2010/04/bad-queen-rules-and-instructions-for.html
