The Rogue Queen

By: Marcia Maxwell

Narrated by: Anne Matthews

In the year of grace 1308, Isabelle of France marries Edward II of England, becoming his queen consort. She soon discovers, however, that the king is not the man of her dreams but rather an unstable, erratic individual who prefers digging ditches and thatching roofs to running the country, coupled with a dangerous obsession for greedy and ambitious male favorites who do not like sharing the king's favors. Isolated and powerless in the English court, Isabelle struggles to protect herself and her children as she slowly gains friends and allies. But how can she, a woman, prevent her adopted country from descending into the chaos of war between the barons and the king? And what is the meaning of the oubliette that haunts her dreams?

Newly revised and filled with meticulously researched detail, The Rogue Queen recounts the incredible true story of one woman who refused to accept society's limited role for her as it brings to vivid life the people and events of 14th century England.

©2015 Marcia Maxwell (P)2016 Marcia Maxwell

Fast Paced and Intriguing

This is the story of an indulged child bride who is thrown into a strange country with a petulant teenage husband, and both start out as immature and childish as we travel through the lifetimes of Isabelle and Henry and witness the changes that they go through in vividly painted word ;pictures. This story of political intrigue never slows its pace and never becomes dull. The narrator uses a variety of accents of the British Isles and Europe so that it is more like listening to a radio show with a cast of characters, than a book being read by one person which helps to keep the plot clear to the listener. Highly entertaining and interesting historical fiction based on a true story.

A Fun Escape

I thoroughly enjoyed Marcia Maxwell's colorful story and I looked forward to hearing what Isabelle would be up to next when I made my daily commute walks. A lot of research clearly went into this historical faction novel! The descriptions of the equestrian scenes too were accurate and enjoyable. Some have commented on occasional anachronistic vocabulary/phrases and to that I say big effing deal. It's a story. Of fiction.

I appreciated the versatility in the narrator's reading voices, I found myself wanting her to bring down Isabelle's speaking voice from what seemed to be a a fussy falsetto to Isabelle's "regular" first person voice. This will make more sense when you buy the Audible book, which I recommend without reservation.