Release: February 7th, 2013
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Viking (first published February 1st, 2013)
Source: Amazon
Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Kobo.
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A rich tale of power and forbidden love revolving around a young medieval queen. In 1002, fifteen-year-old Emma of Normandy crossed the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England. She meets him for the first time at the church door. She is thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court with a husband who mistrusts her. Her stepsons resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown. As such, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.
However, determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the English people’s affection. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.
Based on real events recorded in the “Anglo-Saxon Chronicle,” “Shadow on the Crown” introduces readers to a fascinating, overlooked period of history and an unforgettable heroine whose quest to find her place in the world will resonate with modern readers.
About the Author:
Patricia Bracewell grew up in Los Angeles, where her love of stories led to college degrees in Literature, a career as a high school English teacher, and a yearning to write.
She left Los Angeles for the San Francisco Bay Area’s greener landscape, where she met and married a charming Canadian. Then, together they raised their two sons. In the midst of family life, though, she was actively studying the process of writing fiction.
Her first novel, Shadow on the Crown, about the 11th-century queen of England, Emma of Normandy, was published in 2013. Its sequel, The Price of Blood, appeared in 2015. Her Emma of Normandy Trilogy, The Steel Beneath the Silk, will be published on March 2, 2021.
Patricia lives with her husband in Oakland, California. Look for her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaBrac… and on Instagram as Patabrace.
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Shadow on the Crown Review:
“Shadow on the Crown” is the first book in “The Emma of Normandy Trilogy” and was a terrific start to the series!
The author compellingly sets the paces right from page one. Initially, I staggered with the story because the author introduces multiple characters whose names were quite perplexing. However, I was utterly absorbed in the storyline once Emma weds King Æthelred. There is so much happening in the story with never a dull moment.
Emma shines in the lead as Queen, and her storyline engrossed me. On one side, there is Emma’s turbulent relation with Æthelred. Some scenes genuinely shocked me on how Æthelred treats her just because he feels threatened. There were moments where I truly despised him. Then, on the other hand, she has a torrid relationship with Athelstan. I adored this angle and thought it was one of the highlights of the story. To top it off, she also faces raiders, Swein, and Elgiva’s schemes. Similarly, I loved Elgiva in the negative role and the way she schemes to bring Emma down. But, no matter what, she faces her challenges and doesn’t fear their presence.
Moreover, the author attractively blends in the historical details without making it dull. he various events such as the massacre on the Feast of St. Brice and Dane’s attack on Exeter fascinated me. I had minimal knowledge of these topics, and reading this book inspired me to research them further. Also, there were some thrilling moments, like when Swein Forkbeard takes Emma hostage. The author also ends book 1 in the perfect tone by completing the storylines and set the pace for Book 2.
Overall, I enjoyed “Shadow on the Crown” and am excited to read “The Price of Blood.”
