Twilight of a Queen

Susan Carroll has become my favorite author ever since I stumbled upon "the dark queen" a few years ago. Since then, I've tried my best to read all her books. I've read 8 so far and loved them all. I give "twilight of a queen" 5 stars. It was very entertaining and never had a dull moment. The only thing that bothered me was how fast the two fell in love...not very realistic. Other than that, I loved it!!

Twilight of a Queen is historical fiction, and also more of a romance than I expected it to be, not that I minded that. The story changes perspectives between many of the characters, good and bad alike. I sometimes don't like that style, but actually enjoyed it in the case of this novel. The characters have many dimensions and this is part of what makes this novel so great. It is so often that you read a book with poor development in this area that it was nice to have some realistic characters. It is also very suspenseful, but not wickedly so. You will feel good after the ending, and appreciate the way the characters grew throughout. Susan Carroll creates an exciting and realistic world with this novel, and I would highly recommend it. It kept me very engaged, but despite reading it quickly, the length felt satisfactory. One more note; I absolutely loved the female characters in this book. They were very independent and courageous, which was refreshing.

Trying her hardest to protect the throne of France from Duc de Guise, Catherine de Medici turns to pirate Louis Xavier for help. King Henry's lack of strength and his carelessness for the protection of the throne influences Catherine to create a plot for Xavier to invade Faire Isle and kidnap the most powerful Daughter of the Earth, the Silver Rose. Xavier willingly accepts this task, and the Dowager Queen's coin, but soon finds out that another woman will have more power over his actions. Lady Jane Danvers captures the heart of Xavier and soon his mission of capturing the Silver Rose is deterred which infuriates Catherine. Out of fear of inexistence, Catherine tries to take matters into her own hands in the midst of chaos created by Henry's actions, the Duc's desire for power and the Spanish Armada. I absolutely loved the whole Dark Queen series by Susan Carroll and I feel like I waited so long for this book to finally be released. Carroll writes expertly, embellishing the story with both fiction and history. I enjoyed the love story between Jane and Xavier and wish that there was more to read about the future of the two. It is apparently the last book in the series but is there any possible way Carroll will write another?

Although 'Twilight of a Queen' is the fifth in a series I didn't actually realise this until I had been reading for a little while. The author makes it easy to follow the story and to learn about the characters as they are introduced into this tale. Although the book focuses most on Captain Xavier, a pirate who finds himself washed up on an island of 'daughters of the earth' (read white witches) and on Lady Jane Danvers, a widow without an obvious future or role on the island, we also read the story from the point of view of Catherine de Medici, mother of King Henry of France, and of Meg Wolfe, a young witch on the island. The variety of points of view added some interest although I felt at times that I knew more about Meg than about Jane, who was a surprisingly quiet heroine. Mixed in with the historical novel aspects, as the Spanish Armada prepares to sail against Britain, we read of sorcery, scrying glasses, necromancers, trances etc. Catherine de Medici is an evil queen who is trying to have Meg Wolfe kidnapped, using Captain Xavier to carry out his dirty work. But Xavier has finally found someone who can make him put his rather wasteful and amoral life behind him - if she can trust him. I did enjoy this book, finding the pacing good and the events well written. I was left feeling a little unsure how hero and heroine, so different from each other, would deal with each other in the long term, but this is definitely worth a read. Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2009

In 1588 as the Spanish Armada sets sail to blockade England, the Dark Queen Catherine de Medici fears her control of the throne is tenuous for the first time in her long rule. Ailing and unable to directly confront her rival the Lady of the Faire Isle she turns to mage Louis Xavier, a notorious pirate who has used the dark arts to achieve his watery superiority. However, for the first in his life, Louis is distracted by passionate and courageous Lady Jane Danvers. Meanwhile, Ariane Cheney protects her beloved Faire Isle from the Dark Queen as three women prepare for battle on the mundane and magical planes with one another for who will sit on the throne. Ariane anoints Jane as her heir, which sends the vicious Dark Queen after her. Louis vows to protect his beloved or die trying. The final Faire Isle historical fantasy (see THE DARK QUEEN and THE SILVER ROSE) is a super tale with strong adversaries and allies, and a terrific exhilarating story line that ties up the critical loose ends. Catherine de Medici is incredible as the evil one; Ariane appears to be her equal while Jane has to prove her worthiness under fire with Louis surprisingly as her protector with her supporters questioning his dark past. Fans will relish Susan Carroll's regal yet dark sixteenth century as the war between the light and dark clash with a royal finality. Harriet Klausner