Customer Reviews

The Dark Queen; a Novel

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ms. Carroll has deftly woven history, and romance into a story that is unusual but appealing. She has taken real life characters such as Catherine de Medici, and given her truly center stage as a player in the conflict that beseiges our heroine, Ariane Cheney and her path to her destiny. Her destiny is none other than Comte Renard.

Ariane has become the Lady of the Isle after the death of her mother. Life is hard for her and her sisters since their father has left and bills are mounting. She has been keeping to herself on Faire Isle when trouble comes in the form of the Dark Queen. Catherine De Medici has aspirations that she will see come to light. If this means setting an evil witch hunter after those that live on the Isle of her late friend (Ariane's mother) than so be it. Ariane will do what she must in order to keep her people safe. What she doesn't want to do is be forced to marry Renard. She wants love deep in her heart, despite the pain that she has seen due to "love." Still she is drawn helpless to the Renard. Will she allow her heart into his keeping though, or will pride stand in the way?

Renard is from humble stock. His grandfather despised him and the feeling were returned. Still, he must marry and when he sets eyes on the calm beauty of Ariane he will do whatever it takes to see this lady his bride. Neither is looking for love, but love will find them anyhow. Will they be able to save their love as well as the people who are counting on them? Or will the Dark Queen win all?

Ms. Carroll has taken the aspects of magic, witchcraft, romance, and history and combined them all into a absorbing read that will enthrall the reader. This is the first time I've ever read anything by this author and I have to wonder "what have I been doing???" I love historical reads that actually have history in them. This is one series I highly recommend. Ms. Carroll has laid the groundwork for the next in this series and I for one can't wait for it to be released. Add this to your summer reading list. You will be well entertained!

Official Reviewer for Romance Designs

In this outstanding work we are introduced to three young women, Ariane, The Lady of Faire Isle, and her two sisters Gabrielle and Miri.
These ladies are not what we would consider 'normal' women, but are Daughters of the Earth, or those who have inherited different supernatural powers. However, now these gentle women throughout the world are being charged with being sorceresses instead of being the healers that they are. It is a dangerous time for them.
After the death of their mother, Ariane became The Lady of Faire Isle and soon her powers were called upon to stop the wicked scheme of The Dark Queen, Catherine.

The Dark Queen, also a Daughter of The Earth, dabbled in the black arts which was forbidden, and she was responsible for the death of Ariane's mother. Ariane knew her powers were great and her evil influence was wide spread; she indeed was a dangerous woman.
Ariane was unsure of her ability to walk in her mother's footsteps, and feared her power was not developed enough to battle such a powerful woman; but the decision seemed to be made for her as the battle against The Dark Queen for Ariane's very existence, their way of life, and those she loves begins.
To add more confusion to her life a nobleman named counte de Renard is determined to have her as his bride; however he hides many secrets and Ariane is unsure if she can trust this nobleman not only with her heart, but with her life.

This is an excellent work of mystical power, battles between good and evil, romantic encounters and mysterious happenings. I was glued to the pages and couldn't wait to see what happened to Ariane and her sisters. It is a well written story, flowing evenly throughout the book; the characters are well defined and brought to life through the authors descriptive pen. You definitely are drawn into the storyline and your mind becomes one with the happenings before you. Outstanding.

The Dark Queen is indeed a wonderful reading experience, one of those stories you are glad has a sequel you can look forward to reading. Highly recommended.
Shirley Johnson

This is delightful, summertime fluff. The characters are interesting, the bad guys are creepy and the history (Catherine de Medici and St. Bartholomew's Eve) is real. The fantasy the author spins around the events leading up to the slaughter is an enchantment in itself. Only the language itself falls short of the story. The dialogue is sometimes stilted and the sporadic use of French feels forced. All in all the book is a good bet for a pool side read.

The Dark Queen is an interesting story set in a historical setting with a feminist slant. It's much more than just a romance novel with some historical details thrown in. The main character is coping with the recent loss of her mother and the changing relationships with her younger sisters. Roles of women are examined and questioned is a very modern sense though the story is set in 16th century France. Having said all this, I enjoyed The Dark Queen (though she doesn't appear until the 2nd half of the book) and despite the 500 pages the story kept my attention.

I liked the little touches--the heroine is not irritatingly beautiful, the first ever head butt between lovers and this bit of advice for women everywhere: Never trust a man over your cat.

After Carroll's Bridefinder series, this particular offering falls flat. Ms. Carroll is undoubtedly a decent writer, but I found this book to be little more than cardboard characters moving through the paces of a romance novel. The plot was trite. The characters were juvenile. I love, love, loved the bridefinder series. In that particular series, the situations were always fraught with organic tension and humor. If you want to see what Ms. Carroll can really do, buy that series instead.

As a huge fan of historical fiction (particularly of the Medieval and Renaissance varieties) as well as of fantasy novels, I was rather excited when I found this book on the "new fiction" table of my local bookstore. The back cover billed this book as a feminist-historical-fiction-fantasy hybrid. So, I thought "what the heck!" and purchased.

About 2 pages in - upon reading the physical description of the strikingly beautiful main character, Ariane, and the subsequent physical descriptions of her strikingly beautiful younger sisters - I realized I had been tricked! This book is more a Romance novel than anything else, albeit a slightly more substantial and far more engaging read than most "bodice rippers." (Of which, admittedly, I'm not widely read. So, perhaps they have more hidden charms than I have been lead to believe.)

Most of the other reviewers have labeled this book a decent "Summer Read." I'd classify it more in the decent "Commuter Read" category. If you take noisy public transportation, and want to occupy yourself with some easy-reading fluff, this book is probably ideal. If you're looking to sink your teeth into a solid novel of historical fiction, or even fantasy - this is probably not the best buy.

I stumbled upon this book one day looking for a book to get lost in in between semesters of grad school and I am extremely happy that I did so. The first couple of chapters were a little slow for me, but it really picked up around the 7th or 8th chapters. I can't believe I read 500 pages so quickly!

It's not rocket science or anything, but if you are looking for above average historical fiction with plenty of romantic scenes in which to escape and the ever popular battle between good and evil,than this is the novel for you.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am on my way to get the Cortesan as I type. Oh, and by the way, the way this woman describes kisses is simply delicious.

I mistook this for a historical novel, but it is really better described as a historical romance. Additionally, it was much more fantasy than anything remotely factual. It was enjoyable enough, but i won't get the 2 sequel stories.

I sped through this novel, barely able to put it down, but by the end I was a little sick of it. I was hoping it would be more. . . historical. Or atleast somewhat believable. Instead it is a fantasy tale of witches and magic rings and potions. The romantic side was enjoyable and the characters were very likeable. But why do they all stutter???!!!

Ariane, the Lady of Faire Isle, refuses to wed Comte de Renauld though he is persistent to the point of waiting for her at the altar. When she fails to show up, he comes to see her and is very kind to her younger sisters Gabrielle and Mirabelle though the latter "stole" his horse. Renauld gives Ariane a magic ring in which he will come to her if she asks for him; but upon the third use they will marry. He leaves.

Not long afterward Navarre Captain Remy arrives badly wounded. He gives Ariane proof that Catherine de Medici poisoned his ruler Queen Jeanne D'Albret. By coming here with his evidence of murder, Remy has endangered Ariane and her two siblings from the deadly Dark Queen. To keep her sisters safe, Ariane uses the ring twice and Renard comes to her aid. He frees her from the third time marriage vow although he still wants to marry her for one simple reason; he loves the Lady of Faire Isle.

THE DARK QUEEN is a wonderful first of three historical suspense tales (Ariane's sisters to follow) with a pinch of both the otherworldly and romance to spice up the deep look at the Medici era. Ariane is a terrific independent soul worried for her sisters especially the twelve years old Mirabelle who talks with horses, which lead to a declaration of witchcraft that means death. The story line is action-packed but character driven as the noble Renauld knows he must go slower with his beloved and Catherine is Machiavelli's "prince" with her deadly machinations. Susan Carroll writes a wonderful historical thriller that will have the audience eagerly awaiting Gabrielle's story.

Harriet Klausner