Mary Stuart was just five years old when she was sent to France to be raised alongside her future husband. But when the frail young king dies, eighteen-year-old Mary is stripped of her title as Queen of France and set adrift in the harsh world, alone.Determined to reign over what is rightfully hers, Mary returns to Scotland. Hoping that a husband will help her secure the coveted English throne, she marries again, but the love and security she longs for elude her. Instead, the fiery young queen finds herself embroiled in a murder scandal that could cost her the crown. And her attempts to bargain with her formidable “sister queen,” Elizabeth I of England, could cost her her very life.
The Wild Queen
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Through a fresh, modern voice, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, is presented as a fascinating, headstrong, multidimensional woman. . . . The scheming and rivalries of Scotland are covered in such a way that the novel makes complicated history accessible and intriguing."--SLJ "Mary is a relatable, sympathetic protagonist, and though she has many responsibilities and expectations the average teen reader doesn't, she still deals with plenty of common adolescent problems: parental expectations, crushes and the confusion they can lead to, a changing dynamic between herself and her childhood friends."--teenreads.com Praise for Carolyn Meyer's Young Royals books: "High drama . . . irresistible."—Booklist "Riveting."—Publishers Weekly "Masterful."—VOYA "Captivating."—SLJ
About the Author
CAROLYN MEYER is the acclaimed author of more than fifty books for young people. Her many award-winning novels include Mary, Bloody Mary, an ABA Pick of the Lists, an NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults; Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess, a New York Times bestseller; White Lilacs, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an NYPL Best Book for the Teen Age, and an IRA Young Adults' Choice; and Marie, Dancing, a BookSense Pick. Ms. Meyer lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Visit her website at www.readcarolyn.com.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
My first book, MISS PATCH'S LEARN-TO-SEW BOOK, published more than forty years ago, was intended to teach young girls how to knot thread, make a neat stitch, and sew simple items. The main character of my most recent book, THE WILD QUEEN, Mary, Queen of Scots, is a far cry from the roundish, gray-haired lady with a needle in her hand and spectacles on her nose. Since the thrill of seeing that first book in print, I've written over fifty more books, non-fiction and novels (most recently, historical fiction). In the process I've learned more about writing and a lot about history, a subject that was not my favorite when I was a young student but has become my passion--a passion I love to share with readers.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Apparently, there's this big world of Carolyn Meyer YA-style historical novels that I've never really known about. I guess I should, considering that I enjoy historical fiction and some YA novels so much, but for some reason I never really knew about these books, and after looking at Meyer's rather long line of bio-historicals surrounding women in history, it seems that this began as a more child-oriented approach but, with the popularity of Philippa Gregory and other historical fiction, it grew into YA historical fiction -or, something like that.
Thus, The Wild Queen was my first introduction to Carolyn Meyer. The Wild Queen chronicles the life of Mary, Queen of Scots who, interestingly, seems to only get scene time (or, book time) in relationship with her nearly 20-year imprisonment by Queen Elizabeth I. In fact, I'd say that I knew every little about Mary's earlier years before picking up this book.
At the age of five, Mary was left as the only surviving heir to the Scottish throne. Fearing for her life (and to secure an advantageous marriage to the Dauphin), Mary is sent off to France. Though she later marries the Dauphin, he unexpectedly dies, and Mary is left to pick up the pieces of her life -and the complex politics that comes with her inheritance. Using little but her own strength and power, Mary must secure her way to the Scottish throne among turmoil, religion and political intrigue -along with her distant claim to the throne of England and uncertain friendship with her cousin Queen Elizabeth I.
I wasn't really expecting much from this book, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The writing here is very solid, straightforward and incredibly quick and easy to read. And the research is surprisingly solid and accurate, but yet with enough unique intrigue to keep readers interested (even if they already know Mary's story). I was especially impressed with how Meyer handled the politics and how she portrayed a strong female character triumphing over -and being a victim of -these politics. Honestly, this almost read as an adult historical fiction novel because it became so sophisticated and strong (worthy of The Other Boleyn Girl crowd).
Yet, what kept it distinctly YA is how Meyer glossed over some of the more horrible (and adult) happenings in Mary's life. I was glad, at least, that she didn't completely leave them out (as they are an important part of Mary's story), but glossed over enough to keep it fairly clean (compared to the adult novels in the genre). After having read so many of those adult novels, I actually found this to be very refreshing and much more readable. Most importantly, Mary's story isn't about romance, it's about a strong young royal trying to survive the wild world that she's been born into.
The Wild Queen isn't an innovative book, but an incredibly solid entry into the YA historical fiction genre. I'd recommend it for history nerds (such as myself) who like their stories a little bit cleaner. Very polished, very clean and very entertaining. I'll have to pick up some of Meyer's other novels now.
Thus, The Wild Queen was my first introduction to Carolyn Meyer. The Wild Queen chronicles the life of Mary, Queen of Scots who, interestingly, seems to only get scene time (or, book time) in relationship with her nearly 20-year imprisonment by Queen Elizabeth I. In fact, I'd say that I knew every little about Mary's earlier years before picking up this book.
At the age of five, Mary was left as the only surviving heir to the Scottish throne. Fearing for her life (and to secure an advantageous marriage to the Dauphin), Mary is sent off to France. Though she later marries the Dauphin, he unexpectedly dies, and Mary is left to pick up the pieces of her life -and the complex politics that comes with her inheritance. Using little but her own strength and power, Mary must secure her way to the Scottish throne among turmoil, religion and political intrigue -along with her distant claim to the throne of England and uncertain friendship with her cousin Queen Elizabeth I.
I wasn't really expecting much from this book, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The writing here is very solid, straightforward and incredibly quick and easy to read. And the research is surprisingly solid and accurate, but yet with enough unique intrigue to keep readers interested (even if they already know Mary's story). I was especially impressed with how Meyer handled the politics and how she portrayed a strong female character triumphing over -and being a victim of -these politics. Honestly, this almost read as an adult historical fiction novel because it became so sophisticated and strong (worthy of The Other Boleyn Girl crowd).
Yet, what kept it distinctly YA is how Meyer glossed over some of the more horrible (and adult) happenings in Mary's life. I was glad, at least, that she didn't completely leave them out (as they are an important part of Mary's story), but glossed over enough to keep it fairly clean (compared to the adult novels in the genre). After having read so many of those adult novels, I actually found this to be very refreshing and much more readable. Most importantly, Mary's story isn't about romance, it's about a strong young royal trying to survive the wild world that she's been born into.
The Wild Queen isn't an innovative book, but an incredibly solid entry into the YA historical fiction genre. I'd recommend it for history nerds (such as myself) who like their stories a little bit cleaner. Very polished, very clean and very entertaining. I'll have to pick up some of Meyer's other novels now.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
I'm not sure if "Spoilers" is really accurate here since it is a historical novel and it all happened so long ago, however, if you are like me and don't know much about the time period anyway, you may want to skip this review since I'll be discussing some of the things that happen nearer the end of the book.
In my opinion, this was a very long book considering it is supposed to be YA. I am not terribly familiar with the time period surrounding Mary Stuart but after reading this I still don't feel terribly confident about the details of the time period. The characters are all extremely interesting - King Henry of France, Catherine de Medici, the sickly young King Francois, the other Maries, her handsome and STD-ridden husband etc. Some of the general details were vague and some of the details were overbearing. The novel lists in great detail her favorite pastry (pear fritters) and how she defied convention by wearing a white wedding gown and all the ins-and-outs of growing up in the French Court but since it is written in the first personal, journal-type of view all of the mystery surrounding the murder of her syphilitic second husband is just sort of glossed over. The book contends that the Wild Queen had nothing to do with it when there is definitely a possibility that something could have been set in motion by her. The book maintains her innocence. And there at the end of the novel, her last 25 years or so are covered in a page.
In my opinion, this was a very long book considering it is supposed to be YA. I am not terribly familiar with the time period surrounding Mary Stuart but after reading this I still don't feel terribly confident about the details of the time period. The characters are all extremely interesting - King Henry of France, Catherine de Medici, the sickly young King Francois, the other Maries, her handsome and STD-ridden husband etc. Some of the general details were vague and some of the details were overbearing. The novel lists in great detail her favorite pastry (pear fritters) and how she defied convention by wearing a white wedding gown and all the ins-and-outs of growing up in the French Court but since it is written in the first personal, journal-type of view all of the mystery surrounding the murder of her syphilitic second husband is just sort of glossed over. The book contends that the Wild Queen had nothing to do with it when there is definitely a possibility that something could have been set in motion by her. The book maintains her innocence. And there at the end of the novel, her last 25 years or so are covered in a page.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
This is a first-person fictional YA biography of Mary, Queen of Scots, part of the author's Young Royals series. Others in the series detail the lives of Marie Antoinette, Catherine de Medici, Catherine of Aragon, and Queen Anne.
When King James V dies in 1542, his newborn daughter Mary is crowned queen of Scotland. Betrothed to the dauphin of France, Mary is raised in the French court and, when old enough, marries and becomes the queen of France. In spite of her position, she has very little power and all that she has vanishes the day her husband dies. Determined to claim her rightful place as the queen of Scotland, she returns to Britain. But not everyone is happy with a female ruler, and not everyone supports her claim to the throne. She is surrounded by traitors and doesn't know whom to trust. Perhaps if she follows her heart, she can make peace with her cousin, Queen Elizabeth of England.
I am keenly interested in the history of England and Scotland's monarchs and I love reading about the kings and queens of old. Their lives were often tragic and filled with misery, but it's all very fascinating to me. However, sad to say, I wasn't impressed with this novel and I had to force myself to finish it. First of all, though it's titled, "The Wild Queen: The Days and Nights of Mary, Queen of Scots," this is misleading. The book (and the queen herself) is actually quite tame. Sure, Mary makes a few foolish decisions, but she is hardly the fiery, untamed queen that the title and description implies. And she is not promiscuous in the least. Indeed, she remains a virgin for more than half the book, until she marries her second husband. While some historical accounts suggest she had a passionate affair with her personal secretary, in this novel, she doesn't. But it's okay, because the author assures us repeatedly throughout the book that Mary is quite "wild."
My second complaint lies with the fact that the entire book reads like a history textbook, except that it's in first-person, with dialogue. It is a prime example of what not to do when writing a novel. As the expression goes, "Show, don't tell." You're supposed to fill your novel with scenes depicting what happens. Instead, this novel merely tells us everything that happens. For example:
"On the December 17, 1566 (sic) the little prince was christened in the chapel royal at Stirling with all the pomp and ceremony and majesty that a prince deserved and the Catholic church could offer. The countess of Argyll stood as Queen Elizabeth's proxy. My son was named Charles, in honor of the king of France, his godfather, and James, in honor of my father and grandfather."
Instead of coldly stating these facts, it would have been nice if the author had described the scene. Let us see the priest holding the squirming baby, hear the excited murmurs of the crowd, smell the incense and burning candles, feel the tremors of pride that rush through the queen as she watches her infant son being baptized. What could have been an exciting scene was instead reduced to a few bland sentences. The entire book is written this way: very detached, very distant. Even though it's written in first-person, you never truly get inside the queen's head. You never learn to sympathize with her, or to feel what she's feeling. It's all very dull, like a history book, with lots of recitations of names and dates and events.
I had hoped to enjoy this novel, however I cannot give it more than two stars. Not recommended.
When King James V dies in 1542, his newborn daughter Mary is crowned queen of Scotland. Betrothed to the dauphin of France, Mary is raised in the French court and, when old enough, marries and becomes the queen of France. In spite of her position, she has very little power and all that she has vanishes the day her husband dies. Determined to claim her rightful place as the queen of Scotland, she returns to Britain. But not everyone is happy with a female ruler, and not everyone supports her claim to the throne. She is surrounded by traitors and doesn't know whom to trust. Perhaps if she follows her heart, she can make peace with her cousin, Queen Elizabeth of England.
I am keenly interested in the history of England and Scotland's monarchs and I love reading about the kings and queens of old. Their lives were often tragic and filled with misery, but it's all very fascinating to me. However, sad to say, I wasn't impressed with this novel and I had to force myself to finish it. First of all, though it's titled, "The Wild Queen: The Days and Nights of Mary, Queen of Scots," this is misleading. The book (and the queen herself) is actually quite tame. Sure, Mary makes a few foolish decisions, but she is hardly the fiery, untamed queen that the title and description implies. And she is not promiscuous in the least. Indeed, she remains a virgin for more than half the book, until she marries her second husband. While some historical accounts suggest she had a passionate affair with her personal secretary, in this novel, she doesn't. But it's okay, because the author assures us repeatedly throughout the book that Mary is quite "wild."
My second complaint lies with the fact that the entire book reads like a history textbook, except that it's in first-person, with dialogue. It is a prime example of what not to do when writing a novel. As the expression goes, "Show, don't tell." You're supposed to fill your novel with scenes depicting what happens. Instead, this novel merely tells us everything that happens. For example:
"On the December 17, 1566 (sic) the little prince was christened in the chapel royal at Stirling with all the pomp and ceremony and majesty that a prince deserved and the Catholic church could offer. The countess of Argyll stood as Queen Elizabeth's proxy. My son was named Charles, in honor of the king of France, his godfather, and James, in honor of my father and grandfather."
Instead of coldly stating these facts, it would have been nice if the author had described the scene. Let us see the priest holding the squirming baby, hear the excited murmurs of the crowd, smell the incense and burning candles, feel the tremors of pride that rush through the queen as she watches her infant son being baptized. What could have been an exciting scene was instead reduced to a few bland sentences. The entire book is written this way: very detached, very distant. Even though it's written in first-person, you never truly get inside the queen's head. You never learn to sympathize with her, or to feel what she's feeling. It's all very dull, like a history book, with lots of recitations of names and dates and events.
I had hoped to enjoy this novel, however I cannot give it more than two stars. Not recommended.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Wild Queen
I love historical reads, and The Wild Queen went beyond my expectations. The Wild Queen gives a completely different view of Mary, Queen of Scots. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Kate B.
3.0 out of 5 stars
It was a little slow for me
I really liked the idea of getting a different view of Mary, Queen of Scots. We all know about the later years of her life, so a book about the earlier years, even fictionalized,... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Tiffany A. Harkleroad
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed learning more about Mary, Queen of Scots!
I've only been reading/studying The Tudors and related subjects in the past couple of years. I knew very, very little about Mary, Queen of Scots. Read more
Published 4 months ago by AnneC
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Wonderfully Written"
At the age of five, Mary was left as the only surviving heir to the Scottish throne. Fearing for her life (and to secure a beneficial marriage to the Dauphin), Mary is sent off to... Read more
Published 5 months ago by L.Davis
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good historical fiction!
Carolyn Meyer has written a series of historical fiction books for young adult readers focused on some famous royals. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Meg @ A Bookish Affair
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting perspective...
This is my first time reading any of Carolyn Meyer's books and I am sure this won't be my last.
I am not really a fan of YA books or rather, I don't actively seek them... Read more
I am not really a fan of YA books or rather, I don't actively seek them... Read more
Published 6 months ago by BookNerd Extraordinaire
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Wild Queen
Title: The Wild Queen: The Days and Nights of Mary Queen of Scots
Author: Carolyn Meyer
Series: Young Royals
Chapters: 50 plus Epilogue... Read more
Author: Carolyn Meyer
Series: Young Royals
Chapters: 50 plus Epilogue... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Bookbrat
3.0 out of 5 stars
Focused on France, rushed on Scotland - 3.5
Perhaps it's a personal thing. Perhaps I've read too many books about Mary, Queen of Scots. But though Carolyn Meyer writes with clarity and a distinctly royal aloofness that is... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Biblibio
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not so "Wild" as it might have been
I was excited about this book, although I don't normally read a lot of fiction especially YA, because it concerns my favorite historical period and some of my favorite historical... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Katie Luther
4.0 out of 5 stars
An unusual, but easy and accessible YA read
Mary Stuart has always blamed herself for her father's death. The king of Scotland, already depressed after suffering defeat in battle, dies soon after he learns he has a baby... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Teen Reads
