A work of fiction with Queen Charlotte, wife to King George III, as it’s central character. Charlotte’s ethnicity and her moor heritage play a huge part in the book as she searches for the secrets left by her ancestors. What is so important about the scrolls and the amulet left to her by her father?
I’m not going to say that I didn’t enjoy the book because, as a page turner, involving intrigue at the English court, it’s a winner. However, for me personally, I prefer my historical fiction to have a little more factual truth to them.
If you are a fan of Bridgerton, then I think you will enjoy this book. If, on the other hand, you are looking for something more biographical, maybe this isn’t the one for you.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Queen Charlotte Sophia was a remarkable woman and as such is portrayed in this book. The reader meets her first as a 10 year old in 1752 in Mirow Palace in Germany, where she grew up. With her beloved father dead, a mother that held her in contempt and some very negative early life experiences she was eager to leave this place when the prospect of an arranged marriage with England’s King George III presented itself. Being only 17 years old and madly in love with Christian Bach (Johann Sebastian Bach’s son) she became Queen in a country she did not know, with a language she did not speak and married to a man who loved another.

We witness this young girl growing into a Queen who commanded the respect of her subjects and members of government and a woman who won the affection of her husband. Intelligent, intuitive and self-aware she pursued what she felt to be right and important. Much is made in this book of her ethnicity, her bloodline that can be traced back to Madragana Ben Bekar and her ancestorial links to Moorish rulers – which arguably made her the first black English Queen. This in fact provides the entire backbone to the book and links neatly into the struggle for the abolition of Slavery which Queen Charlotte Sophia supported.

Turner mixes this potent historical background with her own imagination, which greatly adds to the intrigue of her novel but it also shifts the balance away from a more traditional historical novel towards a page-turner of rather unlikely events. If this does not bother you, you are in for a very enjoyable roller coaster of a read, if – like me – you prefer something a little closer to historical truth, this may not be for you.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Jacaranda Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A gripping fictional look at Queen Charlotte Sophia, wife of mad King George III, and possibly the first mixed-race queen of England. A must read, perfect for savoring after watching Netflix's Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story!

This was a very interesting read about Queen Charlotte. The wife of king George. I really find this book engaging and easy to read, I liked how the author take us to the journey of their relationship and how in the end they grow feelings for each other. I really think it gonna be a big lovely book for any royalty and historic fans out there. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the access to this arc. Definitely will recommend it

Such a unique book, I loved the plot, and oh my god the characters were so amazing!! I definitely will be recommending it!!

A fabulous tale about Queen Charlotte, wife of King George. He is in love with someone else, but as they grow closer he gradually develops feelings for Charlotte. She is the owner of a mysterious amulet but all is revealed eventually to her. I will say no more, but the story becomes more thrilling as you read it, even though it is a page turner to begin with. I would recommend this book to all lovers of historical novels.