The Devil's Queen: A Novel of Catherine de Medici

Jeanne Kalogridis

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The Devil's Queen by Jeanne Kalogridis is a historical fiction novel that delves into the life of Catherine de Medici, portraying her as a complex and powerful woman. The book follows Catherine's journey from her childhood in Florence to her politically arranged marriage to King Henry of France, showcasing her struggles, ambitions, and relationships. Through vivid descriptions and fast-paced storytelling, Kalogridis weaves a tale of intrigue, betrayal, love, and the complexities of royal politics, shedding light on the misunderstood historical figure of Catherine de Medici.

Kalogridis skillfully portrays Catherine de Medici as a multifaceted character, providing a more sympathetic angle to her actions and decisions. The novel explores Catherine's resilience in the face of adversity, her intelligence, and her fierce protectiveness towards her family. With elements of magic, court intrigue, and historical events like the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, The Devil's Queen offers a captivating and immersive portrayal of one of history's most controversial queens.

Characters:

Characters are well-developed, especially Catherine, who is depicted with depth and complexity, though some readers find secondary characters more intriguing.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is accessible and engaging, characterized by vivid imagery and well-researched details that enhance the historical narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot presents a sympathetic narrative of Catherine de Medici, exploring her troubled journey from a politically manipulated youth to the complexities of her royal role, entwined with themes of witchcraft and family dynamics.

Setting:

The setting is meticulously crafted, moving from Renaissance Florence to the opulent French court, enhancing the novel's historical authenticity.

Pacing:

Pacing fluctuates; some parts are slow and tedious, while others are engaging, leading to a mixed reading experience.

At first glance he was an unremarkable man, short and stout with graying hair and the drab clothes of a commoner. I could not see his face from my vantage two floors above, but I watched him recoil as...

Notes:

Catherine de Medici was born into the powerful Medici family in Florence.

She was forced into captivity as a child after a revolt toppled her family.

Catherine was married off to Prince Henri of France, who was initially in love with someone else.

The novel depicts Catherine's childhood fascination with astrology and magic.

Catherine becomes Queen of France and fights to protect her children and the crown.

The book contains graphic depictions of sex and violence, oriented towards adult readers.

Catherine's interest in witchcraft plays a significant role in the plot.

Many consider Catherine de Medici historically to be a villain, yet the novel portrays her in a sympathetic light.

The narrative is told entirely from Catherine's perspective, showing her intelligence and resilience in a man's world.

Catherine's relationship with Diane de Poitiers, her husband's mistress, evolves throughout the story.

The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre is a key event in the novel, which depicts the brutal deaths of Huguenots.

Catherine used magic and dark rituals to try to secure happiness for her family.

The author has been praised for creating complex secondary characters that sometimes overshadow Catherine herself.

Some critics felt the book lacked historical accuracy, pointing toward its dramatic and fantastical elements.

Despite her notorious reputation, the book aims to highlight Catherine's human frailty and emotional struggles.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic violence, sexual content, and themes of witchcraft and magical rituals.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

From Jeanne Kalogridis, the bestselling author of I, Mona Lisa and The Borgia Bride, comes a new novel that tells the passionate story of a queen who loved not wisely . . . but all too well.

Confidante of Nostradamus, scheming mother-in-law to Mary, Queen of Scots, and architect of the bloody St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, Catherine de Medici is one of the most maligned monarchs in history. In her latest historical fiction, Jeanne Kalogridis tells Catherine's story-that of a tender young girl, destined to be a pawn in Machiavellian games.

Born into one of Florence's most powerful families, Catherine was soon left a fabulously rich heiress by the early deaths of her parents. Violent conflict rent the city state and she found herself imprisoned and threatened by her family's enemies before finally being released and married off to the handsome Prince Henry of France.

Overshadowed by her husband's mistress, the gorgeous, conniving Diane de Poitiers, and unable to bear children, Catherine resorted to the dark arts of sorcery to win Henry's love and enhance her fertility-for which she would pay a price. Against the lavish and decadent backdrop of the French court, and Catherine's blood-soaked visions of the future, Kalogridis reveals the great love and desire Catherine bore for her husband, Henry, and her stark determination to keep her sons on the throne.

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About the Author:

Jeanne Kalogridis lives with her partner on the West Coast, where they share a house with two dogs. She is the author of The Borgia Bride, The Scarlet Contessa, and other dark fantasy and historical novels. Born in Florida, Kalogridis has a B.A. in Russian and a master's in linguistics, and taught English as a second language at The American University for eight years before retiring to write full-time.

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