***** 3.5/5 stars

Overall the book was as expected – a great first-person and emotional account of Queen Victoria’s development into the ruler she is know today but lacking the character development outside of Victoria herself.

Here’s my rankings:

2.5/5 stars for hero/character
4/5 stars for plot                      
3.5/5 stars for overall                    

Recommended readers:

• ages 13+/teens- dealing with a what they think is an overstrict parent
• History lovers – events of the books are accurate with some interpretation

REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER

We rarely talk about Queen Victoria before her reign and as she developed into a woman, daughter, wife and ruler that we hear in history books … and Carolyn Meyer’s novel takes us from a young privileged to comfortable ruler.

The story reads much like a diary – and rightfully so being based on some of Victoria’s own diaries, which were not so private.  Meyer does a great job interpreting those very public diaries, read often by Victoria’s mother, into a more personal and emotional journey.  It’s painful to read the events of Victoria’s day – and then see the resulting diary journal devoid of her true thoughts and feelings.

I often find first person novels harder to read because you’re less able to build characters and have strong supporting cast – and this book is no different. But I think the perspective is fitting for this topic.

Overall the book was as expected – a great first-person and emotional account of Queen Victoria’s development into the ruler she is know today.

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Here’s a great background on how Meyer started the book:

 

Meet the Author here.

From the Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Queen Victoria’s personal journals inform this captivating first-person novel about of one of history’s most prominent female leaders.

Queen Victoria most certainly left a legacy—under her rule as the longest reigning female monarch in history, the British Empire was greatly expanded and significant industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military changes occurred within the United Kingdom. To be a young woman in a time when few other females held positions of power was to lead in a remarkable age—and because Queen Victoria kept personal journals, this historical novel from award-winning author Carolyn Meyer shares authentic emotional insight along with accurate information, weaving a true story of intrigue and romance. – See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.biz/Victoria-Rebels/Carolyn-Meyer/9781416987291#sthash.AUwy6gpX.dpuf