*Editorial Book Review*
Queen of Shadows
by Anna Belfrage
She should have stayed in the shadows—but Leonor de Guzmán yearned for the sun
Castile in the 1330s is a place of constant turmoil. King Alfonso must contend with the incursions from the Muslim Marinids eager to reclaim Al-Andalus while struggling with repeated rebellions against his firm rule.
When Alfonso needs respite, he finds it in the arms of his Leonor—the most beautiful woman in the realm. But while he may love Leonor over all others, his lawful wife, Maria of Portugal, is tired of being constantly displaced by the fair Leonor.
Leonor loves her man. She gives him healthy sons, a place to be himself. But she is only a mistress, even if Alfonso treats her like a queen. Leonor’s enemies watch and hate.
Flying too close to the sun comes at a high price. How much will Leonor’s love cost her?
Based on the true story of Alfonso XI and his complicated relationships to wife and life-long mistress.
"I should have wed you," he said. "The biggest regret of my life is that I did not."
And indeed, had King Alfonso XI of Castile married Doña Leonor de Guzmán y Ponce de León, much heartbreak, jealousy, and treachery could have been avoided. But then, we wouldn't have this astonishing adventure to read!
And indeed, had King Alfonso XI of Castile married Doña Leonor de Guzmán y Ponce de León, much heartbreak, jealousy, and treachery could have been avoided. But then, we wouldn't have this astonishing adventure to read!
The story begins when young Alma accompanies her mother, a renowned midwife, to assist Doña Leonor with the birth of her second son. At first put off by the sweat and pain of childbirth, Alma soon discovers the joy that follows. She ably helps her mother settle the king's beloved mistress, and soon after, the lady asks her to join her growing household.
Leonor turns out to be a headstrong and self-assured, but not unkind lady to serve, and Alma quickly settles into her new routine. Wherever the king goes, Doña Leonor would follow, with her full retinue.
Whereas Alfonso and Leonor stay in royal palaces, Queen María, his lawful wife, tends to be sent to stay in nearby nunneries, away from court and the limelight that Leonor claimed as hers. Everyone notices the animosity growing between the two women, and some nobles object to his treatment of the queen, including her own father, the king of Portugal. But Alfonso insists on Leonor's presence, defying nobles, churchmen, and foreign dignities alike.
As Leonor gives Alfonso ten children over the years – as a security for her own safety as much as to please him – María's firstborn dies, and Alfonso is forced to bed his wife again. When the new heir, Pedro, is born, he is done with her.
Castile itself is in a constant state of alert, with the old structures of Muslim occupation of the Iberian peninsula slowly coming to an end, but not without a fight. Alfonso is keen to help them on their way, by trying to free Gibraltar.
María, meanwhile, drip feeds her poisonous jealousy to their son. Pedro is fully aware of his status as heir to the kingdom, but whilst his half-brothers live, his own life is never safe.
When disaster strikes, Leonor must act quickly to ensure her – and her children's – survival. Will she succeed? Or will thwarted María finally get her revenge? Well, you should really read this book to find out!
Queen of Shadows tells the fascinating tale of Leonor de Guzmán, long-term mistress of King Alfonso XI of Castile. Throughout history, kings enjoyed the company of mistresses, but rarely did one hold so much power, be the focus at court, yet was never a legitimate consort. It would appear that theirs was a love match, which must have made their relationship even more complicated. Alfonso was expected to marry for a political alliance, which he did, reluctantly.
The relationship between Leonor and Alfonso is at the heart of this remarkable story of love, duty, jealousy, and murder. Alfonso's kingdom is a hotbed of plots and intrigues, both within and against outside enemies. With several families close to the throne, it takes a strong, capable man like Alfonso to keep hold of the reins. He is a tough ruler, but also a caring lover. Ms Belfrage cleverly shows readers the two sides to his character, which in turn makes him human. A powerful man torn between duty and love.
Leonor is a formidable lady who is fully aware of her status. Driven by love and ambition, she often comes across as arrogant, even heartless (a habit usually praised in men!). She behaves like a queen beside Alfonso in public. Showing a ruthless streak, she regards María not as a victim, but as a usurper. Someone who wants to snatch the man Leonor loves from her. Her jealousy matches the queen's own.
Ms Belfrage has given Leonor a strong, powerful voice, which I'm sure the lady would have agreed with. But she has also given her a continuous sense of worry and fear, which is completely realistic, given her precarious situation. Without Alfonso's protection, she is in danger.
Alma and her husband Rodrigo are sensible secondary characters, providing us with glimpses from the outside. Although their romance is a legal union, they have sympathy for their king and his mistress. Through their eyes, we see the impact Leonor and Alfonso's actions have on others. They hear the rumours, the vilifications, the threats. Yet their loyalty to both never wavers.
Ms Belfrage has created a truly immersive tale that pulls us into turbulent Castile and its many fascinating characters. We feel the hot sun in Sevilla, and the cool air in the north. We walk the colourful corridors the alcazar and other royal palaces. And whilst we eagerly witness Leonor and Alfonso facing their challenges, we continue to turn the pages with an uneasy, yet enthralling sense of ’what if’...
Queen of Shadows is a sumptuous, vibrant feast of a novel – full of courtly intrigues, personal rivalries, cruel medieval deeds, and a most scandalous real-life love story.
In her accompanying historical note, Ms Belfrage promises us more medieval Spanish adventures. I, for one, can't wait!
Highly recommended!
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Anna Belfrage
Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with three absorbing interests: history, romance and writing.
Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as two equally acclaimed medieval series; The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England, and The Castilian Saga, which is set against the medieval conquest of Wales. She has also published a time travel romance, The Whirlpools of Time, and its sequel, Times of Turmoil, and is now considering just how to wiggle out of setting the next book in that series in Peter the Great’s Russia, as her characters are demanding...
All of Anna’s books have been awarded the IndieBRAG Medallion, she has several Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choices, and one of her books won the HNS Indie Award in 2015. She is also the proud recipient of various Readers’ Favorite medals as well as having won various Gold, Silver and Bronze Coffee Pot Book Club awards.
“A master storyteller”
“This is what all historical fiction should be like. Superb.”
Find out more about Anna, her books and enjoy her eclectic historical blog on her website, www.annabelfrage.com where you will also find her post about Alfonso and Leonor.
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