Meyer, Carolyn. The Wild Queen.

Meyer, Carolyn.   The Wild Queen.   Houghton Mifflin/ Harcourt Brace    420p  $16.99      978-0-15-206188-3       jr/sr       VG-BN       Historical fiction     

This historical novel focuses on Mary Stuart, who was sent to France at the age of six to protect her from the aggressive English king who wanted to rule Scotland.  She was betrothed to the future heir to the throne and would live with the royal family for about eleven years until the marriage would take place.

Readers will get a glimpse into the subtleties of court life and the intrigues that went on behind the throne.  Mary herself was tricked by her French brothers into signing away her right to the throne of Scotland, and additionally giving Scotland to France if the marriage were to end without any children.

 
One the other hand, readers will enjoy the personalities of various members of the court and the byplay between Queen Catherine and Diane de Poitiers, the king’s mistress.  Controversy also followed Mary when she returned to England to put herself under her sister’s (Queen Elizabeth’s) protection.

Unfortunately, throughout her entire life, Mary’s family was not very good for her well-being.  On February 8, 1857, she walked onto the scaffold to her death. “It took three blows to do the deed.”
    

This is a good book for readers to gain an understanding of court life and historical  personalities.  It is very well written and will resonate well with many young readers.    

Historical fiction, Mary Queen of Scots                     -- Linda McNeil