The Devil’s Queen by Jeanne Kalogridis
The Medici family must be one of the most famous in Western history, perhaps excepting the Tudors. Aside from Lorenzo Il Magnifico and a couple of Popes, Catherine de Medici is probably the Medici people are most likely to have heard of. Even so, I knew very little about Catherine, just that she was mother-in-law to Mary Queen of Scots and that she was one of the instigators of the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre of the Huguenots. I always love learning about new to me historical figures, so I jumped at the chance to review this when it was offered to me by St. Martin’s Press.
Catherine was young during a time of great unrest in her native Florence. There were many who wanted to make Florence a republic, and they were not overly fond of the Medicis. Catherine actually spent three years of her young life in the rebels’ captivity in one of two convents. When finally freed and sent to her uncle Pope Clement, Catherine was promised by her uncle to Henri Valois, the second son of King Francois Valois of France – you Tudor fanatics know Francois, he is the king who called Mary Boleyn ‘The English Mare’ and wrestled Henry VIII at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. When Francois’ oldest son dies, Catherine suddenly becomes the Dauphine and the next Queen of France.
Catherine’s story is absolutely fascinating. According to Kalogridis’ afterword, Catherine’s “collection of talismans and interest in magic were legendary…” Based on this, Kalogridis creates a life for Catherine that is largely dependent on the magic done by and with Catherine’s court magician Ruggieri. In “The Devil’s Queen” Ruggieri’s rituals and talismans help Catherine survive the clutch of the rebels, give Henri a longer lease on life, and help Catherine give Henri children. I’m fairly sure that Ruggieri’s specific actions and the exact things that Catherine asked of him are not in the historical record, but since her interest in astrology is on record, I was okay with these liberties in general. There was one twist near the end that made me scoff a bit. I wish that Kalogridis had addressed that little gem in her author’s note, but by the time we got to that twist I was so thoroughly engrossed in the book that it didn’t bother me too much.
Kalogridis is clearly a skilled writer. I am not sure that many other authors could have had me so into a book where magical rituals are undertaken to successfully give a queen children. Perhaps the best proof of her skill, though, is the fact that she made Catherine so sympathetic. A woman who practices dark magic and orders the slaughter of so many people with different beliefs really shouldn’t be sympathetic, as a general rule. Catherine approaches this magic with a very practical attitude, she is simply doing what she must to protect her family and nothing more. But what really made me love her is that she is not without regret and guilt for her actions. She believes that she is damned for her actions of self-preservation and mourns that fact (although not enough to stop protecting her family).
I really enjoyed “The Devil’s Queen.” It has me anxious to read more about Catherine and more from Kalogridis.
Buy this book from:
Powells.
A local independent bookstore via Indiebound.
Amazon.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for sending me “The Devil’s Queen” to review.
I finished this earlier in the week and enjoyed it as well. If you haven’t read The Borgia Bride by the same author, I highly recommend it.
.-= daphne´s last blog ..Weekly Wishlist =-.
I own it but haven’t gotten to it yet – it has been bumped up my TBR list now, though!
Wow, great review. I’m definitely putting this one on the TBR list!
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss – Kyra Davis =-.
Ooh, good to know that the follow up is just as good. (I read The Borgia Bride ages ago, and quite liked it.)
.-= b*babbler´s last blog ..A love affair for all time: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon =-.
Sounds really good! I’ll have to check it out, and maybe Borgia Bride, too.
.-= Lorin´s last blog ..Review: Black Water =-.
I. Must. Have. This. Now.
I am so relieved that you liked it – I’ve been looking forward to this one for a loooong time! I love Catherine and adore Kalogridis’ writing. The Borgia Bride was the first novel I reviewed for my blog, so it will always be special to me – plus it was one good darn book!
Great review!!
.-= Amy @ Passages to the Past´s last blog ..addition to the ever-expanding wishlist =-.
I don’t know much about Catherine de Medici, but I know enough to know that she was a fascinating character. This sounds like a fascinating book. Thanks for the review.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..The Time Traveler’s Wife =-.
Thank you so much for the review. This sounds like a great read and I’m adding it to my pile. The only other books I have read by Jeanne Kalogridis are The Burning Times and the three books that make up The Diaries of the Family Dracul trilogy and I loved all of them. I’m actually looking at it now as I comment.
.-= Ryan´s last blog ..The Agatha Christie Challenge — The Murder on the Links =-.
Very nice review. I am so intrigued by her as I know so little (in fact I learned a nice amount from your review alone). I will be looking to add this book to my collection.
.-= Tam´s last blog ..Super Comments Award =-.
Oh, Jen! Your review really makes me happy – because that book is sitting right next to me thanks to Marcia from The Printed Page. I’m so glad that you loved it. Like you, I have very limited knowledge of her.
C.W. Gortner’s next novel is about her, so you’ll have something more to read soon!
.-= Literate Housewife´s last blog ..Dog Days of Summer Drawing to an End =-.
This book looks excellent. I need to read some more historical fiction as I’d forgooten how much I enjoy it. this is definitely going on the wish list. Thanks for the review
.-= Deb´s last blog ..Review: Kyra Davis’s Sophie Katz series =-.
This is on my wishlist – glad to know it deserves its place there. =)
.-= Meghan´s last blog ..Review: Slammerkin, Emma Donoghue =-.
I’ve never read anything on the Medicis before. Looks like this would be a great place to start.
.-= Lisa Sheppard´s last blog .."Gilead" =-.
Super review. The de Medici family comes up all the time and I would love to more about them and Catherine. This looks like a good place to start.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..My Shelves Runneth Over; Or What’s New at Home =-.
I have only seen positive reviews for this book. It is on my TBR.
.-= Teddy´s last blog ..Portland, Oregon Book Bloggers Retreat =-.
This one has got great reviews all over! i hope to get this one as i have no idea about this lady in history!
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