Category: Reviews
Weekly Review Round-Up
It has been a good week for The Sister Queens in the blogosphere – a very good week. Just since Tuesday the novel has received FIVE reviews, all of them good. Here are highlights from what some of the fabulous women of book-blogging had to say.
From Broken Teepee:
Ms. Perinot’s characterization of the two women is fascinating and I found it quite hard to put the book down; in fact, I read it in one sitting. I love writing that grabs you and won’t let you go like that. I want to continue with these two women and their complicated men. I hope that Ms. Perinot is considering further books on unsung women in history as she does have a magical way with words. A way that brings long dead characters to very real life.”
Briar Patch Books said:
Perinot’s writing is almost flawless, and she brings to rich life characters who lived more than 600 years ago, no small feat. Readers will enjoy the romance of the tale but also the sibling connection between the sisters.”
And the Bookish Dame at A Bookish Libraria had some kind words about the characterization and dialogue in the book:
Her two sisters, as well as their two kings, the wicked mother-in-law ~ White Queen Blanche of Castille, and the sisters’ children are so magnificently drawn. I could absolutely see them alive and feel their hearts’ emotions and motivations. Beautifully written. Dialog was also appeared to be effortlessly rendered; it flowed and felt so natural. The intimate communications between characters were meaningful and telling.”
Several reviewers highlighted something I’ve believed (and trumpeted) since I first began reading historical fiction—the genre transcends history and speaks to issues as real and relevant today as they were hundreds of years ago. As Books, Belles, and Beaux put it:
While leading the life of a royal wife in the 13th century certainly has little bearing on life today, the relationships each sister shared with her husband, children, and extended family is certainly relevant to today’s reader.”
While I Heart Words points out:
Yes, Sophie Perinot’s debut THE SISTER QUEENS takes us through medieval battles, the crusades, and some juicy court politics, but it is truly a story about two women and their quest for fulfillment.”
All I can say is WOW ladies! And thanks. These last three weeks have been a marvelous whirlwind. Turns out holding my book for the first time in a Barnes & Noble was just the beginning of the thrills. Discovering there are readers who hold my book in their hearts—that’s the biggest thrill of all.
Happy Three-Week Birthday to The Sister Queens!
I am celebrating the three-week anniversary of my novel’s release with the help of Michelle at The True Book Addict. Michelle is hosting a birthday giveaway. A 500 page book – now THAT’S a party favor.
And Michelle had a present for me as well. There is no better gift (three-week birthday or other) for an author than a good review, and The True Book Addict gives The Sister Queens a very good review indeed, remarking that:
Good historical fiction will incite the reader to investigate the historical figures coming alive in its pages. The Sister Queens is one such book.
(a sentiment I share – in fact, this is one of the reasons I, myself, love reading and writing historical fiction!)
Praising the insight with which the sister-relationship at the heart of the book is portrayed, Michelle says:
What is interesting in their story is how both queens learned to take on the traits of the other’s personality to help them to smoothly navigate their royal marriages and lives. It takes intricate knowledge of the relationship between sisters to be able to portray that this is indeed what sisters do.
She concludes:
this book belongs on the shelf of anyone who loves the genre, and even those who are not regular readers of historical novels.
So what are you waiting for? Head to The True Book Addict and enter to win a copy.
I am “Hooked” for an Interview and Reviewed by Erin at Oh for the Hook of a Book
Today I am chatting with the marvelous Erin at Oh for the Hook of a Book. She had some very unique questions for me, including whether the Christian undertones in my novel were intentional.
Erin also reviews The Sister Queens, saying it is:
one to mark down for the greatest of novels list and reads visually as a theatrical movie
Sex and the Historical Novelist
Birds do it, bees do it, and our ancestors most definitely did it, but should sex be included in the pages of historical novels? 
Today at Peeking Between the Pages I discuss the expansion of sexual content from historical romance into straight historical fiction and my views on this trend.
Meanwhile, the latest review of The Sister Queens is in! The Broke and the Bookish says:
an excellent slice of an extremely interesting period of time. We get the politics and social aspects of not one but two countries (always a bonus!) as well as in the latter part of the book, Louis’ crusade to theHoly Land. I felt very connected to them and their personalities were extremely opposite and varied. I enjoyed watching the sisters grow from young teenagers to mature mothers, queens, and friends. Recommended to all historical fiction lovers!
Another Lovely Review for The Sister Queens
The Sister Queens received another lovely review, this time from Kathleen at A CelticLady’s Reviews:
Sophie Perinot tells a very compelling story of two very diverse but strong women. In the writing of this book, I could tell that there was extensive research …into the lives of these two women and their families and they were portrayed as very real women who adored their children and would do anything to keep them safe and protect their heritage.
Stop by, Kathleen is also running a giveaway for those still hoping to win a copy of the novel.
The Verdict from “Peeking Between the Pages”
Can I just say I love the name of this blog – Peeking Between the Pages. Perhaps that’s because when I open a book I feel as if I am peeking into another world and into other people’s lives without them knowing it. There is a certain amount of voyeurism (but not in the creepy sense) involved.
Today Dar at Peeking Between the Pages takes a look between the covers of The Sister Queens and proclaims:
The Sister Queens has it all… court life, balls, rivalry, politics, love and lust; with the added element of it seeming so real to the reader as though watching a film. A fantastic debut!
Merci, Madame!
A Cozy Chat with a Celtic Lady and a Little Luxury
Another double-dip day for me in blog-land my friends.
First, I discuss how The Sister Queen’s focus on how sisters shape each other makes it very personal in an interview with Kathleen at Celtic Lady’s Reviews. Kathleen and I also chat about how I got interested in writing historical fiction and what my typical writing day looks like.
Then, The Sister Queens is reviewed at Luxury Reading (“I found myself sucked into the story and could not put the book down”).
A Happy One-Week Anniversary for The Sister Queens
What better way to celebrate the one-week anniversary of The Sister Queens launch than with a trio of marvelous reviews for the novel!
The first review comes from Jessie at Ageless Pages Reviews, who says:
This is the type of book I am constantly looking for in the historical fiction genre, and rarely seem to stumble across; it’s very engaging from the outset, it’s lively to read with actualized characters in stead of cardboard historical cutouts, and it’s mostly, somewhat accurate. Sophie Perinot may indeed be a first-time author, but you certainly wouldn’t know that from reading her debut novel.
Jessie notes that:
One of the most enjoyable aspects of The Sister Queens is that no matter how convoluted the relationship, how twisted the tale, how unfamiliar the person at Court, Sophie Perinot never talks down to her readers.
and concludes with a call for a sequel (I’d SO love to do one) declaring:
This was a wonderful read and one of my favorites so far this year. Move over Tudors, I think I have a new historical royal family obsession
The second review is from The Owl Bookmark, where Siobian awards The Sister Queens 4.5 owls (= “marvelous”). She declares:
this is a novel that I quickly lost myself in. It was written beautifully and Perinot does an amazing job of bringing these two characters to life. The sisters were well balanced in their personalities and I found myself vacillating between admiration and favor of one sister to the other sister and then back again as I progressed in the story.
Siobian ends her review with this strong recommendation:
It was a wonderful book and I cannot recommend it enough because of its realistic characters and the historical setting that it was obvious Perinot took years researching to create.
Finally, at Romance Dish, Janga praises the novel for revealing:
the hearts of these two women—their memories of Provence and family ties, the concerns they have for their own children, and the struggles each faces as the dreams of girlhood are replaced by the realities of womanhood. Connecting all these things are the strands of jealousy, competition, forgiveness, loyalty, and abiding love that make up the bond of sisterhood.
and concludes by saying:
If you are a reader of historical fiction or a fan of Medieval romance, I highly recommend The Sister Queens. If you are neither but enjoy stories about the many relationships that define a woman, you may find more to like here than you expect.
Thank you ladies! You’ve made my one-week anniversary very special indeed. Thanks also to readers and fans who have been following my blog tour and who purchased The Sister Queens in its release week. I am collecting photos of “sister queens spottings.” So if you see the book in the wild (or in a bookstore) please snap a picture and contact me.
5 out of 5 Apples for The Sister Queens!
The Sister Queens just received five apples from Debbie’s Book Bag! I am thrilled and feeling a bit of the teacher’s pet at the moment. Here are some highlights from Debbie’s review:
In The Sister Queens, Perinot writes with rich flavor and attention to the smallest of details. She brings to life the reigns of both Henry III and Louis IX and the women who loved them. This both takes sibling rivalry to a whole new level and shows the bonds that exist between sisters despite being separated by miles and country boundaries. Historical fiction fans can’t afford to miss this dynamic debut novel by a strong new voice in the genre
And
This book shows impeccable research and the ability to put those details to good use. To bring out the most important things and know what to leave out. Perinot’s descriptions of court life were vivid and riveting. Her portrayal of the crusades and their brutality was gripping. This is one of the few historical fiction stories that I’ve read lately that I would consider a page turner.
Fairytale Pre-Release Day — Bippity Boppity Book and a Visit to Tanzanite’s Castle
Today Holly at Bippity Boppity Book shares her thoughts on The Sister Queens in a marvelous and very favorable review. Holly says:
In Marguerite and Eleanor Sophie Perinot manages to create two characters who are polar opposites but equally interesting and believable.
And she will be:
recommending this to everyone I know who loves historical fiction and putting this author on my “buy immediately” list for her future releases.
Thank you Holly!
And while The Sister Queens is enjoying the star treatment at Bippity Boppity, I am paying a visit to a castle—Tanzanite’s Castle Full of Books—where my hostess Daphne (besides excellent tea and crumpets) has some very insightful questions for me. Stop by for a crumpet and find out how I became a writer and what drew me to the 13th century.
Finally, if you haven’t ordered your copy yet, both Holly and Daphne have copies to giveaway.