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The Sister Queens

by Sophie Perinot (Goodreads Author)

3.88 of 5 stars 3.88 · rating details · 515 ratings · 127 reviews

Patient, perfect, and used to being first, Marguerite becomes Queen of France. But Louis IX is a religious zealot who denies himself the love and companionship his wife craves. Can she borrow enough of her sister's boldness to grasp her chance for happiness in a forbidden love?

Passionate, strong-willed, and stubborn, Eleanor becomes Queen of England. Henry III is a good ma...more

Paperback, 503 pages

Published March 6th 2012 by NAL Trade

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Mar 12, 2012 ☆Jessie☆ (Ageless Pages Reviews) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, hf-france, hf-england, arc, arc-book-tour, 2012-reads, 2012-reviews, excessive-fangirl-alert, received-for-review, reviewed, best-of-2012, owned-copy, super-sized-story, five-stars-for-you-glen-coco, hfvbt

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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. The Sister Queens tells the captivating and contrastin...more

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Feb 23, 2012 Mindy McGinnis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence both have the famed beauty of the Savoyard family, and the connections to win them crowns.

Marguerite's comes first, when she is married to Louis IX, the King of France. The two sisters, still very much children, tearfully part from each other in the shared bedroom of their father's castle on the night before Marguerite's departure, destined not to meet again for twenty years.

But their letters to each other bridge the distance between them, even when Eleanor be...more Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence both have the famed beauty of the Savoyard family, and the connections to win them crowns.

Marguerite's comes first, when she is married to Louis IX, the King of France. The two sisters, still very much children, tearfully part from each other in the shared bedroom of their father's castle on the night before Marguerite's departure, destined not to meet again for twenty years.

But their letters to each other bridge the distance between them, even when Eleanor becomes the bride of Henry III, King of England. Though the two Kings clash over land, the sisters continue to send missives as family members rather than Queens of rival countries.

The letters may be able to bridge the gap between their homes, but the dichotomies of their lives are not so easily conquered. Marguerite finds Louis to be a capable and admirable King, yet he is domineered by his mother, and his passion for God far outweighs any interest in his wife.

Henry III is a compassionate and loving husband, a true father to his children and companion to his wife. Yet his kingship leaves much to be desired, and Eleanor can't help but compare his shortcomings with those of Marguerite's husband, especially when Louis takes the cross to go on Crusade.

As the years pass the sisters learn to set aside their rivalry and learn from each other instead, as Marguerite borrows Eleanor's fiery fortitude in an attempt to win back her husband's affection... and ends up falling into the arms of another man instead. Meanwhile, after a political clash with Henry, Eleanor adopts Marguerite's calmer demeanor and sets aside her pride in order to restore her marriage to what it had been.

Spanning twenty years and an array of countries, THE SISTER QUEENS takes the reader to the courts of England and France, the warm and welcoming countryside of Provence, and the bloody crush of the Crusades. Politics and family, Kingly ambitions and sibling rivalry, love and lust all come into play between the pages, unfolding in a mesmerizing story about two Queens who were sisters above all else.(less)

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Mar 11, 2012 Jerelyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 13th-century, historical-fiction, new-author-to-watch

The Sister Queen’s by Sophie Perinot: The Daughters of the Count of Provence, Marguerite and Eleanor are raised to be women of consequence, ambitious women from ambitious parents. They marry Kings at the center of European power. But this is no fairy tale.
Marguerite the elder marries a golden King, Louis IX of France; she is the perfect consort for this man who unfortunately is dedicated to God, then France leaving little room for his beautiful passionate wife.

Eleanor also marries a king; Engla...more The Sister Queen’s by Sophie Perinot: The Daughters of the Count of Provence, Marguerite and Eleanor are raised to be women of consequence, ambitious women from ambitious parents. They marry Kings at the center of European power. But this is no fairy tale.
Marguerite the elder marries a golden King, Louis IX of France; she is the perfect consort for this man who unfortunately is dedicated to God, then France leaving little room for his beautiful passionate wife.

Eleanor also marries a king; England’s Henry III is twice her age, while not as glamorous as her sister’s spouse, nor as respected by his barons. Henry gives Eleanor the adoration and affection that Marguerite craves in her own marriage. But can Eleanor overlook Henry’s ineptness as king?

Ms. Perinot is a fine writer and I enjoyed this book, I knew some of the history of these women, having read a series of books written by Roberta Gellis I believe in the 80’s, but the sisters were supporting characters. So when I read that this book was coming out, I have to say it is one of the books I was looking most forward to this year, and I was not disappointed. For a first time novelist this is what I believe Ms. Perinot has done right.

She has done her research, and fortunately the lives of Louis and Henry are well chronicled. One such chronicler is in fact an important character in the story. It is known that these two Queens were devoted to one another and were in constant contact with one another. She uses this in the story. Most of the chapters begin with a letter from one sister to the other. Then it settles into a first person narrative.

She beautifully conveys the love, and also the competitive nature of the sister’s relationship.

I felt that Marguerite story received more focus and as Ms. Perinot said recently in an interview, she identified with Marguerite more strongly; So this in understandable, and as she was on crusade with her husband, this became the focus in the last part of the book.

She also does not sugar coat these women, making them too good to be true. I would have like to see a bit more about Eleanor, and the struggles she had with the English barons, over the favoritism shown to her Savoyard kin which Henry has often been accused of, and his weakness as a King. But that is my only complaint. For a first book I think that Ms. Perinot shows great promise, and I give The Sister Queens 4 stars.
(Nook edition.)
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Jun 24, 2012 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historic-fiction-1200s

Find the enhanced version of this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....

Did I like the book? Obviously, but I am not above admitting that much of my admiration stems from exposure to history of which I was not already familiar. A natural scholar, I spent much of my reading cross referencing people and events. Call it a weakness, but I give points to any author that can spark my curiosity in such a way. That being said I’m torn with how to approach rating and reviewing thi...more Find the enhanced version of this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....

Did I like the book? Obviously, but I am not above admitting that much of my admiration stems from exposure to history of which I was not already familiar. A natural scholar, I spent much of my reading cross referencing people and events. Call it a weakness, but I give points to any author that can spark my curiosity in such a way. That being said I’m torn with how to approach rating and reviewing this piece. I love Perinot’s subject matter but I’m not sure I am sold on her writing.

The story itself makes for compelling literature, but that is the case with a lot of historic fiction. At some point a reader needs to weigh what the author brings to the table against what is provided them by the historic record. For much of the novel, Perinot gives life to two very different women but I feel she lost momentum in the latter third of the book. Somewhere along the way their voices grow faint, their characters less prominent, at times even fragmented against the political backdrop of their stories. Unfortunately this also killed off much of the pacing. Where I had been unable to put the book aside I soon found myself struggling to get through even a handful of pages.

If I have a concrete complaint about the book it is in regards to Marguerite’s oldest child, Blanche. Perinot goes to a great deal of trouble to illustrate the importance of family in both Eleanor and Marguerite’s lives. For several chapters they agonize over their inability to provide their respective kingdoms with an heir. Once they do have children, we are privy to the joy each finds in her role as mother. For this reason I find it odd that it is a paragraph in chapter nineteen that first references the early death of the French princess. The child passed away at age two or three in the year 1243, but Perinot’s narrative doesn’t mention the event until 1246 in a chapter told from Eleanor’s point of view while she struggles with her fear of losing Edward. Marguerite’s apparent lack of affection for her first born irks me. Louis and Jean Tristan are the favored of her brood but as a mother I find it utterly incomprehensible that one could lose a child and be indifferent. Needless to say I found the reference in chapter nineteen woefully inadequate, but my feelings on the matter changed dramatically in the latter portion of the novel when Marguerite claims she would lay down her life for her children. The declaration grated my nerves. Why should the reader believe she is capable of such devotion when we have been denied even the merest hint of maternal affection or grief for the young princess? For me, the omission proved the undoing of Marguerite’s character and greatly affected my assessment of Perinot’s work.

All things considered I am comfortable awarding four stars to Perinot’s Sister Queens, but it is a generous rating. The freshness of her subject matter went a long way in capturing both my interest and imagination and while I believe Perinot is without doubt an author to watch, I also feel there is significant room for growth. (less)

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Jan 22, 2012 Erin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-read-giveaway, historical-fiction

I received a free copy as part of the Goodreads First Read Giveaway.

I am not a huge fan of historical fiction because I find that either I get bogged down in the history lesson or I think that the author took too much liberty with the actual story. At the end of the novel, Perinot writes about the amount of research that she had done in order to get the history correct. This convinced me to add another star to my rating. I thought it was well written, I just didn't like it that much.

I have a fe...more

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Oct 15, 2012 Lucy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Bread to be queens, Marguerite and Eleanor achieved much greatness in the 13th c. as Queens of France and England, respectively. What began as two little girls with differences of opinions and very opposed characters (one could not be more different than the other), would result in the first-time ever unifying of France and England as allies.

As children, Marguerite was always the more restrained, quiet and thoughtful one; Eleanor, on the other hand, spoke her mind and was a go-getter from the...more
Bread to be queens, Marguerite and Eleanor achieved much greatness in the 13th c. as Queens of France and England, respectively. What began as two little girls with differences of opinions and very opposed characters (one could not be more different than the other), would result in the first-time ever unifying of France and England as allies.

As children, Marguerite was always the more restrained, quiet and thoughtful one; Eleanor, on the other hand, spoke her mind and was a go-getter from the onset. Bickering as siblings do- once separated though, these two sisters had an unbreakable bond of loyalty and love. Throughout their life, each lived through the other’s correspondence as a source of lifeline where they could both retreat to for understanding and what they considered to be the greatest undying strength; family.

Both women, albeit different were strong assets for their husbands. Even Marguerite who was for the most part white-washed by Blanche, (the mother-in-law from hell), and almost non-existent for Louis (his religion and mother always came fanatically first) offered strength in her non-oppositional ways and stood by her man at the cost of losing herself along the way. But then along comes Joinville to make her heart beat come alive again…

In comparison, Eleanor, was a much happier queen. King Henry doted on his wife- and was absolutely head over heels for her. Together they ruled and nothing stopped Eleanor from interjecting her points of view. Theirs was almost a match made in heaven-if it weren’t for some of Eleanor’s strong opinions about Henry’s family…

The story is told in the heroines’ alternating point of views. Interestingly crafted, the novel flows with history without being overwhelming. The passage of these two sisters’ lives is an engaging and quick read that is sure to appeal to historical fiction lovers. Elegantly written with strong prose and meticulous research, The Sister Queens is a great debut for author Sophie Perinot!(less)

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Oct 15, 2012 Andrea Guy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historicalfictionvirtualbooktours, historical-fiction, romantic-suspense

Before I start reviewing the book, I have to say, this is one cover that really pulled me in to the book. It is simply stunning.

This is Sophie's first novel and if it is any indication of what's to come, well, move over Phillipa Gregory.

It was nice to read a novel about royals that didn't involve one of Henry VIII's wives or offspring or Marie Antoinette. Now don't get me wrong, I love Tudor novels and Marie, but it is nice to read about another group of royals ever now and then.

In this story yo...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Jean rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, medieval-historical-fiction

A fun read about two daughters of the House of Savoy who marry well above their station. The eldest, Marguerite, marries Louis IX, King of France. Sister Eleanor also makes a spectacular marriage to Henry III of England. The sisters share a loving; but competitive relationship. The story moves at a good pace and is told from each sister's point of view through narrative and letters to each other. I particularly enjoyed reading about Marguerite going on crusade with her husband and learning about...more

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Apr 22, 2012 Kerry rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

For me, this book was a historical fiction beach book. The author selected fascinating characters and told their story very well. I had fun reading it and learned some cool history while doing so. But, although Perinot definitely touched on some challenging topics - what does it really mean to be a queen; how is political power gained and used; to what extent are women pawns and to what extent do they have their own agency; what makes a good king vs. a good man - I was consistently left wanting...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Deborah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-tour-book, couldn-t-put-down, european-setting, english-setting, family-dynamics, french-connection, historical-novel, historical-romance, new-author-for-me, paperback-i-own, woman-writer

Right off the top, let me say I really liked this book. It's a fully engaging and thoroughly believable novel. I was swept up in the stories and interactions of the sisters of the renowned Savoy family, Marguerite and Eleanor, from the first moments of introduction. Their very different personalities are richly developed, and while they are different in temperament and life challenges, they are both so intriguing and lovable it's difficult to call one a favorite over the other. I absorbed this b...more Right off the top, let me say I really liked this book. It's a fully engaging and thoroughly believable novel. I was swept up in the stories and interactions of the sisters of the renowned Savoy family, Marguerite and Eleanor, from the first moments of introduction. Their very different personalities are richly developed, and while they are different in temperament and life challenges, they are both so intriguing and lovable it's difficult to call one a favorite over the other. I absorbed this book as if it were a story about Diana, Princess of Wales, and Katherine of England. It's that enjoyable to read. Before I knew it, I was half way through the novel!

Sophie Perinot is a solid writer with a good grasp of characterization. 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.

I've read many a historical novel, some about each of these queens and their families, so I don't think it's any small task to have compiled this book, joining both dynasties in what reads with such elegance and ease. The book flows with intelligence and clarity. I found that one of the most refreshing things about it. I didn't have to be a scholar to understand the political "cookings" behind the thrones! Thank God, Ms Perinot distilled that down for me!

This is a romantic and absorbing historical fiction, one I found myself virtually flowing through effortlessly. It's a good read about two admirable women who birthed the foundations of world empires, and set the tones of historical manners and elegance for generations. Their life-long devotion to each other was poignant and an example that united their countries in heart and blood for generations.

I loved the novel, and pass it on to you with a high recommendation.
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Oct 08, 2012 Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, 2012, read-oct-2012

Ever since I saw the synopsis of The Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot, I felt I had to read it. I have been on more of an historical fiction reading kick for awhile now especially since reading Sandra Byrd's novel To Die For last year so I am fascinated by the Queens that stand behind the Kings. I think we so often hear the tales of the Kings that I love the authors that are telling the tales of the queens. Yes I know they are fiction, but I feel the authors are doing the research and telling the...more Ever since I saw the synopsis of The Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot, I felt I had to read it. I have been on more of an historical fiction reading kick for awhile now especially since reading Sandra Byrd's novel To Die For last year so I am fascinated by the Queens that stand behind the Kings. I think we so often hear the tales of the Kings that I love the authors that are telling the tales of the queens. Yes I know they are fiction, but I feel the authors are doing the research and telling the stories with an authenticity that at least rings true to me. Of course as I have stated before I am not a history buff, so please if you are and your read this book and come to a completely different take remember (1) I am not a history buff, I love history, but I am not one who remembers lots of historical facts or periods and (2) I read fiction purely for enjoyement. So that said I will continue with my review.

Sometimes even after being completely intrigued by a synopsis I get scared when sitting down to a 500-page historical novel. I think nothing of reading the unabridged version of The Stand, but that is a typical genre for me. Historical Fiction is still new to me and I still fear I will be bored by facts and what bored me in history class. So I will admit to putting this one off. Wow am I sorry I did that. I was honestly captivated from the very first page as I read the tale of Marguerite and Eleanor, sisters who were in competition at home and then were wed off one-by-one to Kings. And not just any Kings, but Kings of competing lands, and important kings, the King of France, Louis IX and the King of England, Henry III. Now I knew absolutely nothing of these kings and not much of this time frame but it did not matter. Ms. Perinot wove the scenery, the courts and the characters together beautifully. I felt like I was there with Marguerite and Eleanor as they became use to life in distant lands and use to life without each other and without their close family. Especially Marguerite who was not even allowed to keep her servants. As Ms. Perinot set the story I felt more and more drawn in and began to not even notice the time passing away on Saturday afternoon, nor the over 250 pages that quickly passed.

Not only is there great character development because we get to know the girls when they are mere teenagers. But there is the intrigue of court. There are the intracies of marriage. One marriage starts off beautifully only to be thwarted by her mother-in-law. The other while the husband seems less than ideal ends up being a more than ideal match. However I think the thing I liked most besides the romance was watching each Queen observe all that went on around her and manipulate things for the good of herself (not in a selfish way, usually for her husband and children) and her country. Proving that women have always moved in the background and while Ms. Clinton may have been one of the first First Ladies to do it in this country, but she hasn't been the only woman working to strengthen her man in leadership. Granted in the 13th century is was much more behind the scenes.

Of course there are problems each must work through or there would not be a plot, but each problem keeps the reader and kept me turning the pages. I was so enthralled by both Marguerite and Eleanor that I had to know how they would fair, would they come out okay, would they live happily or at least satisfactorily through the end? And where would Ms. Perinot take them next? The Sister Queens was more than I could have ever asked for in a book and now reigns in my top three historical fiction novels with Michelle Moran's Cleopatra's Daughter and Sandra Byrd's To Die For. For me that is some great company. I will be highly recommending The Sister Queens to all of my friends, even ones who don't read historical fiction. I think it's just a wonderful novel that can appeal to anyone who loves to read. It has the intrigue of a suspense novel, the romance of a romance novel, the family story of a general fiction or family saga (though not through the generations), it could be a sister novel. I even think through the historical aspect alone it could appeal to men, though the romance and sister aspect make it more of an appeal to women, but my husband seemed pretty interested when I told him about it last night. I just can't say enough. Ms. Perinot has crafted a well-written and well-plotted novel in The Sister Queens and I will definitely be on the look out for her novels in the future.(less)

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Mar 28, 2012 Patty rated it 4 of 5 stars

Most historical fiction books tend to focus on the men. I think that this is because far more information comes down through history about them. Particularly the further back in time you go. Women were little more than chattel in the time period of The Sister Queens - oh and brood mares. They were pretty much worthless if they didn't provide an heir; especially noble women. This is why I truly enjoy books told from the viewpoint of the wives - and I really like them when I have read books from t...more Most historical fiction books tend to focus on the men. I think that this is because far more information comes down through history about them. Particularly the further back in time you go. Women were little more than chattel in the time period of The Sister Queens - oh and brood mares. They were pretty much worthless if they didn't provide an heir; especially noble women. This is why I truly enjoy books told from the viewpoint of the wives - and I really like them when I have read books from the same time period from the point of view of the men.

The Sister Queens fills that bill perfectly. It tells the tale of two daughters of Provence who went on to become the queens of France and England in the thirteenth century. Marguerite marries Louis IX of France, a man who has come down through history as Saint Louis. Eleanor marries Henry III of England, not known as one of England's best monarchs. The sisters are very close before they are separated and remain close for most of their lives.

The book pulled me in from the start. It alternates between the sisters with fictionalized letters between them as chapter headers. Ms. Perinot remarks in her Author's Note that she is herself a sister so she well knows the bonds that sisters develop. Both Marguerite and Eleanor have arrogant personalities that come from being born to rule. Eleanor I think more than her sister due to being the second born. History notes she was a "virago" and she was not well loved by the English people. Marguerite had to contend with her overbearing mother in law, Blanche of Castille who ruled Louis with an iron thumb.

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.(less)

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Mar 01, 2012 Meg - A Bookish Affair rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, fiction, historical-fiction

This book was fascinating. I had not heard much if anything about the Savoyard sisters. The book really only focuses on the reigns of Eleanor (who became Queen of England) and Marguerite (who became the Queen of France) but history shows that their sisters, Sanchia and Beatrice, became the Queens of Germany and Sicily respectively. Can you imagine having four queens in one set of siblings? It's pretty amazing from that perspective.

I thought that it was interesting that Perinot chose to focus on...more

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Dec 11, 2011 Helena rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, favorites

In interest of full disclosure, I received an advanced copy of this book through first reads.

This delightful little gem has turned out to be one of my favorite reads of the year. The story is told through the eyes of Eleanor and Marguerite, using alternating chapters to give each woman her voice.

This format is something I traditionally do not like as I find that it usually interrupts the story for me. However, here it was done so well, it actually enhances the story.

Sophie Perinot does a fantast...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Megan Andrews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance, all-about-women, my-absolute-favorites

First, this is an absorbing read. Utterly absorbing. It sucked me in right from the start, and refused to let me go. (Mercifully I flipped it open at the start of a four hour car trip, so I was permitted to read in peace.)

That having been said, I struggled with giving the book four stars instead of three. I finally gave in and rated it a four, simply because I found it so engrossing. And before I go into the reasons why it was almost a three, first let's talk about why in the end I declared it a...more First, this is an absorbing read. Utterly absorbing. It sucked me in right from the start, and refused to let me go. (Mercifully I flipped it open at the start of a four hour car trip, so I was permitted to read in peace.)

That having been said, I struggled with giving the book four stars instead of three. I finally gave in and rated it a four, simply because I found it so engrossing. And before I go into the reasons why it was almost a three, first let's talk about why in the end I declared it a four.

I love the fact that Sophie Perinot found a few characters who haven't had nearly as much press and publicity as other historical female characters of late (yes, I'm looking at you, Tudor women). Sandwiched cleanly between all the drama of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the start of the Wars of the Roses, these two sisters - Eleanor and Marguerite - were permitted to have their own story without slopping over into those stories, events, and historical figures that have saturated the genre since Philippa Gregory wrote 'The Other Boleyn Girl'. And I'm happy to say that I really liked these two characters to boot. Each sister was permitted a chance to speak in her own words and have her own voice, but the transitions were subtle enough that I never got whiplash from the change in narrators.

I loved that Perinot for the most part really managed to give each sister her own personality too; a challenge, since they were both in the same book. Undoubtedly it would be challenging to keep them as separate entities abut weave their stories together all at the same time, but the author did it exceptionally well. I always felt like I was reading about two very different people, with two very different husbands and two very different experiences as Queen.

Marguerite is the older, and therefore fits into the more typical mold of the older child with her maturity and her need to do the right thing, including be a dutiful wife and Queen to her betrothed, King Louis of France. Her evolution is a gradual one, and her character is also one that is deeply flawed beneath her seemingly perfect exterior. Perhaps this is why in the end I actually connect more with her character than I do with Eleanor's; I feel like this is a woman who really earns her stripes. Who starts out more than just a little naive and almost tragically innocent in her desire and desperation to embrace her new life and please her new husband. Watching as her marriage deteriorates, I found myself often both exasperated with Marguerite for 'taking so much lying down' even as I also felt my heart breaking for her. Perinot, I felt, stayed true to the way a woman would have lived in that era; that no matter how unhappy, she would have continued to soldier on and try to please her husband and win his affections...particularly a woman in the position of being Queen of France. It's difficult for a modern woman to read such a story and not want Marguerite to simply stand up, declare she's had enough, and walk away...but again that's what to me elevated this story to four stars instead of three; Perinot didn't give in to the temptation of putting modern sensibilities into the head of a woman from the thirteenth century. And because she stuck to her guns, I actually found myself that much happier in the end when Marguerite dared to take happiness for herself.

Hers is certainly the more tragic story of the two, but I felt it also had more depth.

Eleanor was perhaps a character I enjoyed superficially, but I struggled in connecting with her. In comparison to her sister, there's no question she had the easier life as a Queen. In Perinot's interpretation, Eleanor was blessed with a husband who loved her and desired her, and who she fiercely loved in return. She was blessed with multiple children - including the prodigal son - and aside from a few conflicts, war never reached her doorstep. She had no embittered, cruel in-laws to contend with, and her husband appeared willing to give her as much control as he dared given what was acceptable for the time. That isn't to say her life was ALL roses, of course; there are plenty of times when I feel for Eleanor's sense of repression as her spirited nature yearns for more. She is feisty where Marguerite is sensible, and lets her passion shine through rather than repressing it like her older sister. I feel for that. And I certainly appreciated the realistic interpretation of a marriage that, for the most part, defied the odds and was a happy one...but that still suffered bumps and bruises along the way nonetheless.

But that having been said, her evolution as a character felt sometimes abrupt to me. She would change drastically, to my reckoning, from one chapter to the next, and it was a little more difficult for me to track her character. She certainly did evolve; but perhaps it was too difficult a task for Perinot to develop both sisters equally in such a short amount of space, so Eleanor suffered as a result.

And that was really my biggest complaint with this book: I felt like, in truth, each of these women probably deserved their own novel. Now perhaps those who aren't as fascinated by novels such as these would disagree, but from my perspective, each woman had a strong enough character and personality to warrant her own individual story. I could have easily seen telling the story of Marguerite in one novel, and then telling the story of Eleanor in the other, while still highlighting their relationship as sisters through correspondence and long-distance interaction. This approach would have really given Perinot the chance to develop and flesh out each woman individually, and would have allowed readers to really get into the heads of these influential sisters. Instead, because there was the jumping back and forth between narrators, and because there was too much to cram into one novel, there were several times where years would pass with very little detail, and I'd find myself shaking my head and trying to catch up. Another pregnancy or delivery referenced...another battle won or lost...another year or two of marriage gone by...so much time, and so many things that would occur all at once. In Marguerite's case, things were too abrupt at the beginning, and in Eleanor's, I felt they were too abrupt towards the middle and the end. Each sister had to sacrifice part of her story to fit into the overall tapestry of the novel, and I felt that was a shame.

All that having been said, however, in the end I found this book utterly enjoyable, and certainly a fascinating study not just in royal life, but in the relationship between family, and the expectations of marriage...versus the cold, hard truth of reality when it finally sets in. Girls have always been romantic, I suspect; always dreaming of a Prince Charming. Yet for Marguerite and Eleanor, they are forced to mold and sculpt life to gain their own happily-ever-afters, as each of them has really half a perfect man. Marguerite has the perfect KING, with his devotion to God and his devotion to his people and little to no time for her, but Eleanor has the love and adoration of a MAN who perhaps is not as natural a leader. It's up to readers to decide in the end which marriage is perhaps the better one; which man the better husband and King. And naturally, which sister they can identify with more.

As I said before, Marguerite's character had me enthralled from the start. I disliked her at times. I even grew bored with what I saw as her pandering to a husband who was cruel. But it made her evolution into the strong, independent woman she becomes all the more real as a result, so that when a man finally does come along who loves her as she deserves, she is confident enough to dare and grasp happiness for herself at last.

Overall it's a great read I highly recommend for anyone looking to get lost in the High Middle Ages for a few hours. I'll certainly return to this author again with her next release.(less)

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Mar 09, 2012 Susan Spann rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, books-by-friends

The novel is unusually fast-paced for historical fiction and filled with interesting, three-dimensional characters. The relationship between the primary protagonists (the "Sister Queens" Eleanor and Marguerite) is both realistic and, in places, unexpected. This is, at once, a novel about two independent women and a novel about the relationship between sisters who are both rivals and bosom friends. The complexity of the protagonists and their interactions (with one another and with the supporting...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Quinby6696 Frank rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the story of 4 daughters of the Count of Provence in 13th century France all of whom became queens. Marguerite, the eldest, married Louis IX of France. Her marriage was initially loving, but as Louis became more fanatically religious, Marguerite was essentially abandoned and had a long-term affair with one of Louis' knights. Eleanor, the feisty sister, married Henry III of England, and, although their marriage was a loving one, Eleanor despaired of Henry's ineffectual kingship. The other...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved the fact that this novel doesn't portray Eleanor of Provence in such a negative light as some novels do; most notably Jean Plaidy's 'The Queen from Provence'. Eleanor is shown as a woman who loves her husband and as a loyal queen. She is also a devoted mother, and her children are her main priority. It was enjoyable to read a novel of her where she is not cast in the light of a cruel and manipulative queen.
I also enjoyed the tale of her sister Margueritte and the six years she spent on a...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Arleigh rated it 5 of 5 stars

In the thirteenth century the Count and Countess of Provence produced four beautiful daughters. Though all married into either France or England and became Queens, the two eldest–Marguerite and Eleanor–were noted for their sisterly devotion, which would ultimately lead to the Treaty of Paris in later years.

Marguerite, the eldest and first to marry, set forth to France with pleasant reports of King Louis IX, her betrothed, but unwittingly walked into a court where the Queen Mother, Blanche of Cas...more In the thirteenth century the Count and Countess of Provence produced four beautiful daughters. Though all married into either France or England and became Queens, the two eldest–Marguerite and Eleanor–were noted for their sisterly devotion, which would ultimately lead to the Treaty of Paris in later years.

Marguerite, the eldest and first to marry, set forth to France with pleasant reports of King Louis IX, her betrothed, but unwittingly walked into a court where the Queen Mother, Blanche of Castile, reigned and would spend many years fighting “the dragon” for her place. Louis was exceptionally devoted to first religion and second to his mother, the White Queen. At first the marriage was successful and Marguerite excelled at swallowing her pride and conforming to his wishes, but as time passed and she found she had neither influence nor the affectionate devotion she so desired, her feelings began to stray to a certain courtier, Jean de Joinville, Seneschal of Champagne.

Meanwhile Eleanor had married Henry III of England and enjoyed all the things Marguerite had hoped for. Henry was devoted to her, she was directly involved in politics and members of her family, called “The Savoyards” by the disenchanted English, were given high positions and lands. Henry, like his father King John before him, was not the most apt of rulers and faced many conflicts with the powerful barons. There were storms in the marriage, which made for interesting correspondence between the sisters, and it was pleasant to witness the growing maturity and life lessons as the years went by.

Before the Treaty of Paris, France and England were pitted against each other is a dispute for power over vassal states in which Marguerite and Eleanor were in opposing camps, and the matter of their youngest sister, Beatrice, marrying into France caused a temporary rift between the sisters. Through everything the sisters remained allied, though they would not set eyes on each other for nearly two decades. Frequent letters, which are chapter headings in the novel, sustained their friendship, containing wise words and carefully crafted rebukes and advice.

Though not as expansive as Sherry Jones’ Four Sisters, All Queens (which I recently read and reviewed for HNR), The Sister Queens is very detailed on Marguerite’s and Eleanor’s relationship in particular, and Marguerite’s illicit affair with de Joinville. Both are very well crafted historical novels with exceedingly fleshed-out characters. Jones’ writing is reminiscent of Chadwick, while Perinot’s writing style reminds me of my revered Jean Plaidy–that is high praise indeed from this reader. If you’re reading both novels, I would put a few books in between them so as to better distinguish the authors’ differing takes on events and exchanges, which surprisingly can make sense either way. The Queen from Provence by Jean Paidy has moved up on my list of must reads, as well as her novel, The Battle of the Queens, which features Blanche of Castile (the White Queen) and Isabella of Angouleme.(less)

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Apr 06, 2012 Marcie rated it 4 of 5 stars

he Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot is a gripping tale based on a true story. Sisters Marguerite and Eleanor are as close as two sisters can be. Their personalities are different as day and night. Their father secures prominent marriages for both daughters. Marguerite marries Louis IX, King of France. Eleanor marries Henry III, King of England. They are not only separated by distance but also by politics.
The Sister Queens is told from both sister's perspectives and also through their letters. Bot...more

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Dec 17, 2012 Cass Morris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, historical-medieval

The Sister Queens tells the story of Marguerite and Eleanor de Provence, the eldest two sisters in a noble family destined to shape the political (and genetic) future of Europe. Marguerite marries King Louis IX of France, a quiet and introspective young man whose outlook on life is shaped by an overbearing and pious mother. Eleanor marries Henry III of England, a good man but an inefficient king who spends most of his reign struggling to control his barons and to regain some of the territory (an...more The Sister Queens tells the story of Marguerite and Eleanor de Provence, the eldest two sisters in a noble family destined to shape the political (and genetic) future of Europe. Marguerite marries King Louis IX of France, a quiet and introspective young man whose outlook on life is shaped by an overbearing and pious mother. Eleanor marries Henry III of England, a good man but an inefficient king who spends most of his reign struggling to control his barons and to regain some of the territory (and respect) lost by his father, the notorious King John. Marguerite’s marriage starts well, but Louis grows ever more pious over time, to the point where it seems to begin to fracture his sanity. As his devotion to God increases, his attention to his wife wanes. Eleanor, meanwhile, has in Henry an attentive and faithful husband and an exemplary father, but she finds that his political acumen leaves much to be desired.

... After a near-death experience, Louis determines to go on crusade to the Holy Land. Though it takes a while to get going, it starts well, with the capture of Damietta. Unfortunately, Louis makes the catastrophic decision to pursue the Ayyubid forces up the Nile towards Cairo, rather than sticking to the coast. His forces are utterly annihilated, a humiliating defeat for Christian Europe and a personal blow to a king who thought there was no way his god would allow him to fail. Throughout this endeavour, Marguerite grows closer to Jean de Joinville, a handsome and charming knight who had attracted her attention back in France. After a bit of moral struggling, Marguerite and Jean enter into an affair, and their love story is probably the most compelling element of the book. Their love feels real and powerful, and watching them negotiate the necessity of keeping their affair secret adds personal conflict to the story.

I was excited to read this book because of the time period it covers. The thirteenth century is often overlooked in historical fiction, and though I have a passing familiarity, I don’t know as much about it as I would like to, and I always love history as seen through the eyes of women. ... Thematically, I quite enjoyed it, and I got quite wrapped up in Marguerite’s and Jean’s story in particular. Technically, though, it left a lot to be desired for me. It’s told in first person present tense, swapping between Eleanor and Marguerite each chapter. Perinot doesn’t do a great job of differentiating the sisters’ voices. Their experiences are disparate, but their speech and thought patterns are not.

... The book is also very episodic, particularly at the beginning, and this leads Perinot to glance over a lot of historical details — we spend a lot more time hearing about Marguerite’s and Eleanor’s pregnancies and their thoughts about their marriages than we do about, say, life on Crusade, the rebellion of Simon de Montfort, the tension between Queen Eleanor and the citizens of London. And perhaps that’s just the sort of book it is, but I would have appreciated more history to balance out the domestic feelings — particularly since these women were such powerful political figures in addition to being wives and mothers. Perinot seems less concerned with the former roles than the latter, which was a bit of a disappointment to me, particularly since it obscured exactly the historical depth I was hoping to get from this novel on an era I wanted to know more about. As it was, I didn’t learn much that was new, and I felt like Perinot sold the sisters a bit short.

Overall, though, this book as an enjoyable read. Once I got past the oddity of the first-person-present style, and despite the somewhat disjointed flow of events, I enjoyed the stories that Perinot told.

Full review at the Incurable Bluestocking.(less)

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Jul 27, 2012 Mandy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I loved this book. It's historical fiction, but has romance in it. I read some reviews that wanted more about the Kings, but I didn't expect that, it IS called "The SISTER Queens" after all. I liked it this way. If you wanted history on King Louis IX and King Henry III then pick up some non-fiction. I also disagreed with some of the reviewers who said that Eleanor and Marguerite had the same voice and didn't grow. I totally disagree. Eleanor and Marguerite are very distinct from each other. Elea...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Rochelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

The premise of this historical novel was interesting--two sisters, Marguerite, queen of France, and Eleanor, queen of England, telling their respective stories about their lives as queens, partially through letters to each other. There wasn't much of a plot or continuity between chapters (e.g., in one chapter narrated by Eleanor, she is unhappy with her husband's treatment of her, and then in the next, their relationship is happy again, without any sense of how or when this change happened), and...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Barbara White rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a beautifully written novel that carries readers from the medieval courts of England and France to the heat and hell of the crusades. As a Brit and a history major, I loved the subject matter, and the settings and character voices felt very authentic to me. I would not have guessed the author is American.

Despite the sweeping historical backdrop, however, THE SISTER QUEENS is really a story about two remarkable women and the power of family. As a reader, character always comes first for...more

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Apr 17, 2012 Rio (Lynne) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I'm definitely an anomaly here.

I got halfway through and skimmed to the end. The author tells us in her Author Notes "The Sister Queens is very much the tale of Marguerite and Eleanor, but to tell that story is also to tell at least in part the stories of their husbands."

At the halfway point, the husband's stories were still just a background setting. I feel the author could have told us the sister's remarkable lives without leaving out such historical detail. It felt like I was reading Cliff No...more

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May 10, 2012 Debbie added it

This book has been on my to-read list for a little while, based on GoodReads suggestion. Didn't really think much about it until I got the most recent issue of my college alumni magazine - the author went to the same college as me!!!

Got it out of the library immediately, enjoying it already.

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Sep 06, 2012 Roy rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is an alright book. I'm glad the author states that it is definitely her own work. She still commits the cardinal sin of supposing that modern thinking applies in 14th century life though. I know it's a hard thing to not do, even I do it from time to time, but it is so important to do. Yes, humans had the same feelings and desires back then, but they did not express it in exactly the same way and I do believe people were more prone to be honorable in word and deed back then, most especially...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Erma Steppe rated it 5 of 5 stars

A great story as was expected. The story has some details of French & English history. The book keeps the sisters' rivalary going from childhood through their marriages & as they become Queens of England & France.
Marguerite marries Louis IX, considered to be one of the greatest kings of his time. Sadly his religious beliefs keep him and his wife apart as he denies his wife & himself the pleasures of marriage.
Eleanor marries Henry, considered a bad king for his time. Eleanor se...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the ultimate kind of book that I enjoy! I love historical fiction! I get so excited when people and places that I never knew about fall into the 'gap' of history for me. I don't study history, but whenever I read about a new historical figure, I always hop on the internet to find out as much about them as I can. I also love 'connecting the dots' with other historical figures that I have read about previously! Boleyn sisters... Step aside! These sisters of Provence and Savoy are fascinati...more

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Apr 12, 2012 Katy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I wasn't as thrilled with this book as I thought I would be, reading the first chapter. I dislike the almost vignette-like feel of the book and had some difficultly keeping track of the time. The main characters, two Provencal sisters who become Queen of France and Queen of England in the 13th century, were almost indistinguishable as voices - the chapters switched back and forth between their points of view and the only clue as to whom was speaking was was the husband or the names of the ladies...more

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About Sophie Perinot

Sophie Perinot writes historical fiction. In Spring 2012 her debut novel, The Sister Queens, will be released by NAL. Set in 13th century France and England, The Sister Queens weaves the captivating story of medieval sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence, who both became queens – their lifelong friendship, their rivalry, and their reigns

Ms. Perinot has both a BA in History and a law degree....more

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“I admonish Your Majesty, as the woman who gave you life and loves you like no other, to behave always in a manner that safeguards your immortal soul. Seek God's glory in the Holy Land rather than your own, that I may see you in heaven if never again in France.” — 3 people liked it

“The best writings, like the best men, tell the truth.” — 3 people liked it

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