Exploring ‘The King of Montréal’: A Mixed Review
The King of Montréal by Daniela I. Norris, is a young adult historical adventure featuring Louis-Charles, the lost prince of France in the year 1800.
I have to admit, I had decidedly mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, there was a lot to like. However, it also had some problems, which lessened the reading experience, at least for me.
The main issue I had with it was that I didn’t particularly connect with the main character. He didn’t have a lot of his own opinions, instead he accepted whatever was most convenient for him at the time, it felt like he was there simply to be the main character, without a lot of motivation or consistent traits of his own. He acted very noble and honorable at times, and at other times petty and childish, and accepted other people’s opinions without much thought.
Even with the motives he did have, the stakes didn’t feel high enough, even towards the end.
The romance, too, felt flat and a bit forced. It bothered me that the first thing Charles did was lie to Roisin about his age, seemingly for little reason, and that he never bothered to correct himself, though he had ample opportunity. Roisin was, in my opinion, a far stronger character. She was intelligent, thoughtful, and had her own thoughts and opinions, and I almost would have found it more enjoyable had she been the main character. I would have loved to learn more about her backstory. The ending felt abrupt as well. I wanted to know more about the characters and what happens next!
The story itself was intriguing, however, and I liked the dual timelines. Although I wasn’t a huge fan of Charles himself, I loved most of the supporting characters. Roisin was a delight, Charles’ tutor was a perfect mentor character, and I was fond of Jacob Fast Deer as well. The alternate history was believable enough not to pull me out of the story, and overall I enjoyed the book, aside from a few inconsistencies.
At 157 pages, it’s a quick and fun read, ideal for readers who like adventure and friendship along with historical elements.
As for suitability, I would say 10+. There are a few references, which would probably go over the head of younger readers, some brief romantic scenes, and moments of mild peril. It would probably be a fun book to read aloud as well.
Thank you to Lodestone Books for providing an ARC, and to Carol Baldwin for posting this review on her lovely website.
OUR REVIEWER
I last hosted Journey Bloomfield on my blog when she reviewed Enchantria: Guardian’s Heir. See her website for more book reviews and writing updates.
For more MG reviews, make sure you check out Greg Pattridge’s wonderful MMGM blog.
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