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Julie Rose
Jul 15, 2012 rated it really liked it
I really enjoyed this view into a world I've always been interested in, but have never actually read much about.

The historical detail (both political and daily life) was fascinating, and the tension and terror surrounding the Danish raids was well captured; the chapters about the events around the raid of Exeter were particularly exciting.

What I found particularly interesting about this book was the use of multiple POV. Bracewell uses this approach to advantage—not only does it move the story
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Lisa of Hopewell
Jul 03, 2013 rated it really liked it
Shelves: read-in-2013
"Whatever misgivings they might have about Aethered, they would love their pretty young queen." (p. 208) Substitute the name "Charles" [and change the title to Princess]and you could have been reading about the early 1980s, instead this book is set in 1001--1005 A.D. and it's King Ethelred and his young 2nd wife, Queen Emma. The marriage is one of dynasty protecting dynasty and keeping away the raping and pillaging Danes. Teenage Emma is married off to the much older Ethelred who wants nothing t ...more
MichelleCH
I think that everyone else who has reviewed this book has covered the basics.

It was an interesting look at a time period that I am not terribly familiar with; Emma of Norway and her reign as Queen. The narrative was well written but didn't keep me turning the pages and I didn't feel very connected to Emma or any of the others in her life. The beginning felt really slow, but it did get much better towards the middle to the end. The names also kept me on my toes, Althelred,Athelstan, etc. were im
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Jayme Pendergraft
Jan 24, 2013 marked it as to-read
Anna
Jan 28, 2013 marked it as to-read
Anie
Feb 04, 2013 marked it as to-read
Kirsty
Feb 06, 2013 marked it as to-read
Neila
Apr 02, 2013 marked it as to-read
Amanda R
Apr 18, 2013 marked it as to-read
Wanda
Jan 16, 2022 rated it really liked it
Teale
Jan 04, 2017 marked it as to-read
Martha
Jun 17, 2020 marked it as to-read
Julie
Mar 04, 2021 marked it as to-read
Kristin
Oct 21, 2021 rated it really liked it