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Inheritors' Cycle #1
The Queen's Bastard
“Wow. C. E. Murphy is good. Court intrigue in an alternate Elizabethan-era fantasy realpolitik with the sex included.”
–Kate Elliott, author of Crown of Stars
In a world where religion has ripped apart the old order, Belinda Primrose is the queen’s secret weapon. The unacknowledged daughter of Lorraine, the first queen to sit on the Aulunian throne, Belinda has been trained as a spy since the age of twelve by her father, Lorraine’s lover and spymaster.
Cunning and alluring, fluent in languages and able to take on any persona, Belinda can infiltrate the glittering courts of Echon where her mother’s enemies conspire. She can seduce at will and kill if she must. But Belinda’s spying takes a new twist when her witchlight appears.
Now Belinda’s powers are unlike anything Lorraine could have imagined. They can turn an obedient daughter into a rival who understands that anything can be hers, including the wickedly sensual Javier, whose throne Lorraine both covets and fears. But Javier is also witchbreed, a man whose ability rivals Belinda’s own . . . and can be just as dangerous.
Amid court intrigue and magic, loyalty and love can lead to more daring passions, as Belinda discovers that power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.
“C. E. Murphy vividly reimagines Renaissance Europe as a world both familiar and strange. Filled with intrigue and betrayal, her story is a chess game with six of seven sides, and I look forward to seeing what the next moves are.”
–Marie Brennan, author of Warrior and Witch
–Kate Elliott, author of Crown of Stars
In a world where religion has ripped apart the old order, Belinda Primrose is the queen’s secret weapon. The unacknowledged daughter of Lorraine, the first queen to sit on the Aulunian throne, Belinda has been trained as a spy since the age of twelve by her father, Lorraine’s lover and spymaster.
Cunning and alluring, fluent in languages and able to take on any persona, Belinda can infiltrate the glittering courts of Echon where her mother’s enemies conspire. She can seduce at will and kill if she must. But Belinda’s spying takes a new twist when her witchlight appears.
Now Belinda’s powers are unlike anything Lorraine could have imagined. They can turn an obedient daughter into a rival who understands that anything can be hers, including the wickedly sensual Javier, whose throne Lorraine both covets and fears. But Javier is also witchbreed, a man whose ability rivals Belinda’s own . . . and can be just as dangerous.
Amid court intrigue and magic, loyalty and love can lead to more daring passions, as Belinda discovers that power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.
“C. E. Murphy vividly reimagines Renaissance Europe as a world both familiar and strange. Filled with intrigue and betrayal, her story is a chess game with six of seven sides, and I look forward to seeing what the next moves are.”
–Marie Brennan, author of Warrior and Witch
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
51 people are currently reading
1296 people want to read
About the author
C.E. Murphy
97 books1,795 followersCE Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her–a six year old kid–to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.
She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.
She also writes paranormal romance as Murphy Lawless and cozy mysteries as Catie Murphy.
She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.
She also writes paranormal romance as Murphy Lawless and cozy mysteries as Catie Murphy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
September 8, 2017
Of course the day I’m reading a book with a prominent set of breasts on the cover is the day my boss asks me, “What are you reading?” as I saunter into the break room with my book.
Fortunately, there’s no shame in my reading game. I flashed her the cover with a smile and said, “It’s a lot like Game of Thrones.”
And I stand by the comparison. The Queen’s Bastard IS a lot like Game of Thrones--the TV show, not the books. You know how when you try to read the Game of Thrones books, you drown in extraneous junk about obscure characters who don’t matter? Yeah, there’s none of that here. Each scene is presented much the way it would be on the screen: the characters appear, stuff happens, and then we’re ushered smoothly on to the next scene. It’s like you’re an omniscient fly, somehow stuck to every wall in the castle right next to whatever shit is going down.
And lots of shit goes down. Belinda Primrose is, after all, a spy and assassin, as well as the unacknowledged bastard daughter of the queen. She’ll go to any lengths to protect her queen and by extension her country--up to and including sexing up and murdering her targets. I’ve seen some reviewers complain about her ruthlessness, but I have to wonder how many of those reviewers have watched a James Bond movie without batting an eye at 007’s promiscuity and cold-bloodedness. Mayhaps what really gets such readers’ tighty-whities in a bunch is the fact that the lusty murderer is actually a murderess? *sips tea*
Lord forbid a woman enjoy both her conquests and her line of work, amiright?
Anywhoodle, I love books that make me constantly question characters’ motives. Who’s on which side, who’s betraying whom, who’s lying, who’s cheating, who’s working for whom, who’s looking out just for their own interests, I love it all. That is this book from page 1, and it’s awesome. And there’s a sequel--excuse me while I go shove it into my face.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Fortunately, there’s no shame in my reading game. I flashed her the cover with a smile and said, “It’s a lot like Game of Thrones.”
And I stand by the comparison. The Queen’s Bastard IS a lot like Game of Thrones--the TV show, not the books. You know how when you try to read the Game of Thrones books, you drown in extraneous junk about obscure characters who don’t matter? Yeah, there’s none of that here. Each scene is presented much the way it would be on the screen: the characters appear, stuff happens, and then we’re ushered smoothly on to the next scene. It’s like you’re an omniscient fly, somehow stuck to every wall in the castle right next to whatever shit is going down.
And lots of shit goes down. Belinda Primrose is, after all, a spy and assassin, as well as the unacknowledged bastard daughter of the queen. She’ll go to any lengths to protect her queen and by extension her country--up to and including sexing up and murdering her targets. I’ve seen some reviewers complain about her ruthlessness, but I have to wonder how many of those reviewers have watched a James Bond movie without batting an eye at 007’s promiscuity and cold-bloodedness. Mayhaps what really gets such readers’ tighty-whities in a bunch is the fact that the lusty murderer is actually a murderess? *sips tea*
Lord forbid a woman enjoy both her conquests and her line of work, amiright?
Anywhoodle, I love books that make me constantly question characters’ motives. Who’s on which side, who’s betraying whom, who’s lying, who’s cheating, who’s working for whom, who’s looking out just for their own interests, I love it all. That is this book from page 1, and it’s awesome. And there’s a sequel--excuse me while I go shove it into my face.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
June 6, 2008
I must first say that C.E. Murphy is probably one of my favorite authors. Her Joanne Walker books are incredible and her other series equally enjoyable.
This book, however, fell FAR short of my expectations. The writing was good, don't get me wrong, but her main character had absolutely NO redeeming factors. I kept turning the pages to find some good aspect to Belinda/Beatrice and I kept being denied any reason to like her.
This is one series that I will not finish. I was sorely disappointed.
This book, however, fell FAR short of my expectations. The writing was good, don't get me wrong, but her main character had absolutely NO redeeming factors. I kept turning the pages to find some good aspect to Belinda/Beatrice and I kept being denied any reason to like her.
This is one series that I will not finish. I was sorely disappointed.
June 25, 2008
There are times when I read a book so well-put together, so deliciously complex, and so generally OH-MY-inducing that I despair of ever trying to write anything as good, much less sell it. The Queen's Bastard, latest offering from the redoubtable C.E. Murphy, is one of those times.
For starters, the setting is quite unusual for a fantasy novel. This thing is basically alternate history fantasy--all the names have been changed, but any reader will definitely recognize Europe of the 16th century here, complete with a queen on one of the pertinent thrones that we all should find very, very familiar. ;) And there's magic--or rather, I should say, very interesting telepathic and telekinetic abilities possessed by the most major characters, the source of which is hinted at to be something rather more appropriate to a science fiction novel.
And the sex... oh my yes, there's sex. But I am quite satisfied (aheh) to note that this novel has, hands down, the most effective use of sex I have read in quite some time. Our heroine cuts a swath through any number of men through this novel, from a lowly coachman clear up to a prince who turns out to share her secret abilities--and yet, every single sexual encounter is a means to an end, propelling Belinda through a web of increasingly complicated intrigue, and some of them come back to haunt her and hard. One scene in particular--you'll know it when you get to it--was quite intense, almost alarming, enough that I found myself genuinely challenged about whether I actually liked the heroine. (I'm still pondering that! Belinda is extremely effective as a character, but all throughout the book I was rather torn between cheering her on and muttering "Bitch!" at the page.)
It amused me, too--and this may well amuse Kit when she reads this--that I got a big Elfquest vibe off of this story. And in particular, a vibe of Belinda as a very young Winnowill. Particularly in that aforementioned intense and alarming scene.
I finished this thing up this afternoon, and am in awe. Awe, I tell you. Five stars!
For starters, the setting is quite unusual for a fantasy novel. This thing is basically alternate history fantasy--all the names have been changed, but any reader will definitely recognize Europe of the 16th century here, complete with a queen on one of the pertinent thrones that we all should find very, very familiar. ;) And there's magic--or rather, I should say, very interesting telepathic and telekinetic abilities possessed by the most major characters, the source of which is hinted at to be something rather more appropriate to a science fiction novel.
And the sex... oh my yes, there's sex. But I am quite satisfied (aheh) to note that this novel has, hands down, the most effective use of sex I have read in quite some time. Our heroine cuts a swath through any number of men through this novel, from a lowly coachman clear up to a prince who turns out to share her secret abilities--and yet, every single sexual encounter is a means to an end, propelling Belinda through a web of increasingly complicated intrigue, and some of them come back to haunt her and hard. One scene in particular--you'll know it when you get to it--was quite intense, almost alarming, enough that I found myself genuinely challenged about whether I actually liked the heroine. (I'm still pondering that! Belinda is extremely effective as a character, but all throughout the book I was rather torn between cheering her on and muttering "Bitch!" at the page.)
It amused me, too--and this may well amuse Kit when she reads this--that I got a big Elfquest vibe off of this story. And in particular, a vibe of Belinda as a very young Winnowill. Particularly in that aforementioned intense and alarming scene.
I finished this thing up this afternoon, and am in awe. Awe, I tell you. Five stars!
August 30, 2009
Errr, I dunno, I'm listing this book here because I like this author and this book for SOME reasons, and don't like it a lot for others. This book started out VERY interesting with a complex heroine and some interesting world-building, an alternate Elizabethan-Era world with some magic thrown in. There were a lot of confusing turns though, and some outright left-field character behavior that made it VERY hard to plow through and continue the journey with the main character. I dunno, I might read the next one, but down the line.
April 18, 2009
In many ways delicious, The Queen's Bastard is a well-written, evocative piece of alternate-Elizabethan-era fantasy. Unfortunately, defects in both its plot and its characters detract from the otherwise beautiful prose of C.E. Murphy.
At first I enjoyed the stalwart strength of the protagonist, Belinda Primrose. An unacknowledged bastard of Lorraine (Elizabeth), Queen of Aulun (England), she has been raised and trained as an assassin by her father, Robert Drake (Francis Drake). Belinda is, in essence, the product of two decades of manipulation by her father. Since her first kill at twelve, she has had no identity beyond those she assumes to fulfil her missions. This struggle for identity becomes a key theme in the book and an important aspect of the plot as Belinda finds her will subsumed by the fabricated identity of Beatrice Irvine.
My problem with the book begins when Belinda rediscovers her quelled "witchpower" with the help of the Prince of Gallin (France), Javier, who is also a "witchbreed". This power is inextricably linked to emotion, particularly Belinda's anger and her sexuality. The book takes a sharp turn toward erotica when she wakes up in bed next to her serving maid, whom Belinda has bound and gagged. It wasn't the rampant sex that dismayed me--it was the inconsistency. Up until this point, sex had been a component of the story, but it never took centre stage in such an insistent manner as it did at this point.
Soon I began to despise Belinda and actively cheer for her antagonists, particularly the clever countess Akilina Pankejeff. Unlike Belinda's machinations and her ambivalence over destroying Javier, Akilina was pleasantly cruel. And she actually seemed competent at her job. Belinda, on the other hand, made numerous mistakes and blunders. While I appreciate the lengths to which Murphy goes to give me a flawed protagonist, I just didn't enjoy it very much. It results in a hasty resolution to Belinda's plot, one much less artful than I wanted.
I think what I'm trying to say is that The Queen's Bastard sacrifices political intrigue for character drama. For that reason, it's a good book--people who like character drama will enjoy it. But a great book, like Dune, manages to reconcile both politics and character drama to create a moving, profound story. Instead, the political trappings fall away as the book becomes more about romance, forbidden love, and the price of power.
I'm sad to say I was disappointed by The Queen's Bastard; I don't yet know if I'll read the sequel. Maybe I'll try some of Murphy's other works first. She has a wonderful talent for description; the book contains excellent similes and lyrical depictions of the scenes. The delectable prose makes it all the more unfortunate that I didn't enjoy the narrative more.
At first I enjoyed the stalwart strength of the protagonist, Belinda Primrose. An unacknowledged bastard of Lorraine (Elizabeth), Queen of Aulun (England), she has been raised and trained as an assassin by her father, Robert Drake (Francis Drake). Belinda is, in essence, the product of two decades of manipulation by her father. Since her first kill at twelve, she has had no identity beyond those she assumes to fulfil her missions. This struggle for identity becomes a key theme in the book and an important aspect of the plot as Belinda finds her will subsumed by the fabricated identity of Beatrice Irvine.
My problem with the book begins when Belinda rediscovers her quelled "witchpower" with the help of the Prince of Gallin (France), Javier, who is also a "witchbreed". This power is inextricably linked to emotion, particularly Belinda's anger and her sexuality. The book takes a sharp turn toward erotica when she wakes up in bed next to her serving maid, whom Belinda has bound and gagged. It wasn't the rampant sex that dismayed me--it was the inconsistency. Up until this point, sex had been a component of the story, but it never took centre stage in such an insistent manner as it did at this point.
Soon I began to despise Belinda and actively cheer for her antagonists, particularly the clever countess Akilina Pankejeff. Unlike Belinda's machinations and her ambivalence over destroying Javier, Akilina was pleasantly cruel. And she actually seemed competent at her job. Belinda, on the other hand, made numerous mistakes and blunders. While I appreciate the lengths to which Murphy goes to give me a flawed protagonist, I just didn't enjoy it very much. It results in a hasty resolution to Belinda's plot, one much less artful than I wanted.
I think what I'm trying to say is that The Queen's Bastard sacrifices political intrigue for character drama. For that reason, it's a good book--people who like character drama will enjoy it. But a great book, like Dune, manages to reconcile both politics and character drama to create a moving, profound story. Instead, the political trappings fall away as the book becomes more about romance, forbidden love, and the price of power.
I'm sad to say I was disappointed by The Queen's Bastard; I don't yet know if I'll read the sequel. Maybe I'll try some of Murphy's other works first. She has a wonderful talent for description; the book contains excellent similes and lyrical depictions of the scenes. The delectable prose makes it all the more unfortunate that I didn't enjoy the narrative more.
January 12, 2009
This book looks like a romance version of The Assassin's Apprentice. It is set in a thinly veiled version of the late 16th century (pretty much the only difference are the names--the redheaded, married to her country, virgin queen of a misty island is named "Lorraine," for instance) and follows the hidden struggle for supremacy. The main character is the secret, bastard daughter of "Lorraine" and her spymaster. Belinda spends the entirety of the book manipulating, killing, and spying in the courts of Europe. I expected it to be total trash. Imagine my surprise when I found the main character to be surprisingly sensible and cool headed, impatient with her flashes of loneliness or sympathy.
After years of pretending to be various peasants (and how refreshing, to see a spy who hides her pride and takes any dirty job), Belinda is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight when she catches the eye of a prince. While using him to get closer to his mother's papers, Belinda and Prince Javier come to a startling realization: they share a witchy power. Their relationship deepens, but staying in one, high profile place is dangerous for Belinda. Her various plots and personas accumulate and might be about to catch up with her...
Belinda is a particularly interesting character because of her troubled interaction with power. Having spent the first twenty-two years as unthinkingly obedient and subservient, it is a true reversal for Belinda to not only order her own servants, but to control the minds of those around her, as well. Her sexual appetites awaken, and she begins struggling to maintain a properly humble facade. I was intrigued by Murphey's gender politics (which are very much to the forefront of this book) and by the galloping pace of the plot. I read this in a single sitting.
After years of pretending to be various peasants (and how refreshing, to see a spy who hides her pride and takes any dirty job), Belinda is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight when she catches the eye of a prince. While using him to get closer to his mother's papers, Belinda and Prince Javier come to a startling realization: they share a witchy power. Their relationship deepens, but staying in one, high profile place is dangerous for Belinda. Her various plots and personas accumulate and might be about to catch up with her...
Belinda is a particularly interesting character because of her troubled interaction with power. Having spent the first twenty-two years as unthinkingly obedient and subservient, it is a true reversal for Belinda to not only order her own servants, but to control the minds of those around her, as well. Her sexual appetites awaken, and she begins struggling to maintain a properly humble facade. I was intrigued by Murphey's gender politics (which are very much to the forefront of this book) and by the galloping pace of the plot. I read this in a single sitting.
April 18, 2009
All the right elements are in place in The Queen's Bastard: court intrigue, the lust for both flesh and power, tested loyalties, supernatural abilities. And yet, despite the inherent possibilities, the book does not deliver. The tale is long-winded, the characters unsympathetic, and the political intrigue lackluster at best. I found myself barely skimming large passages of text. The only intriguing tidbit comes at the end in Belinda's glimpse into the origins of her powers-but even the strange info garnered doesn't seem to mesh with the rest of the story's details.
I think I'll stick to Murphy's UF novels.
I think I'll stick to Murphy's UF novels.
July 30, 2008
I hated this book. I know, strong words. I really enjoyed C.E. Murphy's Negotiator series, and was intrigued by the concept of Queen's Bastard. Instead, I found myself cringing my way through the story. It wasn't so much the technical writing that disturbed me, as the story itself. I was disgusted and totally turned off by the main characters' change in personalitay as she came into her powers. I actually tossed this one into the trash. I guess there really is a first time for everything. Now,if I could just somehow wipe out the fact I ever read it and regain all that lost time...
August 6, 2009
Yuck. Yuck yuck yuck.
April 8, 2019
Meh. DNF.
So...I didn't like this, but not for the same reasons most negative reviews have stated. I have no issue with female MCs who recognize that their body/sexuality can be used to further their own survival or rise to power -- because, sadly, even today some women view their femininity as their only marketable asset. (Yes, this is wrong & unfair, etc etc. But sweeping it under a rug & whitewashing the issue is no solution.) I could even deal with the unpleasant sex & generally unlikable cast, if not for two glaring flaws:
1) Belinda, the MC, is a cypher. An empty vessel. A nonexistent presence in her own story. WTF? It's not that she slips into any persona so much as she has no persona of her own, therefore she can be anything the AUTHOR tells her to be, not what her story dictates. Belinda's blank canvas existence is extremely annoying -- it's either poor writing or overdone lit-fic, & neither wins points in my eyes.
2) Why bother making this an alternate fantasy world? The countries & cities & cultures & royalty & other major signposts are so obviously lifted from Elizabethan & Russian history that there is NO reason to rename them with awkward, confusing monickers. Why not just have used the European backdrop with mild fantasy elements?? That's why HISTORICAL FANTASY is a genre. It saves the book from tedious, pointless worldbuilding & the reader from Excedrin headaches.
DNF somewhere around pg 150, plus the bits I read near the end to see if it was worth finishing. (Nope.) It's unfortunate, because I liked the prologue & opening chapter, but things just rolled downhill from there.
...And I can only echo another reviewer: if you're looking for a better version of this story type, read Jacqueline Carey's KUSHIEL books. They're infinitely better.
So...I didn't like this, but not for the same reasons most negative reviews have stated. I have no issue with female MCs who recognize that their body/sexuality can be used to further their own survival or rise to power -- because, sadly, even today some women view their femininity as their only marketable asset. (Yes, this is wrong & unfair, etc etc. But sweeping it under a rug & whitewashing the issue is no solution.) I could even deal with the unpleasant sex & generally unlikable cast, if not for two glaring flaws:
1) Belinda, the MC, is a cypher. An empty vessel. A nonexistent presence in her own story. WTF? It's not that she slips into any persona so much as she has no persona of her own, therefore she can be anything the AUTHOR tells her to be, not what her story dictates. Belinda's blank canvas existence is extremely annoying -- it's either poor writing or overdone lit-fic, & neither wins points in my eyes.
2) Why bother making this an alternate fantasy world? The countries & cities & cultures & royalty & other major signposts are so obviously lifted from Elizabethan & Russian history that there is NO reason to rename them with awkward, confusing monickers. Why not just have used the European backdrop with mild fantasy elements?? That's why HISTORICAL FANTASY is a genre. It saves the book from tedious, pointless worldbuilding & the reader from Excedrin headaches.
DNF somewhere around pg 150, plus the bits I read near the end to see if it was worth finishing. (Nope.) It's unfortunate, because I liked the prologue & opening chapter, but things just rolled downhill from there.
...And I can only echo another reviewer: if you're looking for a better version of this story type, read Jacqueline Carey's KUSHIEL books. They're infinitely better.
October 20, 2020
It took me a month to finish because I really didn't like any of the characters, but I was vaguely interested enough in the plot to slog to the end.
July 21, 2009
I hate the protagonist and want her to die slowly and painfully. I doubt this was the author's intent. Pick a direction and go - either she is a young woman making the best of a difficult situation and eventually heading for redemption, or she is manipulative scum and always will be. She can't be both.
I have cheerfully removed this book from my home and will not be following this series.
For similar topics (intrigue, supernatural alternate histories, kinky sex) handled much more gracefully, see the Kushiel series.
I have cheerfully removed this book from my home and will not be following this series.
For similar topics (intrigue, supernatural alternate histories, kinky sex) handled much more gracefully, see the Kushiel series.
November 1, 2021
Rating: 3.5 almost gave it a 4.
This was a fun (trashy) read that I slowly read during these trying times of 2021. Definitely keeping it for a re-read.
My goal of 2022 is to read at least one book a month so hopefully I'm going to be more active here again.
This was a fun (trashy) read that I slowly read during these trying times of 2021. Definitely keeping it for a re-read.
My goal of 2022 is to read at least one book a month so hopefully I'm going to be more active here again.
April 1, 2017
So disappointed with this book. Let me start off by saying this was probably one of the oldest books on my TBR. Since about 2008, yeah. Now the thing was, since I had bought The Queen’s Bastard, I’ve actually have always been really excited about it. So obviously, the fact that I had never gotten to it sooner is a bit of a surprise. However, as I said The Queen’s Bastard was a disappointment.
First and foremost, I couldn’t really connect to Belinda. Something with her personality was lacking. Her personas aside, I felt like there wasn’t really anything much there. That might have been a good thing for her character since she had to be able to change herself for her job, but even then…. It’s not like people didn’t remember her. And then once she began to come into her powers forget it. She was either still very bland or just really disturbing. I just really wished someone would have just stuck their literal sword though her and got everything over with.
Second, I feel that some… well, much of the sex was really unnecessary. I seriously think this book could have worked just as well, if not better, without all the sex. Apparently things like STDs aren’t a problem for any of the characters. I went in knowing there would be sex, however, much of it was very distasteful. And honestly, Belinda probably would be better off keeping her legs closed every once in awhile. Often times she’ll think things like she’s a good assassin because no one remembers her because she’s pretty and not beautiful. That could be true, if she didn’t have sex with everyone, and well the other characters sure remember sleeping with her. Yeah really sly Belinda, some assassin. On the note of her not being remembered, her eyes are hazel, how is that not going to be noticeable? Seriously that eye color isn’t that common after all!
Another thing is, I went into this thinking it was going to be a fantasy romance. However, let’s be honest here. Belinda loves no one but herself. She is dedicated to no one but herself and maybe even her parents (her only redeemable quality I guess, regardless of how the synopsis makes it sound). Even when she thinks she might be in love, that doesn’t stop her from wanting to hop into bed with everyone else. She simply doesn’t care how what she’s doing might affect others. Now, Javier is basically a naive child who I think, must just be in love with the idea of being in love. After reading the synopsis I was thinking he’d be something great/powerful. Truth is, outside of knowing how to use his powers, he isn’t a powerful character at all nor is he very bright. Seriously, there was no reason for him to ever trust Belinda or even like her (outside of her powers), yet he would toss his childhood friends to the side for her. Even when she was caught red handed at doing something!
Now, the ending was a bit ridiculous. It reminded me of an old mystery where the lead has uncovered everything and is revealing what had happened. Only Belinda wasn’t the lead. And the whole reason for why Belinda and her father (along with at least two others) had powers seemed like a complete ass pull. I usually won’t give books up when I only have 50-100 pages to go, however, I really contemplated doing just that with this book.
The only thing The Queen’s Bastard had going for it was I found the world interesting and the women who ruled it as well (honestly, every woman who wasn’t Belinda I liked better). And, the author’s writing style I did enjoy for the most part. The only reason I would pick up the sequel is because I am fairly curious to see how things pan out (not for Belinda, but for the world itself) and also because I just bought The Pretender’s Crown expecting to love The Queen’s Bastard. I’m kicking myself for the latter part.
I was originally going to give this 2.5 stars but after finishing it I really can’t bring myself to do that. I'd give it a 1.5, but I'm rounding down.
(Additional note: Actually after cheating I went off to find out what happens in the second book, and no I won’t be reading it.)
First and foremost, I couldn’t really connect to Belinda. Something with her personality was lacking. Her personas aside, I felt like there wasn’t really anything much there. That might have been a good thing for her character since she had to be able to change herself for her job, but even then…. It’s not like people didn’t remember her. And then once she began to come into her powers forget it. She was either still very bland or just really disturbing. I just really wished someone would have just stuck their literal sword though her and got everything over with.
Second, I feel that some… well, much of the sex was really unnecessary. I seriously think this book could have worked just as well, if not better, without all the sex. Apparently things like STDs aren’t a problem for any of the characters. I went in knowing there would be sex, however, much of it was very distasteful. And honestly, Belinda probably would be better off keeping her legs closed every once in awhile. Often times she’ll think things like she’s a good assassin because no one remembers her because she’s pretty and not beautiful. That could be true, if she didn’t have sex with everyone, and well the other characters sure remember sleeping with her. Yeah really sly Belinda, some assassin. On the note of her not being remembered, her eyes are hazel, how is that not going to be noticeable? Seriously that eye color isn’t that common after all!
Another thing is, I went into this thinking it was going to be a fantasy romance. However, let’s be honest here. Belinda loves no one but herself. She is dedicated to no one but herself and maybe even her parents (her only redeemable quality I guess, regardless of how the synopsis makes it sound). Even when she thinks she might be in love, that doesn’t stop her from wanting to hop into bed with everyone else. She simply doesn’t care how what she’s doing might affect others. Now, Javier is basically a naive child who I think, must just be in love with the idea of being in love. After reading the synopsis I was thinking he’d be something great/powerful. Truth is, outside of knowing how to use his powers, he isn’t a powerful character at all nor is he very bright. Seriously, there was no reason for him to ever trust Belinda or even like her (outside of her powers), yet he would toss his childhood friends to the side for her. Even when she was caught red handed at doing something!
Now, the ending was a bit ridiculous. It reminded me of an old mystery where the lead has uncovered everything and is revealing what had happened. Only Belinda wasn’t the lead. And the whole reason for why Belinda and her father (along with at least two others) had powers seemed like a complete ass pull. I usually won’t give books up when I only have 50-100 pages to go, however, I really contemplated doing just that with this book.
The only thing The Queen’s Bastard had going for it was I found the world interesting and the women who ruled it as well (honestly, every woman who wasn’t Belinda I liked better). And, the author’s writing style I did enjoy for the most part. The only reason I would pick up the sequel is because I am fairly curious to see how things pan out (not for Belinda, but for the world itself) and also because I just bought The Pretender’s Crown expecting to love The Queen’s Bastard. I’m kicking myself for the latter part.
I was originally going to give this 2.5 stars but after finishing it I really can’t bring myself to do that. I'd give it a 1.5, but I'm rounding down.
(Additional note: Actually after cheating I went off to find out what happens in the second book, and no I won’t be reading it.)
October 22, 2015
I admit that I have noticed a certain trend lately in (historical?) fantasy, perhaps most obvious with The War of the Roses and A Game of Thrones, but there is also Crown of Stars to the tune of William the Conqueror's era, and Kushiel's Dart set during Ptolemaic Dynasty in which Cleopatra's children seemed to survive to be rulers ("Ptolemy Dikaios: Pharaoh of Menekhet, husband of Clytemne") in which the main character lives in what is now France.
C.E. Murphy is the first I think to hint toward half alien/'witchblood' offspring of Elizabeth I (Lorraine), Mary of the Scots, and Catherine the Great...I thought it unique, but there is something about the writing that stops you from believing it's either fantasy or history or science fiction, it's unlike her writing with the Walker Papers or the Negotiator trilogy or the Strongbox series. I wanted to love it -it's a great plot!- but it does fall short in trying to make you believe that the characters shaped the story and weren't shaped by the plot of history.
C.E. Murphy is the first I think to hint toward half alien/'witchblood' offspring of Elizabeth I (Lorraine), Mary of the Scots, and Catherine the Great...I thought it unique, but there is something about the writing that stops you from believing it's either fantasy or history or science fiction, it's unlike her writing with the Walker Papers or the Negotiator trilogy or the Strongbox series. I wanted to love it -it's a great plot!- but it does fall short in trying to make you believe that the characters shaped the story and weren't shaped by the plot of history.
March 25, 2009
Not nearly as good as I expected it to be. I've read only one other book by C.E. Murphy ("Heart of Stone") and it was erudite, respectful, a little run-of-the-mill, but GOOD.
This book disappointed on every level... most aggravating, though, were the many nagging details that never managed to make sense.
From the premise - a queen who has managed to bear a bastard daughter who acts as her spy, all without anyone suspecting - to a main character with a long wig of her own hair, despite having worn it short since she was ten years old (WTF? Where did the hair come from?) - to a "brilliant" spy and assassin who can read people's minds but doesn't seem to have any tool in her arsenal of manipulation other than gratuitous sex.
Despite that, it was very readable, if annoying.
This book disappointed on every level... most aggravating, though, were the many nagging details that never managed to make sense.
From the premise - a queen who has managed to bear a bastard daughter who acts as her spy, all without anyone suspecting - to a main character with a long wig of her own hair, despite having worn it short since she was ten years old (WTF? Where did the hair come from?) - to a "brilliant" spy and assassin who can read people's minds but doesn't seem to have any tool in her arsenal of manipulation other than gratuitous sex.
Despite that, it was very readable, if annoying.
August 19, 2009
This is not too bad. It's a fictional recreation of Renaissance Europe, with names changed -- England is Aulun, France is Gallin. Paris is Lutetia, which reminded me of Asterix comic books and kept me from taking the thing too seriously, if there were any danger of that. Also there is magic and sex (the main character sleeps with everyone). It is certainly amusing, but this fantasyizing of the setting frees the author of the necessity of historical accuracy (Parisian opera in 1587? Really?) and lends the entire affair a very lightweight feel. If you want the real deal, gird your loins and read The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett, instead.
January 9, 2011
God this book was hard for me to finish. I still enjoyed it. Belinda Primrose, I really liked this character. I hated the queen, Lorraine. She's a selfish cunt. Belinda is the perfect daughter and how she's raised is so inhumane. The intrigue and politics in this book is complex and devious. This is a step different than the usual Ms. Murphy books. I'm not sure if I will be able to read the next book. The amount of political maneuvering is a bit overwhelming. There are so many questions I have that are left unanswered.
April 26, 2009
This book disappointed me. I got a about half way through and realized that I didn't like a single character in the book. It made it a real chore to finish. In fact, I actually had to force myself to finish the last 100 pages. I am planning on reading the next book, The Pretender's Crown, but I'm not looking forward to it except maybe to see if a few of the characters find a redeeming quality or two.
July 15, 2009
I had a hard time trying to finish this book.
I thought it would be more fantasy, but I think it was just more 1700/1800 England with a bit of magic. There is a lot of politics, which probably didn't help me like it any more.
Also, it felt like the story was rather forced. Maybe the story arc in the other books make it better... but so far, it's pretty dull.
Maybe if I run out of things to read, I'll pick up the other books in the series.
I thought it would be more fantasy, but I think it was just more 1700/1800 England with a bit of magic. There is a lot of politics, which probably didn't help me like it any more.
Also, it felt like the story was rather forced. Maybe the story arc in the other books make it better... but so far, it's pretty dull.
Maybe if I run out of things to read, I'll pick up the other books in the series.
May 16, 2020
This was great until it was terrible. The protagonist (?) actively sets up and participates in a very graphic rape scene. There is no warning, and no shade of grey it is as nonconsensual and rapey as you could possibly get. I feel unclean i feel gross please get this out of my brain. I'm not marking this as a spoiler because I really feel you should be warned before you read this book and invest hours that you will never get back. Listen to all the reviews, folks, and give this one a miss.
Read
October 9, 2008erm...well this is smuttier than anticipated...
*Edit* and in the end it just wasn't for me. Not only was it too much graphic sex than I'm aiming for these days, but I really wasn't liking the protagonist. Maybe she will get less evil but I flipped through and it doesn't look like much.
Too bad but I'll still keep buying C.E. Murphy's other series'.
*Edit* and in the end it just wasn't for me. Not only was it too much graphic sex than I'm aiming for these days, but I really wasn't liking the protagonist. Maybe she will get less evil but I flipped through and it doesn't look like much.
Too bad but I'll still keep buying C.E. Murphy's other series'.
March 28, 2009
A friend called this Assassin's Apprentice meets Kushiel's Legacy. Indeed it is, but it's their weird dysfunctional offspring. I didn't find the protagonist all that sympathetic; given the opportunity she's pretty relentless in using people as she's been used. It was okay for a different sort of fantasy read, but I don't think I'll be reading the sequel.
November 28, 2008
In a world where religion has ripped apart the old order, Belinda Primrose is the queen's secret weapon.
Cunning and alluring, Belinda can seduce at will and kill if she must--but her spying takes on a new twist when her witchlight appears....
Cunning and alluring, Belinda can seduce at will and kill if she must--but her spying takes on a new twist when her witchlight appears....
June 27, 2018
The Queen’s Bastard is set in an extremely thinly veiled alternate Elizabethan era Europe, where Queen Lorraine has sat on the throne of Aulun for years, keeping a firm grip throughout the machinations of her rivals, Sandalia and Irina (Lorraine’s name kept making me snigger, sounding as it does far more like the name of your nan’s bingo friend than a queen) Lorraine has never married, instead dangling her virginity and hand in marriage as prospective cards for an alliance. She has, however, had a secret child with her closest advisor, who has been raised with one clear use in mind – as a spy and assassin for her mother.
Belinda (yes, another name that made me snigger for some reason) has grown up to be rather excellent at her job, using her sexuality as well as her readiness to kill to further her mother’s goals, as well as being rather magically adept at using the shadows for her own ends. But when she’s sent to insinuate herself amongst Sandalia’s court with a view to uncovering evidence of a plot, she instead finds herself involved with Sandalia’s heir, Javier, who is not only as insanely attracted to Belinda as she is to him, but also has powers of his own, awakening Belinda’s magic in new and interesting ways.
Having had this sat on my Kindle for the longest time, with no real memory of what prompted me to buy it in the first place, I didn’t have very high expectations for this. But even after I started reading and rolling my eyes at non-royal sounding names, I found myself enjoying it. Belinda is no stranger to her own sexuality but even so is surprised at the turns it takes once her power awakens, mingling her desire with a growing need for sexual dominion, and her constant manipulation of others doesn’t exactly make her a sympathetic character to read about (in fact, everyone inside is an arsehole). It does make her a very fun one though, especially on a day when you’ve nothing more to do than sit in the garden with a cool rum drink, occasionally fanning yourself when the sun (and the action within the pages) gets a little hot.
The Queen’s Bastard is apparently the first in a trilogy, and I can’t say I’d be averse to reading more.
**Also posted at Cannonball Read 10**
Belinda (yes, another name that made me snigger for some reason) has grown up to be rather excellent at her job, using her sexuality as well as her readiness to kill to further her mother’s goals, as well as being rather magically adept at using the shadows for her own ends. But when she’s sent to insinuate herself amongst Sandalia’s court with a view to uncovering evidence of a plot, she instead finds herself involved with Sandalia’s heir, Javier, who is not only as insanely attracted to Belinda as she is to him, but also has powers of his own, awakening Belinda’s magic in new and interesting ways.
Having had this sat on my Kindle for the longest time, with no real memory of what prompted me to buy it in the first place, I didn’t have very high expectations for this. But even after I started reading and rolling my eyes at non-royal sounding names, I found myself enjoying it. Belinda is no stranger to her own sexuality but even so is surprised at the turns it takes once her power awakens, mingling her desire with a growing need for sexual dominion, and her constant manipulation of others doesn’t exactly make her a sympathetic character to read about (in fact, everyone inside is an arsehole). It does make her a very fun one though, especially on a day when you’ve nothing more to do than sit in the garden with a cool rum drink, occasionally fanning yourself when the sun (and the action within the pages) gets a little hot.
The Queen’s Bastard is apparently the first in a trilogy, and I can’t say I’d be averse to reading more.
**Also posted at Cannonball Read 10**
June 2, 2023
It's not a bad read. The prose is nice for the most part, but if I have to read one more description about someone's laugh brightening the room or someone's smile piercing a heart, I might combust. Belinda started as an okay character, and I like that she's very succubus-like when she comes into her powers... but then she starts raping people. Which, in all fairness to her character, is the role she played for most of her life: the raped woman. Taking power for herself is understandable, but didn't sit right with me personally.
Another thing that didn't sit right is how Belinda is always mentioned as this unseen killer, this important piece on the political board. Bro, she wanders around estates and palaces and either sleeps with people or rapes them mentally or physically. As far as we know, she killed two people??? Not much of an assassin.
Anyway, this didn't need to be 400 pages. There was just a lot of wandering and a lot of "his emotions roiled against her skin/his laughter was the sound of birds/she smiled with demure grace, but internally she didn't feel it." Heck, I couldn't even keep up with the country names and there's no handy-dandy map to refer to.
Another thing that didn't sit right is how Belinda is always mentioned as this unseen killer, this important piece on the political board. Bro, she wanders around estates and palaces and either sleeps with people or rapes them mentally or physically. As far as we know, she killed two people??? Not much of an assassin.
Anyway, this didn't need to be 400 pages. There was just a lot of wandering and a lot of "his emotions roiled against her skin/his laughter was the sound of birds/she smiled with demure grace, but internally she didn't feel it." Heck, I couldn't even keep up with the country names and there's no handy-dandy map to refer to.
January 14, 2025
This is a difficult book to review. I picked it up because I have enjoyed other works from the author. This book is an alternative Elizbethan era fantasy. The world-building is rich and fantastic. I had some trouble keeping up with which country was which and wished there was a map included, but eventually worked it out. There are some unexpected twists toward the end, but the plot itself was engaging enough to keep me reading.
The hard part to review is the main protagonist starts off interesting and complex but becomes more and more unlikeable throughout the story. I understand writing imperfect characters, but this character does some very morally corrupt things. I think people should be warned that the protagonist commits sexual assault. Perhaps the author wanted us to not like her by the end of the story. If so, she succeeded.
I am currently reading the sequel to this story, which focuses a bit more on the other main character and seems to be trying to redeem the main protagonist... Time will tell.
The hard part to review is the main protagonist starts off interesting and complex but becomes more and more unlikeable throughout the story. I understand writing imperfect characters, but this character does some very morally corrupt things. I think people should be warned that the protagonist commits sexual assault. Perhaps the author wanted us to not like her by the end of the story. If so, she succeeded.
I am currently reading the sequel to this story, which focuses a bit more on the other main character and seems to be trying to redeem the main protagonist... Time will tell.
May 5, 2021
Slow to start and with a lot of very dull exploration of a pseudo-parallel-feeling world set sometime around our equivalent of the Spanish Inquisition. Heavily focused on some strange religious-fervor-dominated countries with a very convoluted set of convoluted claims to various thrones, this was plodding in the extreme. A lot of court intrigue, but without the interest and investment. The main character is the queen's bastard (hence the name) daughter who becomes a ruthless spy/assassin who is willing to let herself get physically used/abused to accomplish her ends. There's some sort of magic (but she doesn't know what it is until a man shows her) with her being "witchbreed" but while it had all the chances to be engaging, it never actually moves from setting-up to delivery. Some gratuitous sex spiced things up along with intrigue and some spies playing spy-games, otherwise, not the most interesting read.
March 24, 2017
MAJOR SPOILERS
I can understand the motivation of a successful author who wishes to create a surprising (read: shocking) series to keep readers interested. I get it. This book was a trip. There are no wholesome characters, no real "good" guy, and truly no proper explanation for why these characters behave in destructive, abusive, debasing ways. You might have seen that I gave this four stars. This is not a happy book, but if you don't need a happy ending and can find entertainment in reading the lives of some truly despicable characters, then you also may find it somewhat enjoyable to read.
The SPOILER is this.
I would have given it five stars, but
At the very end of the book,
the protagonist's father explains why they are magical beings with powers.
The explanation?
It's not elves.
It's not demi-gods or angels.
It's aliens. They describe a mothership and traveling through space. They are actually just aliens.
Honestly, there is something completely unpalatable about mixing sci-fi with psuedo historical elizabethan romance.
I can understand the motivation of a successful author who wishes to create a surprising (read: shocking) series to keep readers interested. I get it. This book was a trip. There are no wholesome characters, no real "good" guy, and truly no proper explanation for why these characters behave in destructive, abusive, debasing ways. You might have seen that I gave this four stars. This is not a happy book, but if you don't need a happy ending and can find entertainment in reading the lives of some truly despicable characters, then you also may find it somewhat enjoyable to read.
The SPOILER is this.
I would have given it five stars, but
At the very end of the book,
the protagonist's father explains why they are magical beings with powers.
The explanation?
It's not elves.
It's not demi-gods or angels.
It's aliens. They describe a mothership and traveling through space. They are actually just aliens.
Honestly, there is something completely unpalatable about mixing sci-fi with psuedo historical elizabethan romance.
January 27, 2020
On second reading of the book, I sound like a fool in my original review. On some points, I think I was right (most of the characters seem to be motivated by power and money, and I think that's a bit boring); on others, I was wrong (underdeveloped characters); and on some I just sound idiotic ("female assassins are sinister" .... *headdesk* All assassins are sinister, 2009 Jo! Der.) In my defense, I did say it would be a bad review. So at least I delivered on my promises! So we'll listen to the sequel and see how that goes....
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