Queen of Exiles: The True Story of Haiti's First and Only Black Queen in Regency Europe

by Vanessa Riley

“You may not know Marie-Louise Christophe but once you have met her, you won’t forget her. Vanessa Riley’s historical novel feels timely and relevant, commemorating a time when Black women were queens.” - Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author Acclaimed historical novelist Vanessa Riley is back with another novel based on the life of an extraordinary Black woman from Haiti’s Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid, who escaped a coup in Haiti to set up her own royal court in Italy during the Regency era, where she became a popular member of royal European society.  The  Queen of Exiles  is Marie-Louise Christophe, wife and then widow of Henry I, who ruled over the newly liberated Kingdom of Hayti in the wake of the brutal Haitian Revolution. In 1810 Louise is crowned queen as her husband begins his reign over the first and only free Black nation in the Western Hemisphere. But despite their newfound freedom, Haitians still struggle under mountains of debt to France and indifference from former allies in Britain and the new United States. Louise desperately tries to steer the country’s political course as King Henry descends into a mire of mental illness. In 1820, King Henry is overthrown and dies by his own hand. Louise and her daughters manage to flee to Europe with their smuggled jewels. In exile, the resilient Louise redefines her role, recovering the fortune that Henry had lost and establishing herself as an equal to the kings of European nations. With newspapers and gossip tracking their every movement, Louise and her daughters tour Europe like other royals, complete with glittering balls and princes with marriage proposals. As they find their footing—and acceptance—they discover more about themselves, their Blackness, and the opportunities they can grasp in a European and male-dominated world.   Queen of Exiles  is the tale of a remarkable Black woman of history—a canny and bold survivor who chooses the fire and ideals of political struggle, and then is forced to rebuild her life on her own terms, forever a queen. "A sweeping look at the political, social, and romantic intrigue surrounding Haiti’s first and only queen. Riley’s depiction is richly imagined and wholly original." — Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of  The Magnolia Palace "Queen of Exiles is the riveting account of Marie-Louise Christophe, Haiti's first and only Queen. Bold, ambitious, historically sound and beautifully told."--Sadeqa Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Romance, Adult, Adult Fiction, Audiobook

448 pages, Paperback

First published July 11, 2023

About the author

I'm Vanessa Riley, and I write Historical Fiction of dazzling multi-culture communities of the 1750s to 1830s, The Revolutionary Years. I write for readers who treasure and share with friends books that showcase women, power, strong sisterhoods, and love.

Web: https://vanessariley.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/vanessarile...
FB: https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRiley...

Reviews

[Vanessa Riley]

Paperback Edition coming June 2024

I'm so excited for you to read about Queen Louise in Queen of Exiles. My calling is to research and restore famous women to our world so everyone can be inspired by their bravery and passion.

Queen Louise is someone we should know and admire.


August 1, 2023 - Queen of Exiles is a Sunny Hostin (The View) Lit Pick for the Summer!!!



Earlier this year, I followed her footsteps and walked where her slippers trod, even stepping into her bedchamber in Hastings.


Vanessa Riley in Florence. Yes, that coffee is research. :)


Queen Louise's House in Hastings.


Queen Louise's private garden in Hastings.

I love Queen Louise, her strength, passion, and vulnerability. Can't wait to share more.

Put Queen of Exiles on your TBR List and prepare for adventure and history.

Queen of Exiles: One brave queen, two worlds, three love stories.

August 1, 2023 - Queen of Exiles is a Sunny Hostin (The View) Lit Pick for the Summer!!!

[Sadeqa Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanessa Riley has a knack for mining through history and extricating extraordinary Black women who deserve for their stories to be known. Queen of Exiles is the riveting account of Marie-Louise Christophe, Haiti's first and only Queen. Bold, ambitious, historically sound and beautifully told.

[Winter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first book of Vanessa Riley's that I was unable to finish.
The beginning of the book did not hold my interest, therefore I could not gain momentum to continue reading it.
I was hoping that it would pick up within the first 100 pages, however it did not and I gave up.

I am sure others will love this book and I hope that they do.

I am looking forward to Ms. Riley's next book in the future.

[R Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more of a historical narrative than a novel yet it relates a remarkable story. At a time when Linnaeus' erroneous categorisation of humans that ranked black people as lazy, sly, sluggish and neglectful held sway, the story of Haiti's first and only queen asserts the opposite. This is a shocking story that needs to be widely disseminated. The outrageous injustice that Haiti faced in paying reparations to France as they managed to successfully rebel against an enslaving French rule is not commonly known today but should be. More than anything, the main character, despite extreme hardship and loss retains her dignity and principles and while she was a rich lady, did copious amounts of charitable work. This novel explores the story in an imaginative way. It plays around with the timeline, revealing intimate details from the story as it builds towards its climax. An excellent read

[Kenzie | kenzienoelle.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

IG Review: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIv-F4QRe...

3.75 stars. I have learned so much Caribbean history through Vanessa Riley’s historical fiction books and this one was no different.

This story follows the life of Marie-Louise Christophe, the first and only Queen of Haiti. I don’t know about you, but there wasn’t much Caribbean history in my high school history books and I’m so glad I can learn pieces of it now through the powerful stories Riley writes. It’s clear how much research went into this book.

We read as Marie and her family have joyful moments, harrowing moments and devastation as Haiti has just made it out of the Haitian Revolution but is now faced with inner chaos, a fight for power, debt to France and so much more.

“"To be Black, you assume one must be in pain." I glanced at Monsieur Clarkson. "And if one seems well adjusted, sociable, and well spoken, this must be seen. The spectacle of Blackness is to move people."

—
I would be remised if I didn’t mention the other two historical fiction books by this author that I LOVED. ISLAND QUEEN (4.5 stars) and SISTER, MOTHER , WARRIOR (4.5 stars.) Both phenomenal books and stories. Riley always tells stunning stories of real Black women from history whose stories need to be shared! From Monserrat to Haiti to England to Italy, she will transport you AND you’ll learn some a lot of history in the process!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was happy to receive this book from the Goodreads giveaway. I love this book a lot. I love that other people can learn about one of the female heroes of my beautiful country of HAITI. PROUD HAITIAN 🇭🇹

[Rhonda McKnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transportive storytelling.

This impeccably researched and beautifully written novel brings to life the remarkable journey of Marie-Louise Christophe, wife and then widow of Henry I, who defied all odds to become the queen of the newly liberated Kingdom of Hayti.

Riley delves into the tumultuous era of the Haitian Revolution and its aftermath. As Marie-Louise assumes the crown and her husband's mental health deteriorates, the challenges she faces are manifold. From navigating political turmoil and mountains of debt to combating indifference from former allies, she emerges as a fierce and resilient leader determined to secure a better future for her people—even in exile.

Her meticulous attention to historical detail is evident, as she vividly depicts the struggles, triumphs, and heartbreaks faced by Marie-Louise and her daughters. The depth of emotion infused into the narrative allows readers to empathize with the characters' joys, sorrows, and inner conflicts. The jewelry, costumes, glittering balls, and opulent courts of Europe are expertly described. I loved all it and the dialogue was so crisp and accurate that it was haunting at times.

The contrasts between the European world and their Haitian roots provide a thought-provoking exploration of identity, race, and the limitations imposed by a male-dominated society. This type of nuance is what readers have come to anticipate and appreciate about Vanessa Riley’s work.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen of Exiles is based on the life of Marie-Louise Christophe, Haiti’s first and only Queen who ruled over the newly liberated Kingdom of Hayti in the wake of the Haitian Revolution. Riley’s story is original, well researched, and wonderfully written.

[Sonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate learning about some of the history of Haiti. In my opinion, this book is slow paced and repeated a lot of information. I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Glimmer of Gems

Vanessa Riley explores the historical landscape of 1800’s Hayti, to tell the indomitable story of Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid. The story of the Queen of Exiles begins in 1821, as Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid flees with her two daughters to England after the Haitian Revolution. In fear of her future, Louise holds on to her dignity and strength to overcome the many prejudices facing black women during her time.

Louise reflects on the many remarkable events of her life, often skipping through time. The reader follows Louise’s train-of-thought as she contemplates her past life as it affects her future. Vanessa Riley’s attention to the details of Louisa’s family and history, give depth to an otherwise quiet narrative. As Louise is an introspective woman. Throughout the book there are snippets of newspaper clippings. Each covering Louise’s life from 1811, the year before she is crowned queen, through 1847. This is a story of how Louise struggles to comes to terms with the loss of her family, as the freedom of Hayti is lost. As well as her current struggle to share her story with the newspaper reporter David Michelson.

Louise is described as “unassuming and composed,” but she is more than just that. She is wise to the events that shaped her life, loyal to her husband and country, a loving mother, and enduring woman. Vanessa Riley writes about Louise’s strong heart, as she seeks to be worthy of Hayti, and those who rely on her. From beginning to end, through all of her struggles, Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid is an inspiring woman. With a story that should be known, and shared.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid, who was the first and only queen of Haiti. She and her daughters were exiled to England after the Haitian revolution. In England and all over Europe they lived the life of Royal Exiles despite their color. They attended balls, were courted, and visited spas. Queen Louise was a very strong woman, who endured many obstacles in her life and kept going.

[Lit_Vibrations · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this for the most part but since I was reading Sister, Mother, Warrior at the same time I think it overshadowed this one a bit. Vanessa Riley definitely knows her history and does a good job bringing her fictional story of a real person to life within the characters. I’ve never heard of Queen Marie-Louise Christophe, who escaped a coup in Haiti to set up her own royal court in Italy during the Regency era, where she became a popular member of royal European society.

Louise was the wife of King Henry who ruled the kingdom of Haiti after the Haitian revolution. Their kingdom was on the verge of collapse because of Henry’s mental illness, foolish mistakes, and debt yet Louise did her best to hold things together. Even after Henry passed and she was forced to leave Europe and live in exile with her children because it was no longer safe. She still found a way to maintain her wealth and social status.

Queen Louise took so many losses literally tragedy after tragedy. From her husband, sons, and then eventually her daughters. I was surprised to see her remain strong through it all. She even tried her hand at love again only to find herself falling for a man that was looking to marry a wealthy wife.

Overall, it was okay could’ve been a few chapters shorter but again filled with so much history. The pacing was very slow the entire time so if you’re looking for a quick read this definitely isn’t it.

Rating: 3.5/5⭐️

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early 1800's Haiti was a self-declared kingdom after defeating the French in a battle for the island which wanted to be a non-slave trading kingdom. King Henry and Queen Louise were the island's leaders for this short-lived kingdom. We see the rise to this kingdom and the royal era as well as the exile of the queen and her daughters who lived in England (who was helped by William Wilberforce), Germany and finally in Italy. She was beloved by many and kept up with her homeland through the newspapers and her sisters who continued to visit her.

Although Vanessa Riley's writing is beautiful, the book felt too long to me. I was fascinated to learn a piece of history I had never known anything about and it kept me returning to the internet to find out more, see images of the king and queen, and videos from historians who traced her life in Europe.

My thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy of this e-book.

{NG kindle}

[Michelle Lindo-Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanessa Riley has done it again! From the very beginning, in her lyrical style, she had me turning the pages. I love that she brings to light such amazing historical women of color. I love how she showcases their strengths, their tragedies, their experiences with such emotion and depth that I am transported into that time. I can't wait to read more of her work. Truly talented!

[Cass]

Will revisit another time

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked learning some history I didn’t know about but the romantic parts seemed a bit out of place compared to the life and death struggles going on. Thanks Goodreads for the free book!

[Jennifer Serna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little long but I love historical fiction books. I had no idea that Hati had Royalty at one point so I really liked learning about it.

[Dominique]

It pains me to give up on a book that I am a fourth of a way through but I'm learning to shelve books rather than painfully make my way through.

This book has an intriguing premise but unfortunately not much happens and the flashbacks carry more weight than anything happening in the present moment. With a tighter storyline and a change in perspective (the majority of the book should have showed the events as they happened as opposed to the random explanations in the future.) would have made it more enjoyable.

[January]

Queen of Exiles by Vanessa Riley (2023)
xi+436-page Kindle Ebook story pages xi-419

Genre: Historical Fiction, Biographical Fiction

Featuring: Cast of Characters, Disclaimer - the Newspaper Clippings are real. 1800s - 1811-1847, London, England; Widow, Racism, Revolution, Florence, Italy; Kreyòl, French, 1800s English, Italian, Latin, Rebellion, Liberation, War, New Kingdom, Vodou or African Vodun, Catholicism, Milot, Hayti (Haiti), Racism, Afterward, Author's Note, Bibliography for Queen of Exiles, Bibliography for Vanessa Riley

Rating as a movie: R for adult content, possibly PG-13 with editing

Songs for the soundtrack: The Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 24 by Ferdinand Ries, The Ruins of Athens, Op. 113 by Ludwig van Beethoven

Books and Authors mentioned: Macbeth by William Shakespeare, La Fille Mal Gardée, meaning "The Poorly Guarded Girl" or "The Wayward Daughter," by Jean Dauberval

My rating: 🇭🇹👸🏾🇮🇹🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇩🇪 DNF on page 128 [Chapter] 17

My thoughts: 🔖Page 21 of 436[447] [Chapter] 3 1847 Florence, Italy - This is a very interesting story but I can tell it's going to take a few days to get through, so I'm pushing it to the back of the pile for now.
🔖32 [Chapter] 4 1811 Milot, Hayti - I'm trying not to show up to book club with this story unfinished but I feel like I'm back in school, this story jumps around and hasn't started rolling yet so it's hard for me to hold my interest there.
🔖128 [Chapter] 17 1813 Sans-Souci, Kingdom of Hayti - This story is kind of boring. This is one time I'd rather watch a documentary than read a fictional biography. It is also taken forever every time I think I've made strides I check the page or look at the chapter number and I haven't gotten far at all. Anyway, the execution of this story is so disappointing, here we are at the climax of the story and there isn't any rising action, it just occurs and fades out, then we get an emotionless newspaper clipping, what is the point? I have been wondering about the circumstances of her husband's death since the beginning of the book and now we're here over a 100 pages in and we still know nothing. I'm about done with this book.

Why I quit: I only picked this book up for book club, and I continued out of respect. Unfortunately, this is a busy time for me and I don’t have time to read in circles. The story doesn't flow well, and I learned more from the internet about what is going on than from this book. It doesn't give you much information on the history of Haiti before or during that time. They gave little information on how Henri Christophe rose to power and are vague on his demise. The last scene with him just fades out and I think it intentionally gives the reader the wrong conclusion, perhaps for drama but it's not dramatic, it's dull. Based on the little I've learned about the life of Marie Louise Coidavid, this book is doing a major disservice to her legacy, but I'll never know if it redeems itself as I will not be continuing the story. Armande-Eugène is the only illegitimate child mentioned in this book, which I found surprising considering Thomas de Belliard was named Baron, Cazeau Célestin's daughter was given the title princess, and it was through Blésine Georges, that Christophe's legacy was continued as she was the mother of Haiti's president Pierre Nord Alexis. I wasn't able to trace Michèle Bennett back to Henri through his children, I only found that she is his great-great-great-granddaughter through her father. I get it's a story about Marie-Louise Coidavid, but in 128 pages I didn't learn much about her. Anyway, I thought they could have spent the last 100 pages sharing accounts instead of going in dramatic circles about jewelry, clothes, and lots of foreshadowing. I may consider reading one of the books cited. I'm grateful the story was written and brought to my attention, as I was unaware of this part of history prior to picking up this book.

Recommend to others: I'm not sure, as I didn't finish, but based on what I read you're going to do a lot of relays to get to each nugget of information, and it'll just be a hint of information.

Memorable Quotes: Perhaps the emerald necklace dangling about my dark throat, with flesh colored by Eurafrican blood, as mine has been described, holds her attention. An admirer once admitted my skin held its own draw, as forceful and compelling as the glimmer of gems. The questions in this stranger’s eyes are never uttered. She twists her yellow umbrella and steps away with a smile. “The Black Russian princesses. I got to see one.” Joyous, she hurries off.

For a moment, I took in the sight of them—happy, bold, growing in their strength. It was beautiful seeing these Black boys, these wonderful young men, coming into their own with no limits being placed upon their futures. They were part of the fabric of a free Hayti. This ideal was worth fighting for, worth protecting.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Vanessa Riley has crafted another engrossing epic historical novel with Queen of Exiles. Somewhat of a follow-up to Riley’s previous historical, Sister Mother Warrior, the two stories both follow major figures in the monarchical history of Haiti, with this book following Marie-Louise Christophe, Queen of Haiti, who also played a minor role in the previous book. Like with Sister Mother Warrior, I enjoyed learning more beyond the broad strokes about Haiti’s initial fight for independence and establishing their own government, and I didn’t know it took a few tries at monarchy before they ultimately became a republic.
It was fascinating to see Louise’s life reimagined, and all the amazing things she lived through. From being Queen consort, and dealing with her husband’s deteriorating mental state to life in exile after the monarchy was overthrown and she lost him to suicide, and all the adventures she and her family had afterward, even as she dealt with a lot of scrutiny from the press (when has this not been the case for Royals and public figures?!). It was fascinating to read about the opulence of their lives and the doors that opened for them, in spite of their color, and it’s unfortunate (yet not surprising) that stories like hers are not more well-known and taught.
The book is long, and it does fall into the category of semi-fictionalized biographical/ historical narrative over pure historical fiction. However, Riley’s approach largely kept me engaged. I will say that the choice to tell the story out of order did confuse me at times, especially as there were three time periods, the 1810s, the 1820s, and then 1847, all scattered about the story indiscriminately. There is some rhyme and reason to the structure, but I can see how some people might get a little lost as the story goes back and forth between these different periods of time.
This is another brilliant story from Vanessa Riley, and I’d recommend it to readers looking for biographical historical fiction about lesser known Black women.

[Bianca Vandenbos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Queen of Exiles
In 1810 Marie Louise Christophe and her husband Henry Christophe I are crowned Haiti’s first king and queen of the island nation of Haiti after the brutal revolution freeing it from French rule. A rule that should have lasted to this day doesn’t, as Henry descends into madness as Marie tries to keep things together. In 1829 Henry dies by suicide, Marie and Henry’s sons are assassinated and Marie and her daughters have to flee for their lives to Europe. The book covers their time in Haiti and then England and Italy after the downfall.

Pros
I had no idea that there was ever a King and Queen of Haiti. It’s a shame that the very first rulers of Haiti were also the nations last. It makes you wonder if they were able to stay in power what Haiti would be like today?

Cons
While the history was fascinating, unfortunately the pacing in the story felt off and felt very long winded. It also can confuse people with the constant jumping between different time lines going from 1811 to 1820 to 1847.


Overall
Overall the history was fascinating but the writing and the pacing could have been done better. Perhaps with more editing I would have ended up loving it instead of going, “Meh.” I might like Vanessa Riley’s other books so I’m not ready to give up yet. Regardless I appreciate the effort, because it’s nice that authors are writing about either lesser known royals or royals that aren’t done enough instead of the umpteenth book about The Tudors. If you’re interested in royal history and historical fiction preorder Queen of Exiles coming out on July 11th. I’m very grateful to the publisher who mailed me an early copy.

[Tracey Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen of Exiles, which takes place in the 1800s, is a rich look at a woman I’d never heard of—the first and only queen of Haiti, Marie-Louise Christophe. Marie was married to Haiti’s first king, Henry 1, who was an interesting character as well. The two loved each other deeply but struggled under the pressure of establishing a royal rule and Henry’s mental illness.

Author Vanessa Riley did a great job of depicting an intelligent, strong, vibrant woman who was up against some major obstacles—her race, her sex, and often her own husband. She painted a woman who desperately loved her family and her people and who had definite opinions about both.

Being a fan of Bridgerton, I was fascinated by the fact of Black royalty. Henry felt strongly that he needed to model a society based on Europe’s to gain world-wide respect. The unfortunate truth was that prejudice rarely abated despite the Christophes’ wealth, intelligence, and comportment.

Themes of prejudice, family ties and obligations, marriage, motherhood, rebuilding a life, the purpose of wealth, and what it means to be a woman with a mind of her own who is forced to keep her behavior in line with her husband’s and society’s opinions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced review copy of Queen of Exiles.

[Walt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll say first that I'm already a fan of Vanessa Riley's writing, so I was expecting excellence. The author delivered. I wanted to read this because of her previous books, and because I like books with less familiar historical settings.

This book examines the life of Marie-Louise Christophe, the first queen of Haiti (as well as the only queen of Haiti) and shifts back and forth between her time as royalty in Haiti, her time with family in Europe after a revolution in Haiti, and then her time in Europe later on her own. The author's research is shown in the news articles she uses to open each time shift. I struggled a bit early with the time shifts, possibly due to my unfamiliarity with the time period. However, when I hit the point in the book where it was explained how sugar was used for money, my mind settled in, and everything just flowed.

This is equal parts fascinating and sad. Marie-Louise Christophe endured a lot of tragedy in her life and the emotion felt, particularly in the end will move any reader.

I received a copy of the book from both Netgalley and from a Goodreads giveaway.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating novel on the story of the only Queen of Haiti, Marie-Louise Coidavid who became Queen when her husband Henry I became King of Haiti after the Haitian Revolution. We follow Queen Louise starting in London in 1821 with her two daughters and one man servant and one female servant where she discovers the jewels she was able to sneak out of Haiti had been stolen—jewels that were necessary to help provide housing and a lifestyle fit for royalty. After reclaiming most of her jewels and the money that was owed to her she continues to live and follow other royalty as they sought the warmer climates in Europe in winter. The story is composed of chapters with the date and place they would travel keeping in mind they were always in search of a place where her younger daughter could overcome her illness. This was a bit difficult to follow with different time periods. How she and her daughter had to escape Haiti appears in one of these chapters. Vanessa Riley has thoroughly researched the life and time of this brave Black woman and I completely enjoyed her Afterword and Bibliography. A book that is deserving to be read for its historical importance. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC of this book; this is my honest review.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a mesmerizing journey through a crucial period in Haiti's history. With her immersive writing style, the author delves into the lives of King Henry & Queen Marie Louise Christoph, the first rulers of a free black nation. Set against a backdrop of political intrigue & looming threats is a compelling narrative that captures the essence of the era.

The chapters shift between different decades, painting a vivid picture of the events that unfolded during King Henry and Queen Louise's reign. The real newspaper clippings at the beginning of each chapter provide a glimpse into what lies ahead. This enhances the historical authenticity & builds anticipation for the events to come.

One of the standout elements of this read is the portrayal of Queen Louise. A strong & resilient character, she constantly fears for the safety of her family in the face of political enemies and internal strife, all the while maintaining a clear & determined mindset. The book beautifully captures her struggles, fears, & unwavering dedication.

As the narrative unfolds through Queen Louise's eyes, readers are transported into her world. After the King's untimely death, she must navigate the treacherous path of ruling Haiti while grappling with personal tragedy & caring for her daughters; one who has a terminal illness. You feel her exhaustion & grief, as well as the weight of her responsibilities. Despite facing tremendous challenges, Louise emerges as a symbol of resilience.

Following her exile to Europe, Queen Louise's indomitable spirit shines through as she maintains her dignity & remains a queen, never to be forgotten. She leaves an enduring legacy, defying societal norms & making history along the way.

[Lauralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid was Haiti’s only queen. She was queen for ten years before her kingdom was overthrown and she was forced to flee to England. Queen of Exiles follows Marie-Louise Coidavid’s turbulent reign as queen and her remaining years in exile. Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid must learn to live as a queen without a country.

I have always found Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid to be a fascinating historical and tragic figure. I have even written a history article on her. In this novel, Queen Marie-Louise is reluctant to be a queen. Instead, the role was thrust upon her by her husband, King Henri I, who had grand illusions about the Kingdom of Haiti. He wanted Haiti to be an artistic and cultural kingdom that would be respected by all foreign nations. However, King Henri I was plagued by the unrest in his own country. Queen Marie-Louise had to support her husband through the crises. She must learn to play the role of queen well. When Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid is exiled, she has to forge her path anew. During this time, she must find her sense of belonging. Therefore, I sympathized with her and hoped that she would find her own happiness.

Overall, this novel is about family, loyalty, and belonging. I thought all of the characters were very fleshed out. I also thought it was beautifully written. It felt as if I was walking alongside the queen as she left Haiti and went into exile. I did not like jumping back and forth across various timelines and thought it would work better in a more linear format. There were a few major inaccuracies in the novel that made it hard for me to overlook, and it took away my enjoyment in the novel. Nevertheless, Queen of Exiles was a very enthralling and mesmerizing read! Even though the book was long in length, I did not feel the length, and I also did not want it to end! Queen of Exiles is a feast for fans of royals! I recommend this for fans of Alison Weir, Phillippa Gregory, and Georgie Blalock!
(Note: I read an ARC copy in courtesy of Netgalley.)

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers (William Morrow) and Goodreads giveaways for an ARC of this book.

This is historical fiction, not romance. I found this to be a highly well-researched book about a woman in history we should know more about, the first and only Queen of Haiti, Marie-Louise. We follow her, bouncing back and forth through time through the rise and fall of Haiti and the aftermath when she and her daughters lived in Europe in exile. This was a slow read at times for me, and it was an interesting choice to have a non-linear timeline, one that I'm not sure paid off entirely.

I am definitely going to read more from Vanessa Riley in the future. I found her character work to be so well done and as stated before, her research into the time period is outstanding.

[NaKisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this book. I was looking forward to learning about the only King and Queen that Haiti ever had. There was so much potential.
.
Unfortunately, this was a slow and long-winded novel with unlikeable characters. It had moments that it started getting good and was right on the edge of something happening and then it fell right back into the bland, slow and dry storytelling. I don’t think the disjointed timeline helped the book either. It may have been better if it were written in chronological order.
.
On a positive note, I liked the actual newspaper clippings at the start of each chapter that dated back to the early 1800’s.

[Sarah W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know only the basics of the Haitian Revolution and nearly nothing about what happened in Haiti after the revolution, so this novel, centered around Marie-Louise Christophe was eye-opening. For a time, her husband, Henri Christophe, ruled the kingdom of Haiti as a monarch, but the monarchy collapses and Marie Louise fled with her daughters to Europe, where they lived in exile. This woman is clearly fascinating and I'd like to find more written about her.

[Linda Solomon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so looking forward to reading this book, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The characters were not likeable and the story dragged on. The last couple chapters were the most enjoyable. You really have to pay attention to the dates and remember what is happening and who is involved because it jumps around a lot. Too many timelines in my opinion.