What do you think?
Rate this book
Queen Bess: A Tudor Comes to Save America
Self-made billionaire Dakota Wynfred is convinced that the only way to save American democracy is by putting the last Tudor Queen in the Oval Office.
Dakota Wynfred will stop at nothing to prevent the reelection of the vile US president, Robert Vlakas, who wants to nationalize her cybersecurity company and simultaneously set fire to the Constitution. And that includes finding a champion who can defeat him in the 2028 presidential election.
But it won’t be easy because Dakota’s champion of choice—though brilliant, politically savvy, charming, and tough enough to survive multiple assassination attempts—happens to have been dead for over 400 years.
So, what if Queen Elizabeth I has never heard of electricity, Netflix, or Uber?
Dakota’s team of experts travel back in time to try to convince Elizabeth to leap more than four centuries into the future to embark on a quest to become the greatest woman ruler in history…again.
Dakota Wynfred will stop at nothing to prevent the reelection of the vile US president, Robert Vlakas, who wants to nationalize her cybersecurity company and simultaneously set fire to the Constitution. And that includes finding a champion who can defeat him in the 2028 presidential election.
But it won’t be easy because Dakota’s champion of choice—though brilliant, politically savvy, charming, and tough enough to survive multiple assassination attempts—happens to have been dead for over 400 years.
So, what if Queen Elizabeth I has never heard of electricity, Netflix, or Uber?
Dakota’s team of experts travel back in time to try to convince Elizabeth to leap more than four centuries into the future to embark on a quest to become the greatest woman ruler in history…again.
- GenresHumor
336 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2024
5 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 17, 2024
I’m not usually a fan of books that have even a little bit of science fiction or history in them (which is odd because I prefer nonfiction) but this one dips its toe ever so slightly into Tudor times in hopes of saving America. I loved reading this book so much—from being invested in the characters (Elizabeth is my fave) to the deep dive side quests I took to learn more about the real Elizabeth, I was sad when I finished it! (I love a book that sends me on a deep dive into wanting to learn more about an era— I consumed many movies on Elizabeth I while reading this.) I cannot wait for the next one in the series to come out.
January 2, 2025
This book was an absolutely horrible way to kick off a new year. The idea that only a dead British Queen could defeat an American sitting President in an election is (frankly) absurd. There are so many threads to unravel to make that possible. Additionally, the idea that the only WOMAN for the job isn't even alive today is so damn cynical! The book is very anti-feminist with its constant referring to the weight of the women characters and all the anti-aging techniques they use, which is a deep contrast to the very idea that women can be leaders by their own merit. The sci-fi in the book isn't even well conceived. You cannot bring someone back from the past, and they continue to live their life as normal from their own timeline as well as have a whole new life in the new timeline. That's like science fiction 101! The author also uses fear mongering to rile up the readers into believing that the literal worse thing that could happen in the US is for a Republican to be in office, because that will mean the end of abortion entirely and (and this is directly said in the novel) women having the right to vote. (Seriously?!?!?!?) In case you still aren't convinced to avoid this book at all costs (or DNF, which I couldn't do because this was for my podcast), here is a spoiler: .5/5 stars
May 4, 2025
thank you to netgalley and post hill press for providing me with this arc of maria vetrano’s queen bess
i didn’t enjoy this book at all. it was jumpy in the final few chapters of the book, and i felt like important information was missed. with the rest of the book though, i felt like it dragged too much. i also didn’t like how the action didn’t start until roughly half way through. i prefer books to have the action start to happen around the 20-30% mark, with the only exceptions being books that introduce the action early and do it well, much like jennifer sherman roberts’ the village healer’s book of cures.
i didn’t enjoy this book at all. it was jumpy in the final few chapters of the book, and i felt like important information was missed. with the rest of the book though, i felt like it dragged too much. i also didn’t like how the action didn’t start until roughly half way through. i prefer books to have the action start to happen around the 20-30% mark, with the only exceptions being books that introduce the action early and do it well, much like jennifer sherman roberts’ the village healer’s book of cures.
January 27, 2025
Fun and fantastical!
Did Not Finish
January 2, 2025I made it to chapter 10. Rule # in time travel. Don’t change the time line.
January 10, 2025
Fun concept!
August 15, 2024
Maria Vetrano’s debut novel, Queen Bess: A Tudor Comes to Save America, blends past and present, historical fiction, sci-fi and political commentary into a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
The premise is audacious: England’s formidable Queen Elizabeth I, transported from the turbulence of the 16th Century, finds herself in 21st-Century America. With her regal bearing and political acumen intact, Elizabeth embarks on a campaign to become President of the United States—a role that demands not just her innate intelligence and savvy but also a rapid education in the complexities of this “new” nation’s history and contemporary life.
Elizabeth’s political opponent is a far-right populist, and Vetrano skillfully contrasts today’s political landscape with the intrigue and power struggles of Elizabeth’s own era.
The novel’s dialogue is a particular strength: it is witty, sharp, and often laugh-out-loud funny. Yet beneath the humor lies a serious concern about the rise of authoritarianism—a threat so dire that it calls for the leadership of one of the strongest female figures in Western history.
Queen Bess is the first in a planned trilogy, and readers will undoubtedly be eager for more. The novel concludes on a tantalizing note, leaving us to wonder: Will Elizabeth and her modern-day allies outmaneuver the tyrant? How will she navigate the complexities of governing a nation that once rebelled against her crown?
Vetrano has delivered a novel that is both intellectually engaging and enormously fun. I highly recommend Queen Bess to anyone who appreciates a smart, genre-blending story filled with relatable characters and sharp political insights.
The premise is audacious: England’s formidable Queen Elizabeth I, transported from the turbulence of the 16th Century, finds herself in 21st-Century America. With her regal bearing and political acumen intact, Elizabeth embarks on a campaign to become President of the United States—a role that demands not just her innate intelligence and savvy but also a rapid education in the complexities of this “new” nation’s history and contemporary life.
Elizabeth’s political opponent is a far-right populist, and Vetrano skillfully contrasts today’s political landscape with the intrigue and power struggles of Elizabeth’s own era.
The novel’s dialogue is a particular strength: it is witty, sharp, and often laugh-out-loud funny. Yet beneath the humor lies a serious concern about the rise of authoritarianism—a threat so dire that it calls for the leadership of one of the strongest female figures in Western history.
Queen Bess is the first in a planned trilogy, and readers will undoubtedly be eager for more. The novel concludes on a tantalizing note, leaving us to wonder: Will Elizabeth and her modern-day allies outmaneuver the tyrant? How will she navigate the complexities of governing a nation that once rebelled against her crown?
Vetrano has delivered a novel that is both intellectually engaging and enormously fun. I highly recommend Queen Bess to anyone who appreciates a smart, genre-blending story filled with relatable characters and sharp political insights.
September 2, 2024
I was fortunate to receive an advanced reader’s copy of this book and I was so thrilled to read it. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel back to Tudor times? I bet you have! But I bet you never considered what would be involved in bringing a Tudor monarch into our time.
Set a few years in the future, Dakota who is the wealthy owner of a scientific research firm, decides there is no one capable of defeating the corrupt and reprehensible US President in the next election. Well, no one that is except Elizabeth I, one of the greatest rulers of all time. Dakota and her team embark on an ambitious objective – to return to the 16th century and bring Elizabeth back to modern times. But that is only the first part of the journey! How do you acclimate a Tudor queen to the modern world? What results is entertaining and humorous.
This book is one that you can easily read during a weekend. The plot moved quickly and the characters were well developed and likable. We may all recognize certain characteristics of the President and find ourselves rooting for the Tudor queen to defeat him. I highly recommend this book. It is an entertaining journey through both Dakota’s life and that of Elizabeth I, you get real insight into both characters and their motivations for what they want in life. Peripheral characters are just as fascinating and have some of the funniest lines in the book. Time travel is fantasy, but this fantasy is well worth your time!
Set a few years in the future, Dakota who is the wealthy owner of a scientific research firm, decides there is no one capable of defeating the corrupt and reprehensible US President in the next election. Well, no one that is except Elizabeth I, one of the greatest rulers of all time. Dakota and her team embark on an ambitious objective – to return to the 16th century and bring Elizabeth back to modern times. But that is only the first part of the journey! How do you acclimate a Tudor queen to the modern world? What results is entertaining and humorous.
This book is one that you can easily read during a weekend. The plot moved quickly and the characters were well developed and likable. We may all recognize certain characteristics of the President and find ourselves rooting for the Tudor queen to defeat him. I highly recommend this book. It is an entertaining journey through both Dakota’s life and that of Elizabeth I, you get real insight into both characters and their motivations for what they want in life. Peripheral characters are just as fascinating and have some of the funniest lines in the book. Time travel is fantasy, but this fantasy is well worth your time!
June 9, 2024
In a world where an Orange Mango type character gets into the White House, who do you have to run against him that can hold her own? Well, Dakota Wynfred, the self-made billionaire, feels the only one who can do so is long dead. But that doesn’t stop her from using her secret time machine her company has developed, to go back in time and bring Queen Elizabeth I to the present day (well, 2027 to be specific).
And of course, it is never as easy as all that, because first she has to get QE I set up, and educated in the ways of the 21st century, and all that. It is actually quite fun to watch as Queen Bess integrates into a society 400 years in her future.
Which makes me sad that the ending of the book feels rushed. It almost makes me think there will be a book two, which I hope there will be. I loved the depiction of Queen Bess in modern times. (They call her Elizabeth Rex, though in reality it should have been Regina, but never mind. She can be a king.)
The depiction of Robert Vlakas, the Orange Mango wanna-be is a little too close for comfort, so I would say it is spot-on, which makes me wish that Queen Bess would run for president.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 15th of October 2024.
And of course, it is never as easy as all that, because first she has to get QE I set up, and educated in the ways of the 21st century, and all that. It is actually quite fun to watch as Queen Bess integrates into a society 400 years in her future.
Which makes me sad that the ending of the book feels rushed. It almost makes me think there will be a book two, which I hope there will be. I loved the depiction of Queen Bess in modern times. (They call her Elizabeth Rex, though in reality it should have been Regina, but never mind. She can be a king.)
The depiction of Robert Vlakas, the Orange Mango wanna-be is a little too close for comfort, so I would say it is spot-on, which makes me wish that Queen Bess would run for president.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 15th of October 2024.
November 11, 2024
What would you do if you had the chance to bring a historical figure to the current day? Would you do it? And if you did, how would that historical figure take to this new modern day chaos?
Queen Bess by Narua Vetrano asks that very question, when billionaire businesswoman Dakota hatches a plan to bring Queen Elizabeth I to the year 2026. While revered through history, could even the domineering Tudor queen survive such a transition? With hundreds of years of inventions and cultural and language shifts, Dakota finds herself breaking in the Queen to modern age at breakneck speed. All in the name of saving America.
My biggest disappointment with this book is the ending. I wanted more! I was unfulfilled by where the story stopped. The rest of it? I loved. Genius. Vetrano captures, in my opinion, how Elizabeth would find the new world, and I found the story funny and intriguing at the same timed. This is definitely worth picking up, and will make you also ponder what it would mean to bring someone from the past to our ever changing and crazy world.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Regalo Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
Queen Bess by Narua Vetrano asks that very question, when billionaire businesswoman Dakota hatches a plan to bring Queen Elizabeth I to the year 2026. While revered through history, could even the domineering Tudor queen survive such a transition? With hundreds of years of inventions and cultural and language shifts, Dakota finds herself breaking in the Queen to modern age at breakneck speed. All in the name of saving America.
My biggest disappointment with this book is the ending. I wanted more! I was unfulfilled by where the story stopped. The rest of it? I loved. Genius. Vetrano captures, in my opinion, how Elizabeth would find the new world, and I found the story funny and intriguing at the same timed. This is definitely worth picking up, and will make you also ponder what it would mean to bring someone from the past to our ever changing and crazy world.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Regalo Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
August 29, 2025
This was too fun!
Queen Bess: A Tudor Comes to Save America by Maria Vetrano was inventive, humorous, and an all-around great read. I really enjoyed the writing style. It had a lively energy that made the story fly by, and the two main characters, Dakota Wynfred and Queen Bess (or Elizabeth Rex) were so well drawn out. The book had great banter between between Dakota, Bess and the team of experts and advisors brought together to manage Elizabeth's transition to modern times and prepare a run for the presidency of the U.S. I loved how the humor balanced with the sharpness of the storytelling, keeping it both clever and fun. Overall, I absolutely loved it and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh, entertaining read. I am so curious as to whether there will be a part 2!
Thanks to Netgalley for the E-ARC.
Queen Bess: A Tudor Comes to Save America by Maria Vetrano was inventive, humorous, and an all-around great read. I really enjoyed the writing style. It had a lively energy that made the story fly by, and the two main characters, Dakota Wynfred and Queen Bess (or Elizabeth Rex) were so well drawn out. The book had great banter between between Dakota, Bess and the team of experts and advisors brought together to manage Elizabeth's transition to modern times and prepare a run for the presidency of the U.S. I loved how the humor balanced with the sharpness of the storytelling, keeping it both clever and fun. Overall, I absolutely loved it and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh, entertaining read. I am so curious as to whether there will be a part 2!
Thanks to Netgalley for the E-ARC.
July 4, 2024
I thought this was such a fun, fantastical and hopeful read about what would happen if women took the stage and tried to change the world of politics. Some parts were laugh of loud funny - especially when Queen Bess must contend with all the complications associated with traveling to the future and learning about everything from fashion to coffee makers to reality television as well as the politics of America. The book's ending suggests there is more to the story! I will look forward to Vetrano's follow up.
February 11, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review
Very enjoyable book, the politics are relatable and hilarious and the Queen learning to live in a different era was so fun. The only thing I would say would make it better is they said Dakota couldn’t find love but then she still didn’t at the end. I thought they’d match her up with that doctor or something, I also would’ve loved to see the queen becoming the president for longer. The start was so long and then it rushed up towards the end.
Very enjoyable book, the politics are relatable and hilarious and the Queen learning to live in a different era was so fun. The only thing I would say would make it better is they said Dakota couldn’t find love but then she still didn’t at the end. I thought they’d match her up with that doctor or something, I also would’ve loved to see the queen becoming the president for longer. The start was so long and then it rushed up towards the end.
July 4, 2024
Think Outlander meets Red, White, and Royal Blue.
Queen Bess is a clever and daring examination of our current political climate. It is a much needed breath of fresh air—a testament to hoping, dreaming, and thinking creatively even when the stakes are sky high. I applaud the author for creating an outrageous scenario that is entertaining, provocative, and downright brilliant. I hope there is more to follow!
Queen Bess is a clever and daring examination of our current political climate. It is a much needed breath of fresh air—a testament to hoping, dreaming, and thinking creatively even when the stakes are sky high. I applaud the author for creating an outrageous scenario that is entertaining, provocative, and downright brilliant. I hope there is more to follow!
October 21, 2024
This was an incredibly captivating concept for a book, and it was beautifully written. I’m a fan of Back To The Future, and this reminded me of it a lot. While it was a political book, it was written tastefully and shed light on real issues that are still happening in the world today.
July 31, 2025
Fun
Elizabeth I as possibly president of the US. But just let it roll. The US president in the book is a thinly disguised Trump. So you get to hear Elizabethan insults aimed at Trump. And the English language of that time is rich in insults. Looking for the next book
Elizabeth I as possibly president of the US. But just let it roll. The US president in the book is a thinly disguised Trump. So you get to hear Elizabethan insults aimed at Trump. And the English language of that time is rich in insults. Looking for the next book
December 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! It’s a mix of history, technology, pop culture, and more, so you get a little bit of everything! Looking forward to reading what’s next for Bess…
September 18, 2025
Super quick and fun read
December 31, 2024
I didn't give many "1" star ratings out this year (only 3 out of 66), but this was one of those books I was motivated to finish--just so I could write the review. And reading the book to the very end just gave me another point to make in support of my low rating.
In this novel, a high tech/engineering company has invented a time machine that will allow people to travel forward and backward in time. Nothing new--for a science fiction writer. In this novel, the protagonist, Dakota Wynfred, billionaire executive of this company, very liberal Democrat, has decided to bring back Queen Elizabeth I to run for president in 2028 against a blowhard, narcissistic incumbent president, Robert Vlakas. Vlakas is a very thinly disguised Donald Trump.
The author proceeds on the premise that there is not a single person alive who is capable of taking on Trump. The plot is fairly simple. Dakota's company uses its technology to fetch Queen Elizabeth from 16th century England, just a year before the 2028 election. They acclimate her to 21st century United States culture and politics. Then they hire a campaign manager. The campaign manager sends her to Davos--to the annual economic summit of world leaders--where Dakota and company stage a fake attack on the clueless chancellor of Germany. The attacker is a plant, and Elizabeth is standing nearby to rescue the chancellor by shooting the attacker in the arm with her bow and arrow. The attacker escapes and is never found. Elizabeth becomes a "press sensation," and is now famous and poised to run against Vlakas.
In acclimating her to the 21st century U.S., the novel spends more time having Elizabeth being childishly fascinated with such things as the flushing toilet--than it does giving her any political insight. She learns politics through the slogans and grievances of Dakota and her friends. They simply show her a few TV images and sputter a few spin-phrases, and Elizabeth goes along. (Note: My politics lean liberal. And I have vigorously voted against Donald Trump three times now. So I have no objection to a true liberal becoming our next president in 2028.) But in this novel, the 16th century queen is not allowed to think through things on her own--or bring her counter-cultural wisdom into our own day. We get to read nothing of how she would have a greater understanding of our day than we might. Instead, she robotically goes along with Dakota's political assessments--which are strong-headed, shallow, and narrow-minded. They lack the brilliance and intellect and strategic thinking that is so often the reason today's liberals lose so many elections in this country.
The novel has plot but no story. A story is when characters go through crisis and must either grow or quit. Dakota is the protagonist, and she is just as immature and stubborn at the end of the book as she was at the beginning--and all the way through it. She becomes boring because she never changes. And Elizabeth, as I noted earlier, does change--but robotically--to become a carbon copy of Dakota.
The juxtaposition of Elizabeth I and Donald Trump sets up intriguing possibilities for a story. There might be lots to learn from such a contest. But nobody learns anything here--either those inside the novel or those of us reading it.
The author shows poor knowledge of history. Even though two historians appear in the novel, one is snooty and only makes cameo appearances. And the other one falls in love with Elizabeth and they end up having sex, because Elizabeth has now been introduced to birth control.
Dakota is upset that Vlakas disregards the constitution. But in running Elizabeth (of England) she too is disregarding the constitution, which prohibits anyone not born in the U.S. from being president. No problem for a high tech company, however, she arranges for forged birth certificates. We have the pot calling the kettle black in this novel.
The author has little understanding of political science--or psychology. Nor is there any curiosity about how people think and change.
It is okay to ask a reader to suspend disbelief for a story, but the story isn't much to start with--and its implausibility makes me resist suspending my disbelief. This is no Lord of the Rings.
With no story (where characters change and grow) and only plot, even the plot suffers from slowness and too many details.
Characters sometimes make a book worth reading. Not in this case. The characters all remind me of a collection of 50 year olds that never grew up. They all seem like they are back in a frat house in college. Lots of smart ass, shallow comments and insults, not much rich and sophisticated humor.
Hoping for something refreshing in the midst of today's political quarrels, I found this book to be just one more set of grievances and an assortment of thoughts that would best be described as wishful thinking. It is political vomit--not political discourse.
And finally, the book has no closure. We spent hundreds of pages getting no where. It will take at least one more book to get Elizabeth elected. I fear that book may be on the way.
In this novel, a high tech/engineering company has invented a time machine that will allow people to travel forward and backward in time. Nothing new--for a science fiction writer. In this novel, the protagonist, Dakota Wynfred, billionaire executive of this company, very liberal Democrat, has decided to bring back Queen Elizabeth I to run for president in 2028 against a blowhard, narcissistic incumbent president, Robert Vlakas. Vlakas is a very thinly disguised Donald Trump.
The author proceeds on the premise that there is not a single person alive who is capable of taking on Trump. The plot is fairly simple. Dakota's company uses its technology to fetch Queen Elizabeth from 16th century England, just a year before the 2028 election. They acclimate her to 21st century United States culture and politics. Then they hire a campaign manager. The campaign manager sends her to Davos--to the annual economic summit of world leaders--where Dakota and company stage a fake attack on the clueless chancellor of Germany. The attacker is a plant, and Elizabeth is standing nearby to rescue the chancellor by shooting the attacker in the arm with her bow and arrow. The attacker escapes and is never found. Elizabeth becomes a "press sensation," and is now famous and poised to run against Vlakas.
In acclimating her to the 21st century U.S., the novel spends more time having Elizabeth being childishly fascinated with such things as the flushing toilet--than it does giving her any political insight. She learns politics through the slogans and grievances of Dakota and her friends. They simply show her a few TV images and sputter a few spin-phrases, and Elizabeth goes along. (Note: My politics lean liberal. And I have vigorously voted against Donald Trump three times now. So I have no objection to a true liberal becoming our next president in 2028.) But in this novel, the 16th century queen is not allowed to think through things on her own--or bring her counter-cultural wisdom into our own day. We get to read nothing of how she would have a greater understanding of our day than we might. Instead, she robotically goes along with Dakota's political assessments--which are strong-headed, shallow, and narrow-minded. They lack the brilliance and intellect and strategic thinking that is so often the reason today's liberals lose so many elections in this country.
The novel has plot but no story. A story is when characters go through crisis and must either grow or quit. Dakota is the protagonist, and she is just as immature and stubborn at the end of the book as she was at the beginning--and all the way through it. She becomes boring because she never changes. And Elizabeth, as I noted earlier, does change--but robotically--to become a carbon copy of Dakota.
The juxtaposition of Elizabeth I and Donald Trump sets up intriguing possibilities for a story. There might be lots to learn from such a contest. But nobody learns anything here--either those inside the novel or those of us reading it.
The author shows poor knowledge of history. Even though two historians appear in the novel, one is snooty and only makes cameo appearances. And the other one falls in love with Elizabeth and they end up having sex, because Elizabeth has now been introduced to birth control.
Dakota is upset that Vlakas disregards the constitution. But in running Elizabeth (of England) she too is disregarding the constitution, which prohibits anyone not born in the U.S. from being president. No problem for a high tech company, however, she arranges for forged birth certificates. We have the pot calling the kettle black in this novel.
The author has little understanding of political science--or psychology. Nor is there any curiosity about how people think and change.
It is okay to ask a reader to suspend disbelief for a story, but the story isn't much to start with--and its implausibility makes me resist suspending my disbelief. This is no Lord of the Rings.
With no story (where characters change and grow) and only plot, even the plot suffers from slowness and too many details.
Characters sometimes make a book worth reading. Not in this case. The characters all remind me of a collection of 50 year olds that never grew up. They all seem like they are back in a frat house in college. Lots of smart ass, shallow comments and insults, not much rich and sophisticated humor.
Hoping for something refreshing in the midst of today's political quarrels, I found this book to be just one more set of grievances and an assortment of thoughts that would best be described as wishful thinking. It is political vomit--not political discourse.
And finally, the book has no closure. We spent hundreds of pages getting no where. It will take at least one more book to get Elizabeth elected. I fear that book may be on the way.
October 15, 2024
Where To Watch: available October 15, 2024; pre-order your copy here: https://amzn.to/3NhLbXE
RAVING REVIEW: QUEEN BESS: A TUDOR COMES TO SAVE AMERICA takes a daring leap that places the formidable Elizabeth Tudor in the heart of 21st-century political chaos. This blend of time travel and historical drama doesn't just transport a queen—it catapults a legendary figure into modern politics, reflecting on today’s turmoil in leadership.
Author Maria Vetrano casts Dakota Wynfred as the linchpin of the plot. She is a cybersecurity professional under siege from a government hell-bent on commandeering her company, KODA. With such dire threats, Dakota has an extraordinary plan: bring back Elizabeth Tudor to dethrone the authoritarian President Robert Vlakas. In this story, Dakota is more than just a tech genius; she's a battlefield strategist in digital warfare.
Elizabeth Tudor's resurgence is crafted with historical reverence and contemporary relevance. Vetrano reawakens this iconic leader, endowing her with the energy needed to navigate the complexities of the new world she faces. Elizabeth's integration into the modern era is punctuated with witty exchanges and moments of genuine human connection, highlighting her evolution from a past monarch to an influential figure and celebrity today.
The story excels in fusing Elizabeth’s historical persona with the cutthroat nature of current politics. Her journey through the digital age is marked by challenges and growth, making her character both relatable and inspirational. Her old-world resilience is tested against today’s global issues, providing comedic respite and substantial development.
The ensemble of characters Vetrano introduces is the structure for Elizabeth's adaptation. These modern-day advisors, ranging from tech geniuses to social consultants, facilitate her transformation and enrich the storyline with their diverse perspectives and collective efforts.
Vetrano’s writing crackles with sharp dialogue and a sharp satirical edge. It dissects the political landscape and norms of today and the bygone era from Elizabeth’s past. The reader is invited to scrutinize contemporary governance and leadership underpinnings, making the narrative as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. At no point does the story parallel directly, but there is no missing the poignant connection to the struggles we are facing today.
The ambitious blend of speculative time travel with historical revival intentionally tests the bounds of believability. While reviving a 16th-century queen to solve 21st-century problems is intrinsically audacious, it is still meant to challenge the readers and does so perfectly.
The novel also explores deep themes of empowerment and legacy, with Elizabeth’s transformation underscoring a broader discourse on change and influence. Dakota and Elizabeth's relationship reiterates the power of mentorship and the significance of supporting one another through transformative challenges.
In essence, QUEEN BESS: A TUDOR COMES TO SAVE AMERICA is a bold reimagination of historical influence within a contemporary setting. It challenges the reader to ponder the enduring impact of leadership across time and the power that visionary leaders can wield. Elizabeth Tudor's transition from a historical monarch to a catalyst for modern change is an inventive narrative twist and a powerful commentary on the nature of authentic leadership.
Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.
You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching Overly Honest Reviews.
I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.
RAVING REVIEW: QUEEN BESS: A TUDOR COMES TO SAVE AMERICA takes a daring leap that places the formidable Elizabeth Tudor in the heart of 21st-century political chaos. This blend of time travel and historical drama doesn't just transport a queen—it catapults a legendary figure into modern politics, reflecting on today’s turmoil in leadership.
Author Maria Vetrano casts Dakota Wynfred as the linchpin of the plot. She is a cybersecurity professional under siege from a government hell-bent on commandeering her company, KODA. With such dire threats, Dakota has an extraordinary plan: bring back Elizabeth Tudor to dethrone the authoritarian President Robert Vlakas. In this story, Dakota is more than just a tech genius; she's a battlefield strategist in digital warfare.
Elizabeth Tudor's resurgence is crafted with historical reverence and contemporary relevance. Vetrano reawakens this iconic leader, endowing her with the energy needed to navigate the complexities of the new world she faces. Elizabeth's integration into the modern era is punctuated with witty exchanges and moments of genuine human connection, highlighting her evolution from a past monarch to an influential figure and celebrity today.
The story excels in fusing Elizabeth’s historical persona with the cutthroat nature of current politics. Her journey through the digital age is marked by challenges and growth, making her character both relatable and inspirational. Her old-world resilience is tested against today’s global issues, providing comedic respite and substantial development.
The ensemble of characters Vetrano introduces is the structure for Elizabeth's adaptation. These modern-day advisors, ranging from tech geniuses to social consultants, facilitate her transformation and enrich the storyline with their diverse perspectives and collective efforts.
Vetrano’s writing crackles with sharp dialogue and a sharp satirical edge. It dissects the political landscape and norms of today and the bygone era from Elizabeth’s past. The reader is invited to scrutinize contemporary governance and leadership underpinnings, making the narrative as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. At no point does the story parallel directly, but there is no missing the poignant connection to the struggles we are facing today.
The ambitious blend of speculative time travel with historical revival intentionally tests the bounds of believability. While reviving a 16th-century queen to solve 21st-century problems is intrinsically audacious, it is still meant to challenge the readers and does so perfectly.
The novel also explores deep themes of empowerment and legacy, with Elizabeth’s transformation underscoring a broader discourse on change and influence. Dakota and Elizabeth's relationship reiterates the power of mentorship and the significance of supporting one another through transformative challenges.
In essence, QUEEN BESS: A TUDOR COMES TO SAVE AMERICA is a bold reimagination of historical influence within a contemporary setting. It challenges the reader to ponder the enduring impact of leadership across time and the power that visionary leaders can wield. Elizabeth Tudor's transition from a historical monarch to a catalyst for modern change is an inventive narrative twist and a powerful commentary on the nature of authentic leadership.
Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.
You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching Overly Honest Reviews.
I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.
January 9, 2025
As the real world slides into the abyss, it's hard to fault anyone for writing or reading whatever gives them comfort. I'm frankly surprised that there haven't been more counterhistorical novels in recent years by the supermajority of creatives who fall on the left side of the political spectrum. While the earnestness can sometimes be a bit much, there is certainly a receptive audience out there.
The premise of this book, while not well presented or developed, is an understandable addition to that genre - what if there was a billionaire on the side of good? However, that's where the understandability ends. Rather than funding her own campaign or that of one of the many qualified individuals in our world, the founder of a tech security company...randomly meets a professor at a conference and spends decades funding his research into time travel, which he achieves through poorly defined means, travels back to briefly meet with her late mother, and decides that the solution is to convince Queen Elizabeth I of England to come forward in time to run against the Trump stand-in currently in office. There is never a clear answer as to why, of everyone who has ever lived on this planet, Queen Elizabeth I would be the best choice for the modern American presidency - in fact, we don't even get to witness anyone explaining the idea to her - but Her Majesty agrees and appears in 2027. That's when the real agony begins as we enter hours of nonsensical confusion about modern technology, language, and customs. I'm really not sure why some authors assume that people who lived in the past were stupid. This is a highly educated woman who ran a country, survived political intrigue, supported the arts - she presumably was pretty good at picking up context clues and using logic. In a different book, if they'd really leaned into the ridiculousness by bringing in Sohla to prepare ancient recipes, having her watch Outlander on TV, etc., there could have been at least some humor - but this is just a mess. And that's before she starts talking.
I get that to many modern ears, particularly those attached to heads containing only one language, early modern English can sound "funny," foreign," etc. - but let me shout so the people in the back, apparently including everyone involved in the production of this audiobook, can hear - ITS GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURE FOLLOWED ESSENTIALLY THE SAME RULES AS MODERN ENGLISH. Anyone who has ever read or seen a Shakespeare play, read the King James bible, or otherwise read or heard language from this era should be familiar with the (relatively few) changes in usage - the -th verbs, the formal vs familiar pronouns...hell, if you've heard modern Germanic languages spoken the structure should be second nature. So how an entire book made it through with -th used as...a plural suffix? Or just randomly at the end of various nouns but never verbs? And "thee" used in EVERY type of construction with nary a "thou," "thine," "ye," or, more appropriately "you" (it's unlikely that Her Majesty was accustomed to hanging at the pub with her homies addressing each other informally) is enough to make anyone wonder if there was proofreading involved at any point in this process.
I have to give props to the narrator for somehow making it through all of that word salad somewhat intelligibly - although you will not be prepared for her multiple attempts at "Positano" in an early chapter discussion of Italy, which is surprising in light of what follows.
So while I hope that the writing process was cathartic for everyone involved, I can't say that the reading process will do much except make you wish there were an American branch of the Chronicles of St. Mary's gang to do this kind of story better.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
The premise of this book, while not well presented or developed, is an understandable addition to that genre - what if there was a billionaire on the side of good? However, that's where the understandability ends. Rather than funding her own campaign or that of one of the many qualified individuals in our world, the founder of a tech security company...randomly meets a professor at a conference and spends decades funding his research into time travel, which he achieves through poorly defined means, travels back to briefly meet with her late mother, and decides that the solution is to convince Queen Elizabeth I of England to come forward in time to run against the Trump stand-in currently in office. There is never a clear answer as to why, of everyone who has ever lived on this planet, Queen Elizabeth I would be the best choice for the modern American presidency - in fact, we don't even get to witness anyone explaining the idea to her - but Her Majesty agrees and appears in 2027. That's when the real agony begins as we enter hours of nonsensical confusion about modern technology, language, and customs. I'm really not sure why some authors assume that people who lived in the past were stupid. This is a highly educated woman who ran a country, survived political intrigue, supported the arts - she presumably was pretty good at picking up context clues and using logic. In a different book, if they'd really leaned into the ridiculousness by bringing in Sohla to prepare ancient recipes, having her watch Outlander on TV, etc., there could have been at least some humor - but this is just a mess. And that's before she starts talking.
I get that to many modern ears, particularly those attached to heads containing only one language, early modern English can sound "funny," foreign," etc. - but let me shout so the people in the back, apparently including everyone involved in the production of this audiobook, can hear - ITS GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURE FOLLOWED ESSENTIALLY THE SAME RULES AS MODERN ENGLISH. Anyone who has ever read or seen a Shakespeare play, read the King James bible, or otherwise read or heard language from this era should be familiar with the (relatively few) changes in usage - the -th verbs, the formal vs familiar pronouns...hell, if you've heard modern Germanic languages spoken the structure should be second nature. So how an entire book made it through with -th used as...a plural suffix? Or just randomly at the end of various nouns but never verbs? And "thee" used in EVERY type of construction with nary a "thou," "thine," "ye," or, more appropriately "you" (it's unlikely that Her Majesty was accustomed to hanging at the pub with her homies addressing each other informally) is enough to make anyone wonder if there was proofreading involved at any point in this process.
I have to give props to the narrator for somehow making it through all of that word salad somewhat intelligibly - although you will not be prepared for her multiple attempts at "Positano" in an early chapter discussion of Italy, which is surprising in light of what follows.
So while I hope that the writing process was cathartic for everyone involved, I can't say that the reading process will do much except make you wish there were an American branch of the Chronicles of St. Mary's gang to do this kind of story better.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
November 13, 2025
𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓲𝓶𝓹𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓷𝔂 𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓭𝓸 𝓲𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓲𝓶𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓼.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Queen Bess
Maria Vetrano
333 pages
— sci-fi, politics and historical fiction —
FC: Bess, Dakota, Cece, Jeremy, Gideon!
What a story. A successful, homemade billionaire, owner of a cyber security company, solves time travel and brings Queen Elizabeth the first to 2028 to run against a tyrannical buffoon who’s the current president. A story filled with all of the historical and political intricacies from present day and all of the archaic and sometimes barbaric ideologies of the 16th century. Educational, sci-fi centered, and inspiring!
“𝖳𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝗅𝖽, 𝖠𝗆𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖼𝖺 𝗂𝗌 𝗄𝗇𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝗆𝖾𝗅𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗉𝗈𝗍, 𝖺 𝖼𝗈𝗎𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗒 𝗆𝖺𝖽𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝗉𝖾𝗈𝗉𝗅𝖾 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆 𝗆𝖺𝗇𝗒 𝖽𝗂𝖿𝖿𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗇𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗎𝗅𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾𝗌. 𝖮𝗎𝗋 𝖽𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗂𝗌 𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗀𝗍𝗁. 𝖶𝖾 𝖼𝖺𝗇’𝗍 𝗌𝗂𝗆𝗉𝗅𝗒 𝖺𝖻𝖺𝗇𝖽𝗈𝗇 𝖽𝖾𝗌𝗉𝖾𝗋𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝗉𝖾𝗈𝗉𝗅𝖾 𝗌𝖾𝖾𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺 𝖻𝖾𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗅𝗂𝖿𝖾.”
Queen Elizabeth was an expertly crafted character in every way that she responded to the modern world. Everything that I’m going to have problems with in this book, has nothing to do with the characters or the inherent plot line. Every character flew off the page with how beautifully created they were. Dakota, Jeremy and Cece engaged in banter that was so titillating, just lovely to watch. There was an air of romance that I wanted to see more of. It is not a big part of the book, but, for a queen who was never allowed to marry, it would be nice to see her win love. A smashing cast of characters who all felt extremely real and raw. One of my favorite things is a story with entertaining character, and this book has that!
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚕𝚎. 𝚂𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝙳𝚊𝚔𝚘𝚝𝚊’𝚜 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖𝚜 𝚋𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝚠𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚊 𝚑𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚘𝚝 𝚙𝚘𝚙𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛.
My only warning is that you have to be okay with suspending logic while reading this. Most of the chapters are dated before you start reading them, so sometimes you jump six months into the future in one chapter and have to just be okay with not knowing what happened in those six months. This happens frequently in a way to push the story forward and also give us a drastic timeline. We went from May to New Year’s Eve in one chapter break….. it wasn’t hard to keep track of per se but the chapters were long enough that I forgot where I was when I would get to the next chapter and I would have to go back to the beginning to refocus the timeline in my brain.
“𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙂𝙤𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨. 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙮𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝, 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧.”
We have many historical accounts of how yes, Elizabeth was not always the shining jewel of moral values. The crown heavily benefited from the slave trade among other dehumanizing and evil acts. I did wish that there was more of a cultural questioning between the only black character in the book and Queen Elizabeth…. Which brings me to another area where you kind of have to suspend your own belief: Queen Elizabeth acclimated very fast to the modern world…. And yes, that has to happen in order to push the story forward but, it was too fast and too convenient in my opinion.
“𝕀𝕟 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕥, 𝕨𝕖 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕣 𝕄𝕒𝕛𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕪 𝕥𝕠 𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕔𝕦𝕖 𝕦𝕤…𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕧𝕖𝕤.”
All in all, It is a beautiful story with a message that transcends this sci-fi historical book and seeps into the integrity of the real world. A message that strong women can lead anywhere and have always had the ability to lead. Have they been given the opportunities to show that? Not always. Queen Elizabeth is an icon in the way that she is one of the first women to fit that category. And I believe Queen Elizabeth would love how she is portrayed in this book if she ever came to the present day and read it.
“𝒜𝓈 𝒶 𝒽𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓁𝓎 𝑒𝒹𝓊𝒸𝒶𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓃𝒸𝓇𝑒𝒹𝒾𝒷𝓁𝓎 𝓅𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇𝒻𝓊𝓁 𝓌𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃, 𝐸𝓁𝒾𝓏𝒶𝒷𝑒𝓉𝒽 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒶𝓃 𝑜𝓊𝓉𝓁𝒾𝑒𝓇 𝑜𝓃 𝓈𝑜 𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓎 𝓁𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓁𝓈. 𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝓊𝒸𝒸𝑒𝑒𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝓅𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒷𝑜𝓇𝓃 𝒶 𝓌𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Queen Bess
Maria Vetrano
333 pages
— sci-fi, politics and historical fiction —
FC: Bess, Dakota, Cece, Jeremy, Gideon!
What a story. A successful, homemade billionaire, owner of a cyber security company, solves time travel and brings Queen Elizabeth the first to 2028 to run against a tyrannical buffoon who’s the current president. A story filled with all of the historical and political intricacies from present day and all of the archaic and sometimes barbaric ideologies of the 16th century. Educational, sci-fi centered, and inspiring!
“𝖳𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝗅𝖽, 𝖠𝗆𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖼𝖺 𝗂𝗌 𝗄𝗇𝗈𝗐𝗇 𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝗆𝖾𝗅𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗉𝗈𝗍, 𝖺 𝖼𝗈𝗎𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗒 𝗆𝖺𝖽𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝗉𝖾𝗈𝗉𝗅𝖾 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆 𝗆𝖺𝗇𝗒 𝖽𝗂𝖿𝖿𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗇𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗎𝗅𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾𝗌. 𝖮𝗎𝗋 𝖽𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗂𝗌 𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗀𝗍𝗁. 𝖶𝖾 𝖼𝖺𝗇’𝗍 𝗌𝗂𝗆𝗉𝗅𝗒 𝖺𝖻𝖺𝗇𝖽𝗈𝗇 𝖽𝖾𝗌𝗉𝖾𝗋𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝗉𝖾𝗈𝗉𝗅𝖾 𝗌𝖾𝖾𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺 𝖻𝖾𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗅𝗂𝖿𝖾.”
Queen Elizabeth was an expertly crafted character in every way that she responded to the modern world. Everything that I’m going to have problems with in this book, has nothing to do with the characters or the inherent plot line. Every character flew off the page with how beautifully created they were. Dakota, Jeremy and Cece engaged in banter that was so titillating, just lovely to watch. There was an air of romance that I wanted to see more of. It is not a big part of the book, but, for a queen who was never allowed to marry, it would be nice to see her win love. A smashing cast of characters who all felt extremely real and raw. One of my favorite things is a story with entertaining character, and this book has that!
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚕𝚎. 𝚂𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝙳𝚊𝚔𝚘𝚝𝚊’𝚜 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖𝚜 𝚋𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝚠𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚊 𝚑𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚘𝚝 𝚙𝚘𝚙𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛.
My only warning is that you have to be okay with suspending logic while reading this. Most of the chapters are dated before you start reading them, so sometimes you jump six months into the future in one chapter and have to just be okay with not knowing what happened in those six months. This happens frequently in a way to push the story forward and also give us a drastic timeline. We went from May to New Year’s Eve in one chapter break….. it wasn’t hard to keep track of per se but the chapters were long enough that I forgot where I was when I would get to the next chapter and I would have to go back to the beginning to refocus the timeline in my brain.
“𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙂𝙤𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨. 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙮𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝, 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧.”
We have many historical accounts of how yes, Elizabeth was not always the shining jewel of moral values. The crown heavily benefited from the slave trade among other dehumanizing and evil acts. I did wish that there was more of a cultural questioning between the only black character in the book and Queen Elizabeth…. Which brings me to another area where you kind of have to suspend your own belief: Queen Elizabeth acclimated very fast to the modern world…. And yes, that has to happen in order to push the story forward but, it was too fast and too convenient in my opinion.
“𝕀𝕟 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕥, 𝕨𝕖 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕣 𝕄𝕒𝕛𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕪 𝕥𝕠 𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕔𝕦𝕖 𝕦𝕤…𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕧𝕖𝕤.”
All in all, It is a beautiful story with a message that transcends this sci-fi historical book and seeps into the integrity of the real world. A message that strong women can lead anywhere and have always had the ability to lead. Have they been given the opportunities to show that? Not always. Queen Elizabeth is an icon in the way that she is one of the first women to fit that category. And I believe Queen Elizabeth would love how she is portrayed in this book if she ever came to the present day and read it.
“𝒜𝓈 𝒶 𝒽𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓁𝓎 𝑒𝒹𝓊𝒸𝒶𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓃𝒸𝓇𝑒𝒹𝒾𝒷𝓁𝓎 𝓅𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇𝒻𝓊𝓁 𝓌𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃, 𝐸𝓁𝒾𝓏𝒶𝒷𝑒𝓉𝒽 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒶𝓃 𝑜𝓊𝓉𝓁𝒾𝑒𝓇 𝑜𝓃 𝓈𝑜 𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓎 𝓁𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓁𝓈. 𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝓊𝒸𝒸𝑒𝑒𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝓅𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒷𝑜𝓇𝓃 𝒶 𝓌𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃.”
October 7, 2024
Have you ever read about a historical figure and wondered what it would be like to interact with them in the present day? How would they deal with modern problems and technology? Could they function in the 21st century or would they become overwhelmed? And even if they could come to the 21st century, how would it affect their timeline and history? This intriguing premise plays out in Maria Vetrano’s novel, “Queen Bess: A Tudor Comes to Save America,” which sees Queen Elizabeth I coming forward about 400 years in time to become the President of the United States in the 2028 election.
I want to thank Maria Vetrano for sending me a copy of her novel. When I read the description of this novel, it was an intriguing concept to me. I do enjoy a modern tale from time to time and I was interested to see how Queen Elizabeth I of England could become a US President and how she would adjust to life in the modern world.
We begin our adventure with Dakota Wynfred, a self-made billionaire in the cybersecurity field, whose only desire is to go back in time to see her mother one more time and potentially bring her mother back to the year 2027. As Dakota and her mother are discussing matters, she tells her mother that the political environment is a mess thanks to President Robert Vlaskas, who Dakota cannot stand. Dakota believes that there is no one capable in modern time to defeat Vlaskas so a plan is formulated to use Dakota’s time travel machine to go back in time even further to get a leader who she believes can defeat Vlaskas. She has chosen Gloriana herself, Queen Elizabeth I from 1588. While transporting the queen from the Tudor era is easy, acclimating her to the ways of the 21st century proves a challenge, especially knowing that they have a limited window to make sure Elizabeth is ready to run for president.
While I thought the concept of this book was unique, the execution for me is what let this book down. I’ll start with the time travel element. As someone who watched Star Trek and the Librarians, I know there are some rules of time travel like not telling the people in the period of the past you are visiting you are from the future (or giving them a biography about their life), and you don’t bring anyone into the future from the past as there could be consequences to history in general. I wanted to see more of how Elizabeth being in the 21st century would affect the 16th century and the idea of technology not working in the 16th century as it was not invented during that time, but that is not what I got as a reader. When Elizabeth did arrive in the year 2027, we see her getting used to the world of technology, fashion, and popular culture, which did not seem to help with running a political campaign and Elizabeth’s accent in this book bothered me quite a bit. I feel like Vetrano should have done more research into the 16th century and Elizabeth’s reign to make this version of Elizabeth I more believable. Finally, I think the ending is rushed and left me questioning this book and what the point of this novel truly was.
Overall, this was a frustrating read for me as I saw the potential for a cool book, but it stumbled so many times. It felt like the Tudor/historical elements were sprinkled in a modern sci-fi/political fantasy novel, which just did not work well for me as a reader. This may not have been the book for me, but if you want a different take on the Tudors, a time travel novel with modern political elements, “Queen Bess: A Tudor Comes to Save America” by Maria Vetrano might be a book for you.
I want to thank Maria Vetrano for sending me a copy of her novel. When I read the description of this novel, it was an intriguing concept to me. I do enjoy a modern tale from time to time and I was interested to see how Queen Elizabeth I of England could become a US President and how she would adjust to life in the modern world.
We begin our adventure with Dakota Wynfred, a self-made billionaire in the cybersecurity field, whose only desire is to go back in time to see her mother one more time and potentially bring her mother back to the year 2027. As Dakota and her mother are discussing matters, she tells her mother that the political environment is a mess thanks to President Robert Vlaskas, who Dakota cannot stand. Dakota believes that there is no one capable in modern time to defeat Vlaskas so a plan is formulated to use Dakota’s time travel machine to go back in time even further to get a leader who she believes can defeat Vlaskas. She has chosen Gloriana herself, Queen Elizabeth I from 1588. While transporting the queen from the Tudor era is easy, acclimating her to the ways of the 21st century proves a challenge, especially knowing that they have a limited window to make sure Elizabeth is ready to run for president.
While I thought the concept of this book was unique, the execution for me is what let this book down. I’ll start with the time travel element. As someone who watched Star Trek and the Librarians, I know there are some rules of time travel like not telling the people in the period of the past you are visiting you are from the future (or giving them a biography about their life), and you don’t bring anyone into the future from the past as there could be consequences to history in general. I wanted to see more of how Elizabeth being in the 21st century would affect the 16th century and the idea of technology not working in the 16th century as it was not invented during that time, but that is not what I got as a reader. When Elizabeth did arrive in the year 2027, we see her getting used to the world of technology, fashion, and popular culture, which did not seem to help with running a political campaign and Elizabeth’s accent in this book bothered me quite a bit. I feel like Vetrano should have done more research into the 16th century and Elizabeth’s reign to make this version of Elizabeth I more believable. Finally, I think the ending is rushed and left me questioning this book and what the point of this novel truly was.
Overall, this was a frustrating read for me as I saw the potential for a cool book, but it stumbled so many times. It felt like the Tudor/historical elements were sprinkled in a modern sci-fi/political fantasy novel, which just did not work well for me as a reader. This may not have been the book for me, but if you want a different take on the Tudors, a time travel novel with modern political elements, “Queen Bess: A Tudor Comes to Save America” by Maria Vetrano might be a book for you.
November 30, 2024
I don't even know where to start. I didn't like this book AT ALL. It's unlikely that I'll ever read anything by this author again. Sure, that might be a bit of an overreaction, but it took me a very long time to slog through this novel which was waaayyyy too long. I find it hard not to finish a book, even if I hate said book, so that wasn't an option for me.
The writing isn't terrible but man, the majority of the characters were incredibly annoying and so darn superficial. The characters don't have layers or depth, and instead of it being a story of a Tudor queen becoming the next United States President and bringing change to America, it's more a technical account of how to bring someone back from the past (first half of the story) to educating them in modern day culture (second half of the story). That's it. That's all this is. And believe me when I say it got boring very quickly to be bogged down with SO MUCH detail and NOTHING even close happening to what the book description promises.
Now, I'm not American and have no interest in U.S. politics, but even to me it was clear as day which politician the "villian" in this book was based on. Did the author take the time to create an antagonist that's unique to this story and who at least has a few relatable or redeemable qualities? No. She did not. And let's not forget the stereotypical gay friend whose obnoxiousness got old really fast.
*face palm*
I was very excited to read this book. It seemed like such a unique idea for a story, and it had the potential to be so much more than it ended up being. I mean the possibilities with this particular unique idea for a book was absolutely endless, and the author could've added so much humor to the story (which is always a win for me when a writer can make me laugh). Instead, what I expected after reading the book description and what I got, was beyond disappointing. I was so relieved when I reached the end after WEEKS of struggling to pick this book back up again after putting it down so many times.
So, no. I don't recommend. Great idea, poorly executed. Don't waste your time.
The writing isn't terrible but man, the majority of the characters were incredibly annoying and so darn superficial. The characters don't have layers or depth, and instead of it being a story of a Tudor queen becoming the next United States President and bringing change to America, it's more a technical account of how to bring someone back from the past (first half of the story) to educating them in modern day culture (second half of the story). That's it. That's all this is. And believe me when I say it got boring very quickly to be bogged down with SO MUCH detail and NOTHING even close happening to what the book description promises.
Now, I'm not American and have no interest in U.S. politics, but even to me it was clear as day which politician the "villian" in this book was based on. Did the author take the time to create an antagonist that's unique to this story and who at least has a few relatable or redeemable qualities? No. She did not. And let's not forget the stereotypical gay friend whose obnoxiousness got old really fast.
*face palm*
I was very excited to read this book. It seemed like such a unique idea for a story, and it had the potential to be so much more than it ended up being. I mean the possibilities with this particular unique idea for a book was absolutely endless, and the author could've added so much humor to the story (which is always a win for me when a writer can make me laugh). Instead, what I expected after reading the book description and what I got, was beyond disappointing. I was so relieved when I reached the end after WEEKS of struggling to pick this book back up again after putting it down so many times.
So, no. I don't recommend. Great idea, poorly executed. Don't waste your time.
June 25, 2024
Queen Bess
When I saw the premise for this book I was excited, what could be more interesting and intriguing than one of the most influential and powerful women in all of history living in our current world? I have always loved the strong women that have shaped the world, naming my oldest daughter Catherine Elizabeth for Catherine the Great and Queen Elizabeth. This book seemed to hit all my interests and I couldn’t wait to see how this turned out.
The book begins with Dakota Wynfred, a brilliant scientist with multiple degrees and her discovery of time travel. During her trip, you find that she is a child of two people that are anti. Establishment and that one of her parents most treasured memories is when her mom wrapped herself naked in an American Flag and lit it on fire. Wait what?!?
The book kind of went into the fire for a majority of the book, completely sucking any joy out of it. While I thought that this was a book about running for president, hand picking a strong powerful proven woman from the past and seeing not only how they could fix problems in our society, but how they would adapt, it’s not what I ultimately thought it was. Instead it was a way to slam and denigrate republicans as it says in the book how they ruined the country and on and on with this. I powered through, hoping that Queen Bess could overcome the hate going at a certain type of person, it failed.
So if you want to read a book that stereotypes half of the United States, lumping them all into a certain bracket, regardless of their color sex Or orientation then this may be something you like.
This was my first book by this author and will be my only. The only reason I didn’t DNF was because I was hoping to see a redemption in some way. Did not happen.
When I saw the premise for this book I was excited, what could be more interesting and intriguing than one of the most influential and powerful women in all of history living in our current world? I have always loved the strong women that have shaped the world, naming my oldest daughter Catherine Elizabeth for Catherine the Great and Queen Elizabeth. This book seemed to hit all my interests and I couldn’t wait to see how this turned out.
The book begins with Dakota Wynfred, a brilliant scientist with multiple degrees and her discovery of time travel. During her trip, you find that she is a child of two people that are anti. Establishment and that one of her parents most treasured memories is when her mom wrapped herself naked in an American Flag and lit it on fire. Wait what?!?
The book kind of went into the fire for a majority of the book, completely sucking any joy out of it. While I thought that this was a book about running for president, hand picking a strong powerful proven woman from the past and seeing not only how they could fix problems in our society, but how they would adapt, it’s not what I ultimately thought it was. Instead it was a way to slam and denigrate republicans as it says in the book how they ruined the country and on and on with this. I powered through, hoping that Queen Bess could overcome the hate going at a certain type of person, it failed.
So if you want to read a book that stereotypes half of the United States, lumping them all into a certain bracket, regardless of their color sex Or orientation then this may be something you like.
This was my first book by this author and will be my only. The only reason I didn’t DNF was because I was hoping to see a redemption in some way. Did not happen.
November 23, 2024
Note: Because the character named Vlakas in this book is obviously meant to stand in for former President Trump, I have used “Trump” instead of “Vlakas” in my rant review below to make my points clearer.
The book��s premise sounded fun: replace an authoritarian male president with a female version of the same thing. Queen Elizabeth I was the epitome of an absolute monarch who answered to no one, not even Parliament. She had her cousin and rival Mary, Queen of Scots, beheaded to eliminate the threat to her sovereignty. Elizabeth soon emerged as the 16th-century version of Trump. However, as I read, I began to notice that characteristics portrayed as dictatorial, imperious, autocratic, and tyrannical in a man were presented as courageous, noble, valiant, and resourceful in a woman.
Once I recognized that two different standards were being applied, I couldn’t help but compare Elizabeth’s “virtues” with Trump’s “corruption.” Try it: substitute Trump’s team for Elizabeth’s (and vice versa) to compare each side’s supposed strengths and weaknesses. The two world leaders are actually quite similar in attitude, values, and policies, yet Elizabeth is shown as a courageous head of state while Trump swaggers around like a pompous autocrat. Both are egotistical, intolerant, rude, demanding, arrogant, domineering, impulsive, ruthless… not so different from each other after all. But Elizabeth transforms into a savvy, benevolent, skillful politician, whereas Trump remains, well, you know.
Example: Elizabeth is racist and homophobic? Oh, that’s because she was raised in a time and place in which everyone was racist and homophobic. If we explain things to her, she will see the error of her ways, renounce her bigoted points of view, and promptly embrace diversity in every area of life. But when Trump is denounced as racist and homophobic, the tone is completely different. We are told nothing about his background or upbringing, but it doesn’t matter because he’s depraved and wicked and will never change.
Example: When confronted with Trump’s border policies against Mexico, Elizabeth reveals she hates the Spanish so much she won’t even tolerate hearing their language spoken. Her proudest moment came when she defeated the Spanish Armada to save England from being overrun with foreigners. Elizabeth reasonably asks, “Thy president is enjoined to secure the borders of these United States of America. Is’t not reasonable for him to protect the country’s southern border from people who are not citizens?” But after she is told that Trump puts children in cages, a horrified Elizabeth immediately reverses her stance against all forms of border security. Really? Children’s rights were nonexistent in Elizabethan England. She saw nothing wrong with executing children as young as seven for stealing, yet detaining children in custody until they can be deported is beyond her tolerance for injustice? Unlikely, except in this book.
Lastly, why is no present-day woman qualified to run for president, while a murdering despot from 400 years ago is deemed the only suitable candidate? It's insulting. Given the virtually unlimited resources poured into Elizabeth’s illegal presidential campaign (she is not a U.S. citizen; she is a foreign national with several conspicuous quirks that arouse suspicion about her origins), why is no alternative legitimate candidate even considered? Apparently, tampering with the Constitution is fine if you disagree with the current president but a serious crime otherwise. This is especially ironic because Trump is usually the person accused of subverting the Constitution. I won’t spoil the ending by continuing this line of thought, but if ever a pot called a kettle black, this is it.
Elizabeth and Trump are virtually identical in every way, except that Elizabeth is female while Trump is male. I originally suspected the author did this on purpose to highlight the two candidates’ similarities in a parody of the American election system: vote for either candidate and get the same result. But then Elizabeth is elevated to sainthood while Trump is plunged into political hell, and I began to doubt my parody theory. I have no idea if what I just read was parody or sermon. It was, however, a compelling study of unacknowledged bias in our political mindset.
The book��s premise sounded fun: replace an authoritarian male president with a female version of the same thing. Queen Elizabeth I was the epitome of an absolute monarch who answered to no one, not even Parliament. She had her cousin and rival Mary, Queen of Scots, beheaded to eliminate the threat to her sovereignty. Elizabeth soon emerged as the 16th-century version of Trump. However, as I read, I began to notice that characteristics portrayed as dictatorial, imperious, autocratic, and tyrannical in a man were presented as courageous, noble, valiant, and resourceful in a woman.
Once I recognized that two different standards were being applied, I couldn’t help but compare Elizabeth’s “virtues” with Trump’s “corruption.” Try it: substitute Trump’s team for Elizabeth’s (and vice versa) to compare each side’s supposed strengths and weaknesses. The two world leaders are actually quite similar in attitude, values, and policies, yet Elizabeth is shown as a courageous head of state while Trump swaggers around like a pompous autocrat. Both are egotistical, intolerant, rude, demanding, arrogant, domineering, impulsive, ruthless… not so different from each other after all. But Elizabeth transforms into a savvy, benevolent, skillful politician, whereas Trump remains, well, you know.
Example: Elizabeth is racist and homophobic? Oh, that’s because she was raised in a time and place in which everyone was racist and homophobic. If we explain things to her, she will see the error of her ways, renounce her bigoted points of view, and promptly embrace diversity in every area of life. But when Trump is denounced as racist and homophobic, the tone is completely different. We are told nothing about his background or upbringing, but it doesn’t matter because he’s depraved and wicked and will never change.
Example: When confronted with Trump’s border policies against Mexico, Elizabeth reveals she hates the Spanish so much she won’t even tolerate hearing their language spoken. Her proudest moment came when she defeated the Spanish Armada to save England from being overrun with foreigners. Elizabeth reasonably asks, “Thy president is enjoined to secure the borders of these United States of America. Is’t not reasonable for him to protect the country’s southern border from people who are not citizens?” But after she is told that Trump puts children in cages, a horrified Elizabeth immediately reverses her stance against all forms of border security. Really? Children’s rights were nonexistent in Elizabethan England. She saw nothing wrong with executing children as young as seven for stealing, yet detaining children in custody until they can be deported is beyond her tolerance for injustice? Unlikely, except in this book.
Lastly, why is no present-day woman qualified to run for president, while a murdering despot from 400 years ago is deemed the only suitable candidate? It's insulting. Given the virtually unlimited resources poured into Elizabeth’s illegal presidential campaign (she is not a U.S. citizen; she is a foreign national with several conspicuous quirks that arouse suspicion about her origins), why is no alternative legitimate candidate even considered? Apparently, tampering with the Constitution is fine if you disagree with the current president but a serious crime otherwise. This is especially ironic because Trump is usually the person accused of subverting the Constitution. I won’t spoil the ending by continuing this line of thought, but if ever a pot called a kettle black, this is it.
Elizabeth and Trump are virtually identical in every way, except that Elizabeth is female while Trump is male. I originally suspected the author did this on purpose to highlight the two candidates’ similarities in a parody of the American election system: vote for either candidate and get the same result. But then Elizabeth is elevated to sainthood while Trump is plunged into political hell, and I began to doubt my parody theory. I have no idea if what I just read was parody or sermon. It was, however, a compelling study of unacknowledged bias in our political mindset.
August 23, 2025
Maria Vetrano’s Queen Bess: A Tudor Comes to Save America is a smart blend of history, science fiction, and political satire. The premise reminded me of Michael Crichton’s Timeline, though with less of the technical detail. Dakota Wynfred, a curious mix of Elon Musk and Bill Gates, reimagined through a strong female lens, sets the stage for an audacious experiment: persuading Queen Elizabeth I to join the 21st century and save American democracy.
I found myself wishing for even more scenes from Elizabeth’s Tudor world and deeper glimpses into her persuasion and adaptation because those parts were so intriguing. What made this especially enjoyable for me was that both Dakota and Elizabeth are strong, powerful women who carry the story with energy and conviction. By the time Elizabeth begins to step into modern politics at the end, the stage is perfectly set for the next volume.
It’s entertaining, fresh, and hard to put down. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bold mix of history and science fiction.
I found myself wishing for even more scenes from Elizabeth’s Tudor world and deeper glimpses into her persuasion and adaptation because those parts were so intriguing. What made this especially enjoyable for me was that both Dakota and Elizabeth are strong, powerful women who carry the story with energy and conviction. By the time Elizabeth begins to step into modern politics at the end, the stage is perfectly set for the next volume.
It’s entertaining, fresh, and hard to put down. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bold mix of history and science fiction.
December 31, 2024
I just plowed through Maria Vetrano's debut novel, 'Queen Bess: A Tudor Comes to Save America.' I never knew how fascinating a person that Queen Elizabeth was, how powerful and self determined a person. A spicy redhead, Queen Elizabeth came to answer the question, "How do we find an amazing person to lead our country and stop all this madness?" This book describes the artful transfer or the Tudor Queen to modern day, her make over into a praiseworthy candidate for President. The ensemble cast has delightful synergy. Misunderstandings over language are hilarious. The noble character of Bess is undeniable through her dental and social makeover. One thing is for sure: this feisty ginger is not going to let a power hungry, capricious madman take over the nation. Lots of fun, with room for more, on this fast moving adventure from glory to greatness.
February 2, 2025
Interesting premise, weak execution. This book was all about Elizabeth’s acclimation to the 21st century; despite the subtitle, there wasn’t anything about the “Save America” part. Should i be expecting a sequel? I could actually see a trilogy: Bess comes forward in time, Bess campaigns, President Bess. Strengthening this guess is how one kind of important character was dropped - will they become book 2’s villain?
I also have to wonder how much difference there really is between Dakota and the broligarchy. Does being a progressive absolve from the crime of buying political power? I’m looking forward to a book club discussion.
Lastly, the constant name dropping of luxury brands got real old real fast. Smacking me in the face with the stratification of power in our supposedly classless society rather defeats the author’s point.
I also have to wonder how much difference there really is between Dakota and the broligarchy. Does being a progressive absolve from the crime of buying political power? I’m looking forward to a book club discussion.
Lastly, the constant name dropping of luxury brands got real old real fast. Smacking me in the face with the stratification of power in our supposedly classless society rather defeats the author’s point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2025
In tackling a dark topic in dark times, Vetrano delivers a clever plot, likeable and characters (save the unlikeable villain) with humorous flair. Love how she uses pop culture to teach QE1 about the present. The book gets better as it goes along. Just when I start to question the validity of a concept she provides a viable loophole. Queen Bess is a page turner and leaves the reader anticipating part 2! Can’t wait to read the next adventures of Dakota and her team!
I have a first edition copy and my sole criticism is that she could use a better copyeditor! Time travel is difficult to pull off and there were a few discrepancies that had me looking up references. Don’t let this keep you from enjoying this fun read! Hopefully they will be addressed in the second printing. Otherwise it would have been five stars.
I have a first edition copy and my sole criticism is that she could use a better copyeditor! Time travel is difficult to pull off and there were a few discrepancies that had me looking up references. Don’t let this keep you from enjoying this fun read! Hopefully they will be addressed in the second printing. Otherwise it would have been five stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews