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Designed to Fail
Frederik of Denmark, the son of King Christian IV, is the new governor of the new province of Westphalia and harbors the dark suspicion that the Swedes who now dominate central Europe deliberately designed the province so that he would not succeed in his assignment, thus undermining his father’s position. Problems are everywhere! Religious fragmentation, cities demanding imperial status, jurisdictional disputes among the nobility and between the nobility and the common folk—there’s no end to it.
And then matters get still more complicated. Annalise Richter, a student at the famous Abbey of Quedlinburg, wants Frederik to correct an injustice. Her mentor, the Abbess of Quedlinburg, is being prevented from running for a seat in the House of Commons because she is, well, not a commoner. Surely Frederik can do something to fix this wrong! The prince is of two minds. On the one hand—being very much his father’s son—he has developed a great passion for the marvelous young woman. He is determined to marry her. On the other hand . . . she’s Catholic. A bit of a problem, that, for a Lutheran prince. But there’s worse. She’s also the younger sister of Gretchen Richter. Yes, that Gretchen Richter.
At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).
And then matters get still more complicated. Annalise Richter, a student at the famous Abbey of Quedlinburg, wants Frederik to correct an injustice. Her mentor, the Abbess of Quedlinburg, is being prevented from running for a seat in the House of Commons because she is, well, not a commoner. Surely Frederik can do something to fix this wrong! The prince is of two minds. On the one hand—being very much his father’s son—he has developed a great passion for the marvelous young woman. He is determined to marry her. On the other hand . . . she’s Catholic. A bit of a problem, that, for a Lutheran prince. But there’s worse. She’s also the younger sister of Gretchen Richter. Yes, that Gretchen Richter.
At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 22, 2022
Axel Oxenstierna does not like Denmark He does not like the king, the nobility or the people in general. So when it is time to set up governors of areas of the new United States of Europe, this Swedish courtier had convinced both the Swedish king and the American Mike Stearns that one of the sons of the Danish king should have the job in the new province of Westphalia. (See the Baltic War for more details)
Young Frederik has some military training, a good deal of education for the 1600s, strong Lutheran training as a religious official but almost no knowledge of how to govern. Oxenstierna wants him to fail. He knows this and for most of the early chapters seems to dive headfirst into the deep end of this task with lead weights on his body.
But as were struggle threw many very boring pages of unimportant side stories it is obvious that Frederik is a smarter person that many believe but a very private person. He thinks things through, reviews the information he gets, reevaluates his plans and then acts. Unlike many in this alternate historical series, he does not take part in every public forums available. In fact his small but growing staff have problems with his silence as to why things are being done. They get their work done but also have to face the critical public reactions which do not seem to faze the governor. He just does not seem to care how others see him as long as they do what he says. And as things go, he is slowly getting Westphalia into shape and causing some concerns amongst other politicians (nobles) that his ideas and plans are working and might even work in their bailiwicks.
Young Frederik has some military training, a good deal of education for the 1600s, strong Lutheran training as a religious official but almost no knowledge of how to govern. Oxenstierna wants him to fail. He knows this and for most of the early chapters seems to dive headfirst into the deep end of this task with lead weights on his body.
But as were struggle threw many very boring pages of unimportant side stories it is obvious that Frederik is a smarter person that many believe but a very private person. He thinks things through, reviews the information he gets, reevaluates his plans and then acts. Unlike many in this alternate historical series, he does not take part in every public forums available. In fact his small but growing staff have problems with his silence as to why things are being done. They get their work done but also have to face the critical public reactions which do not seem to faze the governor. He just does not seem to care how others see him as long as they do what he says. And as things go, he is slowly getting Westphalia into shape and causing some concerns amongst other politicians (nobles) that his ideas and plans are working and might even work in their bailiwicks.
January 1, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I am a big fan of the 1632 universe, and this would be a tough place to begin for someone not familiar with it. The story follows a side plot, that of a King Christian's second son Frederick as he becomes governor of a province.
I liked following the way Frederick follows problems and comes up with solutions - often be telling someone else it is their problem to solve. I also like how it shows just how messy and interconnected our history really is, unlike those stories that assume the hero is a genius and just cuts through all the problems with their wit or their military prowess.
I have read several other works from Virginia, and I think that this is her best work.
I liked following the way Frederick follows problems and comes up with solutions - often be telling someone else it is their problem to solve. I also like how it shows just how messy and interconnected our history really is, unlike those stories that assume the hero is a genius and just cuts through all the problems with their wit or their military prowess.
I have read several other works from Virginia, and I think that this is her best work.
January 1, 2021
Another Background Character Come To Life
Amidst the ever growing flood from the Ring of Fire I am increasingly a fan of Virginia DeMarce's fill in the blanks novels. Duke Frederick of Westfalia has been part of the background and I am glad to have met him. Add a little romance and a lot of the domestic RoC consequences that the mainline books no longer have space for and I found it to have a great ROI. It may even complicate the politics in the next Polish novel: how long till Gretchen's sudden rank and status as sister in law to the Danish royal family raises doubts among the younger CoC true believers?
Amidst the ever growing flood from the Ring of Fire I am increasingly a fan of Virginia DeMarce's fill in the blanks novels. Duke Frederick of Westfalia has been part of the background and I am glad to have met him. Add a little romance and a lot of the domestic RoC consequences that the mainline books no longer have space for and I found it to have a great ROI. It may even complicate the politics in the next Polish novel: how long till Gretchen's sudden rank and status as sister in law to the Danish royal family raises doubts among the younger CoC true believers?
January 10, 2021
Well I sure wondered what I got myself into wth this book when I started. A book about a paper shuffling bureaucrat of all things! The book grows on you and day by day I looked more and more forward to reading more. It does help that I have read extensively in the Ring of Fire world so I knew what various references, events and any number of people were all about. At first I figured the book was a two or three star, but now it is definitely a four or five star and as as you see I settled on four. Good Book!
December 20, 2020
Virginia's Best yet!
Another fine addition to the 1632 series of novels. Here we learn about the usually mentioned only in passing Governor Frederik of the province of Westphalia, a quiet competent reserved man very different from his father ChristianIV of Denmark.
Another fine addition to the 1632 series of novels. Here we learn about the usually mentioned only in passing Governor Frederik of the province of Westphalia, a quiet competent reserved man very different from his father ChristianIV of Denmark.
December 30, 2020
Boring but smart
Educational alternative history novel. Less interesting than almost all other writings in the Granville series. Possibly most interesting is the song choices for heavily uptime based series of concerts and a military action involving horned cattle and irritated geese.
Educational alternative history novel. Less interesting than almost all other writings in the Granville series. Possibly most interesting is the song choices for heavily uptime based series of concerts and a military action involving horned cattle and irritated geese.
February 13, 2021
Finally,more theology than accounts of battles...
Virgiinia DeMarce is one of my favorite authors in the Ring of Fire. She has the ability to talk about music, theology, and history, weaving them all together into a captivating story that I found impossible to put down. BRAVA!
Virgiinia DeMarce is one of my favorite authors in the Ring of Fire. She has the ability to talk about music, theology, and history, weaving them all together into a captivating story that I found impossible to put down. BRAVA!
March 5, 2021
Interesting political situations presented in an understandable way.
There was little drama and it was hard to keep track of who was who.However, I did enjoy the story. I hope it's a prequel to what's coming next.
There was little drama and it was hard to keep track of who was who.However, I did enjoy the story. I hope it's a prequel to what's coming next.
March 12, 2021
Frederik of Denmark, the son of King Christian IV, has been made the governor of the new province of Westphalia. DeMarce gives you ALL the background you need to recognize Frederick is in it deep. Another great side story in the ROF.
August 26, 2021
Like with other DeMarce books I get confused with all the characters and all the names. This one compounds the problem with lots of locations and lots of rulers. I don't have the patience or memory for it.
January 11, 2025
Families!
I loved this. OK so it is hard to follow all the family entanglements, but that's the point. How society works, it's just fun. I hope there is a sequel, I want to see how this works out.
I loved this. OK so it is hard to follow all the family entanglements, but that's the point. How society works, it's just fun. I hope there is a sequel, I want to see how this works out.
December 26, 2020
The heir to the Danish throne is sent to govern a dysfunctional province.
January 11, 2021
Ms DeMarce writes a good story laced with scattered humor. I found it difficult to follow and keep track of all the characters and descriptions of relations and locations. CMac
October 31, 2021
Long & drawn out.
Lots of characters doing a great deal of explaining why & how events occurred. Sonewhat interesting but also quite boring in sections.
Lots of characters doing a great deal of explaining why & how events occurred. Sonewhat interesting but also quite boring in sections.
April 26, 2022
German \English dictionary get the behind me.
The love story was great along with the music. The first part of the book was very confusing but directly represented the big trouble.
The love story was great along with the music. The first part of the book was very confusing but directly represented the big trouble.
July 25, 2022
Much ado
I like the interplay and dialog between the characters. Very well done and a pleasure to read. Plot(s)moves along sturdily. Enjoyable.
I like the interplay and dialog between the characters. Very well done and a pleasure to read. Plot(s)moves along sturdily. Enjoyable.
September 12, 2024
Frederick gets his way
As 2nd son of the Danish king, Frederick gets the jobs that no one else wants. He gets all the leftovers after important nobles get their choice.
As 2nd son of the Danish king, Frederick gets the jobs that no one else wants. He gets all the leftovers after important nobles get their choice.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews