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Dreams of Power: The Story of Cynethryth, the First Lady of the English
Women have always had a tough time in politics. Over twelve hundred years ago, Cynethryth ruled with Offa to become one of the most powerful couples in English history. And although she's the only Anglo-Saxon queen to have coinage issued in her name, she is remembered today only for her purported murder of a fellow king. Was she an infamous monster, or is this only how she appeared to the (male) chroniclers of her day? Read her story and you decide, but his-story is not always the same as her-story. ( this book deals with adult topics and situations.)
404 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2015
42 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 2, 2016
THIS BOOK WAS EVEN BETTER THRN HER LAST ONE!
I read the authors first book ( Lost Dreams ) and I was unable to put that book down. This book was amazing. The author, Jayne Stone writes her books so well. Again, I was unable to put this book down as well. She makes it easy to read. As I have read a lot of historical novels where you can't keep up because of how it is written. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. I can't wait for her next book to come out!!!
Karen Weisman -K-
Dania Beach, FL.
I read the authors first book ( Lost Dreams ) and I was unable to put that book down. This book was amazing. The author, Jayne Stone writes her books so well. Again, I was unable to put this book down as well. She makes it easy to read. As I have read a lot of historical novels where you can't keep up because of how it is written. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. I can't wait for her next book to come out!!!
Karen Weisman -K-
Dania Beach, FL.
May 19, 2018
I found this book an enjoyable read and I really like how the author writes her story as well. I liked it so much that I finished it all in about a day. I've read her other series The Last Pagan Queen and Killer Queen part I and waiting for Part II to come out. I like how it has quotes from women of the past between chapters and shows the story of Cynethryth from her troubled past to her time as Queen and so forth. You can't leave out the transition from the time of the worship of the old Gods and Goddesses and the conflicts to the Christian church during the time period and it is all woven well to make a very good story to follow. If you are a history buff I think you should enjoy this book.
November 3, 2017
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September 15, 2017
Very well written
Author Jayne Stone has a real talent. The story moves on at a pace that holds your attention and keeps you turning pages.
That being said, parts of the book contain unpleasant actions by characters you expect to like. If you can get past that, you'll enjoy this book.
Author Jayne Stone has a real talent. The story moves on at a pace that holds your attention and keeps you turning pages.
That being said, parts of the book contain unpleasant actions by characters you expect to like. If you can get past that, you'll enjoy this book.
March 5, 2018
Excellent story-telling
This work of historical fiction takes readers on an exciting, heart-breaking, and ultimately joyful experience. Stone does an amazing job of describing Cynethryth's life, thoughts and dreams, and making a wholly empathetic character.
This work of historical fiction takes readers on an exciting, heart-breaking, and ultimately joyful experience. Stone does an amazing job of describing Cynethryth's life, thoughts and dreams, and making a wholly empathetic character.
July 24, 2020
Great Historical Drama
This was my first experience reading Jayne Stone but it won't be my last. Historically based fiction is my favorite genre and she does not disappoint! I'm ready for a screen adaptation !
This was my first experience reading Jayne Stone but it won't be my last. Historically based fiction is my favorite genre and she does not disappoint! I'm ready for a screen adaptation !
May 8, 2017
tongue in cheek, very cheeky story
This is an nteresting historical novel, told from contemporary first person point of view often with modern and irreverent satirical humor.
This is an nteresting historical novel, told from contemporary first person point of view often with modern and irreverent satirical humor.
November 26, 2017
I don’t know why I persisted. Boring and not very well written. I only read it because it had a nice cover
April 30, 2016
Queen of Mercia
Engrossing story of King Offa's wife and queen; Cynethryth. Written almost as a narrative, through the eyes of Cynethryth, from about age 12 years.
This book was written in an unusual fashion, the author blending authentic historical speech at times with modern, albeit, passe' motivational quotes we have heard that may inspire a chuckle or hope within us. At first this annoyed me, as I read on, she wove the story well enough that I actually looked forward to the next quote, even attempting to guess which it would be. Oddly, I found it amusing and quite enjoyed her style.
Regarding the story of this woman's life, she endured more than her fair share of heartache, pain, loss, and trials. She also rose to heights of wealth, power, joy, riches of love, and laughter that I frequently wonder how some achieve such gifts while others are never blessed with. Bittersweet would be a way to describe her life in one word. Possibly. Although, historically, she has been viewed as an evil woman, if even part of this were an accurate portrayal, (this is the first book I have read regarding this woman, so I am not versed enough to make judgements), Who could blame her for any of the sins she has been condemned of? As I see it, there have been far more grievous acts done by men in history for much less cause, then Cynethryth had done regarding the one accused act of murder. It is appalling to me, that the gender barriers continue. Men continue their condemnations towards women even in our supposedly modern times. Men who have caused multiple acts of murder and mayhem, to a woman's one-time act of vengeance seems quite unbalanced. Sadly, it's the way of humankind, isn't it?
I recommend this read wholeheartedly, though, a little less enthusiastically to women such as myself, who find error with easy forgiveness if culprits happen to have a penis. It just inflames our ire at the injustice.
Engrossing story of King Offa's wife and queen; Cynethryth. Written almost as a narrative, through the eyes of Cynethryth, from about age 12 years.
This book was written in an unusual fashion, the author blending authentic historical speech at times with modern, albeit, passe' motivational quotes we have heard that may inspire a chuckle or hope within us. At first this annoyed me, as I read on, she wove the story well enough that I actually looked forward to the next quote, even attempting to guess which it would be. Oddly, I found it amusing and quite enjoyed her style.
Regarding the story of this woman's life, she endured more than her fair share of heartache, pain, loss, and trials. She also rose to heights of wealth, power, joy, riches of love, and laughter that I frequently wonder how some achieve such gifts while others are never blessed with. Bittersweet would be a way to describe her life in one word. Possibly. Although, historically, she has been viewed as an evil woman, if even part of this were an accurate portrayal, (this is the first book I have read regarding this woman, so I am not versed enough to make judgements), Who could blame her for any of the sins she has been condemned of? As I see it, there have been far more grievous acts done by men in history for much less cause, then Cynethryth had done regarding the one accused act of murder. It is appalling to me, that the gender barriers continue. Men continue their condemnations towards women even in our supposedly modern times. Men who have caused multiple acts of murder and mayhem, to a woman's one-time act of vengeance seems quite unbalanced. Sadly, it's the way of humankind, isn't it?
I recommend this read wholeheartedly, though, a little less enthusiastically to women such as myself, who find error with easy forgiveness if culprits happen to have a penis. It just inflames our ire at the injustice.
January 18, 2017
Absolutely intriguing
Picturesque descriptions of the life in the seventh century leads the reader through a lifetime narrative of one lady's destiny and the smart way she survived. I especially enjoyed the quotes used at the beginning of each chapter hinting to the correlation of significance in any period of life.
Picturesque descriptions of the life in the seventh century leads the reader through a lifetime narrative of one lady's destiny and the smart way she survived. I especially enjoyed the quotes used at the beginning of each chapter hinting to the correlation of significance in any period of life.
July 7, 2016
One of the best English historical I have ever read!
It was a great read. I could not put it down. The images of the lives of the characters was unforgettable.
It was a great read. I could not put it down. The images of the lives of the characters was unforgettable.
April 18, 2017
4.5
A little long, but well written and witty. Kept my attention and had a tear jerking ending. Learned a lot about people I didn't know existed. Really interesting.
A little long, but well written and witty. Kept my attention and had a tear jerking ending. Learned a lot about people I didn't know existed. Really interesting.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews