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Anne of Brittany #1
Anne and Charles
“An enchanting blend of royalty, young love, and the French Renaissance.”—Publishers Weekly
“A historically sharp and dramatically stirring love story.”—Kirkus Reviews
When Anne of Brittany's father dies in 1488, she becomes Duchess of Brittany, her country's ruler at age eleven. For the next three years, the unmarried, orphaned duchess is relentlessly pursued by suitors while Brittany is invaded by its larger, more powerful neighbor of France. With no other way out, at age fourteen she agrees to marry Charles VIII, King of France, to save her country. Better to be a queen than a prisoner...
Unexpectedly, a passionate relationship ensues. Yet Charles cannot shake off bad habits he has brought into their marriage, and Anne cannot help him in his darkest area of struggle.
Together, they introduce the wonders of the Italian Renaissance to France, building one of Europe’s most glorious 15th century courts at their royal residence in Amboise, in the heart of the Loire Valley.
But year after year they fail to achieve the one most important aim they must accomplish to secure the future of their kingdom. As they desperately attempt to make their shared dream come true, an unexpected twist of fate irrevocably changes the fortunes of both Anne and Charles.
Anne and Charles is Book One of the Anne of Brittany Series, the gripping story of the only woman in history to be twice crowned queen of France.
“A historically sharp and dramatically stirring love story.”—Kirkus Reviews
When Anne of Brittany's father dies in 1488, she becomes Duchess of Brittany, her country's ruler at age eleven. For the next three years, the unmarried, orphaned duchess is relentlessly pursued by suitors while Brittany is invaded by its larger, more powerful neighbor of France. With no other way out, at age fourteen she agrees to marry Charles VIII, King of France, to save her country. Better to be a queen than a prisoner...
Unexpectedly, a passionate relationship ensues. Yet Charles cannot shake off bad habits he has brought into their marriage, and Anne cannot help him in his darkest area of struggle.
Together, they introduce the wonders of the Italian Renaissance to France, building one of Europe’s most glorious 15th century courts at their royal residence in Amboise, in the heart of the Loire Valley.
But year after year they fail to achieve the one most important aim they must accomplish to secure the future of their kingdom. As they desperately attempt to make their shared dream come true, an unexpected twist of fate irrevocably changes the fortunes of both Anne and Charles.
Anne and Charles is Book One of the Anne of Brittany Series, the gripping story of the only woman in history to be twice crowned queen of France.
356 pages, ebook
Published January 22, 2018
501 people are currently reading
1247 people want to read
About the author
Rozsa Gaston
19 books93 followersROZSA GASTON writes books on women who reach for what they want out of life. Her focus is on 16th century European female rulers.
GASTON studied history at Yale, and then received her master's degree in international affairs from Columbia. She lives in Bronxville, NY with her family. Be sure to follow her on Bookbub for the latest on special offers. https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rozsa...
Her motto? History matters.
GASTON studied history at Yale, and then received her master's degree in international affairs from Columbia. She lives in Bronxville, NY with her family. Be sure to follow her on Bookbub for the latest on special offers. https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rozsa...
Her motto? History matters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 6, 2020
This was a great book. I don't understand some of the lower ratings, because this is exactly what the first book in a series should be. It was the set-up of Anne's early life and the story of her first marriage. The characters were well-developed, the narratives were good and the history was interesting. It was good writing and good reading and I am definitely moving on to the next in the series.
November 30, 2019
Very neat read
It put together the world at that time amongst the rulers and creates an easy picture of the time, that honors all the players. It should be posted with stories of Henry the 8th, to give a simple, lovely understanding of that fascinating time.
It put together the world at that time amongst the rulers and creates an easy picture of the time, that honors all the players. It should be posted with stories of Henry the 8th, to give a simple, lovely understanding of that fascinating time.
June 28, 2023
A truly unique book that covers of King Charles VIII of France and his marriage to Anne, Duchess of Brittany.
It is a true story reading like a fairytale with well crafted characters. Anne, a truly brilliant woman totally focused on protecting the people of Brittany.
Clearly an incredible story about a marriage important in European history. What was especially interesting was the sparkling dialogue,
A lively, fast paced story, true to historical detail that brings the forgotten queen to life.
I recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
.
It is a true story reading like a fairytale with well crafted characters. Anne, a truly brilliant woman totally focused on protecting the people of Brittany.
Clearly an incredible story about a marriage important in European history. What was especially interesting was the sparkling dialogue,
A lively, fast paced story, true to historical detail that brings the forgotten queen to life.
I recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
.
February 21, 2022
I can't believe I read this and I forgot to do a review. Jessica recommended this to me and she's never wrong about books. LOL. This was a great read for a lot of reasons. For one, it's a subject very few historical fiction writers write on. There's millions of books about Anne Boleyn and Henry the 8th, and Mary Queen of Scots and some of the very well-known figures but it's very very very difficult to find someone who writes good about these lesser-known historical characters. I kept going back to keep reading even when I was going to quit for the day because I just wanted to know what happened! This queen was really written well...you felt like you were in her head as she determined to make the marriage work and really did have true affection for her husband even though those marriages are not usually love matches. I just thought it was very different and unusual and a writing style that you don't much see. I've been lucking out finding good authors lately and Ms. Gaston is definitely one of them!
June 23, 2018
Marketing is important, whether that is through literary prizes (such Pulitzer/Man Booker, Noble, etc.), blogs, adverts, etc.. Without this it would be impossible to discover new authors; probably one of the greatest joys in the world of book reading.
This book was recommended to me by Amazon on the front page of my Kindle. And while I don't expect Amazon adverts to carry the same weight as a prestigious literature prize, it would be nice if a major, important, global-scale company such as Amazon didn't push self-published, mediocre rubbish.
I think it would be fair to say at this point that Amazon adverts represent a blacklist of books and authors to avoid. It's tragic that this blacklist is so much more prominent than relevant marketing streams.
This is a shit book. And the author should give up writing.
This book was recommended to me by Amazon on the front page of my Kindle. And while I don't expect Amazon adverts to carry the same weight as a prestigious literature prize, it would be nice if a major, important, global-scale company such as Amazon didn't push self-published, mediocre rubbish.
I think it would be fair to say at this point that Amazon adverts represent a blacklist of books and authors to avoid. It's tragic that this blacklist is so much more prominent than relevant marketing streams.
This is a shit book. And the author should give up writing.
March 8, 2018
4.5/5.0
romance for the ages, Ms. Gaston masterfully conveys the passion, heartbreak, and determination of this royal couple.
Read full review in the 2018 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
romance for the ages, Ms. Gaston masterfully conveys the passion, heartbreak, and determination of this royal couple.
Read full review in the 2018 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
June 8, 2021
Anne and Charles: Passion and Politics in Late Medieval France
By Rosza Gaston
June 8, 2021
This review contains spoilers for those not familiar the life of Anne of Brittany. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
Anne and Charles is the first in a four book series about the life of Anne of Brittany, who lived from 1477 to 1514. Book 1 tells the story from the time of her father’s death, leaving her an heiress at the age 11, through her marriage to French King Charles VIII.
Unlike France, where Salic Law was enforced which excluded females from dynastic succession, Brittany operated under a less rigid form that allowed females to succeed if there was no male heir, and that is how Anne of Brittany, orphaned at the age of 11, becomes Duchess of Brittany and one of the wealthiest heiresses of her time. France has long had its eye on bringing Brittany into the fold (and not always by friendly means), so when Anne’s father, Duke Francis, dies, France under the command of the young King Charles VIII, invades Brittany, capturing and laying siege to a number of towns.
To counter the French aggression, Anne is married to the recently widowed Habsburg Archduke Maximilian, the ceremony being performed by proxy, the two never actually meeting in person to consummate the marriage. But the hoped-for support from Maximilian never comes, and that’s where the story opens.
While besieged in the city of Rennes, Anne receives a request from the French king for a tournament, something to lighten the mood. It seems that Charles has a strong romantic and chivalric streak (one of his reasons for suggesting a tourney between foes), and once he meets the head-strong, confident duchess, he is taken in by her beauty and intelligence, and is determined to win her. No matter that she is technically married to Archduke Maximilian, it is a marriage in name only and according to a treaty her father signed is in fact null and void.
Anne is also taken by the young French king, but not because he is handsome. He is not; he is short of stature, his nose is too long, and his head too big. He is, however, sincere and wants to do the right thing, and their courtship ensues. Anne is at first reluctant; she fears that accepting Charles would force her to give up her position of Duchess of Brittany and make her and Brittany subjects of the French king, but the expected help from her “husband” Maximilian has never come. In fact, he never even bothers to write to his “wife”, and so at the urging of her advisors she renounces the faux marriage to Maximilian and agrees to marry Charles and in December of 1491 the couple are wed in an elaborate ceremony.
In a way, this is a kind of coming of age story. At the time of her marriage to Charles, Anne is only 14 years old – plenty old enough to be married by medieval standards among royals and nobility. Charles is older, but only 21, having only just entered into his majority and thrown off the yoke of his older sister (also named Anne) who has been regent since the death of their father, Louis XI, in 1483. There’s an old saying about opposites attracting, and that seems to be the case with Anne and Charles. While Anne is the younger of the two, she is more emotionally mature. She was raised by her father to be assertive, to reason problems through, and above all to protect the rights of Brittany. Charles, because of his homely appearance, has grown up lacking in confidence, but under his new wife’s encouragement, his self-assurance grows. The two enjoy married life and find pleasure in the bedroom where Anne learns she is able to influence her husband’s decision making.
Although there are many happy times as the young couple grow and mature, there are also sad times. While Anne is able to easily conceive (something important, nay essential, in a queen consort), only two of the six children born to the couple live past the day they are born, and even the two sons who survive childbirth don’t live that much longer. Charles also has a roving eye. Like the rock stars of today, he is always having women throw themselves at him…and while he truly loves his wife, this guy just can’t say no. The saddest part, though, is Charles’ sudden and unexpected death at only 28, leaving Anne with no family to turn to – no parents, no siblings, no children, and no husband. But that’s hardly the end of Anne’s story, as three more books attest, and her next husband will also be a king.
The author’s writing style is smooth and easy, at times causing me to chuckle at the playful antics of the young couple, or getting misty-eyed during their times of sadness. Was the marriage of the real Anne and Charles really a happy one? I don’t know, but after reading this book I’d like to think it was. But no matter, I am very much looking forward to reading the next volume in this series.
By Rosza Gaston
June 8, 2021
This review contains spoilers for those not familiar the life of Anne of Brittany. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
Anne and Charles is the first in a four book series about the life of Anne of Brittany, who lived from 1477 to 1514. Book 1 tells the story from the time of her father’s death, leaving her an heiress at the age 11, through her marriage to French King Charles VIII.
Unlike France, where Salic Law was enforced which excluded females from dynastic succession, Brittany operated under a less rigid form that allowed females to succeed if there was no male heir, and that is how Anne of Brittany, orphaned at the age of 11, becomes Duchess of Brittany and one of the wealthiest heiresses of her time. France has long had its eye on bringing Brittany into the fold (and not always by friendly means), so when Anne’s father, Duke Francis, dies, France under the command of the young King Charles VIII, invades Brittany, capturing and laying siege to a number of towns.
To counter the French aggression, Anne is married to the recently widowed Habsburg Archduke Maximilian, the ceremony being performed by proxy, the two never actually meeting in person to consummate the marriage. But the hoped-for support from Maximilian never comes, and that’s where the story opens.
While besieged in the city of Rennes, Anne receives a request from the French king for a tournament, something to lighten the mood. It seems that Charles has a strong romantic and chivalric streak (one of his reasons for suggesting a tourney between foes), and once he meets the head-strong, confident duchess, he is taken in by her beauty and intelligence, and is determined to win her. No matter that she is technically married to Archduke Maximilian, it is a marriage in name only and according to a treaty her father signed is in fact null and void.
Anne is also taken by the young French king, but not because he is handsome. He is not; he is short of stature, his nose is too long, and his head too big. He is, however, sincere and wants to do the right thing, and their courtship ensues. Anne is at first reluctant; she fears that accepting Charles would force her to give up her position of Duchess of Brittany and make her and Brittany subjects of the French king, but the expected help from her “husband” Maximilian has never come. In fact, he never even bothers to write to his “wife”, and so at the urging of her advisors she renounces the faux marriage to Maximilian and agrees to marry Charles and in December of 1491 the couple are wed in an elaborate ceremony.
In a way, this is a kind of coming of age story. At the time of her marriage to Charles, Anne is only 14 years old – plenty old enough to be married by medieval standards among royals and nobility. Charles is older, but only 21, having only just entered into his majority and thrown off the yoke of his older sister (also named Anne) who has been regent since the death of their father, Louis XI, in 1483. There’s an old saying about opposites attracting, and that seems to be the case with Anne and Charles. While Anne is the younger of the two, she is more emotionally mature. She was raised by her father to be assertive, to reason problems through, and above all to protect the rights of Brittany. Charles, because of his homely appearance, has grown up lacking in confidence, but under his new wife’s encouragement, his self-assurance grows. The two enjoy married life and find pleasure in the bedroom where Anne learns she is able to influence her husband’s decision making.
Although there are many happy times as the young couple grow and mature, there are also sad times. While Anne is able to easily conceive (something important, nay essential, in a queen consort), only two of the six children born to the couple live past the day they are born, and even the two sons who survive childbirth don’t live that much longer. Charles also has a roving eye. Like the rock stars of today, he is always having women throw themselves at him…and while he truly loves his wife, this guy just can’t say no. The saddest part, though, is Charles’ sudden and unexpected death at only 28, leaving Anne with no family to turn to – no parents, no siblings, no children, and no husband. But that’s hardly the end of Anne’s story, as three more books attest, and her next husband will also be a king.
The author’s writing style is smooth and easy, at times causing me to chuckle at the playful antics of the young couple, or getting misty-eyed during their times of sadness. Was the marriage of the real Anne and Charles really a happy one? I don’t know, but after reading this book I’d like to think it was. But no matter, I am very much looking forward to reading the next volume in this series.
April 27, 2020
Three and a half stars is probably more accurate. This first in a three-novel series by Rozsa Gaston about Anne of Brittany (1477-1514) gets my resounding "OK". While I succeeded in my goal of learning more about this Duchess of Brittany and twice Queen of France -- I can't say it was as engrossing as I'd hoped.
Anne herself is an interesting character, becoming ruler of Brittany at the age of 11. Engaged at the time to Maximilian I (the Holy Roman Emperor) who provides absolutely NO aid in Anne's struggle for power and control against King Charles VIII of France -- Anne opts to solve her own problems by abandoning Maximilian and marrying Charles instead at 14 - becoming BOTH Duchess of Brittany and Queen of France. And teaching Max a good lesson.
According to Gaston, Anne and Charles' story becomes one based on true love story and mutual respect, despite many losses the two suffer together. This novel ends with the premature death of Charles (at the age of 27), setting the stage for the second novel in the series, ANNE AND LOUIS: PASSION AND POLITICS IN EARLY RENAISSANCE FRANCE. That Louis is King Louis XII of France, who succeeds Charles.
The portrait of Anne that Gaston creates is of a self-confident, highly-educated, and competent leader - with many more gifts than her older, but weaker husband. It's Anne who provides the guidance Charles needs to come into his own. That certainly made them an interesting pair - with an unusual power dynamic for Medieval Europe.
What appeals to me about historical fiction is getting to know the people who made history. So for me, the most interesting parts of this novel were those that centered on the relationships Anne had. First, with members of her family, and later, with Charles. The least appealing parts were those having to do with Charles's campaign to regain the throne of Naples and his serial infidelity.
I do plan to read the next two novels in the series - so I will know more about how the rest of Anne's life plays out. And I'm hoping they hold my interest more consistently than this one.
Anne herself is an interesting character, becoming ruler of Brittany at the age of 11. Engaged at the time to Maximilian I (the Holy Roman Emperor) who provides absolutely NO aid in Anne's struggle for power and control against King Charles VIII of France -- Anne opts to solve her own problems by abandoning Maximilian and marrying Charles instead at 14 - becoming BOTH Duchess of Brittany and Queen of France. And teaching Max a good lesson.
According to Gaston, Anne and Charles' story becomes one based on true love story and mutual respect, despite many losses the two suffer together. This novel ends with the premature death of Charles (at the age of 27), setting the stage for the second novel in the series, ANNE AND LOUIS: PASSION AND POLITICS IN EARLY RENAISSANCE FRANCE. That Louis is King Louis XII of France, who succeeds Charles.
The portrait of Anne that Gaston creates is of a self-confident, highly-educated, and competent leader - with many more gifts than her older, but weaker husband. It's Anne who provides the guidance Charles needs to come into his own. That certainly made them an interesting pair - with an unusual power dynamic for Medieval Europe.
What appeals to me about historical fiction is getting to know the people who made history. So for me, the most interesting parts of this novel were those that centered on the relationships Anne had. First, with members of her family, and later, with Charles. The least appealing parts were those having to do with Charles's campaign to regain the throne of Naples and his serial infidelity.
I do plan to read the next two novels in the series - so I will know more about how the rest of Anne's life plays out. And I'm hoping they hold my interest more consistently than this one.
December 9, 2022
This was another one of Jesse's recommendations. OMG...l read it straight through. I have not done that with a book in a long time! No one writes on this period and the few who do don't get it correct. This author brings it home! l have to read the rest of these. That ending was something! I never saw that coming. I won't do a spoiler but I didn't know that about Charles! What a freak thing to happen! Yikes, that's kind of a spoiler but you still don't know what it was.
March 1, 2022
Okay, I obviously missed the first one in the series. For some reason I thought there were only three. But, then again I'm stupid like that. Jessica recommended these to me and I thought I read them all. I have to remember to rate the others too. They're all excellent! ***** Spoiler alert ***** I was shocked in this one when Charles died and how he died though!
April 23, 2025
I enjoyed Rozsa Gaston's approach to writing. I love how to brought the fiercely independent and wise Anne of Brittany to life. I'll be reading the entire series.
February 9, 2020
Edit: Added a couple of other thoughts I had about this book that I forgot when writing this review at 4 am.
Anne of Brittany was vaguely on my radar-- I guess I knew she existed, she was the wife of Louis XII, son of my boy Charles d'Orléans-- until last year I discovered Alan Simon's rock opera Anne de Bretagne, instantly making me fall in love with her and set out to find as much about her as I could. This and its sequels are some of the few historical novels about her (at least in English) I've been able to find.
It's not a terrible book, despite my low rating. It follows events well from what I can recall, though it falls into the usual historical fiction pit of relying too much on the narrator to give exposition rather than the characters to express themselves. I was hoping, since it's billed as a romance, that it would at least read as a romance even though I don't really like the genre, but it ended up being a lot of telling the reader what's happening rather than it actually happening, until the end.
Anne is... not that interesting in this. In fact I got really kind of annoyed with her, because as soon as she marries Charles VIII she is completely content to have sex and make babies and that's it. No huge internal conflict over being married to the guy who was not too long before her enemy, no time getting to know the kind of dorky king. Granted I started this book a while back and only just now got around to finishing it so I might have forgotten some things, but nothing really stood out.
Charles was an ass. I can't stand the thing where the narration and even the character themselves claims they love someone, and then in turn is unfaithful. Yes it was common practice to have mistresses but in the universe of a romance novel it was really quite grating that it kept talking about Charles's roving eye. I'm supposed to think this is a love story and not a political match between two nobles who happen to like having sex with each other? Not that there's much sex actually, it's not graphic at all except for euphemistic references to Charles's.... masculine anatomy. It may be because I myself am asexual, but I feel like if the only way you can think of spending time with your partner is in bed, you need to reevaluate some things. Charles can't seem to think of spending time with Anne in any other way than having sex, even when she's recovering from her first pregnancy or tragically many following deaths of their children, both of them are anxiously awaiting when they can do it again and hopefully this time get an heir. Yes I know male heirs are important, but... even in the middle ages people liked having kids for the sake of family! This all just really grated on me and made me less inclined to ship them.
Though Charles does begin to improve, but by then it's too late. But Anne... I will say the ending is really good and makes me hopeful for the next installments, especially since I know she became far more active as Qyeen of France and Dugez Breizh while married to Louis. I don't want to spoil the ending (except for well major history spoiler Charles hits his head on a low doorframe and dies) because it's actually really good and is a moment of YES THIS IS THE ANNE I LOVE.
Historical accuracy... It seems okay for the most part, I don't know a ton about Anne's early life so there wasn't anything massive I noticed. I liked that there was a bibliography in the back, but I'm a little worried to say the least, considering it cites a freelance blog (which I actually have read, it's pretty good, but not an academic source), several historical novels (including Anya Seton's Katherine, which has, uh, nothing to do with Anne's era), Philippa Gregory, and Alison Weir. Not exactly the bibliography I would like, but there were some decent nonfiction sources there too. But still, not something I'd use, or accept from any of my students back when I taught history.
Edit: After I posted this review I recalled a couple issues I had with the book that I'd forgotten while writing the initial review: the casual ableism and homophobia. Again, standards of historical fiction of this era. Early on when Anne is married by proxy to Maximilian, there's a rumor that's apparently true in universe that he's gay and I have no idea where this comes from, I did some cursory research and couldn't find anything about this claim. So why the random vaguely homophobic attitude that's briefly slipped in for no reason? Also, the treatment of Joan, Louis's wife/Charles's sister-- Joan was indeed disabled somehow and thought to be sterile, so her father married her to Louis d'Orleans in an attempt to prevent the house of Orleans from having any heirs, so her being mentioned checks out, but can you not keep talking about her like she's some kind of freak? Please?
I do look forward to reading the other books because I love Anne and know her story gets far more interesting, and I'm interested in seeing how Gaston develops it and if she gives Anne the nuance and respect she's due. We'll see.
Anne of Brittany was vaguely on my radar-- I guess I knew she existed, she was the wife of Louis XII, son of my boy Charles d'Orléans-- until last year I discovered Alan Simon's rock opera Anne de Bretagne, instantly making me fall in love with her and set out to find as much about her as I could. This and its sequels are some of the few historical novels about her (at least in English) I've been able to find.
It's not a terrible book, despite my low rating. It follows events well from what I can recall, though it falls into the usual historical fiction pit of relying too much on the narrator to give exposition rather than the characters to express themselves. I was hoping, since it's billed as a romance, that it would at least read as a romance even though I don't really like the genre, but it ended up being a lot of telling the reader what's happening rather than it actually happening, until the end.
Anne is... not that interesting in this. In fact I got really kind of annoyed with her, because as soon as she marries Charles VIII she is completely content to have sex and make babies and that's it. No huge internal conflict over being married to the guy who was not too long before her enemy, no time getting to know the kind of dorky king. Granted I started this book a while back and only just now got around to finishing it so I might have forgotten some things, but nothing really stood out.
Charles was an ass. I can't stand the thing where the narration and even the character themselves claims they love someone, and then in turn is unfaithful. Yes it was common practice to have mistresses but in the universe of a romance novel it was really quite grating that it kept talking about Charles's roving eye. I'm supposed to think this is a love story and not a political match between two nobles who happen to like having sex with each other? Not that there's much sex actually, it's not graphic at all except for euphemistic references to Charles's.... masculine anatomy. It may be because I myself am asexual, but I feel like if the only way you can think of spending time with your partner is in bed, you need to reevaluate some things. Charles can't seem to think of spending time with Anne in any other way than having sex, even when she's recovering from her first pregnancy or tragically many following deaths of their children, both of them are anxiously awaiting when they can do it again and hopefully this time get an heir. Yes I know male heirs are important, but... even in the middle ages people liked having kids for the sake of family! This all just really grated on me and made me less inclined to ship them.
Though Charles does begin to improve, but by then it's too late. But Anne... I will say the ending is really good and makes me hopeful for the next installments, especially since I know she became far more active as Qyeen of France and Dugez Breizh while married to Louis. I don't want to spoil the ending (except for well major history spoiler Charles hits his head on a low doorframe and dies) because it's actually really good and is a moment of YES THIS IS THE ANNE I LOVE.
Historical accuracy... It seems okay for the most part, I don't know a ton about Anne's early life so there wasn't anything massive I noticed. I liked that there was a bibliography in the back, but I'm a little worried to say the least, considering it cites a freelance blog (which I actually have read, it's pretty good, but not an academic source), several historical novels (including Anya Seton's Katherine, which has, uh, nothing to do with Anne's era), Philippa Gregory, and Alison Weir. Not exactly the bibliography I would like, but there were some decent nonfiction sources there too. But still, not something I'd use, or accept from any of my students back when I taught history.
Edit: After I posted this review I recalled a couple issues I had with the book that I'd forgotten while writing the initial review: the casual ableism and homophobia. Again, standards of historical fiction of this era. Early on when Anne is married by proxy to Maximilian, there's a rumor that's apparently true in universe that he's gay and I have no idea where this comes from, I did some cursory research and couldn't find anything about this claim. So why the random vaguely homophobic attitude that's briefly slipped in for no reason? Also, the treatment of Joan, Louis's wife/Charles's sister-- Joan was indeed disabled somehow and thought to be sterile, so her father married her to Louis d'Orleans in an attempt to prevent the house of Orleans from having any heirs, so her being mentioned checks out, but can you not keep talking about her like she's some kind of freak? Please?
I do look forward to reading the other books because I love Anne and know her story gets far more interesting, and I'm interested in seeing how Gaston develops it and if she gives Anne the nuance and respect she's due. We'll see.
January 18, 2024
This is a sort of silly account of Anne and Charles but I liked it anyway! I’m a fan of Brittany and always wanted to know more about Breton history. This book has whetted my appetite farther.
Read
February 1, 2019Richly detailed, historic and romantic.
Want to read
July 17, 2023https://www.tiktok.com/@rozsagastonbo...
𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗦 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 - Publishers Weekly compares Anne and Charles to Philippa Gregory's Plantagenet and Tudor novels. Stock your bookshelf and escape to 1491 in France's Loire Valley with the tale of Anne of Brittany's marriage to Charles VIII of France.
𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗦 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 - Publishers Weekly compares Anne and Charles to Philippa Gregory's Plantagenet and Tudor novels. Stock your bookshelf and escape to 1491 in France's Loire Valley with the tale of Anne of Brittany's marriage to Charles VIII of France.
September 10, 2019
I enjoyed this book as I have read a bit about Anne of Brittany but nothing on her relationship with Charles. It had a lot of narrative in it, which is my favorite, with the right balance of description (who doesn't enjoy historical fiction without descriptions of the gowns, the gardens, and, of course, the food).
The author has a smooth and easy flowing writing style and, like others, it is hard to put the book down. I would have rated it a 5 but, again like others, there was a bit of repetition which I found unnecessary.
A definite recommend as I go on to Book #2 of the series.
The author has a smooth and easy flowing writing style and, like others, it is hard to put the book down. I would have rated it a 5 but, again like others, there was a bit of repetition which I found unnecessary.
A definite recommend as I go on to Book #2 of the series.
April 21, 2021
Anne & Charles
This is a wonderful historical novel allowing the reader learn more about daily living as well as the inner workings of the royals in the 1400s. As a side note it is a beautiful love story as you see the relationship between the young Queen & King & the heartbreak of not being able to have a family. Enjoyable fast read
This is a wonderful historical novel allowing the reader learn more about daily living as well as the inner workings of the royals in the 1400s. As a side note it is a beautiful love story as you see the relationship between the young Queen & King & the heartbreak of not being able to have a family. Enjoyable fast read
June 24, 2019
The Passion Of Kings
I love novels involving real-life historic figures.
I enjoy looking back to ages past, realizing that human nature hasn't changed very much except for the worst....
I love novels involving real-life historic figures.
I enjoy looking back to ages past, realizing that human nature hasn't changed very much except for the worst....
March 15, 2020
Great historical novel
Enjoyed reading this fictional account of the loves between two young monarchs based on true chariacters of medieval Europe
If you enjoyed Victoria series you’ll love this book
Enjoyed reading this fictional account of the loves between two young monarchs based on true chariacters of medieval Europe
If you enjoyed Victoria series you’ll love this book
May 27, 2020
So readable and relatable
I loved the story of Anne and Charles, peers who found love if not babies.Both characters are complex , yet l pulled for them every step of the way. Cannot wait to read the sequel.
I loved the story of Anne and Charles, peers who found love if not babies.Both characters are complex , yet l pulled for them every step of the way. Cannot wait to read the sequel.
July 2, 2018
Great reading
I knew nothing of Ann of Brittany before reading this book. It was fascinating and has inspired me to learn more of her.
I knew nothing of Ann of Brittany before reading this book. It was fascinating and has inspired me to learn more of her.
August 6, 2018
Rounding up from 3.5 because it's such a neglected subject matter.
January 27, 2019
A good story about one of the less popular, but important Queens of France.
June 19, 2021
I felt I was transported in time while reading this!
August 15, 2023
Anne and Charles, first in the Anne of Brittany series by Rozsa Gaston. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Anne and Charles and I am looking forward to the next two books in the series. This is a sweet, historical love story about the marriage between Anne, Duchess of Brittany, and Charles XII of France: a marriage that served several political agendas, but became a bonafide romance. For Charles, the marriage served to acquire control of Brittany, to escape the bridal of his domineering sister, and, finally, a romantic conquest to a woman with whom he is clearly attracted. For Anne, the marriage served as an acceptable “surrender” to the military superiority of France, provided a male presence (in a medieval patriarchal world), and provided a husband who adored and respected her.
The book takes the reader through the trials and tribulations of this brief marriage. Gaston guides, her readers through the heart breaks, and the breakthroughs that this very young couple experienced while following the historical outline of their 15th century lives, primarily (in my opinion) through the eyes of Anne - it is, after all, an Anne series.
I am looking forward to the next two books. Anne became a ruling Duchess at the age of 11 and is only about 18 at this book’s conclusion. I have a feeling that there is much to come.
I really enjoyed Anne and Charles and I am looking forward to the next two books in the series. This is a sweet, historical love story about the marriage between Anne, Duchess of Brittany, and Charles XII of France: a marriage that served several political agendas, but became a bonafide romance. For Charles, the marriage served to acquire control of Brittany, to escape the bridal of his domineering sister, and, finally, a romantic conquest to a woman with whom he is clearly attracted. For Anne, the marriage served as an acceptable “surrender” to the military superiority of France, provided a male presence (in a medieval patriarchal world), and provided a husband who adored and respected her.
The book takes the reader through the trials and tribulations of this brief marriage. Gaston guides, her readers through the heart breaks, and the breakthroughs that this very young couple experienced while following the historical outline of their 15th century lives, primarily (in my opinion) through the eyes of Anne - it is, after all, an Anne series.
I am looking forward to the next two books. Anne became a ruling Duchess at the age of 11 and is only about 18 at this book’s conclusion. I have a feeling that there is much to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2021
Me tomo mucho tiempo terminar este libro, la historia de Ana de Bretaña es prometedora pero definitivamente esta no es la mejor novela de ficción historia que eh leído, nunca conecte con la protagonista ni con su gran amor, en muchos momentos lo abandone por que no tenia impaciencia de seguir leyendo no es una historia atrapante pero para nada, el matrimonio de Ana y Carlos históricamente no fue exactamente una gran historia de amor y la novela tampoco logra un gran romance, aunque trata de dibujar el personaje de Ana como una joven fuerte no se refleja en la historia ella y Carlos se casan por motivos políticos pero terminan amándose, no es un mal libro pero es bastante regular, Ana de Bretaña históricamente tuvo una vida muy interesante y vivió mas de una tragedia huérfana a los 11 encargada de un ducado lleno de amenazas fue dos veces reina de Francia aunque el libro solo cubre su primer matrimonio aun así esperaba ver mas de Ana su historia sus luchas pero no este libro es aburrido .
August 2, 2023
I know very little about French history and Brittany but this historical fiction book about Anne of Brittany and Charles Vlll of France has increased my interest.
Anne was the only woman to be queen consort of France two times. She was married to Charles and later to Louis Xll after the death of Charles. She had a proxy marriage to Maximilian I of Austria. Married to Charles at the age of 14, she had seven children who died at birth or young.
The names of the characters in the book, I believe, were all historical.
The book has pictures of many of the historical people and also the wedding of Anne and Charles.
I read it from my library check-out on my computer.
It was well written and I gave it a 5 star rating.
Anne was the only woman to be queen consort of France two times. She was married to Charles and later to Louis Xll after the death of Charles. She had a proxy marriage to Maximilian I of Austria. Married to Charles at the age of 14, she had seven children who died at birth or young.
The names of the characters in the book, I believe, were all historical.
The book has pictures of many of the historical people and also the wedding of Anne and Charles.
I read it from my library check-out on my computer.
It was well written and I gave it a 5 star rating.
March 23, 2019
I gave this book a 3 it was good, but it was hard to get through. I have never read anything about the history of Charles VIII & Anne of Brittany. So I really wanted to get through it.
I had to put it down a lot because it was very redundant. The characters constantly questioned themselves, it seemed every paragraph ended with a question.
I found it very hard to picture what the characters looked like. There was no descriptions & what was described was repetitive.
I do not believe it historically correct that they would have used, 'Your Majesty.' It actually wasnt used until 1520. Charles V was the first, and it was when he became Holy Roman Emperer, and Henry VIII King of England.
They would have used "my lord'," "highness," "your grace"
I had to put it down a lot because it was very redundant. The characters constantly questioned themselves, it seemed every paragraph ended with a question.
I found it very hard to picture what the characters looked like. There was no descriptions & what was described was repetitive.
I do not believe it historically correct that they would have used, 'Your Majesty.' It actually wasnt used until 1520. Charles V was the first, and it was when he became Holy Roman Emperer, and Henry VIII King of England.
They would have used "my lord'," "highness," "your grace"
May 22, 2022
Informative as well as entertaining!
Gaston has much knowledge of the time period which she has mixed with her talent of writing to make this story intriguing. Anne experienced much loss in her life and such sorrow that you wonder how she was able to endure the burden. But the love between Anne and Charles surely helped her through and losing him is such a shock to her that it makes you want to read the next book in the series. I applaud Rozsa Gaston for portraying the Reign of Charles in such a romantic and exceptional light that the reader just wants more at the end of the last page. Bravo!
Gaston has much knowledge of the time period which she has mixed with her talent of writing to make this story intriguing. Anne experienced much loss in her life and such sorrow that you wonder how she was able to endure the burden. But the love between Anne and Charles surely helped her through and losing him is such a shock to her that it makes you want to read the next book in the series. I applaud Rozsa Gaston for portraying the Reign of Charles in such a romantic and exceptional light that the reader just wants more at the end of the last page. Bravo!
July 22, 2022
Amazing true story, well fictionalized
Especially liked that it accurately portrayed the religious sentiments of the people at the time and how seriously they took it. I dislike the fact that I had to be told repeatedly various facts about the characters. Once is sufficient, twice I can understand (in case the author thinks that the reader has lost track of them), but more than that is a bit insulting although I think it might be accidental. Maybe a good editor can help with that.
Especially liked that it accurately portrayed the religious sentiments of the people at the time and how seriously they took it. I dislike the fact that I had to be told repeatedly various facts about the characters. Once is sufficient, twice I can understand (in case the author thinks that the reader has lost track of them), but more than that is a bit insulting although I think it might be accidental. Maybe a good editor can help with that.
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