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Shakespeare’s Queens #2
Fire Queen
The world knows Ophelia as Hamlet's troubled lover; but behind Shakespeare's tragedy stands a real woman: this is her story . . .
The second novel in the new historical fiction series from the bestselling author of the Queens of Conquest, Joanna Courtney's new trilogy unearths the real women behind Shakespeare's most infamous queens.
The second novel in the new historical fiction series from the bestselling author of the Queens of Conquest, Joanna Courtney's new trilogy unearths the real women behind Shakespeare's most infamous queens.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2019
8 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Courtney
14 books203 followersMy first literary accolade was a creative writing prize at primary school and from that point on I wanted to be a novelist. I was always reading as a child and often made up stories for my brother and sister on long car journeys. I was also a huge Enid Blyton fan and by ten I was writing my own (doubtless terrible) boarding school novels. Perhaps inevitably, I took my degree in English literature and it was at Cambridge, specialising in medieval literature, that I first discovered what has become a true passion for ancient history.
I took a sidestep after university to work in a wonderful textiles factory in Lancashire - a move that led me to my lovely husband, but didn't satisfy my yearning to write. Married and living in Derbyshire, however, I took up my pen again in the sparse hours available between raising my two stepchildren and two more of my own. At that hectic time, I primarily wrote shorter fiction and I've had well over 200 stories and serials published in women's magazines. As my children began to grow up and then leave home, however, I have had more time to write.
My passion is freeing women from either the obscurity or the mistruths of male-dominated history. My first trilogy, The Queens of the conquest, is about the women fighting to be Queen of England in 1066 - Edyth of Mercia, wife of King Harold; Elizaveta of Kiev; wife of Harald Hardrada; and Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror.
My second explores the true story of three of Shakespeare's most famous - and most maligned heroines - Lady Macbeth, Ophelia and Cordelia.
I also write WW2 fiction as Anna Stuart.
I took a sidestep after university to work in a wonderful textiles factory in Lancashire - a move that led me to my lovely husband, but didn't satisfy my yearning to write. Married and living in Derbyshire, however, I took up my pen again in the sparse hours available between raising my two stepchildren and two more of my own. At that hectic time, I primarily wrote shorter fiction and I've had well over 200 stories and serials published in women's magazines. As my children began to grow up and then leave home, however, I have had more time to write.
My passion is freeing women from either the obscurity or the mistruths of male-dominated history. My first trilogy, The Queens of the conquest, is about the women fighting to be Queen of England in 1066 - Edyth of Mercia, wife of King Harold; Elizaveta of Kiev; wife of Harald Hardrada; and Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror.
My second explores the true story of three of Shakespeare's most famous - and most maligned heroines - Lady Macbeth, Ophelia and Cordelia.
I also write WW2 fiction as Anna Stuart.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 8, 2025
This fantastic book is the 2nd book of the "Shakespeare's Queens" trilogy, featuring Ophelia and Hamlet, by the author, Joanna Courtney.
At the beginning of the book you'll find Ancient Royal Lines, being the one of the Danish Royal Line, the Bernician Royal Line and the Dal Riatan Royal Line, as well as a well-drawn map of Denmark in the 6th/7th Century, while at the end of the book you'll notice very well documented Historical notes, where a lot of historical details concerning this tale are wonderfully explained.
Storytelling is of a superb quality, all the figures who're featuring in this wonderful story, whether they are real historical or great fictional ones, come vividly to life in a very believable humanlike fashion, and the places and surroundings in Denmark and Bernicia are beautifully pictured in this book.
This second outing will tell us the story of Ophelia, in the book Ofelia, the constable, shield-maiden, protector and lover, but not the wife of the High King of Denmark, Hamlet.
The book starts off with a short prologue set in Aarhus, Denmark, AD 592, and is mainly featuring Ofelia while attending the funeral of her father when all of a sudden her mother commits herself to the funeral pyre to be united with her husband, and that action from her mother will determine Ofelia's future life.
The main story starts off in Aarhus, October AD 601, until October, AD 604, and it will tell us the (love) story between Ofelia and Hamlet, who after being driven out of Denmark by the treacherous new King, Feng, towards Bernicia, where they will embark on a journey of life and death while being at the court of King Aethelfrith of Bernicia, including wars against the Dal Riatan and eventually total victory over them, until Hamlet can finally head back, with enough warriors and with his two wives, Rosa of Bernicia and Mairi of Dal Riata, to Denmark in an attempt to reclaim the High Kingship with the help of Ofelia.
What will follow is a splendid historical human tale, a tale that is based on Shakespeare's wonderful play, but in this story Hamlet and Ofelia are pictured as sincerely decent and strongly passionate individuals while fighting for each other, and when loving each other in the hope their desires will be fulfilled whether in the domestic or Royal purposes in life, and I think this has been done in a way the great Shakespeare would have been proud of.
Highly recommended, for this is a fabulous historical rendition of one of Shakespeare's Ladies, this time Ophelia or Ofelia, and one that I would like to call as: "A Terrific Fiery Royal Tale"!
At the beginning of the book you'll find Ancient Royal Lines, being the one of the Danish Royal Line, the Bernician Royal Line and the Dal Riatan Royal Line, as well as a well-drawn map of Denmark in the 6th/7th Century, while at the end of the book you'll notice very well documented Historical notes, where a lot of historical details concerning this tale are wonderfully explained.
Storytelling is of a superb quality, all the figures who're featuring in this wonderful story, whether they are real historical or great fictional ones, come vividly to life in a very believable humanlike fashion, and the places and surroundings in Denmark and Bernicia are beautifully pictured in this book.
This second outing will tell us the story of Ophelia, in the book Ofelia, the constable, shield-maiden, protector and lover, but not the wife of the High King of Denmark, Hamlet.
The book starts off with a short prologue set in Aarhus, Denmark, AD 592, and is mainly featuring Ofelia while attending the funeral of her father when all of a sudden her mother commits herself to the funeral pyre to be united with her husband, and that action from her mother will determine Ofelia's future life.
The main story starts off in Aarhus, October AD 601, until October, AD 604, and it will tell us the (love) story between Ofelia and Hamlet, who after being driven out of Denmark by the treacherous new King, Feng, towards Bernicia, where they will embark on a journey of life and death while being at the court of King Aethelfrith of Bernicia, including wars against the Dal Riatan and eventually total victory over them, until Hamlet can finally head back, with enough warriors and with his two wives, Rosa of Bernicia and Mairi of Dal Riata, to Denmark in an attempt to reclaim the High Kingship with the help of Ofelia.
What will follow is a splendid historical human tale, a tale that is based on Shakespeare's wonderful play, but in this story Hamlet and Ofelia are pictured as sincerely decent and strongly passionate individuals while fighting for each other, and when loving each other in the hope their desires will be fulfilled whether in the domestic or Royal purposes in life, and I think this has been done in a way the great Shakespeare would have been proud of.
Highly recommended, for this is a fabulous historical rendition of one of Shakespeare's Ladies, this time Ophelia or Ofelia, and one that I would like to call as: "A Terrific Fiery Royal Tale"!
August 30, 2022
Ho amato il personaggio di Ofelia, una donna forte, fortissima che per amore sacrificherebbe tutto, nonostante faccia tutto in silenzio. Una regina di fuoco in tutti i sensi che affronta tante cose con coraggio e tantissima forza. Ma soprattutto una donna-guerriero che farebbe di tutto pur di preservare Amleto. Tante lotte, tanti troni e tanto sangue: lei non si abbatterà MAI!
Un libro che tiene incollati ed è impossibile stancarsene, sono davvero felice di averlo letto perché la scrittrice ci restituisce, in maniera romanzata, questa figura di donna che una fanciulla debole e priva di senno, la trasforma come una donna forte, vibrante di vita e di indomito coraggio.
Un libro che tiene incollati ed è impossibile stancarsene, sono davvero felice di averlo letto perché la scrittrice ci restituisce, in maniera romanzata, questa figura di donna che una fanciulla debole e priva di senno, la trasforma come una donna forte, vibrante di vita e di indomito coraggio.
December 14, 2019
Eh.
I just really wanna love Joanna Courtney's books because she writes about everything I love and it makes me sad that we just don't gel
January 11, 2020
I love this series about Shakespeares queens .
This version of hamlet is based more in historical fact and I really enjoyed Ophelias role in Hamlets life.
This version of hamlet is based more in historical fact and I really enjoyed Ophelias role in Hamlets life.
October 13, 2020
I loved Shakespeare’s Hamlet growing up and really enjoyed this adaptation of Ophelia.
My favourite line in the whole book is the very last one in the historical notes:
“It has been a joy for me to release Ofelia from the shackles of Shakespeare’s rather wet interpretation of her character and to her into the world as a strong, vibrant and exciting woman”
My favourite line in the whole book is the very last one in the historical notes:
“It has been a joy for me to release Ofelia from the shackles of Shakespeare’s rather wet interpretation of her character and to her into the world as a strong, vibrant and exciting woman”
September 14, 2021
Come per Regina di Sangue questa non è la storia dei personaggi che consociamo tramite Shakespeare. E in questo caso sicuramente questa non è la storia della stessa Ofelia e dello stesso Amleto. È una riscrittura molto ben fatta e anche storicamente giustificata della versione Shakespeariana ma diametralmente diversa.
Impossibile non innamorarsi di questa Ofelia.
Impossibile non innamorarsi di questa Ofelia.
June 21, 2020
I really loved the strong women in the story and the friendships between them, though sometimes strained. I don’t really know much of Hamlet but this retelling was such a great read. I wanted it to keep going....
November 18, 2020
Being a fan of historical fiction, I thought this would be a great piece of literature that both entertains and explains some of the intricacies during the the turn of the 600s and implementation of Christianity. It was a little longer than what I'm used to but I thought I'd give it a go. I was thoroughly disappointed with the writing style and characters. I enjoyed the premise - a strong independent she-warrior who chooses the sword over the heart but Ofelia is not shown to have any promising characteristics other than stubbornness and a lack of empathy. The interactions between her and Hamlet seemed too unrealistic and the introduction of Flora and Mairi felt like obstacles to the plot rather than additions. The biggest thing about the novel that struck out to me was the pacing. For a 400 page book, the amount of actual plot was small compared to the fluff that surrounds it. The fight scenes were a paragraph long and the pointless interactions were pages longer.
On the other hand, I did really like the setting and the way Courtney made reference to Christianity and the confusion it would have provided the pagan Danes. However beside the setting, I felt like not much else was reminiscent of the 600s (not that I would know); that I wasn't so much transported back in time but was frightfully aware that I was reading a novel. At times, I cringed at how Flora seemed to lose her quirky character after meeting Hamlet as if Hamlet was the sole reason the women surrounding him were alive, and despite being largely true to the rhetoric, this rendition was meant to inspire a different, more independent Ofelia.
Overall, I'm sure this historical fiction spoke to many readers but it just didn't do it for me.
On the other hand, I did really like the setting and the way Courtney made reference to Christianity and the confusion it would have provided the pagan Danes. However beside the setting, I felt like not much else was reminiscent of the 600s (not that I would know); that I wasn't so much transported back in time but was frightfully aware that I was reading a novel. At times, I cringed at how Flora seemed to lose her quirky character after meeting Hamlet as if Hamlet was the sole reason the women surrounding him were alive, and despite being largely true to the rhetoric, this rendition was meant to inspire a different, more independent Ofelia.
Overall, I'm sure this historical fiction spoke to many readers but it just didn't do it for me.
February 15, 2020
Having read the first of the authors Shakespeare’s Queens books I was keen to read this.
This book tells the story of Ofelia, the constable, right hand ‘man’ and lover of Hamlet. Though she steadfastly refuses to be his wife. Ofelia is a wonderful character, strong, damaged and perfect for Hamlet though she doesn’t see it. It is also refreshing to have a female character who doesn’t conform to a stereotypical ‘female’ role within a historical fiction story.
The characters in this book are wonderfully drawn and I really cared about them. The historical setting is also very interesting and there are some useful family trees and maps in the front to help keep names and places straight.
My only quibbles are that Hamlet and Ofelia deserved a better fate, and Mairi was just plain annoying! (Though in fairness she has to be for the purposes of the story)
Another excellent read.
This book tells the story of Ofelia, the constable, right hand ‘man’ and lover of Hamlet. Though she steadfastly refuses to be his wife. Ofelia is a wonderful character, strong, damaged and perfect for Hamlet though she doesn’t see it. It is also refreshing to have a female character who doesn’t conform to a stereotypical ‘female’ role within a historical fiction story.
The characters in this book are wonderfully drawn and I really cared about them. The historical setting is also very interesting and there are some useful family trees and maps in the front to help keep names and places straight.
My only quibbles are that Hamlet and Ofelia deserved a better fate, and Mairi was just plain annoying! (Though in fairness she has to be for the purposes of the story)
Another excellent read.
February 6, 2021
This is supposedly the untold story of Ophelia (Ofelia). However this is so far removed from Shakespeare's Ophelia that the comparison seems pointless. The plot loosely follows Shakespeare's and the known history of the time. Near the end of the story Hamlet has 2 wives (Queens) and Ofelia as his long term lover. I found the character of this Ofelia unpleasant and at times jarringly modern. The most interesting character would be Lars, (I suspect Shakespeare's Horatio) the true friend, the kind man, the observer. The final chapter of the story is almost a little cliched with its 'happy ever after' feel, especially for Flora. But she was one character I did enjoy reading about her story. But we are no closer to understanding Shakespeare's Ofelia.
January 18, 2022
Due stelline. Ma solo per l'idea. La ricerca delle origini delle grandi eroine di Shakespeare è ottima. Peccato che il risultato sia qualcosa tra un romace vichingo e un romanzo storico. Faticoso, noioso, scontato. Ofelia sa di già visto e a volte persino di troppi visto. Ho faticato a finirlo e non mi ha lasciato nulla. Dolce Ofelia aspetti ancora che qualcuno racconti la tua voce.
August 15, 2020
I always travelling history and the world in my books and this was no exception.
Thank you Joanna it was great to see Hamlet and his family in a different light, cant wait for Iron Queen.
August 26, 2021
A retelling of the Hamlet story (but not the Shakespear version), with Ofelia as the focus rather than Hamlet.
Instead of being a weak, silly girl, Ofelia in this novel is a warrior and Hamlet's right hand fighter. A tragedy in her childhood haunts Ofelia to act and feel in a certain way through her young adult life. She's fierce, determined and respected as a fighter. She's also fearful of allowing herself to feel emotion towards anyone, particularly Hamlet. She lives her life on her own terms but at a price and ultimately learns a terrible lesson.
Hamlet, far from being the young prince who pretends madness, has to accept a different path than after his father is murdered. he returns to Denmark with an army to support him and two wives, neither of which is the woman he really wanted to marry.
All in all, this novel is brilliant. It is a good representation of the times and doesn't shy away from the brutality. The reason it lost it's fifth star was that for me, there was just too much pointless scenes of 'rutting' (as Ofelia would put it).
Instead of being a weak, silly girl, Ofelia in this novel is a warrior and Hamlet's right hand fighter. A tragedy in her childhood haunts Ofelia to act and feel in a certain way through her young adult life. She's fierce, determined and respected as a fighter. She's also fearful of allowing herself to feel emotion towards anyone, particularly Hamlet. She lives her life on her own terms but at a price and ultimately learns a terrible lesson.
Hamlet, far from being the young prince who pretends madness, has to accept a different path than after his father is murdered. he returns to Denmark with an army to support him and two wives, neither of which is the woman he really wanted to marry.
All in all, this novel is brilliant. It is a good representation of the times and doesn't shy away from the brutality. The reason it lost it's fifth star was that for me, there was just too much pointless scenes of 'rutting' (as Ofelia would put it).
December 9, 2022
🇮🇹
Vorrei poter dare zero stelle. Sembra una di quelle orride fanfiction che puoi trovare su wattpad.
Questa "Ophelia" non convince per nulla, ripetitiva e fastidiosa. È la personificazione del concetto "Io non sono come le altre ragazze", concetto che sarebbe ora di lasciarsi alle spalle.
Fatevi un favore: bruciate questo libro e andate a vedere il film "Ophelia - Amore e Morte".
🇬🇧
I wish I could give 0 stars. Its not different than those cheap, horrible fan fiction on wattpad. The only difference is that this is printed and sold.
This "Ophelia" is the personification of the "I'm not like the other girls" concept. So annoying and unnecessary.
Do yourself a favor: burn this "book" and go watch the movie "Ophelia" directed by Claire McCarthy.
Vorrei poter dare zero stelle. Sembra una di quelle orride fanfiction che puoi trovare su wattpad.
Questa "Ophelia" non convince per nulla, ripetitiva e fastidiosa. È la personificazione del concetto "Io non sono come le altre ragazze", concetto che sarebbe ora di lasciarsi alle spalle.
Fatevi un favore: bruciate questo libro e andate a vedere il film "Ophelia - Amore e Morte".
🇬🇧
I wish I could give 0 stars. Its not different than those cheap, horrible fan fiction on wattpad. The only difference is that this is printed and sold.
This "Ophelia" is the personification of the "I'm not like the other girls" concept. So annoying and unnecessary.
Do yourself a favor: burn this "book" and go watch the movie "Ophelia" directed by Claire McCarthy.
July 27, 2022
Overall, I really enjoyed this as a retelling of Hamlet and it kept me interested in a way that Shakespeare's play has never been able to. I've really enjoyed how Courtney has based this series of novels in their own time period and setting, supported with fascinating historical notes. However, there were times when the dialogue felt too modern and it jarred with the rest of the story. I also thought that Flora (who appeared to me as an autistic coded character) lost most of her interesting characteristics after her marriage.
January 12, 2020
Courtney's second novel in the Shakespeare's Queens series takes a fictional look at the life of the Ophelia featured in Hamlet. The real people who inspired the Bard tended not to resemble their fictional counterparts. I like Courtney's approach and how she uses what is known about the time period to create a female warrior who fights for Hamlet as well as loves him. I'm sure there are all kinds of faults to be found in this book but I found it an entertaining page turner.
September 8, 2022
Ho amato follemente questo romanzo, i personaggi sono meravigliosi e la prosa è magistrale.
Mi sono emozionata moltissimo e mi sono commossa, ho addirittura pianto alla fine.
Ho apprezzato moltissimo il ritratto di Ofelia tracciato dall’autrice e per quanto abbia romanzato sia la storia originale che la storia shakespeariana, approvo comunque la sua versione dei fatti.
Consigliatissimo, soprattutto per sbloccarsi dopo un periodo di stallo.
Mi sono emozionata moltissimo e mi sono commossa, ho addirittura pianto alla fine.
Ho apprezzato moltissimo il ritratto di Ofelia tracciato dall’autrice e per quanto abbia romanzato sia la storia originale che la storia shakespeariana, approvo comunque la sua versione dei fatti.
Consigliatissimo, soprattutto per sbloccarsi dopo un periodo di stallo.
July 29, 2025
4.5🌟
LOVED this one!! tbh at first I thought I wasn't going to like this one as much but I really enjoyed it!! yk the boom is good when I wanna do herbology just bc flora does.. also I'm a #floralover
LOVED this one!! tbh at first I thought I wasn't going to like this one as much but I really enjoyed it!! yk the boom is good when I wanna do herbology just bc flora does.. also I'm a #floralover
November 21, 2019
Amazing retelling of Hamlet.
September 26, 2020
The idea of strengthening the female characters from the Shakespeare classics attracted me but sadly I found that this book was just titillating and still appealing to patriarchal values.
November 15, 2020
I like the idea of this very much - to make Hamlet's Ophelia not a hard-done-by, pathetic figure but a warrior and a fighter. However, the actual book, whilst readable and enjoyable, wasn't anything special. Interesting, but not amazing.
April 22, 2025
Sono confusa da questo libro, non so se mi è piaciuto. Mi ha lasciato qualcosa ma non sono sicura di aver apprezzato tutto. Devo rifletterci.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews