The Summer Queen

by Margaret Pemberton

The Summer Queen is an evocative and grand historical novel from Margaret Pemberton, the bestselling author of A Season of Secrets and Beneath the Cypress Tree.August 1879, Osborne House. Queen Victoria has occupied the British throne for over forty years. Bringing together her extended family from across Europe offers a chance for old alliances to be strengthened and new unions to be forged.May Teck, daughter of a Duke and Princess, is constantly reminded that she lacks the pedigree to be a true royal. Considering herself an outsider, she finds comfort in meeting two kindred spirits at Osborne; creating a bond with them that she thinks will last forever. Alicky lives in the shadow of her older siblings and has never recovered from the death of her mother. Until she meets Nicky, heir to the Russian throne, who sweeps her off to his homeland where life will never be the same again.And then there is Willy, destined to be the future Kaiser of Germany. Suffering from a birth defect, he’s always kept his true feelings locked away and all the world sees is the bombastic persona he projects. As shifting forces of power send warning ripples across Europe, an unavoidable war looms on the horizon . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

494 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2019

About the author

Margaret A. Hudson was born on 10 April 1943 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, UK, of German extraction. She was daughter of Kathleen (Ramsden), an artist, and George Arthur Hudson, an architect. Married with Londoner Mike Pemberton, they have five grown children, today she lives with her husband and four small dogs in Whitstable, Kent. Apart from writing, her passions are tango, travel, English history and the English countryside.

Published since 1975, she is a bestselling romance writer as Margaret Pemberton, and under the pseudonyms Carris Carlisle; Maggie Hudson and Rebecca Dean. Having travelled extensively, her novels are set in different parts of the world. She was the fifteenth elected Chairman of the Romantic Novelists' Association (1989-1991), she has also served on the Crime Writers' Association Committee.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really enjoyed this!! There were tears.... There are a lot of names and people to keep track of but it's well worth the effort. I found myself completely absorbed in these lives. Here are men, women and children who feel like they are just like everybody else, and they have the same dreams, hopes, loves and jealousies of everyday people, but these are people destined to become emperors and empresses. And their love affairs and marriages, their obsessions and their petty squabbles, have significant repercussions for millions of people in Europe and Russia. Just like everybody else, they can suffer, too. I sobbed my eyes out at times. A glorious saga of, what Queen Victoria called, the 'Royal mob'. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, complex, and compelling!

The Summer Queen is an informative, immersive story set in the UK and Europe from the late 1870s until 1918 that tells the story of Queen Victoria's descendants, primarily three of her grandchildren; May Teck, an educated, Serene Highness who after living a life of exclusion and heartbreak ultimately becomes Queen Mary; Alicky of Hesse, a shy, religious young woman whose enduring love for Nicky Romanov leads her to become Empress Alexandra; and Willy of Prussia, the Queen's oldest grandchild who after his father's death becomes Kaiser Wilhelm, the last emperor to rule Germany.

The prose is vivid and perceptive. The characters are multilayered, stalwart, and resilient. And the plot is a sweeping saga that gives us a unique view into the struggles, sacrifices, hopes, fears, politics, and entangled relationships of the most powerful monarchy of the time.

The Summer Queen is, ultimately, a story about life, love, loss, politics, perseverance, power, war, and sacrifice. It’s an exceptionally well written, rich, thoroughly absorbing story by Pemberton that does a remarkable job of highlighting her considerable research and impressive knowledge into the royalty that existed and ruled the British Empire during this exceptionally important period in European history.

Thank you to Publishers Group Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[ღ❀ ℭaroline ❀ღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I’m really interested in the Victorian era and the reign of Queen Victoria, or Granny Queen as her family referred to her. Despite having quite a broad knowledge of her family, I have to admit, Google was on overtime, especially with a lot of the German and Russian members of the family. The one thing that does have me puzzled is whoever designed and then approved the cover must have been in another parish when they did so. The girl is obviously meant to be May whose hair was a totally different colour, as was Alicky’s.

Queen Mary is an absolute favourite of mine which was why I was so excited to read the book. I was hoping that the library would eventually get it in, but that didn’t happen, so I had to buy it. I’m so glad did. I know I will read it again sometime in the future without having to use Google this time.

You see QM so much in our present Queen when she is serious and I really enjoyed reading May’s story. How much was poetic licence I’m not sure, but it made me wonder what might have happened to Tsar Nicholas if Victoria had got it into her head to marry May off to him. Nicholas was so weak that letting him marry Alexandra was a disaster waiting to happen, I’ve always thought that.

As a result I couldn’t really feel any fondness towards Alicky. It just shows that an autocratic monarchy didn’t work. Nobody was allowed to contradict the ruler, borne out in the disasters Willy makes, and the horrendous decision of letting Rasputin into the Russian royal family. Both empires ceased to exist after WWI which was probably a good thing especially if Wilhelm’s eldest son had been as mad as his father. Wilhelm was just plain bonkers.

It must have been awful waiting to see who your granny planned to marry you off to especially as so many disliked who they ended up married to. Especially May paired with the heir and the spare, although history proved that although it wasn’t the love match of the century, their reign was a good one with plenty of positives coming from it.

I would definitely recommend anyone who is interested in this era and royalty of that age to read it. I really hope Margaret Pemberton writes something along the same lines for her next book.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just läst ut Summer Queen av Margaret Pemberton. Oväntat bra. Handlar om några utvalda släktingar ur det europeiska kungliga släktet och hur de tvingas att gifta sig med varandra. Lättläst men ändå givande bok om man gillar kungligheter på ett feel good sätt

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started out not liking this book very much and ended up liking it quite a bit. At first, the writing style was a little jarring. The book is billed as being three POVs - May of Teck (later Queen Mary of England), Willy (Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany) and Alicky (later Tsarina Alexandra of Russia) - and at first I thought this wasn't working very well, because there was hardly any difference between the way the three POVs sounded.

Later, it became clear this was because at first, the three main characters were children, and as the book progresses, and they become older, they diverge. May starts to sound much more like she is the soul of dignity and the owner of a spine of steel (someone who you can conceivably see as the woman who will later write to her granddaughter that the Crown must always win, for all my Crown watchers). Willy starts to sound naive, pompous and sort of unstable, as he was, and Alicky sounds exactly as haughty and pigheaded as she was in real life. So this actually ended up working.

However, because the author obviously wanted to sometimes include scenes that the three main royals we were following wouldn't have been involved in, there are lots of pointless POV changes to other side characters, most of which are never repeated, and aren't necessary.

The other writing quibble I have is the occasional authorial interruption. This is a pet peeve, where, thinking they are succeeding at foreshadowing, authors instead write a prediction into the text.

An example ("she" refers to Alicky):

The only two guests she would mentally acknowledge as being there were Granny Queen and Sergei, and, in that way, glacially composed and not allowing a flicker of expression to cross her face, she would survive the experience of being on public show. It was a trick she learned that - with disastrous consquences - she would depend on for the rest of her life.

Alicky cannot possibly know that this would have disastrous consequences for her. We know this, because we know how history turned out, but this was far too early in the book for her to have any idea how disastrous her terrible shyness would turn out. This is just lazy writing.

Though I doubt Alexandra would have done anything different if she had known. You can probably tell I'm biased, and that is because while there are a lot of historical figures who you hate because they did scores of terrible things and deserved to be hated, I think Tsarina Alexandra is the only historical figure I loathe on a personal level. For evidence as to why, see every book ever written about the last Tsar of Russia and his wife, because while I don't usually like to blame women for their husbands' failures as rulers, in this one case I think she was responsible for more than half of why Nicholas II's entire reign was a failure.

Anyway.

The subject matter is of incredible interest, which is why the failures in the writing stood out so much. The Royal Mob, as the extended family of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's nine children, many, many grandchildren and countless cousins during the late 19th and early 20th century was known, is absolutely fascinating. Full of colorful characters and family secrets and politics, there really should be more books written about this period. Most books about royalty of this period concentrate on the Romanovs, again, because I mentioned this in my review of The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna, without placing them in the context of anything happening around them. This is a shame, because any of the others are equally fascinating.

Not least May of Teck, who rose from being an obscure, second rate royal, to being engaged to one heir to the throne, then another, then Queen. (This doesn't even cover how, as Queen, she led her country in a war, led her monarchy to survival when countless others fell, lived through various scandals caused by her wayward sons, lived through her eldest son's abdication and her second son becoming king, a second war, and finally lived to see her granddaughter become queen, a literal human bridge between the Victorian and Second Elizabethan Ages).

This was well handled in the book. Prince Eddy, eldest son of King Edward VII (then known as Bertie) died tragically in his 20s, and his intended went on to marry his younger brother, now heir to the throne. May was, by all accounts, very much in love with Prince Eddy, who was the Wild Child Windsor of his day (there's one in every generation, isn't there) and not at all in love with his brother, who was dull and very stern. Eddy is well characterized here, because you do truly feel the tragedy of his early death, now usually glossed over. George is, if anything, even better characterized, since the book gets across very well his sheer, stolid, Englishness while still showing that he ended up caring for May deeply, and eventually, her for him.

George V and Queen Mary were the great royal power couple of their day, and a partnership in every sense of the word. The development of this in the book was very satisfying to watch.

At first, I was most disappointed by Wilhelm's chapters, because he spends a decent amount of his early chapters in love with one of his royal cousins, Ella, and waxing rhapsodic about her beauty. I wasn't expecting this, because there has been speculation about Wilhelm's actual sexuality for years, given that his entire close circle of friends was later outed as gay in the largest homosexual scandal of pre-WWI Europe.

That's kind of a big clue, I think.

Happily, the book does take the view that Wilhelm was a very repressed gay, showing him as being so repressed he doesn't even realize it himself, which from what I know of Wilhelm could actually be true. I thought the author did an excellent job of the thought processs of someone who is definitely gay and has absolutely no idea because it would be a scandal, while making it very obvious that he's gay. It also shows his tendency to change opinions at the drop of a hat, and his love-hate relationship with Britain.

Alicky's chapters are the ones most people will recognize best, as the Romanov story has been picked over so many times, but it is rare to get it from the Tsarina's point of view. I don't know how good a job the book does with this; it certainly shows her at her haughty best, convinced she knows exactly what needs to be done while actually not knowing anything at all. Though I don't think the book quite gets across the religious delusions she lived under. But I have to imagine these were the most difficult chapters to write, given the instability of the subject. It does do an excellent job showing the passionate nature of her marriage; Nicholas and Alexandra were, famously, a love match who never fell out of love. I thought it also succeeded very well at Nicky's characterization, showing him as the inscrutable, dogmatic, steady and rock solid (to the point of detriment) ruler he was.

I have to also give a shout out to Queen Victoria's characterization, because while she wasn't in the book for very long, it does an excellent job at showing her preoccupation with planning dynastic marriages while also giving ample time to her sentimental side. Not to mention, the constant bringing up of her late beloved Albert.

I imagine she was not very much fun to be around, constantly bringing up Albert at every conceivable opportunity.

Anyway, I think anyone who has an interest in royalty of this period would enjoy this book, provided the writing style isn't too distracting. I only wish someone would write a book solely about May of Teck, because why write yet another fictional treatment of Anne Boleyn when Queen Mary is right there?

[Emma's Things to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an interesting way to bring three extraordinary life stories together. May, Alicky and Willy are all part of the extended Royal Family. willy and Alicky are grandchildren of Queen Victoria. Willy is her eldest grandchild and future Kaiser of Germany, Alicky is her favourite granddaughter and May is a first cousin once removed to the matriarch. Despite their proximity to the throne and privileged lives they are all somewhat outsiders.
May is only a Serene Highness and faces the mockery of her royal cousins. Something that is not helped by her family’s precarious financial position that sees them exiled to Italy. Alicky, while beautiful, is quiet and shy; other people believe she is haughty. She is religious and thoughtful and often feels out of place among her lively cousin. Willy is serious and resentful. A breech birth has left him with a deformed arm and his relationship with his parents is strained.
One summer at Osbourne House they may a pact; the three kindred spirits will stick together and support each other. Alicky ominously predicts that if the pact is broken disaster will befall them all.
The book is sweeping and evocative. Beginning in 1879 and ending after the Second World War these three young people grow and develop, face tragedy and heart ache and find themselves, sometimes surprisingly, ruling the most powerful countries of Europe.
The historical events are well known, but the writer gives voice to the inner feelings of the real people.
Despite the focus split narratives, I felt that May was the central character. May is an unlikely, but ultimately perfect choice for Queen. Initially engaged to Eddy, the heir, she overcomes heartache when dies before their wedding. Marrying his brother she struggles in her relationships with George’s family, particularly is mother and domineering sisters. Throughout the course of the book she finds her confidence and her place within the royal family. Ultimately it is May, who as Queen Mary, survives.
Alicky’s story is just heartbreaking. The reader goes into it knowing the tragic fate of the Romanov family but despite this you still will her to make different choices at pivotal points in the novel. The chapter featuring Tsarevitch Alexei are particularly poignant.
If you like royal stories and historical fiction you will love this. Evocative and detailed, it brings historical figures back to life as real people with hopes and fears.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel wasn't badly written, but I would have preferred it to stick to one main character, rather than the dual narrative of May and Alicky (with occasional diversions from Willy). As it was, I found myself getting confused, especially as the timelines weren't always kept very straight. Some events are told in the moment, and some are told as memories remembered by the characters weeks or months later.
I came into this wanting to know more about May, and while I think the novel did do a fair job of giving an overview of her life as a teenager and around her engagements and eventual marriage, the rest of the novel felt quite rushed as it sped through Victoria's last years, Edward VII's reign, WW1 and the Russian Revolution.
I wish that the author had done two novels - one focussing on May and the other on Alicky.
(I'm also still not entirely sure who the 'Summer Queen' was referring to, unless it's a reference to Victoria's line about George marrying May in the summer? The title doesn't really fit the novel. Also who's supposed to be on the front cover??)

[Carolyn Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great to see more historical fiction about Queen Victoria's influence over the lives and marriages of her grandchildren, a theme that has been curiously neglected by novelists. Margaret Pemberton focuses on the future Queen Mary (Mary of Teck) and the future Czarina Alexandra (Alix of Hesse-Darmstadt) with some chapters focused on Kaiser Wilhelm II. The author has clearly done some research and list of further reading is provided at the end of the novel. However, the plot and dialogue are extremely stilted and unrealistic. The "kindred spirits" idea is overdone and the characters are constantly explaining things to one another than a group of royal cousins would already know such as royal titles and the difference between autocratic and constitutional monarchy - and even what their real first names are. A lot of history is summarized very quickly and the times when the characters were historically in the same place at the same time, like the 1909 Cowes Regatta week, are curiously omitted. A good idea for a novel but the writing could have been improved.

[Victoria Frow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good.  To read this book a previous knowledge of Queen Victoria and her family would be a good start as the first few chapters are so full of people and their names it is easy to lose the plot of the book. Once the story gets going it does get better and you can follow the plot a bit better. This story does show the personal side of well known historical figures as it mainly follows the friendship of Queen Mary (married to King George V), Kaiser Wilhelm II  and Alexandra Feodorovna ( married to Nicholas II of Russia) from their childhood to adulthood.

[Diana Bustamante · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever dream of being a princess or other royalty? This book will put you off of that idea. This is historical fiction about Queen Victoria’s Royal Mob. Although the book focuses on 3 grandchildren, there are way too many characters. Even with family trees, it is difficult to keep them apart especially since so many names are versions of the same thing. I found myself double-checking who was whom. It took me a week to get through this which is unusual. 3.5 stars

[Keren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. I read this twice.
Telks the story of 3 members of the family of Queen Victoria and their relationship with each other.

Well told, interesting.

After that I had to go and find out which bits were correct and which not.

Read more about the characters in
"The grand Duchess of Nowhere"

"The last Empress"

And
"Queen Victoria's Granddaughters"

[Nora Pesheva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical dramatisation stories and this book did not disappoint. There are few gaps, like who is the summer queen since the storey is about 2-3 main people and about a 100 secondary (took me forever to get who is who even with the guide in the beginning). I also feel the ending was kind of rushed. But I still liked it.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written historical fictionalised biography drama about the grandchildren of Queen Victoria, their friendships, the rivalries, the fallouts and their everyday lives is so well told. I loved it!

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting look into the lives of Queen Victoria's grandchildren - specifically "Willy" (Kaiser Wilhelm II), "May" (Queen Mary Windsor) and "Alicky" (Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna) from when they were children til the end of World War II.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read. Incredibly historically accurate. The view point shifted predominantly between may and alicky with the occasional willy. Whilst we all know how the story ends it was still incredibly hard hitting

[Elina Karhunen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It was very interesting!

[Kinsey Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good and really helped me understand more the inner relationships between the royals that the general public doesn’t see

[Clare Hudson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gave up on this after 100+ pages. Too many names floating about - couldn't find any flow with the narrative. Disjointed and 3 stories didn't gel together IMO.

[Novelle Novels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very informative book but also very easy to read..

[glittering reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

good story a lot of things I did not know very enjoyable. although I dont agree the tsar and his family should have been shot they could have exiled them not to Britain but say another country who was neutral. but I do understand why they did what they did to the tsar if he had ruled differently and allowed the poor people the food, jobs etc they wanted things might have been different I think George V did the right thing even though he had to live with that for the rest of his life not allowing them in Britain but he was thinking of the country.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting to read from perspectives that don’t often get a lot of focus. There were many poignant moments if you already know the outcomes for the characters.

The cover image does confuse me though. The woman pictured doesn’t fit the description of either of the two main women of the story, both of whom were widely photographed in life.

However, the book itself really drew me in and I flew through it.