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The Chronicle of Maud #2
The Forsaken Monarch
England is in chaos. The heir to the throne is dead. The king's only remaining legitimate child is Empress Maud, who is hundreds of miles away tending to her sick husband. Once a royal afterthought, Maud has suddenly become the most important woman in Europe.
Her father, King Henry I of England, wishes to use her as his pawn once again, but Maud dreams of a different future in which she controls her own destiny. Through heartbreak, conflicts, and great physical danger, she relies on the friends she has made to help her overcome immense obstacles. But will she ever win the respect of both her father and her kingdom? More importantly, will she gain the child she so desperately craves?
Her father, King Henry I of England, wishes to use her as his pawn once again, but Maud dreams of a different future in which she controls her own destiny. Through heartbreak, conflicts, and great physical danger, she relies on the friends she has made to help her overcome immense obstacles. But will she ever win the respect of both her father and her kingdom? More importantly, will she gain the child she so desperately craves?
663 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 12, 2026
I would love for more historic fiction to be broken down into 3 separate books like this. Even 2 would be fine. Especially for the women in history who get so few books written about them. I feel like I've grown with Empress Maud and I walked this path with her.
January 24, 2022
Joe like WILL Read Her Bookcase #4
There was rather a lot of cursing in this book, which wasn't an issue for me, but was surprising. However, much of it could be taken to be normal medieval speech, without the stigma attached to such words now. (An example being when a disliked female is called a "bitch" by Maud; that was a common term to refer to a female dog, usually one used for breeding.)
I found myself having to muddle through, as the story line wasn't interesting. I've read extensively on medieval history, so it was familiar to me; I was simply uninterested in Maud. I don't know why this one lacked the appeal of the first one, but it may have been related to its length, and the way everything was dragged out for 660 pages.
I did like how we didn't have to endure tedious accounts of what every person wore, and equally tedious descriptions of every person's physical characteristics. You can call someone "comely" without waxing poetically about "Grecian noses" and "cherry red lips."
As with her first novel, the author deserves great credit for keeping the history straight; it may have been a boring novel, but there is no doubt it was thoroughly researched.
There's also much more bedroom content in this novel. Some might find it lends more humanity to the characters; I found it trite and pointless. The author's greatest strength lies in her meticulous historical accuracy, and the romance felt contrived and like a modern schtick used to relate better to readers who can't live without the juicy gossip of people's love lives in their novels.
I debated between 2 or 3 stars, but went with 3 because of how well researched and historically accurate the book is. I would have given 2 for the bedroom romance, the tediousness of character development, and sometimes outright boredom.
There was rather a lot of cursing in this book, which wasn't an issue for me, but was surprising. However, much of it could be taken to be normal medieval speech, without the stigma attached to such words now. (An example being when a disliked female is called a "bitch" by Maud; that was a common term to refer to a female dog, usually one used for breeding.)
I found myself having to muddle through, as the story line wasn't interesting. I've read extensively on medieval history, so it was familiar to me; I was simply uninterested in Maud. I don't know why this one lacked the appeal of the first one, but it may have been related to its length, and the way everything was dragged out for 660 pages.
I did like how we didn't have to endure tedious accounts of what every person wore, and equally tedious descriptions of every person's physical characteristics. You can call someone "comely" without waxing poetically about "Grecian noses" and "cherry red lips."
As with her first novel, the author deserves great credit for keeping the history straight; it may have been a boring novel, but there is no doubt it was thoroughly researched.
There's also much more bedroom content in this novel. Some might find it lends more humanity to the characters; I found it trite and pointless. The author's greatest strength lies in her meticulous historical accuracy, and the romance felt contrived and like a modern schtick used to relate better to readers who can't live without the juicy gossip of people's love lives in their novels.
I debated between 2 or 3 stars, but went with 3 because of how well researched and historically accurate the book is. I would have given 2 for the bedroom romance, the tediousness of character development, and sometimes outright boredom.
January 6, 2020
I could not put this book down (as you could tell if you saw the piles of dishes and laundry around my house). It's the first book I've read this year, and I'd be surprised if it doesn't end up to be the best I read all year. It's so well written--never gets boring, like histories can tend to. One of the things I liked best was that I couldn't predict what would happen. With many novels, it's pretty obvious at certain points what will happen because you have to have the happy ending, but real life doesn't always work out that way. Even in the times where I could tell what would happen (e.g., obviously the main character won't die in the middle of book 2!) I was on the edge of my seat wondering how it would all get worked out. I can't recommend this highly enough.
February 17, 2020
What it's like to be an empress, queen, and countess nobody wants
Matilda, known as Maud to her childhood friends, was Empress of the Holy Roman Empire until her husband died. There were no children from this marriage, because Her husband was sick with cancer the whole time. Her father, King Henry the first of England, son of William the Conqueror, finally found use for her after her brother drowned; she needed to be the womb for a male heir to the English throne. To that end, he married her off to the boy Geoffrey of Anjou. They hated each other at first sight, and so spent as little time in each other's sight as was possible, just enough to deliver the promised heir. When her father died, Matilda was prepared to take the English throne, but her cousin Stephen beat her to it. What's a woman to do when no one seems to want her?
This is another great step back into the 12th century and the world of swirling politics and religion, told from the perspective of a very real woman. I love history, and this is a period I knew only a little about. Thank you, Amy Mantravadi for telling such an engrossing tale!
Matilda, known as Maud to her childhood friends, was Empress of the Holy Roman Empire until her husband died. There were no children from this marriage, because Her husband was sick with cancer the whole time. Her father, King Henry the first of England, son of William the Conqueror, finally found use for her after her brother drowned; she needed to be the womb for a male heir to the English throne. To that end, he married her off to the boy Geoffrey of Anjou. They hated each other at first sight, and so spent as little time in each other's sight as was possible, just enough to deliver the promised heir. When her father died, Matilda was prepared to take the English throne, but her cousin Stephen beat her to it. What's a woman to do when no one seems to want her?
This is another great step back into the 12th century and the world of swirling politics and religion, told from the perspective of a very real woman. I love history, and this is a period I knew only a little about. Thank you, Amy Mantravadi for telling such an engrossing tale!
January 14, 2020
Good retelling of Empress Maud story
I've read the first book in The Chronicle of Maud and this one just as enjoyable to read as the first. I have read other stories of this time period in the fight between Maud and Stephen and this retelling gives more of a fleshing out of all the characters. If you enjoy historical fictional I would recommend the first and second book of this series. I look firstly the third book when it comes out.
I've read the first book in The Chronicle of Maud and this one just as enjoyable to read as the first. I have read other stories of this time period in the fight between Maud and Stephen and this retelling gives more of a fleshing out of all the characters. If you enjoy historical fictional I would recommend the first and second book of this series. I look firstly the third book when it comes out.
October 16, 2021
Excellent Detail
This is the second book I downloaded from Amazon. Such a wonderful historical fiction. In college I hated Western Civilization and remember nothing from the course I took. The author has made the history very interesting and I thank her for writing these two books. Corruption within the lords, kings , church, and war was everywhere and it was amazing how many people died during this time period. I hope there is a third book.
This is the second book I downloaded from Amazon. Such a wonderful historical fiction. In college I hated Western Civilization and remember nothing from the course I took. The author has made the history very interesting and I thank her for writing these two books. Corruption within the lords, kings , church, and war was everywhere and it was amazing how many people died during this time period. I hope there is a third book.
January 8, 2020
Terrific
Better than the first book which I enjoyed immensely. I love how this author tells a story. You become totally engaged with all the characters and everything going on. Empress Matilda was an amazing woman and you will come to know her even more. She was courageous, strong, passionate, intelligent and inspiring. I can't wait for the final book in the series.
Better than the first book which I enjoyed immensely. I love how this author tells a story. You become totally engaged with all the characters and everything going on. Empress Matilda was an amazing woman and you will come to know her even more. She was courageous, strong, passionate, intelligent and inspiring. I can't wait for the final book in the series.
February 21, 2021
Most enjoyable
Extraordinary writing that brings to life a dark and forgotten part our history. Kudos for the intense research. I enjoyed this exiting writing that follows the struggles of a girl and a woman so close to power but yet utterly powerless. Remarkable! Thank you for these two excellent books.
Extraordinary writing that brings to life a dark and forgotten part our history. Kudos for the intense research. I enjoyed this exiting writing that follows the struggles of a girl and a woman so close to power but yet utterly powerless. Remarkable! Thank you for these two excellent books.
June 2, 2020
Origins of the Plantagenets
This is a work of fiction packed with facts. Indeed I found the sheer number of persons dates places and events to be almost overwhelming. Nevertheless this is look at the times that makes the history alive.
This is a work of fiction packed with facts. Indeed I found the sheer number of persons dates places and events to be almost overwhelming. Nevertheless this is look at the times that makes the history alive.
January 12, 2021
Definitely to be read as functioned history
I dont know the veracity of this historical novel but sense it is embellished due to the conversations that are the focal point. And I doubt those are as meticulously recorded. Still entertaining and true to known historical events.
I dont know the veracity of this historical novel but sense it is embellished due to the conversations that are the focal point. And I doubt those are as meticulously recorded. Still entertaining and true to known historical events.
January 18, 2021
Awesome!
Better than the first book! Can’t wait for the third! I love this rendering of Empress Maud. I look forward to adding some nonfiction texts to my
Tbr to go with this series.
Better than the first book! Can’t wait for the third! I love this rendering of Empress Maud. I look forward to adding some nonfiction texts to my
Tbr to go with this series.
November 22, 2021
Fascinating.
Love the way the author depicts the world from Maud’s viewpoint. Definitely worth reading. Hopefully there is a follow up to this. If not, it is told in a way that the reader knows the ending.
Love the way the author depicts the world from Maud’s viewpoint. Definitely worth reading. Hopefully there is a follow up to this. If not, it is told in a way that the reader knows the ending.
December 18, 2019
The empress goes home.
Historians are not kind to Maud but I think she was ahead of her time. Looking forward to the 3rd book.
Historians are not kind to Maud but I think she was ahead of her time. Looking forward to the 3rd book.
February 6, 2020
A good story with solid research. Amy Mantravadi is not a highly skilled writer and her phrasing is simplistic, thus the rating of three stars.
January 4, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and cannot wait for the 3rd one. The fact that this author is a direct descendant of Empress Maud (Mathilda), makes it even more appealing. Bring on book #3!
January 15, 2021
Interesting take on history
The author has made all the characters believable and real. I enjoy historical novels and look forward to the next one.
The author has made all the characters believable and real. I enjoy historical novels and look forward to the next one.
January 12, 2022
Well written, fast paced.
Very clearly written story from Empress Maud's perspective. She truly started as a pawn and is now in her way to true power.
Very clearly written story from Empress Maud's perspective. She truly started as a pawn and is now in her way to true power.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews