Isabeau: A Novel of Queen Isabella and Sir Roger Mortimer

Isabella #1

by N. Gemini Sasson

The story of Queen Isabella, who sought revenge on her husband Edward II, and her lover Sir Roger Mortimer, who masterminded the invasion that accomplished it.

The marriage of Isabella of France and Edward II of England in 1308 is a union meant to secure lasting peace. For years, Isabella is a loyal wife, who repeatedly salvages her husband's kingship, even as she endures his neglect. When she finally speaks out against Edward's favorite, Lord Hugh Despenser, her income, lands and children are taken from her. In an age when women are not supposed to openly defy their husbands, Isabella vows to get her children back and have her revenge on Despenser - no matter what the cost.

Imprisoned in the Tower of London for leading a rebellion against King Edward, Mortimer escapes with Isabella's help and finds refuge in the French court. But when Isabella arrives in Paris to negotiate a peace treaty, it is a temptation the ambitious Mortimer cannot resist.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Medieval, British Literature, Romance, 14th Century

422 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Former teacher and track coach. Runner, gardener, dog lover and sometimes farmer. Author of medieval historical fiction: The Crown in the Heather (The Bruce Trilogy: Book I), Worth Dying For (The Bruce Trilogy: Book II) and Isabeau, A Novel of Queen Isabella and Sir Roger Mortimer.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

How can the medieval invasion of England by a vengeful wife and her ambitious lover against an incompetent king and his powerful intimate become a skim-read, bland, nicey-nicey waste?

Buddy read with Jemidar :-)

[Jemidar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Closer to 2.5 stars.

Meh. I've read worse but have definitely read better. Full of cliches & caricature, and as shallow as a summer puddle. Nothing new or interesting to be seen here. Next!

Buddy read with Anna :-).

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like how this constantly jumped back and forth between Isabeau and Mortimer's first person points of view. My opinion is either write in third person or stick to (at least mostly) one person's view point in first person. If you have to add another person's view in first person, keep it minimal like Margaret George does.

But otherwise I liked the writing style - not too modern but easy to read. It also seemed pretty accurate and any elements changed made sense. It was over all pretty good.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be hosting a giveaway for TWO of N. Gemini Sasson's novels within the next week, so make sure to stop by and enter for a chance to win!

http://historicalfictionobsession.blo...


Coming across author N. Gemini Sasson is one of the best discoveries I've made on Amazon.com. I was browsing through my recommendations on Amazon around two months ago, and I happened across her Trilogy on Robert the Bruce. I hadn't read very much about him, and the Kindle edition price was incredibly cheap ($2.99), so I bought the first book in the trilogy, THE CROWN IN THE HEATHER, read it in less than two days and became completely hooked. I finished the first two novels in the trilogy in less than a week, and then discovered that the third novel in the Bruce trilogy hasn't quite been completed yet, so I bought ISABEAU knowing that I would love it because Sasson was the author!


I was right, I adored it! Throughout history Isabel of France and Sir Roger Mortimer have been given a bad rap. She's known as a "she-wolf" who cheated on her husband and stole his crown, and Mortimer is known as a devil who wanted to usurp England's crown, and who ran the country through Isabel's son, Edward III, until he finally smartened up and got rid of Mortimer. People never get Isabel or Roger's story, because it's always so biased and one sided. Yes, I'm sure Isabel wasn't the perfect wife, but heck, King Edward II was a horrible husband and a horrible King! He only cared about his current favorites, and his concern was not for his country or his wife, but for the men he was in love with!


Sir Roger Mortimer started off as a loyal follower of the king, but he began to see the true side of the king, and realized that he wasn't worth following anymore, so Mortimer joined in a rebellion against him. Mortimer was lucky to keep his head, and escaped to France after some time spent in The Tower. After Isabel is sent to France to make peace at King Edward II's command, Isabel and Roger Mortimer reconnect and they end up falling in love. Mortimer knows what Isabel has gone through as a wife to Edward II, and he also sees what a beautiful and strong woman she is. As a team they plot to overthrow Edward II, and put the king's son Edward III on the throne. At first working together seems to bring Isabel and Mortimer closer together, but toward the end of the novel you can begin to see the cracks in the love beginning. Mortimer wants to be the man in the relationship, and make all the big decisions without Isabel's help. However, Isabel is a Princess of France and the Queen of England, and she is aware of her power, and wants to use it. Mortimer loves her as a woman, but it's hard for him to back down and listen to her as a Queen. Several times he angers her in public by not listening to her as a Queen, and trying to tell her what to do. It's obvious that Isabel is not going to continue to put up with his less than reverent treatment of her.


I enjoyed getting to know Isabel and Roger as two people in love, rather than as the two power hungry traitors they are usually described as. I also like that this book ends with hope. We obviously know what ends up happening to Roger Mortimer, and we also know that the remainder of Isabel's life isn't all smiles and butterflies, but at least at the end of this book the reader is able to imagine that things do work out for them, and that love endures. I always love a happy ending, and in historical fiction it's often hard to give reader that happy ending, because, well, there wasn't a happy ending! So, although things didn't turn out so well for the love of Isabel and Roger, at least in this fascinating novel there is hope for their future.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I can't imagine N. Gemini Sasson writing a novel that I wouldn't give five stars. Anyone who is a fan of historical fiction needs to check out her novels.

[Paul Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Isabeau" is a superbly-crafted, hugely-engaging novel set in 14th century England and France, which tells the story of Isabeau of France - Queen Isabella of England - and her efforts to rescue both her adopted country and her loved ones from the machinations of the English king, her husband, Edward II.

Married to Edward as a young girl, Isabella knows deep unhappiness and neglect. Edward is a feeble and low-minded king, and is far too easily led by the despicable court lizard Hugh Despenser, Edward's close confidante and suspected lover. Isabella suffers under their cruel control - particularly Despenser, who loathes Isabella and sees her as a threat to his selfish designs. Isabella finds some solace in Sir Roger Mortimer, a one-time servant of the king who is later imprisoned as a rebel. With the lives of her children in peril, Isabella departs to France under the guise of a diplomatic mission. There she re-unites with Mortimer, who has escaped London with her help. A passionate relationship develops between them, and together they instigate a courageous campaign to return to England, rescue their kin, and tackle the wicked stranglehold of Edward and Despenser.

N. Gemini Sasson has a style of prose which is perfectly suited to this kind of novel, with impressive attention to historical fact and a wonderful flair for imagery and detail. Scenes are set effortlessly, high drama is portrayed without going over the top, and ultimately the reader is compelled to keep reading in order to learn the fate of these brave characters. A deserved 5 stars for this tremendous read, and I'm looking forward to seeing more again from N. Gemini Sasson, a writer simply bursting with talent.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the author's slant on the Queen Isabella/Roger Mortimer affair. Neither character is painted as either black or white, as often history portrays them, but rather as complex figures who come together in a dynamic love affair. Queen Isabella's motivation is often said to have been pure revenge, however in this novel she is shown as a woman who tried to be a good wife to her husband, but doing so began to contradict her duties as a queen. She had England's best interest at heart, aswell as just her own personal desire to be rid of Hugh Despenser.
This is a wonderfully written novel, but I do feel as though it would be beneficial to have some prior knowledge of the era before you read it, as it may help to comprehend why so many people joined together to bring down Hugh Despenser. It was a very volatile era of English history, and Ms Sasson's has created a vivid tale full of interesting characters.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like historical novels, this book will not disappoint. Isabeau, daughter of King Philip IV of France, becomes Queen Isabella, wife of King Edward II at the tender age of 12, nearly 13. The marriage was arranged as a way to bring peace between France and England. King Edward proves to be as bad a husband as he is king. What surprises me is that four children were born of that marriage...four! Because from the gist of the story, Edward preferred his men friends over Isabella. But kings are expected to produce heirs so I guess Edward II did something right.

The other voice in this story is of Sir Roger Mortimer, who is unfairly accused of being a traitor and is imprisoned in The Tower. His life is spared and eventually escapes to France with the help of Isabella and others. Meanwhile, Isabella's life becomes more hellish when her children are taken away by King Edward and his really-close-friend, Hugh Despenser and her French damsels sent back to France. She is kept in isolation and dreams of revenge. When Edward sends her on a diplomatic mission to France, holding her children as insurance for her return to England, she jumps at it. This is her chance to seek help from her brother Charles, now King of France. She is reunited with Sir Roger Mortimer and they fall in love while plotting Edward's removal from the throne and taking the dread Despenser to trial. Young Edward III is reunited with his mother in France and joins her cause.

This story is well written, combining fact with fiction that paints these historical people in high definition, 3-D imagery. N. Gemini Sasson, thank you for such an enjoyable history lesson. This book has motivated me to whip out my encyclopedias and history books to learn more about the three Edwards (Plantagenets) and the brave Queen Isabella. I can't wait for book #2! I read that it's due out 2012.

[Erin Germain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure exactly what to expect with this, but it was enjoyable. It started a bit slowly, but about a third of the way in, it really picked up speed. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of the relationship between Edward II and Isabella; he couldn't have completely been the spineless, sniveling creature portrayed here. I understand that the story was told from Isabella's and Mortimer's points of view, so it makes sense that Edward was shown as such, as well as Despenser to be as devoid of humanity as he was shown to be. As with many other books I've enjoyed, this makes me want to search out other renditions of the story to see how other parties may have behaved and complete the picture.

[Adelheid · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admit that I never got over the horrid Historical Inaccuracy that claimed that Edward II really was the father of Queen Isabella's children. While Historians may not be sure who each of their fathers was, most agree that Edward and Isabella never had sexual intercourse.
I was also extremely disappointed at how the book seemed to drag and its lack of 'on screen' action. We were told that there was a battle, and that Roger was even in some of them, but we never see the action. Nor do we see any of the political machinations as they occur. Rather we are told about them at a later point. Isabella also seemed to innocent and passive to be the woman who earned the nickname She Wolf of France.

[V.R. Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Sasson's writing is elegant and effortless. Never strained or contrived. As someone who has an interest in English history, I found this really engaging, and an interesting theory as to what went on behind the scenes of Edward II's expulsion and overthrow. I doubt very much that Isabelle would have felt differently about her husband's misdeeds than would any wife today, and in that I found it relevant as well. I'm looking forward to reading more of Ms. Sasson's work.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done! Just finished this novel by N. Gemini Sasson. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this chapter in history through Queen Isabelle's eyes.
The author did a very believable job recreating the moments: large and small that impacted the people and moved the story forward. I also enjoyed the way she wove in the culture and mores of the time as they impacted Isabella. I found myself caught up in the moments of the story. I need to download the next one!! I highly recommend.

[Kristen Brockberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summer read

Good summer read

this was a light summer read with a good balance of historical fiction and romance for me. I enjoy how her books are written from different perspectives....it keeps it fresh for me.

[Therese · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not the first book I have read about Isabella of France and Roger Mortimer, but after reading this when I think I’m going to have to take a break from them. I have read the biography of Edward II, Isabella’s husband, and I’ve read books from her POV, Roger’s POV, Eleanor de Clare’s (Despenser) POV and so this was a little bit different since it was from both of their points of view (Roger’s & Isabella’s). However this seemed more like Isabella’s story, and I suppose the author used Roger’s POV to tell things that were happening with him when they were not together. However this book was still lacking and couldn’t keep my attention although I am hard-pressed to tell you why.

When Isabella wed Edward II, she was only 13 years old or so, about 10 years younger than Edward who was already deeply involved with his favorite, Gaveston. Isabella wasn’t at the center of attention at her wedding, but it would be a few years before she and Edward would sleep together to have children because women at that time did not usually sleep with their husbands until they were expected to produce an heir. There were key events that barely brushed over, and while attention was paid to Edward and Gaveston very little of it had anything to do with Isabella because she had learned to tolerate him. The barons had issues with him, but he is soon disposed of.

Another thing this book is lacking is that there were any good times between Isabella and Edward, times without war and/or a favorite interfering, and I would guess that between favorites Edward came to rely on Isabella. Of course this didn’t last any more than peace in the land did. Gaveston is never forgotten but Edward now has a new favorite – Hugh Despenser, the younger, and he is “smarter” and greedier than Gaveston ever was. He collects land and has everyone fearful of him except the King, and Edward will do ANYTHING for him, including give up his kingdom.

I have never read that kings or queens were directly responsible for raising their children, and I believe the same was true of Edward and Isabella. Yet the author says how Edward took her children away from her and were left with the wicked Lady Despenser. Eleanor Despenser was the king’s favorite niece and oldest grandchild of Edward I. She was Royal and there has never been any indication that she ever mistreated their children if they did in fact stay with her for any amount of time.

Edward was a difficult man as was Hugh Despenser, but I don’t believe either one were as one-dimensional as they have been portrayed in this book. To me this telling seemed more about fiction than history and that is a shame because this is quite the story to be told.

The thing that always puzzles me is how people never learned from the mistakes of others. You can’t play favorites without suffering the consequences. Roger would be the next to learn this.

[Deyanira C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is the first novel that I really like about Isabela " the She wolf". Probably because it portrays her as a person with strengths and weaknesses, she is not a villain but not a heroine either, and that is repeated with all the characters, of course some are less likable but the story still feels credible.

Isabela is a girl when it starts the story and as such has many false ideas about life, so when she is trapped in England in an unhappy marriage her reality begins to hit her, she is patient and aware of her place in the world to be silent and obey, she fulfills it for a long time and she supports her husband's love for another man, just as she supports being treated like furniture, but as the years go by Isabela realizes that things will not improve and that Edward her husband is not a good person, that and being private of her children lead her to react against her husband, at the same time we read the life of Roger Mortimer as a nobleman of his time, rude, ambitious and powerful, with a loveless but fertile marriage and a struggle for power that leads him to be arrested, but make no mistake, he is not necessarily a bad person, he was loyal, and he knows how to be, but circumstances led him to be against the king, his relationship with Isabela is credible and has nuances, they are not just two lovers lustful but two people who get angry and clash with each other but who find in each other understanding, support and sex, even love, the book ends with Isabela taking the throne and now I know that there is a sequel that I plan to read. I suppose that for many people it was not pleasant to read the story from two different points of view Isabela and Roger, but it is well done and I liked it, it is historically accurate at least in general, and it presents logical situations and characters.

[Ruth Harwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is only the second book I've read on my new kindle, and I really enjoyed it! Aside from the fact that I've been a luddite forever, and all the past attempts at kindle reading have failed as it didn't feel the same, now I think I'm getting used to it! I;ve done a little factual reading around this era, including the fall of the knights templar (the reason for our superstitions of Friday 13th, don't you know? Research it!), which Isabella lived through, and the deposing of Edward II. And of course, anyone in the UK knows how Danny Dyer is a descendant of Edward III, Isabella's son, thus obvs of her as well. I'm sure this may bring a few more readers to enjoying the event-filled times around the 13th and 14th centuries.
The writing here brings much of the issues surrounding Edward II's incompetance into the light, and gives the human touch to what some may feel is dry and boring, though to me it's not! As this is the first of a series, I'll keep my eye out for others, and recommend anyone who enjoys a little drama, like the last man to escape from the tower (I think, could be wrong there), the love affair he has with the queen and the king who began the wars of the roses budding authority, get this on your list, it's a good read! xx

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start
But ultimately absorbing, this historical novel of the marriage of Isabella of France and Edward II of England, the king's absorption (and likely homosexual affairs, though the book never explicitly says so) with Piers Gaveston and Hugh Despenser to the detriment of his kingdom, and the queen's alliance with Sir Roger Mortimer to take down the king, is a mostly satisfying tale. The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is that the story is not finished. There isn't a cliffhanger, but there is a second book to the series, because, as the author frankly states, this one would be far too long otherwise. So for the full story, you must read the companion book, The King Must Die.

[Heather Womack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book with an interesting take on one of history's most infamous queens. I am a sucker for books about historical queens and their lives and loves and power struggles. I have read other books about Queen Isabella (Isabeau) and Sir Roger Mortimer and this one didn't disappoint. Took me a while to finish it, but only because life kept getting in the way. Overall a good and interesting book.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I liked the book but did find it a bit dull at times particularly in the beginning. I have read other books on Isabella and Simon and enjoyed them more. The relationships between all the central characters were more engaging than in this book but still a good read. I will read the sequel.

[Donna Robey-sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

mostly historically accurate with a few acknowledged exceptions. The realistic depictions of the lives & times of the 1300s were appreciated. Noted that with the exception of sin mankind has come a long way to ease our daily discomforts of life on earth

[Marge Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take A Chance

Go ahead and take a chance I did. I have become a very big fan of historical fiction or a mix of fact and fiction if well written and researched the era. I definitely put this author at the top for factual fiction.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not compelling.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not Historically Accurate!

It was a good read. But no one knew about germs in the 1300's. There were no infections. It was entertaining.

[Malacima · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting from a historical perspective. Since it’s a novel could have a deeper focus on the individuals.

[Shellie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring

Not much character development
Don't think ill be reading the second one
It just didn't hook me lime I thought it would.

[Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The early 1300’s – England, Scotland, France…. This is the story of King Edward II of England and his Queen, Isabella of France. It is a time of wars, power plays, ruthless politics, intrigue, murder - and it is a love story. The story of Isabella and Sir Roger Mortimer who defied a king to save England from the ruinous path that he was not leading it down, but rather allowing it to crumble into. If revenge was also a motive, Edward gave Isabella and Mortimer too, plenty of reasons to want it.
This is very definitely a HISTORICAL novel and not just a pretty story written in a past time period. There is a difference. Every author who write a novel based on historical figures has to imagine personalities and interactions between the players. These things took place more than eight centuries ago and records from those times are few, and they certainly do not explain the personalities of the people involved. A writer has to base these things on the known actions they took and go from there. In this book the characters come very much alive and real.
I should add here that I have read the first two books in this author’s The Bruce Trilogy, which follows Robert the Bruce of Scotland. His war with England had already introduced me to Edward II. Although this book is not part of that trilogy, I would highly recommend reading it after those first two books (I have the third one here to read) although this could be read as a stand alone.
I was not very familiar with the English part of this time period before reading these books. I tend to check Wiki at times when reading historical fiction just to make sure I am understanding. If one is familiar with Edward II, he was a weak king who made a lot of terrible decisions and who relied on the wrong advisors. He also probably was more interested in men than women, and that plays into the story since he made some of his worst decisions when involved with first one and then another, the latter being Lord Hugh Despenser.
A great deal of this story is about Mortimer’s imprisonment in the tower, his escape, and the complex scheme involving the queen and her brother, the king of France, to unseat Edward from the throne and to replace Edward with his and Isabella’s son, also Edward, as king. Mortimer is approached to be a player in this complicated scheme, and he has many reasons to seek revenge against Edward. His long time adoration of the Queen develops into more than that as they fight to save England and their people.
Very well written and although I started the Bruce series because I love books about Scotland, I think this is my favorite of the three I have read. The descriptions of life at court, and the French court which I also have not read about before, were really interesting. I found myself thinking about the characters long after I had picked up other books to read. I try to do reviews right away but perhaps it was better that I did not do this one immediately. It is significant if a book sticks with me for awhile! Excellent history with well developed characters – sometimes history can be more entertaining than fiction.

[Paul Burnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reluctant queen; loving mother; lusty lover: Isabeau. Isabella, sister of the King of France, has one of those political weddings to King Edward II of England, a less than appealing man already in love with someone else -- another gay man. Isabella has four children with Edward, who spends all his emotional energy on either his lover or his frustration with the horde of English nobles and rebellious Scots who deny him all he's ever wanted from life: to be left alone to live in peace with his lover. But his lover is ambitious and uses his preferred place in society to persecute whoever stands in the way of his quest for power. Consequently Isabeau's children are taken from her to insure her effectiveness in pleading for what Edward wants from France. Mortimer, though loyal to the King and one of his most effective generals, also falls to Edward's need to please his lover and is imprisoned in the Tower of London along with his uncle and his eldest son. When Isabella saves Mortimer's life, and then he's rescued from the Tower to flee to France at the same time Isabella is there to negotiate for Edward with her brother Charles, the stage is set for the two persecuted souls to fall in love. Isabella becomes Isabeau to Mortimer, betrays her betraying husband, and plots with Mortimer for the rescue of their children and the ruin of Edward's ambitious and greedy lover. Intrigue, you bet! Narrative grace, my goodness, yes! Suspense, well if you don't already know the historical events the novel is based on, then yes! Hours of entertainment? Yep! And much pleasant company to be found among the characters in Isabeau's life in 14th century England and France. Thank you, Ms. Sasson!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a first-reads giveaway.

I really enjoyed reading this book, Isabeau. I found it to be a fascnating, compelling read. In this novel of historical fiction the characters really come to life and are well-developped. Throughout the book, the main characters of Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer are faced with many challenges to overcome and moral questions to think about as they struggle against King Edward and his closest advisor. The author, N. Gemini Sasson, must have done a lot of research for this book, for it is wonderfully detailed and has a ring of truth to it. The descriptive language allows the reader to really become immersed in the world and time period of Isabeau.
There is much to draw the readers in. There is a lot of political intrigue, romance, betrayal, and action that provides many twists and turns to the plot. The story moves along at a good pace that encourages one to keep reading, and I was reluctant to put it down.
Overall it is a thoughtful, well-written book and one that I will think about even after finishing reading it. I would recommend this novel to others, especially anyone who loves historical fiction. The author has also written another novel, part of a trilogy about Robert the Bruce, and I am looking forward to reading that as well.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queen Isabella is a woman on a mission. She wants revenge on her husband, King Edward and his suspected lover, Hugh Despenser. She has sat by and watched King Edward let Despenser run the country into the ground, turned Edward against Isabella and both of them have treated Isabella cruelly. After Despenser takes away Queen Isabella's children; she is able to escape to France under a guise of a treaty with her brother, King Charles. She is reunited with Sir Roger Mortimer, who she help escape after he was named a traitor and rebel. They end up passionately falling in love and together they return to England to rescue their families. They come back to take down the tyranny of King Edward and Hugh Despenser once and for all.
This book was okay. It was not the worst I have read but it wasn't the best either. It had a decent storyline to it and the author made sure the facts in the story were correct. This book was full of cliches and the story had no depth to it. Overall I would give it three stars and if you are looking for a quick, easy read with historical fiction twisted into it, I would say this book is a fit for you.

[Heather Domin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been looking forward to reading this since I first heard about it, and I wasn't disappointed. This is Isabella's story from her wedding to her son's accession, told in alternating first-person by Isabella and Roger Mortimer. Both narrators come across as realistic people with flaws and virtues (especially Roger), as do the supporting characters around them. I'm not a fan of the "Edward II was the worst king ever" trope, especially as a flimsy cover for homophobia (I'm looking at you, Braveheart), but here it's not so much that he's irredeemably worthless as that he's let himself succumb to zero self-esteem and chronic indecisiveness. Hugh Despenser is way more one-sided, but every adventure needs a cackling villain. And this is an adventure - in my opinion the love story is secondary to the intrigue and danger. The writing isn't bogged down by Thesaurus Syndrome, especially in the dialogue (which is refreshing); historical fact and creative fiction are blended with confidence. I look forward to catching up with the rest of this author's work.