Unfortunately for Catherine of Braganza, she is one of those queens who is overshadowed by a larger than life husband and king and by his many dynamic mistresses. Presented here as a dutiful, demure, and permissive wife, Catherine is the reader's eyes and ears to the English Restoration and the years afterwards. She paints an unforgettable portrait, and in the process, she becomes unforgettable herself.

When Catherine comes to England, she is utterly ignorant of English customs, the language, and the nature of the man she has married. Despite being in her early twenties, she is like a child. According to the book, Catherine's powerful mother had been holding out for an alliance with England for a long time, which is why it boggles my mind that she wouldn't think to employ and English-language tutor for her daughter, who was apparently quite studious. Seems like the proactive thing to do, but what do I know?

That said, Catherine is far more adaptable than her predecessor Henrietta Maria was. It is this adaptability that endears her to Charles II who, by all accounts, is flippant about controversy but willing to hold onto the throne no matter what the cost. Here, he's painted as a rather relaxed monarch, both in morals and policy, but if one reads between the lines, we see a statesman who is astute and cunning. He knows how to keep his subjects happy, though there are time when he could and should assert his rights as king more, especially when it comes to the Popish Plot.

A lot of historical events are covered here, and they're quite thrilling to read, almost as thrilling as the various mistresses that cross the page. Ironically, through them, we see Catherine grow into herself and even acquire some agency, though it is minimal. There are Barbara Castlemaine, Nell Gwynne, and Louise Keroualle. Each of them offers the king something different, but none of them offer the stability and tranquility that Catherine promises. It's this hold she has on Charles that prevents him from divorcing her, despite her inability to have children. Moreover, she is able to leverage her position as England's queen to influence events from her native Portugal. Her naivety enhances her patriotism, and she comes off as a monarch determined to do good.

This is where the book unceremoniously cuts off. Just as Catherine is about to ascend to the regency of her homeland Portugal, long after Charles has died and his brother James has been deposed, Plaidy ends the book. It's so disappointing because the book isn't that long. There was definitely space to explore this chapter of Catherine's life where she wielded unprecedented power to protect her nascent Portugal from the clutches of Spain during her brother's ill health. I would have loved to learn more but, alas, I must rely on other sources to do that.

Overall, this is a moving book. Sometimes pitiable, sometimes exciting, but always intriguing. I know very little about the Stuart dynasty and the Restoration, so I appreciated this glimpse into that time period. Another entertaining entry by Plaidy that I must recommend to historical fiction lovers. ( )

Its quite feat of the author when youre predisposed to like the main character,but after the finishing the book you dont like her at all.

A weak read. ( )