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The long-awaited prequel to Koen's beloved Through a Glass Darkly, Dark Angels is a feast of a novel that sparkles with all the passion, extravagance, danger, and scandal of seventeenth-century England. Alice Verney is a young woman intent on achieving her dreams. Returning to England after a messy scandal forced her to flee to Louis XIV's France, Alice is anxious to re-establish herself by regaining her former position as a maid of honor to Charles II's queen and marrying the most celebrated duke of the Restoration. But all is not as it seems in the rowdy, merry court of Charles II. Since the Restoration, old political alliances have frayed, and there are whispers that the king is moving to divorce his barren queen, who some wouldn't mind seeing dead. Alice, loyal only to a select few, is devoted to the queen, and so sets out to discover who might be making sinister plans--and if her own father is one of them. When a member of the royal family dies unexpectedly, the stakes are raised. As Alice steps up her efforts to find out who is--and isn't--true to the queen, she learns of shocking betrayals throughout court, and meets a man who she may fall in love with--and who could spoil all of her plans. With the suspected arrival of a known poison-maker, the atmosphere in the court electrifies, and suddenly the safety of the king himself seems uncertain. Secret plots are at play, and war is on the horizon--but will it be with the Dutch or the French? And has King Charles himself betrayed his country for greed? Unforgettable in its dramatic force, here is a novel of love and politics, of romance and betrayal, of power and succession--and of a resourceful young woman who risks everything for pride and status in an era in which women were afforded little of either.… (altro)
Before there ever was a Duke or Duchess of Tamworth, there was Alice Verney, daughter of Baron Verney and member of the court of Charles II. Knowing her from her later years, this is a fascinating look at who she started out being and why she became the person we knew as the Dowager Duchess of Tamworth.
This book also shares the same political intrigues and maneuverings as Koen's earlier novels. We meet historical characters; tragic Marie Henriette, the Duchess d' Orleans, aka Madame; the outrageous and obnoxious Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland, and her new rival for the affections of Charles II, Louise de Keroualle.
A major player, previously seen only in memories, walks onto the stage in the form of Richard Saylor, the future Duke of Tamworth. Previously known to us only as crones, his sisters Elizabeth and Louisa have been transformed into lovely young maidens. Their mother, Jerusalem Saylor, is introduced and has become my favorite new character in this novel. This wonderful woman seems to be a throwback to an earlier time, an old fashioned Celtic pagan in a world obsessed with which form of Christianity to embrace, a 17th century Boudicca treading carefully among the Catholics and Protestants. I could read more about her.
This book wraps up the early phase of the life of the Duchess of Tamworth; it would be wonderful to read a book or two that bridges the gap between this novel and Through A Glass Darkly. I can see either Alice or Richard (or Perryman or Jerusalem Saylor)giving Henri Ange his final comeuppance in a sequel. ( )
the reign of King Charles II and his wife, his lovers, and their courtiers, on 17th century England and France. Hopefully very based in history, it was a fascinating intrigue that kept me interested until near the end. Sometimes it would be interesting to see the behind-the-scenes machinations at work and be reminded how the role of women was so limited. I actually found the Queen to be the most interesting. She certainly was the only character that had some sense of self-awareness and realization. the main character's pride nearly made me leave the book completely. Still, very fascinating, for those interested in this era. ( )
I could NOT finish this one at this time and therefore cannot review or rate fairly. I am disappointed in myself. Even if a book is bad I have to finish it but this is just not going to happen with this book. Perhaps I shall come back to it. Ooops!! Dropped in the tub and now it's soaking wet and ruined.
This was a really good book. I had trouble putting it down. Read it in appx 3 days. I had never really read anything about Louis XIV's Court and this gave a good overview. Good characterization and good descriptions. I would recommend this to anyone. I have not read either of her other books but his has inspired me to do so. I'm not big on giving the story line in reviews. That can so easily spoil the book for someone else. It's a "Court life" book. ( )
Dark Angels tells the tale of Alice Verney, a maid of honor to both a Princess of France and a Queen of England. Most of all she seems to desire nothing more then becoming a Duchess and rising in position. Alice isn’t above scheming to get what she wants, and her youthful self-absorption and occasional vindictiveness bring some tragic consequences. Stepping on toes and hurting others doesn’t seem to effect her until almost all those that she most cares for are lost to her. Karleen Koen writes of the treacherous court of King Charles II. The life and times of those that lived at court was full of intrigue,lust, love and betrayal. There seems to be too many characters to keep track of and Alice’s interest for Soldier Richard Saylor seems to be out of nowhere when she finally admits to being in love with him. There relationship seemed friendly at best and them suddenly they are in love? All in all I enjoyed Dark Angels. Koen’s attention to historical detail brings the novel to life and makes for an enjoyable read.
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When I was a child, I spake as a child. I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. - I Corinthians 13: 11-13
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For X and, one more time, for Carmen
Incipit
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May 1670 Facing white cliffs in a strait of ocean separating two kingdoms, a fleet of ships lay at anchor. It was the fleet of the kingdom of England, sent to escort precious cargo: a princess of England and France, the most famous princess in Christendom, in fact.
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The long-awaited prequel to Koen's beloved Through a Glass Darkly, Dark Angels is a feast of a novel that sparkles with all the passion, extravagance, danger, and scandal of seventeenth-century England. Alice Verney is a young woman intent on achieving her dreams. Returning to England after a messy scandal forced her to flee to Louis XIV's France, Alice is anxious to re-establish herself by regaining her former position as a maid of honor to Charles II's queen and marrying the most celebrated duke of the Restoration. But all is not as it seems in the rowdy, merry court of Charles II. Since the Restoration, old political alliances have frayed, and there are whispers that the king is moving to divorce his barren queen, who some wouldn't mind seeing dead. Alice, loyal only to a select few, is devoted to the queen, and so sets out to discover who might be making sinister plans--and if her own father is one of them. When a member of the royal family dies unexpectedly, the stakes are raised. As Alice steps up her efforts to find out who is--and isn't--true to the queen, she learns of shocking betrayals throughout court, and meets a man who she may fall in love with--and who could spoil all of her plans. With the suspected arrival of a known poison-maker, the atmosphere in the court electrifies, and suddenly the safety of the king himself seems uncertain. Secret plots are at play, and war is on the horizon--but will it be with the Dutch or the French? And has King Charles himself betrayed his country for greed? Unforgettable in its dramatic force, here is a novel of love and politics, of romance and betrayal, of power and succession--and of a resourceful young woman who risks everything for pride and status in an era in which women were afforded little of either.
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(3.64)
5
This book also shares the same political intrigues and maneuverings as Koen's earlier novels. We meet historical characters; tragic Marie Henriette, the Duchess d' Orleans, aka Madame; the outrageous and obnoxious Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland, and her new rival for the affections of Charles II, Louise de Keroualle.
A major player, previously seen only in memories, walks onto the stage in the form of Richard Saylor, the future Duke of Tamworth. Previously known to us only as crones, his sisters Elizabeth and Louisa have been transformed into lovely young maidens. Their mother, Jerusalem Saylor, is introduced and has become my favorite new character in this novel. This wonderful woman seems to be a throwback to an earlier time, an old fashioned Celtic pagan in a world obsessed with which form of Christianity to embrace, a 17th century Boudicca treading carefully among the Catholics and Protestants. I could read more about her.
This book wraps up the early phase of the life of the Duchess of Tamworth; it would be wonderful to read a book or two that bridges the gap between this novel and Through A Glass Darkly. I can see either Alice or Richard (or Perryman or Jerusalem Saylor)giving Henri Ange his final comeuppance in a sequel. (